Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Messaginglab
  • 4.8 (20)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Grow Everything reveals the world of biology as technology. Hosts Erum Khan and Karl Schmieder interview leaders and influencers biologizing industries with tools like synthetic biology, precision fermentation, bioprospecting, and more. These companies make biomaterials from waste, cosmetics that restore healthy hair and skin, and delicious cultivated foods in a bioreactor and so much more. Join us as we discuss the latest and greatest across biotech, synbio, entrepreneurship, and culture and how this transition is solving healthcare and climate change challenges.

  1. 4D AGO

    168. Biomanufacturing 101: Rebuilding the Modern World with Biology

    Karl and Erum break down how biology is transforming the production of everything from cosmetics to construction materials. They explore why the petrochemical era is giving way to biological manufacturing, examining both the spectacular failures of early biofuels and the emerging success stories of companies like K18 and Mango Materials. Karl and Erum explain the fundamentals of fermentation, precision fermentation, and cell-free manufacturing, while introducing concepts like distributed biomanufacturing and "dirty biology." Drawing on insights from previous guests including Doug Friedman, Michelle Stansfield, Veronica Breckenridge, and Phil Morle, they reveal why 95% of executives are now pursuing bio-solutions and how three converging forces—falling technology costs, rising consumer expectations, and new infrastructure—are making this the moment for biomanufacturing to finally deliver on its promise. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Why AI might just become our CEO (plus haircuts, Pilates, and gene therapy for hearing loss)(00:02:05) - Eli Lilly's $1B gene therapy deal for hearing loss(00:05:00) - Long Now podcast recommendation and NASA astrobiologist Lynn Rothschild(00:07:00) - Discussion of Apple TV's Scion and Drops of God(00:11:00) - What is biomanufacturing and why does it matter?(00:13:00) - The history of petrochemicals as "green technology"(00:16:00) - The opportunity: removing gigatons of carbon and unlocking trillion-dollar markets(00:19:00) - Types of biomanufacturing: fermentation, precision fermentation, and continuous fermentation(00:22:00) - Cell-free manufacturing and plant cell bioreactors(00:26:00) - Growing products with mycelium and dirty biology approaches(00:29:00) - Why biomanufacturing has been hard: the valley of death(00:30:00) - The biofuels bust and lessons from 60 failed companies(00:34:00) - Infrastructure challenges and the capacity gap(00:36:00) - New solutions: performance over sustainability and the K18 example(00:40:00) - Orchestration beats invention: connecting the entire value chain(00:43:00) - Distributed biomanufacturing and making products from waste(00:48:00) - The bio-better reality: what consumers and CPG companies need(00:51:00) - Three forces converging to make biomanufacturing work now(00:53:00) - Quickfire questions: luxury vs. commodities, funding, and AI's roleLinks and Resources: Links and Resources DOCTopics Covered:  biomanufacturing 101, industrial biotechnology, precision fermentation, continuous fermentation, cell-free biomanufacturing, distributed biomanufacturing, dirty biology, bio-based materials, performance vs sustainability, CPG reformulation Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠Instagram⁠  / ⁠Twitter⁠ / ⁠LinkedIn⁠ / ⁠Youtube⁠ / ⁠Grow Everything⁠ Music by: Nihilore  Production by:  Amplafy Media

    57 min

  2. FEB 6

    167. From Scrappy to Scalable: Daniel Scharff Grows Startup CPG

    Daniel Scharff, founder of Startup CPG, joins the Grow Everything podcast to share how he built the world's largest community for emerging consumer brands. With 35,000 members in their Slack channel and over 75 in-person events annually, Startup CPG is democratizing access to retail buyers, investors, and industry resources that would typically cost founders thousands in consulting fees. Daniel discusses the harsh realities of CPG entrepreneurship—including why only 20-25% of brands survive beyond a few years—and shares his playbook for success: prioritize great branding and taste over health claims, build scrappy and resourceful, and delay fundraising until you can command a meaningful valuation. He reveals patterns he's observed across thousands of brands, from the danger of copycat products in oversaturated categories (looking at you, chili crisps and prebiotic sodas) to the power of in-person connections for discovering innovation. Daniel also explains why Startup CPG operates on a "do good, do well" model, offering free resources to brands while building a sustainable business through sponsorships and events—and why he believes this approach could transform other industries beyond CPG. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Fancy Weekends, Le Bernardin, and the Met(00:03:00) - Drops of God Season 2 and Art at the Met(00:06:00) - Automatic Noodle Book Discussion(00:09:00) - Claude Bot and AI Tools for Content Creation(00:13:00) - Introducing Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG(00:16:00) - Daniel's Journey from Mars to Just Egg to Startup CPG(00:21:00) - Building the World's Largest CPG Community(00:27:00) - Patterns of Success and Failure in CPG Brands(00:33:00) - What Makes Products Stand Out: Innovation vs. Copycats(00:38:00) - The Role of Biology and Health Claims in CPG(00:42:00) - Why In-Person Events Still Matter in a Digital World(00:50:00) - The Startup CPG Podcast and Media Platform(00:54:00) - Fundraising Strategies: When to Raise and How Much(01:00:00) - Quick Fire Questions with Daniel(01:03:00) - Final Thoughts and Wrap-UpLinks and Resources: Startup CPGStartup CPG Formulator DirectoryStartup CPG ResourcesNoguchi’s Waterstone at the METAutomatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz166. The Great Reformulation: Joshua Lachter Rethinks How We Make Everything at Scale165. Biology Behind the Brands: Inside P&G’s Two-Century Story164. From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at CargillTopics Covered:  CPG, consumer packaged goods, startups, community, Startup CPG, innovation Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 Instagram  / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything Music by: Nihilore  Production by:  Amplafy Media

    1h 15m
  3. 166. The Great Reformulation: Joshua Lachter Rethinks How We Make Everything at Scale

    JAN 30

    166. The Great Reformulation: Joshua Lachter Rethinks How We Make Everything at Scale

    Joshua Lachter, co-founder of Synonym, joins us for an in-depth conversation about the future of biomanufacturing and what he calls "the great reformulation." We explore how biology is poised to replace petrochemicals across industries, the infrastructure challenges holding back commercial scale production, and why standardization is critical for mass adoption. Joshua shares insights from Synonym's work building commercial biomanufacturing facilities, including their groundbreaking project in Decatur, Illinois. From GLP-1s to microplastics, we discuss how bio-based products can deliver superior performance while addressing health and environmental concerns. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the commercialization of industrial biotech, the economics of biomanufacturing, and the path toward a reformulated supply chain built on biology. (00:00:00) - Snowstorm updates from NYC (00:03:00) - Tech Meets Pharma: The Data Revolution (00:09:00) - Mr. Beast, Upside Foods, and Colossal Biosciences (00:14:00) - Joshua's Background and Why He Founded Synonym (00:18:00) - Financialization and Standardization of Biomanufacturing (00:25:00) - Early Assumptions That Turned Out Wrong (00:38:00) - The Great Reformulation: Biology vs. Petrochemicals (00:48:00) - GLP-1s and Nature-Inspired Innovation (00:54:00) - Better with Bio: Synonym's Partnership with Brentag (00:59:00) - Quickfire Questions (01:03:00) - Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts Episode Links: Synonym BetterWith.Bio The Great Reformulation  Primient and Synonym Forge Strategic Partnership to Propel U.S. Bioproduct Innovation NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Snowstorm Prep Video Mr. Beast video: $1 vs $1,000,000,000 Futuristic Tech! Edward Shenderovich ep Amy Trejo and JC Garcia Garcia ep Suveen K18 ep  Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverything Topics Covered:  biotech, industry, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, industrial biotech, Great Reformulation, consumer packaged goods, CPG, biotech R&D, chemical engineering, bioengineering, AI in biomanufacturing Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553 Instagram  / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow Everything

    1h 10m

  4. JAN 23

    165. Biology Behind the Brands: Inside P&G’s Two-Century Story

    Karl and Erum sit down with Amy Trejo and Jose Carlos Garcia Garcia from Procter & Gamble to uncover how one of the world's largest consumer goods companies is leveraging biotechnology to innovate at unprecedented scale. Founded 189 years ago as a bio-waste upcycling partnership between a candle maker and a soap maker, P&G has always been rooted in biomaterials innovation—from pioneering laundry enzymes in the 1960s to developing cold water enzyme technologies that have saved billions in energy costs. Amy and JC reveal what makes biotech innovations stick in the marketplace (hint: it's all about performance), share candid advice for startups hoping to partner with P&G, and explain why the company views biotech as a critical enabler of both sustainability and superior consumer experiences. They discuss common misconceptions about working with large CPG companies, the importance of reducing ideas to practice, and how P&G's connect-and-develop model creates win-win partnerships that can impact billions of consumers worldwide. Whether you're a biotech founder, investor, or enthusiast curious about how innovative materials make it from lab to everyday products, this conversation offers rare insights into the intersection of consumer goods, biotechnology, and global scale manufacturing. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Introduction and Opening Remarks(00:01:00) - Erum's Article on Industrial Biomanufacturing for Lichen Ventures(00:04:00) - The Vision of Boom Towns and Interplanetary Innovation(00:07:00) - Introduction to Amy Trejo and JC Garcia Garcia from P&G(00:11:00) - Amy and JC's Backgrounds and Roles at P&G(00:13:00) - Biotech Innovations Throughout P&G's 189-Year History(00:19:00) - What Makes Biotech Innovations Stick: Performance Over Everything(00:22:00) - Biggest Misconceptions About Partnering with Large CPG Companies(00:29:00) - How to Approach P&G: Show Product, Generate Data, Demonstrate Performance(00:31:00) - The Power of Reapplication Across Product Categories(00:35:00) - Successful Biotech Partnerships: SK-II, Align, New Chapter, Base Camp Research(00:39:00) - What Catches P&G's Attention at Conferences and Trade Shows(00:42:00) - The Role of Storytelling in Biotech Innovation and Consumer Engagement(00:47:00) - Five-Year Vision: The Future of CPG and Biotech Partnerships(00:49:00) - One Piece of Advice for Biotech Innovators: Reduce Ideas to Practice(00:52:00) - Quickfire Questions with Amy and JC(00:53:00) - Closing Thoughts: Impacting Billions of Lives Through Partnership(00:54:00) - Karl and Erum's Recap and Key TakeawaysLinks and Resources: Procter & Gamble (P&G)P&G Connect + DevelopP&G PartnershipsStellar: A World Beyond Limits and How To Get ThereIndustrial Biomanufacturing Needs Its Manhattan Project Moment by Erum Azeez Khan107. Glow Big or Go Home: Andy Bass's Journey with Glowing Oceans17. Beauty and the Biome with Jasmina Aganovic of ArcaeaTopics Covered:  biotech, industry, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, agriculture, agritech, strain engineering, biotech R&D, feedstocks, chemical engineering, bioengineering Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  Music by: Nihilore  Production by:  Amplafy Media

    1h 2m

  5. JAN 16

    164. From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at Cargill

    We kick off our CPG series with Dr. Erin Marasco, Senior Director of Global Biology at Cargill, who leads innovation in ingredient discovery, strain development, and biotech applications. Erin takes us on a fascinating journey from the fundamentals of fermentation to the complexities of scaling biotech products from lab bench to global supply chains. We explore Cargill's 30-year history in biomanufacturing, discuss why terms like "precision fermentation" might be doing more harm than good, and learn what it really takes for startups to partner with multinational companies. Erin shares insights on feedstock diversity across continents, the future of nutritional bioactives in everyday foods, and why success in biotech means moving from "novel" to "preferred." This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in how biology is quietly transforming every aisle of the grocery store. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Introduction & New Year Kickoff — Welcome to 2026 and the start of our CPG series!(00:01:00) - JP Morgan Conference & South Africa Travel(00:05:00) - New Food Pyramid Controversy(00:10:00) - Introducing Erin Marasco & Cargill's Role in Biotech(00:17:00) - Where Biotech Creates Real Leverage at Cargill(00:21:00) - Demystifying Fermentation: Why Now?(00:26:00) - How Cargill Partners with Startups(00:30:00) - Biggest Misconceptions About Working with Big Companies(00:33:00) - What Product Readiness Means to Cargill(00:38:00) - Plasmids to Pallets: Successful Partnership Examples(00:47:00) - Feedstock Diversity Across Continents(00:53:00) - The Future: Nutrition as Everyday Food(00:58:00) - Quick Fire Questions & Retiring "Precision Fermentation"(01:03:00) - Wrap-Up & What's Next in the CPG SeriesLinks and Resources: CargillCargill Fermentation BlogFermentation: nature's original biotech by CargillCantabria Labs (sunscreen from plant extracts)Viro - Sugarcane StrawsSawubona Mycelium Heliocare Cantabria Labs Andreesen Horowitz, VC fund, raised a $15 billion Topics Covered:  biotech, industry, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, agriculture, agritech, strain engineering, biotech R&D, feedstocks, chemical engineering, bioengineering Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  Music by: Nihilore  Production by:  Amplafy Media

    1h 9m

  6. JAN 9

    163. Consulting the Crystal Ball of Biology: Karl & Erum's 2026 Predictions

    Karl and Erum kick off 2026 by reviewing their 2025 forecasts—celebrating the wins (DeSci's rise, waste as a resource, AI-biology convergence) and acknowledging the misses (no biotech M&A boom, no quantum biology breakthrough yet). Then they unveil their boldest predictions for the year ahead: the first functional AI-composed genome entering production, a major non-sterile biomanufacturing facility breaking ground, biological arbitrage creating competitive advantages against tariffs, consumer-held health records surpassing traditional medical data in clinical significance, space-manufactured drug crystals entering human trials, definitive proof of alien life, and AI-enabled communication with whales and other animals. They also welcome Lizette Couto, who joins the podcast to provide science definitions and explanations throughout episodes going forward. From dirty biology manifestos to peptide proliferation to interspecies communication, this episode maps the frontiers where synthetic biology, AI, space technology, and consumer adoption collide.  Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - 🎙️ Welcome to 2026: The Year Biology Gets Real (00:01:00) - Introducing Lizette Couto: Science Definitions and Podcast Updates (00:03:00) - 2025 Predictions Review: Using AI to Analyze Episodes (00:04:00) - What We Got Wrong: H5N1, Quantum Biology, and M&A Activity (00:10:00) - What We Got Right: DeSci's Rise and the BIO Token (00:12:00) - Waste as a High Value Resource: Agricultural to Urban Applications (00:14:00) - Onshoring and Government Funding: A Crushing Year for Science (00:18:00) - AI and Biology Convergence: From Reading to Composing Genomes (00:20:00) - Microbiome and Longevity in Mainstream Culture (00:23:00) - 2026 Prediction #1: The First AI-Composed Genome Goes Into Production (00:26:00) - 2026 Prediction #2: Major Non-Sterile "Dirty Biology" Manufacturing Facility (00:30:00) - 2026 Prediction #3: Biological Arbitrage Creates 15-20% Margin Advantage (00:34:00) - 2026 Prediction #4: Consumer Health Records Become More Significant Than Medical Records (00:36:00) - 2026 Prediction #5: Consumer Biotech Gains on Industrial Biotech (The Bathroom Shelf Wins) (00:41:00) - 2026 Prediction #6: Space-Manufactured Drug Crystals Enter Human Clinical Trials (00:44:00) - 2026 Prediction #7: We'll See Proof of Alien Life (00:48:00) - 2026 Prediction #8: AI Enables Clear Communication with Whales and Other Animals (00:51:00) - Closing Thoughts and Upcoming CPG Series Preview Links and Resources: H5N1 bird fluNovo Nordisk Quantum Computing Program145. Decentralized Science 101: Defining DeSci with the Experts146. Pump It Up: Benji Leibowitz on DAO-ing Science Differentlybio.xyzHairDAOMango Materials123. From Gas to Glam: Molly Morse Discusses Mango Materials' Biodegradable InnovationsIndustrial Microbes113. Microbe Mission Possible: Noah Helman Discusses iMicrobes' Quest to Turn Waste into WealthSymmetry Wood154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteNIH and NSF alarming funding cutsOneSkinEVO 2122. Ecohacking the Planet: Daniel Goodwin of Homeworld Collective Brews Up Planetary-Scale SolutionsThe Future of Science: Modernizing the U.S. Scientific Enterprise152. Crystals in the Cosmos: Varda Rewrites Drug Formulation in MicrogravityTopics Covered:  biotech, industry, predictions, biomanufacturing, consumer biotech Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  Music by: Nihilore  Production by:  Amplafy Media

    52 min

  7. JAN 2

    162. New Year’s Replay with New Insights: Orchestrating BioInnovation Without Missing a Beat

    Karl and Erum kick off 2026 with deep reflections on prosperity, consciousness, and the idea that we might be living in a simulation. But the real focus is on a concept that could make or break biotech companies: orchestration. They dive into why most biotech innovations outside of pharma struggle to commercialize and introduce the idea of value chain syndication—bringing together innovators, manufacturers, investors, and big incumbents to create entire ecosystems rather than just individual deals. Using examples like K18 Hair's marketing orchestration and the urgent need to replace Red Dye 40, they break down how founders can architect strategic "seed deals" that build toward transformative industry shifts. This isn't about traditional sales or business development—it's about becoming the center of an ecosystem that includes everyone from ingredient suppliers to end customers. With tailwinds from geopolitical changes, supply chain concerns, and increasing demand for bio-based solutions, the time for orchestration is now. Whether you're a founder trying to scale or a big company looking to innovate, this episode shows you how to think bigger than your own company and build the infrastructure for a bio-based future. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Welcome and New Year reflections from California and Cape Town(00:01:00) - Prosperity, money circulation, and building a better society(00:04:23) - Consciousness, simulation theory, and the philosophy of everything(00:09:00) - Why we're replaying the orchestration episode(00:10:00) - What is orchestration and why it's not just sales or business development(00:15:00) - Why biotech companies struggle to commercialize outside pharma(00:18:00) - Value chain syndication and manufacturing orchestration explained(00:20:00) - Seed deals: How to start small and build toward the big picture(00:22:00) - The Red Dye 40 case study: Architecting an ecosystem for change(00:27:00) - Why founders need to think differently and become deal architects(00:31:00) - Why now? Geopolitical and economic tailwinds for biomanufacturing(00:34:00) - Risks, rewards, and the 5-10 year arc of ecosystem building(00:37:00) - Final reflections and how to get started with orchestrationLinks and Resources: MessaginglabNational Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology's Report: Charting the Future of BiotechnologyRed Dye ban153. Ghosts of Biotech Past: Veronica Breckenridge’s Playbook for Smarter Scaling149. Beyond Capital: Phil Morle of Main Sequence Ventures on Collaboration as the New Competitive Edge120. Busting Biotech's Bottlenecks: Veronica Breckenridge on the Path to Industrial Scale26. Breaking Bad Hair Habits with Biology: Suveen Sahib's K18 Rescues Your StrandsStar Talk Neil deGrasse TysonTopics Covered:  biotech, CPG, business models, industry, bacterial cellulose, fermentation Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

    40 min

  8. 12/26/2025

    161. (Holiday Replay) Leaf It to Science: How Foray Bioscience's Ashley Beckwith is Reforesting the Future

    In this special holiday replay episode, we revisit our conversation with Ashley Beckwith, founder of Foray Biosciences, who shares her groundbreaking work in plant cell culture and tissue engineering. Growing up in Colorado, Ashley watched forests disappear to housing development and wildfire—experiences that sparked her lifelong mission to reimagine how we produce plant materials. After training as an engineer and working in medical device development, she pivoted to apply tissue engineering concepts to plants, initially exploring lab-grown wood before discovering a more fundamental problem: the lack of accessible, efficient plant cell culture processes. Today, Foray develops fabricated seeds for forest restoration, creates harvest-free plant products, and builds AI-powered tools to accelerate plant science R&D. Ashley explains why plant cells are the fundamental building blocks for everything from molecules to materials to entire ecosystems, and how her company is working to solve the seed shortage crisis that prevents us from restoring 94% of post-wildfire sites. She also discusses the potential for de-extinction of recently lost plant species in California and the importance of creating regenerative rather than extractive relationships with plant systems. This conversation explores the intersection of synthetic biology, forestry, and biomanufacturing while reminding us that we are all, whether we know it or not, plant people. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters: (00:00:00) - Holiday Greetings and Stranger Things on Broadway(00:04:41) - Introducing Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences(00:07:17) - Growing Up in Colorado: Watching Forests Disappear(00:10:48) - From Medical Engineering to Plant Biology(00:15:00) - The Lab-Grown Wood Experiment(00:18:58) - Understanding Plant Cells as Versatile Production Agents(00:25:00) - Fabricated Seeds for California Biodiversity Restoration(00:33:00) - Addressing the Wildfire Restoration Seed Shortage(00:42:00) - Building the Plant Operating System with AI(00:50:00) - Why We're All Plant PeopleLinks and Resources: Foray Biosciences⁠⁠SF500 (Argentinian Global Venture Fund)⁠⁠Syensqo Corporate Venture Fund⁠⁠H.C. Wainwright⁠⁠University of Vermont - Dr. Steve Keller⁠⁠University of Maryland - Dr. Matt FitzpatrickForay Biosciences154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteTopics Covered:  developmental biology, morphology, morphospace, planarians, electroceuticals, bioelectricity, tissue regeneration, biomedical applications, holidays, Christmas Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media

    52 min
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4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Grow Everything reveals the world of biology as technology. Hosts Erum Khan and Karl Schmieder interview leaders and influencers biologizing industries with tools like synthetic biology, precision fermentation, bioprospecting, and more. These companies make biomaterials from waste, cosmetics that restore healthy hair and skin, and delicious cultivated foods in a bioreactor and so much more. Join us as we discuss the latest and greatest across biotech, synbio, entrepreneurship, and culture and how this transition is solving healthcare and climate change challenges.

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