Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

Hosted by Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

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Aug 2026

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We're bringing you the stories behind the people and products building a more just, healthy, and regenerative future for us all. Tune in weekly and together, we’ll learn about why these better products and brands were created, how they’re helping fix broken systems, and what you can do to support them. My hope is that you’ll discover some new brands to love, and get some sparks of inspiration that will help you live your best life. // Hosted by: Gage Mitchell, Founder of Modern Species, a sustai

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August 17, 20261 hr 10 min

Unconventional Approach with Duke Stump from Tractor

Duke Stump shares the origins of Tractor Beverage Co, what they decided to create organic beverages from recognizable ingredients, and their unique focus on moments and ecosystems rather than trying to fit into categories. Discover how their ‘business as unusual’ philosophy drives innovation, unconventional marketing strategy, community engagement, and positive impact. Learn about the five metrics they focus on in their Organic Impact Tracker, and get details on their impact initiatives like their Tractor Beam publication, Mad Farmer Tour, We The Soil movement, and the Farmhand Foundation. We then wrap up with Duke sharing insights learned from his past work helping build brands like Nike, Seventh Generation, and Lululemon, and how he defines a ‘better world’. Key Topics Tractor Beverage Co.’s origins and focus The ’Business as Unusual’ philosophy Ecosystem approach to branding Tractor’s organic impact metrics Community engagement and advocacy Innovative product development in beverages Supporting farmers and soil health Challenging industry categories Brand storytelling and design Sound Bites “Why can't beverages be kitchen ingredients? You know, things you actually know and are familiar with.” “Right before COVID is when the founders signed a deal with Chipotle, who remains one of our best, strongest partners to date.” “At Nike, one of the things I learned is if you're competing you've lost the plot.” “Since day one, the only mandate that he gives to my team and I is ‘make it original’.” “Tractor isn't a brand strategy, it's an ecosystem strategy.” “I don't want us to get caught in the trapping of conventional thinking around everything needs to be calibrated around a measurable result.” “When I was at Lululemon, the invisible hand that drove that brand was community.” “The idea of sustainability is so abstract. It's a hard, it can be million things to different people. And so for us, we wanted to ground it in what was real but also meaningful for us.” “One thing I've learned over the years is never bring a playbook, bring a philosophy or principles.” Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Tractor Beverage and Its Founders 05:47 The Journey of Beverage Innovation 08:56 Product Development and Market Strategy 11:58 The Unique Approach to Marketing and Community Engagement 14:53 Measuring Success Beyond Conventional Metrics 18:00 Commitment to Organic and Sustainable Practices 38:40 The Importance of Certification and Brand Identity 42:06 Supporting Farmers and Soil Health 47:12 Lessons from Iconic Brands 53:07 Curiosity and Following Your Passion 55:54 Seasonal Eating and Local Agriculture 61:01 Influential Books and Their Impact 01:03:09 Creating Conditions for a Better World Links Duke Stump on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duke-stump-b3a58419a/ Tractor Beverage Co. - https://drinktractor.com/ We the Soil - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/wethesoil Farmhand Foundation - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/farmhand Organic Impact Tracker - https://www.tractorbeverage.com/impacttracker Tractor Beverage Co. on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tractorbeverageco/ Tractor Beverage Co. on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drinktractor/ Tractor Beverage Co. on X - https://x.com/drinktractor Tractor Beverage Co. on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@drinktractor Tractor Beverage Co. on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drinktractor … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

August 7, 20261 hr 15 min

The Hack for Cutting Sugar with Hank Watt of Nature’s Wild Berry

Hank Watt shares the inspiring story of how he discovered the miracle berry and turned it into a successful business that was featured on Shark Tank and promoted by Jennifer Garner. Learn how the berry makes sour taste sweeter than sugar, how it helped Hank control his emotional eating, how he and his partner built the business, and future potential of this revolutionary product that can transform taste and improve health. Key Topics How Hank learned about the miracle berry and its effects What drove Hank & Juliano to launch the business Challenges in preserving the berry to scale operations Innovative freeze-drying process to preserve potency Market strategy and word-of-mouth growth Future applications for the berry Sound Bites "I swear, I heard the angels and the chorus singing. I felt the whoosh of the gates. I felt like the sunshine come down on me. Like I I had this transformative experience immediately where I became a believer instantly.” “LA is a type of place where if you're keeping weight off for any period of time, especially a significant amount, people want to know like what's your secret?” “He was like, I've got a couple conditions. We have to keep the berry pure. It has to stay raw. Like we don't need to add anything to it. We need to also figure out how to preserve it because we cannot deal with a cold chain.“ “The sharks have been phenomenal. The best business decision Juliano and I have ever made.” “Jennifer Garner put a video up on her Instagram… that put us on the map and it made us legit.” “These need to be on every table, kind of like butter, salt, and pepper. You know, it's there if you need it and you want it.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nature's Wildberry 02:57 The Discovery of the Miracle Berry 05:45 Transformative Experiences with the Berry 09:02 The Locus of Control and Personal Empowerment 11:53 Impact on Health and Diet 14:57 Business Journey and Challenges 17:52 The Berry's Unique Properties and Taste Testing 20:55 Community and Word of Mouth Marketing 24:01 The Decision to Start a Business 26:52 Lessons from Personal Experiences 30:10 The Future of Nature's Wildberry 32:53 The Journey Begins: Overcoming Doubts 35:14 Cracking the Code: Innovation in Preservation 40:27 From Concept to Consumer: The Direct-to-Consumer Shift 48:01 Shark Tank: A Game Changer for Growth 55:02 Future Aspirations: Expanding Horizons 01:00:44 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Patience and Partnership 01:08:12 A Better World: Quality of Life and Compassion Links Hank Watt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hankwatt Nature's Wild Berry - https://natureswildberry.com/ Nature’s Wild Berry on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/natureswildberry Nature’s Wild Berry on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/natureswildberry Nature’s Wild Berry on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@natureswildberry Nature’s Wild Berry on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/natureswildberry Nature’s Wild Berry on X - https://x.com/natureswildbrry Nature’s Wild Berry on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/natureswildberry/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 30, 20261 hr 4 min

Purpose-Driven Food System with Les Szabo of Purpose Pledge

Les Szabo discusses the Purpose Pledge, a holistic framework for companies aiming to operate with integrity and in alignment with their higher purpose. He discusses why the Purpose Pledge was created, how they decided to focus on companies working in food and agriculture, and how they settled on their 10 commitments. The conversation highlights the need for shared standards, systems of support, and collaboration to drive systemic change in business practices. Tune in to hear how Les and the team plan to scale the pledge in the future, and how your brand can join the movement. Key topics Purpose Pledge framework and commitments Importance of shared standards and transparency Role of support systems and catalysts Focus on food and agriculture impact Balancing ambition with realism in sustainability goals Collaborative supply chain transformation Measuring progress and accountability Industry-specific challenges and opportunities Sound bites “Well-intentioned companies highlight where they perform well, but at the same time they ignore parts of the system.” “Our idea is that we have to have a common framework that's a true operational definition of purpose across 10 commitments.” “How are you honoring and serving all of your stakeholders? We we use this term ‘right relationship’, which originates from spiritual and wisdom traditions, and it means to be in integrity with somebody and where it's a true kind of reciprocal relationship.” "The industrial food system is one of the most powerful forces shaping climate change, public health, and social in inequality, often in in ways we fail to see.” “The goal is to have all commitments achieved within that nine-year period. Anybody can go to the site and and it makes those commitments very visible and easy to track.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Purpose Pledge and Dr. Bronner's 04:55 Defining Purpose and the Need for a Common Framework 10:00 Focus on Food and Agriculture: The Rationale 14:46 The Ten Commitments of Purpose Pledge 20:12 Commitment Achievement and Continuous Improvement 25:14 Collaboration and Community in Purpose Pledge 32:16 Challenges in Launching the Purpose Pledge 35:42 Understanding Living Wage and Its Implications 39:20 Navigating the Application Process for Companies 46:18 Eligibility and Commitment Areas for Companies 50:23 Expanding the Purpose Pledge Beyond Food and Agriculture 54:23 Purpose Pledge vs. Giving Pledge: A Comparative Insight 01:02:22 Envisioning a Better World Through Right Relationships Links Les Szabo on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/les-szabo-5a214314/ Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org Purpose Pledge on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/purposepledge/ Purpose Pledge Commitments PDF - https://www.purposepledge.org/s/Purpose-Pledge-10-Commitments-Full-Details-July-2026.pdf … LinkedIn post on the Giving Pledge article by Inc.- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7470679564374175744-BHM_/ LinkedIn post on the Purpose Pledge article by Inc. - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7470131248229810177-WTLs/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 26, 20261 hr 11 min

Supplements, Soil, & Story with Dr. Jeffrey Burke of Honest Health

Join us as Dr. Jeffrey Burke, a pioneer in the natural products industry with over 47 years of experience, shares his insights on the evolution of the industry, the power of plants, the beauty of supplements, the importance of regenerative agriculture, and how storytelling can inspire change. Discover practical advice and inspiration for health, sustainability, and building a better world. Key topics Evolution of the natural products industry over 47 years Dr Jeffrey Burke’s journey into health, medicine, radio, podcasting, and more Why you should take supplements, even if you have a healthy diet The regenerative movement and soil health The power of storytelling in inspiring change Sound bites “I did it because I wanted to be on the side where I could help to teach people an easier way to survive our lives in a healthier manner.” “I was barely even 20 and I was working with Dr. Earl Mindell and he had a radio show. He handed me my first microphone and I just never gave it back.” “A lot of people now look at things saying, you know, when I want to go organic, I want to start putting some good things in my system, and I think the same thing you're going to start seeing with regenerative.” “I think we need to takes supplement because there's things way past the soil that affect our health every day, including air quality, pollution, stress, lack of sleep, obesity, etc that are already wearing tearing on our health from top to bottom.” “We were so focused on the not using chemicals, we did absolutely nothing for our soil. Now we have this regenerative movement where we are actually doing things to rebuild the soil.” "Don't be embarrassed. Embrace your craziness. Embrace your mistakes because there is no such thing as perfection." Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Jeffrey Burke and His Journey 06:04 The Evolution of the Natural Products Industry 08:57 Transition from Radio to Podcasting 12:00 The Importance of Education in Health 15:03 The Role of Supplements in Modern Health 17:52 The Impact of Regenerative Agriculture 20:53 Challenges Facing the Natural Products Industry 24:01 The Future of Health and Nutrition 26:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 37:36 Investing in Sustainable Agriculture 39:10 The Role of People in Change 42:41 The Power of Storytelling 49:37 Embracing Vulnerability 53:41 Finding Hope in Challenges 01:08:14 Learning from Industry Icons Links Dr. Jeffrey Burke & The Honest Health Podcast - https://www.drjeffreyburke.com/ Dr. Jeffrey Burke on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jeffrey-burke-86421931/ Honest Health on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/honest-health-with-jeffrey-burke/id1825645948 Honest Health on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3yMUkj5JbDfRPSLSuW8KKr Honest Health on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@honesthealthwithJeffreyBurke … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 17, 20261 hr 12 min

Demand for Regenerative with Christopher Gergen of Regenerative Organic Alliance

Christopher Gergen shares how his goal of bringing more capital to systems change led him to supporting the regenerative movement in his role as the CEO of the Regenerative Organic Alliance. We talk about the growth of the movement, including the increase in consumer awareness and the in the number of certified brands, as well as all the new data on the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Chris shares how Regenerative Organic Certified® is different from other regenerative certifications, including their role as a Catalyst Partner in the Purpose Pledge. The conversation then shifts into the biggest barriers to growth that the regenerative movement is facing right now, like consumer confusion, lack of a common standard, the cost of farmer’s transitioning, and the cost of regenerative products. We then wrap up with Christopher sharing advice, his favorite regenerative snacks, and what a better world means to him. Key Topics Christopher Gergen’s journey to becoming the CEO of the Regenerative Organic Alliance The growth of the regenerative movement Regenerative organic certification, and how it’s different from other standards Consumer demand and market trends for regenerative products Data that’s proving the value of a regenerative food system and products Strategies for scaling regenerative agriculture and overcoming barriers Advice for others wanting to pursue passion and joy in their life and career Sound bites “Regenerative organic certification is based on the foundation of organic, and it has three additional pillars of soil health, social fairness, and animal welfare.” “We're almost at 400 ROC® licensees. So within 18 months, we've gone almost double the number, bringing more ROC® products to shelf, which is super exciting!” “Customers are finding ROC® because now it's in almost every category.” “When you have side-by-side comparison, you can just taste the difference in how much more complex the ROC® wine is to the conventional alternative.” “We'd like to be able to go from 22 million acres of regenerative organic certified land to at least 30 million acres in the next three and a half years.” “More consumer awareness, more retail engagement, more brand adoption. And you've got more demand, more supply, more impact, more demand. And therein lies the flywheel, right?” “I ended up co-authoring a book called Life Entrepreneurs that looks at how people have been able to create meaningful impact in the world and meaningful lives for themselves.” “Figure out a way that you can connect your strengths and your passions and go after something that you feel like you can dedicate a lot of time and energy into, but don't lose sight of how you can also create a joyful, meaningful, loving life for yourself. Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Regenerative Organic Alliance 05:54 Christopher Gergen's Background and Vision 08:48 The Growth of Regenerative Organic Certification 11:56 Consumer Demand and Market Trends 14:45 Nutritional Benefits and Flavor of Regenerative Organic Products 17:59 Understanding Regenerative vs. Organic Standards 21:03 The Future of Regenerative Organic Agriculture 38:41 Supporting Farmers in Transition 45:29 The Purpose Pledge and Supply Chain Integrity 46:05 Driving Demand for Regenerative Organic Products 55:37 Barriers to Transitioning to Regenerative Practices 01:04:11 Vision for a Better World Links Christopher Gergen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophergergen/ Regenerative Organic Alliance & Certification - https://regenorganic.org/ Regenerative Organic Alliance on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/regenerative-organic-alliance Regenerative Organic Alliance on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/regenerativeorganic Regenerative Organic Alliance on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/regenerativeorganic Regenerative Organic Alliance on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/regenerativeorganicalliance … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 8, 20261 hr 12 min

Growth of Regenerative with Evan Harrison of Kiss the Ground

Evan Harrison shares his journey from working in radio, digital media, and live events to becoming the CEO of Kiss The Ground, a leading nonprofit championing Regeneration and healthy soil as a solution for human and planetary health. We talk about the organization's innovative content strategies, like their three feature-length documentary films, mini docs, 5 with a Farmer reels, 11 with Evan series, shopping guides, and the brand collaborations that help them reach new audiences. Then we dive into the $500,000 in farmer grants they awarded last year and their new research that shows consumer understanding of regenerative agriculture has increased threefold in just 3 years! We wrap up with some fun personal questions, and Evan shares his vision for a better world. Key Topics Evan Harrison's career transition from media to environmental activism The success of Kiss the Ground films and content strategy $500,000 in farmer grants and their impact on land regeneration The threefold growth in consumer understanding of regenerative agriculture How $100 is the sweet spot for community donations and how they put that money to work Partnerships with brands and community engagement Rising awareness and understanding of regenerative agriculture Sound Bites “In the early days of the internet, I was the writer, the producer, held the video camera, did the edit – the whole thing. So content creation from the ground up.” “I'd never heard of regenerative farming. So it was really my daughter that kind of tuned me into it.” “In this instance, the farmer is really the artist, the farmer is the rock star.” “The film that was named after our work, Kiss The Ground, absolutely put our organization on the map.” “We need to meet people where they're at. We need a content approach that can bring new people into the conversation instead of arguing about the details.” “There are now 200 regenerative products on shelves ranging from Costco to independent retailers across the country.” “The $500,000 in grants went across 212 farms, and when we look at their acreage that's being converted very conservatively, it's 73,000 acres." “Your $100 donation will help transition more than 10 acres of land.” “Our inspirational storytelling that reached 20 million people last year and engaged 5 million by engaged.” "Wherever you are, that's the place to be.” Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Kiss the Ground and Evan Harrison 09:00 Evan's Journey from Media to Regenerative Agriculture 15:06 The Impact of the Kiss the Ground Film 20:50 Content Strategy and Audience Engagement 27:12 Supporting Farmers: Grants and Community Engagement 38:40 Momentum in Regenerative Agriculture 42:43 Partnerships Driving Change 47:27 Innovative Fundraising Strategies 50:49 Personal Reflections and Advice 54:35 Creating a Better World Links Evan Harrison on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanharrison/ Kiss The Ground - https://kisstheground.com/ Kiss The Ground on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kisstheground/ Kiss The Ground on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kisstheground/ Kiss The Ground on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kissthegroundCA/ Kiss The Ground on X - https://x.com/kissthegroundCA Kiss The Ground on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/kisstheground … Kiss The Ground 2026 Research: https://kisstheground.com/kiss-the-ground-research-2026/ Forbes Article: Regen Grows 3X in 3 Years - https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwatman/2026/06/18/new-kiss-the-ground-research-consumer-understanding-of-regenerative-agriculture-triples-in-past-three-years/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 1, 20261 hr 1 min

The Role of Philanthropy with Kate Williams of 1% for the Planet

What is the role of philanthropy, business, and government in creating long-term impact? Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, joins us to explores why “either/or” thinking can limit progress, and why the most effective solutions often come from a both/and approach. We talk about how nonprofits are pioneering solutions to problems before there’s a marketplace, how the billionaires bailing on The Giving Pledge are missing the bigger picture, and how the new wave of businesses are deciding that profitability and positive impact can go work together. Kate then tells us about 1% for the Planet, how the membership works, and how the members are giving back and reaping the rewards. Tune in as we discuss how money, power, and responsibility shape the future. Key Topics The role of philanthropy in society today How philanthropy differs from government action Why nonprofits often address problems outside the marketplace The “false dichotomy” between investing in businesses and funding nonprofits The Giving Pledge and why those bailing on the pledge are missing the bigger picture Why nonprofits are often unfairly judged on efficiency and overhead How business, nonprofits, and government can work together for long-term impact How 1% for the Planet operates and why its model matters The organization’s expanded definition of environmental giving The connection between climate change, systems thinking, and cooperative action Sound Bites “One of the challenges with businesses giving back is that they have to focus on quarterly and yearly financials, not decades or centuries, which are more often the timescale of impact. “Nonprofits are more willing to get in and do a multi-stakeholder ,long-term approach that focuses on global impact and not just any one entity’s challenges.” “In an ideal world, we have both businesses and nonprofits working together either directly or indirectly, and all the systems are oriented towards a thriving future.” “I think the problem with where The Giving Pledge bailers is that they made it into a false dichotomy by saying they’re going to exclude nonprofits to focus on businesses because they think businesses are the ones that build our future.” “Nonprofits are not a nice to have. They play a really critical role in addressing those things for which there is not a marketplace.” “Nonprofits sometimes appear to be held to a higher standard with weird expectations that they can somehow deliver results without paying their staff or having resources to buy computers or whatever the tools of the job are.” “MacKenzie Scott is a great example. She's done her homework, has made some really sizable unrestricted grants, meaning she's trusting those organizations to allocate the resources where they can to have the greatest impact.” “Our amazing members at 1% for the Planet donate 1% of their annual revenues to environmental partners. So they're taking these market-driven resources and placing it in the nonprofit marketplace.” “We're not creating a false dichotomy between the business succeeding in the marketplace and the business contributing to positive outcomes for the future. It's the business saying they go together.” Chapters 03:00 Intro and Kate Williams introduction 04:04 What philanthropy is for 05:14 Philanthropy vs. government 06:36 What “outside the marketplace” means 08:30 Why time horizons matter 09:39 Nonprofits as innovators in complex systems 10:53 Why business and nonprofit can both matter 12:18 The Giving Pledge and why some are “bailing” 17:19 Nonprofit overhead, efficiency, and unfair standards 21:01 Trusting nonprofits with unrestricted giving 23:34 The role of corporations and impact-driven businesses 25:33 How businesses can use capitalism differently 31:20 Self-funding impact through mission-driven business models 34:29 Why extractive models are a problem 35:29 How 1% for the Planet works 37:34 1% of revenue vs. 1% of profit 39:29 Defining “planet” in the network 40:06 Expanded impact areas at 1% for the Planet 44:37 Individual vs. corporate participation 45:18 Where the network is thriving right now 48:06 Challenges and opportunities for nonprofits 52:13 The wicked problem of climate change 54:13 Advice for following a similar path 55:33 Finding your own path with self-awareness 56:41 Ikigai framework for purpose 58:24 Snack and book recommendations 60:03 Who to interview next 61:12 What a better world means Links Kate Williams on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katewilliams87 1% for the Planet - https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/ 1% for the Planet on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-percent-for-the-planet/ 1% for the Planet on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1percentftp 1% for the Planet on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/onepercent 1% for the Planet on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt7Vb_t-ATwvYHTqs4Q2frQ … The Giving Pledge - https://www.givingpledge.org/ The Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 1, 20261 hr 0 min

Experiments & Feedback with Adam Hiner of Pacha

Adam Hiner, CEO of Pacha, shares insights on product innovation, sustainable practices, and the journey of building a healthy and regenerative food brand. We talk about the happy accidents and consumer feedback that lead to making new and better products, like their new gluten-free, sourdough buckwheat tortillas! Adam then shares why Pacha joined the Purpose Pledge, the challenges of building a CPG brand (like cashflow), the benefits of self-manufacturing, and why passion is essential for success in this industry. Tune in to get advice from a leader who’s built multiple successful brands while leading with integrity. Key topics Product innovation driven by consumer insights and feedback Strategic experimentation with new products The benefits of self manufacturing Purpose-driven business and sustainability commitments Purpose Pledge, what it means, and how it works The importance of focusing on core SKUs and honing recipes Profitability and cash flow challenges The importance of passion for success Inner peace to bring about world peace Sound bites “I pulled a batch of crackers out of the oven and they were floppy like little tortillas. Then I started experimenting with tortillas and just said, yeah, the market really needs a better tortilla right now.” “We had our buckwheat buns, but we rebranded them as English muffins because all of our customers were saying, hey, this isn't a bun, this is an English muffin.” "Our bread tastes like real bread. It doesn't taste like this thing that was modified to try to imitate the texture of white bread.“ “We've always had a plan to do something more than just be a company that's making money.” “When we saw Purpose Pledge coming forward, felt like it felt like an opportunity to do something that felt maybe more impactful and less just numbers driven.” “It's nice to have really great mentors who have been doing it and have done it before.” “We were really grateful for our DTC channel because we've had so much direct feedback from customers, which we wouldn't have had with just being a retail brand.” “One of the biggest challenges is just financing the company, you know, just keeping the lights on. 30%-50% of my job is just keeping cash coming in.” “Sometimes adding more SKUs does generate more revenue immediately, like if Whole Foods puts out six SKUs versus four, but the trade off is the velocity of all the SKUs is now lower.” “Peace really does start within us and maybe the most impactful thing we can do is to just like to start here and have and find peace with ourselves.” Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Pacha and Product Evolution 05:57 Innovative Product Development and Consumer Feedback 09:08 Special Releases and Creative Experimentation 11:59 Joining the Purpose Pledge: A Commitment to Impact 14:59 Understanding the Purpose Pledge's Roadmap and Commitments 18:00 Customer Insights: What Consumers Love About Pacha's Products 34:31 The Benefits of Fermentation and Buckwheat 37:07 The Challenges of Regenerative Agriculture 40:02 Navigating the Food Industry: Profitability and Challenges 46:00 The Importance of Focus in Product Development 52:59 Personal Insights and Recommendations for a Better World Links Adam Hiner on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/adamhiner Pacha - https://pachabread.com Pacha on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-pacha/ Pacha on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/live_pacha/ Pacha on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livepacha Pacha on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livepacha … Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

July 1, 20268 min

Zero Waste, All Flavor with Chanya Punyakumpol of Taan Thai

Chanya Punyakumpol, co-founder of Taan Thai, shares how a personal frustration when cooking Thai food at home sparked the creation of her brand. Instead of tracking down obscure Thai ingredients only to throw most of them away after one dish, she created perfectly portioned meal kits that contain exactly what you need, eliminating food waste without sacrificing authenticity. She talks about sourcing real Thai ingredients directly from Thailand and building close relationships with local farms and factories near her production facilities. Chanya also reflects on the growing wave of ethnic foods making their way into mainstream retail, and what it means for communities to see their cuisines represented on grocery store shelves. She wraps up by reflecting on how Naturally Network is a rare space where founders can be honest about their struggles, trade hard-won tips, and remind each other that they're doing better than they think. Takeaways Taan Thai was born out of Chanya's frustration with the wasteful experience of cooking Thai food at home in the US. Each kit is precisely portioned for one cooking session with no leftovers ingredients or food waste. Thai holy basil — the essential ingredient in Pad Kra Pao — is seasonal and hard to find in the US, so Chanya sources it directly from Thailand and air dries it to preserve its authentic aroma. The brand sources ingredients from local farms in Thailand and works with certified production facilities, creating a trickle-down economic benefit for local farming communities. Chanya sees the rise of ethnic foods in mainstream retail as one of the most meaningful trends in the CPG industry, both for accessibility and cultural representation. Sound Bites "I don't want to throw the leftover coconut milk or leftover lemongrass that I didn't finish and create more food waste." "A lot of restaurants don't use Thai holy basil leaves. They use Italian basil or Thai basil, which is completely different." "We create a trickle-down economy that helps people locally actually get a part of the value we're creating." "I see a lot of different ethnic food coming out and becoming available more in this market. I like it because I get to try different cultures, get to try different kinds of food I've never tried before." "When you get to talk to people who are in the same space as you and being honest about it, we're like, oh, we also struggle on that." Links: Chanya LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanya-punyakumpol-110602347/ Taan Thai - https://taanthaifood.com/ Taan Thai on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taanthaifood Taan Thai on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taanthaifood/ Than Thai on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@taanthaifood … Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

June 18, 20261 hr 5 min

Expanding Capacity with Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego Foods

Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego, shares how she’s leveraging a $3 Million USDA grant to expand Zego’s capacity and enhance the U.S. gluten-free grain supply chain through the acquisition of a processing facility. She talks about the importance of listening to farmers, explains why Montana oats are the cream of the crop, and shares how she’s helping build the future of purity verified and nutrient dense foods. Discover how her inclusive approach supports U.S. farmers, reduces costs for brands, and promotes a better food future for all. Key Topics : Zego Foods and CIVC Montana’s acquisition of a processing facility in Montana The expanded capacity and cost reduction for her brand, Zego Foods How she’s helping other brands save up to a $1 their retail price The importance of listening to farmers and customers before defining services, pricing, and processes Securing and then re-securing the $3M USDA grants for expansion Supporting U.S. farmers and brands in gluten-free grain processing How Colleen is using AI to be more confident and efficient in her business How the new business model helps Zego Foods lean into its mission Zego’s Purity Verified commitment and expansion Partnering with Edacious to measure nutrient density of regenerative grains Sound bites : “If we can decrease a brand’s cost by say 25 cents at the mill between co-packing and milling, that saves them a dollar on price point on the shelf.” “We have developed a new way of pricing organic grain so that it is a lower price add-on compared to conventional to really encourage brands to go organic.” “The rug was ripped out from underneath us. So by providing that transparency into what was happening with us on the ground and what it meant for other people, it gave people like OTA and CCOF the information that they needed to then go and tell those stories on our behalf in DC.” “Hulless oats are higher in protein and fiber and iron. Those oats only like to grow in arid climates. So Montana is perfect. We're high, we're dry. We have the right growing season.” “Vertically integrating has been fascinating and I have learned so much by listening. I came into this not knowing very much about farming, milling, equipment, or B2B sales for that matter.” “I just listened to their problems. And that's how I got to learn more and more about just how challenging it is, what we're asking them to do and what we really need to do to support their business if we want them to support ours.” “Zego Foods at its heart is 51 % for-profit company and 49 % advocacy organization.” “We test for about 500 different pesticides, and for mycotoxins, gluten allergens and the big four heavy metals. All of that is traceable.” Chapters : 03:00 Introduction and Guest Background 05:51 Winning the USDA Grant for Grain Expansion 09:16 Challenges of Growing Gluten-Free and Organic Crops 12:29 Lower Margins and Volume Strategies 15:40 Implementing Vertical Integration in Grain Supply 20:51 Supporting Farmers and Building Relationships 24:27 Dealing with Weather and Supply Risks 33:11 Montana Oats and Impact of Growing Conditions 37:01 Working in Harmony with Nature 46:06 Future of Purity Verification and Industry Data 53:38 Favorite Snacks and Food Innovations 54:03 Life-Changing Books and Learning 61:40 What a Better World Means to Colleen 01:03:28 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts Links : Colleen Kavanagh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zegofoods/ Zego Foods - https://zegofoods.com Zego Foods on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zego/ Zego Foods on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ZEGOFoods/ Zego Foods on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zegofoods/ Zego Foods on X - https://x.com/ZegoFoods Zego Foods on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9caEodIwrGchJ8wsSZ4UdA … Uncommon Business, Automate to Accelerate Program - https://theuncommonbusiness.co/ Edacious, Nutrient Density and Toxicity Testing - https://www.edacious.com/ … … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .