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. 15H AGO

    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

  2. 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 PreviewLinks 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 12/19/2025

    160. Sequins Without Sin: Santa Puts Cellsense's Aradhita Parasrampuria on the Nice List

    In this episode, Karl and Erum speak with Aradhita Parasrampuria, founder of CellSense, about revolutionizing the fashion embellishment industry through biology. Aradhita shares her journey from witnessing toxic dye masters in Gujarat textile factories to creating biodegradable sequins, beads, and buttons using algae and bacterial cellulose. She explains how her materials can be produced at room temperature, glow in the dark through bioluminescence, and are manufactured through an automated system that eliminates exploitative manual labor. With one in five garments containing embellishments, CellSense addresses a massive market while tackling microplastic pollution, worker health issues, and the 2027 EU ban on microbeads and lead. Aradhita discusses successful pilots with fashion brands and skincare companies, the challenges of achieving vivid colors and iridescence with biomaterials, and her vision for a circular system where anyone can upload a design and receive custom bioplastic solutions. The conversation explores the intersection of design, biotechnology, and sustainability, demonstrating how biology can create materials that don't just replace plastics—they surpass them. 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: Fungi as environmental game-changers(00:26:18) - Podcast updates and Michael Levin episode highlights(02:10:35) - Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences: mining fungal biodiversity(04:57:22) - The untapped power of mycelium in biotechnology(08:04:15) - Launching the Future is Fungi Award(08:58:40) - Susanne Gløersen: Why fungi deserve to be core technology(00:12:09) - Fungi's role in solving climate, pollution, and soil degradation(00:27:06) - Quickfire questions with Susanne Gløersen(00:29:14) - Ricky Casini of Michroma: replacing synthetic food dyes with fungi(00:38:10) - Scaling fermentation capacity in South Korea(00:38:45) - Pitching fungal colorants to food manufacturers(00:40:22) - Regulatory wins and transparency in natural colors(00:41:19) - The future of fungal bio-factories in food production(00:43:05) - Scaling up production and strategic partnerships(00:44:09) - Why color matters in consumer packaged goods(00:45:46) - Winning the Future is Fungi Startup Award(00:46:59) - Quickfire questions with Ricky Cassini(00:49:02) - Dr. Britta Winterberg introduces Mycolever's clean beauty mission(00:50:00) - Fungal bio-compounds replacing petrochemicals in cosmetics(00:52:10) - Technical challenges and breakthroughs in fungal biotech(00:59:52) - Quickfire questions with Dr. Britta Winterberg(01:02:54) - Final reflections on the fungal innovation revolutionLinks and Resources: CellsenseCellsense Partnership with the United NationsBioculture Event hosted by Biofabricate x Juniper VCArahita - LinkedinMountain and The Sea - Ray Nayler 138. Living Textures, Wild Pigments: Suzanne Lee on Nature’s New Aesthetic Toolbox154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteGrow Everything SubstackGrow Everything PatreonTopics Covered:  biomaterials, fashion, embellishments, sequins, bacterial cellulose, fermentation Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553

    49 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    159. The Future Is Fungi Awards: From Mushroom Dreams to Real-World Things

    Karl and Erum explore the untapped potential of fungi through three groundbreaking interviews. First, they speak with Susanne Gloersen, founder of the Future is Fungi Award, about why fungi represent the next frontier in biotech and how her global platform is accelerating fungal innovation across industries—from soil remediation to firefighting foam. Next, they sit down with Ricky Cassini of Michroma, winner of the Future is Fungi Award, who explains how his team engineers fungi to produce natural food colorants that outperform synthetic dyes and plant-based alternatives, offering 50x more potency than traditional options while being heat and pH stable. Finally, they interview Dr. Britta Winterberg of Mycolever, runner-up of the award, who discusses how her company uses fungal biodiversity to create sustainable bio-compounds for cosmetics, including emulsifiers and enhanced beauty oils that replace petrochemicals without compromising performance. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight recent developments like MIT researchers using fungal compounds to treat brain cancer, FDA's phase-out of synthetic dyes, and the growing shift toward bio-based ingredients in food, cosmetics, and beyond. 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: Fungi as environmental game-changers(00:26:18) - Podcast updates and Michael Levin episode highlights(02:10:35) - Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences: mining fungal biodiversity(04:57:22) - The untapped power of mycelium in biotechnology(08:04:15) - Launching the Future is Fungi Award(08:58:40) - Susanne Gløersen: Why fungi deserve to be core technology(00:12:09) - Fungi's role in solving climate, pollution, and soil degradation(00:27:06) - Quickfire questions with Susanne Gløersen(00:29:14) - Ricky Casini of Michroma: replacing synthetic food dyes with fungi(00:38:10) - Scaling fermentation capacity in South Korea(00:38:45) - Pitching fungal colorants to food manufacturers(00:40:22) - Regulatory wins and transparency in natural colors(00:41:19) - The future of fungal bio-factories in food production(00:43:05) - Scaling up production and strategic partnerships(00:44:09) - Why color matters in consumer packaged goods(00:45:46) - Winning the Future is Fungi Startup Award(00:46:59) - Quickfire questions with Ricky Cassini(00:49:02) - Dr. Britta Winterberg introduces Mycolever's clean beauty mission(00:50:00) - Fungal bio-compounds replacing petrochemicals in cosmetics(00:52:10) - Technical challenges and breakthroughs in fungal biotech(00:59:52) - Quickfire questions with Dr. Britta Winterberg(01:02:54) - Final reflections on the fungal innovation revolutionLinks and Resources: Future is Fungi AwardsFuture is Fungi Award WinnersThe Future is Fungi Award on LinkedInmichroma - 1st place winner Michroma partners with CJ CheilJedang to advance precision fermented colorsMycolever - 2nd place winnerXPRIZEThe language of fungi - Andrew AdamatzkyCosmetic 360 Event156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of Form158. Mycelium On, Sound Off: How GOB's Lauryn Menard Makes Biomaterials Feel Like Culture126. Sizzling Success: Eben Bayer of MyForest Foods on Scaling Mycelium Magic46. Meat the Future: How Paul Shapiro is Brewing Superfoods at Better Meat Co.131. Leaf It to Science: How Foray Bioscience's Ashley Beckwith is Reforesting the FutureTopics Covered:  mycelium, fungi, mushrooms, Future is Fungi, bioinnovation, biotech, mycoremediation, food dyes, personal care and beauty Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553

    1h 10m

  7. 12/05/2025

    158. Mycelium On, Sound Off: How GOB's Lauryn Menard Makes Biomaterials Feel Like Culture

    Lauryn Menard, co-founder of Gob, joins us to discuss how she's tackling the 40 billion petroleum-based earplugs produced annually by creating the first biodegradable, mycelium-based alternative. Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2025 and featured in Time Magazine's Best Inventions, Lauryn shares her journey from industrial designer to biotech entrepreneur. She explains why she chose mycelium over other biomaterials, how she scaled production without building a factory from scratch, and her strategy for bringing sustainable products to mainstream consumers through cultural relevance—partnering with artists like Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan at major music venues. Lauryn also reveals her vision for Gob's future: replacing an entire category of single-use products, from cotton pads to condoms, with materials that return to the earth. This conversation explores the intersection of design, biomaterials, entrepreneurship, and the urgent need for better infrastructure to support a regenerative economy. 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: Lauryn's favorite subject - nature's zero waste system(00:06:00) - Lauryn's journey from luxury design to founding Gob(00:09:00) - The 40 billion earplug problem and material innovation(00:11:00) - Beginning with the end in mind: designing for product end-of-life(00:13:00) - Why mycelium? Finding the perfect material match(00:17:00) - Scale and volume: why small products have massive impact(00:22:00) - From concept to cylinder: the design process and user testing(00:24:00) - Cultural relevance over sustainability marketing(00:30:00) - Teaching the next generation of bio-designers at CCA(00:42:00) - Gob's future: replacing entire categories of single-use productsLinks and Resources: GOBEcovative138. Living Textures, Wild Pigments: Suzanne Lee on Nature’s New Aesthetic Toolbox126. Sizzling Success: Eben Bayer of MyForest Foods on Scaling Mycelium MagicFacts Machine - Science, comedy & trivia show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered:  biomaterials, single use goods, FCMG, mycelium, ear plugs, entrepreneurship, branding, storytelling, biofabrication Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com

    59 min

  8. 11/28/2025

    157. (Thanksgiving Replay) Meat the Future: How Paul Shapiro is Brewing Superfoods at Better Meat Co.

    In this Thanksgiving replay, we revisit our conversation with Paul Shapiro, co-founder and CEO of Better Meat Co, who's pioneering the use of mycelium-based proteins as a sustainable alternative to animal meat. Paul shares his remarkable journey from starting an animal welfare organization in high school to becoming a biotech entrepreneur. He explains how fungi fermentation creates protein-rich, meat-like textures in less than 24 hours without the environmental toll of traditional agriculture. The episode explores the science behind mycoprotein, the challenges facing the alternative protein industry, the need for government investment in biomanufacturing, and why fungi may be the key to feeding both Earth and future space travelers. Paul also discusses Better Meat Co's recent $31 million Series A funding and their mission to make sustainable protein accessible at scale. 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) - Could Fungi Replace Factory Farms Forever?(00:01:00) - Welcome: TEDx MIT, Planetary Action & What's Growing(00:03:00) - Intelligence Beyond Brains: Reflecting on Michael Levin(00:06:00) - Thanksgiving Special: Gratitude for the Biotech Community(00:10:00) - Meet Paul Shapiro: From Activist to Mycoprotein Pioneer(00:13:00) - Origin Story: Fighting for Animals Led to Building Better Meat(00:19:00) - Alt Protein 2.0: What's Changed Since the 2018 Hype Cycle(00:24:00) - The Subsidy Problem: Why Meat Gets Billions & Clean Protein Gets Nothing(00:31:00) - Mycoprotein 101: Why Fungi Beat Plants for Meat Texture(00:38:00) - Engineering Neurospora: 24-Hour Fermentation at Scale(00:43:00) - Designing Super Strains: Breeding Microbes for Performance(00:48:00) - Creating Craveable Protein: Flavor Science & B2B Strategy(00:51:00) - Space Food Systems: Why Astronauts Will Farm Fungi, Not Cows(00:56:00) - Biomanufacturing Infrastructure: The $31M Series A Story(01:00:00) - Industry Reality Check: Cultivated Meat's Path Forward(01:03:00) - Beyond Food: Mycoremediation & Paul's Business for Good Podcast(01:05:00) - Closing Thoughts: Solving the Flavor Challenge & Scaling ImpactLinks and Resources: Better Meat Co.Time's Best Inventions of 2025Paul ShapiroClean Meat Novel by Paul ShapiroHomeworld Collective Cascade Bio33. Purple Reign, A Purple Tomato with a Genetic Twist, Nathan Pumplin of Norfolk Healthy Produce83. Bottoms Up: Microbe Mixology with Zbiotics' Zack Abbott156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of FormJohn Werner - TEDxThe Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered:  developmental biology, morphology, morphospace, planarians, electroceuticals, bioelectricity, tissue regeneration, biomedical applications,  Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com

    1h 9m
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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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