The Natural List

Join hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith as they highlight the must-attend sessions at Newtopia Now, happening August 20-22, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. They discuss the many ways brands and retailers can get involved and make lasting connections during this standout show.  Newtopia Now represents the heartb...

In this episode of The Natural List, hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino dive into the excitement of Newtopia Now 2025!   Discover the exciting collaborations happening across product categories and get the inside scoop on how chocolate brands are navigating price challenges amid new tariffs. Our hosts share the exciting number of first-time exhibitors and Jessica and Adrienne share...

The NEXTY awards are coming back to Newtopia Now, bigger and better than before! This week, co-host Adrienne Smith is joined by Meredith Kaufman, associate editor at New Hope Network, to explore the exciting return to and revamp of the NEXTY awards at Newtopia Now 2025. This year’s NEXTYs feature a special Newtopia Now category, where our panel of experts will choose 8-10 remarkable brands from ea...

In this episode of The Natural List, Nancy Coulter-Parker, New Hope Network director of content marketing sits down with Mickey McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Salt Spring Coffee, and today’s sponsor of The Natural List. The brand is Canada’s first Regenerative Organic Certified coffee company and has a long history of caring for soil health and nutrient density. With various certifications and dedi...

This episode of The Natural List highlights 7 emerging trends for Newtopia Now. Our co-hosts explore exciting developments across all three neighborhoods—Glow, Thrive, and Regenerate—highlighting how holistic health integrates beauty and wellness from the inside out.  With cross-category trends like tallow-based formulations and clean-label innovations, plus innovative developments from suppl...

In this episode of  The Natural List , co-hosts  Jessica Rubino  and  Adrienne Smith reveal the 10 crucial trends you need to know before attending Newtopia Now (August 20-22, 2025). From hyper-functional products and high protein everything to beef tallow and basics reimagined, this is an episode you need to listen to when prepping for Newtopia Now.   Newtopia Now is the destination for...

Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino explore the global flavor revolution transforming the natural products landscape, spotlighting 6 innovative brands and explaining why this trend has captured consumer imagination and market share across the industry.  In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith take listeners on a flavorful journey through Newtopia Now 202...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith welcome NBJ Content & Insights Director Bill Giebler to discuss all things NBJ Summit. Happening July 28-31st at the Terrania Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, this event offers an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders to convene for three days of education about the future of nutrition and dietary supple...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino share all the details about Newtopia Now , coming to Denver, Colorado Aug. 20-22. Jessica starts off with an exciting statistic that is surely a reason for industry optimism: this will be the first time exhibiting at a New Hope Network tradeshow for 45% of Newtopia Now exhibitors. Next, the duo shares some show highli...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino welcome New Hope’s Senior Retail Reporter, Doug Brown, to the show. Doug’s weekly column , Shelf Life , is published every Friday on newhope.com and his recent features involve his foray into the world of grocery shopping with the help of AI. Doug, who is fascinated by the utility of these chatbots, tells Jessica and...

Co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith do a deep dive into a recent Unboxed gallery of ten upcycled products and discuss which ones they can't wait to try. In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith dive into the innovative world of upcycled products featured in a recent Unboxed gallery. The conversation kicks off with a discussion of what upcycling means...

There's never a dull moment in the CPG industry. From exciting speakers coming to NBJ Summit to recent acquisitions causing an uproar, Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith tell you what you need to know. In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino cover several hot topics in the industry. They start off discussing some of the factors affecting cocoa prices, includ...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino welcome back supplement expert and Market Research Analyst for New Hope Network’s Nutrition Business Journal Erika Craft. After chatting about the best angel food cake recipes (potential high-protein TikTok trend?) the trio shifts to some interesting hydration brands, including LEVL Nutrition , Klar Labs and Rhovive ....

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino welcome New Hope Editor Meredith Kaufman to the show. The episode beings with a discussion of new AI features in the self-checkout at the grocery store. They then pivot to Meredith’s takeaways from the recent Sweets & Snacks Expo. First up in the trend recap, the trio discusses whether sweets need to be functional...

From the FDA's recent approval of three natural dyes to a mid-air mocktail, Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith sample new products and discuss details from NCN and Newtopia Now. In this episode of   The Natural List ,  co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino discuss regulatory news, sample two new products and discuss compelling stories currently featured on newhope.com. Adrienne begin...

Co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino sample functional gelatin then dish on an innovative marketing scheme, plastic-free retailer Nude Foods Market and the Nutrition Business Journal Summit. In this episode of  The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino sample Gelée, a fruit-forward gelatin with collagen and antioxidants. They reminisce about some of their favorite no...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino dive into Jessica’s upcoming trends presentation for the Nutrition Capital Network Spring Investor Meeting, and explore the categories and products that have stood the test of time—as well as a few that didn't last. The conversation kicks off with a spotlight on two emerging hydration brands: Sum Hydration, a presenti...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith reflect on the wellness stories and media moments echoing through the industry.  They begin with the Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar , a dramatized account of former influencer Belle Gibson, whose fabricated health claims offer a sharp reminder of why credibility, compliance and consumer trust matter—especiall...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith welcome Nutrition Business Journal Editor in Chief Rick Polito for a candid discussion about the shifting supplement landscape. From the rise of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic to the evolution of healthspan and longevity trends, this conversation cuts through the noise to ask: What’s hype, what’s helpful and what’s next?&nb...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith take a critical look at what’s driving the next wave of functional beverage innovation —and where the category might be headed. With hydration trending and gut health sodas under scrutiny, they navigate the fine line between marketing and science, the importance of efficacy and why brands shouldn’t underestimate what...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith return from Natural Products Expo West 2025 to share some of the most exciting products that caught their attention on the show floor.  From savory snacks and multifunctional beverages to artisanal sauces and cutting-edge personal care, Jessica and Adrienne discuss the brands and innovations that made this year’s...

The Natural List: Key Takeaways from Natural Products Expo West Natural Products Expo West is always a whirlwind of innovation, connection and trendspotting—and this year was no exception. With thousands of brands showcasing the latest in food, beverage, beauty and supplements, Expo West 2025 offered a glimpse into where the natural and organic industry is headed. From functional beverages and Reg...

With Natural Products Expo West just days away, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith take a deep dive into the biggest trends shaping the show floor and the natural products industry in 2025. From cutting-edge innovations in plant-based foods and non-alcoholic beverages to the rise of conscious beauty and regenerative ingredients, this episode offers a preview of what’s generating buzz ahead...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith take listeners on a flavorful journey through some of the most exciting ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages in the natural products space. From functional sodas and sparkling waters to exotic mocktails and tea-wine blends, they sample a mélange of beverages, driving the future.  Tasting products from this year’s NEXTY...

In this episode of The Natural List , co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith welcome back Nutrition Business Journal’s Senior Editor Robyn Lawrence to explore the current landscape of sexual and hormonal health. As consumer attitudes evolve, this category is gaining mainstream traction, with new research, ingredient innovations and a growing focus on personalization.   The conversation ki...