ReGen Brands Podcast 4t171d

On this episode, we have Eric Smith who is the Founder and CEO of Edacious. Edacious offers radically easy lab testing and intuitive nutrition software for food system professionals. They’re working on turning nutrition data into actionable insights for people and planetary health. Eric's on a mission to redefine food quality using hard data. Through his work at Edacious, he's helping brands measure, benchmark, and communicate the nutritional value of their products so consumers can truly understand what they’re eating. We explore:   Why the current Nutrition Facts fails us How nutrient density can drive real market demand for regen products What kinds of data regenerative brands should be gathering now And how Edacious is building a first-of-its-kind food quality benchmarking system You’ll hear Eric break down complex concepts like bioavailability and phytochemicals in clear, actionable ways – plus explain how regenerative brands can use this data to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. If we weren’t already super bullish on how nutrient density can create increased demand for regenerative products, then we definitely are now. Episode Highlights: 💪 Why Eric left climate investing to go all in on nutrition 📉 Most nutrition s are wrong and based on outdated USDA data 🔎 Many “healthy” foods are nutrient-poor due to depleted soils and genetic dilution 🔥 The five steps every brand can and should take right now 🧾 Why regulatory risk goes away when you have third-party data 💥 Regen products often contain 10x or more of certain key vitamins 🥩 Ground-breaking insights from the recently released Beef study 👀 What brands are doing a good job marketing their nutrition data? 📊 Building the first public database of food quality benchmarks 🚀 How their Nutrition Profiling Score could change food forever Links: Edacious Grantham Foundation Bionutrient Food Association USDA FoodData Central Kettle & Fire Food Fix by Dr. Mark Hyman Stefan van Vliet (Utah State) TomKat Ranch Bruce Ames Maui Nui Venison Force of Nature Maple Hill Creamery Alexander Family Farm Wildfarmed Function Health If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Mary Purdy who is the Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Alliance.   The Nutrient Density Alliance’s purpose is to ignite awareness and mobilize action around the nutritional benefits and improved food quality of soil-building regenerative agriculture to drive demand for a more sustainable food system and improve human health outcomes.   You’ve heard us talk a lot about how the increased nutrient density of regenerative foods will be a powerful marketing mechanism to increase demand for regenerative products and spur more adoption of regenerative agriculture. Well, Mary and her team at the NDA are at the forefront of those efforts.   In this episode, Mary shares powerful insights on the science linking healthier soil to more nutrient-dense food, the urgent need for research and clinical trials, and why dietitians, farmers, and brands must work together. We explore the regulatory landscape, the importance of using clear consumer language, and how the industry can avoid greenwashing while advancing nutrient density claims.   We also tackle some big questions: Why aren’t dietitians and food service professionals being trained to understand the connection between farming practices and nutrition? What practical steps can brands take to communicate nutrient density without regulatory risk? And how can regenerative brands get healthcare influencers involved to drive demand?   We’re talking phytochemicals, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and all things at the intersection of soil health, human health, and regenerative marketing. Episode Highlights:   🔬 The science backing up regen’s nutrition advantage 📝 “Healthy soil equals healthy food” is a sound bite we can all use 💡 Why brands should make “statements” and not “claims” 🤝 Partnering with dietitians to increase credibility and influence 🍅 Consumers don’t know about ‘nutrient density’ - yet 🚀  Building an undeniable case through research and case studies 👎 Why healthcare pros don’t learn about ag’s connection to nutrition 🎯 Increasing awareness while maintaining integrity 👀 What can brands do? (right now) 🏆 Why linking regen to healthcare is the holy grail   Links: Nutrient Density Alliance NDA Research Repository NDA Learning Lab NDA Regen Protein Project Soil & Climate Alliance Soil & Climate Initiative Squeeze Citrus Diestel Family Ranch Edacious Western Sustainability Exchange Recipe for Health (California) 4Roots Farm (Florida) Fresh RX Oklahoma Think Regeneration Applegate Sodexo Aramark If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we’re ed by Joseph Cassinelli, who is the Founder and President of El Nacho.   El Nacho is ing regenerative agriculture with their line of tortilla chips made with certified regenerative corn.   In this episode, Joe shares how El Nacho was born during the pandemic and how it turned him from a seasoned restaurateur to a new G Founder. He details the importance of their clean ingredients, ancient processing techniques, and intentional sourcing decisions to produce a bold, flavorful chip that is better for eaters, farmers, and the planet.   We get a behind-the-scenes look at their brand inspiration and desire to bring storytelling and joy to the snack aisle with their bold lucha libre-inspired characters like El Nacho, Ms. Mango, and El Diablo. Joe also gives his hot takes on how we can increase consumer demand for regenerative products, and shares some top-secret information about their innovation pipeline.   Grab some chips and guac and dial in on this one.   Episode Highlights:   🍴 How El Nacho was born in a chef’s kitchen during COVID. 🧑‍🌾 Why regenerative corn offers more nutrient density — and flavor 🎨 Lucha libre branding lets El Nacho tap into nostalgia, culture, and community impact 🌱 Building supply from the ground up — including planting regen blue corn for fall 🇲🇽 Latino influence is rising, and Mexican cuisine is set to go mainstream 💬 “It takes a village” - The need for retailer, buyer, and consumer alignment on regen 🧪 Ancient wisdom meets modern flavor — the art and science of nixtamalization 🛍️ Educating buyers — most don’t have a high “Corn IQ” 💣 Why we need to see regenerative tortilla chips in 7-Eleven 👀 An exclusive sneak peek at what flavors are coming next   Links: El Nacho Painted Burro Restaurant Group Expo West AGW Certified Regenerative Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) Land to Market Regenified Siete Foods Zack’s Mighty If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we’re ed by Brady Barnstable, Co-Founder and COO of Seven Sundays. Seven Sundays is a breakfast brand on a mission to restore human and planetary health, one cereal bowl at a time.  Brady takes us back to the early days of muesli inspiration in New Zealand, which inspired him and his wife, Hannah, to leave fast-paced careers in NYC and bootstrap a new G brand. We get deep into the hard realities of sourcing regenerative and upcycled ingredients, the missing middle of processing infrastructure, and what it takes to scale a direct trade program at the farm level. Brady also shares how Seven Sundays has resisted the temptation to “certify and shout” — instead focusing on building long-term, meaningful grower relationships and systems-level impact. You’ll hear why they’re bullish on sunflowers, oats, and sorghum in the Midwest, how they're navigating club and conventional retail, and what their new “Come Afield With Us” campaign is doing to bring consumers along their regenerative journey. This episode is packed with candid insight, supply chain wisdom, and big-picture optimism.  Episode Highlights: 🥣 Honeymoon to whole grains – how a bowl of muesli sparked a new cereal brand. 🌾 The cereal aisle of 2011 vs. today – and why Seven Sundays had to evolve to survive. 🔄 Why pivoting from product purity to consumer familiarity was key to growth. 🧑‍🌾 Building regenerative supply chains by starting with the processor, not the farmer. 🚛 Truckload volumes = regenerative scalability. Why size matters in supply planning. 🧼 Food safety friction – an underdiscussed barrier to more direct trade, regen sourcing 🌻 The Midwest sunflower model – 2,000+ acres and growing around a regional processor 🥄 Why Seven Sundays avoids certification-led regen claims on-pack (for now) 📦 Channel mix strategy – how club retail like Costco helped unlock profitability 🚜 “Come Afield With Us” – the brand’s new campaign to share their regenerative journey Links: Seven Sundays Whole Grain Milling Co. Lakewinds Food Co-op Sustainable Food Lab Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI) Kiss the Ground (Film) Practical Farmers of Iowa Heavenly Hunks / E&C Snacks Quinn Snacks If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

What’s up, y’all - welcome to a very special episode of the ReGen Brands Podcast. This isn’t just another episode—it’s episode 100. That’s right… triple digits.  And today, Kyle and I are taking a moment to reflect on everything this show has become since that first conversation back in 2022. We’re talking about where the regenerative G space was when we started and just how far it’s come—more brands, more awareness, more momentum.  We’ll share the behind-the-scenes stuff too… the quirks, the laughs, the chaos, and the little rituals that have shaped our journey. We’re giving out some fun awards—like grittiest guest, sweatiest guest, best background, and most listened-to episode—and yes, we roast ourselves a bit too. We’ll also be sharing the regen products we’ve been loving lately and making some bold predictions about what’s going to happen between now and episode 200. But most importantly, we’re taking stock of what we’ve learned, where the industry’s headed, and why we’re still all-in on this work. Whether you’ve listened to one episode or all one hundred, we’re so grateful you’re here.  Episode Highlights:   🎉 100 episodes in! Our journey from “do we even have enough brands?” to a thriving regen G ecosystem. 🌱 Regen G growth: From curiosity to conviction — how the landscape has transformed since 2022. 🧠 Learning out loud: Reflections on building expertise while staying humble and accessible. 🛠️ Industry transparency: Nearly every guest has said, “we’re an open book,” and that’s helped shape the show’s impact. 📈 Consumer trends are strong: People want better, healthier food — and regen products are gaining ground. 😂 Funniest podcast moments: From tree-climbing kids to backdrop bloopers and breakfast on air.   🧂 The Roast Is On: Self-aware burns, verbal quirks, podcast habits — and all the inside jokes. 🏆 Regen Awards: Toughest guest, coolest background, sweatiest guest, and even best facial hair. 🌍 Global reach: From listeners abroad to farm visits on honeymoons—this show’s community is wide and deep. 🔮 What’s next: Predictions, hopes, and big questions for the next 100 episodes and the future of regen G. Links: All Podcast Episodes (Searchable) Alexandre Family Farms Kefir Kalona Supernatural Sour Cream Big Picture Foods El Nacho Tortilla Chips Philosopher Foods Little Sesame Preserved Lemon Hummus Wild Idea Bison Filet Maui Nui Meat Sticks If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we’re ed by Carolyn Gahn who is the Senior Director of Mission & Advocacy at Applegate.   Applegate has just announced that they’ve achieved their ambitious goal to source 100% of the beef in their beef hot dogs from certified regenerative grasslands. By implementing this change, Applegate is helping to transition 10.8 million acres of grasslands to certified regenerative.   Carolyn leads Applegate’s regenerative agriculture initiatives, and she s us to share how the brand has gone from a single experimental product to transforming its entire hot dog portfolio to be certified regenerative.   We explore what made Applegate double down on regen even when consumers didn’t fully understand it, and how this shift reflects the brand's long-standing mission of “changing the meat we eat.” Carolyn gives us a transparent look at the supply chain complexity, the multiple certifications chosen, and how Applegate’s position within Hormel is actually helping move regen efforts forward at scale.   We also dig into Applegate’s nutrient density testing and human health trials, their efforts to create true market signals for farmers, and how storytelling is evolving to make regen accessible and meaningful for everyday consumers.   Episode Highlights:   🌭 Applegate went all-in: The entire beef hot dog portfolio is now certified regenerative—ROC and a custom standard for non-organic lines.   🤯 Consumer confusion ≠ deterrent: Despite low consumer understanding of “regen,” Applegate committed to the transformation anyway.   💡 Do Good Dog learnings: Applegate's first regen product provided critical consumer insights—even if the SKU itself wasn’t the final solution.   🧬 Nutrient density & health trials: Applegate is conducting a human health study to compare regenerative vs. conventional beef on health biomarkers.   🧠 Consumer education strategy: The team is shifting toward messaging rooted in proxies like grass-fed and biodiversity—not soil science lectures.   🏆 Hormel backing regen: Carolyn confirms Hormel is fully ive—proving big food can be part of the regen solution.   🧩 Collaborative supply chain: From aggregators to fashion brands, Applegate is working across sectors to whole-animal utilization.   🌱 Farmer-first mindset: The team is focused on building systems that work with long-term supplier relationships and localized solutions.   🔍 Certification clarity: Applegate requires third-party certifications for all claims—driving integrity while acknowledging standard complexity.   📈 Beyond beef: Applegate is carefully evaluating pork, poultry, and feed systems to expand regen thoughtfully and meaningfully.   Links: Applegate Applegate Beats 2025 Regenerative Goal, Transitions All Beef Hot Dogs to 100% Certified Regenerative Beef Hormel Foods Regenerative Organic Certified Land to Market Hickory Nut Gap Kettle & Fire EOV (Ecological Outcome Verification) Bionutrient Food Association The Hormel Institute If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we are ed by Cole Mannix who is the Founder and President of Old Salt Co-Op.   Old Salt Co-Op is ing regenerative agriculture with a collection of vertically integrated businesses bringing regeneratively raised meat to consumers. The Old Salt brand was created by a group of family ranches in Montana to provide a better food system and future for their land, their animals, and their customers.   Old Salt sells meat direct-to-consumers online, they operate two restaurants in Helena, Montana, and they’re also operating and acquiring meat processing facilities in the region. All with the goal of selling damn fine Montana meat based on one simple idea: land is kin.   In this episode, Cole details why these family ranches created Old Salt in search of a better alternative to the commodity market, why their focus is to turn consumers into citizens, and how their model can eventually triple rancher margins by creating equity upside for producers.   We chat with Cole about the why and how behind the complex Old Salt ecosystem of enterprises, the legendary Old Salt Festival coming up in June, why he wants to start a grain-finished program, and so much more.   Episode Highlights:   🤝 Why 3 ranching families united to start the brand 💥 Their unique corporate structure and multiple businesses 🔥 Why land and community are the same thing 🐺 How their ranching partners co-exist with wolves 💭 Building an experiential brand not tied to claims or certifications 👀 Their plans to add a grain-finished beef offering 🤯 Why downstream consolidation is the problem - not production 👎 Regulatory and financial barriers preventing regional meat processing 💯 Turning customers into citizens 👉 Their plans to triple rancher margins   Links: Old Salt Co-Op Old Salt Festival Savory Institute Holistic Management International Ranching For Profit Le Pigeon Lazy Susan Carman Ranch Cairnspring Mills Range Revolution Dorito Effect End of Craving Meat Eater Steward If you find this content valuable, please consider donating to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we are ed by Will and Jenni Harris from White Oak Pastures, which may very well be the original and very first regenerative brand. White Oak Pastures is a 160-year-old, zero-waste, regenerative farm that raises 10 species of animals living in symbiotic relationships with each other and the land. Starting in 1995, the farm transitioned away from industrial agriculture techniques and began operating their farm as a living ecosystem.  As a brand, White Oak has been a pioneer in American grass-fed beef production, selling both Publix and Whole Foods their first domestic-supplied grass-fed beef over a decade ago. Today, White Oak operates a myriad of businesses at their home ranch in Bluffton, Georgia with a team of 160 people and their products are sought out by customers in 48 of the 50 states. In this episode, Will shares his journey from industrial cattleman to regenerative innovator, Jenni details how the business has shifted from grocery to e-commerce, and both of our guests share their story with their trademark transparency, humility, and Southern charm. Will and Jenni highlight the need for consumer-driven change in agriculture, Jenni shares how being on The Joe Rogan Experience has affected their business, and Will takes us behind the scenes of producing his book, A Bold Return To Giving A Damn. Episode Highlights: 🔥 Was White Oak Pastures the first regenerative brand? 💥 160 Years, 5 Generations, & A Bold Return To Giving A Damn 👀 How White Oak Pastures almost had a different name 💡 Will’s journey from industrial to regenerative agriculture ♻️ Vertical integration, endless enterprises, and zero-waste processing 🍗 Why White Oak produces and sells unprofitable poultry 🚀 How COVID and being on Rogan boosted their business 📚 Why Will wrote a book and how its been received 🥩 Domestic vs imported beef and dumb labeling laws 🛒 Why food system change must be consumer-led Links: White Oak Pastures A Bold Return To Giving A Damn The Center for Agricultural Resilience (CFAR) Internship Program FOND Bone Broth Figure Ate Joe Rogan Experience #2062 - Will & Jenni Harris Joe Rogan Experience #1893 - Will Harris Donate to our work Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, Kyle and I are flying solo to bring you some updates and thoughts coming out of Expo West. What are the latest industry trends we’re tracking? What was the state of regenerative at this year’s Super Bowl of G? What were the biggest regen wins from the Pitch Slam, to NEXTYs, to fundraising announcements? We dive into all the most important regen G topics including certification presence, new product highlights, and new information on increasing consumer awareness and demand for regenerative products. We break down the activation of the “I ❤️ REGEN” campaign and celebrate the success in building community. Plus, we offer some key insights and stats you can’t get anywhere else. Whether you were at the show or not, drop us a note with your major takeaways or other topics you’d like to see us discuss. Episode Highlights: 🔥 Regen was well-represented at the show 👉 Why ROC™ is the leading regen certification 💥 Recoup & Wild Orchard dominate the Pitch Slam 💰 GoodSAM raises $9M Series A 🏆 11 regen brands and 6 regen products win NEXTYs 🤤 Our favorite new regenerative products ❤️ Spreading the love with I ❤️ REGEN 📈 Our top non-regen trends and insights 🚀 Promising new data for increasing consumer demand 🗣️ Powerful soundbites we saved to share Links: Recoup Beverage Wins Expo West Pitch Slam GoodSAM Foods Secures $9M Series A 2025 Expo West NEXTY Award Winners Brain Energy (book) Down To Earth w/ Zac Efron RegenerativeNYC I ❤️ REGEN Gallant International Function Health Edacious Growing Success At Retail Session (Regenified Consumer Data) RegenScore Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

In this episode, Kyle and I are flying solo to cover the latest and greatest from the world of regenerative G. We kick things off with Kyle sharing some insights from recent conversations he’s had with retailers, and we unpack recent changes Whole Foods has made to their regenerative standards.  We break down all the things Expo West, including regenerative brands exhibiting, sessions we’re looking forward to, NEXTY finalists, where you can find regen on the agenda, and how ReGen Brands is showing up at the event. Secret sneak peek - we’re launching our first awareness campaign for ReGen Brands Coalition member brands and products, so be sure to check that out and listen to the full episode for more details. We touch on the early effects of the new federal istration change, specifically, the current federal funding freeze that is bringing some issues, and the optimism around change that could stem from the MAHA movement. We close things out with some fun and good news for the regenerative movement which you’ll find at the very end of the episode. Episode Highlights: 👍 Promising recent retailer interactions ✅ Whole Foods’ changing their regen standards 👉 Expo West preview and primer 👀 What regenerative brands are exhibiting + speaking? 🌎 Breaking down Climate Day, sessions, and interests 💰 Industry issues stemming from the federal funding freeze ❓ Is the MAHA optimism warranted? ⚖️ The pain and opportunity in political uncertainty 🖤 Introducing the “I ❤️ REGEN” campaign 👏 Kiss The Ground & Common Ground streaming on Prime Links: ReGen Brands Primer + Booth Guide - Expo West 2025 A Greener World & Whole Foods Announcement Natural Products Expo West Climate Day at Expo West 2025 Edacious Trump’s Funding Freeze Creates Chaos and Financial Distress for Farmers Alec’s Culture Cups Named NEXTY Finalist  Sustainable Herbs Initiative Kiss The Ground Film Common Ground Film Documentaries Public Watch Party Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Loren Poncia who is a rancher and the owner at Stemple Creek Ranch. Stemple Creek is ing regenerative agriculture with their regeneratively-raised beef, lamb, pork, and chicken products mainly sold via their website directly to consumers and also available via select farmers' markets, restaurants, and retailers. Stemple Creek’s home ranch in Northern California stretches over more than 1,000 acres and their overall operation manages more than 8,000 acres of land.  In this episode, Loren details the family’s journey from conventional dairy to regenerative beef production, why they ended up starting a brand even though he “never wanted to be in the meat business,” and how they’ve grown to a multi-million dollar regional brand over the past decade. Stemple Creek’s commitment to honesty, transparency, and quality was very apparent as Loren shared the story of managing their ranch, developing their brand, and growing their business. He shared his three keys to cracking the code on quality and taste in grass-fed beef, how their brand is approaching regenerative certification, and the challenges of maintaining a fresh meat program year-round. Episode Highlights: 🥩 Building a $10M regional regenerative meat brand 💰 Rotational grazing for profitability - not product claims 😯 Operating 15 enterprises on their home ranch 💃 Why regenerative is a “constant dance with Mother Nature” 🔑 3 major keys for the highest quality grass-fed beef 🍽️ How Bay area restaurants boosted their business ☑️ Being “first person certified” instead of third-party certified 🦆 The 55 migratory bird species that live at the ranch 👉 Pricing difference for domestic vs imported grassfed beef 🔮 Succession planning and long-term employee ownership Links: Stemple Creek Ranch The Omnivore’s Dilemma Chez Panisse Sunday Marin Farmers Market Zuni Café American Wolf U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Force of Nature Meats Ranching For Profit Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Jason & Kristina Walker who are the Founders and Owners of Starwalker Organic Farms. Starwalker Organic Farms produces various beef, pork, and chicken products on a 3,000-acre Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in Northern California. They’re one of the biggest producers of organic pork in the United States, and they sell their regenerative organic products wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and through their branded G SKUs. The family also owns and operates a certified organic processing facility with slaughter, cut, and value-added operations serving their farm and many others in the community. In this episode, Jason and Kristina give us the low down on how they’re producing the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified pork, educate us on how essential processing is in building market access for regenerative farmers, and share the inside scoop on what is coming from their family of operations in the future. Safe to say the Walkers are doing a lot, and we really enjoyed getting the behind-the-scenes view into all the ways they’re pushing to produce, process, and market regenerative food.   Episode Highlights: 🏗️ Building vertically integrated regen organic beef & pork value chains 😯 Raising 4,000 pigs on pasture 🐷 Producing the 1st Regenerative Organic Certified® pork 🛒 Launching their ROC™ beef jerky in Sprouts nationwide 🚀 The one big contract that changed everything 😡 The difficulty in finding certified organic meat processing ↗️ Going from wholesale to DTC to G 💰 Working with Mad Capital to fund their farming operations 👀 New ROC™ pork and beef products coming soon 👉 How distributors and retailers need to step up for regen Links: Starwalker Organic Farms Regenerative Organic Certified® The Dorito Effect Mad Capital Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Sara Delaney who is the Founder and CEO at Sarilla. Sarilla is ing regenerative agriculture with its lineup of ready-to-drink spritzers that are all made with organic and regenerative ingredients. Sarilla sources the majority of its ingredients via direct trade relationships with farmer cooperatives in Rwanda that are USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified and pursuing regenerative certification. In this episode, Sara shares how she was inspired to launch the brand to further her work ing the people of Rwanda in their ongoing recovery from the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, and she shares how Sarilla has grown over time to find the right name, SKUs, and product positioning. Sara’s personal story is one of resiliency, empathy, and community and is definitely very alive in the Sarilla brand. She subscribes to the Rwandan wisdom that “to be alone is to die” - which underpins Sarilla’s social impact mission and should serve as good advice for all of looking to increase collaborative efforts in regeneration. Episode Highlights: 🙏 How ing Rwanda sparked a G brand 💔 The Rwandan genocide and need for trauma healing 🌿 Why tea was the pathway to economic impact 🧘 Sourcing from legendary, regenerative Rwandan tea gardens 👉 Positioning SKUs as sober safe and non-alcoholic 👍 Why RTD beverage can be such an impactful category for regen 🎯 Finding the right brand name, SKU mix, and positioning over time 🔥 Why sometimes “rejection is protection” and “asking who not how” 🥤 Building in foodservice, hospitality, vending, and grocery 🫶 How community is the antidote to despair Links: Sarilla Sara’s TED Talk The Rwandan genocide Africa Healing Exchange Vistar Dobra Tea Asheville 1% For The Planet Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Foodbuy Cheney Brothers RangeMe Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Tim Cornie who is a farmer and the Co-Owner of 1000 Springs Mill. Tim is ing regenerative agriculture as a farmer managing more than 800 acres of regenerative organic land in Idaho, by owning and operating a processing facility sourcing from many farmers in his region, and by selling G products in the 1000 Springs Mill brand that contain regenerative organic ingredients. In this episode, Tim shares how his regenerative efforts are inspired by the healthcare challenges that his family and community have faced, how a trip to Europe inspired him to “stop feeding cows and start feeding humans,” plus what it’s like to farm, process, and brand regenerative organic foods. Tim is super optimistic that new ag-tech solutions are going to help more farmers adopt regenerative practices, he sees great growth opportunities in making regenerative products more convenient, and he’s a firm believer that it all comes down to creating market demand. Episode Highlights: 🔥 Farming regenerative organic land fed by 1,000 springs 😮 How a German horse trainer inspired Tim’s farming style ⚡ Why we need to get Cybertrucks on the farm 🩺 How our health depends on changing the way we farm 😯 The powerful benefits of BARLEYmax™ ⚙️ Running a 250,000-square-foot processing facility 👉 How private label sourcing can regenerative 🍸 The two booze brands sourcing their grain ⏰ Making regenerative food convenient 🎯 Why market demand always comes first Links: 1000 Springs Mil Regenerative Organic Certified® Kiss The Ground Common Ground BARLEYmax™ Farmer’s Gin American Harvest Vodka Why One Spirits Company Is Betting On Regenerative Ag And Farmers In Idaho (Forbes) Expo West Lil Bucks Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have John Strohfus who is the Founder and CEO of Field Theory and Minnesota Hemp Farms Incorporated. John is ing regenerative agriculture as a row crop farmer managing 1,000 acres in Minnesota, by working as a broker and supply chain builder with multiple brands, and by selling G products in the Field Theory brand that contain regeneratively grown ingredients. In this episode, John educates us on what really matters to farmers, gives his take on conventional regenerative versus regenerative organic, and breaks down what it takes to find, aggregate, and broker regenerative ingredients for other brands. This was a super fascinating conversation and a great one to start of the new year. John’s three-pronged perspective as a farmer, broker, and brand builder really unlocked some amazing insights. We were pumped to have him us and hope you learn as much as we did. Episode Highlights:   🔥 Perspective from a farmer, broker, and brand builder 🌱 Bringing hemp back to Minnesota in 2016 🚜 What’s holding farmers back from going regen? 🎯 Why we need more demand for “conventional regenerative” 👏 The lasting impact of Simple Mills’ direct trade sunflower program 🏆 What John likes about the Soil & Climate Initiative verification ⚙️ Building new direct trade regenerative supply chains 😯 Why linking regen practices to nutrient density might not work 🤔 Is G harder than farming? 🚀 How private label demand could help boost regen adoption   Links: Field Theory Minnesota Hemp Farms Incorporated NETZRO Simple Mills Ardent Mills Bay State Milling PACHA Regenerative Organic Certified Soil & Climate Initiative Regenified Roots Potato Chips MN Soil Health Coalition Seven Sundays Bob’s Red Mill Nutrient Density Alliance Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

In this episode, we’re bringing you into the new year with a first-of-its-kind format covering current events, new consumer research, and industry news. Kyle and I spend time talking about Trump winning the presidency and what that means for regenerative brands and the regenerative movement. How will tariffs affect cost of goods? Will mass deportations affect labor and cost of goods? Is MAHA for real and what impact will it have? Will the new istration fulfill their promises on inflation and the economy resulting in higher velocities of regen products and more investment into their businesses? We chat about the cultural implications from the election and how we think that will affect where regen goes over the next 4 years. How will all this anti-establishment energy affect change? What does the rejection of woke ideology mean for brands marketing the sustainability benefits of regenerative products? We cover Regenified’s recently released consumer report that highlights high interest in regenerative agriculture and growth opportunities for brands and retailers. What can we learn from the findings of this 850-person study? Regenified’s key findings highlighted rising consumer awareness and interest, the criticality of certifications, consumers prioritizing health and nutrient density, and consumer willingness to pay a for regenerative products. We unpack it all and share our perspectives.  We share some big news from brands like Painterland Sisters, Long Table, Recoup, Little Sesame, and Diestel Family Ranch covering new products and retailer partnerships, big industry pitch slam wins, and new nutrient density analysis.  Lastly, Kyle and I share some of the regenerative products we’re gifting to friends and family this holiday season. We’re pumped to bring you this new format and excited to do more episodes like it in 2025, so let us know what you think and want to hear us chat about next!   Episode Highlights: 🇺🇸 What does Trump 2.0 mean for regenerative brands? ↗️ Will tariffs drive up COGS significantly? 👀 Is MAHA for real? What are we expecting? 💰 Will brand investment increase like it did in the first term? 😡 What Trump's win tells us about current consumer sentiment 💭 How anti-woke energy might affect marketing sustainability 📊 Key findings from Regenified’s new consumer research 👉 Why regenerative awareness is still so low 🚀 BIG recent wins from regenerative brands 🎁 Our regenerative gifts for the holidays   Links: Food & ag organizations respond to Trump victory What a Trump Presidency Means for US Agriculture by Connie Bowen MAHA Food Fix Undaunted Courage California Food & Agriculture officials wrestle with regenerative agriculture definition Regenified's 2024 Consumer Report Recoup Takes Title as New Beverage Showdown 28 Winner Long Table wins big at SKU Fall Showcase Painterland Sisters debuts new ion Fruit flavor Painterland Sisters is now available in all 1,300+ Publix Super Markets Little Sesame Launches First-To-Markets Kids Hummus Cups Nutritional Analysis of Diestel Regenerative Turkeys Dadascope Communications Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we are talking about all things related to our recently released State of Regenerative G Report. Many of you have already checked out the report or at least heard us talk about it briefly on Episode 81 where we unpacked the launch of our new ecosystem. The report synthesizes ReGen Brands' proprietary learnings from almost three years of studying regenerative G, including 80 podcast episodes interviewing brand founders, executives, and other key ecosystem stakeholders.  It is designed to help you understand the ways regenerative brands are winning today along with the key challenges they face on the road to additional progress. This report is a super easy read but it's definitely dense, so we wanted to unpack ALL of it for you on this episode. So go your copy and follow along or just listen in as we dive deep into our comprehensive state of the industry.   Episode Highlights:   💭 Why we wrote the report 💡 What we learned along the way 🚀 Unpacking how regen brands are winning today 🛑 Breaking down key challenges and calls to action 🏗️ What we’re building to help solve problems   Links: State of Regenerative G Report Ramping Your Brand NOSH Live Newtopia Now The Gap and The Gain Carol Sanford TIG Brands Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Camilla Marcus who is the Founder & CEO at west~bourne. West~bourne is ing regenerative agriculture with their chef-driven snacks and pantry staples - all impeccably sourced, utilizing regenerative, sustainable, and organic ingredients. The brand’s ethos is 'eat well. do better. gather often.' In this episode, Camilla shares her journey from chef to brand Founder, the philosophy behind west~bourne’s unique model, the challenges and triumphs of leading with sustainability in the G space, and how Camilla is driving impact far beyond the plate.  We talk about west~bourne’s new Regenerative Holiday Box, Camilla’s new cookbook, My Regenerative Kitchen, and celebrate their big recent win with The Fresh Market. Episode Highlights: ❤️ Food is our common love language 🍽️ How restaurants influence popular culture 🚀 Making regenerative cool through food 🤝 Partnering with Glossier for their first G product 👩‍🍳 Building a chef-curated brand and product portfolio 🎯 Why climate solutions that aren’t health solutions aren’t solutions 🗞️ Trade media’s role in advancing the regen conversation 🔥 Their Regenerative Holiday Bundle & My Regenerative Kitchen cookbook 👏 Taking their avocado oil national with The Fresh Market 💥 Why radical collaboration is our rocket fuel Links: west~bourne My Regenerative Kitchen Cookbook Union Square Hospitality Group The Third Plate Glossier Oishii The Business of Fashion Stella McCartney Pangai Baldor Specialty Foods Canyon Coffee Mad Agriculture Lil Bucks Lundberg Family Farms Alexandre Family Farm Alec’s Ice Cream Patagonia Provisions Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Ryan Pintado-Vertner who is the Founder and CEO at Smoketown. Smoketown is a boutique brand consultancy that helps visionaries, mission-driven brands and nonprofits maximize their growth and positive impact without one compromising the other. They use empathy to help solve complex marketing challenges for their clients who are creating more justice, generosity, equity, and regeneration in the world. Smoketown is ing regenerative agriculture with their recently released white paper: Unlocking Demand for Regenerative - A Crowdsourced Blueprint for Accelerating Consumer Demand for Regenerative Agriculture It will come as no surprise to anyone who has listened to this show before to hear that we are convicted in our belief that we need to figure out how to improve our ability to increase consumer awareness and demand for regenerative products. Well, Ryan shares that conviction with us and this white paper was his attempt to explore that concept and share his findings with the community. And boy did he deliver. The white paper is full of really insightful takeaways and recommended actions to take, and Ryan is here with us today to break it all down. You’ll also learn about his background as an activist and big-G brand builder, his previous work at Sometown with mission-driven brands, and his regen awakening that led to him producing this blueprint for driving change. us as we break down how the regenerative community can 1) Increase Consumer Empathy, 2) Refine the Messaging Frame, 3) Double Down on Loyalty and Share of Wallet, and 4) Boldly Collaborate for Big Awareness. Episode Highlights: 🙏 How his spiritual practice sparked a regen awakening ❤️ Why collaboration has to be a superpower 🎯 Making marketing decisions based on consumer empathy ❌ The limits of sustainability-themed messaging 📈 Why self-interest always outsells altruism 💣 The BIG need for more consumer research 🤝 How cross-promotion can help brands boost regen ROI 🧪 What we can apply from the proliferation of probiotics 🛒 Why retailers have to help drive high-level awareness 💪 How linking regen to nutrition is the biggest unlock Links: Smoketown Unlocking Demand for Regenerative - White Paper Trailhead Capital Julia Collins State of Regenerative G Report Kiss The Ground Lundberg Family Farms SIMPLi Applegate Regenified Consumer Research Purdue Consumer Food Insights Edacious Bionutrient Food Association Nutrient Density Alliance Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) RFSI Europe Omie Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter

On this episode, we have Eric Gutknecht who is the President and CEO at Charcutnuvo. Charcutnuvo is ing regenerative agriculture with their Regenerative Organic Certified® beef sausages and they are working to transition their entire product portfolio of beef, chicken, and pork sausage products to ROC™. In this episode, Eric gives us the real scoop on “how the sausage is made.” We cover his family’s five-generation history in sausage making, his sausage-making training in Europe, and what processes the brand implores that set them apart from the competition.  Eric also gives us the lowdown on the regenerative organic beef they’re sourcing, how adding the ROC™ certification to their products has boosted velocities, plus what it’s going to take to see more regenerative sausage at your favorite retailer. Episode Highlights: 🌭 Five generations of sausage-making ↗️ Going from natural to organic to regenerative organic 🏆 What it takes to make better sausage 🍖 Maximizing carcass value and utilization 🦘 Sourcing ROC™ beef from Australia 🤑 Their 25% sales increase post-certification 💪 How Natural Grocers s regen brands 🔥 New regen products coming in 2025 🥳 Securing ‘menu mentions’ to increase regen awareness 🎯 Why regen potential is equal to retailer commitment Links: Charcutnuvo Regenerative Organic Certified® Natural Grocers Hewitt Foods National Restaurant Association True Food Kitchen Follow ReGen Brands on LinkedIn Subscribe to the ReGen Brands Weekly newsletter