BevNET's Taste Radio Podcast 🎧

Expo West 2026: Protein Dominates, But Flavor Decides Expo West 2026 made one thing clear: food and beverage brands are racing to add function, but the...

Protein dominated Expo West 2026, but flavor still drives decisions. Taste Radio examines protein’s rise across snacks and beverages, fiber’s quieter presence, and emerging categories including prebiotic sodas, jerky chips and date-based sweets.

She Built A ‘Nation’ Of Millions In CPG’s Toughest Category Nationwide Whole Foods distribution. A seven-figure DTC engine. A five-person team.In this episod...

B.T.R. Nation founder Ashley Nickelsen shares how focusing on velocity, using an omnichannel strategy, self-warehousing for margins, and ongoing creative testing drove retail success.

Is Big Food Catching Up To Startups? And, A Legend Signs Off. Is Big Food finally catching up to emerging brands on speed to market? As legacy CPG giants roll ...

Ray Latif, John Craven and Mike Schneider examine whether Big Food is keeping pace with startups in better-for-you products, discussing protein, fiber, branding, and trends in condiments and RTD coffee. The episode also marks Jacqui Brugliera’s final appearance.

Elevator Talk: Shyft Energy, Drink H2O, Psilly Goose, Kaviva, Pink Palm The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Elevator Tal...

On the latest Elevator Talk, Shyft Energy, Drink H2O, Psilly Goose, Kaviva and Pink Palm pitch their concepts and receive strategic feedback from Ray Latif and guest experts. Early-stage founders can apply for future episodes, held free and remotely.

The Tito’s of Snacks? How Mi Niña Is Building a Big Small Brand. After decades in fine dining, renowned restaurateur Jamie Mammano turned his attention to a new c...

Mi Niña founder Jamie Mammano explains on Taste Radio how prioritizing organic, small-batch quality and innovation over heavy marketing helped the snack brand grow to 7,000 stores following a pivotal Whole Foods meeting.

Expo West Is Pricey. Here’s How To Make It Pay Off. The real ROI of Expo West starts long before the show floor opens.In this episode, the team break...

Expo West isn’t cheap. How can emerging brands make it pay off? Taste Radio shares strategies to stand out at Natural Products Expo West 2026 and highlights insights from SuperPretzel, Hoplark, Accelerator and Hippie Energy.

They Backed Poppi. Now The Angel Group Wants to Back You. Behind nearly every breakout CPG brand is an early believer willing to write the first check.In t...

They backed Poppi. Now The Angel Group wants to back you. Adam Spriggs on 35 investments and what matters most—founder, velocity, COGS, price—and why “top-shelf” deals are rising. 📈

Episodes - Taste Radio BevNET’s Taste Radio podcast explores beverage, food and beer with the industries’ leaders, innovators and rising stars.

Once Upon a Farm’s $198M IPO and $724M valuation may signal a shift for better-for-you CPG brands as retailers increasingly debate how “healthy” products are defined and merchandised

Inside Bay State Milling’s Approach to Better-For-You Innovation In this Taste Radio interview, Ray Latif sits down with Jessica Wellnitz, Director of Business De...

How is Bay State Milling driving better-for-you innovation? Company leaders discuss functional ingredients, future-forward grains, strategy, science and market shifts on Taste Radio

Elevator Talk: Oh So Easy, BamJam, Mimi Cheng's, BUNKY The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Elevator Tal...

On Elevator Talk, founders of Oh So Easy, BamJam, Mimi Cheng’s and BUNKY pitch their brands to a panel of CPG experts, sharing how they plan to stand out with bold flavors and better-for-you innovation in a crowded market

Why Magic Spoon’s Product-First Strategy Drove Its Success Magic Spoon is proof that breaking the rules can be the smartest move in CPG.In this episode, co-...

On Taste Radio, Magic Spoon co-founder Gabi Lewis details how a product-first strategy drove growth, from EXO to cereal, including influencer seeding, DTC-focused expansion, and balancing taste with nutrition

Bachan’s $400M Exit Explained. And, A Wellness Crisis Unpacked. A $400 million exit and a reputational reckoning in wellness put this episode of Taste Radio on e...

Bachan’s $400M exit on Taste Radio 🎙️ Hosts examine Marzetti’s acquisition, Bachan’s CPG rise, a wellness crisis, and an interview with Solely’s Manish Amin.

The Secret To Scaling Cult Brands? It's All About The Sauce. They started with a cult following. Now they’re taking over the country.In this episode, Ari Raz,...

Scaling cult brands comes down to the sauce. Taste Radio features Ari Raz of The Coconut Cult on Target Minis and community-led growth, plus Starr Edwards on Bitchin’ Sauce’s expansion, new cookbook and first non-dip

Not Preaching, Just Better. A New Pitch For Moderation & Wellness. What if the future of wellness marketing is simply… not trying so hard? In this episode, the host...

On Taste Radio 🎙️: the shift from rigid wellness to balance, plus interviews with Kevin Klock (Orange Toucan) and Keegan Fong (Woon) on building authentic brands. 🍃

Elevator Talk: Flirt, Flying Ostrich, CHUH Matcha, SipSide, FreshWater Agua Frescas The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Flirt, Flyin...

Elevator Talk features founders from Flirt, Flying Ostrich, CHUH Matcha, SipSide & FreshWater Agua Frescas with rapid-fire pitches. 🎙️

Milk, Money & Momentum. Slate’s Rise & A Bay Area Buzz.

New episode from @bevnet's Taste Radio: Slate shows canned milk can win, landing $23M. Also: insights from a high-energy SF meetup with founders and industry vets. 🥛📈🌉
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

‘Whisper’ Success Into Existence. An Industry Icon Shows The Way.

New episode: The “Beverage Whisperer” Ken Sadowsky breaks down what separates breakout brands from burnout and what’s working (and not) in today’s drinks market. @bevnet 🎙️ 🥤
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Protein Is Everywhere. But Does It Belong Everywhere?

New episode from @bevnet: Protein is in everything, from popcorn to mashed potatoes. Are we hitting protein fatigue or a marketing-led macro trend? Plus a San Diego meetup recap. 💪🧪
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Elevator Talk: FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch, Nordic Tree Water

New @bevnet Taste Radio episode: Elevator Talk with FUZZEE, Rise Yaupon, Släcka, Lovely Bunch + Nordic Tree Water 🎙️ #CPG #ElevatorTalk
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

How Halfday Went From Dorm Room To Disrupting A $9B Category

New episode: Halfday co-founder on dorm-room to $9B iced tea—missteps, winning Whole Foods, and the last-minute call that led to funding. @bevnet 🍵🚀
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Chomps, Coffee & Cocktails. CPG’s Winners Are Culturally Relevant.

New episode from @bevnet Taste Radio: CPG winners, culture and capital. Highlights from Chicago, RTD coffee’s surge, and Nutrabolt’s $200M bet on Bloom. ☕📈 www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

‘Shameless’ CPG: Why William H. Macy Is All In On Woody Creek

New Taste Radio episode: William H. Macy on why he’s all in on Woody Creek—how a neighborhood deal became a national spirits brand at accessible prices. @bevnet 🎙️🥃
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Niche To National. The Brands Finding A Better Way To Scale.

New episode from @bevnet’s Taste Radio 🎧: From campuses to cannabis, how emerging CPGs scale. Inside Better Sour’s rapid retail growth (incl. a Sprouts-exclusive), Toom’s brand refresh from niche to national, plus the adaptogen overload dilemma. 🛒📈🧄🌿
www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Elevator Talk: Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya's Snacks, Elephant Green Chili Chutney The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya's Snacks and Elephant Green Chili Chutney. This week’s special co-host...

🚀 On this week’s Elevator Talk, visionary founders from Juicybite, Send Bars, Date Smarter, Keya’s Snacks & Elephant Green Chili Chutney share how they’re shaking up the CPG space. Special guest co-host: Food Biz Wiz’s Allison Ball 🎤

$90M & Surging. The Keys To Clio Snacks’ Scaling Strategy. How did Clio Snacks evolve from a homemade Greek yogurt bar created in a New Jersey garage into a national brand generating $90 million in annual sales? In this episode, company CEO John McGuckin shares...

From a NJ garage to $90M a year 💥
Clio Snacks CEO John McGuckin unpacks the brand’s explosive journey—from homemade Greek yogurt bars to national retail shelves. A must-listen for builders and dreamers 🧠🍫

www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...

Spindrift’s Shift & Seven-Figure Raises The hosts dissect Spindrift’s decision to discontinue its Spiked line and spotlight rising CPG stars Mooski and Painterland Sisters, each of which recently announced major funding rounds. They also...

Why did Spindrift ditch its Spiked line? We unpack the move, plus highlight big wins for Mooski and Painterland Sisters 💰🌱
Get the scoop on funding, flavor, and upcoming Taste Radio meetups in the U.S. and U.K. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

Why Brightland Said ‘No’ to Whole Foods – Twice – And Grew Anyway Aishwarya Iyer, the founder of premium olive oil and pantry staples company Brightland, built one of the fastest-growing premium CPG brands by doing what many startups overlook: putting product integrity,...

New episode 🎧 Brightland founder Aishwarya Iyer shares how saying no to Whole Foods—twice—helped build a premium CPG brand rooted in integrity, trust, and smart growth. @bevnet

Adapting To The Sober-Curious, Ozempic-Friendly Consumer While alcohol consumption is cooling, the battle between clean-label ingredients and high-protein performance foods is heating up. The hosts examine what’s driving these massive shifts in consumer behavior,...

While alcohol consumption is cooling, the battle between clean-label ingredients and high-protein performance foods is heating up 🔥 The hosts explore how brands like David, Crisp Power and Athletic Brewing are responding to major consumer shifts.
www.tasteradio.com/uncategorize...

Elevator Talk: Whole Moon, Solstice, Raya Fruit Water, Hawaiian Soda Co., Elixir Shots The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Whole Moon, Solstice, Raya Fruit Water, Hawaiian Soda Co. and Elixir Shots. This week’s special co-host is Allison...

🚀 On this week’s Elevator Talk, meet the founders behind Whole Moon, Solstice, Raya Fruit Water, Hawaiian Soda Co. & Elixir Shots — all sharing their visions for the future of CPG. Special co-host: Allison Ball of Food Biz Wiz.

Scaling Salt. The Makings Of An Iconic Cult Food Brand. Ben Jacobsen, founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., shares how an entrepreneurial journey that began with a few flakes of sea salt led him to creating one of the country’s most iconic artisanal food brands....

Ben Jacobsen, founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., reveals how a few flakes of sea salt sparked a journey to building one of the most iconic artisanal food brands 🧂💡
He shares how creativity and grit shaped his path from bootstrap to cult status.

www.tasteradio.com/episodes/202...