Episodes
S9 56: Working Moms Incorporating Sustainability Into Family Life with Daniela Kratz & Shirin Aryanpour
Meet Shirin Aryanpour, a mom and former physical therapist who transformed her family’s kitchen into a hub of love, culture, and zero-waste creativity, and Daniela Kratz, founder of Farmhouse Lab, who brings the wisdom of generations and the simplicity of real food to her own children.
EI S9 Ep55: Reframing Sustainability: Discover the Positive, Empowering Way Forward with Charlie Sellars
What if sustainability wasn’t a burden, but an invitation? Charlie Sellars, the Director of Sustainability at Microsoft and author of What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist's Guide to Sustainable Living, has spent his career turning eco-anxiety into practical, empowering action.
EIS9 54: Noodles Without the Guilt: Comfort Food Gets a Healthy Makeover with Jonathan Carp
For too long, we’ve been told that health comes in a medicine bottle or a doctor’s office, but what if the real power lies in the food we choose every day? Dr. Jonathan Carp is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Miracle Noodle, a company born from his passion for using nutrition and lifestyle to transform health.
EIS9 53: Making Business Personal: Lessons from 30 Years of Conscious Entrepreneurship with Susan and Brad Black
Most businesses die because they chase profits instead of purpose—a raw, honest truth that cuts to the core of entrepreneurial burnout and lost passion. Brad and Susan Black, co-founders of EO Products, are pioneering entrepreneurs who transformed a passionate curiosity about essential oils into a 30-year sustainable business empire.
EIS9 52: Beauty Decoded: Skincare Truths, Sunscreen Myths & Brand-Building Wisdom with Carmine Montalto
Most beauty founders drown in a saturated market, chasing viral trends while struggling to build brands that resonate. Carmine Montalto is a NYC-based brand strategist with 25 years of beauty industry mastery, from Barneys’ cosmetics floors to judging global innovation awards. He’s named hundreds of products and built category-disrupting brands by marrying scientific rigor with soulful storytelling.
S9 51: Marketing Mythbusters: What Really Makes Customers Buy with Jeff Greenfield
Most entrepreneurs are drowning in a sea of marketing noise, desperately trying to be heard while burning through limited resources with little measurable return. Jeff Greenfield is the Co-Founder of Provalytics, a cutting-edge analytics platform that transforms how companies measure marketing effectiveness.
S9 Ep50: Skin Deep: The Surprising Power of Natural, Locally-Sourced Beauty Products with Nancy Rimbergas
Clean beauty isn't just another Instagram hashtag—it's a real movement that starts with actually caring about what we're putting on our skin. Nancy Rimbergas is the co-founder of Earth Based Body, a purpose-driven skincare line that harnesses the potent, scientifically backed ingredients native to the Sonoran Desert.
S9 Ep47: Waste Less, Taste More: Tasty Guide to Pickling Everything with Sam Paone
What if your wilting Farmers Market haul wasn’t the end—but the beginning of something crave-worthy? In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine talks with Sam Paone of Golden State Pickle Works about how fermentation turns leftover produce into flavorful, probiotic-rich foods. They explore the health benefits, sustainability, and cultural impact of transforming food waste into gourmet pickled treats.
S9 Ep45: Urban Food Hacking: Your Yard's Hidden Food Potential with Marjory Wildcraft
In a world where food security feels increasingly fragile, Marjory Wildcraft reminds us that true resilience begins in our own backyards. As an educator in sustainable food production and home medicine, she empowers individuals to reclaim their food independence and build thriving, self-sufficient ecosystems at home. Tune in as Justine and Marjory discuss urban gardening, homegrown medicine, seed diversity, animal protein production, and strategies for creating economic and ecological resilience.
S9 Ep44: Entrepreneurial Flavor: Breaking Barriers in the Healthy Snack Market with Seena Chriti
Snack innovation isn’t just about taste—it’s a form of cultural storytelling. In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine sits down with Seena Chriti, a culinary arts graduate and founder of a culturally inspired CPG brand. Together, they explore how Seena bridges Mexican tradition with modern health trends, turning beloved snacks into vibrant, nutritious products. From product development to scaling and consumer education, this conversation dives into the entrepreneurial journey of preserving heritage through innovation and flavor.
S9 Ep43: Farming Forward: How Regenerative Methods Are Rewriting Agriculture with Jason Walker
Regenerative organic farming is more than a method—it's a movement toward healing our planet through soil vitality and sustainable agriculture. In this episode, Justine sits down with Jason Walker, a third-generation farmer and the force behind StarWalker Organic Farms, to explore how regenerative practices, heritage breeds, and conscious food systems are transforming the way we grow, eat, and care for the Earth. Discover the deep connections between nutrition, sustainability, and the future of farming.
S9 Ep42: From Tap to Table: Smart Water Storage Techniques for Modern Communities with Jamiah Hargins
In this episode, visionary urban farmer Jamiah Hargins joins Justine to explore the urgent need for water conservation and sustainable food systems. As the founder of Crop Swap LA, Jamiah shares innovative strategies for transforming unused urban spaces into thriving gardens, all while conserving water and empowering communities. Discover how his mission-driven work is reshaping the future of local food production, one drop at a time.
S9 Ep41: Mindful Foodies: Eating Smart, Wasting Nothing with Janet Irizarry
Teaching kids mindful eating is one of the most powerful ways to shape a sustainable future. Culinary expert Janet Irizarry joins Justine to explore practical, joy-filled strategies for reducing household food waste, involving children in conscious food choices, and making sustainability an everyday habit. Tune in for expert insights on food preservation, eco-friendly kitchen practices, and the lasting impact of mindful consumption on both families and the planet.
S9 Ep40: Scaling Smart: Practical Advice for Small Business Owners with Sebastian Stahl
In this episode, Justine chats with entrepreneur Sebastian Stahl, who has turned challenges into triumphs across the restaurant and marketing industries. Tune in for real-world survival strategies, marketing breakthroughs, and the keys to transforming challenges into opportunities.
S9 Ep39: The Entrepreneur’s Plate: Reimagining Food’s Potential for Sustainability with Ashwin Cheriyan
Balancing convenience, health, and sustainability can be challenging, but Thistle is proving it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Justine and Ashwin Cheriyan, co-founder and CEO of Thistle, shares how his journey from corporate law to food innovation led to a mission-driven company that delivers delicious, planet-friendly meals. Discover how Thistle blends health, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to make nutritious eating effortless.
S9 Ep37: Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying
In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important. Tune in as Justine and Wen-Jay share insights on traditional and online marketing strategies, operational models, the evolution of the local food movement, overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges, reflections on closing the business, and building community and customer relationships.
S9 Ep36: The Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Djenaba Johnson-Jones, founder of Hudson Kitchen, has built a thriving ecosystem that supports over 60 food businesses, helping them navigate the challenges of the CPG and meal prep industries. In this conversation, Justine and Djenaba dive into the power of shared kitchens, the impact of community-driven growth, and the essential resources that can help food entrepreneurs thrive.
S9 Ep34: From Garage to Global: Spilling the Beans on Startup Success with Jon Lambert
With a vision for global expansion, Jon is guiding The Cannon toward an international network that transcends geographical boundaries, providing resources and support to innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide. Tune in as Justine and Jon explore the essential ingredients for startup success.