The Natural List

In this episode of The Natural List, co-host Adrienne Smith joins guests Jenna Fitch and Bill Giebler to dissect the pumpkin spice phenomenon reshaping the CPG landscape. Whether you're a devotee or a skeptic, the numbers speak volumes: according to a 2025 Coherent Marketing Insights report, this $1.1 billion market is projected to reach $2.2 billion by 2032—making it impossible for brands to ignore. 

Our panel explores the rich history of pumpkin spice dating back to 1796, analyzes the strategic value of limited-edition seasonal offerings, and examines why this flavor profile has become a crucial competitive advantage for shelf space. The conversation moves from market analysis to real-world application as the team conducts live taste tests of this season's most anticipated pumpkin spice products—from nitro cold brew to oat milk chocolate bear claws. 

Can innovative formulations convert even the most cynical critics? Join us for this business-focused deep dive into one of CPG's most divisive yet profitable flavor trends, and discover whether data-driven strategy or genuine consumer passion is driving pumpkin spice's remarkable growth trajectory. 

In this week’s episode, hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith are joined by guest Meredith Kaufman, editor at New Hope Network, to dish on their most exciting food discoveries from the Newtopia Now show floor.  

The trio discussed innovative products that caught their attention, from Loopinin's protein and fiber-packed pizza to an "ice cream renaissance" featuring unique global flavors and protein-packed desserts. This conversation highlights the significant presence of regenerative agriculture brands and the increase in ROC certifications, while also exploring standout products like tomato-free pasta sauce, freeze-dried soups and Manchester Farms' quail eggs.  

Throughout the episode, the hosts touch on industry trends, including the growing prominence of multicultural flavors—particularly African cuisine—and the importance of community building in the natural products space. 

Check out this episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.  

In this episode: 

3:09 - Foods that surprised and delighted us on the natural foods show floor 

3:34 - Protein-packed, fiber-rich and genuinely delicious pizza that's changing the game 

4:52 - The ice cream renaissance  

7:20 - Exploring gendered marketing strategies and evolving target demographics for products across the store 

9:10 - Pickles, probiotics and brine that we can’t stop talking about 

12:01 - Regenerative agriculture takes center stage: Exploring ROC brands, farming practices and innovative grain production 

14:32 - Growing together: Community building and collaborative initiatives are brand-favorite parts of this industry 

15:26 - Nowhere Bakery's paleo cookies: How these grain-free treats are satisfying sweet cravings 

16:14 - Carinara: The innovative tomato-free pasta sauce changing the game (plus a sneak peek at their upcoming innovations!) 

17:01 – Nutrient-dense convenience foods expand with Long Weekend’s freeze-dried soups 

17:43 – The continuing debate: Soups are food, broths are drinks 

18:20 – Expanding restaurant cusine to everyday tables: Manchester Farms' quail eggs and their unique culinary applications 

19:27 - Global palates: Exploring the rising prominence of multicultural flavors and international food traditions

We’re buzzing over the beverage innovations from Newtopia Now! On this week’s episode of The Natural List, our hosts explore the most exciting drink trends spotted at the show. From savory energy drinks to nutrient-dense liquid meals, this episode provides an overview of beverage innovations we didn’t expect from the Newtopia Now show floor.

-             Broth is back: Is it a food or a beverage? Settle the debate while discovering mushroom broths and caffeinated sipping broths, creating an entirely new category.

• Hydration beyond just water: Farmer-owned brands, saltwater formulations and protein-infused fizzy sodas are changing how we hydrate and reaching new consumers.
• Functional formats: Brands are delivering wellness benefits through unexpected formats like fiber water and adaptogenic mushroom sodas.
• The great sweetener debate: Which natural sweeteners are winning with consumers? Our hosts break down the battle between stevia, dates, monkfruit, and more.

Timestamps:

1:15 Newtopia Now reflections, takeaways and industry insights

3:15 Beverages galore! Overview of category expansion

3:43 Innovation in broth - unexpected but exciting!

7:25 Hydration innovation beyond water

12:30 Nutrient-density reigns supreme

13:51 Wellness ritual beverages

16:10 Australian Beneficial with sticky chai

17:15 Innovative functional beverage formats

19:53 The new cola

21:50 The battle of the sweeteners

23:27 Host's favorites from the show

24:35 SPINS Retailer Choice Award winner

Stay tuned to the end where our hosts share their personal favorite drinks from the show floor and which brand won the SPINS Retailer Choice Award.

Prefer video? Check us out on YouTube!

This exclusive episode of The Natural List was recorded live from the bustling show floor on the final afternoon of Newtopia Now 2025! Our co-host Jessica Rubino grabs New Hope Network insiders Bill Giebler and Grace Burleson for their raw, unfiltered reactions while the energy of the event is still buzzing around them.

This isn’t your average post-show recap. Check out this week’s episode of The Natural List to get an on-site pulse check for what stood out to our team while at Newtopia Now. You’ll get the candid observations that only come from that "still-on-the-floor" perspective.

The trio discusses how our two keynote sessions, by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and CEO of GNC, Michael Costello, highlighted the trends that emerged on the show floor and the importance of transparency and relationship building.

With so many emerging and first-time exhibitor brands, this year’s Newtopia Now was one to remember. Listen to the full episode for our on-site thoughts on content, exciting product innovations and more. Additional in-depth reporting coming soon on newhope.com!

In this episode:

-             1:19 Our team reveals which products made it into their bags—and which insights stuck in their minds

-             4:33 Just because one meeting doesn’t lead to a placement or a deal, don’t give up

-             5:10 How transparency–between retailers, brands and customers–builds trust

-             6:50 Newtopia Now is for nurturing connections across the supply chain

-             7:30 Quick highlights from the show floor

-             7:51 Innovative distribution channels and working with artists for packaging design

-             8:59 Protein is still everywhere, even fizzy water and desert

-             11:59 “Keep CPG weird and wonderful” highlighting beverage growth and innovation

-             13:48 This spicy sauce has eye-catching branding and flavor combinations

-             14:12 High Level Science is bringing specialization into supplements

-             15:40 A co-op approach to the trade show floor finds success with the Clean Living Founder Collective, the Angel Group, Startup CPG and more

-             16:05 Gen Z-focused clean skincare making waves

-             17:32 The unexpected chicken broth renaissance across multiple categories

-             18:20 The Newtopia Now spirit is alive and well with so many emerging, first-time exhibiting brands!

Prefer watching your podcasts instead of just listening? Check out our YouTube!

Join hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith as they highlight the must-attend sessions at Newtopia Now, happening August 20-22, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. They discuss the many ways brands and retailers can get involved and make lasting connections during this standout show. 

Newtopia Now represents the heartbeat of the natural products industry, bringing together the most pressing issues and innovative solutions in one vibrant community space. From educational sessions across the Thrive, Regenerate and Glow neighborhoods to Wednesday's community experience events, this gathering offers valuable content for everyone in the natural products ecosystem.  

In this episode: 

1:23 Programming highlights at Newtopia Now 

2:42 Download the show app! Your essential tool for navigating the event and maximizing your experience 

3:12 Innovation and investment programming delivers real results for natural products businesses 

4:36  The NEXTY Big Thing panel, where NEXTY finalists will be announced 

7:00 Keynote highlight: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon speaks on redefining strength and mastering multidimensional wellness  

8:52 Inside Whole Foods Market pitch event: Exclusive insider access to these buyers  

9:49 Women in CPG Brunch is a celebration of women uplifting women, featuring industry pioneer Sandy Gooch 

12:30  Keynote highlight: Michael Costello, CEO of GNC offers hard-hitting advice to emerging brands 

13:28 Help shape the industry's future by attending Natural Crossroads: The State of Natural Community Discussion 

16:15 O and regenerative agriculture education sessions for forward-thinking brands 

16:40 Discover emerging innovations at the Conscious Beauty and Wellness Pitch! 

Download the app today to plan your schedule, connect with fellow attendees, bookmark must-visit booths and ensure you don't miss a moment of inspiration. The entire New Hope and Newtopia Now team can't wait to see you in Denver next week for what will be an extraordinary gathering of the natural products community! 

In this episode of The Natural List, hosts Adrienne Smith and Jessica Rubino dive into the excitement of Newtopia Now 2025!  

Discover the exciting collaborations happening across product categories and get the inside scoop on how chocolate brands are navigating price challenges amid new tariffs. Our hosts share the exciting number of first-time exhibitors and Jessica and Adrienne share their top picks for food, beverage and personal care brands to see at the show. 

Plus, learn about the special partnership with Cassandra McClure's Clean Living Collective in the GLOW neighborhood, featuring innovative clean beauty brands.  

Episode highlights: 

• 4:45 – It’s Newtopia Now & peak peach season in Denver!  
• 5:00 - Exciting brand collaborations across all categories  
• 7:06 - How ethical chocolate brands are managing tariff challenges  
• 11:20 - NEW! Newtopia Now mobile app launch  
• 12:00 – Newtopia Now numbers: 50% are first-time exhibitors 
• 12:35 - Adrienne's top food & beverage brand picks  
• 14:13 - Spotlight on emerging brands highlighting transparency, USDA organic & regenerative agriculture  
• 17:18 - Clean Living Marketplace partnership with Cassandra McClure  
• 17:45 - Jessica's must-see personal care exhibitors  
• 20:02 - Trending ingredient alert: Shilajit  
• 22:17 - Next week: Newtopia Now education session preview 

Whether you're an industry veteran or natural products enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the upcoming Newtopia Now tradeshow in Denver, August 20-21st, 2025. 

The NEXTY awards are coming back to Newtopia Now, bigger and better than before! This week, co-host Adrienne Smith is joined by Meredith Kaufman, associate editor at New Hope Network, to explore the exciting return to and revamp of the NEXTY awards at Newtopia Now 2025.

This year’s NEXTYs feature a special Newtopia Now category, where our panel of experts will choose 8-10 remarkable brands from each category who are exhibiting at Newtopia Now. The goal? Uplift the innovative, emerging brands that might not yet be in the Expo West pipeline but are creating waves in the natural products industry.

Plus, get an insider's perspective on the tangible benefits of NEXTY nominations and hear about the "meaty" trends our team is eager to explore at the upcoming show.

Whether you're an industry veteran or natural products enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the future stars of the natural products world and the platform that's helping them shine.

Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify to discover the next generation of natural product innovators.

In this episode of The Natural List, Nancy Coulter-Parker, New Hope Network director of content marketing sits down with Mickey McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Salt Spring Coffee, and today’s sponsor of The Natural List.

The brand is Canada’s first Regenerative Organic Certified coffee company and has a long history of caring for soil health and nutrient density. With various certifications and dedication for the craft of coffee beans, this sustainable brand is making waves in the industry.

During this 12-minute episode, our host and guest chat about what makes Regenerative Organic Certified coffee so important for the future of the coffee industry and how certifications can be a lever to encourage consumer trust.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

About our host: Nancy Coulter-Parker, director of content marketing at New Hope Network

About our guest: Mickey McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Salt Spring Coffee

This episode of The Natural List highlights 7 emerging trends for Newtopia Now. Our co-hosts explore exciting developments across all three neighborhoods—Glow, Thrive, and Regenerate—highlighting how holistic health integrates beauty and wellness from the inside out. 

With cross-category trends like tallow-based formulations and clean-label innovations, plus innovative developments from supplement brands and a focus on healthspan and longevity, this episode is essential listening for brands, retailers, and investors looking to maximize their Newtopia Now experience this August. 

Planning to attend the show? Discover these products, and more, on Beacon Discovery – a dedicated platform where natural products brands can gain visibility and forge meaningful connections with key industry stakeholders. 

For a more in-depth look at some topics mentioned in this episode: 

• The bump serum brand spotlight https://www.newhope.com/personal-care/the-bump-serum-helps-men-of-color-eliminate-razor-bumps 
• Meredith’s roundup about personal care products https://www.newhope.com/personal-care/8-clean-conscious-personal-care-products-newtopia-now 
• 5 supplements for a focused and healthy Newtopia Now https://www.newhope.com/vitamins-and-supplements/5-supplements-focused-healthy-newtopia-now 

Newtopia Now is the destination for new product innovation and a can't-miss discovery opportunity for retailers and industry leaders. Find out more about Newtopia Now, which is Aug. 20-22 in Denver, Colorado, and register here. 

In this episode of The Natural List, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith reveal the 10 crucial trends you need to know before attending Newtopia Now (August 20-22, 2025). From hyper-functional products and high protein everything to beef tallow and basics reimagined, this is an episode you need to listen to when prepping for Newtopia Now.  

Newtopia Now is the destination for new product innovation and a can't-miss discovery opportunity for retailers and industry leaders. Find out more about Newtopia Now, which is Aug. 20-22 in Denver, Colorado, and register here.