Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Karl and Erum revisit their energetic and unfiltered recap of SynBioBeta 2024. With candid reflections on the conference and the broader synthetic biology ecosystem, they spotlight key trends including the rise of accessible community bio labs, decentralized events like the Biopunk gathering, and the convergence of deep tech and culture. This is not your average event recap—it's a tour through the evolving architecture of the bioeconomy, from the mainstream to the fringes. Whether you missed the event or want to relive the highlights, this episode captures the pulse of where biotech is heading.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 Back! Why This Replay Matters00:00:14 - SynBioBeta 2024: The Moments That Blew Our Minds00:01:40 - The Biopunk Underground: Bio for All, No Badge Required00:03:11 - Serendipity, Old Friends & Building the SynBio Tribe00:05:43 - Black Mirror or Just the Future? Wild Tech at the Edge of Medicine00:08:04 - AI-Generated Soundtracks & the New Synesthetic Biology00:12:16 - Brewing Bio at Home: DIY Fermentation, Micro-Growth & More00:16:05 - SynBioBeta 2025 Teasers & The AI Takeover of Bio Design00:25:26 - When Space Meets Biomanufacturing: New Frontiers in Orbit00:33:12 - From Mycelium to Mind Expansion: The Psychedelic Thread00:42:08 - Big Names, Bigger Bets: Who Showed Up and Why It Matters00:42:43 - L’Oréal Goes Biotech: The Beauty of Strategic Collabs00:44:31 - Are You a Platform or a Product? The Debate That Won’t Die00:46:48 - Where the Money Is: What Investors Really Want in 202500:51:28 - How to Crush a Conference (Without Burning Out)00:55:01 - CEO Power Lunches and Glowing Plants: Yes, Really00:59:46 - When Bioluminescence Meets Culture: Awe, Meaning & Light01:06:16 - Heroes, Hacks, and the People Moving Bio Forward01:09:33 - Swag, Specimens & Scenes from the Expo Hall01:15:28 - Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Bio RevolutionLinks and Resources:MessaginglabBiopunk Lab What Are Binaural Beats?Genspace ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, synbiobeta, recaps, black mirror, functional musicHave 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

Erum and Karl break down a concept they've lived and breathed—but rarely spelled out: orchestration. If you're building a startup in synthetic biology or advanced materials, this is a must-listen deep dive into how influence is built before your product lands or your funding closes. They pull back the curtain on how to create "value chain syndicates," why intros aren’t just intros, and how real biotech momentum comes from aligning stakeholders across an entire ecosystem—not just impressing one customer.Taped just ahead of SynBioBeta 2025, this episode crackles with tactical wisdom, from designing credibility scaffolds to creating the conditions for inbound interest before traditional biz dev ever kicks in. Orchestration, they argue, is the true differentiator in biotech's current era—more critical than science alone.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 – Gearing Up: SynBioBeta Buzz and Real-World Prep00:02:18 – Why Orchestration Is Biotech’s Unspoken Superpower00:05:25 – What’s Really Blocking Biotech from Breaking Through?00:08:10 – K18 Hair: A Masterclass in Vertical Bio-Play00:10:09 – Ecosystem Marketing: The Influence Strategy No One Talks About00:16:15 – How to Engineer Ecosystems That Actually Work00:22:20 – What’s Peaking in Biotech? Trends You Can’t Ignore00:27:08 – The Orchestration Era: Your Next Move Starts NowLinks and Resources:MessaginglabNational Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology's Report: Charting the Future of Biotechnology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, value chain orchestration, supply chains, supply networks, ecosystem building, ecosystem marketing, influencing, business development, strategyHave 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 reconnect with Eben Bayer, Board Chair at MyForest Foods, for a compelling follow-up conversation on the evolution of mycelium-based food products. Eben dives deep into the scaling journey of MyBacon, a plant-based bacon alternative created through solid-state fermentation using gourmet mushroom mycelium. From early experiments producing just six packs a week to now operating at multiple farms across North America and Europe, Eben outlines the technical, economic, and operational hurdles his team has overcome. Listeners will discover how MyForest Foods is pioneering a distributed, farm-based manufacturing model and why MyBacon is outpacing pork bacon in select markets. If you're curious about biomaterials, novel fermentation tech, or the practical future of sustainable food systems, this episode offers a front-row seat to the revolution.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 - Liftoff! Imagining the Future with Space Elevators00:00:15 - Back in Action: Your Favorite Bio-Futurists Return00:00:31 - Erum’s Arctic Escape: Sauna Talks & Synbio Dreams00:02:27 - Biotech Bonding: Unexpected Encounters in the North00:04:39 - From Lava Fields to Lab Ideas: Iceland Inspires00:04:48 - Travel Hack: How ChatGPT Became Our Digital Tour Guide00:06:59 - Survival, Science & Synbio: Adventures at the Edge00:09:37 - Deep Dive: Oceans, Algae & the Blue Carbon Breakthrough00:12:29 - Enter Eben Bayer: Mycelium Magic and Fungi Futures00:24:22 - Farming the Future: A Global Mycelium Network Emerges00:25:13 - Teaming Up: Mycelium Hits the Mainstream Food Scene00:26:30 - Eco-Revolution: Why Fungi Might Just Save the Planet00:27:52 - What’s Next? The Tasty Future of Bio-Engineered Foods00:29:35 - Fungi Meets Firmware: Mycelium, Tech & the Rise of Bio-AI00:30:51 - From Farm to Factory: The Scale-Up Challenge Conquered00:32:41 - Off-World Growth: Mycelium and the Final Frontier00:38:30 - Wrap-Up: Big Ideas, Bold Futures, and What’s Coming NextLinks and Resources:MyForest FoodsEcovativeHotdogJudge on InstagramExtremophiles on Mars: One group of living   things that may be able to survive these extreme conditions is lichens,Blue Carbon documentary- carbon dioxide that is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in the ocean. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, mycelium, biomaterials, ecovative, bacon, mycelium bacon, plant based foods. 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 welcome back Dr. John Cumbers—founder of SynBioBeta and Biological Enlightenment Studios—to dive deep into the transformative power of synthetic biology. From designing personalized proteins and sustainable materials to programming life for space exploration, John unpacks why synthetic biology could be the defining technology of our century. The conversation spans the central dogma, programmable cells, AI-designed genomes, and even the ethics of growing brainless human clones. With themes ranging from planetary health to Pixar-style science storytelling, this episode offers a biologically enlightened vision of a future where we grow everything—from meat to materials to machines.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 Club: The Biologically Enlightened Begin00:00:26 – Biotech Meets Copenhagen: Global R&D, Beer, and Bold Ideas00:01:53 – AI Roasts, Inside Jokes, and the Business of Podcasting00:04:00 – Dire Wolves, CRISPR, and the Wild World of De-Extinction00:09:49 – Microscopes, Microbes, and the Future of Biotech Gaming00:12:14 – Enter John Cumbers: Mastermind of Synthetic Biology00:31:22 – Hyperscale Biology: AI-Bio Collisions at the Frontier00:32:16 – From Intimidation to Innovation: Embracing AI in the Lab00:34:24 – Beyond the Hype: AI, Quantum, and the Bio Black Box00:36:13 – Remixing Life Itself: Non-Canonical Amino Acids Take the Stage00:41:50 – From Niche to Mainstream: Biotech’s Cultural Awakening00:45:12 – Rewriting the Future: Bio Strategies for a Greener Planet00:48:39 – Too Radical to Fail? Brain Swaps and Body Clones00:54:05 – SynBioBeta 2025: The Party, The Panels, The Possibilities00:56:58 – What We Learned: Final Reflections and Nerdy JoyLinks and Resources:Synbiobeta (Listen to this episode for a special discount to attend! You're welcome ;))Common Side EffectsTime Magazine Cover of Colossal De-extincting the dire wolfDehli’s laptop repair marketOsmos Video Game⁠Topics Covered: synbio, conferences, biotech, community, AI in bio, space biotech, biotech education, biotech edutainment. 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

What if you could grow health-boosting compounds—not in fields, but in bioreactors—using the power of plant cells? In this episode, Karl and Erum sit down with Ilan Sobel, CEO of BioHarvest, to explore how the company is reshaping biotech, nutraceuticals, and biomanufacturing. From leveraging botanical synthesis to create highly bioavailable compounds like piceid resveratrol, to scaling sustainable DTC operations that rival software margins, Ilan reveals how BioHarvest is closing the gap between nature, science, and commerce. Hear how this Coca-Cola veteran is building a biological infrastructure poised to disrupt pharma, food, and beyond—one cell at a time.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 Biotech That Prints Money00:00:21 - $9 Trillion Vanishes: Markets, Mayhem, and Monday Mood00:00:36 - Brooklyn Birthdays, Bio Buzz & Citizen Scientists Unite00:02:24 - Tariffs, Pharma, and the Future of Drug Supply Chains00:04:20 - Reddit Rabbit Holes and Underrated Science That Could Change Everything00:06:49 - Pharma’s Dirty Secret: Why Cures Don’t Always Win00:09:39 - Meet Ilan Sobel: From Coca-Cola Exec to Biotech World-Changer00:19:13 - What the Heck Is Botanical Synthesis? (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)00:26:46 - Tiny Footprint, Massive Impact: Economics That Would Make Silicon Valley Jealous00:29:02 - How a Grape Cell Became the King of Blood Flow Supplements00:35:09 - Why Longevity Starts with Blood, Not Kale00:37:32 - The Secret Sauce Behind Supplements That Actually Work00:38:55 - How BioHarvest Orchestrated a Biotech Masterpiece00:40:20 - From Plant Cells to Profit: Scaling Biotech Like a Pro00:43:10 - Open Sourcing the Future: CDMO Deals with Global Impact00:48:47 - Making Sweeteners Smarter (And Actually Tasty)00:51:35 - Building the Tesla of Biomanufacturing—Globally00:57:39 - What’s Next for BioHarvest? Legacy, Longevity, and Global ScaleLinks and Resources:BioHarvestVinia.comPwC’s US Tariff Industry Analysis – Pharmaceutical, Life Science, and Medical DeviceReddit: Scientific Ideas that haven’t gotten enough tractionCommon Side Effects (tv series)Genesis Machine (book)Topics Covered: biomanufacturing, botanical cellular synthesis, plant biology, phytonutrients, sweet proteins,  distributed biomanufacturing, direct to consumer biotechHave 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 of Grow Everything, Karl and Erum dive deep into the transformative world of biomanufacturing with Molly Morse, CEO and Co-founder of Mango Materials. Molly shares how her team is using methane—one of the most potent greenhouse gases—as a feedstock to create PHAs, a class of biodegradable bioplastics. From wastewater treatment partnerships to collaboration with brands like Allbirds and Stella McCartney, Mango Materials is setting a new standard in sustainable innovation. The conversation spans synthetic biology, microbial fermentation, the challenges of scaling, and even bioplastics in space. If you're passionate about circular economies, advanced materials, or cutting-edge climate tech, this episode is 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 - Kicking Things Off: Weekend Tales & Seal Surprises00:00:36 - A Shiny Seal, Beach Drama & Wildlife Wisdom00:02:51 - AI is Basically Michael Scott… And That’s a Good Thing00:04:40 - Can We Trust World Leaders Taking Advice from ChatGPT?00:07:44 - AI That Talks Back: Selling Smarter with Conversational Tech00:09:35 - Muscles Made in a Lab? Welcome to the Future of Biology00:12:36 - Molly Morse Joins: Turning Methane into Magic with Mango Materials00:29:33 - Waste to Wealth: How Municipal Methane Becomes a Revenue Stream00:30:16 - From Landfills to Livestock: Where the Methane Goldmine Is00:31:33 - Scaling Science: The Real Talk Behind Biomanufacturing Challenges00:33:47 - Zero Gravity, Big Ideas: Mango’s Mission in Space00:38:34 - From Microbes to Market: Scaling PHA Pellet Production00:46:11 - What Does “Biodegradable” Really Mean? Let’s Break It Down00:51:35 - Big Picture: What’s Next for Mango Materials and Biotech InnovationLinks and Resources:Mango MaterialsMichael Scott Guide to AI TerminologiesEngineered Muscles That Move Like the Real Thing? MIT Just Made It HappenProtoclone: Bipedal Musculoskeletal Android V1 by Clone RoboticsMango Materials Zero G Experience on G-Force One to test fermentation on a membrane-based bioreactor system in weightlessnessTopics Covered: biomanufacturing, biomaterials, greenhouse gas, waste to value, biopolymersHave 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 Daniel Goodwin, co-founding Director of Homeworld Collective alongside his friend and collaborator Paul Reginato. Together, they explore how to build resilient, values-aligned infrastructure for a flourishing bioeconomy—beyond the venture model.From climate biotech to systems thinking, Daniel shares how Homeworld Collective is more than just a network—it's an emergent, mycelial community focused on care, collaboration, and collective intelligence. The conversation weaves through everything from the limits of "techno-solutionism" to the power of story in science, and the need to design not just tools, but the conditions for innovation to thrive.If you’re thinking about the future of biotech, and how culture, community, and infrastructure intersect to make it real—this episode is 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 the Biofuture: Erum and Karl kick things off in full grind mode.00:00:16 – Biotech Boom Times: Why the field never sleeps (and neither do the hosts).00:01:01 – Inside the AI Emergence Summit: Smell farms, AGI hype, and real talk on moats.00:03:21 – DIY Healthcare with AI: What happens when you feed your genome to a chatbot?00:05:35 – Can AI Decode Biology? Drug discovery and the limitations of human cognition.00:07:49 – Mammoths, Models & Media: Colossal Biosciences and the narrative power of science.00:11:32 – Meet Daniel Goodwin: Systems thinker, community builder, biotech whisperer.00:12:03 – On George Church: The unintentional influence that shaped Homeworld's DNA.00:18:07 – What Is Homeworld Collective? Building more than a Slack—building a system.00:20:47 – Imagining the Next Bio Era: Biotech’s renaissance as culture, not just tech.00:26:52 – Idea Porn & Biotech Fiction: When storytelling shapes science (and vice versa).00:29:54 – Collaborating with Biology: Designing with, not against, nature’s blueprint.00:30:07 – Rivers as Systems: What infrastructure can learn from ecosystems.00:30:54 – Biomanufacturing Is Hard: Real talk on what it takes to scale with biology.00:32:08 – Carbon Capture, Naturally: Biodesign, fermentation, and the future of CO₂.00:33:45 – Biosecurity + Ethics: Guardrails, governance, and growing with intention.00:41:18 – Prototype Like a Scientist: What biotech can borrow from product design.00:49:07 – Cleaning Up Chemistry: Synbio’s role in reshaping industrial pollution.00:52:46 – Looking Ahead: Final reflections, future infrastructure, and quiet revolutions.Links and Resources:Homeworld CollectiveThe Climate Biotech PodcastKarl and Erum on the Climate Biotech PodcastAI Circle Osmo.AIDoctors Told Him He Was Going to Die. Then A.I. Saved His Life.Colossal BiosciencesHoping to revive mammoths, scientists create 'woolly mice'George Church episode, interviewed by Homeworld CollectiveNeuroscience Needs Hackers, Scientific American Liquid Trees A Natural History of the Future: What the Laws of Biology Tell Us about the Destiny of the Human Species by Robb DunnTopics Covered: climate biotech, George Church, Churchian Juxtaposition, idea porn, genetic engineering, geo biotech, environmental engineering, Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: Nihilore

Erum and Karl dive into the fascinating world of the skin microbiome with Natalie Enslow, CEO and co-founder of Fjor. Natalie shares her journey from marketing to biotech, explaining how her brand is revolutionizing skincare by embracing the power of beneficial bacteria. She discusses the importance of microbial diversity, the challenges of launching a biotech-driven skincare brand, and how Fjor's enzyme-powered formulations are designed to support rather than replace the skin’s natural microbiome. The conversation also touches on the future of gender-neutral skincare, the intersection of biotech and entrepreneurship, and why the beauty industry needs a serious science-backed shake-up.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 World of Skin Microbiomes!00:00:14 – Erum & Karl Reunite: Travel Tales and Jet Lag00:00:46 – From Panama to London: Adventures and Insights00:02:28 – Why We Started Grow Everything – A Podcast for the Bioeconomy00:02:44 – The Bioeconomy Boom: What’s Next for Biotech?00:04:26 – RFK Jr.’s Mission to Ban Food Dyes—Science or Politics?00:07:08 – Who Owns Your Genetic Data? The Debate Heats Up00:10:43 – Meet Natalie Enslow: The Biotech Innovator Changing Skincare00:13:00 – Culture, Science & Skincare: The Nordic Philosophy Behind Fjor​00:17:00 – Why Your Skin’s Microbiome Is in Crisis (and How to Fix It)​00:23:00 – Convincing Family: How Natalie’s Mom Became a Believer​00:25:00 – Too Many Choices? How Fjor Cuts Through the Skincare Noise​00:27:27 – Gender-Neutral Branding: Why Fjor Is Breaking Beauty Norms00:28:45 – Luxury Meets Science: Natalie’s Background in High-End Marketing00:30:33 – TikTok’s Influence on Biotech: How Fjor Uses Social Media to Educate00:33:29 – What’s Next? The Future of Fjor’s Skincare Innovations00:35:54 – Raising Capital & Building a Dream Team in Biotech00:41:47 – Women in Biotech: Challenges, Wins, and Breaking Barriers00:44:31 – The Future of Skincare: Trends in Biotech Beauty00:49:58 – Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways & Final ThoughtsLinks and Resources:Fjor -  science-backed microbiome  skincare. Order today!Who gets ownership of useful genetic data? (Ars Technica)Connect with Natalie on LinkedInTopics Covered: biomanufacturing, biotech startups, biotech investing, biomanufacturing pilot plants, Houston economic development, synbioHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: Nihilore

Karl and Erum sit down with Veronica Breckenridge, founder of First Bight Ventures, to discuss how the convergence of biology and technology is driving the biggest innovations of the 21st century. Drawing from her deep tech background, including her time at Apple, Veronica explores rapid advancements in genome sequencing, AI-driven biotech, and the vast untapped potential of microbes, emphasizing why now is the time to harness biology to tackle global challenges in health, nutrition, sustainability, and manufacturing. From synthetic biology startups to biomanufacturing at scale, this episode delves into the future of biomaterials and how venture capital can accelerate the next wave of biotech breakthroughs—making it a must-listen for anyone interested in scaling biotech innovations, investing in the bioeconomy, or exploring the intersection of computation and biology.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 - How Biology is Moving Faster Than Moore’s Law00:00:17 - Checking In from Panama00:00:42 - Exploring Panama City’s Biotech Potential00:01:26 - A Futuristic Robot Massage Experience00:02:11 - Reflecting on International Women's Day00:02:40 - Networking with Women in Biotech in Brooklyn00:05:27 - Inside the Merck Digital Sciences Studio Event00:06:19 - Breakthroughs Shaping the Future of Drug Development00:07:15 - The Biggest Hurdles for Startups in Pharma00:16:20 - A Deep Dive with Veronica Breckenridge00:30:41 - Why Manufacturability Matters in Biotech00:31:28 - The Role of Research and Pilot Facilities00:33:48 - How Scientific Founders Can Accelerate Their Business00:35:25 - Houston’s Rising Status in Biomanufacturing00:39:12 - The Power of Collaboration and Mentorship00:43:04 - What It Takes to Scale and Commercialize Biotech Innovations00:48:12 - First Bight Ventures’ Approach to Investing in the Bioeconomy00:51:26 - Building the Biotech Ecosystem & What’s Coming Next00:54:28 - Final Advice for Startups Looking to ScaleLinks and Resources:First Bight Ventures  Biowell - nonprofit acceleratorThe Machine That Changed the World (book)Cemvita (company)  / Grow Everything Episode with CEO Moji KarimiIndustrial Microbes (company) / Grow Everything Episode with CEO Noah HelmanTopics Covered: biomanufacturing, biotech startups, biotech investing, biomanufacturing pilot plants, Houston economic development, synbioHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: Nihilore

Karl and Erum sit down with Massimo Portincaso, founder of Arsenale BioYards, to discuss the urgent need to rethink how we scale biomanufacturing. Massimo shares why today’s approach to industrial biotech—modeled after biopharma—is fundamentally flawed and how Arsenale is flipping the script. From nature co-design to AI-driven strain selection, he lays out a bold vision for scaling bio-based production in a way that is economically viable and industrially scalable. If you care about the future of precision fermentation, sustainable materials, and the bioeconomy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!Learn more at www.messaginglab.com/groweverythingLinks and Resources:Arsenale BioyardsFarm.OneCommon Side Effects (TV series)Nature Co-Design reportGenomatica aka GenoOfficinae Bio (now Maravai Life Sciences)"Scaling Cells, Dreaming Big: The Biomanufacturing Cloud with Synonym’s Edward Shenderovich" Topics Covered: Biomanufacturing, bioreactors, downstream processing, upstream processing, bioengineering, bioeconomy, italian biotech Have a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553Instagram  / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow EverythingEmail: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media