Essential Ingredients Podcast Justine Reichman

“You can't leave the question of justice out of sustainability. Because if large numbers of people feel disempowered, or left out of the process, there's nothing sustainable about that.” —Dr. Laird Christensen 
 
Building a sustainable and regenerative future requires innovative education and community engagement. When educational programs empower people with practical knowledge of their local ecosystems and economies, they gain the tools to strengthen food systems, land use, and social networks where they live.
Dr. Laird Christensen is an award-winning instructor and administrator at Prescott College, where he directs innovative graduate programs focused on sustainability and resilience. Through story-based and project-centered learning, his curricula empower professionals to create just and sustainable communities.
Tune in as Justine and Dr. Christensen cover critical issues on empowering students to address challenges in their regions through bio-regional and solutions-based approaches, the need for inclusive solutions that benefit all people as energy systems transition away from fossil fuels, overcoming climate anxiety, and reinventing systems in a more regenerative and equitable manner.
 
Meet Laird: 
Laird Christensen is an award-winning instructor, writer, and administrator. As the director of the Master of Science in Resilient and Sustainable Communities program at Prescott College, he has developed innovative project-based curricula and interdisciplinary programs focused on how stories shape the interaction of human communities and their environments. With over 10 years of experience directing online graduate programs, Laird is passionate about empowering working professionals to build more sustainable and just communities through place-based and solutions-oriented learning.



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Episode Highlights:
04:35 A Focus on Solutions-Based Learning
08:38 Student Innovation Builds Sustainable Food System
14:51 Creating Systemic Resiliency Through Education and Community Engagement
19:31 Understanding Different Perspectives to Address Social and Environmental Issues
23:33 Communication Strategies for Creating a Regenerative Future

 “This isn't just a purchasing decision. This has huge and sweeping ramifications. As consumers, we dictate the food system; our choices pull a lever that directly dictates how all this works.” —Marshall Bartlett  
 
Sustainable meat production is about more than just the end product— it's also about supporting a holistic farming system that nourishes both people and the land. When consumers make the conscientious choice to purchase meat from farms practicing this kind of care, it solidifies a food system that will continue nourishing communities for many years to come.
 
This week, Justine sits down with Marshall Bartlett, the co-founder and CEO of Home Place Pastures, a fifth-generation family farm in Mississippi that has transformed over the past decade to practice regenerative agriculture through rotational grazing of grass-fed beef and pastured pork. Marshall aims to improve soil health, support ethical animal welfare, and make locally grown, sustainable meat accessible in his community.
 
Tune in as Justine and Marshall talk about the challenges of conventional agriculture, how regenerative practices like rotational grazing can improve soil health and sequester carbon long-term, and the importance of education and storytelling to help consumers understand labels and make informed choices that support small, local producers.



Meet Marshall:  
Marshall grew up in the Home Place and fell in love with the farm and his hometown throughout his childhood. After graduating from the Mississippi School of Math and Science, Marshall left the South to attend Dartmouth College for undergrad. After college, he spent time in Montana, completed an AmeriCorps term in New Orleans rebuilding houses destroyed in Katrina, and eventually ran operations for a small business specializing in sourcing local meat for New Orleans chefs.
 
In 2014, at the age of 24, Marshall returned to the Home Place with a new vision for the family farm and has worked for the last 10 years to bring this vision to reality. You can usually find him on the Home Place Monday through Saturday somewhere between the meat plant, the farming operation, and the Farm Store. He often gives farm tours and butcher classes at the Home Place. He spends his off-farm time with his wife Katie and daughter Joan or traveling to help learn from other farmers and meat processors.
 
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Episode Highlights:
02:33 Farming Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Practices
12:44 Financial Viability Concern 
16:13 Connecting Food with Health and Planet  
21:56 Manipulated Label Claim in the Meat Industry 
25:17 Local and Sustainable Meat Production 
28:44 Local Foods and Consumer Impact 
34:05 Animal Welfare and Regenerative Agriculture 
36:46 Supporting Local Agriculture 
 

“Choosing a non-alcoholic option isn't a less than choice.” —Anika Sawni
The lines between drinkers and non-drinkers are beginning to blur as new options emerge. Where social events were once defined by their alcohol consumption, people now gather for deeper connections unbound by beverage choices. 
Gruvi co-founder, Anika Sawni’s vision celebrates the joy of community while empowering individuals to make choices that align with their health, values, and mood. Their growing range of sophisticated yet accessible zero-proof options ensures no one ever feels left out or like a third wheel due to their drinking habits alone.
 
Listen in as Anika shares her journey launching Gruvi, and their focus on taste, variety, and accessibility when crafting their award-winning non-alcoholic bevies. Justine and Anika also discuss the growing interest in reducing alcohol consumption, what mindful drinking means, and how we can help build an inclusive drinking culture. 



Meet Anika: 
 
Anika Sawni is the co-founder and Director of Marketing at Grüvi, a company that produces alcohol-free beverages. She studied neuroscience at McGill University before teaming up with her brother, Niki Sawni, to launch Grüvi.
 
Anika’s journey with Grüvi began when she noticed the lack of non-alcoholic options at social gatherings. This observation led her to create a healthier alternative that could complement social experiences without adding inebriation.
 
Grüvi started with a focus on the cannabis community in Denver, and it quickly gained popularity. Today, Grüvi’s products, which include alcohol-free wine and beer, are sold across more than 1,500 stores, including Whole Foods, Total Wine, Target, and the Canadian grocery chain, Sobeys.
 
In addition to her work with Grüvi, Anika has also served as the VP of Events for McGill Students for DueNORTH from 2016 to 2019. She was named to Forbes’s 30 Under 30 list in its food and beverage category in 2021. Anika’s future aspirations include founding a company focused on brain-based interventions.
 
Anika Sawni’s work with Grüvi exemplifies her commitment to promoting healthier lifestyle choices and her innovative approach to addressing gaps in the beverage market.
 
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Episode Highlights:
01:42 Building a Non-Alcoholic Brand 
08:49 Working with Family
11:58 Addressing Consumer Barriers 
18:45 Shifting Societal Attitude Toward Drinking
22:36 Mindful Drinking Habits
28:02 Focusing on Taste and Accessibility
 

“I try to remove ego from as many of these decisions as I can as that's one of the greatest inhibitors to future success.” —Connor Godfrey
When external pressures or internal imbalances knock us from our center, discomfort and disease can take root. However, balance is not found by force but through nurturing what needs nurturing within. Therefore, by supporting our body's innate wisdom with natural remedies, mindfulness, and self-care, we allow its equilibrium to renew.
Founded by Connor Godfrey, Rasāsvāda is a spirit restorative company that creates herbal spirits using traditional Chinese medicinal plants and ingredients. Rasāsvāda aims to help consumers on their lifelong wellness journeys through plant-based remedies without preservatives that promote healing and restore balance.
 
Listen in as Justine and Connor dive deep into nature-inspired wellness solutions, including traditional Chinese medicine and adaptogenic ingredients. They also share the importance of treating business obstacles as a game, balancing ego and growth, regularly assessing and pivoting the business strategy, including education in crafting marketing strategy, and more. 



Meet Connor:
Connor Godfrey is the founder and CEO of Rasāsvāda, a spirit restorative company based in New York City. Rasāsvāda creates spirits made from 100% plants and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Connor was inspired to start the company after turning to Eastern medicine to help heal from personal struggles. 
 
Connor has a background in private equity and comes from a family with experience in herbalism and tea. As the sixth generation entrepreneur in his family, he leverages his knowledge of Eastern wellness practices to formulate Rasāsvāda’s adaptogenic products. Under Connor's leadership, Rasāsvāda focuses on education and innovation, with a mission to help customers on their wellness journeys through plant-based remedies and restorative rituals.
 
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Episode Highlights:
01:06 Eastern Medicine and Spirit Restoration
04:50 Business Partnerships and Navigating Challenges 
11:47 A Focus on Adaptogenic Ingredients 
17:47 Wellness, Education, and Education 
 

“We want to get people to recognize that there are better-for-you options in the alcohol world.” —Jennifer Roman-Matito
 
While a night of fun and frivolity is part of the social experience, the unpleasant physical effects of a hangover can leave us longing for a better way— a way to continue the party without the painful playoff. 
In this episode, Justine sits down with Jennifer Roman-Matito, the co-founder of Mother's Milk, a coconut water cocktail company that offers a healthier alternative to alcoholic drinks. She created Mother's Milk to provide hangover-free beverage options made with natural ingredients for conscious drinkers.
Jennifer shares how her interest in healthier alternatives was sparked by unwanted physical reactions to alcohol and how this led her to create a line of coconut water-based RTD cocktails designed for hydration without hangovers.
Tune in to hear the challenges of launching and growing a female-founded business from the ground up, what conscious drinking means, plus, advice on choosing the right ingredients, building strategic partnerships, and fundraising as a small business. 
 
Meet Jennifer: 
Jennifer Roman-Matito is a dynamic entrepreneur and co-founder of Mother's Milk, a pioneering coconut water-based cocktail brand aimed at health-conscious individuals with a penchant for revelry. Armed with a degree in Communications and Media Studies from CUNY-Hunter College, Jennifer combines her passion for innovative products with her rich island heritage to craft beverages that resonate with a diverse and adventurous audience.
 
As a self-funded and female-founded initiative, Mother's Milk stands as a testament to Jennifer's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating distinctive offerings in the beverage industry. Leveraging her expertise in hospitality, marketing communications, and event management, Jennifer spearheads the brand's distribution efforts, forges strategic partnerships, and orchestrates impactful marketing campaigns to propel Mother's Milk into the spotlight.
 
Through Mother's Milk, she not only offers refreshing libations but also cultivates a community of like-minded individuals who embrace wellness without compromising on enjoyment. With Jennifer at the helm, Mother's Milk continues to captivate taste buds, spark conversations, and carve its niche as a trailblazer in the beverage industry.
 
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Episode Highlights:
00:29 Alt Drinks for Hangovers
05:05 Building a Lifestyle Brand
09:17 Challenges and Solutions for Female-FOunded 
13:38 Finding Strategic Partners
18:09 Conscious Drinking  

“When one person makes the decision to be more mindful, more conscious, it starts to have a little bit more of a ripple effect.” —Jennifer Roman-Matito
Conscious drinking is gaining popularity as people recognize that alcohol consumption is a choice where informed decisions matter. Younger generations especially are looking for drinking experiences to satisfy their desire to socialize without sacrificing how they feel. This trend speaks much about the mainstreaming of preventative health habits and considering ingredients in all areas of life, including how we enjoy social beverages.
Jennifer Roman-Matito is the co-founder of Mother's Milk, a groundbreaking coconut water-based cocktail brand designed for health-conscious individuals who enjoy vibrant experiences. With a passion for creating unique products that reflect her island heritage, Jennifer utilizes her expertise in hospitality, marketing communications, and event management to distribute the brand, foster partnerships, and generate excitement within a diverse and adventurous audience.
The conversation explores the growing trend of conscious drinking. Tune in as Justine and Jennifer define conscious drinking and discuss how conscious drinking is impacting the food and beverage industry, social gatherings, and the overall health and wellness of consumers. They also talk about the rise of ready-to-drink cocktails and non-alcoholic options, as well as collaborating on future events and partnerships to further the conversation around mindful alcohol consumption.



Meet Jennifer: 
Jennifer Roman-Matito is a dynamic entrepreneur and co-founder of Mother's Milk, a pioneering coconut water-based cocktail brand aimed at health-conscious individuals with a penchant for revelry. Armed with a degree in Communications and Media Studies from CUNY-Hunter College, Jennifer combines her passion for innovative products with her rich island heritage to craft beverages that resonate with a diverse and adventurous audience.
 
As a self-funded and female-founded initiative, Mother's Milk stands as a testament to Jennifer's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to creating distinctive offerings in the beverage industry. Leveraging her expertise in hospitality, marketing communications, and event management, Jennifer spearheads the brand's distribution efforts, forges strategic partnerships, and orchestrates impactful marketing campaigns to propel Mother's Milk into the spotlight.
 
Through Mother's Milk, she not only offers refreshing libations but also cultivates a community of like-minded individuals who embrace wellness without compromising on enjoyment. With Jennifer at the helm, Mother's Milk continues to captivate taste buds, spark conversations, and carve its niche as a trailblazer in the beverage industry.
 
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Episode Highlights:
00:46 What is Conscious Drinking
04:28 Conscious Drinking and Its Growing Popularity
11:06 Conscious Drinking and Its Impact on Social Gathering
19:45 Conscious Drinking and Collaboration with Brands
24:15 Conscious Drinking and Mindfulness