Whole Foods Market: Beyond The Board

Whole Foods Market
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Beyond the Board is a new podcast storytelling series that spotlights different guests — from founders of major brands to up-and-coming suppliers as well as community leaders and policy makers — all working to nourish people and the planet. New episodes will be released regularly, featuring conversations about innovation, perseverance and meaningful impact on food and agriculture. The podcast will feature a rotating cast of hosts from Whole Foods Market's leadership team, including CEO Jason Buechel, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk and Senior Vice President of Merchandising Alyssa Vescio.

  1. 1D AGO

    Beyond the Board with Kosterina [Trend Spotlight: Very Vinegar]

    In this episode of Beyond the Board, host Sonya Gafsi Oblisk sits down with Katina Mountanos, founder of Kosterina. Listen as they discuss how personal frustrations in the grocery aisle turned into a brand rooted in Mediterranean tradition. After spending years in investment banking and CPG, Katina set out on a mission inspired by her family's ties to Greece: to bring truly high-quality, high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil to American consumers. What began as a passion project built around incredible taste soon grew into something bigger, a wellness platform grounded in the science of the Mediterranean diet and the benefits of early-harvest olive oil. Throughout the conversation, Katina shares what actually makes olive oil exceptional, from hand harvesting and same-day milling to carefully controlled transport, and why most people in the U.S. have never really experienced olive oil at its best. A certified olive oil sommelier, she also breaks down the role of polyphenols, the antioxidants that give high-quality EVOO its health benefits, and explains why the Mediterranean diet continues to rank as the #1 diet for overall health year after year. Along the way, she clears up common misconceptions, including the difference between filtered and unfiltered olive oil, and how Kosterina approaches clean, simple ingredients across its products. Just when you think the conversation has covered everything olive oil, she shares what's next for the brand: vinegar. Included in the 2026 Whole Foods Market Trend Report as part of the "Very Vinegar" movement, Katina talks about how customers are reimagining unique ways to consume vinegars. This episode offers a look at how Kosterina is building a cross-category wellness brand centered on flavor, transparency, and the timeless principles of Mediterranean living. At a glance: 06:45: Career History 08:10: Early passion for olive oil 09:30: Olive Oil 101 13:57: The impact of the Mediterranean lifestyle 16:06: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shot 18:18: Trends Spotlight: Very Vinegar 19:29: How customers are reimagining vinegar 21:18: Visit kosterina.com for recipes, products and more 21:41: What's next for Kosterina 22:48: Lightning Round    The information provided on this episode is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. The content on this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

    23 min

  2. FEB 26

    Beyond The Board - Cloud23

    In the countdown to this year's Expo West, we're beyond excited to take it back to where it all began — our very firstBeyond the Board Podcast conversation, recorded live at last year's Expo with none other than Cloud 23 founder, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. The energy, the insight, the moment that started it all… and now we get to relive it. Stay tuned as this re-release is one you won't want to miss! In this episode, we connect over: How a late night in the kitchen with his wife led to the inspiration and first recipe for Cloud23. Brooklyn's secret sauce to level up his dad's famous Bolognese recipe. Plus, we dive into how Gen Z consumers are shaping a better future food system.

    22 min

  3. FEB 19

    Beyond The Board - Ayeya

    In this episode of Beyond the Board, we sit down with Olowo-n'djo Tchala, founder of Ayeya, to explore his journey from extreme poverty in rural Africa to building a purpose-driven brand. Olowo-n'djo left school in sixth grade to help his mother, learning traditional soap-making and shea butter production. Those early experiences shaped a mission rooted in dignity, trust, and economic empowerment, proving that business can be a vehicle for lasting social change. Olowo-n'djo shares his business model that prioritizes respect over charity, building inclusive "mini-corporations" that unite communities across ethnic divisions and create sustainable income for women. He also reflects on the persistence it took to build a relationship with Whole Foods Market by turning early rejection into a win-win parnership that expanded access to ethical products while creating jobs in Togo. Grounded in cultural preservation and measurable impact, Ayeya has helped support more than 250,000 families, funded clean water wells, built schools, distributed 18,000 bicycles to students, and advanced maternal healthcare initiatives. This conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose and profit, when aligned, can honor tradition, empower communities, and drive systemic change.

    34 min

  4. FEB 5

    Beyond The Board - Ruby Jean's Juicery

    In this episode, Dr. Akua Woolbright sits down with Chris Goode, founder of Ruby Jean's Juicery in Kansas City, Missouri, to talk about legacy, community, and the freedom that comes from building something rooted in purpose. As the youngest of four children, Chris was raised with the steady presence of his grandmother, who became the backbone his family needed and the inspiration behind everything he's built. Chris shares how opening Ruby Jean's was a way of honoring her memory by transforming grief into wellness, and love into a space where community could gather and feel seen. He reflects on the power of taking up space, welcoming people in, and using vulnerability and faith as fuel for growth.   From starting with limited capital in a 700-square-foot shop to navigating doubt without a blueprint, Chris opens up about the challenges of building something from the ground up and why staying bold and committed to his community matters. At the center of it all is a hope that his grandmother would be proud of the family, freedom, and sense of belonging he's created in her name.

    12 min

  5. JAN 29

    Beyond The Board - National Young Farmers Coalition

    In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Hughes, co-executive director of the National Young Farmers Coalition to explore how young farmers are reshaping the future of American agriculture. From regenerative practices to community-centered farming, this new generation, many of them first-generation farmers, is challenging traditional models and working toward a more equitable, sustainable food system. Michelle shares the biggest barriers young farmers face, including inequitable land access, rising costs and climate impacts. We discuss how policy, nutrition assistance, and economic pressures directly affect farmers' ability to survive and thrive and why success in farming often means more than just the bottom line. Because without farms, there is no food.

    33 min

  6. JAN 8

    Beyond The Board - Urban Remedy

    What if food wasn't just fuel, but medicine? In this episode of Beyond the Board, we sit down with Neka Pasquale, founder of Urban Remedy, to explore how her background as a licensed acupuncturist shaped a brand rooted in the healing power of food. Drawing from both Eastern and Western medicine, Neka shares how her core belief that food is foundational to health became the spark behind Urban Remedy. What began as small-scale juicing and creating anti-inflammatory meals for her acupuncture patients quickly evolved into something much bigger. Neka reflects on opening Urban Remedy's first store with no plans to scale, only to outgrow it within six months, and the steep learning curve of building a fresh, organic food business in a category that barely existed at the time. Staying true to simple, functional ingredients and minimally processed food became her north star. We also dive into Urban Remedy's partnership with Whole Foods Market, including its rare branded refrigerated kiosks designed as a "food safe space" for shoppers. Neka shares leadership lessons from the journey by empowering teams, letting go of control, prioritizing self-care and why regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, and supporting organic farming partners are essential to the future of food.Top of Form   Disclaimer: The information provided on this episode is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. The content on this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

    32 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Beyond The Board - Brightland

    In this episode, Brightland founder Aishwarya Iyer joins Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel to explore how she reimagined olive oil from an overlooked commodity to a product rooted in storytelling, design, and uncompromising quality. Aishwarya shares how a move to California sparked her interest in olive oil and how her background in beauty and tech shaped Brightland's now-iconic brand and packaging. The conversation dives into the realities of building a premium food brand from the ground up through bootstrapping with personal savings, pricing for sustainability, and partnering with a multi-generational California olive farm committed to regenerative, organic practices. Aishwarya also reflects on the mental challenges of scaling, the importance of abundance thinking, and how Brightland differentiates through joy, delight, and deeply sensory experiences. From drizzling olive oil on ice cream to rethinking how consumers emotionally connect with everyday foods, this episode offers thoughtful insights for anyone curious about the future of premium pantry staples and why beauty, intention, and experience matter more than ever.

    49 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Beyond The Board - SideDish

    Join us for an inspiring conversation with Alex Snodgrass, the creative force behind The Defined Dish and founder of SideDish, as she shares her remarkable journey from food blogger to successful entrepreneur. Through consistent engagement and authentic connection with her online community, Alex built a devoted following that led to a successful cookbook featuring approachable, simple recipes that readers love. In this episode, Alex opens up about her transition from influencer to CPG founder with the launch of SideDish, a journey four years in the making. She discusses the challenges of entering the retail space, the importance of maintaining quality standards and what's ahead for SideDish. At the core of both The Defined Dish and SideDish is Alex's mission to help families gather around the dinner table with accessible, high-quality meal solutions. Delving into her approach to content creation, Alex shares her philosophy of quality over quantity and the importance of authentic community building across social media platforms. Don't miss this candid conversation about food, family, and building a brand with purpose.   Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don't forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact.

    30 min
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4.4
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Beyond the Board is a new podcast storytelling series that spotlights different guests — from founders of major brands to up-and-coming suppliers as well as community leaders and policy makers — all working to nourish people and the planet. New episodes will be released regularly, featuring conversations about innovation, perseverance and meaningful impact on food and agriculture. The podcast will feature a rotating cast of hosts from Whole Foods Market's leadership team, including CEO Jason Buechel, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk and Senior Vice President of Merchandising Alyssa Vescio.

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