Double Take Podcast

Double Take Podcast

By Lauren StengerBusiness
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Double Take Podcast episodes

  • Velocity Made Good: Mike Mauzé on Growth Investing, the Consumer Product Space, and VMG Partners

    In this episode, Lauren speaks with Mike Mauzé , Co-Founder and General Partner of VMG Partners, a San Francisco–based private equity firm investing in category-defining consumer and tech brands like Spindrift, [solidcore], Sun Bum, and Drunk Elephant. Since its founding in 2005, VMG has completed more than sixty investments and recently closed Fund VI at $1 billion, marking its largest fund to date.


    Key topics discussed include:

    • Mike’s career journey from investment banking to pioneering growth equity before it was mainstream

    • The founding vision of VMG, built around values, collaboration, and authentic partnerships with entrepreneurs

    • The meaning behind “Velocity Made Good” and how it reflects the non-linear path of building brands

    • VMG’s investment philosophy, blending art and science to identify visionary founders and high-growth brands

    • Firm culture and individuality, and why authenticity is essential for building trust with entrepreneurs

    • The evolution of consumer marketing, from in-store demos to TikTok and influencer-driven channels

    • Lessons from decades in investing, including embracing mistakes and the value of continuous learning

    • Mike’s five-year cross-country bike journey, revisiting places from his life and career

    • Advice for young professionals, focusing on building a strong foundation before stepping into creative, opportunity-driven phases of a career


    More of VMG Partners: www.vmgpartners.com

    21 min
  • The Inside Scoop: Jeni Britton on the Art of Entrepreneurship

    In this episode, Jeni Britton founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Floura, shares her entrepreneurial journey from questioning rules as a kid to building companies that merge creativity, resilience, and purpose. She explains how thinking of ice cream as scent, story, and art helped her stand out, why creativity is really about doing more with less, and how constraints fuel innovation. Jeni also opens up about the importance of struggle in shaping entrepreneurs, the deep connection between scent, memory, and nostalgia, and how those ideas now carry into Floura, her new wellness brand turning produce trimmings into fiber-rich bars that support gut health and joy.

    39 min
  • Wellness Growth Ventures: Rachel Hirsch on the Intersection of Investing and Wellness

    In this episode, Lauren sits down with Rachel Hirsch, the founder of Wellness Growth Ventures, to explore the intersection of wellness and finance. Rachel shares her unique journey from Wall Street to wellness investing, and how she found a way to combine two passions that once seemed worlds apart.

    Rachel talks about her daily routines, wellness habits, and how writing helps her clarify ideas and stay creative. She opens up about the challenges of being a founder, the importance of building community, and why self-belief was a game-changer in her career. She also reflects on the future of wellness and what she hopes to build with her growing platform.

    Whether you're intrigued by venture capital, wellness trends, or simply looking for inspiration on aligning your career with your personal interests, this episode provides valuable insights and encouragement.

    22 min
  • Wellness That Sticks: Cedar Carter on Leading The Good Patch

    In this interview, Cedar, the CEO of The Good Patch, discusses the company's journey, the benefits and workings of wellness patches, and her personal career path from the fashion industry to the wellness industry. The Good Patch offers wearable wellness patches that deliver sustained benefits through the skin using premium, tested ingredients. Cedar shares her typical day managing the company, handling investor and partner relations, and balancing a busy life with personal wellness routines. She emphasizes the importance of finding partners with shared values and the evolving challenges of consumer goods marketing. Cedar reflects on how she finds fulfillment in her current role and the impact of the products on customers' lives. She offers advice on career choices, emphasizing passion and long-term fulfillment over initial financial gains.

    27 min
  • Profit with Purpose: Mary Jo Cook on Using Business as a Force for Good

    Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

  • Developing of GreenWorks, Clorox’s first eco-friendly product line

    How sustainability became a business strategy rather than just a corporate responsibility.

  • Fair Trade USA & Ethical Supply Chains:

  • The win-win-win model—helping farmers, businesses, and consumers make ethical choices.

  • Real stories of partnerships with Whole Foods, West Elm, and others to support fair wages and sustainable sourcing.

  • Leading Pacific Community Ventures (PCV) as CEO:

  • The business model of impact investing—lending money to small businesses that can’t access traditional bank loans.

  • How PCV provides mentorship, financial support, and job creation strategies for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

  • A shared success story of a small bakery owner who scaled from a home business to seven retail locations with PCV’s support.

    Advice for Young Professionals:

  • The importance of building transferable skills early in your career.

  • How networking and mentorship can open doors.

  • Finding a career that aligns with your values, whether in corporate sustainability, impact investing, or entrepreneurship.

    How Consumers Can Support Ethical Brands:

  • The role of Fair Trade, B Corporations, and sustainability certifications in making informed purchasing decisions.

  • Evaluating a company's commitment to multi-stakeholder capital


    • Listen to learn how businesses, entrepreneurs, and consumers can drive positive change!

    32 min
  • Firm Roots: Brian Nicholson on Red Jacket Orchards, Family, and Leadership

    Brian Nicholson and Lauren Stenger discuss...

    • The unique experience growing up as an identical twin and the evolution of that relationship throughout time


      • Insights on how being a twin impacted his
        • personality, social interactions, and even his professional life, particularly in their family business, Red Jacket Orchards


        • The history of Red Jacket Orchards, founded by his grandparents in 1958.


          • His personal journey, from deciding never to join the family business to ultimately playing a pivotal role in its transformation and growth


            • The importance of external personal development and the impact of advice from various mentors and coaches on their leadership and business decisions through navigating financial challenges, strategic pivots towards the beverage industry, and maintaining the core values of RJO


              • Reflections on the future of Red Jacket Orchards, the
                • potential involvement of the next generation, and the guest's gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to both the family legacy and the broader industry
                43 min
              • Nature Rx: Dr. Don Rakow on Biophilia, Nature-Deficit Disorder, & Nature's Healing Powers

                In this episode, Dr. Rakow and Lauren discuss...

                • Dr. Rakow's background and his lifelong fascination with nature.
                  • The biophilia hypothesis and the innate connection humans have with the natural world.
                    • The nature-deficit disorder and the consequences arising from young people's disconnection from nature.
                      • Phytoncides and how inhaling these compounds through our noses can reduce stress and boost our immune system.
                        • The benefits of spending time in nature, especially for improving attention span.
                          • The inception of Nature Rx.
                            • The importance of equitable access to nature, especially for underserved communities.
                              • Insights into the benefits of gardening, emphasizing how it teaches patience and resilience.
                                • Dr. Rakow's upcoming certification as a nature guide.
                                  • 28 min
                                • Ventures & Visions: Heesun Lho on Empowering Businesswomen, Mentorship, & the Gift of Our Student Years

                                  Episode Summary:

                                  • Heesun discusses her discovery of entrepreneurship at Stanford, emphasizing the importance of exploring various areas and being open to unexpected opportunities. She reflects on her role at BASES (Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students) and the valuable connections she made in Silicon Valley.
                                  • The conversation delves into Heesun's dedication to supporting female entrepreneurs, a mission she pursues at the Tory Burch Foundation. She shares how her experiences as an investor and founder have influenced her approach to empowering women in business.
                                  • The interview touches on the significance of mentors and Heesun's appreciation for the support network around her. She emphasizes the power of community and the value of learning from people around us.
                                  • Heesun also discusses her daily routines, highlighting the importance of flexibility and incorporating a balance between routine and adaptability. The conversation concludes with Heesun sharing a significant failure in her career and the lessons she learned from that experience. She encourages embracing failure as a valuable learning opportunity.
                                  • The episode closes with Heesun offering advice to current students, urging them to make meaningful connections, seek diverse experiences, and view failures as part of the learning process. She emphasizes the magical nature of being a student and the opportunities for growth and exploration during that time.
                                    • 29 min
                                  • Sweet Dreams: Matt Hassett on Loftie, the Wellness Industry, & Entrepreneurship

                                    Tune in to hear an insightful conversation with Matthew Hassett, the founder of Loftie, a revolutionary sleep company recognized in the Times Best Inventions of 2023.

                                    • Matt reveals the company's genesis in addressing the evolving challenges of excessive screen time and disrupted sleep patterns.

                                    • He then discusses the basics of good sleep and the impact of technology on our circadian rhythms. Learn how Loftie helps users establish consistent sleep routines and optimize their overall well-being.

                                    • Matt also opens up about his personal journey with wellness and the ironic difficulty of prioritizing personal health when running a wellness company.

                                    • Gain valuable insights into the science behind Loftie's design philosophy, where customer-centric thinking and human-centered design principles drive the creation of a distinctive aesthetic.

                                    • Matt reflects on his transition from the housing industry to the wellness industry, sharing lessons from his experience working in affordable housing and the motivations behind founding Loftie.

                                    • As the podcast concludes, Matt offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and perseverance. Lauren and Matt discuss Loftie's future plans, exciting product developments, and the company's vision for the next few years.

                                    29 min
                                  • Dr. Kaylee Kruzan on Digital Mental Health Interventions Among Adolescents

                                    Dr. Kruzan and Lauren Stenger discuss Dr. Kruzan's main research focuses within the mental health space of non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents.

                                    They also discuss...

                                    • Maintaining her own mental health and staying inspired when working with vulnerable patients.
                                    • The potential benefits and risks of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence with mental health interventions.
                                    • One of Dr. Kruzan's most impactful studies.
                                    • The developmental process of her upcoming app for young adults engaging in self-injury.
                                    • The importance of finding balance on social media and knowing when to take a digital detox.
                                    • Where she would like to see the mental health field in 5-10 years in regard to insurance coverage, better incorporation of peer support groups for self-injury, and increasing the "support for those who support".
                                      • 27 min

                                    About Double Take Podcast

                                    From the publisher's feed

                                    A Collection of Conversations with Changemakers: Hosting conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts in various fields (Health & Wellness, Investing, Social Impact, Psychology, and…