ReConnected

In this episode of the Reconnected Podcast, Luke Abbott sits down with serial entrepreneur Jordan Buckner to unpack the wild, inspiring ride from his early ventures like Chopbox and Tea Squares to building Foodbevy—a platform helping food & beverage founders navigate the chaos of CPG.

Jordan gets real about what worked, what flopped, and the panic attack that forced him to hit pause and rethink everything. From scrappy kitchen startups to pitching major retailers with DIY packaging, this conversation dives into the hidden struggles behind “success,” the power of knowing when to pivot, and how Jordan turned failure into fuel for something bigger. 

In this deeply inspiring episode of The Reconnected Podcast, Luke Abbott sits down with Kathryn Shah, co-founder of Spring & Mulberry, for a raw conversation about building a purpose-driven brand from personal transformation. 

Kathryn shares how her battle with cancer became the catalyst for reimagining sweetness—ushering in a new era of refined-sugar-free indulgence.

From her high-powered days at Unilever, LVMH, and Pantone to launching Spring & Mulberry with a bold vision for whole food-based luxury, Kathryn reveals the trials, triumphs, and insights behind her journey.

In this enlightening episode of the Reconnected Podcast, Luke Abbott sits down with Angela Marturano, Co-Founder and President of Orchid Holistic Search, a values aligned executive search firm in natural products, and a true connector in the natural products industry. 

From her early days selling craft beer to launching a boutique recruiting firm during the 2008 crash, Angela shares her unconventional journey into purpose-driven hiring. Broadcasting from her regenerative farm in Costa Rica, she dives deep into how holistic recruiting means more than matching résumés—it’s about aligning values, energy, and company culture.

They explore the rise of women in CPG, the power of community, and Angela’s retreats designed to reconnect female leaders with nature and themselves. Plus, a thoughtful dive into the role of AI in recruiting, the importance of knowing your "why," and the value of embracing both masculine and feminine strengths in leadership.

Whether you're a founder, recruiter, or just curious about balancing business with meaning, this episode is full of insight, vulnerability, and joy.

In this episode of The Reconnected Podcast, host Luke Abbott sits down with Alyssa Vescio, SVP of Merchandising, Sourcing and Product Development, at Whole Foods Market, for a deeply human and inspiring conversation. Alyssa shares her remarkable journey from working in stores at age 16 to leading merchandising across grocery, wellness, beauty, and more at the nation’s top natural retailer. She opens up about personal growth, embracing discomfort, and the power of unlocking collective potential.

Listeners will gain behind-the-scenes insight into how Whole Foods curates its shelves, balances local flavor with national scale, and actively partners with emerging brands. Alyssa shares candid advice for founders hoping to stand out, explains how Whole Foods anticipates trends before they hit, and highlights the transformative impact of their foundation’s global initiatives. Whether you're building a brand, navigating your career, or simply curious about the future of food, this episode offers actionable takeaways and authentic inspiration.

Reconnected Podcast: Episode with Bryan Reed

In this episode, Luke Abbott sits down with Bryan Reed, Sr. Director of Grocery & Wellness at Mother's Market, to discuss his 25+ year journey in the natural foods industry—from bagging groceries at 15 to leading strategy at one of the most respected natural food retailers.

Key topics covered:
🎧 Career Journey: Bryan’s path from Henry’s and Jimbo’s to Mother’s Market.
🎧 Industry Evolution: How natural food retail has changed over the years.
🎧 Private Label and Wellness: Expanding product lines and meeting customer needs.
🎧 COVID-19 Impact: Streamlining inventory and adapting to supply chain challenges.
🎧 Future Strategy: Balancing service, product quality, and online fulfillment.

Bryan’s deep industry knowledge, strategic mindset, and passion for natural foods make this a must-listen for anyone in the CPG and retail space. 🙌 

In this episode, Luke Abbott sits down with Alex Malamatinas, Founder and Managing Partner of Melitas Ventures, the go-to VC firm for better-for-you consumer brands.

With a background in finance and a lifelong connection to CPG, Alex shares how he transitioned from investing in large public companies to backing innovative early-stage brands like Dose, Abbot’s Butcher, and Dream Pops.

Key topics covered:
⭐ From Finance to CPG Venture Capital: How Alex’s experience at Morgan Stanley and hedge funds led him to launch Melitas Ventures in 2018.
⭐ Investment Strategy: What Alex looks for in founders, product-market fit, and capital-efficient growth.
⭐ Portfolio Insights: Why Melitas Ventures invested in brands like Olipop and MUD WTR.
⭐ Daily Life as an Investor: Balancing portfolio company involvement, industry events, and life as a new dad.

If you're interested in the future of food and beverage innovation, this episode offers insights from one of the industry's top investors.

Listen now to learn from Alex’s experience in building and scaling better-for-you brands!

#ReconnectedPodcast #MelitasVentures #CPG #Investor

Dive into the world of brand strategy and channel marketing with Steve Gaither, Founder of Architect CPG, a Brand strategy and outsourced CMO company. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Steve has helped brands like Real Good Foods, Smith Foods, and Mush achieve market success.

Key discussion points include:

• Steve’s approach to understanding the 4Cs (company, category, competition, consumer) and leveraging data-driven decision-making.
• Tactics for TikTok, Amazon, DTC, and retail shopper marketing, including budget allocation and measuring performance.
• Why sales matter more than followers and the benefits of integrating organic and paid content.
• Tips for creating effective packaging that resonates with consumers and stands out on the shelf.

Steve’s practical, data-first perspective offers actionable takeaways for brands looking to scale and stand out in a competitive market.

LISTEN now to learn from a CPG expert shaping the future of brand strategy!

In this episode, Luke reconnects with Jeremy Isenberg, President of Chex Finer Foods, a third-generation family business serving retailers from the Northeast to Florida. With 23 years in the company, Jeremy shares insights into preserving a family legacy while navigating the ever-changing food industry.

Key discussion points include:

• How Jeremy’s grandfather and father shaped the values of Checks Fine Art Foods.
• The art of fostering trusted relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Insights into industry evolution, customer consolidation, and maintaining service excellence during challenges like COVID-19.
• How to effectively empower teams, ensuring work-life balance, and giving back to the community.

Jeremy’s dedication to his team, family, and community shines through in this conversation, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders alike.

Don’t miss this inspiring story of legacy, resilience, and leadership—LISTEN now!

Join us as Luke sits down with Dave Hirschkop, the award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Dave’s Gourmet, who revolutionized the hot sauce and pasta sauce industries. From creating the iconic Insanity Sauce to building an internationally recognized brand, Dave’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and innovation.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Dave’s unique approach to building a profitable business without outside investment.
• How stunts like live scorpions at trade shows captured media attention and made his brand unforgettable.
• Dave’s innovative approach to product development, like introducing butternut squash pasta sauce to a crowded market.
• Why Dave decided to sell his business after 30 years and how he found the right buyer.

Dave’s journey offers invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, innovators, and anyone looking to make their mark in the CPG industry.

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring episode—watch now!

Reconnected Podcast with Frank Schuck

Join Luke Abbott as he sits down with Frank Schuck, a Grocery Merchandiser at PCC, the nation's largest food co-op. Frank shares his journey from the specialty food stores of New York City to leading roles at Whole Foods and beyond.

In this episode, Frank talks about:

• How and where his passion for cheese and specialty foods born.
• The transformation he has been through, and how he adopted a plant-based diet.
• The evolution of natural and organic food retail and its shift toward transparency, sustainability, and high-quality products.
• The challenges and opportunities in the food industry, from supply chain fragility to supporting local producers.
• How PCC makes decisions about personalized curation of product categories.

Don’t miss this episode—listen now!