The Natural List

Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Semiweekly

A New Hope Network podcast covering hot products, emerging trends and expert insights driving the future of CPG! Seaweed burgers and meatless meats. Mushroom elixirs and adaptogenic mocktails. Plastic-free packaging and waterless shampoos. The nearly $300 billion-dollar natural products industry is swimming in innovation. But which products and trends have staying power? During this podcast, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith share the latest industry news and the most compelling and (sometimes off the wall) innovations that are primed to transform the CPG industry and support a global shift toward healthier, more sustainable living.

  1. 6d ago

    Purity and safety in the CPG industry

    Welcome back to The Natural List! In this episode, we feature an interview from Natural Products Expo West 2026 where Adrienne chatted with ZEGO CEO Colleen Kavanagh to discuss the brand's purity testing. ZEGO is an allergy-friendly food company that produces organic breakfast cereals, protein powders and fruit bars. Known widely for its "Purity Verification" and supply chain transparency, ZEGO ensures its products are free from major allergens and agricultural toxins. The duo discuss why purity testing is so important, and whether consumers even care about transparency. We answer these questions and more in this episode of The Natural List! In this episode: 0:09 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 0:45 – Episode preview! 1:31 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 2:19 – Welcome to our guest Colleen Kavanagh, founder and CEO of Zego. 3:02 – Colleen describes how Zego’s journey to transparency began and has evolved over the years. 5:10 – Zego’s education and test results are a driver for consumer purchasing behavior. 5:50 – Colleen explains Zego’s mission and vision for safety testing for consumers across the industry. 6:36 – What are some smaller steps that brands can take to move toward Zego’s standard of testing? 7:50 – Consumers care about transparency and trust, and are shopping brands that provide it. 8:20 – How does Zego affect change now that the brand is functioning as a supplier, too? 8:50 – Zego’s customers usually start by focusing on one purity aspect, but then they enjoy the additional, higher transparency across other aspects. 9:45 – Colleen shares about Zego’s newest SKU, Regenerative Organic Old-Fashioned Rolled Oatmeal. 10:52 – Adrienne and Colleen discuss how well Zego utilizes packaging to communicate with consumers. 12:26 – What’s your vision for Zego in the future?

    14 min

  2. Jun 10

    Saltverk

    Salt, fat, acid and heat: There’s a reason salt comes first! On this episode of The Natural List podcast, host Adrienne Smith, a certified salt lover, talks with Gísli Grímsson, Salt Maker at Saltverk, about the brand’s origins and goals. Saltverk is an artisanal Icelandic sea salt company that is best known for reviving an 18th-century Danish method of producing flaky sea salt. This method uses 100% geothermal energy, so while the end product is a food, the company is also a massive geothermal engineering feat. Adrienne and Gísli share a love of good salt and discuss how the brand’s vertically integrated production provides a rare level of control and assurance that the product is microplastic and heavy-metal-free. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how Saltverk began and the passion behind the production. In this episode: 0:18 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 1:44 – Adrienne introduces our guest interview from the Content Creation Studio at Expo West. 2:20 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 3:03 – Welcome to our guest, Gísli Grímsson, Salt Maker at Saltverk. 3:40 – Tell us the story of how Saltverk began. 6:22 – Saltverk is a food product, but it is also a massive geothermal engineering feat. 6:50 – Gísli is celebrating 10 years with Saltverk and the growth of the brand. Though he is a “salt maker,” responsibilities always vary! 9:14 – The water used to make the salt, from deep in the fjords, is microplastic-free. 10:29 – Saltverk’s product is also heavy-metal free. 11:10 – The brand’s vertically integrated system makes it easy to control the inputs and ensure the output meets consumer needs. 11:50 – Gísli shares the brand’s retail strategy in the USA, finding success in both natural and traditional channels.

    15 min

  3. Jun 5

    Sponsor Soundbyte with Bimbo Bakeries USA

    On this episode of The Natural List podcast Sponsor Soundbyte, Nancy Coulter-Parker talks with Alicia Rosas and Chris Wolfe of Grupo Bimbo and Bimbo Bakeries USA to discuss the brand’s sustainability commitments, innovation plans and more. Alicia Rosas, vice president of the healthy products portfolio for North America, starts off the conversation sharing more about the brand’s history and commitment to making a plant-based, whole grain diet more enjoyable for its customers. Then, Chris Wolfe, senior director of environmental and sustainability, shares about the brand’s transition to regenerative agriculture and commitments to environmental stewardship. This conversation digs into the brand’s 80-year history of creating products to nourish a better world while also looking at the advancements happening now which will continue making that possible. Thank you to Bimbo Bakeries USA for sponsoring this episode! Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. In this episode: 0:25- Welcome to our guests, Alicia Rosas, Vice President, Healthy Products Portfolio for North America, and Chris Wolfe, Senior Director, Environmental and Sustainability at Bimbo Bakeries USA. 0:39 – Alicia discusses how Grupo Bimbo began and the founding story. 2:54 – Alicia describes how the founders came up with the name of the business. 3:53 – What does innovation and clean label development look like at Bimbo Bakeries USA? 6:38 – How does the brand’s commitment to plant-based diets and whole grain ingredients help consumers nourish themselves and a better world? 7:50 – Chris describes the sustainability impacts of a plant-based diet? 8:18 – What does environmental stewardship look like to Bimbo Bakeries USA and Grupo Bimbo? 9:35 – Bimbo Bakeries USA is working with its three largest flour suppliers in the United States to transition to regenerative agriculture. 10:27 – Transparency is key to consumers; how does Grupo Bimbo utilize Smart Labels to increase transparency? 11:25 – Thank you to our guests and our sponsor!

    12 min

  4. Jun 3

    The Natural List: Trends and taste testing at Sweets and Snacks Expo Date: 6/3/26

    We’re back in the studio! This week on The Natural List podcast, Adrienne Smith is joined by NewHope.com Editor Meredith Kaufman to catch up on trends and treats from her time at Sweets and Snacks Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. First, we break down some of the overarching trends we spotted, like bigger companies going all in on “better-for” products and how GLP-1 users and shifting consumer preferences are reshaping product flavor development. Then, our hosts put some of the standout products to the test with an on-camera taste test! How will these brands fare? Probiotics, new ways to incorporate fiber and protein, freeze-dried popable candies and so much more. Listen now for the full recap of the show and what the findings mean for the future of the snacking industry. In this episode: 0:05 – We’re back in the studio! 0:25 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 1:40 – Meredith noticed that the specialty and natural channel continues to grow. 2:25 – PepsiCo is going all in on their “better-for” products, but how do they taste? 4:30 – GLP-1 users are changing the snacking landscape. 5:35 – Disruption and innovation are coming from the bottom up. 7:00 – Candy that’s visually appealing is big. 8:18 – Some bigger trends like protein are still holding strong. 8:50 – Dubai Chocolate trend case study. 10:16 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 11:00 – Mallow Pop freeze-dried Korean marshmallow bites taste test. 12:26 – Dirty Gut probiotic chocolate taste test. This brand includes 1B probiotics and is sweetened with coconut sugar. 14:12 – Snackish Pickle Punch potato chips taste test. This brand uses the potato skin for protein and fiber. 17:39 – Bonus: The “swicy” (sweet and spicy) trend was alive and well with gummy, sour candy with tajin or other spicy flavors to balance out. 19:14 – Meredith’s top 5 snacks from Sweets and Snacks 2026! Thank you to our sponsors Om Mushroom Superfood and Bimbo Bakeries USA.

    20 min

  5. May 27

    Breaking down the $75B supplement industry

    This week on The Natural List podcast, Nutrition Business Journal’s Content and Insights Director Bill Giebler joins us to talk about the $75B supplement industry! Our host Adrienne Smith talks with Bill about the fastest growing categories, news that could greatly impact the industry, which delivery formats are topping the charts and the surprising shopper behavior of younger consumers. Nutrition Business Journal is the “what, where and why” of the supplement industry; What are people buying, where are they buying it and why are they buying it. The newly released Supplement Business Report breaks down the “what” and “where,” making it one of the most valuable reports you can get your hands on this year. Don’t miss out on this free preview of the data in the Supplement Business Report. Purchase the report now to plan your success in 2026 and beyond. Thank you to our sponsors Om Mushroom Superfood and Bimbo Bakeries USA. Thanks for listening! Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. In this episode: 0:07 – Welcome to our guest, Bill Giebler, Nutrition Business Journal content and insights director. 0:23 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 1:20 – Bill offers his take on the history behind the new potential bill, which would allow consumers to use FSA/HSA funds for supplements. 3:20 – The Supplement Business Report digs into “what” are people buying and “where” they are buying it. 4:50 – Bill shares the biggest takeaways that surprised him in this year’s report. 11:38 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 12:28 – Adrienne and Bill discuss the supplement industry’s projected growth and its market opportunities. 12:48 – NBJ started tracking a new, growing category this year that sets the industry up for high future growth. 14:38 – What’s going on with the social commerce channel and purchasing? 15:31 – Bill talks about the fastest-growing channels for supplements. It might not be what you’re expecting! 16:24 – Going forward, Bill expects the Practitioner Channel to keep growing. 18:15 – Younger consumers are shopping in surprising places. 19:42 – Where is the industry heading with delivery formats? 20:52 – It’s a gummy world, we’re just living in it. (Plus the top three delivery formats.) 23:01 – Purchase the Supplement Business Report on NutritionBusinessJournal.com. Contact Cindy Van Schouwen at CVanSchouwen@newhope.com with any questions! 23:49 – Bonus: Bill’s supplement routine!

    26 min

  6. May 20

    The dairy industry is booming, what's next?

    This week on The Natural List, John Coletta, CEO of Clover Sonoma, talks with Co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Meredith Kaufman about the booming organic dairy industry. But what’s behind this growth, and how does innovation impact it? Tune in to this week’s episode to find out! Thank you to our sponsors Bimbo Bakeries USA and OM Mushroom Superfood. Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. In this episode: 0:19 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 1:00 – Welcome to our guest, Clover Sonoma CEO, John Coletta. 2:34 – What’s going on with dairy? It had 9.7% growth in 2025. 4:10 – How do you plan to stay resilient through the peaks and plateaus of dairy, or non-dairy, trends? 6:43 – Where are you seeing the most growth and excitement in your industry? 8:14 – Kefir: a magic food and a category that’s about to explode? 8:43 – How does Clover Sonoma educate its consumers on the benefits of organic dairy? 10:46 – Thank you to our sponsor OM Mushroom Superfood. 11:25 – What are some of the big challenges you’re seeing in the industry? 16:13 – How has Clover Sonoma survived and thrived this long in the industry? 19:13 – Anything new coming down the pipeline for Clover Sonoma? 19:55 – John sees white space for innovation in increasing the sustainability of the farming practices in the dairy industry. 23:54 – Regulations drive innovation; how does Clover Sonoma balance these two?

    27 min

  7. May 13

    Magic Chocolate CEO Joe Whinney on real innovation

    Chocolate. Mmmmm. Even just reading the word brings a smile to my lips. On this week’s episode of The Natural List, we talk with Joe Whinney, the co-founder and CEO of Magic Chocolate, and it was a magical experience! Pun intended. Our co-hosts Meredith Kaufman and Adrienne Smith dig into the story behind Magic Chocolate’s evolution, from beginning as a partnership with Dr. Bronner’s, to how regenerative organic, sustainable and responsible choices are second nature in the brand’s supply chain. “Chocolate is something we give to people we love. It's an expression of love and celebration,” Joe shares. “How is it that that product is so harmful to so many people? It makes no sense.” We talk with Whinney about his experience in the chocolate industry, how it’s shaped his approach to business, and why he’s so passionate about making Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) a baseline in the industry. He also offers advice for smaller brands looking to make sustainable partnerships in the industry. Listen in to hear about Magic Chocolate’s origin story, supply chain conversations, and Whinney’s passion for making ROC mainstream. Listen wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full interview on YouTube. In this episode: 0:19 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 0:58 – Welcome to our guest, Joe Whinney, co-founder and CEO of Magic Chocolate. 2:27 – Magic Chocolate won a 2026 NEXTY Award in the Sweet Snack or Dessert category. 2:57 – Joe explains what innovation in the chocolate industry looks like to him in this new venture. 5:13 – History behind Joe’s experience in the organic chocolate industry and the previous company he founded. 5:44 – How Joe got connected with Dr. Bronner’s and Magic Chocolate. 8:10 – Joe helped produce the world’s first ROC chocolate and this company is carrying that torch. 8:54 – To Magic Chocolate, a sustainable supply chain is table stakes. The brand wants to compete and innovate with inspiring, unique taste and flavor. 11:25 – Joe wants every chocolate company to be ROC certified, and is willing to help brands get there. 12:50 – Joe discusses the thought process behind naming the new chocolate company. 15:09 – Can you really imagine a world where ROC is the standard? 18:12 - How is Magic Chocolate conveying the value add of ROC and the price point associated with it? 20:14 – What advice would you give other CPG brands looking to find the right partners? 24:16 – How has your experience in other companies helped you get to this point with Magic Chocolate? 27:33 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 28:10 – Everything Magic Chocolate is doing now is plant-based. What’s next for the brand? 30:39 – Cocoa and chocolate are volatile industries; have you felt that volatility in ROC cocoa as well? How do your ROC partnerships shape that experience? 35:44 – Where can people find Magic Chocolate?

    38 min

  8. May 6

    2 NEXTY Award finalists make snacking a family affair

    “It takes two to make a thing go right! It takes two to make it outta sight.” – Rob Base and Dj E-Z Rock said it best in their hit song from 1988. This week on the Natural List, we’re highlighting two husband-and-wife-led CPG brands: Purplesful Snacking and Jam Packd. This week continues our interview series from the CPG Innovation Summit at Natural Products Expo West 2026. Adrienne sits down with Matthew and Jasmin from Purplesful Snacking to learn about how the brand got started and why they chose purple corn for the product and what their experience has been while scaling a purpose-driven brand. Next, she interviews Michelle and Brian Platt of Jam Packd, a functional jam. The three discuss the experience of working with your spouse and how they’d like to grow the brand over the next five years. Thanks for listening to this week’s episode! For more video content, check us out on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Thank you to our sponsors, Om Mushroom Superfood and Bimbo Bakeries USA. To learn more about them, visit their websites. In this episode: 0:27 – Thank you to our sponsor Bimbo Bakeries USA. 1:59 – Welcome to our guests, Matthew and Jasmin von Teichman from Purplesful Snacking. 2:56 – What’s the story behind the brand? 3:05 – Why did you choose purple popcorn? 3:11 – Matthew and Jasmin came up with the purpose before they settled on the product itself. 4:00 – A connection Matthew made at Expo West years ago helped spur the brand into action. 6:42 – The brand’s newest and 4th SKU was a NEXTY Award Finalist for Savory or Salty Snack. 9:06 – Do you foresee any trouble with maintaining your purpose-driven status while scaling? 10:38 – Thank you to our sponsor Om Mushroom Superfood. 11:22 – Welcome to our guests, the founders of Jam Packd, Michelle and Brian Platt. 11:45 – Michelle shares about the inspiration behind the brand. 12:40 – Brian shares what white space and innovation in the category excited them. 14:00 - Michelle and Brian discuss the product creation process and which trends the final product fits into. 16:25 – What was the process of getting the name trademarked? 17:28 – Jam Packd has three SKUs, and the Blueberry SKU was a NEXTY Award Finalist in 2026 for Best Functional Food or Beverage. 18:12 – Jam Packd wants to pioneer this new category over the next five years. 20:38 – What has the experience been working as a husband and wife team?

    22 min
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About

A New Hope Network podcast covering hot products, emerging trends and expert insights driving the future of CPG! Seaweed burgers and meatless meats. Mushroom elixirs and adaptogenic mocktails. Plastic-free packaging and waterless shampoos. The nearly $300 billion-dollar natural products industry is swimming in innovation. But which products and trends have staying power? During this podcast, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith share the latest industry news and the most compelling and (sometimes off the wall) innovations that are primed to transform the CPG industry and support a global shift toward healthier, more sustainable living.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    136
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith
  • Show Website
    The Natural List

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