In Episode 8 of Unpackaged Goods, we unpack the biggest CPG deal of the decade: Kimberly-Clark's $49 billion acquisition of Kenvue (Tylenol, Band-Aid, Neutrogena). Plus, Mid-Day Squares proves you don't need venture capital to scale, announcing plans to triple manufacturing capacity using cash flow and debt.

Then, Daniel from Dirty Gut joins us to discuss:

• Why he named his gut health brand "Dirty Gut" instead of something safe
• Building an education-first supplement brand that actually talks about poop
• The Gut Reset Kit system approach vs. single supplements
• Competing with $100M-funded wellness brands on a bootstrap budget
• Making digestive health conversations mainstream (and profitable)

Other stories this week:

• Cymbiotika raises $25M at $150M revenue (Post Malone, Daymond John invest)
• Dua Lipa launches skincare with Augustinus Bader
• WELD introduces 18g protein energy drinks
• Vital Farms delivers 37% growth in Q3
• Celebrity CPG continues with Alex Cooper's energy play

From $49B acquisitions to brands tackling taboo topics, this episode explores the different paths to CPG success - and why the uncomfortable conversations might be the best opportunities.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In Episode 7 of Unpackaged Goods, we cover the biggest moves in CPG this week, including Recess's $30M Series B as they expand beyond CBD, Fruitist's $150M raise at $400M revenue, and Target's aggressive push into wellness shots.

Then, we sit down with the founders of Stesh to discuss how they're revolutionizing the nut butter category with premium California pistachio butter. 

We explore:

• Building a luxury brand in a commodity category
• The challenges of pistachio sourcing and production
• Converting consumers at premium price points
• Their vision for expanding beyond traditional nut butters

Plus: A critical segment on the SNAP benefits crisis affecting 42 million Americans. As the government shutdown threatens food assistance, we discuss how CPG brands can help make their products accessible to everyone - because premium doesn't have to mean exclusive.

Other stories this week:

• Novak Djokovic joins Cob as co-founder (sorghum popcorn)
• Chomps opens second manufacturing facility
• Man Cereal launches with creatine-infused breakfast
• Magic Mind, Supergut, and more score major distribution wins

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#CPG #Entrepreneurship #FoodJustice #UnpackagedGoods #ConsumerGoods

In Episode 6 of Unpackaged Goods, Jonathan tackles this week's viral Consumer Reports article about heavy metals in protein powder - and explains why the fear-mongering doesn't match the science.

This week's major moves:

• LVMH explores exit from Fenty Beauty ($450M in sales)
• Grüns crosses $300M in revenue while staying profitable
• Advent seeks $2B for luxury fragrance brands
• Unilever's $9B ice cream spinoff delayed by shutdown
• Carbone Fine Food expands to simmer sauces near $100M mark

Plus: A fact-based breakdown of the protein powder controversy. We compare actual heavy metal levels to everyday foods, explain why California Prop 65 is meaningless, and share what consumers should really focus on when buying supplements.

The truth? Your spinach has more lead than your protein powder. But fear sells better than facts.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get podcasts.

In Episode 5 of Unpackaged Goods, Jonathan covers the week's biggest CPG moves including BUILT Bar's potential sale, Sprinter Spirits' $4M raise, and why luxury butter needs venture funding.

Then, the founder of Trelli Health shares their mission to create cleaner alternatives to everyday medicines. We discuss:

• Building plant-based alternatives to Tylenol, cold medicine, and IBS relief
• Why the OTC medicine aisle hasn't innovated in decades
• The challenges of competing with pharmaceutical giants
• Creating trust in a category dominated by legacy brands
• Their vision for the future of wellness medicine

Plus: Pop-Tarts adds protein, someone put creatine in a candy bar, and mac & cheese now comes with 47 grams of protein. We've officially reached peak protein absurdity.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get podcasts.

#CPG #HealthTech #Wellness #Entrepreneurship #UnpackagedGoods

In this solo episode of Unpackaged Goods, Jonathan breaks down the week's biggest CPG collapses, comebacks, and contradictions. We analyze PRIME's staggering fall from $1.3B to $300M, Flow Water's receivership, and why DUDE Wipes is somehow crushing it at $130M.

This week's stories:

• Flow Water and Uncle Nearest's financial troubles
• PRIME's 77% sales collapse (what happens when hype dies)
• Alec's Ice Cream raises $11M for A2 dairy expansion
• Death Wish Coffee vs. Liquid Death legal battle
• Mars/Kellanova's $36B merger gets EU approval

Plus: I break down Whole Foods' 2026 trend predictions (beef fat is trendy now?) and share my super early 2027 predictions including "The Great Creator Crash" and why AI-personalized CPG might actually happen.

No guest this week - just unfiltered takes on why the fake money era is ending and real businesses are finally winning.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get podcasts.

#CPG #BusinessNews #FoodTrends #Entrepreneurship #UnpackagedGoods

In Episode 3 of Unpackaged Goods, Jonathan breaks down Once Upon a Farm's IPO filing, Smucker's protein-powered PB&J launch, and why everyone's putting weird stuff in non-alcoholic beer.

Then, the founders of Byte'm Brownie Bites share their journey from college best friends to CPG entrepreneurs. We discuss:

• Building a brownie brand on pure nostalgia
• Why they refused to make "healthy" brownies
• Scaling from dorm room to retail shelves
• The power of friendship in business
• Their advice for college students with CPG dreams

Plus: Joyride beats Skittles at Target, PRIME sales collapse 50%, and someone made kratom beer (yes, really).

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get podcasts.

In Episode 2 of Unpackaged Goods, Jonathan breaks down the week's biggest CPG moves including Tito's historic first acquisition (LALO Tequila), Heineken's $3.2B infrastructure play, and why an NFL quarterback is investing in jumbo blueberries.

Then, Grace Finerman, founder of Date Smarter, shares her journey from TV news anchor to CPG founder. We discuss:

• How 3 AM wake-up calls led her to discover date powder
• Building a better-for-you candy brand that actually tastes good
• Creating chocolate caramels with natural ingredients
• The challenges of launching in the crowded healthy candy space
• Her transition from telling stories on TV to building a brand story

Plus: Ben Stiller makes soda, Charlie Sheen goes non-alcoholic, and we debate whether the world needs sperm performance supplements.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you get podcasts.

In our premiere episode, The Lucky Ox reveals how they transformed nostalgic Asian flavors into a premium Asian beverage brand. We discuss their journey from working together at Nike, and Jonathan breaks down this week's biggest CPG news, including the founders of Ben & Jerry's stepping down and Alice mushroom chocolates raising $ 8 million.