Just for the record, food insecurity is a BFD. The inability to feed your family shouldn't be compounded by the inability of those around you to try and keep you safe by getting vaccinated. One person that was not concerned about being vaccinated, Meatloaf (the singer, not the questionable lump of food), isn't worried about food insecurity, or pretty much anything anymore. Kirk has some pretty choice words for those who die from being unvaccinated, and we get to hear about Jeremy's time as a Chippendale's dancer. The convo is as eclectic as it is fun. 

This podcast is all about letting people know our perspective on food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree.  However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly,  it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be  assholes, but in a way to make you think of us as being jerks. After  all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA https://launchpadgroupusa.com/

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work at http://www.mindthefont.com

We're #1! We're #1! That illustrious chant of patriotism and pride that exemplifies these incredible United States. Hell, we are united. United against being together. We don't have universal health care, can't agree on the way to get through the pandemic, get upset when people "disrespect the flag" by kneeling during the national anthem, give dead chickens more rights than the employees that sell them, and use the bible is our basis for hypocrisy against our fellow citizens. We also talk about Dexter: New Blood, Breaking Bad: El Camino, Game of Thrones, Matrix Resurrection, Ray Donovan, and how the older generations will continue to pay for and watch rehashed movies and television series. 

This podcast is all about letting people know our perspective on food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

New year, new me. Bullshit. We (the collective "we") are still the same stubborn and pedantic assholes that we were last year. Should we try to continue to better ourselves? Yes. Are we going to speak about our relationships with our children on this podcast? Yes. Do we still devalue the importance of breaks and mental health? Yes. This is one of our most personal podcasts yet. 

But this podcast is all about letting people know our perspective on food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

Santa is creepy as hell. Kyle Rittenhouse should not be a featured speaker anywhere. Bernie Sanders shouldn't have said "Socialism". You can have a passion for work, but don't make that your reason for being. Art isn't design, but could be. Bob Marley was too good for this world. Yes, we said all that. Yes, we said it. A super eclectic, yet super fun talk. 

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's  not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us  as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique  perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging  brands. Check out their work here.

Jeremy & Kirk dig into the problems that we face as entrepreneurs. And this episode, we discuss that we need breaks, the inspiration and creativity of The Beatles, and the resilience of a man dressed in a Bat suit (Aside from being a rich, white, billionaire that by all accounts doesn't help anybody). It's an open and honest conversation, and is definitely worth a listen. 

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us  as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping  brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

On this episode, Kirk highlights some of the workplace aggression and discrimination that he has faced from former employers, and Jeremy regales us with tales of traditions with his family. As always, the conversation is real, raw, and honest. 

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that  is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

Mark Feinberg of OTHRStore a real one. And, we have no choice but to get real, and have a great conversation about mental health. He details his struggles with mental health, how it shouldn't be stigmatized, and how one solution does not fit all. Even a solution or regimen that you may follow, doesn't necessarily stay the same. Mark wants anybody who may be feeling down, or are thinking of taking your own life, to know that you are not alone, and to reach out to him anytime. 

678.358.6275 | [email protected]

This is such an important discussion and I can't thank Mark enough.

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which  you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that  is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us  as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging  brands. Check out their work here.

Kyle Peters details his journey of Carter & Oak. It started as from a heartfelt idea to help bring real nutrition through a delicious frozen treat. It became a fun and lucrative business model, that was fortunate enough to work with NFL teams, healthcare facilities, and get on shelf with some amazing retailers like MOMs Organic Market. However, things took a bit of a turn and Carter & Oak had to shut down. In Kyle's words, "I have a whirlwind of emotions as I work through all of this. It feels like I’m letting down my friends, family and most importantly my mom." This is a real journey. It is one filled with hope, passion, and heartbreak. And Kyle, you never let anybody down.

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture,  and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that  is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us  as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

Dan Levison is the founder of Apple and Orchard Labs. He volunteers his services there using his food science background to help fellow entrepreneurs, but really puts that food service background together with Vibal. Vibal energy teas and drinks are amazing. They are crafted with the best ingredients and promote good bibes and balanced energy.  

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture,  and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that  is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make you think of us  as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.

Let's talk about design baby. Not just the "how cool" aspect of it, but the nitty gritty. Kirk and Jeremy speak towards their perspective about design and how it effects our everyday lives, and how it's helped shape both of our careers. We also talk about the "Meta" rebrand for Facebook and how Mark Zuckerberg wouldn't know good design if it bit him in the rear. 

Every episode will speak towards our society from the food, culture, and branding aspects of things. You're gonna hear some shit with which you may or may not agree. However, the perspective that  is provided is open and honest. Frankly, it's gonna make some people a little mad. It's not done in a way to be assholes, but in a way to make  you think of us as being jerks. After all, "Jeremy" and "Kirk", does equal "Jirk".

And with that, welcome to Jirk's Podcast.

_______________________________________________

About Jeremy and Kirk.

Jeremy Smith is the President of Launchpad Group USA, and they specialize in helping brands in the Costco space, with presentations and business strategy. His expertise in the food and beverage space, as well as his depth in observation and analysis to trends in the food world, make his unique perspective valued and respected. Learn more about Launchpad Group USA here.

Kirk Visola is the Founder and Creative Director of MIND THE FONT™, a full scale branding and packaging design agency. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work here.