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Welcome back to The Curious Consumer! In our weekly podcast, we break down the latest news in consumer brands and retail. This week features some of the most controversial news we’ve covered yet (with our unfiltered, hot takes to boot).

Our Express Checkout newsletter subscribers know: we had a whole lot more news to share in writing this week, too. To get a full breakdown of all consumer goods + retail news, make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter, Express Checkout.

And as always, thank you for listening!!! Your support means so much to us :)Timeline

00:00 Intro

01:54 The controversial new kids’ skincare brand

09:48 Monster’s new energy drink “for women”

14:29 The rise of new energy drinks

23:25 Whole Foods and Amazon get cozier

32:11 PepsiCo’s new dye-free products

39:40 Outro

🎧 Love the show? Subscribe to The Curious Consumer wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop weekly.

📧 Get the inside scoop Subscribe to Express Checkout, our newsletter packed with consumer insights, trends, and exclusive content straight to your inbox. Sign up at expresscheckout.co

📱 Let’s connect! Follow us for behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and more:

* Instagram: @expresscheckout

💬 Join the conversation Have a product you’re curious about? DM us your questions or drop them in the comments—your topic could be featured in our next episode!

⭐ Help us grow If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other curious consumers find us!

🎯 Got a minute? Share this episode with a friend who’s always reaching for that energy drink. They might learn something that surprises them!

We are SO excited to share that this episode was sponsored by our friends at Glimpse!

Glimpse is offering brands 30 days FREE plus a 12-month lookback at their deductions to see where they could’ve saved $. Getting started is super easy—onboarding takes 15 minutes with a specialist. No CC or complicated forms required (love to hear it).

On this week’s episode of The Curious Consumer, we’re talking…

* Why branded produce is the next big thing (re: Fruitist’s massive raise)

* Two secretly sustainable celeb products

* Recess’s $30M raise and what it says about functional bev

* Bryan Johnson turning us all into suckers

* …and more.

If you enjoyed this episode, consider tossing us a like, subscribe, or share it with your friends :) It seriously means the world to us!!!

And as always, if you have thoughts to share (or want to sponsor an episode or newsletter 👀), shoot us an email at [email protected] and [email protected]

Welcome back to The Curious Consumer! In our (now) weekly episode, we break down the latest news in consumer brands and retail. Today, we get into:

* Why your dog is probably eating better than you

* Culture Pop x Noah Kahan

* Why plant-based alternatives aren’t working right now

* The new brand in teen personal care

* Bon Jovi’s son’s new brand incubator

* The brand reinventing car freshener

* The food insecurity crisis facing America (and how retailers are responding)

Please consider donating to Feeding America to help those impacted by the pause in SNAP and WIC benefits: https://give.feedingamerica.org/kTIc6StdKUebxV-HOloYVQ2

And as always, thank you for listening!!! Your support means so much to us as we grow this pod :)

🎧 Love the show? Subscribe to The Curious Consumer wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop every week

📧 Get the inside scoop Subscribe to Express Checkout, our newsletter packed with consumer insights, trends, and exclusive content straight to your inbox. Sign up at expresscheckout.co

📱 Let’s connect! Follow us for behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and more:

* Instagram: @expresscheckout

💬 Join the conversation Have a product you’re curious about? DM us your questions or drop them in the comments—your topic could be featured in our next episode!

⭐ Help us grow If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other curious consumers find us!

🎯 Got a minute? Share this episode with a friend who’s always reaching for that energy drink. They might learn something that surprises them!

Hello hello! We’re excited to test out a new format on the pod :) Every Monday, we share the previous week’s biggest news in consumer + retail in our newsletter, Express Checkout. Now, we’re bringing that newsletter to life—walking through each Monday edition on the pod. This week, we chat about:

* Gen Z males’ new fragrance obsession

* The latest protein-infused products (protein Pop-Tarts and Barebells’ protein soda)

* Supplement brands entering Target

* OpenAI’s partnerships with retailers

* Chobani’s latest funding round and expansion efforts

See you next week!

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:00 Male + Gen Z Fragrance Trends

13:04 Protein Pop-Tarts

17:13 Barebells’ Protein Soda

21:30 Target Supplement Launches

24:17 Retailers Partnering with OpenAI

26:34 Live Shopping with E.L.F Cosmetics

28:49 Chobani’s Growth

32:26 Mammoth Brands’ Expanding Portfolio

34:16 Conclusion

Welcome back to another episode of The Curious Consumer!

This is our part 2 episode of our dive into protein. If you haven’t watched our first one, you can check that out here!

Protein isn’t just for bodybuilders anymore. It’s everywhere. It’s in your cereal, your ice cream, even your condiments. I know. 🥣🍦🥨

This week on The Curious Consumer, we’re diving deep into the “protein-ification” of America. From wild grocery store finds to hot takes from real listeners, we’re breaking down why everyone’s obsessed, what’s actually healthy, and which trends might be here to stay.

💬 Is protein a trend, a bubble, or the new normal?

👀 Are you team “protein in everything” or “just give me the real thing”?

In this episode you’ll learn about:

🥣 How protein-packed products are taking over every aisle, from cereal to ice cream

🧬 Some science (and myths) behind protein claims and labeling

🍦 The rise of high-protein snacks, drinks, and even condiments

💪 Why “baddies are eating like rottweilers” and what that says about wellness culture

🤔 Hot takes from real listeners on whether protein is a trend, a bubble, or here to stay

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro and Welcome

02:35 Brief Background and History of Protein

07:35 Exploring Protein Product Categories

08:49 Cereal Category Deep Dive

12:37 Pasta and Alternative Grains

17:18 Ice Cream and Frozen Products

19:06 Beverages and RTD Products

33:22 Hot Takes from Listeners

33:23 Consumer Hot Takes and Opinions

47:33 Future Trends and Market Predictions

56:12 Marketing Claims and Consumer Education

01:01:20 Product Quality and Taste Considerations

01:04:37 Wrap Up and Contact Information

🎧 Love the show? Subscribe to The Curious Consumer wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop every week

📧 Get the inside scoop Subscribe to Express Checkout, our newsletter packed with consumer insights, trends, and exclusive content straight to your inbox. Sign up at expresscheckout.co

📱 Let’s connect! Follow us for behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and more:

* Instagram: @expresscheckout

💬 Join the conversation Have a product you’re curious about? DM us your questions or drop them in the comments—your topic could be featured in our next episode!

⭐ Help us grow If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other curious consumers find us!

🎯 Got a minute? Share this episode with a friend who’s always reaching for that energy drink. They might learn something that surprises them!

Checkout some of the articles and resources we used!

* Drew Gooden’s video

* Research paper on social media usage leading to increased protein intake

* Vasa’s article on Protein bars:

* Fred Hart’s post on Costco being THE protein dealer.

Welcome back to another episode of The Curious Consumer!

Today we’re talking about the hottest topic right now…..PROTEIN.

Let’s get one thing straight: protein isn’t just a trend. It’s a fundamental part of our nutrition, and it’s been essential long before it started trending on social media. Whether you’re an athlete, a busy parent, or just someone trying to eat a little healthier, protein plays a crucial role in how our bodies function and feel.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

🧬 What protein actually is (and why it matters)

📜 The history of protein, from its 19th-century discovery to today

🍫 The first protein bars and early protein products

💪 How bodybuilding and diet culture shaped the protein industry

🏪 Big brand acquisitions and current market trends

🔮 Insights on the future of protein in our daily diets

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts with us!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Protein Craze

00:35 The Ubiquity of Protein in Modern Products

03:28 Historical Context of Protein

08:56 The Rise of Protein Isolates

12:37 Bodybuilding and Protein Supplements

17:30 Fitness Boom and Protein Products

19:57 Nostalgia for Early Protein Bars

21:29 Evolution of Protein Bars in the 2000s

22:07 The Rise of Protein as a Hero Ingredient

22:39 Major Acquisitions in the Protein Market

23:42 Iconic Brands and Candy Replacements

24:35 Diet Culture and Protein Messaging

25:18 Quest and Halo Top Era

26:44 The Proteinization of Foods

32:02 Big Bets in the Late 2010s

36:58 The Role of GLP-1 in the Protein Boom

38:46 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

🎧 Love the show? Subscribe to The Curious Consumer wherever you get your podcasts! New episodes drop every week

📧 Get the inside scoop Subscribe to Express Checkout, our newsletter packed with consumer insights, trends, and exclusive content straight to your inbox. Sign up at expresscheckout.co

📱 Let’s connect! Follow us for behind-the-scenes content, quick tips, and more:

* Instagram: @expresscheckout

💬 Join the conversation Have a product you’re curious about? DM us your questions or drop them in the comments—your topic could be featured in our next episode!

⭐ Help us grow If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It helps other curious consumers find us!

🎯 Got a minute? Share this episode with a friend who’s always reaching for that energy drink. They might learn something that surprises them!

Energy drinks are for the girls: a deep dive into the drink that's all of a sudden everywhere!

In this episode of 'The Curious Consumer,' hosts Nate and Jenna explore the evolving energy drink market, discussing everything from nostalgic brands like Red Bull and Monster to newcomers like Celsius and Bloom. They delve into historical origins, from Japan's early energy tonics to Red Bull's global dominance, and highlight current trends such as lower caffeine options, natural ingredients, and gendered marketing. Listeners will also learn about recent industry acquisitions, emerging ingredients, and predictions for the future of energy drinks. The episode ends with a teaser for the next discussion on the commodification of sleep.

00:00 Introduction

02:24 Seasonal Products and Pumpkin Spice

06:13 Current News: Starbucks Protein Cold Foam Launch

08:45 Current News: Erewhon Coming to New York

16:53 History of Energy Drinks

22:42 The Rise of Celsius

25:52 Marketing Energy Drinks to Women

35:19 New Trends in Energy Drinks

45:12 The Future of Energy Drinks

49:04 Closing Thoughts

Here we are—our first-ever podcast!!! After yapping via written word for almost 3 years, it’s time to go verbal (visual?) with our new pod, The Curious Consumer.

In our ~ inaugural ~ episode of The Curious Consumer podcast, we partake in a fun yap sesh about consumer habits, wellness trends, and the coolest (weirdest?) new consumer products.

Expect a good hearty convo on the behind-the-scenes of trade shows, the wild world of manly cereals, the rise of wellness sections in major retailers like Target, and a preview into the topics we want to cover in future episodes. Whether you're a curious consumer or industry insider, you’ll find something to nerd out over with us on this episode—or, at least, you’ll get a good giggle out of two non-podcast people attempting to podcast.

Be sure to follow us on social media

@expresscheckout on IG

Timeline

00:00 Introduction to The Curious Consumer Podcast

00:19 Discussing the Concept of Consumerism

01:20 Exploring the Natural Products Expo

05:04 Podcast Structure and Content Overview

05:59 Caffeinated Potato Chips Debate

08:02 Fly by Jing's Exciting New Collaboration

10:00 Built Puff's New Sour Flavors

13:26 Man Cereal

20:04 Ulta's Expansion into Wellness Products

21:06 Retailers Expanding Wellness Sections

21:34 Defining Wellness: A Retail Perspective

22:14 The Dilution of Wellness Products

23:37 The Struggles of OG Wellness Brands

28:31 Ulta and Target's Partnership

30:24 The Impact of Inflation and Competition on Target

36:24 The Future of Wellness Products

39:25 Consumer Empowerment and Wellness

43:50 Conclusion and Sign Off