4d ago

The Role of Philanthropy with Kate Williams of 1% for the Planet

What is the role of philanthropy, business, and government in creating long-term impact? Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, joins us to explores why “either/or” thinking can limit progress, and why the most effective solutions often come from a both/and approach. We talk about how nonprofits are pioneering solutions to problems before there’s a marketplace, how the billionaires bailing on The Giving Pledge are missing the bigger picture, and how the new wave of businesses are deciding that profitability and positive impact can go work together. Kate then tells us about 1% for the Planet, how the membership works, and how the members are giving back and reaping the rewards. Tune in as we discuss how money, power, and responsibility shape the future. Key Topics The role of philanthropy in society todayHow philanthropy differs from government actionWhy nonprofits often address problems outside the marketplaceThe “false dichotomy” between investing in businesses and funding nonprofitsThe Giving Pledge and why those bailing on the pledge are missing the bigger pictureWhy nonprofits are often unfairly judged on efficiency and overheadHow business, nonprofits, and government can work together for long-term impactHow 1% for the Planet operates and why its model mattersThe organization’s expanded definition of environmental givingThe connection between climate change, systems thinking, and cooperative action Sound Bites “One of the challenges with businesses giving back is that they have to focus on quarterly and yearly financials, not decades or centuries, which are more often the timescale of impact.“Nonprofits are more willing to get in and do a multi-stakeholder ,long-term approach that focuses on global impact and not just any one entity’s challenges.”“In an ideal world, we have both businesses and nonprofits working together either directly or indirectly, and all the systems are oriented towards a thriving future.”“I think the problem with where The Giving Pledge bailers is that they made it into a false dichotomy by saying they’re going to exclude nonprofits to focus on businesses because they think businesses are the ones that build our future.”“Nonprofits are not a nice to have. They play a really critical role in addressing those things for which there is not a marketplace.”“Nonprofits sometimes appear to be held to a higher standard with weird expectations that they can somehow deliver results without paying their staff or having resources to buy computers or whatever the tools of the job are.”“MacKenzie Scott is a great example. She's done her homework, has made some really sizable unrestricted grants, meaning she's trusting those organizations to allocate the resources where they can to have the greatest impact.”“Our amazing members at 1% for the Planet donate 1% of their annual revenues to environmental partners. So they're taking these market-driven resources and placing it in the nonprofit marketplace.”“We're not creating a false dichotomy between the business succeeding in the marketplace and the business contributing to positive outcomes for the future. It's the business saying they go together.” Chapters 03:00 Intro and Kate Williams introduction 04:04 What philanthropy is for 05:14 Philanthropy vs. government 06:36 What “outside the marketplace” means 08:30 Why time horizons matter 09:39 Nonprofits as innovators in complex systems 10:53 Why business and nonprofit can both matter 12:18 The Giving Pledge and why some are “bailing” 17:19 Nonprofit overhead, efficiency, and unfair standards 21:01 Trusting nonprofits with unrestricted giving 23:34 The role of corporations and impact-driven businesses 25:33 How businesses can use capitalism differently 31:20 Self-funding impact through mission-driven business models 34:29 Why extractive models are a problem 35:29 How 1% for the Planet works 37:34 1% of revenue vs. 1% of profit 39:29 Defining “planet” in the network 40:06 Expanded impact areas at 1% for the Planet 44:37 Individual vs. corporate participation 45:18 Where the network is thriving right now 48:06 Challenges and opportunities for nonprofits 52:13 The wicked problem of climate change 54:13 Advice for following a similar path 55:33 Finding your own path with self-awareness 56:41 Ikigai framework for purpose 58:24 Snack and book recommendations 60:03 Who to interview next 61:12 What a better world means Links Kate Williams on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katewilliams87 1% for the Planet - https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/ 1% for the Planet on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-percent-for-the-planet/ 1% for the Planet on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/1percentftp 1% for the Planet on Vimeo - https://vimeo.com/onepercent 1% for the Planet on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt7Vb_t-ATwvYHTqs4Q2frQ … The Giving Pledge - https://www.givingpledge.org/ The Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1h 2m

4d ago

Experiments & Feedback with Adam Hiner of Pacha

Adam Hiner, CEO of Pacha, shares insights on product innovation, sustainable practices, and the journey of building a healthy and regenerative food brand. We talk about the happy accidents and consumer feedback that lead to making new and better products, like their new gluten-free, sourdough buckwheat tortillas! Adam then shares why Pacha joined the Purpose Pledge, the challenges of building a CPG brand (like cashflow), the benefits of self-manufacturing, and why passion is essential for success in this industry. Tune in to get advice from a leader who’s built multiple successful brands while leading with integrity. Key topics Product innovation driven by consumer insights and feedbackStrategic experimentation with new productsThe benefits of self manufacturingPurpose-driven business and sustainability commitmentsPurpose Pledge, what it means, and how it worksThe importance of focusing on core SKUs and honing recipesProfitability and cash flow challengesThe importance of passion for successInner peace to bring about world peace Sound bites “I pulled a batch of crackers out of the oven and they were floppy like little tortillas. Then I started experimenting with tortillas and just said, yeah, the market really needs a better tortilla right now.”“We had our buckwheat buns, but we rebranded them as English muffins because all of our customers were saying, hey, this isn't a bun, this is an English muffin.”"Our bread tastes like real bread. It doesn't taste like this thing that was modified to try to imitate the texture of white bread.““We've always had a plan to do something more than just be a company that's making money.”“When we saw Purpose Pledge coming forward, felt like it felt like an opportunity to do something that felt maybe more impactful and less just numbers driven.”“It's nice to have really great mentors who have been doing it and have done it before.”“We were really grateful for our DTC channel because we've had so much direct feedback from customers, which we wouldn't have had with just being a retail brand.”“One of the biggest challenges is just financing the company, you know, just keeping the lights on. 30%-50% of my job is just keeping cash coming in.”“Sometimes adding more SKUs does generate more revenue immediately, like if Whole Foods puts out six SKUs versus four, but the trade off is the velocity of all the SKUs is now lower.”“Peace really does start within us and maybe the most impactful thing we can do is to just like to start here and have and find peace with ourselves.” Chapters 03:00 Introduction to Pacha and Product Evolution 05:57 Innovative Product Development and Consumer Feedback 09:08 Special Releases and Creative Experimentation 11:59 Joining the Purpose Pledge: A Commitment to Impact 14:59 Understanding the Purpose Pledge's Roadmap and Commitments 18:00 Customer Insights: What Consumers Love About Pacha's Products 34:31 The Benefits of Fermentation and Buckwheat 37:07 The Challenges of Regenerative Agriculture 40:02 Navigating the Food Industry: Profitability and Challenges 46:00 The Importance of Focus in Product Development 52:59 Personal Insights and Recommendations for a Better World Links Adam Hiner on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/adamhiner Pacha - https://pachabread.com Pacha on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/live-pacha/ Pacha on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/live_pacha/ Pacha on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livepacha Pacha on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livepacha … Purpose Pledge - https://purposepledge.org/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1 hr

4d ago

Zero Waste, All Flavor with Chanya Punyakumpol of Taan Thai

Chanya Punyakumpol, co-founder of Taan Thai, shares how a personal frustration when cooking Thai food at home sparked the creation of her brand. Instead of tracking down obscure Thai ingredients only to throw most of them away after one dish, she created perfectly portioned meal kits that contain exactly what you need, eliminating food waste without sacrificing authenticity. She talks about sourcing real Thai ingredients directly from Thailand and building close relationships with local farms and factories near her production facilities. Chanya also reflects on the growing wave of ethnic foods making their way into mainstream retail, and what it means for communities to see their cuisines represented on grocery store shelves. She wraps up by reflecting on how Naturally Network is a rare space where founders can be honest about their struggles, trade hard-won tips, and remind each other that they're doing better than they think. Takeaways Taan Thai was born out of Chanya's frustration with the wasteful experience of cooking Thai food at home in the US.Each kit is precisely portioned for one cooking session with no leftovers ingredients or food waste.Thai holy basil — the essential ingredient in Pad Kra Pao — is seasonal and hard to find in the US, so Chanya sources it directly from Thailand and air dries it to preserve its authentic aroma.The brand sources ingredients from local farms in Thailand and works with certified production facilities, creating a trickle-down economic benefit for local farming communities.Chanya sees the rise of ethnic foods in mainstream retail as one of the most meaningful trends in the CPG industry, both for accessibility and cultural representation. Sound Bites "I don't want to throw the leftover coconut milk or leftover lemongrass that I didn't finish and create more food waste.""A lot of restaurants don't use Thai holy basil leaves. They use Italian basil or Thai basil, which is completely different.""We create a trickle-down economy that helps people locally actually get a part of the value we're creating.""I see a lot of different ethnic food coming out and becoming available more in this market. I like it because I get to try different cultures, get to try different kinds of food I've never tried before.""When you get to talk to people who are in the same space as you and being honest about it, we're like, oh, we also struggle on that." Links: Chanya LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanya-punyakumpol-110602347/ Taan Thai - https://taanthaifood.com/ Taan Thai on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taanthaifood Taan Thai on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taanthaifood/ Than Thai on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@taanthaifood … Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 min

Jun 18

Expanding Capacity with Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego Foods

Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego, shares how she’s leveraging a $3 Million USDA grant to expand Zego’s capacity and enhance the U.S. gluten-free grain supply chain through the acquisition of a processing facility. She talks about the importance of listening to farmers, explains why Montana oats are the cream of the crop, and shares how she’s helping build the future of purity verified and nutrient dense foods. Discover how her inclusive approach supports U.S. farmers, reduces costs for brands, and promotes a better food future for all. Key Topics: Zego Foods and CIVC Montana’s acquisition of a processing facility in MontanaThe expanded capacity and cost reduction for her brand, Zego FoodsHow she’s helping other brands save up to a $1 their retail priceThe importance of listening to farmers and customers before defining services, pricing, and processesSecuring and then re-securing the $3M USDA grants for expansionSupporting U.S. farmers and brands in gluten-free grain processingHow Colleen is using AI to be more confident and efficient in her businessHow the new business model helps Zego Foods lean into its missionZego’s Purity Verified commitment and expansionPartnering with Edacious to measure nutrient density of regenerative grains Sound bites: “If we can decrease a brand’s cost by say 25 cents at the mill between co-packing and milling, that saves them a dollar on price point on the shelf.”“We have developed a new way of pricing organic grain so that it is a lower price add-on compared to conventional to really encourage brands to go organic.” “The rug was ripped out from underneath us. So by providing that transparency into what was happening with us on the ground and what it meant for other people, it gave people like OTA and CCOF the information that they needed to then go and tell those stories on our behalf in DC.”“Hulless oats are higher in protein and fiber and iron. Those oats only like to grow in arid climates. So Montana is perfect. We're high, we're dry. We have the right growing season.”“Vertically integrating has been fascinating and I have learned so much by listening. I came into this not knowing very much about farming, milling, equipment, or B2B sales for that matter.”“I just listened to their problems. And that's how I got to learn more and more about just how challenging it is, what we're asking them to do and what we really need to do to support their business if we want them to support ours.”“Zego Foods at its heart is 51 % for-profit company and 49 % advocacy organization.”“We test for about 500 different pesticides, and for mycotoxins, gluten allergens and the big four heavy metals. All of that is traceable.” Chapters: 03:00 Introduction and Guest Background 05:51 Winning the USDA Grant for Grain Expansion 09:16 Challenges of Growing Gluten-Free and Organic Crops 12:29 Lower Margins and Volume Strategies 15:40 Implementing Vertical Integration in Grain Supply 20:51 Supporting Farmers and Building Relationships 24:27 Dealing with Weather and Supply Risks 33:11 Montana Oats and Impact of Growing Conditions 37:01 Working in Harmony with Nature 46:06 Future of Purity Verification and Industry Data 53:38 Favorite Snacks and Food Innovations 54:03 Life-Changing Books and Learning 61:40 What a Better World Means to Colleen 01:03:28 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts Links: Colleen Kavanagh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zegofoods/ Zego Foods - https://zegofoods.com Zego Foods on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/zego/ Zego Foods on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ZEGOFoods/ Zego Foods on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zegofoods/ Zego Foods on X - https://x.com/ZegoFoods Zego Foods on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9caEodIwrGchJ8wsSZ4UdA … Uncommon Business, Automate to Accelerate Program - https://theuncommonbusiness.co/ Edacious, Nutrient Density and Toxicity Testing - https://www.edacious.com/ … … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1h 6m

Jun 12

Efficacy Without Compromise with Kristin Fracassi and Alecia Nelson of Root & Splendor - Naturally Network Shorts

Kristin Fracassi, founder & CEO of Root & Splendor, and Alecia Nelson, the COO, share the origin story of a premium non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover - developed by a mom of four who went down a rabbit hole on natural product ingredients and didn't like what she found. Kristin talks about working with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists, the moment when lab results confirmed her product matched the efficacy of big-name brands, and why full ingredient transparency is a non-negotiable for the brand. Alecia shares what it's like to join a brand she watched grow from the dream stage, and what's on the horizon with a new kitchen product line built to the same uncompromising standards. They wrap up by reflecting on how Naturally Network has opened door after door after door. Takeaways: Root & Splendor makes premium, fully non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover formulated with 100% plant-based ingredients, scented with natural essential oils, and priced at about 33 cents per load.Kristin started the brand as a mom and homesteader, not an entrepreneur, after discovering that many "natural" products still contain harmful ingredientsRoot & Splendor is one of only a few laundry brands to achieve EWG Verified status, a third-party certification from the Environmental Working Group.Five years of R&D with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists resulted in a product that matches the efficacy of major conventional brands without any harmful ingredients.Their packaging delivers an 800% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional alternatives.Full ingredient transparency is a core brand commitment with every ingredient is listed on the package along with an explanation of what it does.Kristin describes conscious business as a daily choice because every day brings opportunities to cut corners.Root & Splendor is now expanding into a kitchen product line, holding to the same standards of plant-based formulation, premium efficacy, and sustainable packaging.The brand continues to grow organically through word of mouth from customers who try the product and tell their friends.Winning the Naturally San Diego Pitch Slam was a turning point for the brand, opening doors to other pitch slams, awards, and a deeply supportive network of industry peers. Sound Bites: "I was willing to sacrifice efficacy for safety, and then I did a deep dive into the ingredients and learned that a lot of natural ingredients are still not safe.""We formulate for safety and efficacy. Every ingredient is safe for people, pets, the environment, and fabrics.""I had no intention of starting a business, but once I realized we had something truly different, I wanted to bring it to everyone.""There are a million ways to cut corners as a business owner. Every day I choose to stay true to our values and our standards.""The consumer is really smart. They're educated. They know what they're looking for. The greenwashing in this space, it's pretty wild.""There's no reason to sacrifice safety or efficacy. You can have both.""This wasn't developed in a boardroom. This was developed by women, for women.""Don't ever give up on a stain." Links: Alecia Nelson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecialnelson/ Kristin Fracassi LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinfracassirootandsplendor/ Root & Splendor Website - https://rootandsplendor.com/ Root & Splendor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-and-splendor/people/ Root & Splendor on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootandsplendor Root & Splendor on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootandsplendor … Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 min

Jun 3

Defend Seed Sovereignty with Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Loren Cardeli of A Growing Culture

This conversation explores the critical issues surrounding seed sovereignty, the threats posed by UPOV, and the collaborative efforts to promote food integrity and indigenous seed saving through the 'Free the Seed' campaign. Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Lauren Cardeli of A Growing Culture talk about how they came to work together on this issue and share insights on the importance of biodiversity, community-led seed libraries, and the power of storytelling in transforming the food system. They then share how you can get involved in the campaign and join their learning journey. Key Topics: UPOV treaty and its impact on indigenous seed savingFarmers being put in jail for saving their own seedsThe importance of biodiversity and seed diversityHow Non GMO Project and A Growing Culture came together to build this campaignThe difference between seed vaults/morgues and community-led living seed libraries4 sessions of the Free The Seed learning journeyThe role of storytelling and narrative in food activismStrategies for engaging brands and communities in seed sovereignty Sound Bites: “Humans have the ability to imagine the end of the world easier than the end of capitalism.”“[Those kinds of seed libraries are] what I call a seed morgue, because that's where seed goes to die.”“Living seed libraries exist through community mechanisms and community ownership where those seeds are being saved and adapting and growing and living throughout.”"It's illegal to save seed in many countries.""Seed saving is essential for human survival.”“Life is regenerative inherently.”“Think about what does ‘right relationship’ look like for me and for my business.”“Food should nourish life.”“Our national identities are stories, our faiths are stories, our belief systems are stories. That is the power of narrative.”"We shouldn't be scared of them, they should be scared of us. Because the reality is that every dam will be broken by a heavy rain." Chapters: 03:00 Introduction to Food Integrity and Sovereignty 04:02 Understanding UPOV and Its Impact 12:53 The Importance of Seed Diversity 22:53 The Role of Seed Libraries 33:03 Building Relationships in the Food System 42:57 The Free the Seed Initiative 43:25 Exploring Seed Power and Policy 47:39 Engaging Brands in the Learning Journey 49:08 Challenges and Opportunities in Food Sovereignty 58:05 The Role of Storytelling in Food Integrity 01:04:20 Building Community and Resilience Links: Megan Westgate on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganethompson/ Lauren Cardeli on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-cardeli-5754b828/ … Free The Seed - https://freetheseed.org/ UPOV Convention - https://www.upov.org/ Food Sovereignty Movements - https://foodsovereigntymovement.org/ Seed Libraries and Community Seed Banks - https://seedfreedom.info/seed-libraries/ … Non-GMO Project - https://www.nongmoproject.org/ Non-GMO Project on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nongmoproject/ Non-GMO Project on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nongmoproject Non-GMO Project on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nongmoproject/ A Growing Culture - https://growingculture.org/ A Growing Culture on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-growing-culture/ A Growing Culture on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AGrowingCulture/ A Growing Culture on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agrowingculture/ A Growing Culture on X - https://x.com/agcconnect … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1h 9m

Jun 3

Innovating with Hemp with Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo of Rif Care - Naturally Network Shorts

Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo, co-founders of Rif Care, share the story behind their brand, the first period care company to make products from hemp fiber and what it took to build that supply chain from scratch. Val and Rebecca talk about what conscious business really means in the feminine care space, where greenwashing is rampant and efficacy can't be sacrificed for sustainability's sake. They dig into the barriers they pushed through with scouring manufacturers, connecting dots across countries, and even how to deliver their first products themselves. We also zoom out on the broader women's health movement gaining momentum in CPG, and why they believe that when women are healthy, the planet is healthy. They wrap up by reflecting on the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship and how the cohort they went through didn't just open doors, they became family. Takeaways: Rif Care makes period care products out of organic cotton and hemp fiber - pads, period underwear, tampons, and thong panty linersThey were the first company to make period products out of hemp fiber, pioneering a supply chain that didn't exist when they started.The hemp supply chain was built brick by brick, including connecting their manufacturer in one country with a hemp supplier in another just to get their first prototypes made.Hemp proved to be an ideal material — abundant, fast-growing, and sourced from upcycled fiber, making their supply chain both resilient and sustainable.Conscious business for Rif Care means efficacy first — a period product has to actually work and be made with the best materials possible.The period care industry has a significant greenwashing problem, and Rif Care's commitment to transparency is a direct response to that.Val and Rebecca see women's health as one of the most exciting and underserved frontiers in CPG — from PMS to menopause — and actively partner with and amplify other brands in the space.Women still receive only 3% of venture funding, yet Val and Rebecca see enormous opportunity for investors, partners, and brand ambassadors in the women's health space.Through the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship, Rif Care learned how to build sales decks, talk to retailers, and develop distribution channels that helped them reach and maintain the number one spot at Erewhon. Sound Bites: "We're going to walk the walk. We're going to talk the talk.""There were people trying to make hemp feminine care for 10 years and we got a sample in like two weeks. It was completely a paper wall.""I don't drive a truck, you know? We had to learn how to drive a U-Haul to pick up our products and deliver them to distributors.""There's so many more opportunities for companies to fill that gap in women's health.""If women are healthy, the planet is healthy.""The people that we did the Naturally Network Fellowship with are still our best friends. We cry together, we laugh together, and we have kept in touch more than any other accelerator that all of us have ever been in." Links: Val Emanuel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valemanuel/ Rebecca Caputo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcaputo/ Rif Care: https://rifcare.com/ Rif Care LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rifcares/ Rif Care on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rifcare/ Rif Care on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rifcare ... Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 min

May 26

Yoga Meets Leadership with Gagan Levy of Guru

Gagan Levy discusses his book 'Start Your Own Damn Cult,' exploring how ancient yoga principles can be applied to leadership, business, and building authentic movements. The conversation covers the eight codes derived from the eight limbs of yoga, practical applications for leaders, and the importance of play, integrity, and systemic thinking in creating regenerative impact. Gagan’s shares examples of movement building led by his agency, Guru, and talks about most surprising challenges he’s faced leading his agency for the past 17 years. We then wrap up by talking about how we all need more compassion for ourselves, each other, and the planet in order to build a better world. Key Topics: The inspiration behind 'Start Your Own Damn Cult'Personal journey of writing the book and overcoming challengesThe eight codes derived from the eight limbs of yogaApplying yoga principles to leadership and businessThe role of integrity and do no harm in building movementsThe importance of play and joy in serious workSystemic thinking in regenerative food and business movementsExamples of movements embodying the principlesThe challenges and opportunities of leading a creative agencyUsing AI and culture-centered design for marketing Sound Bites: "Culture can't spell cult without culture."“You think about the physical movement side of yoga, but a lot of folks don't know that there's actually eight limbs of yoga.”“I couldn't stop writing for four days. It flowed through me. I literally felt like I was a vessel and it was pouring, spirit was just pouring through.”“I started to see people be more innovative when they were more playful.”“We're catalyzing cults from the inside out. We’re helping them come into alignment with all the stakeholders in a flow state, and then we can amplify that.”“AI is totally disrupting creative work, you know, writing, designing, ideation. It's disrupting the whole industry. It's a really juicy moment and it's causing us to polish the mirror and evolve.”“I'm a surfer and one of the most important things to me is how we take care of our oceans.”“A better world, to me, means one where we have more compassion for ourselves, for each other, and for the planet.” Lessons to Action: Reflect on your own leadership using the eight codesIncorporate play into your work processUse AI insights to understand cultural subgroupsPractice integrity and do no harm in your business Chapters: 03:00 Introduction to Gagan Levy and His Work 06:01 The Inspiration Behind 'Start Your Own Damn Cult' 08:55 The Eight Codes: A Framework for Conscious Leadership 11:51 The Yamas: Ethical Foundations for Business 15:02 Cultivate Codex: Integrating Yoga Principles into Leadership 18:07 The Flow of Writing: From Inspiration to Structure 20:56 Case Study: Regenerative Organic Certification Movement 38:19 Catalyzing Change Through Collaboration 41:07 The Power of Play in Serious Work 51:12 Navigating the AI Disruption 01:03:15 Personal Insights and Recommendations Links: Gagan Levy on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/gagan-levy Start Your Own Damn Cult (Book) -https://www.weareguru.com/cultstarter Guru - https://www.weareguru.com/ Guru on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareguru/ … Ram Dass - Be Here Now - https://www.amazon.com/Be-Here-Now-Ram-Dass/dp/0517543052 … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio … The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1h 10m

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Yoga Meets Leadership with Gagan Levy of Guru

Fantastic

Sustainability Therapy

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Great for CPG founders

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Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

Episodes

The Role of Philanthropy with Kate Williams of 1% for the Planet

Experiments & Feedback with Adam Hiner of Pacha

Zero Waste, All Flavor with Chanya Punyakumpol of Taan Thai

Expanding Capacity with Colleen Kavanagh, CEO of Zego Foods

Efficacy Without Compromise with Kristin Fracassi and Alecia Nelson of Root & Splendor - Naturally Network Shorts

Defend Seed Sovereignty with Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Loren Cardeli of A Growing Culture

Innovating with Hemp with Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo of Rif Care - Naturally Network Shorts

Yoga Meets Leadership with Gagan Levy of Guru

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