The Natural List

Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith

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. 1D AGO

    Interview with NEXTY Editor’s Choice award winner, The Republic of Tea

    The Natural List is back with more interviews from Natural Products Expo West’s CPG Innovation Studio! Meredith Kaufman and Adrienne Smith, the duo behind our NEXTY Award program, share about our 2026 NEXTY Editor’s Choice Award winners: The Republic of Tea's Regenerative Organic Certified® Assam Black Tea, Papa Mountain's Sweet Potato & Herb Bread Rolls, and Ulu Foods' Chia & Sea Salt Breadfruit Bites. This week, Adrienne Smith talks with Christina Tucker, Minister of Enlightenment from the Republic of Tea. This iconic tea brand invites drinkers to live “sip by sip, not gulp by gulp” and live in the moment. The brand’s Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) Assam Tea was nominated as a finalist in the People-Forward category and awarded a 2026 Editor’s Choice NEXTY Award. ROC products are certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance to build soil health, ensure equity for farm workers, empower farmers and improve animal welfare through a holistic farm-based, brand-driven certification. The Republic of Tea currently has three Regenerative Organic Certified SKUs: Assam iced tea pouches, traditional Assam and a Tulsi tea, with plans to expand in the future. At Expo West this year the brand introduced a few new additions to its lineup, including double-green matcha teas and “super shroom” mushroom tea blends. Congratulations to our three NEXTY Editor’s Choice Award winners! Read more about them on NewHope.com. Thank you to our sponsors A Greener World, Advantage Solutions, FreislandCampina Ingredients, Daabon and Lakanto. In this episode: 0:23 - Our new interview series highlights recordings from the CPG Content Creation Studio at Natural Products Expo West 2026. 1:18 - What is a NEXTY Editor's Choice Award and how does a brand get one? 3:18 - We had three NEXTY Editor's Choice Award winners this year. 4:56 - Thank you to our sponsor Lakanto. 5:28 - Thank you to our sponsor Advantage Solutions. 6:10 - Welcome, Christina Tucker, Minister of Enlightenment at The Republic of Tea! 8:25 - The Republic of Tea's NEXTY finalist product is an Assam Black Tea in the People Forward category. 10:52 - Thank you to our sponsor Daabon. 11:26 - Thank you to our sponsor FrieslandCampina Ingredients. 11:50 - The Republic of Tea has three Regenerative Organic Certified® SKUs, with more on the way. 12:42 - Retailers and consumers have embraced the ROC certification on these teas. 13:25 - Shopping cart staples like iced tea, black tea and green tea are a great way to get ROC awareness out there. 14:42 - Check out these new launches brewing at The Republic of Tea, with trending flavors and ingredients. 16:55 - Thank you to our sponsor A Greener World. https://www.newhope.com/nexty-awards/2026-natural-products-expo-west-nexty-award-winners https://www.republicoftea.com/collections/regenerative-organic-certified-tea https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-smith-9191181a/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-kaufman-687687108/

    18 min

  2. MAR 18

    Interview with NEXTY Award winners Bezi and Leaven Instant Sourdough

    This week’s episode of The Natural List shakes up our usual format! Co-host Adrienne Smith is joined by Meredith Kaufman to discuss two of our NEXTY Award winners, Bezi and Leaven Foods. On-site at the inaugural CPG Innovation Day Content Creation Studio, Adrienne and our team captured mini-interviews with brands attending Natural Products Expo West in 2026. These interviews were recorded before these brands knew they were NEXTY Award winners. That big reveal would come later in the week during our NEXTY Awards Ceremony. If you listen closely, you can tell that Adrienne is having a hard time keeping the secret! Adrienne talks to Ilay Karateke, co-founder of Bezi, and Cameron Martino, ceo of Leaven Foods. For more information on these incredible brands, listen to this week’s episode! Thank you to our sponsors, A Greener World, Lakanto, Daabon, Advantage Solutions and A Greener World. Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    27 min

  3. MAR 11

    Trends from Natural Products Expo West 2026

    Natural Products Expo West 2026 was a whirlwind of innovation, connection and trendspotting, and we’re here to unpack it all! The 45th anniversary of the show included thousands of brands showcasing the latest in food, beverage, beauty and supplements. This year’s event gave us a glimpse into the future of the natural and organic industry, from protein-packed products and clean beauty for teens to hydration heroes and ingredient transparency. The show floor was buzzing with new ideas, exciting launches and emerging and legacy brands. In this episode of The Natural List, hosts Adrienne Smith, Erika Craft and Nancy Coulter-Parker share their raw, unfiltered thoughts from the last day of the show. A little sleep-deprived but full of energy, they dive into the trends that caught their attention, the products they can’t stop thinking about, and the moments that made this year’s Expo unforgettable. From the big-picture shifts shaping the market—like women’s health and seed oil-free snacks—to the small but mighty innovations redefining categories, this episode is your backstage pass to the trends that will drive natural products forward in 2026 and beyond. Thank you to our sponsors FrieslandCampina Ingredients, A Greener World, Daabon, Advantage Solutions and Lakanto. Enjoy our vodcasts here or on YouTube. Prefer to tune in via podcast? Join us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

    21 min

  4. FEB 27

    Sponsor Soundbyte Interview with FrieslandCampina Ingredients

    In this episode of The Natural List, Nancy Coulter-Parker, director of content marketing at New Hope Network, interviews Eric Rosenberg, business development manager at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, to discuss the company’s growing commitment to protein innovation and its efforts to elevate the dairy industry. Eric shares the story of FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a Dutch company with over a century of expertise in dairy. Recently, the company expanded its footprint in the U.S. market through the acquisition of Wisconsin Whey Protein. As a nutrition-focused company, FrieslandCampina Ingredients has been dedicated to maximizing the potential of dairy, particularly in the realm of high-quality ingredients. Eric explains, “We say that we like to get the most out of life, always. And we know dairy is a big part of that.” FrieslandCampina Ingredients is a global leader in the protein and prebiotics sectors, serving industries such as performance and active nutrition, medical nutrition, and early life nutrition. The company’s hallmark “grass-to-glass” supply chain ensures quality and transparency, which customers value deeply. Eric highlights, “When they work with our ingredients, they know they’re going to be getting consistency in how the products function as well as consistency in quality of the protein.” To learn more about FrieslandCampina Ingredients, visit their website.

    6 min

  5. FEB 25

    Keynote preview – The State of Natural and Organic

    Are you ready to celebrate 45 years of innovation, growth and impact in the natural products industry? The 45th anniversary of Natural Products Expo West is just around the corner, and with it comes one of the most anticipated events of the show: the State of Natural and Organic keynote. This hallmark session blends cutting-edge data, emerging trends and expert insights to explore the forces shaping our industry today and forecast their influence on the future. One our hosts are most excited about? The emergence of a “mix and match” lifestyle, where consumers are opting for both alternative and traditional care. This year’s keynote takes place on Wednesday, March 4, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM in the Marriott Marquis Ballroom. The programming features voices from across the industry, leading with data, trends, product innovation and more that will help forecast the future of the natural and organic products industry. Moderated by Adrienne Smith, the keynote will include a panel discussion with Seth Goldman, Pat Sheridan, Alyssa Vescio and Gary Hirshberg, offering diverse perspectives on the state of the industry today and their visions for the next five years. Additionally, Bill Geibler of Nutrition Business Journal, Kathryn Peterson of SPINS, and Nicolas McCoy of Whipstitch Capital will present the latest data and market analysis to guide the industry forward. With 45 years of history behind us and a future full of opportunity ahead, this year’s State of Natural keynote promises to be a must-attend event for anyone invested in the evolution of natural and organic products. Tune in to this week’s episode of The Natural List for a sneak peek at what’s in store in Anaheim and how this keynote will set the stage for the next chapter of our industry. Learn more about Expo West here! Thank you to our sponsors Lakanto, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, A Greener World, Advantage Solutions and Daabon.

    16 min

  6. FEB 18

    Snacking trends for Natural Products Expo West 2026

    This week on The Natural List Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most exciting new activations at Expo West: The Snack Lab! Hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith explore the latest evolutions in snacking, highlighting how this new pavilion brings to life many of the trends shaping the CPG space. Together, they discuss how the snacking category is transforming as consumers increasingly seek options that deliver more than just empty calories. Jessica shares her optimism for the future of the snack category, which is projected to grow 5-7%, and emphasizes how The Snack Lab helps attendees stay ahead of key trends. From “Snack-ros” (macros in snacks) and freeze-dried innovations to the rise of cleaner candy that combines indulgence with nostalgic simplicity, this activation is a must-see. Located on Level 3 of the ACC, The Snack Lab & Hot Products pavilion is a vibrant hub for discovering new exhibitors and brands redefining what snacking means in 2026. Tune in to the full episode for an exclusive preview of this exciting activation and the snack trends you’ll spot on the Expo West show floor! Learn more about Expo West here! Thank you to our sponsors Lakanto, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, A Greener World, Advantage Solutions and Daabon.

    12 min

  7. FEB 13

    Sponsor Soundbyte with Lakanto

    In this episode of The Natural List, Nancy Coulter-Parker, director of content marketing at New Hope Network, sits down with Jeff Trippett, Vice President of Distribution Sales at Lakanto, to talk about their innovative sugar alternatives, commitment to sustainability and how they’re tackling America’s health crisis. Jeff shares the story of Lakanto’s beginnings in Japan, where monk fruit—a sweetener 260 to 300 times sweeter than sugar—was discovered. What makes monk fruit so unique is that it doesn’t impact glucose levels, making it a powerful tool for reducing sugar consumption without sacrificing taste. Lakanto’s mission is clear: help people cut down on sugar and make healthier choices easier. The conversation also highlights Lakanto’s investment in the southeastern China region where monk fruit is grown. Jeff explains how the company has supported the local community by improving infrastructure, adopting sustainable farming practices like reforesting and ensuring pesticide-free cultivation. These efforts reflect Lakanto’s commitment to doing business responsibly. Lakanto’s latest innovation, one-third sweeteners, combines monk fruit with cane, date and coconut sugars to reduce sugar usage while keeping the flavor people love. With products available at major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, Publix and Whole Foods, Lakanto is making it simple for consumers to take steps toward healthier living. Learn more about Lakanto’s mission and products by visiting their website.

    9 min

  8. FEB 11

    Trendspotting at Expo West 2026 – Innovations and industry shifts to watch

    This week on The Natural List, co-hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino dive into one of the most anticipated episodes of the year: the Expo West trends special! Expo West is the premier event for the natural and organic products industry, where emerging innovations and transformative ideas take center stage. The trends that appear on the show floor influence the broader consumer packaged goods landscape for years to come. From the rise of regenerative organic certifications infiltrating everyday pantry staples to the growing sophistication of farmer-centric branding, this episode highlights the pivotal shifts redefining accessibility, scalability and storytelling in the industry, and offers a preview of what’s generating buzz ahead of Expo West. What ingredients, products and consumer shifts will take center stage this year? Jessica and Adrienne highlight the trends gaining momentum, the unexpected innovations making waves and the emerging categories redefining natural CPG. They also highlight what they’re most excited to see, from accessibly-priced ROC pantry staples and gut health innovations to clean beauty and the evolution of personalized wellness. Whether you’re attending the show or following along from afar, this episode is your sneak peek at what’s new in natural CPG. Tune in now and get ready for the biggest week in natural products—happy trendspotting! Learn more about Expo West: https://www.expowest.com/en/home.html Thank you to our sponsors Lakanto, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, A Greener World, Advantage Solutions and Daabon. U.S. state of commerce TNL mention: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/barbara-thau-487a76b_experts-share-key-trends-impacting-business-activity-7421898759254528000-I-s2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACjesLIBtyABmBXa-bqFnAnQJ27TIdBa65o

    20 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
    122
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith
  • Show Website
    The Natural List

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