Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

In this episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl and Erum dive into the world of community biology with Dr. Casey Lardner, Executive Director of Genspace. They explore how this groundbreaking Brooklyn lab is reimagining who gets to participate in science — and how. From radical accessibility and inclusive education to the launch of Gotham Foundry, Casey shares how Genspace is cultivating a culture of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. This is a conversation about science as a shared resource, where artists, bioengineers, and everyday citizens all have a seat at the bench.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to Grow Everything: Where Bio Meets the World00:00:25 - Guest Co-Host Sabriya Stukes Drops In — Backyard BBQ to Biotech00:01:18 - What’s Buzzing in Biotech: Founders, VCs & Sound Baths00:03:48 - Redefining Community: Beyond Buzzwords in Bio00:06:38 - Genspace Unveiled: Brooklyn’s Portal to Public Science00:10:41 - From Chemistry to Community: Casey’s Unexpected Path to Genspace00:13:40 - Inside Genspace: Culture, Creativity, and the Curious00:22:06 - Radical Access: Building Biotech for Everyone00:28:55 - Live from Ilmar 2025: Big Ideas, Big Shifts00:37:35 - What’s Next? Introducing Gotham Foundry00:39:25 - Fueling Founders: How Genspace Sparks Startups00:40:23 - Why NYC is the Place to Grow Bio Right Now00:41:53 - Stay Curious: The Secret Ingredient in Science00:43:26 - Can AI Help Democratize Biology? Genspace Thinks So00:46:51 - Where Art Meets Genome: The Power of Story in Science00:51:28 - Bold Visions: What the Future Looks Like at Genspace00:55:49 - The Pulse of NYC Biotech: Reflections and Real TalkLinks and Resources:Genspace OpenPlant Genspace - growing your own insulin?Asilomar ReportsGotham FoundryIndieBioNewLab BioLabsBioFab Fair: Use promo code: GROW10 Story ColliderCaveat Facts MachineTopics Covered: biotech, community biotech, community hub, biomaterials, bio-based ingredients, GenspaceHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

In this thought-provoking episode of Grow Everything, host Karl sits down with Suzanne Lee, founder of Biofabricate and pioneer in the biomaterials revolution, for a conversation that redefines how we think about material innovation. With passion and precision, Suzanne shares her journey from fashion design to biodesign, revealing how her early experiments with growing microbial cellulose led to the launch of a global movement toward sustainable, biology-based materials. They explore how biology and culture are converging, why “natural” doesn’t always mean better, and how collaboration—not competition—is key to transforming industries like fashion, architecture, and consumer goods. If you're curious about the future of sustainable materials, circular design, and how the bioeconomy is taking shape through strategic partnerships and visionary creativity, this is the episode for you.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to Grow Everything: Big Questions Start Here00:00:32 - Can AI Become Conscious? Let’s Get Weird00:03:18 - Where Code Meets Cells: AI x Biology00:05:06 - From Metal Bands to Microbes in Mumbai00:09:22 - Meet Suzanne Lee: The Woman Who Grows Materials00:24:48 - Innovation Isn’t Fast—But It’s Worth It00:25:14 - Sometimes Old Tech is the Real Disruptor00:26:17 - Designing 2050: Biology Will Shape Everything00:27:05 - How to Break Free from Extraction00:27:30 - New Tech, New Rules: Use With Intention00:29:49 - What’s Next in Biofabrication (It’s Wild)00:31:55 - How Do We Make Bio Go Mainstream?00:36:35 - Why Great Design Is a Bio Superpower00:40:06 - Rapid-Fire with Suzanne Lee: Future, Fears & Fun00:44:44 - Final Thoughts + What’s Coming from BiofabricateLinks and Resources:BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend! BiofabricateChatGPT Religion: The Disturbing AI CultIndia Boasts 11,000 Biotech StartupsTerrarium - sustainable materials consultancyEcovativePolybion H&M FoundationLondon Design WeekLondon Fashion WeekBIOME ConsortiaAround The World in 80 Fabrics Around the WorldTopics Covered: biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

In this episode, Karl and Erum sit down with Shelby Newsad, Partner at Compound, to unpack the explosive rise of consumer biotech, biohacking, and radical health optimization. Shelby shares inside stories from Compound’s Biohacker Demo Day, exploring how crypto funding, accessible blood testing, and personal health data are reshaping the future of healthcare. From peptides and proteome sequencing to fire-breathing dragons and continuous glucose monitors, this conversation dives deep into how individuals are reclaiming agency over their biology. If you’re fascinated by the intersection of synthetic biology, longevity, and culture, this is a must-listen.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off: Why Biotech Is So Hard to Build00:00:17 - Road Trips & Montreal: Hosts Trade Vacation Tales00:02:05 - Big Hikes & Life Lessons on the Road00:02:41 - Is AI Making Us Dumber? A Brainy Debate00:05:52 - Stem Cells for Cats & Dogs: A Pet Health Revolution00:07:28 - Longevity Hacks & Biohacking Breakthroughs00:11:09 - Inside Biohacking Demo Day: Shelby Sets the Stage00:14:13 - Taking Control: How Biohackers Are Changing Healthcare00:17:19 - Why Your Own Health Data Is the Next Big Thing00:21:58 - Crypto Meets Science: New Ways to Fund Biotech00:26:31 - The Coming Wave of Personalized Health00:28:16 - The Surge in Consumer Blood Testing00:29:40 - How Often Should You Really Get Blood Panels?00:30:33 - Merging Health Data with AI for Real Results00:33:52 - Brian Johnson Drops Biohacking Truth Bombs00:40:06 - Making Biohacking for Everyone: Price & Access00:42:39 - Wild & Unexpected Biohacks to Watch00:46:01 - Next Frontier: Proteomics & the Future of Health00:48:22 - Lightning Round: Biohacking Hot Takes & Sign-OffLinks and Resources:CompoundUnion Square VenturesReady-made stem cell therapies for pets could be comingPump.ScienceNeutraOatFulcraPacagenRhythm HealthChargeless MitoBryan Johnson ⁠Topics Covered: biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum bring on Dr. Alexander Titus, a commissioner on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, to explore the exciting and challenging intersections of biotechnology and policy. Alexander shares his experiences from his unique journey across academia, government, and industry, diving into the role of biosecurity, the potential of synthetic biology, and the emerging convergence of tech and bio. They discuss ambitious projects like de-extincting the woolly mammoth, advances in biodefense, and the impacts of AI on biotech innovation. It’s a conversation that sheds light on how cutting-edge biotech could shape the future and the necessary balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.\Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapters:00:00:00 - Behind the Scenes of Bureaucracy00:00:30 - Democracy’s Turning Point00:02:23 - A Fiery Day in Prospect Park00:04:20 - How Spaces Shape Our Health00:08:35 - Enter Alexander Titus: Biosecurity Visionary00:10:13 - Biotech: The New Face of National Defense00:15:09 - Where Tech and Policy Collide00:23:10 - The Future of Biosecurity Unfolds00:28:02 - Bold Science vs. Ethical Boundaries00:30:24 - Robotics Meets Biotech: What’s Next?00:33:29 - Hard Lessons from Cross-Industry Giants00:35:49 - Innovation Clashes with Red Tape00:36:11 - The Power of Expertise in Shaping Policy00:42:26 - Biotech’s Hidden Environmental Risks00:45:42 - The Commission’s Bold Path Forward00:48:45 - Parting Thoughts: What Lies AheadTopics Covered: biotech, biosecurity, national security commission on emerging biotechnology, policyEpisode Links: ⁠The Wild Life of Our Bodies by Robb Dunn ⁠ ⁠Geerat Vermeij⁠ ⁠BTO - Biological Technologies Office of DARPA⁠⁠ Bioeconomy.XYZ⁠ ⁠The Nobel Turing Challenge⁠ ⁠Range by David Epstein⁠ ⁠NSCEB Interim Report⁠ ⁠AI Safety Institute⁠ ⁠The Echo Wife by Sara Gailey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowEverything website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum sit down with Elle Black, a product designer and manufacturing strategist whose journey into the world of skincare, AI, and biology is anything but typical. Elle shares how her background in physical product development led her to dive deep into the supplement and cosmetics industries—spaces rich with opportunity and riddled with misinformation. From decoding the intricacies of INCI labeling to navigating unregulated beauty markets, she unpacks what it really takes to build responsible, scalable consumer products. Whether you're in biotech, product innovation, or sustainability, Elle's perspective on building smarter—from ingredients to algorithms—will resonate.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Cracking Open the Beauty Industry Mystery00:00:36 - The Cosmic Luck of Being Human00:02:34 - Can We Hack Aging? Let’s Try00:07:40 - Elle Black Joins: Skin, Science & Secrets00:15:17 - Elle’s Origin Story + Clean Beauty Truths00:33:10 - The Truth About Odor-Eating Deodorants00:34:11 - Beauty Products vs. Your Fridge00:35:40 - Why Cold Shipping Costs More Than You Think00:36:31 - Calling Out the Hidden in Beauty Labels00:38:29 - Why I Created a Skincare Ritual That Listens00:39:45 - Your Hormones, Your Glow—Deeply Linked00:40:33 - A Skincare App That Knows Your Cycle00:45:19 - What Men Don’t Know About Their Skincare00:53:32 - What’s Next: AI, Supplements & Radical Transparency00:56:38 - Reflections, Mic Drops & Future MovesLinks and Resources:Same SkincareLifespan by David SinclairTranscendence by Ray KurzweilSkinceuticalsSymbiomeEndoFoundTopics Covered: biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

Nancy Diniz, Co-Founder of bioMATTERS LLC, shares her journey from architecture to biodesign, crafting innovative mycelium- and microbe-based materials. She discusses the challenges of scaling living materials and the need for a cultural shift towards integrating biology in production. With humor, Nancy emphasizes the beauty of unpredictability in living designs, the importance of sustainable practices, and the collaboration between art, science, and ecology. Her insights highlight the exciting future of materials rooted in systems thinking.

Karl and Erum speak with Dr. Angela M. Belcher, MIT professor and pioneer in bioinspired materials, about how biology can transform the way we manufacture sustainable technologies. Drawing inspiration from how abalone build shells and viruses assemble structures, Angela shares how her lab uses genetically engineered viruses—like M13 bacteriophage—to grow batteries, solar cells, and cancer-targeting materials at room temperature without harmful chemicals. Her work reimagines the periodic table as a design toolkit and shows how nature’s strategies can help us build cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable solutions.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off with Biology, Innovation & Big Ideas00:00:21 - AI, Simulation Theory & Prompting the Future00:01:57 - Fungi Meets Art: Mycelium’s Creative Frontier00:02:44 - Can Synthetic Biology Save the Planet?00:05:54 - Meet Dr. Angela Belcher: Visionary in Biofabrication00:06:29 - Abalone Shells: Nature’s Blueprint for Smart Materials00:14:13 - Biotech Meets National Security: A Strategic Frontier00:25:23 - Building Tomorrow’s Scientists: Starting with Kids00:26:09 - Sparking Curiosity in the Next Generation00:27:00 - Science in Motion: Dodge Ball & Discovery00:27:53 - Resurrecting the Past: Biodiversity Through Time00:30:01 - Tackling the Grand Challenges in Biomanufacturing00:32:02 - From Bench to Nation: Scaling U.S. Biotech00:36:03 - Mining, Carbon & Clean Tech: A Greener Path00:38:42 - The Future of Biofabrication: What Comes Next?00:40:53 - Angela’s Journey: Curiosity, Grit & What’s Ahead00:43:32 - Final Reflections: Science, Society & What Matters MostLinks and Resources:⁠NSCEBNSCEB REPORT: Charting the Future of Biotechnology GenspaceBen Lamm on Joe Rogan ExperienceScientists use synthetic biology to address urgent sustainability challengesThe Age of Living Machines by Susan Hockfield⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinoutsHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum sit down with Erika Milczek, CEO and founder of Curie Co, to explore how synthetic biology is rewriting the rules of modern chemistry. Erika, a former Merck chemist, shares her journey from Big Pharma to launching a biotech startup that engineers enzymes to replace legacy chemicals in personal care and consumer goods. With insights grounded in regulatory shifts, manufacturing scalability, and the power of directed evolution, Erika discusses how her team is building a “biotech alternative to petroleum-based chemistry.” Whether you're curious about enzyme engineering, bioindustrial startups, or how synthetic biology can drive sustainability in everyday products, this episode delivers a high-energy, deeply technical, and inspiring dive into the future of materials innovation.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to the Future: Setting the Stage00:00:22 - Juggling Labs, Life, and Launchpads00:01:27 - Terraforming Mars? Let’s Dream Big00:04:58 - Joe Rogan, Speciation, and Sci-Fi Tangents00:10:08 - Biotech Beauty Week: Innovation on Display00:14:13 - Meet Erika Milczek: Enzymes Over Everything00:33:03 - Feeding the Bug: The Spark Behind Discovery00:35:15 - Scaling Science: What Makes Commercialization Hard00:35:51 - Why Partnerships Make or Break Biotech00:38:02 - Following the Rules: Regulatory Shifts & Product Strategy00:42:48 - From the Lab to RTP: Building in Biotech's Backyard00:45:37 - Ecosystem First: How to Build Bio Economies00:50:01 - Fundraising Real Talk: Investors, Guts & Growth00:53:50 - Biomanufacturing Is Just Getting Started00:56:29 - Let’s Talk Packaging: Biotech’s Next Frontier00:59:52 - Wrapping Up: Lessons, Hope, and What’s NextLinks and Resources:Curie CoMars: One Day on the Red Planet (film)Marsbound by Joe Haldeman (book) The case for Mars terraforming research (Erika de Benedicts research paper)Ben Lamm on Joe Rogan ExperienceDire Wolf on the cover to Time MagazineSupplier's Day 2025 during Messaginglab's unofficial Biotech Beauty WeekCapsum - microfluidics contract manufacturingP2 company - conditioning agents⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinoutsHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum are joined by Dr. Ashley Beckwith, Founder & CEO of Foray Bioscience, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of biomaterials and the emerging role of plant culture in shaping it. Ashley unpacks how Foray is pioneering new approaches to growing materials directly from plant cells, redefining how we produce, restore, and preserve biological resources. The episode explores the untapped potential of plant culture in bioproduction, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity preservation when applied with care and intention. Ashley shares her path from growing up in Colorado to pursuing mechanical engineering and bioengineering, and how that interdisciplinary foundation ultimately led her to start Foray. Throughout the conversation, Ashley describes how Foray is building the foundational infrastructure for plant culture. The company develops core capabilities from the ground up and then partners with others to scale and specialize applications. This platform-based approach reflects Foray’s belief that unlocking the full potential of plant systems requires a collaborative ecosystem rather than the efforts of a single company.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:00:00:00 - Kicking Off with a Big Question: Can We Rebuild Nature from the Cell Up?00:00:15 - Summer Vibes and Bio Talk: Memorial Day Weekend Catch-Up00:00:46 - Synbio Beta Sparks: The Pulse of Next-Gen Biotech00:02:27 - Argentina to IndieBio: The Unstoppable Founders You Need to Know00:04:01 - Biotech Gets Corporate: The Rise of Strategic Venture Funds00:05:11 - Deal Flow & Discovery: HC Wainwright’s Biotech Bash00:08:18 - Brooklyn Bio Buzz: A Night Out with the Community00:10:24 - From the Explorers Club to Seed Vaults: Sci-Fi Meets Soil00:11:22 - Meet Dr. Asheley Beckwith: Engineering the Future of Fashion with Cells00:27:35 - Biology Meets Ecology: How Engineered Plants Could Aid Conservation00:30:12 - Sci-Fi to Soil: Fabricating Seeds for Extinct Ecosystems00:32:21 - The Wild Frontier: Overcoming the Barriers in Plant Cell Cultivation00:45:52 - Nature Meets Code: Using AI to Unlock the Secrets of Plants00:50:20 - Imagining Tomorrow: The Vision Behind ForayBio’s Living Materials00:51:50 - Full Circle: Final Reflections from the Edge of BiodesignLinks and Resources:⁠Foray BiosciencesSF500 (Argentinian Global Venture Fund)Syensqo Corporate Venture FundH.C. WainwrightUniversity of Vermont - Dr. Steve KellerUniversity of Maryland - Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinoutsHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

This lively recap dives into the highlights of SynBioBeta 2025. It features Drew Endy’s bold vision for localized manufacturing and the transformative role of AI in synthetic biology. The discussion touches on the intersection of biology and geopolitics, emphasizing how innovation can reshape the bioeconomy. Insights into immune system reprogramming and advancements in protein design showcase the potential of biomanufacturing. A focus on collaboration and the importance of community engagement rounds out the conversation, making for an inspiring listen.