Good Stories Sow Good

Our first guest athlete — seven-time Israeli National Champion and first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics — is finally here! Lexie may have had to slide into the DMs to snag this special guest but we are SO glad she did! Being a sliding sports Olympian is just one of AJ Edelman's achievements: Forbes 30 Under 30 in Sports and Games, mechanical engineering degree from MIT, MBA candidate at Yale, and an advocate for Jewish athletes and mental health. From enduring severe bullying in middle school, being told by a scout that he would never make the Olympics (*queue Rocky training montage*), to building and leading a diverse and talented team representing Israel in sliding sports, AJ's story is one of defying expectations, relentless motivation, and unwavering optimism.

Off the ice tracks, AJ has dedicated himself to empowering young Jewish athletes through his foundation as well as speaking to students about overcoming the trauma of bullying.

In today's Good Story, AJ reminds us that setbacks can fuel our determination and embracing our unique identities can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Host: Lexie Gutierrez-Goldfarb
Guests: AJ Edelman @ajedelman

Sponsor AJ's team in the 2026 Olympics: https://www.israelbobsled.team/Donate

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Got (freeze dried breast) milk? Step aside formula — co-founders and moms Jenney Korasick and Trish Clifford are here to share how freeze drying breast milk changed the feeding game for their little ones; and now they’re bringing the magic to you! It’s My Leche is a service that allows moms to send their frozen breast milk to be freeze dried into powder form. The powder can be mixed with water to rehydrate and feed to your little one! The benefits? Freeze dried breast milk stays good for years when stored correctly, no more cluttering your precious freezer space, and it’s so convenient when traveling and on-the-go!



Lexie’s Notes:

Trish and Jenney break down so many motherhood myths I felt like I should be taking notes on what to expect. They share how having kids actually made them BETTER bosses and entrepreneurs: confidence, patience, time management, navigating different personalities, conflict resolution, more patience… And how being a parent is basically being a manager. Such an interesting conversation and I hope you all enjoy!

Happy Mama’s Day!



Host: Lexie Gutierrez-GoldfarbGuests: Jenney Korasick, Trish Clifford

Links: https://itsmyleche.com/ and @itsmyleche on all socials!



Watch our interview on Youtube!



Shop our Goods, use code goodstories25 for 25% off fruit + veggie snacks, smoothies, and granola at Sow Good!

"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!

“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

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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! 

Sam Pantazopoulos was given an assignment during her study abroad program to conceptualize a wellness company. So in typical Sam fashion, she conceptualized — then became a CEO straight from college and built an app that lets you convert your workouts into meal donations with a click of a button, then redeem donation points for free products from food and wellness brands. Fast-forward 5 years and she and her cousin, Dylan Barbour, have brought that vision to life, running an app that has converted over 3 MILLION meal donations, worked with top brands, and created an ecosystem focused on making exercise fun and rewarding. 

Sam and Lexie have a candid conversation about 


Their struggles with unhealthy food and exercise habits before starting Vizer and Sow Good
Being "recovering perfectionists" — perfectionism can create a hyperfocus on monitoring weight, diet, and exercise metrics; Sam shares how Vizer changed this for her, coping methods, and how to succeed in the workplace
The benefits and obstacles of being young females in the wellness industry
Tying your self-worth to your company — and how not to do that (Lexie!). Hint: get hobbies. Figure out who you are outside of work, what you love, the people you value

Lexie's Note:

Sam is like an older sister in this episode, sharing the wisdom she's gained as a young female CEO with 5 years of experience in the industry. Sam is a trailblazer, idea-maker, leader, and so mature, well-spoken, admirable ... Is there anything she can't do? I love the Vizer family, how Vizer helps make exercise fun, and learning more about Sam. I know you will too! 



Watch our interview on Youtube!

Host: Lexie Gutierrez, Sow Good

Guest: Sam Pantazopoulos, Vizer

Start sweating and start donating! Vizer

Follow Vizer on Instagram, FB, and TikTok @vizerapp

Follow Sam on Instagram @sampantazopoulos

Get 25% OFF Sow Good with code goodstories25