What if the cleanest, most complete protein you could eat wasn't made from animals, plants, or soil at all? In this episode, Dr. Daphne sits down with Walter Ross, founder and CEO of Spacemilk, to explore a category of protein most people have never heard of: single-cell yeast protein, grown in a closed-loop tank of water, free of heavy metals, pesticides, allergens, and the resource footprint of conventional agriculture. Walter is not a food scientist. He studied economics, went to law school, and grew up watching his father pioneer hydroponic heirloom tomatoes in South Florida. The through-line? A relentless drive to find a better way. That instinct led him to baker's yeast, one of the oldest organisms in human food history, and to building what he believes is the cleanest protein powder on the market today. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation: How yeast protein is actually made, from a molasses-fed fermentation tank to a finished isolate, and why that process naturally removes purines, histamines, and heavy metals that accumulate in soil-grown proteins.Why Walter named the company Spacemilk, and the moment at a space conference that reframed everything he was building.The randomized controlled trial data comparing yeast protein to whey for lean muscle mass, and what the research actually shows.The environmental math: 40% less water and land use than soy, 97% less than beef, and a certified upcycled supply chain where nothing goes to waste.Why he third-party tests every single batch for heavy metals, 77 pesticides, molds, mycotoxins, and allergens, and why he thinks most companies simply do not.The formulation decisions behind every ingredient, from monk fruit and thaumatin to acacia fiber and algae-based omegas, and what is changing in the next product version.What living with purpose means to him, and why he believes the root of all meaning is in giving back more than you take.This is one of those conversations that quietly shifts how you think about where your food comes from. Spacemilk: https://spacemilk.com Spacemilk third-party testing: https://spacemilk.com/pages/testing-1 Try Spacemilk for yourself at spacemilk.com and use code SPACE50 for 50% off your first subscription from July 2 - July 5, 2026, only! Additional resources to help you thrive on plants: 🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here 🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here 🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube ⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️ Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts: Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’ (you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID). Thank you for your support!
