Supplement Source Podcast

What if the nutrients we consume can influence not our genetic code itself, but how our bodies read and use it? In this episode of Supplement Source , host Jeff Ventura explores the emerging science of epigenetics, methylation and cellular health with Lauren Eisen and Eric Ciappio of Balchem, along with expert Emily Ho. The conversation breaks down the complex science of methylation in accessible...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Isabelle Raymond, Senior Vice President of Global Medical and Clinical Affairs at Nutrafol and a nominee for CRN’s Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award.   A neuroscientist by training, Raymond shares how her career took her from pharmaceutical and biotech research into the dietary supplement space—and why that move opened...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with Vic Rathi, founder and CEO of Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics and a finalist for CRN’s Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award. Rathi reflects on more than four decades in the industry, including his early recognition that enzymes and probiotics needed greater scientific understanding and more thoughtful formulation. He discus...

Influencers increasingly shape how consumers discover and evaluate health, wellness and dietary supplement products. But with that influence comes responsibility. In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura talks with Jennifer Santos, Program Development Manager for the Institute for Responsible Influence, about efforts to bring greater transparency, accountability and trust to influ...

In this special episode of Supplement Source, host Jeff Ventura sits down with Andrew Shao of Niagen Bioscience, a nominee for the 2026 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, to reflect on a career spent at the intersection of science, policy and the dietary supplement industry. Shao shares how Annette Dickinson helped launch his career at CRN, where he worked alongside industry leaders including Jo...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura speaks with Dr. Leon Schurgers, professor of biochemistry of vascular calcification at Maastricht University, about new research examining vitamin K2 and cardiovascular health.  Dr. Schurgers takes us inside the VITAK-CAC trial, a placebo-controlled, double-blind study examining whether vitamin K2 as MK-7 can influence the progression of co...

What does it really take to deliver safe, high-quality dietary supplements—and protect consumer trust along the way? In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with Tony Lukas, Director of Food Safety and Dietary Supplements at The Acheson Group (TAG) , for a practical, wide-ranging look at the compliance challenges companies face from ingredient sourcing all the way throu...

Consumers are more interested in nutrition and wellness than ever—but they need trusted experts to help separate fact from fiction. In this episode of Supplement Source, CRN's Jeff Ventura sits down with Stephen McCauley, president and founder of the Ginger Network, to discuss how registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) have become some of the most influential voices in health communication...

What does the future of natural medicine look like? According to renowned naturopathic physician, author, and iHerb Chief Science Advisor Dr. Michael Murray, we're only beginning to unlock nature's potential. In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN's Jeff Ventura sits down with one of the most influential voices in integrative health to discuss emerging science around peptides, t...

What does sustainability look like when it goes beyond buzzwords and becomes a long-term commitment to people, communities, and the environment? In this episode of Supplement Source , Jeff Ventura sits down with Ajay Patel, Founder and CEO of Verdure Sciences, and Isabella Bucklew, Sustainability Coordinator, to discuss the company’s fifth annual Sustainability Report. The conversation explores Ve...

 In this episode of Supplement Source, host Jeff Ventura sits down with Deshanie Rai, newly appointed Head of Global Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at Kemin Industries, and 2025 recipient of the CRN Radicle Science Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award. Deshanie reflects on what the award meant to her — a recognition of fearless leadership, innovation, and the courage to take risks. She sh...

What happens when supplement manufacturers, charitable clinics, and healthcare logistics experts join forces to tackle nutrition inequity in America? In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with leaders from VitaQuest, Direct Relief, and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) to discuss the rapid success of the CRN Foundation’s evolving Access In...

In this episode of Supplement Source , Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Stefan Pasiakos, a leading researcher now at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and former NIH scientist, for a candid conversation about the science—and realities—behind dietary supplements. Drawing on his experience inside government research and now in the academic space, Dr. Pasiakos offers a balanced perspective on...

In this episode of Supplement Source , Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Michelle Simon, President and CEO of the Institute for Natural Medicine, to explore the growing momentum behind whole-person health—and what it will take to bring it into the mainstream. Dr. Simon shares how INM is expanding its mission beyond naturopathic medicine to unify the broader traditional, complementary, and integrativ...

In this episode of Supplement Source , Jeff Ventura speaks with Dr. Joe Pizzorno, President of Bastyr University and a pioneer in naturopathic medicine. They discuss his journey from pharmaceutical research to natural medicine, the divide between drugs and nutrition, and the growing role of supplements in supporting health. Dr. Pizzorno also explains how environmental toxins contribute to chronic...

In this episode of Supplement Source, CRN Vice President of Communications Jeff Ventura sits down with Doug Lynch, CEO of MarketWell Nutrition, for a wide-ranging conversation about the forces reshaping the dietary supplement industry. The discussion begins with what Jeff calls the “race to quality”—the growing push to distinguish trusted, science-backed brands from the rest of the marketplace. Do...

China’s supplement market offers enormous opportunity—but getting there isn’t simple. Jeff Ventura sits down with Jeff Crowther to break down what companies need to know about selling dietary supplements in China today. From the unpredictable impact of tariffs to the rise of cross-border e-commerce platforms, the conversation explores the strategies companies are using to reach Chinese consumers....

In this episode of The Supplement Source , host Jeff Ventura is joined by Lindsay Cole, Business Development & Marketing Manager for North America, and Eric Ciappio, Senior Manager of Nutrition Science at Balchem, to unpack one of the most pressing issues facing the dietary supplement industry today: quality and consumer trust. Against the backdrop of renewed policy debates around supplement o...

In our first episode of 2026, Supplement Source kicks off the year with major policy news for the dietary supplement industry. CRN President and CEO Steve Mister joins host Jeff Ventura to break down Senator Dick Durbin’s reintroduction of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026 —what it does, what it doesn’t do, and why this moment matters now. The conversation cuts through common misconceptio...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum — microbiome researcher, author, and co-founder of BIOHM Health — to explore how the gut microbiome influences healthy aging, immunity, and even mood. From the “good guys” in your gut to anti-aging strategies rooted in  science, Dr. Ghannoum explains how rebalancing your microbiome can improve digestion,...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura talks with 2025 CAPS Scholars Huyen Le , Ben Levine , and past scholar Sam Fessler about how CRN’s Campus to Career (CAPS) Program helps bridge the gap between academic research and the dietary supplement industry. The scholars share how attending Science in Session and Convergence offered mentorship, networking, and real-world insights tha...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down again with Ajay Patel , CEO of Verdure Sciences, and Isabella Bucklew , the company’s Sustainability Coordinator, to explore Verdegration —Verdure’s comprehensive sustainability platform. The conversation covers everything from the company’s early roots in ethical sourcing to its expansive farmer programs and new headquarters init...

In this episode of Supplement Source , host Jeff Ventura (Council for Responsible Nutrition) sits down with Gregory Drew, VP of Innovation at Vitaquest and a leader of the company’s VQ Cares initiative. Together, they explore how Vitaquest is tackling health equity by manufacturing and donating high-quality multivitamins through partnerships with the National Association of Free and Charitable Cli...

Magnesium is more than just another supplement—it’s a powerhouse mineral tied to over 300 biological reactions and essential for energy, sleep, and mood. In this episode of Supplement Source , Jeff Ventura talks with Traci Kantowski, VP of Global Communications at Cypress Minerals , about why magnesium demand is surging, which forms deliver the biggest benefits, and how innovation in delivery form...

In this episode of Supplement Source , CRN’s Jeff Ventura sits down with Danielle Citrolo (VP, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs) and Katie Emerson (Senior Manager, Scientific Affairs) of Kyowa Hakko to explore the latest science on brain health and immune support. From cutting-edge cognitive research on citicoline to the surprising role of glutathione as the “CEO” of antioxidants, the discussio...