Essential Ingredients Podcast

“An interdisciplinary approach to medicine is probably the way the future is going to go. There will be dieticians and a whole host of different people involved in helping someone to heal.” —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? If you’ve ever felt frustrated by quick fixes that don’t last or wondered how to make healthy changes that actually stick, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you. 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. With years of experience helping patients and building a wellness brand, he’s on a mission to make healthy eating accessible, enjoyable, and truly life-changing. Tune in as Justine and Dr. Carp break down the myths about comfort food, reveal how small changes can lead to big results, and share real stories of healing, grit, and the surprising joy of eating well.   Meet Jonathan: A Dermatologist since 2000, Dr. Jonathan Carp started Miracle Noodle in 2006. In 2004, he had a patient who healed herself from lupus through nutritional and lifestyle modification. Since then, he has treated hundreds of patients through lifestyle modification, especially nutritional changes, with a special interest in auto-immune diseases. This has turned into a nutritional obsession that led to his learning about the health benefits of the konjac plant. While he still practices medicine, a significant amount of time is now also devoted to Miracle Noodle and exploring and testing healthy, healing food options based on traditional cultural diets. Dr. Carp firmly believes that all that ails us in the world today could be solved by going back a few generations and making sure that the nutritional wisdom of our ancestors is remembered and combined with the latest science. While Miracle Noodle keeps him busy, it has allowed him the resources to investigate and learn about the nutritional wisdom of the world and how to get products and knowledge out to the world through his patients and his companies. Website Instagram Facebook X   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:15 Miracle Noodle: From Japan to Your Plate 06:02 Food as Medicine: Why What We Eat Matters 11:29 The Fast Track to Retail: How Press and TV Changed the Game 16:26 Real Stories, Real Impact 21:17 On the Job MBA: Learning Business the Hard (and Fun) Way 26:44 From Miracle Noodle to Miracle Living 30:16 The Importance of Community and Consumer Engagement  

“In the old days, families worked together, like on a farm, and that's the model we wanted to create for ourselves at EO Products.” —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. A lot of entrepreneurs pour their hearts and soul into a business, only to become a slave to spreadsheets and profit margins. But what if there was another way?   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. With backgrounds spanning fashion, product design, and holistic wellness, they've built a company that seamlessly integrates purpose, profitability, and principled leadership. Tune in as Justine, Susan, and Brad reveal how shared values, resilience through personal challenges, commitment to sustainable practices, and a radical approach to business can create a brand that transcends traditional profit-making models while inspiring meaningful change. Meet Susan and Brad:  Susan Griffin-Black is a visionary product designer and co-founder of EO Products, with a background in fashion and a passion for natural wellness. After a transformative experience in a London apothecary, she studied aromatherapy and cosmetic chemistry, becoming an expert in essential oils. Her innovative approach to product development and commitment to transparency has been instrumental in shaping the natural personal care industry. Brad Black, a former clothing manufacturer, brings extensive production expertise and a strong commitment to sustainable business practices to EO Products. With a background in recycled fabrics and ethical manufacturing, he has been crucial in developing the company's operational strategy. His focus on responsible decision-making and community-driven business models has been key to the company's success. In 1995, Susan and Brad co-founded EO Products, leveraging their complementary skills and shared values to create a pioneering natural personal care brand. Starting with four blends for the Bloomingdale's catalog, they built a company dedicated to using pure essential oils, sustainable packaging, and transparent manufacturing. Their partnership, rooted in mutual respect and a vision for better-for-you products, has sustained EO Products through 30 years of growth and innovation in the natural products market. Website Instagram Facebook X Pinterest     Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 01:02 Partners in Purpose: Brad and Susan’s Journey to a Values-Driven Business 05:38 The No Margin, No Mission Business Philosophy 08:57 The Heart of EO: Transparency, Authenticity, Community, Communication 13:18 Advice for New Entrepreneurs 17:18 The Business of Receiving 22:20 Sustainability Challenges 28:34 Mindfulness in Business and Life 37:34 Better is Better 43:33 Creating a Meaningful Business Legacy  

“You can’t be all things to all people, and a brand can’t be all things to all people. A brand can be as big as it gets with tons of money supporting it. But, there has to be a point of difference to stand out to consumers.” —Carmine Montalto   Most beauty founders drown in a saturated market, chasing viral trends while struggling to build brands that resonate. They sacrifice authenticity for algorithms, forgetting that true loyalty starts with a razor-sharp point of view—not pink packaging or empty promises.  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.  Tune in as Justine and Carmine dissect sunscreen myths, expose hyaluronic acid’s "plumping" deception, and reveal why SPF 30 outperforms SPF 50—then discover how to carve your niche in a market screaming for authenticity. Meet Carmine:  Carmine Montalto is a NYC-based copywriter, brand advisor, blogger and podcaster with 25 years doing what he loves to do - write. With extensive expertise in beauty across every category – skincare, hair care, body care, fragrance, makeup, men’s, and oral care – Carmine has helped build multiple consumer brands from the ground up. He’s named 100s of products, crafted packaging copy, written brand & product concepts, and created compelling digital campaigns.  Carmine uses his Skincarma blog and companion podcast to demystify perceptions about skincare. He leverages his extensive knowledge, experience and wit to deliver education on skincare products and ingredients, breaking down how to use them effectively to optimize your skin health. For the past three years, Carmine has been a judge in the annual Beauty Matter NEXT awards in the product innovation category.   Website Instagram YouTube TikTok Pinterest   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 00:55 From Clearasil To Cosmetics: Carmine’s Accidental Beauty Career 08:07 Sunscreen Showdown: Mineral Vs. Chemical Filters Demystified 10:25 Why Loving Your Sunscreen Matters More Than Its Spf 22:44 Brand-Building 101: Brand Focus 24:27 Top Innovations: Peptides, Exosomes & The Rise Of "Skin Health" 27:42 Spf 30 Vs. SPF 50  29:06 Beauty Fads That Flopped (And Ones That Deserve A Comeback) 31:21 The Hyaluronic Acid Myth: Why "Plumping" Isn’t Hydrating  

“The truth is, when you start checking out other brands, you will start to notice how inconsistent they are. So just by being consistent, you're already ahead of the game.” —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. But the real battle isn't about having the most sophisticated tactics, but about crafting a message so compelling that it cuts through the digital clutter and speaks directly to our ideal customer's deepest desires and unspoken needs.  Jeff Greenfield is the Co-Founder of Provalytics, a cutting-edge analytics platform that transforms how companies measure marketing effectiveness. With decades of experience decoding complex marketing data, Jeff has advised some of the world's largest brands on optimizing their advertising strategies. Tune in as Justine and Jeff expound on marketing analytics, revealing how businesses can leverage historical mathematical techniques, harness the power of digital platforms, and make data-driven decisions that dramatically boost profitability—all while telling a compelling brand story that resonates emotionally with their target audience. Meet Jeff: Jeff Greenfield is the Co-Founder and CEO of Provalytics, where he is revolutionizing marketing attribution with privacy-centric, cookie-less solutions tailored to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. With over three decades of expertise in strategy, growth, and marketing innovation, Jeff has a proven track record of building transformative companies and delivering measurable results. At C3 Metrics, which he co-founded, Jeff developed industry-first technologies like the cookie-less identifier. These innovations helped clients such as JP Morgan and Nestlé achieve marketing ROI improvements exceeding 25%. Jeff’s journey began with his studies in biochemistry at the University of Maryland, where he developed a data-driven approach that has shaped his career. His diverse expertise spans strategic leadership, technology innovation, and creativity, drawing from experiences that include aviation, magic, and healthcare. Today, Jeff leads Provalytics with a commitment to empowering marketers to make smarter, faster decisions that drive measurable impact, helping businesses thrive in a privacy-first world.   Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:29 Marketing: From Traditional to Digital 07:37 Why Old-School Marketing Techniques Still Work 10:25 Ancient Math Powering Modern AI 14:40  Building Brand Awareness with Limited Budgets 22:58 Navigating Social Media Platforms 26:53  Turning Data into Millions   29:14 Beyond Clicks: Rethinking Marketing Metrics

“You follow your passion, and when you have a purpose behind it, everything becomes a little bit clearer.” —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. Every lotion, cream, or serum is like a tiny decision that ripples out, affecting not just our body, but the whole planet. We're not just buying products anymore; we're voting with our dollars, pushing brands to be real about their ingredients, and showing the beauty industry that we want something better. 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. By prioritizing local, non-toxic ingredients and maintaining a commitment to transparency, she aims to bridge the gap between natural wellness and high-performance beauty. Tune in as Justine interviews Nancy about her inspiration and challenges behind creating a clean, non-toxic skincare line, the unique healing properties of Sonoran Desert ingredients, the importance of local sourcing and ingredient transparency, how to balance creativity and business strategy in product development, entrepreneurial lessons learned in starting and scaling a business, and the power of relationships and community in business growth.    Meet Nancy: Nancy Rimbergas is a Chicago native drawn to the mythical desert from an early age when visiting with family. Her connection grew with each visit, and she finally took the leap and moved to Arizona to experience the desert every day. True to her maximalist vibe, she now lives the Earth Based Body lifestyle with her husband, surrounded by an obnoxious amount of original artwork collected through their travels.    Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 01:14 Crafting Natural Skincare 07:05 Clean Beauty: A Personal Mission 10:02 Product Development and Ingredient Selection 13:15 Packaging with Purpose 16:06 Challenges of Starting a Business 20:24 Prioritizing Relationships OVer Rapid Expansion Resources:  💲Discount Get a 15% discount when you shop at: https://earthbasedbody.com/collections  Use code: EI15  

“I had to find that niche, that core community of people who were trying to solve the same problems that I was and who were passionate about the solution. But if I hadn’t found that, I think it would be tough to try to keep promoting your product and your brand without actually knowing where it fits.” —Belinda Lau    Every toothpaste tube and toothbrush we've ever used might still be existing somewhere on this planet! Plastic dental care products are silent environmental destroyers, with each toothbrush lingering for about 500 years in landfills and oceans.  Belinda Lau, a biomedical engineer with 15 years in medical device innovation, co-founded Elims with her dentist husband to transform oral care through sustainable, science-backed products. Motivated by the environmental impact of traditional dental care and her background in medical technology, she developed a breakthrough toothpaste using nano-hydroxyapatite that delivers clinical effectiveness while dramatically reducing plastic waste. Tune in as Justine and Belinda explore NASA's nano hydroxyapatite technology, sustainable oral care packaging, TerraCycle's recycling innovation, clean ingredient alternatives to fluoride, bootstrapping a CPG business, growing business as a couple, flavor development strategies, dental professional insights, plus much more. Meet Belinda: With a background in biomedical and material science engineering and over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, Belinda brings deep science and heart to every product. Inspired by a mission to create better-for-you, planet-friendly health care, she leads ELIMS with purpose, innovation, and impact. Belinda was named to the Forbes Next 1000 list and recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a Visionary CEO for her leadership in driving innovation and impact in sustainable consumer health.   Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 02:24 ELIMS: Bridging Sustainability and Dental Health 09:07 Nano Hydroxyapatite: An Alternative to Fluoride Developed by NASA 16:44 TerraCycling: Sustainability Beyond Product  24:29 Flavor Innovation: Making Toothpaste Fun Again 36:42 Power Couple Entrepreneurship 45:21 Funding Mistakes Resources:  💲Discount Get a 20% discount when you shop at: https://elims.co/  Use code: ESSENTIALINGREDIENTS  

Episode Description: “In the CPG industry, so many individuals are just so friendly and eager to help emerging brands and founders succeed. Ask for help and they’re always willing to make an introduction.” —Danny Auld  Early childhood nutrition is more than just filling tiny bellies with food. It's about creating lifelong eating habits that can shape health, curiosity, and cultural understanding. The first few years of a child's diet can determine their relationship with food for decades to come. Danny Auld and David Fullner are the co-founders of Kekoa Foods, a groundbreaking baby food company born from their personal mission to provide nutritious, globally-inspired meals for children. As an educational psychologist and former entertainment industry professional, they've developed a revolutionary approach to introducing complex flavors and healthy eating habits from infancy. Tune in as Justine Reichman explores with Danny and David their innovative "Taste Training" program, uncovering how parents can help children become adventurous eaters, why 93% of kids aren't eating recommended vegetables, and the transformative power of introducing global flavors from the very first bite.   Meet David:  David Fullner, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Kekoa Foods, turned his passion for cooking, gardening, and healthy living into a bold mission after the birth of his son in 2013, when he saw the lack of flavorful, high-quality baby food options. Motivated to create something better, he began crafting organic baby food blends using fresh vegetables, herbs, roots, and spices — a unique approach his son instantly loved. What started as a personal solution quickly evolved into Kekoa Foods, a company now known for challenging industry norms and prioritizing taste, wellness, and ingredient integrity. Under David’s leadership, Kekoa Foods is reshaping the future of baby food to ensure every child has access to clean, nutritious, and flavorful meals.   Meet Danny: Dr. Danny Auld is the co-founder and President of Kekoa Foods, where he leads business operations, sales, financial strategy, and production logistics with a strong focus on excellence and community impact. He manages fundraising, investor relations, and compliance while also shaping the company’s public presence through digital content, influencer partnerships, and nationwide food donation initiatives. With a PhD from Fordham University and a background in academic leadership, Danny brings strategic insight and a passion for meaningful change. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys cooking, family time with his husband and co-founder David, and their son, and actively mentors young professionals while supporting efforts to combat food insecurity and promote youth development.     Connect with Kekoa Foods:  Website Instagram Facebook YouTube TikTok Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 01:49 Kekoa Foods: Providing Nutritious Food to the Youngest Eaters 04:14 Introducing New Flavors to Young Eaters 08:00 Enhancing Flavor and Ensuring Safety  13:00 Taste Training Program  18:40 Funding and Networking in the CPG Industry   23:43 Strategic Retail Expansion Resources:  💲Discount Get a 25% discount when you shop at: https://kekoafoods.com/  Use code: EI25  

Episode Description: “I would say stick to your values because once we start to slip on that, everybody knows it and we’re not authentic anymore— and what people want is the transparency of who’s making their food.” —Sam Paone  We've all been there—watching those beautiful farmers market finds slowly wilt in the fridge, feeling guilty with every sad, soggy leaf. What if there was a delicious way to rescue those forgotten vegetables and turn them into something not just healthy and edible, but absolutely crave-worthy? Sam Paone is a culinary alchemist who traded restaurant kitchens for a mission to reinvent pickling. As the founder of Golden State Pickle Works, she transforms organic, seasonal produce into probiotic-rich delicacies that challenge everything people thought about fermented foods. Tune in for a flavor-packed journey that transforms kitchen waste into probiotic gold as Justine and Sam talk about how fermentation can boost gut health, support local farmers, and preserve seasonal produce as well as the surprising health benefits, cultural significance, and gourmet potential of transforming humble vegetable scraps into delicious, sustainable treats. Meet Sam: Sam Paone is the founder of Golden State Pickle Works, a California-based artisan fermentation company. With a background in restaurant cooking, she transitioned to entrepreneurship, creating organic, hyper-seasonal pickled vegetables, condiments, and salad dressings. Sam is passionate about preserving local produce, supporting organic farmers, and introducing innovative fermented food products. She has developed a unique line of pickles and fermented goods that celebrate seasonal ingredients, and is currently working on a preservation-focused television series. Her culinary approach emphasizes flavor, sustainability, and community connection.    Website Instagram Facebook Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 01:45 Golden State Pickle Works: Exploring the Concept of Pickling  10:05 Marketing and Business Challenges 14:56 Community and Customer Feedback  22:44 What’s Next for Sam? 28:54 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Resources:  💲Discount Get a 20% discount when you shop at: https://goldenstatepickleworks.com  Use code: ESSENTIALINGREDIENTS  

Episode Description: “How can we make growing your own food possible in environments where it normally wasn’t? Or can we drastically lower the impact of water use, fertilizer use, or resources used to drive to the grocery store? That’s a big impact that we can have if we can allow you to grow your own food right at home.” —Conner Tidd     What if you could grow fresh, pesticide-free produce just steps from your refrigerator, regardless of where you live? Indoor vertical farming isn't just a trend— it's a revolutionary approach to sustainable, accessible food production. Conner Tidd is a sustainability expert and the co-founder of Just Vertical, a pioneering company reimagining how urban dwellers grow food. With a Master's in Sustainability and a passion for solving global food challenges, Conner has developed innovative indoor gardening solutions that make fresh, local produce possible for everyone. Tune in as Justine and Connor reveal how indoor vertical farming can slash water usage, eliminate pesticides, reduce food miles, and empower individuals to become home producers—transforming our relationship with food, one garden at a time.     Meet Conner:  Conner Tidd is the co-founder of Just Vertical, an innovative indoor farming company that designs indoor gardens and vertical farming solutions. With a Master's degree in Sustainability, he aims to make fresh, locally grown food accessible to people in urban environments and remote locations. Conner's entrepreneurial journey focuses on addressing food security, reducing environmental impact, and providing sustainable solutions for growing produce in challenging climates. Through Just Vertical, he helps individuals grow pesticide-free, fresh vegetables and herbs in their own homes, with a mission to create resilient and affordable food systems.   Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X YouTube Pinterest Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 03:25 Historical Context and Current Trends in Food Production   05:09 Water and Resource Efficiency in Vertical Farming  21:14 Pesticide-Free Produce 23:23 A Journey Into Entrepreneurship: Mistakes and Lessons Learned 33:37 How to Set up a Vertical Garden Resources 💲Discount Get 10% off your order when you shop at:  https://justvertical.com  Use code: ESSENTIAL  

Episode Description: “Once you start eating your own food, it expands your taste horizons and you can’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t work out and it’s horrible, just put it in the compost bucket and start over. It’s okay, you’ll be fine.” —Marjory Wildcraft   Food is not just sustenance; it's a fundamental human right that we've outsourced to complex, fragile systems. This disconnection from food sources has transformed us into passive consumers dependent on a market that creates an illusion of abundance, masking a precarious supply chain that can unravel in moments. But we are not powerless. Our backyard is a potential fortress of food security, self-sufficiency, and resilience.  Marjory Wildcraft is a pioneering educator who teaches sustainable food production and home medicine skills. She has developed innovative systems for growing food in diverse environments, helping people reclaim their food independence. Tune in as Justine and Marjory explore how we can transform our living space into a productive food ecosystem through urban gardening, home medicine, animal protein production, seed diversity, nutrient cycling, and economic resilience strategies. Meet Marjory:  Marjory Wildcraft is the founder of The Grow Network, which is a community of people focused on modern self-sufficient living. She has been featured by National Geographic as an expert in off-grid living, she hosted the Mother Earth News Online Homesteading Summit, and she is listed in Who’s Who in America for having inspired hundreds of thousands of backyard gardens. Marjory was the focus of an article that won Reuters’ Food Sustainability Media Award, and she recently authored The Grow System: The Essential Guide to Modern Self-Sufficient Living—From Growing Food to Making Medicine.  She is best known for her DVD series Grow Your Own Groceries, which has over half a million copies in use by homesteaders, foodies, preppers, universities, and missionary organizations around the world. Beloved for her humorous, non-judgmental, get ’er done style, Marjory raised two teenagers in Central Texas and currently splits her time between Paonia, CO, and Puerto Rico. When she’s not building an online network, being “Mom,” and tending her family’s food supply, Marjory loves playing, running, doing gymnastics, skateboarding, acquiring skills from the Paleolithic era (yes, she is part cavewoman!), and experimenting with anything and everything related to food production and sustainability. Join the I Can Grow Food webinar to learn the fastest and easiest ways to produce healthy and delicious meat, eggs, and vegetables with Marjory: http://www.backyardfoodproduction.com    Website Instagram Facebook X YouTube    Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube     Episode Highlights: 00:20 Meet Marjory: A Journey of Food Security 08:00 Practical Tips for Urban Food Production 14:55 Transitioning to Home Medicine 21:11 The Role of Marketing in Sustainability  26:56 Preparing for Future Food Security 30:01 Integrating Ancient Practices with Modern Needs 33:01 The Nutritional Value of Backyard Livestock 38:54 Start Growing Your Food