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Health & Fitness

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Justine Reichman

Essential Ingredients powered by NGP is an Online podcast, launched by Justine Reichman a socially minded Founder, Connector and Philanthropist. This podcast features a multi-generational group of startup founders, thought leaders and change makers who discuss the importance of building businesses from concept to purpose that directly align to your purpose and mission and support a regenerative future for and from people to planet. Topics include "building a business to support your purpose" to "global issues challenging our farming, production and supply chain" to "telling your story" and "developing consistent branding". In addition to the conversation segments, these talks also conduct interviews with Serial entrepreneurs, new founders and industry experts. Interested in sharing your story, email us to participate in our next podcast. Production of the podcast is held in San Rafael.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first
  • Tuesday · 33 min

    03: Mediterranean Mystery: Katina Mountanos on How to Spot a Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    "You can taste the quality." —Katina Mountanos Most of what's labeled "extra virgin olive oil" on grocery shelves isn't giving you the extra virgin olive oil benefits you think it is — and Kosterina founder Katina Mountanos found that out the hard way. In this episode, Justine sits down with Katina to unpack why so much store-bought olive oil tastes flat, what polyphenols actually do in the body, and why the "don't cook with olive oil, it has a low smoke point" advice you've been following is flat-out wrong. Katina traces her obsession with real olive oil back to summers on her family's farm in Koroni, Greece — and the moment, years later, that a $12 bottle from a New York supermarket tasted nothing like it. That gap sent her through an olive oil sommelier certification, a deep dive into polyphenol research, and eventually a full-time business built on transparency: harvest dates, single-origin sourcing, and third-party testing for everything from acidity to microplastics. This episode is for anyone who's stood in the oil aisle wondering which bottle is actually worth it, and for anyone rethinking what "seed oil vs olive oil" really means for their health. • High-antioxidant extra-virgin olive oil can contain 500–1,000+ mg/kg of polyphenols, compared to roughly 150 mg/kg in average grocery-store bottles. • Smoke point is not the right test for whether an oil is safe to cook with — free radical emission under heat is what actually matters, and olive oil emits far fewer than seed oils. • A bottle labeled "Italian" or "Greek" extra-virgin olive oil can still be a blend of residual oils from multiple countries and harvests, bottled together under one label. • Plastic packaging accelerates rancidity and can leach microplastics, so glass or tin with a visible harvest date is a stronger buying signal than the words "extra virgin" alone. • Fresh, high-polyphenol olive oil produces a peppery burn at the back of the throat — the same sensation researchers first mistook for ibuprofen contamination. • Cooking with avocado oil or genuine early-harvest olive oil, instead of canola or other seed oils, is a low-effort swap with a real anti-inflammatory upside. Listen to the full conversation for Katina's grocery-aisle checklist and her at-home smell-and-taste test — then subscribe so you never miss an episode. https://tinyurl.com/Essential-Ingredients-Podcast Meet Katina: Katina Mountanos is the founder and CEO of Kosterina, a premium Greek extra virgin olive oil and Mediterranean foods brand built at the intersection of taste, health, and transparency. Raised between New York and the olive groves of Koroni, Greece, Katina grew up knowing what truly good olive oil should taste like. After becoming a certified olive oil sommelier and uncovering the powerful health benefits of high–polyphenol extra virgin olive oil, she launched Kosterina as a passion project while working in consumer brands at Walmart. Today, Kosterina's early-harvest, cold-pressed, high-antioxidant olive oils, fruit-infused vinegars, and olives are nationally available at Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, and online, and are recognized for both exceptional flavor and rigorous quality testing. Grounded in the Mediterranean diet, Katina's work champions cooking at home, clean ingredients, and replacing inflammatory seed oils with olive oil to support heart, gut, metabolic, and overall health. Website Instagram Facebook TikTok Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Podcast Chapters: 00:52 Meet Katina Mountanos: Growing Up in Greek Olive Country 06:09 Why Kosterina's Polyphenol Levels Triple the Average 08:46 Building Kosterina as a Passion Project While at Walmart 14:26 Busting the Smoke Point Myth About Cooking With Olive Oil 16:51 Canola Oil, the "Hateful Eight," and Why Blends Deceive 19:09 How to Spot Real Extra Virgin Olive Oil at the Store 21:48 The Smell-and-Taste Test for Good Olive Oil at Home 27:31 What's Next: Vinegars, Olives, and a 2027 Launch Resources: DISCOUNT Get a 15% discount when you shop at Kosterina Use code: essential15 THE PRIMES ✨ You're more capable than you have ever been, and somehow more invisible than ever. You keep handing out advice you do not take yourself. You keep saying 'after this next thing' to your own life, and the people around you have no idea because, from the outside, everything looks fine— that is exactly what The Primes was built for. 🤝 The Primes is the only membership community where high-achieving women in midlife stop putting themselves last and start building alongside the people who are already doing the work. 🏗️ Not a wellness program, not a Facebook group, a carefully curated room where your level of experience is the entry point, not the exception. 🏆 318 episodes and 1.5 million downloads of this podcast came from the same community The Primes is built on. 🎙️ 👩🏻👱🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍🦰👩🏻‍🦳👩🏻‍🦱If this show has been an essential ingredient in your life, this community was made for you. ⌛Founding member enrollment closes September 21st, 2026. 🔗Go to: https://nextgenpurpose.com/the-primes

  • July 28 · 1 hr 2 min

    02: Dr. Mitra Ray on Longevity Habits That Reversed Her Age

    "You have to figure out how to make self-care a priority because you know the body does not sit still... Your mindset will allow you to move forward, or it will take you backwards." —Dr. Mitra Ray Stanford-trained biologist Dr. Mitra Ray spent three decades building a career in women's longevity, but the habits she taught everyone else became something she never expected: the infrastructure that kept her upright after her husband, Doug, died suddenly in a paragliding accident in October 2023. In this conversation with host Justine Reichman, Dr. Ray traces her path from NIH- and Alzheimer's-funded cancer research to walking away from the lab, building a word-of-mouth wellness brand that sold 2 million copies with zero advertising, and eventually testing her own biological age during the hardest year of her life — and watching it go backward. This episode is for anyone navigating midlife, grief, perimenopause, or the quiet realization that the wellness habits they've dismissed as trendy might be the thing holding them together. Dr. Ray and Justine talk candidly about cold plunging, sobriety, plant-based nutrition, sleep science, and the gut-microbiome research behind cravings — grounding every claim in the biology, not the buzzwords. Key takeaways: Dr. Ray's biological age measurably reversed during the year she grieved her husband, evidence that consistent habits can outperform circumstance. Comparing your current body to a memory of your 25-year-old self is biologically counterproductive — memories change every time you access them, and the comparison itself triggers cortisol and inflammation. Cold plunging activates the anterior mid-cingulate cortex, the brain region tied to willpower and will to live, which Dr. Ray leaned on deliberately after losing Doug. Food cravings are largely dictated by gut bacteria, not willpower — feeding plant-based bacteria gradually shifts what your body craves. "Superagers" in their 80s are still generating new neurons, making neurogenesis — not a return to a younger self — the more useful benchmark for healthy aging. Grief lives in the body: cortisol, thyroid, and hormone levels shift during loss, and naming that process without judgment is part of recovering from it. Listen to the full conversation and subscribe to Essential Ingredients for more real conversations at the intersection of food, purpose, and building a better future: https://tinyurl.com/Essential-Ingredients-Podcast Meet Dr. Ray: Living a long, healthy life is not as complicated as the wellness industry would have you believe. Dr. Mitra Ray has spent more than 30 years helping people understand this—and more importantly, live it. Her path into health was shaped by both rigorous science and lived experience. She completed her undergraduate degree at Cornell University and earned her PhD from Stanford Medical School, where her research was funded by multiple NIH grants and recognized with the Young Investigator Award from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Her work has been published in Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the Journal of Cell Biology—journals that do not publish ideas lightly. But credentials alone do not explain why audiences across four continents keep coming back to hear her speak, or why her books and lectures on health, beauty, brain function, and longevity have resonated as widely as they have. The reason is simpler: she translates what the science actually says into something you can do and sustain. Her focus has always been whole plant foods, an active body, and a clear mind. These three things, she has come to understand, are not a wellness trend. They are the foundation. Everything downstream of that foundation—how you look, how you feel, how you age—follows. In addition to her research and teaching, Dr. Ray is also a Juice Plus+ Partner, aligning with her commitment to making whole food nutrition more accessible in everyday life. The Elder's Evolution, her Substack publication, is where she writes about what it means to age well, with full attention paid to both the biology and the deeper questions that biology alone cannot answer. Website LinkedIn Instagram Substack Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Podcast Chapters: 01:31 Meet Dr. Mitra Ray: From Stanford Lab to Wellness Pioneer 05:41 Leaving Science: How Her Family and Peers Reacted 09:03 Why Doctors Still Ignore Whole-Food Nutrition 16:52 Stop Comparing Yourself to a Body That No Longer Exists 19:45 Building a 2-Million-Copy Word-of-Mouth Wellness Brand 23:03 After Doug's Death: The Habits That Became Her Infrastructure 32:36 Cold Plunging, the AMC, and Rebuilding Willpower After Loss 51:02 The Real Benchmark for Aging Isn't Your 25-Year-Old Self 54:34 Cravings Aren't Willpower — It's Your Gut Microbiome

  • July 21 · 25 min

    01: Regenerative Wine: Jeff O'Neill & Allison Jordan on Land Stewardship

    "It is getting pesticides out of the vineyard. It's making sure that when we send a worker home, they're not going home and hugging their child with any other pesticide or herbicide. It is a mission, but it does start with the dirt, and it has to flow all the way through the winery into the bottle." —Jeff O'Neill "A lot of times, people think about the environmental side of sustainability, but it's also about the social pieces— how you treat your employees, worker health and safety, and also how you exist within the community." —Allison Jordan Regenerative organic wine sounds like a buzzword — until you stand in a vineyard that's actually living it. This week, Justine Reichman sits down at Ram's Gate Winery with Allison Jordan (VP of Environmental Affairs, Wine Institute) and Jeff O'Neill (founder, Ram's Gate and O'Neill Vintners & Distillers) to unpack what real stewardship looks like when an entire industry commits to it. Key takeaways: How the California Code of Sustainable Wine Growing turned 200+ best practices into a statewide movement, covering everything from soil health to worker safety What it actually takes to earn CCOF Organic and Regenerative Organic Certification — including the 3-to-5-year soil conversion most people never hear about Why Ramsgate planted fruit trees inside its vineyard rows, and what that agroforestry bet could mean for the next 20 years The honest answer to the question every skeptic asks: Does regenerative wine actually taste as good? This conversation is proof that sustainability isn't a marketing layer — it's a rebuild from the soil up, and it's changing what "good wine" means. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-ingredients-podcast/id1534417325 Meet Jeff: As the visionary founder and owner of Ram's Gate Winery, Jeff O'Neill is a transformative leader in the wine and spirits industry. An accomplished entrepreneur and CEO of family-owned and operated O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, Jeff brings decades of expertise to his craft. Ram's Gate Winery is the culmination of Jeff's passion for producing world-class wines, offering an unparalleled visitor experience at an Estate designed by architect Howard Backen and interiors by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. A passionate advocate for the planet, Jeff has been a leader in environmental stewardship for over 20 years. His deep commitment to building a more sustainable future for the wine business earned him recognition as Wine Enthusiast's Person of the Year in 2022. Website Instagram Facebook Meet Allison: Allison Jordan serves as the Vice President of Environmental Affairs for the Wine Institute and as the Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. In these roles, she oversees the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program and the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Program, while also representing the Wine Institute on the board of directors of the National Grape Research Alliance. Previously, Allison held leadership positions at SureHarvest and the Resource Renewal Institute. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Goldman School at UC Berkeley and a B.A. in Psychology from Allegheny College. She is a fellow in the German Marshall Fund's American Marshall Memorial Fellowship program. LinkedIn Connect with Wine Institute Website Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Podcast Chapters: 01:08 Meet Allison Jordan: The Voice of California's Wine Institute 02:36 Inside the California Code of Sustainable Wine Growing 06:58 Meet Jeff O'Neill: 40 Years Building Regenerative Wine 09:51 What Regenerative Organic Certification Really Requires 12:38 Ram's Gate's Agroforestry Bet: Fruit Trees in the Vine Rows 14:23 Does Regenerative Organic Wine Actually Taste Better? 16:26 Why Today's Wine Consumer Demands Transparency 19:14 Scaling Regenerative Practices Across California Vineyards 23:23 Jeff O'Neill's 50-Year Vision for California Wine

  • July 14 · 42 min

    109: Andrew Salisbury's Regenerative Experiment for Antioxidant Coffee

    "Farming in a way that's good for the health of the consumer and good for the product is also good for the environment. And so everybody wins, and then our consumer wins." —Andrew Salisbury Coffee health benefits aren't just marketing; they're backed by nearly 30,000 studies, yet almost none of that research made it into the bag of coffee sitting in your kitchen. In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman talks with Andrew Salisbury, founder of Purity Coffee, about the personal frustration that led him to rebuild coffee from the soil up. It started with his wife's low energy and a stubborn question: was her daily coffee helping or hurting? That question sent Andrew to two coffee scientists at Vanderbilt, who handed him a list of health benefits tied to coffee — and a gap no company was filling. Andrew explains why coffee is actually the number one source of antioxidants in the American diet, ahead of blueberries and kale, and why most companies stop at "avoiding the bad stuff" instead of maximizing the good. He walks through Purity's three-level testing process — bean, soil, and now the body — and explains why regenerative, shade-grown farming produces higher yields and more antioxidants than industrial methods, while also sequestering carbon rather than releasing it. The conversation moves from roast curves and chlorogenic acids to the real economics of paying farmers a premium, and why climate change is expected to cut Arabica coffee supply in half by 2035. This is a conversation about what happens when a company refuses to accept "that's just how it's done." Listen to the full episode to hear how one entrepreneur is trying to make your daily cup a genuine act of health: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-ingredients-podcast/id1534417325 Meet Andrew: Andrew Salisbury is the founder and CEO of Purity Coffee, a specialty coffee company built on a simple but radical premise: every decision from farm to cup should be made for human health first. After investigating his wife's low energy and digging into research at the Institute for Coffee Studies at Vanderbilt, Andrew discovered that coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the American diet—and that no brand was optimizing coffee specifically for health. Partnering with leading coffee researcher Professor Adriana Farah, Andrew spent 18 months developing Purity's approach: shade-grown, regeneratively farmed, organic coffee that is independently lab-tested to minimize mold, mycotoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals while maximizing antioxidants and polyphenols. Through Purity Coffee and the emerging concept of "circular health coffee," Andrew is helping reshape how the industry thinks about regenerative agriculture, soil health, and clean sourcing, proving that what's best for the drinker can also be best for farmers and the planet. Website Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Podcast Chapters: 01:19 Meet Andrew Salisbury: Founder of Purity Coffee 04:37 Coffee's Surprising #1 Antioxidant Ranking 05:31 Why No One Built Health-First Coffee Sooner 10:03 Inside Purity's Three-Level Coffee Testing 12:14 How Regenerative Farming Fights Climate Change 15:23 Clean Sourcing: Farm-to-Cup Transparency 23:54 Balancing Sustainability With Accessible Pricing 33:50 The Future of Coffee and Soil Health 40:44 Where to Find Purity Coffee

  • July 7 · 47 min

    108: 30-Second Health: Alex Fredericks on Building Voice Biomarker Tech

    "Most people don't understand that the best medicine cabinet is the thing that you put in your body, the food that you eat… So you could eat yourself well as equally as you can eat yourself sick." —Alex Fredericks Voice biomarker technology is turning a 30-second recording into a full-body readiness report — and it's already caught things doctors missed. In this episode, Justine Reichman sits down with Alex Fredericks, founder and CEO of ToneWell, to unpack how a PEMF frequency technology he encountered as a consultant became a static, auditable database of 150,000 biomarker data points that can flag hydration, hormones, inflammation, and toxins from nothing more than your voice. Alex walks through the real mechanics: a locked algorithm does the analysis, while AI only powers the concierge layer that turns raw output into daily, actionable priorities — a distinction he insists on, because "AI is the workflow, not the analytic." He shares two striking real-world moments: a client whose 3:30am hormonal spikes were traced to conflicting medications after she recorded a voice snapshot in the moment, and his own nephew, whose oddly low iron reading led to catching a serious kidney infection early. The conversation moves into food, toxins, and gut inflammation, and why Alex refuses to build a diagnostic tool — Tonewell tells you what's going on, not what's wrong, leaving the declaration to practitioners. It's a grounded look at where AI genuinely helps health decisions, and where it should stay firmly in its lane. Listen to the full conversation for the jiu-jitsu principle — "flow with the go" — that shaped Alex's entire approach to building in a crowded wellness market. Meet Alex: Alex Fredericks is the founder and CEO of ToneWell, a voice-based wellness intelligence platform that turns a 30-second voice recording into a ranked, personalized readiness report across energy, sleep, stress, hydration, inflammation, and toxins. Drawing on more than two decades building brands and growth systems in music, consumer goods, and tech, Alex specializes in turning complex bio-data into clear, actionable insights. A self-described Gen X latchkey kid and lifelong problem solver, he approaches AI in wellness with a strict filter: if it doesn't improve decisions and reduce friction, it's entertainment—not innovation. Before Tonewell, Alex worked across the green, organic, and holistic wellness space, helping companies translate emerging technologies into usable products. Alex is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, and the principle "flow with the go" shapes how he builds resilient systems, sustainable habits, and tools that help people build better relationships with themselves. Website LinkedIn Connect with ToneWell: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: 01:08 Meet Alex Fredericks: From Growth Engineer to Wellness Founder 05:48 The Voice Resonance Breakthrough Behind Tonewell 07:37 How a 30-Second Voice Scan Collapses Decision Time 10:25 "Flow With the Go": The Jiu Jitsu Rule Behind ToneWell 13:46 Real Case: Catching a 3 A.M. Hormonal Imbalance 19:50 Why Alex Delayed ToneWell's Subscription Model 24:16 Real Case: An Early Kidney Infection Catch 26:36 Inside the AI Concierge's Safety Rails 31:27 What Actually Happens Between Voice and Report 37:43 Why Food Keeps Showing Up in Every Voice Scan

  • June 30 · 44 min

    107: The Hormone Conversation Men Aren't Having

    "Sometimes, giving a name to something can help someone, because then you have a plan, you can go forward and see changes, and to know that there's not something wrong with you. You're suffering with other men and women in the same age group." —Dr. Drew Sinatra "There's also that perspective that can be helpful, especially if you're in a partnership: what I do for my health is good for me, but it's also good for you. If I help myself age well, it means you're less likely to have to take care of me, and we're going to have a better time." —Dr. Lisa Brent There's a quiet epidemic happening in men's lives, and almost no one's naming it. He's more tired than usual. Shorter fuse. Less interested in the gym, in sex, in connecting with the people around him. His doctor might call it depression. His wife might just think he's "checked out." Nobody's checking his testosterone. In this episode, Justine and naturopathic physician Dr. Lisa Brent sit down with Dr. Drew Sinatra to talk about andropause — the slow, often invisible hormonal shift men go through in midlife. Drew explains why testosterone decline gets missed for years, why so many men get handed an antidepressant instead of a hormone panel, and what it actually takes to find the real root cause. This isn't a conversation about chasing gym-rat testosterone numbers. It's about vitality: energy, mood, motivation, connection — and what happens when men finally get permission to talk about it. Lisa and Drew also get into something heavier: the male suicide rate that peaks in midlife, and how isolation, exhaustion, and unnamed hormonal shifts often collide. The fix isn't just a prescription. It's labs, lifestyle, and surprisingly, community. Share this with the man who's been "off" for a while now. He might not know why. This episode might help him find out. Meet Drew: As a California- and Idaho-licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in Integrative Medicine, Dr. Drew Sinatra helps people investigate the "why" behind an illness or symptom – providing the best of natural and conventional therapies to re-establish vitality lost to chronic stress and illness. Through his concierge-like medical practice, with its exceptional care and support, he empowers people to become the CEO of their health and wellbeing. Website LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Meet Lisa: Dr. Lisa Brent is a licensed naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist specializing in women's health. With a commitment to holistic and patient-centered care, she integrates primary care training with expertise in lifestyle medicine, nutrition, bioidentical hormone therapy, and gut health. Dr. Brent is dedicated to empowering her patients through education, individualized wellness strategies, and compassionate support. She is the founder of Be Well Natural Medicine, hosts educational events such as the Women's Health Symposium, and provides care both in-person and via telehealth. Website Instagram Facebook Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: 01:31 The Importance of Midlife Health Talk 04:22 What is Andropause? 11:00 Symptoms Nobody Connects 15:40 The Truth About Testosterone Supplementation 19:35 Mental Health for Midlife Men 26:15 What to Look For? Important Questions to Ask 31:25 Environmental Disruptors and Testorterone Levels 36:20 The Importance of Support Systems to Overall Health 38:32 Advice for Better Wellbeing

  • June 23 · 51 min

    106: Healthy Drinks Exposed: Why Nothing on the Label Adds Up

    Most "healthy" drinks aren't what they claim—and your body feels it long before you realize why. In this episode, Justine Reichman sits down with entrepreneur Bryan Appio, founder of Dry Water, to unpack what really happens when you start paying attention to what's inside your hydration. After losing everything during the pandemic, Bryan hit a breaking point that forced him to rethink his health from the ground up—leading to a product built on transparency, not shortcuts. They dive into the hidden truth behind "natural flavors," why most electrolyte drinks are loaded with sugar or unnecessary salt, and how the wellness industry often prioritizes profit over clarity. But more importantly, this conversation shifts how you think about everyday choices: what you drink, how you fuel your body, and why simplicity might be the most powerful upgrade you can make. This episode will change the way you read labels—and the way you take care of yourself. Key Takeaways: Why "natural flavors" can hide dozens of unknown ingredients The real problem with most electrolyte and hydration drinks How small daily habits impact long-term health Why clean, simple ingredients matter more than marketing claims The mindset shift that turns failure into your next breakthrough If you've ever felt tired without knowing why—or questioned what's really in your food and drinks—this conversation will hit home. Meet Bryan: Bryan Appio is the founder and CEO of Dry Water, a next-generation hydration company committed to clean ingredients, transparency, and everyday wellness. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bryan previously built and exited an early staffing "gig economy" model, before redirecting his focus to health and sustainability after the pandemic exposed his own gaps in nutrition and hydration. Motivated by personal health challenges and a deep frustration with misleading "natural flavor" claims and sugar-laden sports drinks, Bryan spent years reverse-engineering the hydration category. He developed Dry Water as a daily wellness solution built on real fruit, plant-based ingredients, zero sugar, and no artificial additives, designed to support gut, brain, and metabolic health while minimizing reliance on pills and highly processed products. Under his leadership, Dry Water has grown from kitchen experiments to a national brand available in major retailers like Walmart, Walgreens, Target, and Kroger, reaching hundreds of thousands of customers largely through education-driven, word-of-mouth growth rather than heavy ad spend. Bryan's approach centers on regenerative business principles: investing in consumer education, prioritizing clean supply chains even when crops fail or costs rise, and refusing to compromise on non-negotiables around ingredient integrity. A strong advocate for women's sports and youth wellness, Bryan has partnered with League One Volleyball (LOVB) to bring cleaner hydration to thousands of young athletes and professional players, aligning performance with long-term health. Through Dry Water, he is demonstrating that it is possible to scale a profitable, high-growth CPG brand while honoring transparency, ethical sourcing, and the long-term well-being of people and planet. Website LinkedIn Instagram X TikTok Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: 00:52 Building Dry Water: The Journey and Challenges 06:43 Natural Flavors and Transparency 11:50 The Impact of Dry Water on the Market 27:37 Regulations and Scaling Challenges 30:35 Building a Team and Customer Relationships 32:23 The Role of Education and Marketing 37:13 Investing in Female Sports and Empowerment 41:21 Balancing Growth and Personal Values 46:20 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Resources: Discount Get 30% off on your entire order + free gift when you shop at: https://drywater.com/ Use code: EI30 Podcast The "8 Glasses of Water A Day" Myth Debunked! with Gina Bria Water— The Ultimate Essential Ingredient— 100th Episode Celebration!! with Gina

  • June 16 · 1 hr 11 min

    105: Is Your Anti-Aging Routine Aging You? Inside the Luxury Skincare Machine

    "We had to start our own lab because the standards I wanted I couldn't find in any product, aging can be a joy, empowering, and beautiful." —Daniella Inbar What if your age isn't the problem? In this episode, Justine sits down with Daniella Inbar—cosmetic chemist, product developer, and founder of Inbar+Co. and Resonance Marin Spa. After 30 years inside the luxury beauty industry building brands and developing products, Daniela did something radical: she walked away from the "dishonest" luxury beauty machine. As the daughter of a pioneer in the German aromatherapy movement, Daniela grew up with a holistic approach to wellness rooted in authenticity and tradition, rather than beauty ads. Today, she isn't selling traditional anti-aging products. Instead, she forms skincare that actually listens to your skin's microbiome rather than lecturing it. Tune in as Justine and Daniella pull back the curtain on the "clean beauty" myth, explore why aggressive actives and harsh cleansers might actually be aging your skin faster, and discuss the complex reality of building a truly sustainable consumer brand. In this episode, you'll learn: • How over-complicating your routine and using aggressive products disrupts your skin barrier, causing congestion and accelerated aging. • Why "chemical-free" is a marketing gimmick and why lab-made synthetics can sometimes be safer and more sustainable for the planet than trendy natural ingredients. • The complex logistics of running an eco-conscious spa and skincare line—from choosing cotton over microfiber to the carbon footprint debate of glass vs. aluminum packaging. • Why the best skincare approach is to do less, work in systems, and support your skin's natural biology. Meet Daniella: Daniella leads the INBAR+co system as Founder + Formulator. Her work begins with formulation: creating products for professional-use logic, refining them through the Resonance Marin spa environment, and releasing them as retail formulas only when they hold beyond the spa. The lab sits inside Resonance Marin, and clients pass it on their way to treatments. That proximity matters. Formulation, service, feedback, and quality control are not abstractly connected. They share a physical space. At 58, with no invasive procedures, Daniella lives the brand's age-positive position herself: support the skin, do not erase the face. Her guardrails are restraint, barrier respect, material responsibility, and visible results over time. LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Inbar+Co: Website Instagram Connect with Resonance Marin: Website Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: 04:49 Challenges and Changes in Sustainability 07:41 The Role of Authenticity and Tradition in Skin Care 13:54 The Evolution of Skin Care Products 21:09 Consumer Perception and the Importance of Education 31:56 The Future of Sustainable Beauty 38:00 The Impact of Sustainable Choices on the Planet 53:54 The Role of Biotech in Sustainable Skin Care 01:00:34 The Importance of Consistent and Thoughtful Practices 01:01:36 The Role of Policy in Supporting Sustainable Practices

  • June 9 · 35 min

    104: Beauty Crush with Karen Behnke

    "We try to take sustainability to every aspect of what we do, because when you build a company, you have impact." —Karen Behnke In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine sits down with Karen Behnke, a serial wellness entrepreneur and a true pioneer in the clean beauty movement long before it became mainstream. From co-launching Goop Beauty with Gwyneth Paltrow to being recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of the most innovative entrepreneurs, Karen's journey is anything but ordinary. But this conversation goes deeper than accolades. Karen shares the moment everything shifted—when she realized that despite her background in wellness, she had never questioned what she was putting on her skin. That realization sparked a mission to challenge the beauty industry and rethink how products are made, sourced, and experienced. You'll hear how her work now blends organic farming, biotech innovation, and sustainability, including growing rare grapes on her own certified organic vineyard and developing plant-based exosome technology. It's a powerful look at how beauty, health, and the planet are more connected than most of us realize. This episode is for anyone curious about what's really in their skincare—and what it means to choose better. In this episode, we cover: • The turning point that changed Karen's view on the beauty industry • Why clean beauty is about more than just ingredients • The connection between farming, skincare, and environmental impact • How innovation is shaping the future of beauty • What consumers should start paying attention to today • If you've ever wondered what you're really putting on your skin, this conversation will shift the way you think. 🎧 Share this episode with someone who cares about clean beauty and conscious living. Meet Karen: After selling her pioneering corporate wellness company to United Healthcare and while serving on the Board of 24 Fitness, Karen ignited the clean beauty movement by launching Juice Beauty in 2005. As the first luxury beauty brand to pioneer sustainable, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free formulations, Juice Beauty gained millions of loyal customers nationwide through ULTA Beauty, maintaining a 'Top 15 Prestige Skincare Brand" for 15 years under Karen Behnke's leadership. Her innovative product development approach led to five patents and the establishment of a unique farm-to-beauty ingredient supply chain in Sonoma County. She also forged landmark partnerships with Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson. She sold her majority stake to private equity and left the CEO role in 2023. Website LinkedIn Instagram Connect with Beauty Crush: Website Instagram Facebook TikTok Youtube Connect with Juice Beauty: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Reddit Connect with Goop Beauty: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Chapters: 01:59 Karen's Journey Into Clean Beauty 04:01 Challenges and Successes of Juice Beauty 06:17 Collaborating with Gwyneth Paltrow 10:26 Transition to Beauty Crush and Innovation 15:10 Sustainability and Biotech in Beauty Crush 26:44 Consumer Education and Future of Beauty 30:47 The Importance of Positive Resilience on Work and Life

  • June 2 · 39 min

    103: Breaking Stereotypes: The Rise of Israeli Wine

    Discover the rich history, unique terroir, and innovative practices shaping Israeli wine. Joshua Greenstein shares insights on how Israeli wines are breaking stereotypes, embracing ancient heritage, and advancing sustainability. Keywords Israeli wine, wine innovation, terroir, sustainability, biblical grapes, kosher wine, wine tourism, wine history, wine tasting, wine industry Key topics Israeli wine history and misconceptions Terroir and soil diversity in Israel Innovative grape varieties and biblical heritage Sustainable and kosher winemaking practices Challenges and opportunities in the Israeli wine industry Key frameworks Terroir and soil diversity Ancient and biblical heritage in winemaking Sustainable and kosher practices Sound bites "Chill your red wines for a few minutes." "Israel's soil tells a story in every glass." "Argamon is a cool, funky grape from Israel." Resources Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA) - https://www.iwpa.org

  • May 26 · 55 min

    102: The Science of Aging Gracefully: Precision Skincare for Women in Midlife

    In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Stacey Berger, a seasoned product developer and founder of Sum Of All, about her journey into creating precision skincare tailored for women in midlife. They explore the science behind hormonal skin changes, sustainable beauty practices, and the importance of intentional product formulation. Keywords skincare, menopause, sustainability, women in midlife, product development, hormonal skin, clean beauty, innovation, self-care, empowerment Key topics Hormonal impact on skin during menopause The importance of science-backed ingredients Sustainable and clean beauty practices Building a brand with purpose and intention The role of collaboration with medical experts Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients and Guest Introduction 01:42 Stacey's Journey in Product Development 03:47 The Transition to Entrepreneurship 06:29 Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur 09:00 The Importance of Community and Support 13:31 Personal Experience with Perimenopause 16:40 Identifying the Market Gap 22:10 Precision Skincare Explained 29:28 The Intent Behind Clean Beauty 32:35 Navigating Clean and Sustainable Choices 34:53 Empowering Women Through Beauty 39:24 Sustainability Challenges in Product Development 40:44 Holistic Approach to Beauty and Wellness 42:28 The Role of Indie Brands in Beauty Innovation 44:24 Customer Impact Stories 49:16 Reassurance for Women in Midlife 51:04 Rapid Fire Insights on Beauty Guest links Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/some_of_all_beauty

  • May 19 · 55 min

    101: Reimagining Food Justice: Black Women Leading the Way

    In this episode, Justine Reichman hosts Nina Oduro and Maame Boakye, co-founders of Black Women in Food and Dine and Diaspora, exploring the power of African food culture to connect communities, elevate Black women in the food industry, and promote social justice through culinary innovation. Keywords food justice, Black women in food, African diaspora cuisine, culinary innovation, community building, food equity, cultural competency, food storytelling Key topics Food as a tool for community connection The role of cultural competency in food innovation Challenges and opportunities for Black women in the food industry Sound bites "Shift anger into action in food justice" "Media shapes culture and amplifies voices" "Black women in food need a platform" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients Podcast 00:58 The Lens of Food: Personal Journeys 03:09 Connecting Through Food: The Birth of Dine Diaspora 08:14 Identifying Gaps in the Culinary Industry 12:26 Creating Unique Culinary Experiences 17:48 Justice on the Plate: Respect and Opportunity 22:37 Shifting Anger into Action in the Food Industry 29:15 The Necessity of Black Women in Food 31:19 Unmasking the Food Industry's Challenges 32:10 Purpose-Driven Strategies in Food 34:25 The Ecosystem of Food: Interconnectedness and Equity 36:22 Local Communities and Global Food Systems 38:06 Defining Equitable Food Systems 39:18 Transforming Diversity in the Food Industry 41:48 Shifting Mindsets for Equity 43:04 Honoring Black Women in Food 45:42 Opening Doors for Future Generations 47:41 Envisioning a Sustainable Food Future 49:01 Integrating Generations for Change 50:22 Dreams and Aspirations in the Food Industry

  • May 12 · 50 min

    100: From NASCAR to Cannabis: Pete Olander's Journey to Wellness Innovation

    In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Pete Olander, founder and CEO of Happie, a wellness cannabis and hemp beverage brand rooted in California's agricultural legacy. They explore Pete's unconventional journey from finance and NASCAR to plant medicine, the importance of sustainable and organic practices, and the future of cannabis as a functional wellness tool. Keywords Cannabis, Wellness, Sustainability, Hemp, CBD, THC, Functional Beverages, Organic Farming, California Cannabis, Plant Medicine Key topics Pete Olander's unconventional career path The importance of sustainability and organic practices in cannabis cultivation The role of transparency and storytelling in brand differentiation Sound bites "We use living soil and no till techniques" "Interstate commerce could be a game changer" "The whole category is poised for growth" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to HAPI and Its Founder 01:42 The Unconventional Journey to HAPI 04:11 The Impact of COVID-19 on Wellness Trends 08:46 Ensuring Quality and Integrity in Cannabis Production 11:10 The Future of Cannabis and Interstate Commerce 12:42 Health Benefits of Cannabinoids 18:21 Changing Perceptions of Cannabis as a Wellness Product 20:40 The Evolving Cannabis Market and Consumer Education 25:52 The Product Ecosystem of HAPI 28:01 Crafting New Flavors and Local Sourcing 32:38 Sustainability in Cannabis: Practices and Challenges 39:22 Navigating the Business Landscape of Cannabis 45:47 The Future of HAPI: Growth and Vision

  • May 5 · 50 min

    099: The Art of Reinvention: Building THOR: The House of Rose

    In this insightful interview, Justine Reichman speaks with Terry about her extraordinary journey from refugee camp survival to becoming a wellness advocate and entrepreneur. They explore trauma, perimenopause, emotional eating, and the importance of self-awareness and identity work for women over 40. Keywords wellness, perimenopause, emotional eating, trauma, entrepreneurship, women over 40, health, nutrition, mindset, longevity Key topics Trauma and survival from refugee camp experience Impact of perimenopause on women's health and weight Emotional eating and hormonal influences The importance of nutritional literacy and personalized diet Building resilience and mindset for longevity Sound bites "You either dump this shit that you believed all this time" "Everything I thought was wrong. Everything I thought I believed" "The brain is looking for. But like we talked about in very beginning"

  • April 28 · 27 min

    098: Revolutionizing Deli Meats: The Fungi-Based Future

    Kim Le, founder of Prime Roots, shares her journey from a chef's background to creating sustainable, fungi-based deli meats that appeal to both meat lovers and vegetarians. Discover how her innovative approach aims to transform the food system, reduce environmental impact, and promote healthier choices. Keywords plant-based, fungi protein, sustainable food, deli meats, environmental impact, food innovation, Prime Roots, alternative proteins, health, transparency Key topics Fungi-based proteins as sustainable alternatives Impact of traditional meat production on environment Consumer acceptance of plant-based meats Transparency and ingredient quality in food products Future product expansion and innovation Sound bites "Fungi have a natural meat-like texture" "Making beef with fungi is more sustainable" "The best recent meal was beets at Bar in Copenhagen" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Prime Roots and Kim Lee's Journey 05:01 The Vision Behind Prime Roots: Healthier Deli Options 12:39 Impact on Health and Sustainability 17:57 Future of Prime Roots and Product Expansion 19:56 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Resources Prime Roots Website - https://primeroots.com Life Cycle Analysis of Prime Roots - https://primeroots.com/lca Le Colonial Restaurant in New York - https://www.lecolonialnyc.com Guest links LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/kimlee Twitter - https://twitter.com/kimlee

  • April 23 · 53 min

    097: From Waste to Wealth: How Hyfé is Transforming the Food Industry

    In this insightful interview, Michelle shares her journey from ExxonMobil to founding Hyfé, a company revolutionizing carbon refining by utilizing plant waste. Discover how her innovative approach addresses climate change, food industry waste, and health impacts, offering a scalable solution for a sustainable future. Keywords sustainability, waste valorization, bio-refining, plant waste, climate change, food industry, innovation, bio-manufacturing, circular economy Key topics Hyfé's innovative refining process using plant waste The economic and environmental impact of waste valorization Strategies for scaling sustainable bio-manufacturing The role of consumer awareness and industry collaboration in sustainability Sound bites "We use plant waste instead of crude oil" "Refining carbon like the oil industry did" "Creating new value from food waste" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients Podcast 07:16 Valuing Byproducts: A New Perspective 11:03 Personal Impact and Entrepreneurial Journey 15:08 Supply Chain Challenges in the Food Industry 21:28 Collaborative Approaches to Industry Change 25:28 Building a Values-Driven Team 29:42 Emotional Safety in Startups 33:09 The Importance of External Perspectives 34:40 Innovating Contract Structures in the Food Industry 35:33 Balancing Health and Climate Goals 38:19 Navigating Complex Responsibilities 39:39 The Future of Bio-Manufacturing 41:15 Sector Readiness for Change 43:19 The Challenge of Processed Foods 45:34 Building a Sustainable Future 46:35 Transforming Linear to Circular Systems 47:16 Lessons Learned from Hi-Fey 48:52 Essential Ingredients for Success 50:03 Rapid Fire Insights 52:25 Final Thoughts and Future Vision

  • April 21 · 20 min

    096: Ingredient Intel: Spot Harmful Chemicals in Skincare, Choose Healing Actives with Annie Jackson

    "We are a beauty store, and I think there's a tremendous impact that beauty products can have on someone's self-confidence and the way they feel about themselves that day. If we can put a smile on someone's face when they walk in our door, that's incredibly rewarding to me." —Annie Jackson Clean beauty sounds good, but the labels are confusing and the claims are louder than the truth. We are surrounded by products that promise results without telling us what is inside. The real issue is not access, it is clarity. Annie Jackson, co-founder of Credo Beauty, shares how her journey from legacy beauty brands to building a clean beauty standard reshaped how products are made, vetted, and trusted. Press play to rethink what goes on our skin and why it matters: • Clean beauty standards and ingredient transparency • How to spot harmful chemicals in skincare • Why sustainability starts with packaging and sourcing • The rise of conscious consumers and Gen Z expectations • The challenge of building ethical beauty brands • What "better for you" really means in beauty Meet Annie: Annie Jackson is Co-Founder & CEO of Credo Beauty, a leading clean-beauty retailer she helped launch to bring high-performance, sustainably minded indie brands into mainstream retail. A beauty industry veteran, she began her career at Estée Lauder and was a founding team member at Sephora, experiences that shaped Credo's mission to prioritize ingredient transparency, safer formulations and sustainable packaging. Under her leadership Credo has grown from a single Fillmore Street store to a national footprint, curating roughly 130 brands (the majority women-founded) and stewarding a rigorous Clean Standard and sustainability guidelines. Annie is known for marrying retail expertise with a science-driven approach to product vetting and for championing accessibility and accountability in beauty. Website: https://credobeauty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniejacksoncredo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/credobeauty Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beautycredo X: https://x.com/credobeauty YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@CredoBeauty TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@credo.beauty Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website: https://www.nextgenpurpose.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextgenpurpose/ YouTube: https:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOfFBz8JSr6yIbH7p5Z-Gg Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextgenchef/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NextGenPurpose1 Episode Highlights: 03:18 Credo's Criteria for Brand Selection 05:33 The Role of GenZ in Driving Sustainability 12:29 Impact on Consumer Behavior 13:21 The Evolution of Credo's Clean Standard 15:46 Customer Stories and Personal Impact 17:27 Credo's Expansion Plan

  • April 14 · 36 min

    095: How ChicoBag Changed the Plastic Waste Game

    In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Andy Keller, founder of Chico Bag, about the journey of creating sustainable reusable bags, the impact of plastic pollution, and practical ways to reduce waste in daily life. They explore the evolution of environmental awareness, innovative product design, and how individual actions can drive systemic change. Keywords sustainability, plastic pollution, reusable bags, eco-friendly products, environmental impact, waste reduction, consumer behavior, plastic industry, microplastics, eco-conscious living Key topics The environmental impact of plastic bags Innovative design of Chico Bag for behavior change The evolution of plastic pollution awareness Microplastics and human health risks Strategies for reducing single-use plastics The role of consumer voice in sustainability Extended producer responsibility and take-back programs The lawsuit against plastic industry and its impact Sound bites "We now make bags out of 100% recycled PET bottles" "First they ignore, then they fight, and then you win" "It's not about perfection, but mindful daily actions" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients and Andy Keller 03:10 The Impact of Plastic Bags on the Environment 06:13 The Birth of Chico Bag: A Personal Journey 09:08 Sustainability in Product Design 12:01 Changing Consumer Behavior Towards Reusables 14:51 The Importance of Mindfulness in Consumption 17:53 Innovative Solutions for Takeout Waste 20:44 The Role of Restaurants in Reducing Waste 24:01 The Fight Against the Plastic Industry 26:52 Taking Action: Daily Steps Towards Sustainability 30:10 Future Goals and Community Engagement Resources: Coupon code is : CHOOSEREUSE (CASE SENSITIVE)

  • April 7 · 44 min

    094: Navigating Menopause with Confidence: A Practitioner's Perspective

    Join us as our guest Laura Lambe explore the gaps in menopause education, the importance of personalized care, and innovative approaches to women's health with menopause practitioner Laura Lam. Discover how global trends, diet, gut health, and community support shape the menopause journey. Keywords menopause, women's health, menopause education, HRT, gut health, menopause community, perimenopause, menopause research, menopause support, hormonal health Key topics Menopause education gaps worldwide Impact of diet and gut health on menopause symptoms Differences in menopause experiences across countries Importance of personalized health assessments Sound bites "Symptoms severity varies by country and diet" "Sleep disruption is a key early symptom" "Blood tests are symptom-based, not diagnostic" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Menopause Awareness 03:01 The Education Gap in Menopause Training 05:46 Global Perspectives on Menopause Symptoms 09:02 The Impact of Diet and Agriculture on Menopause 12:03 Understanding Perimenopause Symptoms 14:53 The Role of Blood Work in Menopause Diagnosis 17:47 Case Study: Overcoming Insomnia and Hormonal Challenges 20:55 Navigating Healthcare for Menopause Support 22:23 Understanding Gut Health and Its Impact on Women 25:36 Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes for Menopausal Women 29:05 Addressing Gut Issues: Practical Steps 32:53 The Role of GLP-1 in Hormonal Health 35:58 Exploring Andropause and Men's Health 41:41 Building Community and Support for Menopause Awareness Resources British Menopause Society - https://www.thebms.org/ Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org/ The Menopause Lab - https://themenopause.lab/ Stacey Sins (Researcher) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-sins/ European Menopause and Andropause Society - https://www.emas-online.org/ Guest links Website - https://themenopause.lab/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauralambe/

  • March 31 · 38 min

    093: The Future of Jewish Food: Innovation and Tradition with Manischewitz

    Join us as we explore the rich history and innovative future of Manischewitz with marketing manager Talia Sabag. Discover how this iconic brand is blending tradition with sustainability, inclusivity, and modern food trends, all while honoring its cultural roots. Keywords Manischewitz, Jewish food, Passover, sustainability, innovation, cultural heritage, matzah, food packaging, gluten-free, inclusive food Key topics History of Rabbi Manischewitz and the invention of square matzah Innovation in food manufacturing and waste reduction Sustainable packaging and product development Cultural competency and inclusivity in food traditions Adapting traditional recipes for modern dietary needs Sound bites "Our soups are in glass for sustainability" "Transparency and real ingredients matter" "Jewish joy is infectious and inclusive" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Essential Ingredients and Talia 01:31 The Legacy of Rabbi Manischewitz 06:16 Innovation in Matzah Production 11:21 Cultural Competency and Food Identity 17:02 Inclusivity in Jewish Culinary Traditions 24:07 Modern Adaptations for Dietary Needs 29:33 Future Innovations at Manischewitz Resources Manischevich Official Website - https://www.manischevitz.com Amazon Storefront for Manischevich - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Manischevitz Museum of Manischevitz History - https://www.manischevitz.com/about-us Tetra Pak Information - https://www.tetrapak.com Yiddish Language Resources - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yiddish