In this episode of Essential Ingredients, host Justine Reichman speaks with Conner Tidd, co-founder of Just Vertical, about how indoor vertical farming is reshaping food sustainability. Learn how this innovative approach empowers anyone to grow fresh, pesticide-free produce at home while reducing water usage and food miles.

Emerging research reveals just how profoundly our thought patterns can influence digestive function and overall well-being. Hence, mastering the mind-gut connection may be the key to unlocking optimal vitality. Tune in as Dr. de Mello shares eye-opening insights on the surprising link between our thoughts, gut function, and mental resilience.

Andrew Bennett is an Executive Chef at Lenox Hill Hospital in the New York City Metropolitan Area. With over 25 years of experience in the culinary industry, he has worked in various restaurants in the US and the UK.

His recent posts on LinkedIn highlight his team's achievements and celebrations at Lenox Hill Hospital, including winning the Hospitality Above and Beyond award and spreading festive cheer during the holiday season.

What if the key to better mental health was as simple as the food on your plate? Tune in as Dr. de Mello shares his insights on leveraging the power of nutrition to support brain health, combat depression, and optimize cognitive performance.

Feeding our little ones can be a constant battle— between picky palates, busy schedules, and the overwhelming options on grocery shelves. Sunnie is a mission-driven snack brand dedicated to upgrading snack time for busy families. Co-founders Katy Tucker and Lisette Howard are on a mission to provide better-for-you options that never compromise on taste or convenience.

Your gut is the gateway to your overall health and well-being. Dr. Edison de Mello MD, PhD, is a renowned expert in the field of integrative medicine. As the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine, he seamlessly blends cutting-edge Western medical practices with the wisdom of Eastern holistic approaches to provide personalized, comprehensive care to his patients.

Perimenopause can be a time of profound hormonal shifts, often accompanied by challenges like fatigue, mood swings, and weight fluctuations. Meredith Mann, the founder and CEO of The Peachy Spoon, is a holistic nutrition expert and former personal trainer who has dedicated her career to empowering women to achieve optimal health and balance through simple, nourishing recipes and lifestyle strategies.

Menopause and perimenopause are significant life transitions that impact women's health in profound ways. District Center for Integrative Medicine (DCIM) Founder, Dr. Anjali Dsouza, is a leading expert in integrative medicine and a certified specialist in menopause care.

For many people, certain foods can trigger uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Dr. Heather Stone is a functional medicine practitioner who helps clients overcome food sensitivities and autoimmune conditions by identifying and correcting imbalances in a holistic manner.

The medicinal mushroom industry is primed for exponential growth as research continues to uncover the vast health benefits of fungal powerhouses. Research found that mushrooms support brain, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive health in ways no other food or supplement can match.

Led by Dustin Baker, BioProtein Technology develops natural, non-synthetic supplements that provide the same benefits as prescription drugs without any side effects. Through innovative research and clinically-backed products, BioProtein Technology aims to help individuals enhance their health, performance, and quality of life in a safe and natural way.

Healthy Roots Chef Kevin Bressani was exposed to permaculture and the connection between soil health, biodiversity, and nutrition. This experience brought him to an awareness of how this impacts the whole food production process, and ultimately the health of the consumers.

Waste Administration and Tracking Software (WATS) is a waste management software company co-founded by Meredith Dannenberg. It provides tools to help businesses track, measure, and reduce their waste streams like trash, recycling, compost, and e-waste.

Joining us for the premiere episode of Season 8 is probiotic pioneer Natasha Trenev, a pioneer in the fields of fermented foods and probiotics, who introduced these concepts over 40 years ago. As founder and president of Natren Probiotics, she continues her mission to educate on gut health and choose probiotic strains that support the immune system.

This week, we are joined by Philippe Birker. Philippe’s passion for regenerative agriculture's potential to address climate change and related challenges led him to co-found Climate Farmers, where he and his team assist farmers in adopting more sustainable methods.

This week, Gregory shares his journey from being a coffee geek to the Co-Founder of Holistic Roasters, a biodynamic and organic coffee roasting company.

We are setting the ball rolling for this season with our former guest, Andy Naja-Riese, the CEO of the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM). A non-profit organization, AIM strives to educate, inspire, and connect diverse communities, dedicated farmers, and producers to strengthen local and regional food systems.

Advocating for the plate is a multi-faceted concept at the intersection of aesthetics, quality, and social responsibility. This week, Justine interviews Nina Curtis, the Director and Executive Chef of Plant’ish, a food company that offers nutritious plant-forward meals that are quick and easy to prepare.

The relationship between home cooking and reducing food waste extends deeper than just being a simple solution. Founded by Alison Mountford, Ends+Stems, a meal planning service, aims to reduce household food waste and combat climate change.

Our current agricultural system revolves around sustainability— maintaining the status quo while doing minimal damage. Think Regeneration, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established by Ryan Slabaugh with a focus on the regenerative movement.