In this conversation with Andy Ellwood, founder of Stretch, we explore what happens when childhood frugality, serial entrepreneurship, and AI-powered innovation collide around one persistent problem: how to know you are paying the best price for groceries.

Stretch is building the first true shopping intelligence platform, empowering everyday families to compare full basket prices across nearby stores before they shop—saving families over $1,000 a year amid relentless inflation in early results.

Andy takes us from a Texas homeschool experience where grocery runs taught math and ingenuity, through startups acquired by Facebook, Google, and private equity, to the tragedy of losing a key investor days before funding and COVID shuttering his prior venture Basket.com.

Now a new Dad, he reveals how AI supercharges data from 1 million products, personalizes lists for gluten-free needs, and envisions agentic commerce where AI agents negotiate deals for your family while balancing growth with the demands of nurturing a newborn.

We unpack shocking shopper surveys—17% skipping meals, middle-class families adapting hardest—and Andy's "rule of three": automate any task done three times weekly with AI.

This is a story of curiosity asking "what else is possible?", resilience through loss, and tech flipping grocers' info advantage to families. If you battle weekly grocery math, care about AI's practical edge in business and life, or wonder how founders rebound stronger, this is a must-listen on the More Elephant podcast.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Stretch uses AI to deliver real-time basket pricing across thousands of stores, turning mental price comparisons into actionable savings without store-hopping.
• Grocery inflation exposes inequities: low-income families already maxed out trade-offs, while 24% of Americans used buy-now-pay-later for food last year.
• From crowdsourcing prices at Basket.com to AI querying millions of sku’s, Andy's 12-year obsession solves what Expedia did for travel—now for the unchanged grocery world.
• Fatherhood and coaching honed efficiency; AI acts as "smarter interns" for tasks like webpage builds or list tweaks, accelerating Stretch's nationwide rollout.
• Agentic AI promises "agentic commerce": your digital rep shops your profile, unlocking demand-based deals from chains competing for baskets.
• and more…

In this conversation with Dr. Ella Fung and Dr. Nancy Schoenbrunner, co-founders of Rosalind Dx, we explore what happens when scientific rigor, lived experience, and a bold entrepreneurial leap collide around one simple but powerful idea: access.

Rosalind Dx is reimagining prenatal testing by moving it from complex, centralized genome sequencing to a faster, more affordable PCR-based approach. The result? A potential step-change in how non-invasive prenatal testing is delivered, who can access it, and how quickly families receive answers.

Ella takes us from Hong Kong to Cambridge to Oxford and into the deeply personal moment of navigating her own pregnancies, where she experienced firsthand how insurance coverage can determine access to critical information. Nancy shares the origin story that begins not in a boardroom, but with a dream, a whiteboard sketch, and decades of experience working alongside the inventors of PCR at Roche.

We talk about the leap from industry to startup life, the realities of fundraising as female founders, and why decentralizing advanced diagnostics could be one of the most important shifts in global women’s health.

This is a conversation about science, yes. It is also about equity, courage, and the willingness to build something new when the system doesn’t serve everyone equally. If you are interested in and care about the future of healthcare, about designing for access instead of exclusivity, and what it really takes to move from breakthrough idea to commercial reality, this is a must listen.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Rosalind Dx is leveraging PCR technology to replace expensive, centralized genome sequencing with a faster, lower-cost, and more scalable approach to non-invasive prenatal testing.
• Access to prenatal diagnostics is not just a medical issue. It is an equity issue. Insurance coverage and geography currently determine who receives the most accurate information during pregnancy.
• Decentralizing testing from a handful of global sequencing hubs to regional labs can dramatically reduce cost, turnaround time, and systemic inefficiency.
• Female-led innovation in women’s health is gaining momentum, particularly in ecosystems that intentionally address historic funding bias.
• and more…

In this second part of the conversation with Anita Ghosh, founder and CEO of Bridjr, we go deeper into what is really missing from most transformation efforts. We talk about why organizations keep failing at digital transformation, why technology alone is not enough, and why human adoption is the real driver of return on investment.

Anita brings a powerful, practical framework that connects strategy, systems, and soul to the work. We discuss how organizations are building compound debt when they ignore the human experience and Anita offers insights from her own journey that provide leaders with a blueprint for what they need to do differently.

We explore how to communicate during change and why the future of business depends on designing for human adoption to deliver compound value. If you are leading change in your organization, this episode is a must listen. It is one of those conversations that forces you to rethink what success really looks like.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Anita shares the need to ensure human adoption is at the heart of transformation efforts and very often, most strategy frameworks are missing the customer voice.
• Failure to build human-centered systems creates debt across technical systems, operations, culture, brand, and experience. This debt grows over time and reduces the value of every investment.
• Approaches anchored in strategy, systems and soul will drive business value and help solve for the messy middle of change management.
• and more…

In this episode of More Elephant, I sit down with Anita Ghosh, Founder and CEO of Bridjr, for a deeply human conversation about leadership, listening, and what it really takes to build organizations that work for people, not just systems.

Anita’s work sits at the intersection of empathy, technology, and business transformation. However, this conversation goes further than frameworks and models - so much further that we are holding space over two episodes for the conversation.

We talk about the quiet moments that shape careers, the cost of external validation, and what happens when leaders stop trusting themselves. Deeply personal, Anita shares her path from large organizations to founding Bridjr including the moments that forced her to slow down, listen, and choose bravery without a safety net.

We also unpack why so many organizations struggle with change, how internal transformation thinking and impact often lags behind external ambition, and why human adoption is the real driver of ROI in technology. At its core, this episode is about remembering that progress starts with listening and that being human is not a liability in business. It is the advantage.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Anita explains why organizations often struggle when the inside doesn’t change as quickly as the outside, emphasizing that real business value comes from human adoption and continued use, not just implementation.
• We discuss how systems that reward performance over alignment can quietly erode a leader’s inner compass.
• Anita shares how listening opened up new choices for her life and expanded how she saw herself and her purpose.
• We talk through how leaders grow when they give themselves permission to step off the expected route and create their own story.
• and more…

In this episode of the podcast, we kick off 2026 with Brooke Dukes — author, executive coach, and founder of BMD Consulting and Success by Design Club. Her book, ‘Burn On, Not Out’, is her personal narrative that led to the creation of her business focused on empowering high-achieving leaders to conquer burnout through human design and purpose alignment.

The realization that Brooke, as a corporate high-flyer, was risking it all, including flying at eight months pregnant for the sake of large bonus led to a More Elephant epiphany and has evolved into a mission blending behavioral science, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom to foster fulfillment over frenzy.​

Success by Design Club is more than a community; it's a lifeline for leaders who feel they are on the hamster wheel. The ‘Club’ offers monthly coaching, resources, and tools such as the GRACe communication framework, to intersect personal purpose with professional wins.

In the episode, Brooke recounts her pivot from Fortune 100 burnout to network marketing to insurance sales to consulting for giants like Quicken Loans to now channeling myriad lessons into small business leaders craving conscious culture.​

We explore human design's blueprint for deconditioning trauma-driven hustle, balancing masculine-feminine energies, and how Brooke’s Culture Compass assessments guide company transformation. Brooke's path highlights resilience, intuition trust, and slowing down to ignite genius.​ She is continuing to Burn On by helping others identify the signs and prevent Burn Out.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Brooke reveals her "More Elephant moment" — preterm labor on a corporate jet exposing value misalignments from childhood trauma, fueling her exit to entrepreneurship.​
• Brooke demystifies human design as a DNA blueprint from neutrinos and ancients, revealing purpose, genius, and deconditioning for flow over grind.​
• Brooke details Success by Design Club for coaching, GRACe rapport-building, and Culture Compass to craft inner-outer success.​
• and more…

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Jorge Perez — the Venezuelan-American designer and entrepreneur behind Betsy Moss, a women’s ready-to-wear brand celebrated for its effortlessly sexy yet chic resort wear. What began as a childhood game of dressing up with his sister has evolved into a thriving fashion house that blends Miami’s vibrant energy with the elegance of Venezuelan culture.

Betsy Moss is more than just a clothing line; it’s a lifestyle brand that empowers women to feel glamorous and beautiful, whether they’re relaxing or entertaining. Jorge shares the story of his hands-on apprenticeship in the fashion industry, the challenges of scaling a brand in a competitive market, and the pivotal moments that shaped Betsy Moss’s journey.

We dive deep into the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Jorge, the importance of authenticity in design, and the vision for expanding Betsy Moss into new markets and product lines. We explore the impact of global supply chain issues, the evolution of production strategies, and the role of social media in amplifying the brand’s reach.

From navigating the complexities of international manufacturing to embracing the power of organic content, Jorge’s journey is a testament to passion, resilience, and flair.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Jorge discusses how his Venezuelan heritage and upbringing in Miami influenced the aesthetic of his collections, blending resort wear, lifestyle, and vacation vibes.
• Jorge shares his path from marketing intern to hands-on apprenticeship in the fashion industry, emphasizing passion and drive as the keys to his success.
• The conversation covers the challenges of launching and scaling a fashion brand, including navigating production, quality control, and distribution networks.
• …and more

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Riley Gibson and Nader Akhnoukh, the founders of Wildly Virgin — a small-batch Portuguese olive oil producer and recent Gold Medal Winner at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition [NYIOOC] world olive oil competition.

Beloved by customers, top chefs, and olive oil experts, Wildly Virgin was born from burnout, curiosity, and a desire to do work that feels real again. What started as two tech founders craving something tangible led them deep into Portugal’s ancient groves and into relationships with families who still make olive oil the traditional way.

We talk about how they each fell down the olive oil rabbit hole and uncovered one of the world’s best-kept secrets: Portugal produces extraordinary olive oil that most Americans have never tasted. Riley and Nader walk our audience through the reality behind the industry, what it takes to import something handmade into the U.S., and the challenge of honoring the farmers, the craft, and the land while building a brand from scratch.

At its core, their journey is about starting small, following curiosity, and choosing work that brings joy. Nader and Riley source directly from Portugal’s top small-batch producers—farmers they know personally, who obsess over soil health, harvest timing, and varietal character. These makers don’t just produce olive oil—they live it. No middlemen. No mass production. Just authentic relationships and exceptional oils.

If you’ve ever wondered what a real, purpose-led pivot looks like — one rooted in craft, connection, and a little bit of magic — this episode is exactly that.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Discover how Wildly Virgin prioritizes quality, transparency, and storytelling—offering olive oil that’s not only delicious but also rich in health benefits, thanks to early harvests and careful production.
• Why most olive oil isn’t what you think it is — and how Portugal protects the real thing
• The founders explain their leap from building software to importing and bottling olive oil, highlighting the challenges and joys of sourcing directly from small Portuguese farmers with centuries-old traditions.
• …and more

In this episode of More Elephant, we sit down with Narda Malakzad and Andrea Laderman — the founders of Goldi, a food-tech platform revolutionizing how hotels and restaurants personalize menus for every guest without making a single change in the kitchen.

What began as two Moms struggling to navigate dinner with dietary needs has grown into an innovative company using data to transform how the world eats.

Goldi empowers diners with menus tailored precisely to their dietary requirements, unlocking dishes that kitchens already know how to make while reducing food waste and enhancing operational clarity and efficiency for hospitality businesses. We navigate the compelling story of a bold idea that didn’t quite scale, the strategic pivot that unlocked Goldi’s potential, and the triumphs and hard truths of fundraising as female founders.

We dive deep into the power of data to transform food service, the entrepreneurial mindset shift from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”, and the promise of making dining joyful, safe, and personalized for all.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Narda and Andrea created Goldi because feeding their own families with dietary needs was nearly impossible. The mission hasn’t changed: bring clarity, dignity, and joy back to eating — anywhere.
• They learned the hard way that the last mile in delivery was a dead end. Hotels, however, had everything they needed: ingredients, staff, and a captive guest base. Goldi simply ties it all together.
• They open up about the challenges women founders face in funding within the food tech space and how overcoming obstacles has made their vision stronger.
• …and more.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming Brian Polen, the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Kura, an innovative American craft sake company based in Brooklyn, New York. Brian shares his journey from a successful career at American Express to embracing entrepreneurship and building a business rooted in more than a thousand years of Japanese brewing tradition. Our conversation explores how Brooklyn Kura aims to demystify sake and make it accessible and relevant to a wide audience beyond traditional contexts.

Brian takes us through the powerful inspiration sparked by a trip to Japan, where he and his co-founder first encountered the craftsmanship behind sake. We discuss the early stages of their venture, from home brewing experiments to navigating the complex regulatory and manufacturing environment of New York City. The importance of creating a taproom experience emerges as a key factor for engaging customers directly and educating them about sake culture.

We also delve into the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how Brooklyn Kura adapted through thoughtful financial management and a pivot to direct-to-consumer sales and subscription services. A highlight of our conversation is the long-term partnership with Hakkaisan, one of Japan’s most respected breweries, which has enabled Brooklyn Kura to scale production and expand into global markets.

This episode offers valuable insights into entrepreneurial resilience, the power of community, and the delicate balance between honoring tradition while innovating in a modern marketplace. Whether you’re deeply involved in food and beverage or simply curious about entrepreneurial journeys, Brian’s story delivers compelling lessons and authentic inspiration.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Brian shares how Brooklyn Kura is creating a new tradition of American craft sake, building on a thousand years of Japanese brewing and making it accessible in the U.S.
• Brian emphasizes the importance of planning and a calculated approach to risk management in building and scaling a business
• Brian shares how Brooklyn Kura survived the pandemic’s disruption by quickly pivoting—relying on cash reserves, launching direct-to-consumer sales, introducing a subscription service, and deepening their community connections
• …and more.

In this episode, we sit down with Rodrigo Vargas, founder of American Vinegar Works. Rodrigo’s story goes beyond vinegar as just an acid — it’s about rediscovering and revitalizing a craft deeply rooted in history and tradition. He shares how his passion for craft fermentation, dating back to the 1800s, inspired him to create a company that elevates vinegar as an essential and sophisticated ingredient.

We explore Rodrigo’s transition from his corporate career to entrepreneurship, the hands-on challenges of starting at farmers markets, and the uphill battle of scaling a craft food business amid a pandemic. Rodrigo’s journey is a testament to patience, persistence, and the power of honoring craftsmanship in today’s fast-paced food scene.

This conversation offers insights into building a business grounded in authenticity and quality, showing that real craft and commitment can carve a unique path in a crowded market. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a food enthusiast, Rodrigo’s story delivers valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and the simple joy found in great ingredients.

Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:

• Craftsmanship and patience are critical to creating quality food products.
• Entrepreneurship demands balancing passion with real-world business challenges.
• Authenticity and community-building support sustainable business growth.
• Quality and purpose differentiate a brand in competitive markets.
• …and more.