In this special episode of Grow Everything, hosts Karl and Erum pull back the curtain on their own operations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the podcast came to life. They discuss the core mission of sharing innovative bioengineering breakthroughs, the challenges of maintaining a weekly podcast, and the team behind it all. From the technical intricacies of biomanufacturing to the strategic communications needed to make those breakthroughs accessible to a wider audience, this episode reflects on the journey, growth, and impact of the Grow Everything platform. With a mix of humor and passion for sustainability, Erum and Karl continue their mission to educate and inspire those working at the cutting edge of synthetic biology and the bioeconomy.

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 the Conversation: What’s on the Horizon?
• 00:00:13 - Welcome to the Grow Everything Podcast: Let’s Dive In!
• 00:00:29 - Taking You Inside Grow Everything: A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
• 00:01:03 - From Idea to Reality: How the Podcast Came to Life
• 00:04:27 - The Roadblocks, the Breakthroughs: What’s Shaped Our Journey
• 00:06:24 - Crafting the Perfect Biotech Story: Marketing with Purpose
• 00:08:08 - Changing the Game: How Our Guests Redefine the Future
• 00:17:11 - Hot Takes on Biotech: What’s Overhyped and What’s Real?
• 00:19:30 - How to Connect with Founders: Elevating Their Narrative
• 00:21:15 - Uncovering Hidden Biotech Gems: The Innovators Who Deserve the Spotlight
• 00:23:53 - The Power of the Podcast: How We Help Our Clients Shine
• 00:27:48 - A Vision for 2030: Dream Guests and Big Ideas
• 00:32:14 - Rapid Fire: Fun Facts, Favorites, and More!
• 00:36:12 - Wrapping Up: A Peek at What’s Next and Future Guests

Links and Resources:

• ⁠What's Your Biostrategy?
• Messaginglab
• Amplafy Media 
• 90. Flipping the Light Switch on Cells: Deniz Kent of Prolific Machines
• 116. Cell Yeah for Space!: Pioneer Labs' Erika DeBenedictis on Engineering Life for Mars
• 93. Houston, We Have a Protocol: NASA's Kate Rubins on Biotech in Space
• 76. Not Boring Century of Biotech with Elliot Hershberg
• David De Lucreiza on LinkedIn

Topics Covered: 

science communications, podcast creation, podcast origin, biotech messaging, startups

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media

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 World
• 00:00:25 - Guest Co-Host Sabriya Stukes Drops In — Backyard BBQ to Biotech
• 00:01:18 - What’s Buzzing in Biotech: Founders, VCs & Sound Baths
• 00:03:48 - Redefining Community: Beyond Buzzwords in Bio
• 00:06:38 - Genspace Unveiled: Brooklyn’s Portal to Public Science
• 00:10:41 - From Chemistry to Community: Casey’s Unexpected Path to Genspace
• 00:13:40 - Inside Genspace: Culture, Creativity, and the Curious
• 00:22:06 - Radical Access: Building Biotech for Everyone
• 00:28:55 - Live from Ilmar 2025: Big Ideas, Big Shifts
• 00:37:35 - What’s Next? Introducing Gotham Foundry
• 00:39:25 - Fueling Founders: How Genspace Sparks Startups
• 00:40:23 - Why NYC is the Place to Grow Bio Right Now
• 00:41:53 - Stay Curious: The Secret Ingredient in Science
• 00:43:26 - Can AI Help Democratize Biology? Genspace Thinks So
• 00:46:51 - Where Art Meets Genome: The Power of Story in Science
• 00:51:28 - Bold Visions: What the Future Looks Like at Genspace
• 00:55:49 - The Pulse of NYC Biotech: Reflections and Real Talk

Links and Resources:

• Genspace 
• OpenPlant Genspace - growing your own insulin?
• Asilomar Reports
• Gotham Foundry
• IndieBio
• NewLab 
• BioLabs
• BioFab Fair: Use promo code: GROW10 
• Story Collider
• Caveat 
• Facts Machine

Topics Covered: 

biotech, community biotech, community hub, biomaterials, bio-based ingredients, Genspace

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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 Here
• 00:00:32 - Can AI Become Conscious? Let’s Get Weird
• 00:03:18 - Where Code Meets Cells: AI x Biology
• 00:05:06 - From Metal Bands to Microbes in Mumbai
• 00:09:22 - Meet Suzanne Lee: The Woman Who Grows Materials
• 00:24:48 - Innovation Isn’t Fast—But It’s Worth It
• 00:25:14 - Sometimes Old Tech is the Real Disruptor
• 00:26:17 - Designing 2050: Biology Will Shape Everything
• 00:27:05 - How to Break Free from Extraction
• 00:27:30 - New Tech, New Rules: Use With Intention
• 00:29:49 - 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 Superpower
• 00:40:06 - Rapid-Fire with Suzanne Lee: Future, Fears & Fun
• 00:44:44 - Final Thoughts + What’s Coming from Biofabricate

Links and Resources:

• BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend! 
• Biofabricate
• ChatGPT Religion: The Disturbing AI Cult
• India Boasts 11,000 Biotech Startups
• Terrarium - sustainable materials consultancy
• Ecovative
• Polybion 
• H&M Foundation
• London Design Week
• London Fashion Week
• BIOME Consortia
• Around The World in 80 Fabrics Around the World

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 Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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 Build
• 00:00:17 - Road Trips & Montreal: Hosts Trade Vacation Tales
• 00:02:05 - Big Hikes & Life Lessons on the Road
• 00:02:41 - Is AI Making Us Dumber? A Brainy Debate
• 00:05:52 - Stem Cells for Cats & Dogs: A Pet Health Revolution
• 00:07:28 - Longevity Hacks & Biohacking Breakthroughs
• 00:11:09 - Inside Biohacking Demo Day: Shelby Sets the Stage
• 00:14:13 - Taking Control: How Biohackers Are Changing Healthcare
• 00:17:19 - Why Your Own Health Data Is the Next Big Thing
• 00:21:58 - Crypto Meets Science: New Ways to Fund Biotech
• 00:26:31 - The Coming Wave of Personalized Health
• 00:28:16 - The Surge in Consumer Blood Testing
• 00:29:40 - How Often Should You Really Get Blood Panels?
• 00:30:33 - Merging Health Data with AI for Real Results
• 00:33:52 - Brian Johnson Drops Biohacking Truth Bombs
• 00:40:06 - Making Biohacking for Everyone: Price & Access
• 00:42:39 - Wild & Unexpected Biohacks to Watch
• 00:46:01 - Next Frontier: Proteomics & the Future of Health
• 00:48:22 - Lightning Round: Biohacking Hot Takes & Sign-Off

Links and Resources:

• Compound
• Union Square Ventures
• Ready-made stem cell therapies for pets could be coming
• Pump.Science
• NeutraOat
• Fulcra
• Pacagen
• Rhythm Health
• Chargeless
•  Mito
• Bryan 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 Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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 Bureaucracy
• 00:00:30 - Democracy’s Turning Point
• 00:02:23 - A Fiery Day in Prospect Park
• 00:04:20 - How Spaces Shape Our Health
• 00:08:35 - Enter Alexander Titus: Biosecurity Visionary
• 00:10:13 - Biotech: The New Face of National Defense
• 00:15:09 - Where Tech and Policy Collide
• 00:23:10 - The Future of Biosecurity Unfolds
• 00:28:02 - Bold Science vs. Ethical Boundaries
• 00:30:24 - Robotics Meets Biotech: What’s Next?
• 00:33:29 - Hard Lessons from Cross-Industry Giants
• 00:35:49 - Innovation Clashes with Red Tape
• 00:36:11 - The Power of Expertise in Shaping Policy
• 00:42:26 - Biotech’s Hidden Environmental Risks
• 00:45:42 - The Commission’s Bold Path Forward
• 00:48:45 - Parting Thoughts: What Lies Ahead

Topics Covered: biotech, biosecurity, national security commission on emerging biotechnology, policy

Episode 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 Gailey⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553

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Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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 Mystery
• 00:00:36 - The Cosmic Luck of Being Human
• 00:02:34 - Can We Hack Aging? Let’s Try
• 00:07:40 - Elle Black Joins: Skin, Science & Secrets
• 00:15:17 - Elle’s Origin Story + Clean Beauty Truths
• 00:33:10 - The Truth About Odor-Eating Deodorants
• 00:34:11 - Beauty Products vs. Your Fridge
• 00:35:40 - Why Cold Shipping Costs More Than You Think
• 00:36:31 - Calling Out the Hidden in Beauty Labels
• 00:38:29 - Why I Created a Skincare Ritual That Listens
• 00:39:45 - Your Hormones, Your Glow—Deeply Linked
• 00:40:33 - A Skincare App That Knows Your Cycle
• 00:45:19 - What Men Don’t Know About Their Skincare
• 00:53:32 - What’s Next: AI, Supplements & Radical Transparency
• 00:56:38 - Reflections, Mic Drops & Future Moves

Links and Resources:

• Same Skincare
• Lifespan by David Sinclair
• Transcendence by Ray Kurzweil
• Skinceuticals
• Symbiome
• EndoFound

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 Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum are joined by Nancy Diniz, Co-Founder of bioMATTERS LLC, to explore the future of biodesign and sustainable materials. Drawing on her background in architecture and digital fabrication, Nancy unpacks how bioMATTERS is creating novel mycelium- and microbe-based materials that are not only biodegradable but alive. The conversation traverses speculative design, the challenge of scaling living materials, and the cultural shift needed to embrace biology as a partner in production. With humor and insight, Nancy shares how her work sits at the intersection of art, science, and ecology—and why the next generation of materials must be rooted in systems thinking.

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 - From Kitchen Experiments to Living Systems: Nancy’s DIY Biodesign Spark
• 00:00:28 - Protests, Purpose, and Speaking Up in a Wild World
• 00:02:10 - The Future Is Biotech: From AI in Pharma to Bio-powered Skin Care
• 00:04:32 - L’Oreal Meets Nvidia: The Unexpected Longevity Alliance
• 00:08:17 - Meet Nancy Diniz: Architect Turned Biodesign Trailblazer
• 00:15:22 - Clay, Craft, and Mycelium: Where Earth Meets Engineered Biology
• 00:21:13 - Breaking the Mold: How Nancy Navigates the Unknown in Biodesign
• 00:23:45 - Happy Accidents: Why Biodesign Thrives on Trial and Error
• 00:25:10 - New Frontiers: Biomanufacturing Takes Center Stage
• 00:25:50 - When Design Dreams Collide with Biological Reality
• 00:27:00 - The Ethics of Growing with Care in Biodesign
• 00:29:44 - Meet Symbi: Nancy’s Living Material with a Message
• 00:32:10 - From Petri Dish to Production: The Real Challenge of Scale
• 00:34:48 - What Ancient Pottery Can Teach Us About Tomorrow’s Materials
• 00:37:08 - Future Tools: What’s Next in the Biodesign Toolkit
• 00:40:00 - Dreaming Out Loud: Nancy’s Vision for Biofuturistic Design
• 00:42:24 - Start in the Kitchen: Nancy’s Call to the Next Generation of Biodesigners
• 00:44:25 - Final Reflections: Staying Curious in a Biotech World

Links and Resources:

• bioMatters founded by Nancy Diniz and Frank Melendez
• Central Saint Martins MA Biodesign course
• Ancient Futures Exhibit, featuring bioMatters work
• ROMANIA or HUNGARY Mushroom cap
• Merck Digital Sciences Studios
• L’Oréal teams up with Nvidia
• Nucleus Genomics offers to optimize embryos
• NSCEB Roadshow Summer 2025
• BioDesign Challenge 
• Genspace⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topics Covered: 

biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinouts

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

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Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media

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 Ideas
• 00:00:21 - AI, Simulation Theory & Prompting the Future
• 00:01:57 - Fungi Meets Art: Mycelium’s Creative Frontier
• 00:02:44 - Can Synthetic Biology Save the Planet?
• 00:05:54 - Meet Dr. Angela Belcher: Visionary in Biofabrication
• 00:06:29 - Abalone Shells: Nature’s Blueprint for Smart Materials
• 00:14:13 - Biotech Meets National Security: A Strategic Frontier
• 00:25:23 - Building Tomorrow’s Scientists: Starting with Kids
• 00:26:09 - Sparking Curiosity in the Next Generation
• 00:27:00 - Science in Motion: Dodge Ball & Discovery
• 00:27:53 - Resurrecting the Past: Biodiversity Through Time
• 00:30:01 - Tackling the Grand Challenges in Biomanufacturing
• 00:32:02 - From Bench to Nation: Scaling U.S. Biotech
• 00:36:03 - Mining, Carbon & Clean Tech: A Greener Path
• 00:38:42 - The Future of Biofabrication: What Comes Next?
• 00:40:53 - Angela’s Journey: Curiosity, Grit & What’s Ahead
• 00:43:32 - Final Reflections: Science, Society & What Matters Most

Links and Resources:

• ⁠NSCEB
• NSCEB REPORT: Charting the Future of Biotechnology 
• Genspace
• Ben Lamm on Joe Rogan Experience
• Scientists use synthetic biology to address urgent sustainability challenges
• The Age of Living Machines by Susan Hockfield⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topics Covered: 

biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinouts

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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 Stage
• 00:00:22 - Juggling Labs, Life, and Launchpads
• 00:01:27 - Terraforming Mars? Let’s Dream Big
• 00:04:58 - Joe Rogan, Speciation, and Sci-Fi Tangents
• 00:10:08 - Biotech Beauty Week: Innovation on Display
• 00:14:13 - Meet Erika Milczek: Enzymes Over Everything
• 00:33:03 - Feeding the Bug: The Spark Behind Discovery
• 00:35:15 - Scaling Science: What Makes Commercialization Hard
• 00:35:51 - Why Partnerships Make or Break Biotech
• 00:38:02 - Following the Rules: Regulatory Shifts & Product Strategy
• 00:42:48 - From the Lab to RTP: Building in Biotech's Backyard
• 00:45:37 - Ecosystem First: How to Build Bio Economies
• 00:50:01 - Fundraising Real Talk: Investors, Guts & Growth
• 00:53:50 - Biomanufacturing Is Just Getting Started
• 00:56:29 - Let’s Talk Packaging: Biotech’s Next Frontier
• 00:59:52 - Wrapping Up: Lessons, Hope, and What’s Next

Links and Resources:

• Curie Co
• Mars: 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 Experience
• Dire Wolf on the cover to Time Magazine
• Supplier's Day 2025 during Messaginglab's unofficial Biotech Beauty Week
• Capsum - microfluidics contract manufacturing
• P2 company - conditioning agents⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topics Covered: 

biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinouts

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production 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-Up
• 00:00:46 - Synbio Beta Sparks: The Pulse of Next-Gen Biotech
• 00:02:27 - Argentina to IndieBio: The Unstoppable Founders You Need to Know
• 00:04:01 - Biotech Gets Corporate: The Rise of Strategic Venture Funds
• 00:05:11 - Deal Flow & Discovery: HC Wainwright’s Biotech Bash
• 00:08:18 - Brooklyn Bio Buzz: A Night Out with the Community
• 00:10:24 - From the Explorers Club to Seed Vaults: Sci-Fi Meets Soil
• 00:11:22 - Meet Dr. Asheley Beckwith: Engineering the Future of Fashion with Cells
• 00:27:35 - Biology Meets Ecology: How Engineered Plants Could Aid Conservation
• 00:30:12 - Sci-Fi to Soil: Fabricating Seeds for Extinct Ecosystems
• 00:32:21 - The Wild Frontier: Overcoming the Barriers in Plant Cell Cultivation
• 00:45:52 - Nature Meets Code: Using AI to Unlock the Secrets of Plants
• 00:50:20 - Imagining Tomorrow: The Vision Behind ForayBio’s Living Materials
• 00:51:50 - Full Circle: Final Reflections from the Edge of Biodesign

Links and Resources:

• ⁠Foray Biosciences
• SF500 (Argentinian Global Venture Fund)
• Syensqo Corporate Venture Fund
• H.C. Wainwright
• University of Vermont - Dr. Steve Keller
• University of Maryland - Dr. Matt Fitzpatrick⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topics Covered: 

biomanufacturing, cell free biomanufacturing, enzymes, nutraceuticals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, AI, spinouts

Have a question or comment? Message us here:

Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Music by: Nihilore

Production by: Amplafy Media