Rooted

On this episode of Rooted, I interview the Co-Founders of Fronen, a non-dairy ice cream made with the simplest ingredients on the market. For example, the Vanilla flavor has just coconut cream, vanilla extract, water, and honey. The rest of the flavors follow a similar pattern, with just about 4 ingredients, never using any fillers, gums, or artificial ingredients.

This is genuinely the best tasting and best quality (in terms of ingredients) of better-for-you ice cream that I have had or seen, which is why I was so excited to talk to Jessy and Erik!

We discussed:

• The genesis of creating Fronen 

• What it was like never having working for someone else as a full-time job after both graduating school from UChicaco

• Why they both decided  to attend Stanford MBA

• What’s stopping other brands from creating better-for-you products

• What’s stopping consumers from purchasing these products? 

• What’s coming next for Fronen + some exciting updates!!

Fronen can be found in Whole Foods, Wegmans, soon Sprouts, and more!

I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Robby Sansom, the Co-Founder and CEO of Force of Nature, a regeneratively sourced meat company based in Austin, TX.

Previously, as CFO/COO at EPIC, Robby spent much of the last decade studying regenerative agriculture at ranches all over the world. Through this education, Force of Nature was co-founded with the intention to accelerate the creation of a global regenerative supply network. Force of Nature works in partnership with land stewards, ranchers and farmers committed to creating a positive return on the planet. With Force of Nature, consumers now have the ability to invest in environmental regeneration by consuming meat that is good for the planet. 

Born and raised in Austin, TX, he received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. When he’s not building businesses aimed at saving the planet, Robby can be found on a trail, ocean, mountain or field, always making time to appreciate nature and explore his surroundings. Robby is also a land steward at ROAM Ranch where he owns regeneratively managed bison.

Robby and Force of Nature align with Rooted by embracing ancestral wisdom, regenerative food, and simple, intentional living. Force of Nature isn’t just about meat–it’s about restoring the land, empowering consumers, and reshaping the food system for better health and sustainability. Robby also spoke about the importance of being outdoors, soaking up the sun, and enjoying simple moments with his his family, which perfectly reflect Rooted back-to-basics philosophy. 

We discussed so much like:

• How starting EPIC Provisions lead to the start of Force of Nature 

• What regenerative agriculture actually is and why it is so important for farmers, animals, the planet, and consumers. 

• What the difference between sustainable and regenerative farming is

• Labels in the food system and why “grass-fed” or “organic” or “pasture-raised” are not necessarily what the consumer thinks they are getting 

• Marketing in the food system with claims

• Robby’s hot take on work-life balance and how he lives symbiotically 

• The Future of Force of Nature. Chicken is on the way!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Jonathan Neman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetgreen, a nationwide fast-casual restaurant chain that serves healthy, seasonal food, known for their commitment to sustainability, using local, unprocessed ingredients. 

This conversation is exactly why I started the Rooted podcast—getting to sit down with founders who are not only passionate about what they do but are also creating businesses that truly make a positive difference. I absolutely love every single thing about the concept of Sweetgreen and as a huge fan, speaking with Jonathan was especially exciting. The success of Sweetgreen is also not surprising because of how warm and personable he is. In this inspiring discussion, we covered so much, including:

• How Jonathan was inspired by his time abroad in college in Sydney, Australia and seeing the culture differences around all day cafes and fast food

• The “Sweetlife” 

• How the three founders of Sweetgreen started such a capital intensive business straight after graduating college

• All three founders having immigrant parents that built businesses 

• Making an impact through business and at the cash register 

• How Sweetgreen has formed, maintained, and created relationships with the farmers they partner with

• Why Sweetgreen is helping with the systemic issues with our food system

• How Sweetgreen balances the art and science of expanding the business

• Sweetgreen’s value of really listening to the consumer (including grass-fed steak, eliminating seed oils, etc)

• A lot more!

To see a full list of Sweetgreen locations, head to this link!

I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Scott Marcus, the Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Zones Kitchen, which are frozen ready meals inspired by the Blue Zones of the world (areas in the world with the longest living people).

We discussed so many amazing topics like:

Blue Zones Kitchen can be found in retailers like Whole Foods, Wegmans. If you go to their website under “Store Locator,” you can receive 2 dollars off your meal. 

In this episode of Rooted, I sit down with Adam Brown, who is the Founder and CEO of Sircle Media, which is a social media agency that represents many of the major better-for-you CPG players. For example, Purely Elizabeth, Primal Kitchen, Amylu, and CHOMPS, just to name a few. 

In this episode, you will hear about how this was Adam’s second go at a career, as he was doing something he didn’t enjoy before. But, it will become evident instantly how much he loves his company and team he has created, space he’s in, clients he gets to work with and the companies he invests in. He described it as being a kid in a candy store and I think that is something that everyone can agree they want. 

Adam is an example of someone in the Rooted community because of his excitement and passion he feels about his work. Additionally, with the help of Sircle Media, more consumers know about emerging/growing better-for-you companies, which will continue to propel us in the right direction. 

For any better-for-you CPG companies listening, or anyone else looking to get involved with Adam/Sircle Media, his email is [email protected]

I can’t wait for you all to listen to this episode!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Jason Karp, the Co-Founder of Hu Chocolate and later HumanCo. For anyone that does not already know, Hu creates chocolate with simple, clean ingredients, with the mission of “getting back to human.” 

This mission was born after Jason graduated from UPENN and faced multiple autoimmune diseases and was also told that he would go blind by age 30. Jason defied the medical diagnoses by studying many populations and regions of the world with long-living, healthy people. He realized that while there are some differences in each group, the commonality is that they are all very in touch with nature and the earth. He then began adapting simple lifestyle changes himself. While running his own hedge fund, he, his wife, and his brother-in-law started Hu Kitchen as a passion project to heal people, which is where Hu as we know it today was born. 

After selling Hu to Mondelez, Jason started HumanCo, a mission driven private holding company that invests in and builds brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. HumanCo’s brands include: Cosmic Bliss, True Food Kitchen, Snow Days, Against the Grain, and Grove Collaborative. 

This was an AMAZING conversation. We discussed so much like:

Hu Chocolate can be found in Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Kroger, Sprouts, Thrive, etc. I’m also a huge fan of eating out at True Food Kitchen and HumanCo’s other brands can also be found in many of these stores and online!

I hope everyone enjoys!

On this episode of Rooted, I interview the Co-Founder & CEO of Smash Foods, Anna Peck. Smash Foods (previously known as Chia Smash), is a better-for-you CPG brand that has fruit spreads made from only chia seeds, fruit, dates, and lemon juice. I’ve been a consumer of their first product, the fruit spreads for years. I love that it takes something that is part of the standard American diet (PB & J) and just makes it so much simpler and healthier. This was also an extra special one for me since Anna graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce at UVA!

Anna and I discussed:

Smash Foods can be found in Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, and more. Additionally, you can use the code “SMASH15” for 15% off the products when you purchase online. 

I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I speak with Kelly Love and Allison Evans, 2/3 of the Co-Founders of Branch Basics, a non-toxic cleaning company. Their mission is to help educate people on creating healthy homes and lives by ditching the harmful chemicals.  They want people to experience the “power of pure.” 

We discussed so many amazing topics like:

I highly recommend trying out the Branch Basics starter pack from their website. I’ve been using all of their supplies for months now and they have been amazing and completely worth it.

I hope everyone enjoys!

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Anthony Vennare, the Co-Founder of Fitt Insider, the #1 newsletter for health and fitness operators. Anthony and his brother, Joe, also run Fitt Consulting (providing advice to founders and execs), Fitt Talent (a job board with all of the openings in the industry), Fitt Capital (their health and wellness company investments), and the Fitt Insider podcast. 

I’m a huge fan of everything that they’re doing at Fitt because of how well they consolidate the information in the health and wellness industry into one place. What’s been clear to me since I discovered them is that they cut through all of the noise and provide so much value to people because they do the basics extremely well, consistently.

Anthony and I discussed:

Fitt Insider is the only newsletter I’m subscribed to and I highly recommend that anyone at all interested in this space check them out because they’re truly amazing. 

In this episode of Rooted, I interviewed Christy Goldsby, the Founder of Honey Mamas, a refrigerated, honey-sweetened truffle bar using only whole food super ingredients. Ever since the first time I tried Honey Mamas, I have been a huge fan because of the absolutely amazing taste and unique flavors, and the idea that indulgences can be healthy, make us feel good, and offer a celebration of life. Honey Mamas might be my favorite tasting better-for-you CPG brand on the market. It quite literally tastes like fudge, without making you feel gross afterwards!

Christy is awesome and so authentic and open about her story. We discussed:

Honey Mamas can be found in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Sprouts, and more. Additionally, you can use the code “MARLEE20” for 20% off the products when you purchase on their website. The chocolate cake flavor is my absolute favorite!!!!

I hope everyone enjoys!