Good Stories

Sow Good

Welcome! Good Stories brings you inside the world of Sow Good, a family-founded snack and smoothie company launched during the pandemic when jobs were needed most. As any good story does, the stories of our guests, founders, and employees will make you laugh, cry, and hopefully, be inspired to take a small step today to change our world for the better. New stories brought to you every first and third Monday of the month! Do you or some you know have a good story to share? Contact us at goodstories@sowginc.com!

  1. 10/10/2025

    Carrying on Chase's Legacy at the NYC Marathon | CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation | Good Stories

    💖 Donation Link to Lexie’s Marathon Campaign for the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation:https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraisi...In this emotional and inspiring episode of Good Stories, Lexie visits the childhood home of Chase Kowalski, one of the young lives tragically lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. What follows is a powerful conversation with Rebecca and Brittany Kowalski about how they’ve transformed unimaginable loss into a mission of hope, healing, and community through the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation.🏃‍♀️ Lexie shares her journey training for the New York City Marathon in honor of Chase — inspired by his love for triathlons and his determination to live life to the fullest. The Kowalski family reflects on Chase’s beautiful spirit, his boundless energy, and the way he continues to impact thousands of children and families through the foundation’s Race4Chase Kids Triathlon Program.💬 Together, they discuss: How the CMAK Foundation began and the power of community healingThe Race4Chase program and how it empowers kids to swim, bike, and run with heartLessons on grief, resilience, and choosing love over hateThe meaning behind the dragonfly symbol and the signs of Chase’s lasting presenceStories of Chase’s kindness, curiosity, and courage🙏 Chase’s legacy now lives on through over 6,000 kids who’ve participated in Race4Chase, learning not just about sport — but about teamwork, perseverance, and compassion.🌟 Get InvolvedLearn more about the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation:🔹 https://cmakfoundation.orgDonate your time, treasure, or talent — and help support programs that build stronger, kinder communities.

  2. 05/12/2022

    Lauren's Story: Neurodivergence in the Workforce, DIRT Coffee, and How People Are Just Plants | Lauren Burgess

    "People are just plants: give them the right food, environment, water and watch them grow." Lauren Burgess is a Forbes Next 1000 social entrepreneur who has built, sold, and invested in successful companies with a focus on including neurodivergent communities in the workplace. The business that caught our eye was DIRT Coffee, a coffee shop that Lauren started as a coffee truck in Littleton, Colorado with a workforce comprised of neurodivergent employees, primarily those with autism.  What is neurodivergence? Neural differences that affect how the brain learns, thinks, or otherwise functions in a manner that diverges from the standard or "neurotypical." Neurodivergence includes medical or learning conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and ADHD. One of the biggest obstacles neurodivergent individuals face is finding employment. Lauren is helping companies and communities understand that people whose brains function differently can still be an impactful member of society. DIRT Coffee is an inspiring example of how companies can successfully incorporate neurodivergent individuals and how routine, understanding, and a chance can help neurodivergent people live more independent and empowered lives. Did Lauren imagine leaving DIRT? Never. But after discovering her stress-induced health concerns, she passed over the reigns to her passionate successors and took a step back: she had spent a decade helping others and in the last year, finally took the time to help herself and learn how her own neurodivergence has impacted her life. Lauren said she would wait one year before starting a new business ... and she just hit that mark! What's coming next? Follow along her journey to find out. DIRT Coffee Want to learn more? Or are you a neurodivergent entrepreneur seeking coaching from business plan development to management or funding? Find out here! Lauren Burgess Lexie's Note: I have wanted Lauren on the pod for so long and am so happy we finally made it work! Neurodivergence is a term I've heard a lot lately and diving into how people can function differently and helping them thrive in the workplace was so interesting. I challenge you to think about struggles that you have at work and what small step you can take to help yourself or ask for help. I shared some of the effects that OCD and anxiety have had on my educational and professional career and small steps I've taken to maximize the positives and reduce the negatives. Enjoy the episode! Host: Lexie Gutierrez Guest: Lauren Burgess Follow Dirt Coffee on Instagram Watch our interview on Youtube! Shop our Goods, use code goodstories25 for 25% off fruit + veggie snacks, smoothies, and granola at Sow Good!

  3. 17/10/2022

    What’s New, Sow Good? | Our Big Conflict ft. CEO Claudia Goldfarb

    “If we aren’t going to be transparent, then why are we doing this? How are we helping anyone listening?” Claudia is BACK on the mic and maybe we shouldn’t be as honest and open as we are in this episode about our growth strategy … but oh well! These are the real conversations start-ups have. We spill all the insight into one of our biggest internal management conflicts: should we pursue co-manufacturing? [Co-manufacturing = making product for other brands.] Not only do we have our own Sow Good brand, we also have a sister brand, Sustain Us, positioned towards the outdoors/survivalists/prepper communities! Plus, we have top brands asking us to freeze dry their product for them. With our 2nd and 3rd freeze driers turning on in a matter of a few months, we will have capacity to work with other brands ... but should we? Or should we focus solely on our own brands? These are the 3 “kids” vying for our team’s attention at all times. Lexie has pushed for Sow Good to be the only focus … “Why help other brands before we’ve established our own? Especially the ones that are our competitors?” But Lexie shares the revelation she had and how helping our competitors can actually help Sow Good perform in the market. Lexie’s Note: Stubbornness is a strength in my family, but in business it can be the death of a start-up. I have learned a lot these last few months about compromise and the difference between determination and obstinance. As my mother surmised, one of the most important lessons for a start-up is embracing pivots. Stay true to your mission, while being adaptable and weathering unexpected hiccups, and you just might be one of the start-ups that makes it! We’re learning a lot and hope you are too — and if you're another brand working through the same struggles, don't hesitate to reach out, we're always happy to help :) Host: Lexie Gutierrez-Goldfarb Guest: Claudia Goldfarb Do you know someone who has a good story to share on the show? Let us know at goodstories@sowginc.com! Watch on Youtube Shop our Goods, use code FIRSTBITE25 for 25% OFF: https://thisissowgood.com

    What’s New, Sow Good? | Our Big Conflict ft. CEO Claudia Goldfarb
  4. 26/09/2022

    Dylan's Story: Building Confidence, Positive Exercise, Co-Founding Vizer, CPG Investing + The Bachelor | Dylan Barbour | Vizer App

    Meet Vizer's co-founder, CPG-aficionado, TV personality, and Sow Good's brand advisor Dylan Barbour! You might know Dylan from either your TV screen, where he met his fiancee and first grew a public following, or phone screen through the wellness app Vizer that he co-founded with his cousin, Sam Pantazopolous (see previous episode!). Vizer converts your workouts into meal donations sponsored by food and wellness brands across the nation. You can then redeem your meal donation points for FREE rewards (like snacks from Sow Good)! Dylan and Lexie dive into a lot you might not know about him, so let's dive in!  STORY BITES  Struggling with Food and Exercise Growing Up: For years, Dylan was overweight, until he made a radical change in college, losing a lot of weight quickly from working out fanatically and eating insufficiently. Now, Dylan is at his happiest and healthiest and shares what helped him develop a healthy relationship with wellness, and what struggles were hardest to shake.  Entrepreneur + Influencer: Balancing his life in the public eye and professional world, and how Dylan has grown comfortable merging the two. Vizer was a grounding force for Dylan coming off of TV, inspiring him to forgo some influencer opportunities early on to build a long-lasting business.  Confidence 101 How to be Confident, not Cocky: Dylan comes off really confident, able to walk in the room and build relationships with anyone, but he's still down-to-earth and genuine; it's a fine line to walk and he gives insight on how he walks it—and how he lacked it going on TV.  Investing! One of Dylan's passions is investing in the CPG space — one of the reasons he knows EVERYONE in the industry. And let's not forget his brief stint as a finance bro at the tiny bank called Morgan Stanley before leaving to start Vizer with Sam.  Lexie's Note: Dylan has walked a lot of paths in life and I loved unfolding those layers! He was an English major, investment banker in NYC, The Bachelor tv star, and now co-founder of a really impactful business. Dylan was one of the first people I met in the wellness space when I joined Sow Good and has consistently been so supportive, genuine, and a reminder that this industry is Fun!   Host: Lexie Gutierrez    Guest: Dylan Barbour    Watch our interview on Youtube!    Start converting your workouts to meals for FREE: Vizer App    Follow Vizer on all the socials @Vizerapp   Follow Dylan: @dylanbarbour   SOW GOOD: Use code goodstories25 for 25% off fruit + veggie snacks, smoothies, and granola at Sow Good!

    Dylan's Story: Building Confidence, Positive Exercise, Co-Founding Vizer, CPG Investing + The Bachelor | Dylan Barbour | Vizer App

About

Welcome! Good Stories brings you inside the world of Sow Good, a family-founded snack and smoothie company launched during the pandemic when jobs were needed most. As any good story does, the stories of our guests, founders, and employees will make you laugh, cry, and hopefully, be inspired to take a small step today to change our world for the better. New stories brought to you every first and third Monday of the month! Do you or some you know have a good story to share? Contact us at goodstories@sowginc.com!