Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

102 - The Joyful Freelancer: Work-Life Balance is a Waste of Time with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you grow your “brand” as a freelancer? Does the hype around the importance of a healthy work-life balance make sense? This week, we feature...

101 - The Creative Shit Show: Sustainable Shit Show with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

21 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How can a brand use the power of design to make the world a better place? This episode features our very own Gage Mitchell’s interview on The Creati...

100 - Defining Better for the World with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We spend a lot of time talking about better-for-the-world products, brands, and businesses. But what does that really mean? During our milestone episo...

099 - Technology Meets Natural Food with Karen Frame of Makeena

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In recent times, we have seen a rapid rise in technology used to enhance in-store experiences and even incentivize better food choices. Today on the E...

098 - What We Eat Matters with Seth Goldman of Eat The Change

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The foods that we choose to eat represent our single biggest environmental impact. This is the belief of today’s guest, activist entrepreneur Seth G...

097 - A Passion for Productivity with Jessi Freitag of Startup CPG Podcast

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

People connect with a story far more than a tool. Joining us in conversation today is Season 3 host of The Startup CPG Podcast, Jessi Freitag, who spe...

096 - A Sense of Belonging with Katrina Tolentino of Naturally Network

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Creating a feeling of community and connection can be so impactful to individuals and businesses on multiple levels, and the ecosystem of care that em...

095 - Impact-Driven Holiday Shopping Guide with Kate Fosson of Brand Pollinators

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Supporting brands and companies that are impact driven is essential for driving change on a larger scale. With so many options for consumers, it is of...

094 - Shifting Toward Sustainability with Alicia Lahey of Humble Snacks

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Conscious consumerism has grown exponentially in recent years, with shoppers expecting more transparency and less waste from the brands they choose to...

093 - 2021 HITS: A Plastic-Free Mission with Sandra Ann Harris of ECOlunchbox

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are some insights that we just have to go back to. This time, we bring back this conversation about reducing human dependence on plastics with S...

092 - Nobody Can Do This Alone with Caroline Cotto of Renewal Mill

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that up to 40% of food in the USA goes to waste every year? In this episode of Evolve CPG, Caroline Cotto is here to discuss how consciou...

091 - Start with Health with Mark Samuel of IWON Organics

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nutrition is key to living healthy but is a challenge due to the demands of work and life. Unhealthy snacks are what many people rely on to keep thems...

090 - Donations Beat Discounts Andrew Forman of Givz

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Discounts are the default incentive to grow sales for many businesses. However, a change in consumer behavior is causing them to hack into margins and...

089 - TikTok and Vulnerability with Erica Rankin of Bro Dough

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Social media can be a fantastic way to grow your brand and increase sales, but this is easier said than done, especially for people that are not extro...

088 - The Keys to Success with John Foraker of Once Upon a Farm

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

To make a true impact, your mission needs to be baked into the DNA of your brand from the get-go. Joining us today to share the keys to the success of...

087 - Importing Food Culture with Amy Zitelman of Soom Foods

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Although not particularly new to the US market, tahini has historically been found gathering dust at the bottom of the shelf in the international food...

086 - Simplify to Amplify with Fred Hart of Interact

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Design is so much more than aesthetics; it’s a tool for business. Today’s guest, Fred Hart, is a Partner and the Creative Director at Interact, a ...

085 - Help People Along the Way with David Simnick of Soapbox

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are you doing to make the world a better place and help those around you? Creating change in the world requires dedication and handwork, leaving ...

084 - Be Willing to Lose Everything with Adam Hiner of Pacha

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Setting out and starting a business takes courage, determination, and the ability to learn as you go. It also requires a certain commitment to the fou...

083 - Follow Your Passion with Fred Haberman of Freak Flag Organics

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Success within the CPG space is an arduous undertaking that requires immense drive and passion for overcoming the inevitable challenges. Following you...

082 - 2021 HITS: Prioritizing Brand Messaging with Pilar Ochi of Alter Eco

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're re-running our most successful episodes of 2021 because there are some insights that we have to go back to. This time, we speak about brand mess...

081 - Will it Get Recycled with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

03 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It sounds confusing, but the word ‘recyclable’ doesn’t always mean that something can, in fact, be recycled. Hopefully, by the time you get to t...

080 - Better Food Packaging in 30 Questions with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The way your product is packaged is almost as important as the product itself. Your packaging helps potential customers decide whether they should pic...

079 - 2021 HITS: From Coffee to Cascara with Paul Evers of Riff

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're re-running our most successful episodes of 2021 because there are some insights that we just have to go back to. This time, we speak about susta...

078 - 2021 HITS: Reaching Green Consumers with Carolyn Parrs of Mind Over Markets

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're re-running our most successful episodes of 2021 because there are some insights that we just have to go back to. This time, we speak about how t...

077 - 2021 HITS: A Culture of Candor with Linwood Paul & Matt D’Amour of Subtle Distinctions

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're re-running our most successful episodes of 2021 because there are some insights that we just have to go back to. This time, we speak about cando...

076 - People, Planet, Balance, and Growth with Michelle Miller of The Green Marketing Academy

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The green marketing space is one that is in constant flux and to be a part of it requires a steady commitment to learning and adjusting. Michelle Mill...

075 - When Everything Goes Wrong with Sadrah Schadel of No Evil Foods

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

No entrepreneurial journey is without its challenges, but even the biggest ones can be overcome with enough passion, drive, and support. Today’s gue...

074 - Focus on Your Fans with Dr. James Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you want to maximize the odds of scaling your brand to $100 million and beyond? Then, you need to learn the rules of exponential growth for consume...

073 - Get Creative with Your Giving at the 1% for the Planet Global Summit

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Looking for ideas and inspiration to improve your contributions to worthy causes? In this episode we share a panel discussion from the recent 1% for t...

072 - Know Thy Foods with Tim Richards of Philosopher Foods

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by Tim Richards, founder, and CEO of Philosopher Foods, to talk about the challenges of running a premium food product c...

071 - A Culture of Sustainability with Moji Igun of Blue Daisi Consulting

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we speak with Moji Igun, founder of Blue Daisi Consulting, about the importance of figuring out what sustainability means to you and how she's ...

070 - Squashing the Voice of Doubt with Kaitlin Mogentale of Pulp Pantry

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we’re speaking with Kaitlin Mogentale, founder of Pulp Pantry, about identifying a problem to solve, asking for help along the way, and leanin...

069 - What We Learn Along the Way with Kate Fosson of Brand Pollinators

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are joined by Kate Fosson, Co-Founder, and CEO of Brand Pollinators, about the experiences and knowledge we collect during a long journey...

068 - Lifestyle Design with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, we're speaking with Matt D’Amour and Linwood Paul, Founders of Subtle Distinctions, about how the process of lifestyle des...

067 - What's Your Manatee Moment? with Allyson Bartlett of 1% for the Planet

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we speak with Allyson Bartlett, Director of Brand and Marketing for 1% for the Planet, about why and how companies and individua...

066 - Progress Over Perfection with Radhika Manwani of Sieo

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we welcome Radhika Manwani, Associate at Sieo, to talk about their hybrid venture studio and marketing agency model. Also, we dive into the les...

065 - Fighting Honey Fraud with Douglas Raggio of Pass the Honey

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we are joined by Douglas Raggio, Founder of Pass the Honey, about understanding biases and blind spots, and the necessity of bei...

064 - Persistence Beats Resistance with Robert Koenen of Boxed Water is Better

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we are joined by Robert Koenen, Chief Revenue Officer of Boxed Water is Better, to talk about plastic pollution, sustainable alt...

063 - Mompreneur on a Mission with Pallavi Pande of Dtocs

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtocs, to talk about the importance of pursuing something you’re passionate about, and t...

062 - Make it Easy with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing last week's episode about the problem with using motivation as a marketing tool, our host, Gage Mitchell, joins us to dive into the things ...

061 - The Problem with Motivation with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While motivation and education can be effective in the right circumstances and the correct order, the bottom line is: if you're dumping your marketing...

060 - Materiality and Future Fit with Rob Sinclair of The ImaginALL Collective

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we’ll be speaking with Rob Sinclair, founder of ImaginALL Collective, about understanding the issues that are material to your...

059 - Assessing Your Impact with Breyn Hibbs of Take Two

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we speak with Breyn Hibbs, Head of Social and Environmental Impact at Take Two about the complexities of calculating and communica...

058 - Relaunching a Brand with Aaron Wallach of Javazen

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are speaking with Aaron Wallach, Founder and Chief Energy Officer of Javazen, about the lessons learned from the brand’s initial...

057 - Make People Feel Something with Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we’re speaking with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Rainmaker at Mid-Day Squares, about their game-changing show, everything style brand marketing...

056 - Sustainability On Demand with Alise Zindiga of Printful

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we speak with Alise Zindiga, CSR Manager at Printful, about the demand for sustainable products, the benefit of on-demand producti...

055 - From Their Cart to Yours with Steven Clift from GoodCarts

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re someone who holds a high moral standard but still takes the cheaper option off the store shelf without considering the impact of the produ...

054 - Minimizing Growing Pains with Zachary DeAngelo of Rodeo CPG

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Being an entrepreneur through the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for those in the food industry. However, with some key insights ...

053 - Intentionality Deficit with Subtle Distinctions

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you regularly find yourself asking, “How did I get here?” you may be suffering from intentionality deficit disorder. If you are living intentio...

052 - Better Food Products with Jonathan Deutsch of Drexel Food Lab

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jonathan Deutsch about the art and science of food product research, development, and testing.Jonathan is ...

051 - Understanding the Problem with Timothy Lawlor of ReadyWise

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're speaking with Timothy Lawlor, Director of Marketing at ReadyWise, a company that provides long-term food storage and freeze-...

050 - A Framework for Communications with Molly Gaines of Kindship Group

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world of brand messaging and public relations is evolving at a rapid pace in response to new technologies and societal shifts. In order to thrive,...

049 - It All Starts with The People with Michelle Hirons of Higher Ring

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Hirons was introduced to the business world at a very young age; by 6 years old she was helping with pricing and customer service in her fami...

048 - Excellence Without Attachment with Subtle Distinctions

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just slow down. So many entrepreneurs don’t have this phrase in their vocabulary, which is a big part of the reason that 34% of this population grou...

047 - Nailing The Pitch with Kayla Castañeda of Agua Bonita

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“When life gives you lemons, make aguas frescas!” As was the case for many people, 2020 started off on a difficult note for Kayla Castañeda, with...

046 - Food Systems & Climate Change with Jonathan Reinbold of Thomas Foods

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we look at the sectors that are contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture is responsible for 15 to 20 percent, b...

045 - Giving Bulk a Brand with Jason Freeman of Farmer Direct Organic

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

To create a CPG product that is 100% organic, 100% traceable back to the family farm, and 100% tested for pesticides and herbicides is no small feat. ...

044 - Prioritizing Brand Messaging with Pilar Ochi of Alter Eco

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Making a sustainable CPG product a household name doesn’t sound as challenging as it is. Today we speak to Pilar Ochi, Vice President of Marketing a...

043 - Preparing Brands for Wholesale with Alli Ball of Food Biz Wiz

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you have a food and beverage product, getting it onto the grocery store shelf is not enough; it has to sell! Today’s guest, Alli Ball, Founder of...

042 - From Founder to Mentor with Mike Fata of Manitoba Harvest

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling constantly sick, tired, and weighing 300 pounds at 18 years old, Michael Fata embarked on a pursuit of health, which, after much experimentati...

041 - A Transparent Food System with Colleen Kavanagh of Zego Foods

27 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The general trend towards healthier living and better information about nutrition has many layers, with one of the main tenets being an increase in tr...

040 - Growing Organic Certification with Jessica Beckett Parr of CCOF

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The California Certified Organic Farmers, or CCOF, extends across the US and certifies more operations than any other organic certification company or...

039 - From Coffee to Cascara with Paul Evers of Riff

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your morning cup of coffee has a far greater environmental impact than you might realize. Ironically, the current unsustainable practices have the lar...

038 - The #1 Climate Change Solution with Turner Wyatt of Upcycled Food Association

06 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Food Waste is a global issue and plays a pivotal role in the onset of climate change. While the problem might seem overwhelming, there are increasing ...

037 - Cookies for Recovery with Kelsey Moreira of Doughp

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After getting sober in 2015, today’s guest, Kelsey Moreira, set off on a journey to make the world a little sweeter by starting Doughp Legit Cookie ...

036 - Check Your Zipcode Culture with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Company culture is one of the pillars that will define an organization's outcomes, and the more intentionality and balance that can be brought into a ...

035 - Reaching Green Consumers with Carolyn Parrs of Mind Over Markets

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So many businesses struggle to find the right words to market their sustainable and social impact products. Today’s guest is Carolyn Parrs, CEO of M...

034 - Investing In Sustainability with Ryan Williams of NextWorld Evergreen

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Going green is set to be big business in the coming years, thanks, in part, to growing consumer demand for products that are good for the planet. But ...

033 - Growing a New Garden Brand with Jason Rider & Morgan Rider of Thriving Design

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The world of 3D printing and the cannabis space are two areas that have seen massive progress in the last few years. The intersection between these tw...

032 - Persuasive Branding with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No matter what kind of brand you are running, in order to be successful and create an impact, you need to be able to connect with a community and buil...

031 - Cultivating Heartset with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In order to make the best possible decisions, we need to use all the tools available to us, and not just the rational mind, that often dominates our c...

030 - Business as a Force for Good with Veena Harbaugh Of B Lab US & Canada

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Popularity and awareness of the B corp certification have been growing steadily and the burgeoning space is showing no signs of slowing down. Today we...

029 - Know Your Customer with Eric Pierce of New Hope Network

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Growth without a sense of responsibility is a recipe that can lead to many problems further down the road. Whether it be for a business or for a wider...

028 - For the Love of Plants with Ellen Kanner The Soulful Vegan

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The recent years have shown that the vegan diet and movement are here to stay and that there is an ever-growing demand for alternatives to the traditi...

027 - Sharing Power & Knowledge with Justine Reichman of NextGenChef

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With so much information available in the current age, finding trusted and convenient sources that are useful to our needs is more important than ever...

026 - Growing Upcycling with TJ Galiardi of Outcast Foods

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It seems ludicrous that farmers and grocers throw so much good food away. Surprisingly, very few people have come up with solutions to this problem. O...

025 - Hemp & Agriculture with John Porterfield of Woolen Hemp

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hemp has got uses from the roots to the shoots and this magical plant along with organic farming is slowly helping America move toward a culture of he...

024 - Making Green Mainstream with Annalea Krebs of Social Nature

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Social Nature is a product sampling community platform dedicated to helping people make greener choices, and today we speak to its Founder and CEO, An...

023 - Cleaning Up the Soap Aisle with Kristine & Daniel Sperling of Makes 3 Organics

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Companies are not legally obligated to get certified before they use the word ‘organic’ in their marketing, meaning they can charge more for produ...

022 - First-Voice Storytelling with Pablo Muñoz Ledo of INTO

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When customers know the stories behind the products they consume, they can see their connection to a wider ecosystem and feel more empowered to become...

021 - Independent Retail with Lisa Gebhardt of Marlene's Market & Deli

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Despite decades of ascendancy, the health food market still has elements that make it niche and non-mainstream. Marlene's Market and Deli is a shining...

020 - Raising Crowd Capital with Jonny Price of WeFunder

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if you, as an ordinary person, had the opportunity to invest in a startup you loved, just like angel investors do? Wefunder is a platform that en...

019 - I Before We with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Self-awareness is the first step to the attainment of healthy relationships and effective leadership because it is only from a full cup that we can au...

018 - Failing to Save The Planet with Ian Walker of Left Coast Naturals

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Creating a sustainable business is about more than your carbon footprint. Sure, your environmental impact is important, but so is your societal and ec...

017 - Flipping The Script with Dennis Weaver of The Organic Marketing Association

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The reason organic food only occupies 5% market share despite being so delicious and sustainable must be because of the preachy and argumentative narr...

016 - How Are You, Really with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we hear from Linwood Paul and Matt D’Amour about how honestly we answer the question: how are you? Together, Linwood and Matt are co-founders ...

015 - Protecting Intellectual Property with Erin Ogden of OGS Law

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trademarks, copyrights, and patents play an important role in the value of a business, but it can be confusing to know how to use them effectively. E...

014 - Content is SEO with Casey Nifong of Mountain Laurel Digital

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Search engine optimization is in a state of constant change, so it’s important to keep moving to fit with the algorithm. If you can do this, you can...

013 - Connection Before Content with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today, you'll hear from Linwood Paul and Matt D'Amour, co-founders of Subtle Distinctions, about why you should place connection before content when s...

012 - Why Fair Matters with Anna Canning of Fair World Project

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fair trade is far more complicated than simply paying more for a product. It touches on all aspects of the supply chain and intersects with a range of...

011 - The Path To Action with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our first bonus episode, we discussed with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour, co-founders of Subtle Distinctions, about the concept of the path to ac...

010 - Mission & Marketing with Jamie Lamonde of Kindship Group

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It takes both creativity and partnerships with mission-aligned people and organizations to effectively market ethical and organic consumer goods. Toda...

009 - Making Health Accessible with Zeke Khali the Healthy Hueman

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the right knowledge, we can shift the narrative of nutrition and organic eating, leading to sharper minds and more able bodies. Today we’re jo...

008 - A Culture of Candor with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Candor isn’t just a word; it’s a practice that can promote a positive company culture and build stronger teams.Our guests, Linwood and Matt, are t...

007 - Money Doing Good with Adrian Reif of Umana Venture Studio

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Solving the world’s biggest problems is no easy task, but with a sustainable mindset and a regenerative approach, we have much more than just hope t...

006 - Purpose on Purpose with Rob Sinclair of Conscious Brands

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Companies without a clear purpose are incapable of making an impact and reaching their full potential. In the words of today’s guest, the trick to b...

005 - Regenerative Chocolate Foundation with Antoine Ambert of Alter Eco

24 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The organic chocolate company Alter Eco knows that there’s no quick solution to climate change reversal. Instead, they’re creating impact through ...

004 - Curiosity & Connection with Linwood Paul & Matt D’Amour of Subtle Distinctions

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For the effective leader, curiosity is a powerful tool to build and nurture strong connections. Today we speak with leadership experts Linwood Paul a...

003 - Launching a Plant-Based Business with Sri Artham of Hooray Foods

11 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hooray Foods' Founder Sri Artham is on a mission to create what many have called the holy grail of plant-based meat: crispy, smoky bacon – without t...