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Tune in to hear from venture capitalists, CEOs, inventors, analysts, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and even leaders in the traditional meat and dairy spaces who are launching new initiatives as they look towards progress and profitable new product lines.
The Plantbased Business Hour airs LIVE on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1p PT on the Elysabeth Alfano LinkedIn Live Page and the JaneUnChained News Network FB Live Page. In addition, all video episodes are below. Please subscribe to the podcast. Every Friday, I also break down the top headlines in the Plantbased Business Minute.
Plantbased Business represents big money. Plant-based Business also represents big opportunity as it is the big solution. And we need just that. We need large-scale food supply solutions for our health, our economy and the health of the planet.
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January 15: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week in Review
Each Week I break down the top three headlines each in a minute or less. 1)EU Dairy Lobby Goes to Extremes, 2) Veganuary blows 2020 away, 3) Very Good Butchers, Hooray Foods, Dr. Praeger’s and Morningstar heads to Dunkin’ Donuts. Podcast coming.
January 12: Paul Shapiro on Blended Products, Clean Meat and Efficient Business Models
CEO of The Better Meat Co. and author of the Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World, Paul Shapiro joins me to discuss 1) why blended plant-based/meat hybrid products make sense, 2) the future of cultivated meat and fermented proteins and 3) the business models that will win out in the end. Current video is part II. Part I of our conversation here. Transcript available. Podcast coming.
January 8: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week in Review
Each Week I break down the top three headlines each in a minute or less. 1) Potential Oatly IPO in 2021, 2) Cultivated Meat Company Aleph Farms signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Mitsubishi Food Industy Group, 3) Impossible Foods lowers prices, Pret a Manger brings in plant-based meatballs and more! Podcast coming.
January 5: Ryan Pandya, CEO of Perfect Food. The Future of Food Is Here.
CEO and Co-Founder of Perfect Day Foods, Ryan Pandya joins me to discuss dairy without the cow. Yes. The future of food IS here. We discuss 1) precision fermentation, 2) is dairy made without the cow or the cows’ actual DNA plant-based and/or healthy, 3) how do we communicate this to the consumer and 4) collaborations for the future. Podcast coming. Transcription available.
December 29: Plantbased Predictions for 2021
On the Plantbased Business Minute, I breakdown the top three headlines each in a minute or less, except today when I breakdown my top ten (or 13) predictions for 2021. You will have to watch (3 minutes) to find out! Podcast here.
December 18: Plantbased Business Minute
On the Plantbased Business Minute, I breakdown the top three headlines each in a minute or less. 1) Plant&Bean helps to bring prices down in 2021, 2) Impossible Foods increases its retail footprint 100-fold, 3) Jelly Belly brings on a vegan line and Oprah, just go vegan, already. Podcast here.
December 15: How Can You Invest For People, The Planet and Animals
Financial Advisor Stephan Kerby is on The Plantbased Business Hour with me to discuss socially responsible investing. 1) Does it really make a difference? 2) How can we push these companies to truly earn any ESG label they throw around. 3) Can you invest im cruelty-free companies and turn a profit? 4) How does your current portfolio stack up again animal cruelty? Podcast here. Transcriptions available for purchase.
December 11: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week in Review
Each week I breakdown the top three headlines in a minute or less. 1. France heads to the Middle Ages, 2. European Union has trouble understanding the future. 3. We are the Champions: Venus Williams and Impossible Pork. Podcast here.
December 8: Is There a Revolution Going On in the Frozen Food Aisle?
Is there a vegan revolution going on in the frozen section of the supermarket? Tyler Mayoras, CEO and Co-Founder of Cool Beans is on the Plantbased Business Hour with me to discuss 1) leading a new brand to growth and success during a pandemic, 2) hockey stick velocity turns and 3) the renaissance of the frozen food section and 4) the worst mistake brands can make. Podcast here.
Plantbased Business Minute: the Week's Headlines in Review
I break down the top 3 headlines each in a minute or less on the Plantbased Business Minute: 1. Singapore leads the way for regulating cultivated meat with Eat Just, 2. The world’s largest meat trade show, IFFA, includes plant-based meats 3. Plant-based pork goes for billions. Podcast here.
December 1: Does ESG Investing Move the Needle for People, the Planet and Animals? Karner Blue Capital Responds
Vicki Benjamin and Andrew Niebler of Karner Blue Capital join me to discuss 1) if ESG investing really moves the needle for people, the planet and animals, 2) is more marketing slogan than execution, 3) what kind of due diligence is needed to determine ESG standing and can we add A (animals) and B (biodiversity) to ESG. Podcast here.
November 20: Plantbased Business Minute: the Week's News in Review
Each week I break down the top headlines in a minute or less. Let’s get into it. 1.) Plantbased and Cellular agriculture are 60% of the meat market by 2040. 2.) The Very Good Butchers hit the U.S. of A. stock market. 3.) Unilver gets busy. Podcast here.
November 17: Can Your Deodorant Change the World?
Co-Founder of Impact Veganics, Margaux Khoury, discusses 1) the importance of eco-packaging, 2) the branding of Impact Veganics to be mission-aligned and 3) how every person from the consumer to Sea Shepherd and every plant-based business in between can make a difference. Podcast here.
November 14: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week's Headlines in Review
I break down this week’s top 3 headlines on the Plantbased Business Minute. 1.) McPlant. 2.) 800% growth of plantbased milks in China 3.) Is U.K. trading up from meat and fish counters to more plant-based options? Plus, my business bottom line. Podcast here.
November 11: Zero Eggs? How? Liron Nimrodi & Isabelle Francois of Zero Egg Explain
ZERO EGGS? How? Co-Founder, Liron Nimrodi & GM Isabelle Francois of Zero Egg break it down on the Plantbased Business Hour with me. Join us to learn about the novel technology that will let us all eat egg-free for our health, for the planet and for the hens! We discuss 1) the environmental impact of eggs, 2) the market for Zero Egg and 3) the reception/reaction from food service. Podcast here.
November 6: Plantbased Business Minute, The Week in Review
Each week I break down the top 3 headlines in a minute or less on the Plantbased Business Minute. 1) NotCo. and Impossible Foods get into plant-based milk market in the U.S. 2) Chickpeas are all the rage for 2021. 3) A titanic demand for plant-based protein. Plus, my business bottom line. Podcast here.
November 4: TurtleTree Labs' Fengru Lin on Human Milk Without the Human
Can we have cow’s milk without the cow? Human milk without the human? Fengru Lin, Co-Founder of TurtleTree Labs joins me to discuss 1) disrupting the $716B animal milk industry, 2) invigorating the infant nutrition market and 3) the efficiency of technology in our food. Podcast here.
October 30: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week's Top Headlines in Review
I break down the week’s top 3 headlines, each in a minute or less. 1) Innova Market Insights nails plant-based foods and cultivated meat as it’s #2 for 2021 predictions. 2) The Members of the European Parliament go anti-business and anti-consumer by taking on plant-based dairy. 3) Perfect Day gets a perfect board member in The Walt Disney Company’s Robert Iger. Plus my business bottom line .Podcast here.
Oct 29: Can Alcohol Be Good For Your? CEO Bill Moses of Hard Kombucha Flying Embers
Can alcohol be good for you? CEO of Flying Embers Hard Kombucha Bill Moses explains on The Plantbased Business Hour. We discuss the trends in the beverage market, tips for start-ups and the market move towards food and beverage as medicine. Podcast here.
Oct 27: Only 3% of Investment Funds Go to Female Founders: Jennifer Stojkovic of Vegan Women Summit
Jennifer Stojkovic of the Vegan Women Summit and female founder pitch event, Pathfinder, joins me to on the Plantbased Business Hour to discuss 1) the results of a study on bias, discrimination and harassment of female founders during investment rounds, 2) VegTech predictions for the near-in future and 3) Mexico’s plant-based revival with female founder Tanya Oseguera of Benji MX (Shark Tank). Podcast here.
Oct: 23 The Plantbased Business Minute: The Week in Review & Analysis
Plantbased Business Minute: The Week in Review for 10/23/20. I break down the top 3 headlines each in a minute of less! 1. Good Catch heads to Canada. Impossible Foods heads to Hong Kong and Singapore. Aleph Farms heads to Space. 2. The EU invests 2.7M Euros in Bio-Tech. 3. Power up the VegEconomy with vKind. I summarize with my business bottom line. Tune in! Podcast here.
October 20: How Did Oatly Create the Oat Craze? Bjorn Oste is on The Plantbased Business Hour
How did Oatly create the oat milk craze? Bjorn Oste is on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss 1) why consumer research is a waste of time, 2) why inflexibility crushes creativity and 3) and his passion for making healthier drinks. We talk food as medicine and his newest company Good Idea Drinks. Tune in. Podcast here.
October 16: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week's Headlines in Review and Analysis
I break down the top headlines in analysis and review. News on 1) Upfield and Roquette plants in Canada, 2) The Bel Group makes plant-based versions of its major brands, 3) Omnipork heads to McDonalds and 4) Jay and Bob of Mooby’s head to Chicago. Podcast here.
October 13: Is Plant-based No Longer Enough? Eric Schnell of Beyond Brands Explains
Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Brands, Eric Schnell talks about 1) growing brands like Good Catch, Cool Beans and Steaz for success, 2) if plant-based will go the way of the natural category, 3) the power of a plant-based paycheck and 4) the importance of a strong company culture for the younger consumer. Podcast here.
October 4: Plantbased Business Minute for Week Ending October 4
I breakdown the top three headlines with review and analysis for the week ending October 4, 2020. 1) Nestle makes the connection, 2) $1.5B invested in alt proteins and 3) the reality of vegan fantasyland. It’s the Plantbased Business Minute. Podcast here.
October 1: Ryan Bethencourt and The Trends Disrupting Meat and Dairy
Ryan Bethencourt, investor and Founder of Wild Earth Pets, and I discuss the major trends destabilizing the meat and dairy industries, his newest venture, Sustainable Food Ventures and his investment strategy. Listen in to this thought-leader and major investor actively moving the world away from animal products. It’s the Plantbased Business Hour. Audio podcast here.
September 29: The Future of Seafood, The Plant Based Seafood Co, Monica Talbert
Monica Talbert of the Plant Based Seafood Co. and I discuss 1) the realities of the Seafood Industry, including the illegal industry 2) trends for seafood and plant-based seafood consumption, 3) the making of plant-based seafood products and 4) her tips for other entrepreneurs. The future of seafood is on the Plantbased Business Hour. Audio podcast here.
September 25: Plantbased Business Minute: The Week and Analysis in Review
Every week I breakdown the Top 3 Headlines on the Plantbased Business Minute. Here we go for the week ending 9/25/20. 1. KFC goes KFCellular 2. Starbucks is starry-eyed for Miyoko’s Plant-based Cream Cheeses. 3. Green Monday hits the jackpot as Fortune’s #32 for companies “Changing the World” 2020. Audio podcast here.
September 22: Is Plant-based Seafood Going to be Bigger than Plant-based Burgers?
David Benzaquen, founder of Ocean Hugger Foods and vegan investor joins me to discuss 1) the growth of plant-based seafood, 2) pain points for plant-based businesses and 3) who should be educating the consumer on plant-based products. It’s all on the Plantbased Business Hour. Audio podcast here.
September 19: Plantbased Business Minute: the Week in Analysis and Review
I break down the Top 3 headlines for review and analysis for the week ending 9/18/20. 1) “Veganism is having a blast,” accordig to Chef’s Pencil, 2) Fruit leathers are driving awareness of the vegan leather industry and 3) Beyond Meat is back in the news with meatballs and a stock price surge. Audio podcast here.
September 15: Can We Get Animals Out of the Food and Materials Supply Chain?
What’s Next for Plantbased Foods and Materials? Macy Marriott of the GlassWall Syndicate and Stephanie Downs of Material Innovation Initiative and I discuss 1)the innovations in the pipeline to take animals out of the food and materials supply chain, 2) predictions for the short term and 3) challenges facing the industries . Audio podcast here.
September 11: Plantbased Business Minute, The Top Headlines in Review & Analysis
I breakdown the week’s top headlines and share key take-aways. 1)Impossible Foods spreads to Sprouts. Is it health or taste people are after? 2) The Very Good Butchers success; what is next after the plant-based burger? 3) Are carnivores the reason for plant-based products’ tremendous growth? Audio podcast here.
September 10: Better Your Bottomline with Compassionate Decision Making? Harvard Professor Max Bazerman Weighs In
Better Your Bottomline with Compassionate Decision Making? Harvard Business Professor Max Bazerman weighs in. We discuss his newest book, Better, Not Perfect, sustainable maximum goodness, how better decision making can run parallel to ethical decision making and how being more efficient (less wasteful) with time and energy can lead to long-term goodness. He also gives tips for focusing less on our tribe and more on doing the least harm possible for creating overall value. Click here for the audio podcast.
September 4: Plantbased Business Minute, The Week in Analysis & Review
I breakdown the top three news highlights in a quick 1-minute review and analysis of each: ADM’s Covid market research, Miyoko’s Creamery on-going lawsuit, and Beyond Meat goes direct to consumer. Audio podcast here.
September 3: Are Phytonutrients The Answer to Our Health Crisis?
Are phytonutrients the answer to our health crisis? Sofia Elizondo, co-founder & COO of Brightseed talks on how AI technology is breaking through “Dark Matter” and revolutionizing our health. 1) What the heck is Dark Matter? 2) Why do we need AI to find it? 3) Why has it taken so long? and 4) Will big pharma be a competitor or a collaborator? FIND OUT on the Plantbased Business Hour. Click here for the audio podcast.
August 11: How to go from ZERO to IPO in 3 Years.
How to go from ZERO to IPO in 3 years? The Very Good Butchers: Mitchell Scott and James Davison join me to discuss 1) their skyrocketing IPO (the second IPO in plant-based history behind Beyond Meat, and not counting Tofutti), 2) the fairy dust that helped them along the way, 3) tips for entrepreneurs and 4) what they wish they knew before they started. To listen to the podcast, click here.
August 6: When Will Plant-based Milks Be 50% of the Category? Greg Steltenpohl of Califia Farms
When will plant-based milks be 50% of the milk category? Greg Steltenpohl of Califia Farms calls it on the Plantbased Business Hour. We also discuss 1) the necessary creativity in plant-based foods, 2) the hurdles he didn’t see coming, 3) the synergy between plant-based production and the eco-system and 4) what he wished he knew 10 years ago. Click here for the audio podcast.
July 30: Wondering What To Invest In? Moviefone Co-Founder Adam Slutsky Shares His Dream List
Moviefone Co-Founder Adam Slutsky is the plant-based market’s newest big investor. Current Managing Partner of Gather Ventures, hear Adam’s 1) investing strategy, 2) his take-aways from being a 3x tech entrepreneur, 3) his mentorship plan and 4) his predictions for the next 3-5 years of plant-based opportunities. Click here for the podcast.
July 28: Is Algae the Alt-Protein We have Been Waiting For?
Is algae the alt-protein we have been waiting for? Find out! Leonard Lerer of Chicago’s Back of the Yards Algae Sciences (BYAS) is on The Plantbased Business Hour with me to discuss 1) the power of microbes, 2) a hybrid of plant-based ingredients into meat products and 3) his words for developing plant-based innovators. Click here for the podcast.
July 23: Has COVID Brought More Vegan Restaurants?
Are more vegan restaurants opening during Covid rather than closing? Ken Spector, Principal at long-time trusted HappyCow Vegan Restaurant Guide, dishes with me on the PBH on global restaurant trends and the explosion of vegan options. We discuss 1) the quickly expanding plant-based restaurant scene – even during COVID, 2) the Top 10 Vegan Cities around the globe, 3) the changing trends in dining and 4) the upward trend of plant-based seafood . Plus, I taste test the new Beyond Fried Chicken from Beyond Meat and KFC! For the audio podcast, click here.
July 21: What is Phase Two of the Plant-based Shift?
Get your snack on! Serial entrepreneur, veteran financier and professional snacker, Bill Glaser, CEO and Founder of Outstanding Foods, joins me on PBH to discuss 1) the recent raise, 2) the overall snack market, 3) phase two of the plant-based movement and 4) pivotal entry points to reaching the target consumer. Meanwhile, I have PigOut Pigless Pork Rinds at the ready! Big things are in store for Outstanding Foods. For the audio podcast, click here.
July 16: Top Tips for Entrepreneurs When Pitching
Who is the Creator of Veganuary, Million Dollar Vegan and now Veg Capital? The man. The myth. The legend! Matthew Glover is on the Plantbased Business Hour with me to talk about how the world is shifting (thanks to him!) and his newest venture: Veg Capital. Points of note are 1) tips for entrepreneurs seeking funding, 2) should vegan companies work with and/or sell to meat and dairy companies and 3) the impact one person can make. For the audio podcast of this interview, click here.
July 14: Is Plantable the Answer to America's Health Problems?
Dr. Nadja Pinnavaia of Plantable joins me on the Plantbased Business Hour to talk about 1) your health, 2) the health of the nation and 3) the health of the meal delivery service industry. Unique in the space, Plantable offers both nutritional coaching and emotional support along with 12 healthy meals a week via several different programs. Tune in and learn how you can get healthy without making your wallet sick. For the audio podcast, click here.
July 9: Will Vegan Seafood Survive?
Will vegan seafood survive?! Co-Founder of Good Catch, Chad Sarno, is on the Plantbased Business Hour with me. With people eating less beef, pork and chicken, they are switching to fish. However, our oceans are already depleted. With seafood consumption on the rise, that means an increase in commercial, factory fish farming. Time to disrupt! Good Catch to the rescue! Chad and I discuss 1) finding the right texture, 2) the newest Good Catch products and food lab and 3) the importance in finding the right partners on both sides of the food aisle. For the audio podcast, click here.
June 25: Is it Possible to Start a National Brand from your Kitchen with $5k?
Do you need to have an MBA from Harvard to create of successful brand? Sadrah Schadel, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of No Evil Foods joins me to discuss the incredible trajectory of No Evil Foods from her kitchen to a national brand. Points of note are 1) the trickiness of scaling up, 2) the incredible delicacy of building a team quickly while building a brand culture, 3) the power of being a mission-driven company, 4) the potential of future crowdfunding for the brand and 5) the genesis of the No Evil Foods iconic packaging. For the audio podcast, click here.
June 23: Do Plant-based Businesses Compete on More than Price, Taste and Nutrition?
Has #COVID-19 positioned plant-based foods to gain lasting traction over the meat and dairy industries? Michele Simon, Executive Director of the Plant Based Foods Association, discusses the biggest challenges for plant-based businesses. Points of note are: 1) the need for plant-based businesses to compete on a level playing field in the marketplace with meat-based analogs, 2) the ability of these businesses to beat analog companies on taste, nutrition and community stewardship and 3) the groundwork being laid for lasting change. For the audio podcast, click here.
June 18: Is China Going Vegan? Dao Foods Founders Albert Tseng and Tao Zhang Explain
It’s a Chinese (Plant-based) Revolution: Albert Tseng and Tao Zhang of Dao Foods join me to discuss creating Next Generation Good Food, growing a crop of innovative entrepreneurs and a pre-destined (do the numbers!) plant-based China. Topics of note are 1) are female executives entering the plant-based space in China? 2) why Dao focuses on China rather than Asia as a whole, 3) are investors waiting in the wings to support plant-based innovation and 4) what role will government ultimately play? For the audio podcast, click here.
June 16: Female Vegan Investors Take Over the World
Alicia Robb of Next Wave Impact and I get into it: should plant-based businesses sell to big meat and dairy corporations? It’s a bitter pill – should we take it? We also talk about the dearth of female and minority investors and how she is building a platform at Next Wave Impact to grow a new and diverse crop of investors and entrepreneurs. Points of interest are 1) mistakes made by early investors, 2) characteristics of successful entrepreneurs and 3) Alicia’s educational investing building blocks tutorials as part of Next Wave Impact. For the audio podcast, click here.
June 9: Can Plant-based Yogurt Take on Dairy Yogurt?
Can plant-based yogurt take over the category like plant-based milks have done in the milk sector? CEO & Founder of LAVVA Yogurt, Liz Fisher, delves into the projections for plant-based yogurts and shares the most common mistakes made by food entrepreneurs.
Points of note in this interview are 1) the growth of the natural sector in grocery stores, 2) the science of and consumer interest in healthier products and 3) the importance of focusing on the consumer and brand positioning. For the audio podcast, click here.
May 28: What's The Next Big Move For Plant-based Foods?
Chris Kerr of Unovis Asset Managers / New Crop Capital has invested behind all the biggies: Beyond Meat, Miyoko’s, Alpha Foods, Kite Hill, Purple Carrot. Now, he lets us in on a secret: What’s NEXT! Plus, Chris divulges what he looks for in a company before he invests. Valuations, exit strategies and product extensions: we get into it all. For the audio podcast, click here.
May 26: What if Default Veg was the norm?
Founder of Farm Forward and DefaultVeg, and Co-Author of the Eating Animals screenplay and collaborator with Jonathan Safran Foer, Dr. Aaron Gross joins me on the Plantbased Business Hour. We discuss the lack of social distancing in factory farms, how they are breeding grounds for Pandemics-Swine Flu and Asian Bird Flu-and the oppression of animals, workers and farmers by multinational “farming” coporations. We also discuss the support these wealthy corporations receive via subsidies and legal protections. For the audio podcast, click here.
May 19: What’s The Skinny on Vegan London?
The Vurger Co. Founders Rachel Hugh and Neil Potts weigh in on London-town, reinventing themselves during social distancing, their commitment to sustainability and zero plastics and their predictions for the future. Grab your burger and settle in – The Plantbased Business Hour heads to London! For the audio podcast, click here.
May 14: What will the future be for Beyond Meat?
Chuck Muth, Chief Growth Officer, talks about expanding to China, protecting IP, building relationships in Europe, price parity with meat, and new products. If you are watching the Beyond Meat stock, you will want to listen in. For the audio podcast, click here.
May 12: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams gives a powerful interview on the public health benefits of a plant-based diet, the public health issues with NYC’s wet markets and what is takes to be a leader in a time of crisis. Raw, humble and direct, Adams talks about curing his type 2 diabetes and partial blindness with a plant-based diet and the economic impact of implementing plant-based lifestyle nutrition in hospitals and in schools. He is known for putting vegan meal options in schools, hospitals and prisons and implementing #MeatlessMondays in 1700 public NYC schools. For the audio podcast, click here.
May 7: From Australia! Mad Scientists or Creative Geniuses?
Jim Fuller and Chris McLoghlin of Fable Food Co. are making braised beef from mushrooms and it’s delish! The two discuss the business hurdles of getting global distribution, solid investors and reliable manufacturing partners…and the intelligence of mushrooms! Of course, we also eat Braised Beef over Noodles and Braised Pork with BBQ Sauce! For the audio podcast, click here.
May 5: The Midas Touch! Seth Goldman and Jonah Goldman
Seth Goldman, Former Executive Chairman of Beyond Meat, Founder of Honest Tea and Founder of Eat The Change and Jonah Goldman, Co-Founder of PLNT Burger, talk about conscious capitalism, #planetdelicious and price parity with meat!! For the audio podcast, click here.
April 30: Michiel van Deursen of Capital V discusses the three “F”s of investing.
Tune in to hear his incredible life-affirming come back story that turned his world around and put him on the path to vegan investing. An early investor in The Vegetarian Butcher, as well as many established brands, Michiel shares the one thing that he is waiting for that isn’t yet to market. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 28: Legal Eagle Carissa Kranz Talks Wet Markets and Vegan Labeling
Legal Eagle Carissa Kranz Talks U.S. Wet Markets, her legal petition in support of banning NY wet markets and her company BeVeg, which certifies companies as vegan in order to standardize the market. Carissa has been vegan since birth and, before becoming a lawyer and CEO of her own company, was a performing ballerina. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 27: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni and Vegan Investing
April 27: One of the most influential and dedicated figures in the Plantbased Business arena, Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni joins me on the Plantbased Business Hour to discuss inefficient meat and dairy operations, solutions for change and feeding a growing population.
We also discuss working alongside meat and dairy to replace their product lines with plant-based alternatives and supporting vegan businesses and sanctuaries during Covid-19. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 23: Can One App Change the World? CEO Vikas Garg of abillionveg
CEO Vikas Garg of abillionveg joins me on the Plantbased Business Hour to discuss how, through reviews, the direct feedback from customers to restaurants about their vegan options allows restaurants to do more and better vegan dishes, thus growing the market. abillionveg app also donates $1 per review to animal sanctuaries and allows consumers the chance for their voice to be heard while doing what they love most: taking pictures of food. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 22: Seth Tibbott and Wild Tofurky in Covid Times
Founder of Tofurky, Seth Tibbott, dishes with me on the The Plantbased Business Hour on meat and dairy bailouts, Tofurky’s booming plant-based business, their new factory strategy during Covid-19, the delay of the Moocho Cheese launch and his book, In Search of the Wild Tofurky. Plus, Felipe Alvalos of Big Love Catering joins us to talk feeding first responders vegan meals from the kindness of his heart. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 21: The Passion Behind Vegan Shoes: Rebecca Mink of Mink Shoes
Rebecca Mink, Founder/Designer of Mink Shoes shares how she crafts her vegan luxury shoes in Italy, the passion behind the craft and how the Florence leather market is opening to vegan leather!
Rebecca makes vegan shoes for the stars and, in a step ahead of the markets, she is taking her luxury shoes direct to consumers with her custom boutique. Get your shoe obsession on! It’s Mink Shoes on the PlantBased Business Hour. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 17: Courtney Garza of VegWorld Magazine and Breaking Vegan News
Slaughterhouse shutdowns, Burger King law suits, Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine takes on U.S. Wet Markets, The Mile High Vegan Network and the So Flo Vegan Summit. With coverage from JaneUnChained News Network and Vegconomist, I break down the vegan news with Courtney Garza of VegWorld Magazine on The Plantbased Business Hour. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 15: Plantbased Jerky! It's Not Just For Cowboys!
Who is eating the most plant-based jerky around the country? It isn’t cowboys! CEO and Founder of It’s Jerky Y’all and All of Y’all’s Foods, Brett Christoffel, shares the pitfalls for entrepreneurs and the power of being mission driven. Get your Texan on, It’s Jerky Y’All! For the audio podcast, click here.
April 13: Chrisite Lagally of Rebellyous Foods
2020 is the year of Vegan Chicken! Mechanical Engineer and CEO of Rebellyous Foods, Christie Lagally, explains how she takes on the largest sector of the meat industry (Chicken) by creating a delicious chicken nugget that can scale up in volume and scale down in price to truly replace chicken production. She talks food and engineering the machinery for large scale production. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 10: Will Microbes Feed the World? CEO of Nature's Fynd Thomas Jonas Explains!
A NASA research gig turns into a discovery of a lifetime….will microbes feed the world? CEO of Nature’s Fynd, Thomas Jonas explains how all protein comes from plants and microbes and that microbes will become our efficient, nutritious, and prolific food supply of the future. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 9: CEO of GoodDot, Abhishek Sinha, Talks Growing Veganism in India
Co-CEO and Co-Founder of GoodDot (India), Abhishek Sinha joins me on the PLANTBASED BUSINESS HOUR to discuss veganism in India, the cultural pros and cons to embracing same and GoodDot’s exploding business beyond Asia. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 8: Do YOUR Taxes Support Meat and Dairy Industries?
Is it enough to buy plant-based items when our tax dollars support meat and dairy subsidies? If meat and dairy is propped up by subsidies giving them unfair competitivie advantage, are we really a capitalist economy? Connie Spence of Agriculture Fairness Alliance and the Vegan Justice League Explains. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 7: What To Do in the Face of Fear: Jeffrey Harris of Plant Power Fast Food
Jeffrey Harris, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Plant Power Fast Food joins me on the PLANTBASED BUSINESS HOUR to talk about sales during Coronavirus, the beauty of a dedicated, loyal customer base and what he does in the face of fear. For a dose of inspiration and motivation, listen in! For the audio podcast, click here.
April 6: Plantbased BACON! It's Coming! Find Out When from Lisa Feria of Stray Dog Capital
Lisa Feria of Stray Dog Capital joins me on the Plantbased Business Hour to discuss plantbased bacon, vegan foods tasting better than their counterparts and the most important skill for an entrepreneur. For the audio podcast, click here.
April 2: Does the Queen of Cheese, Miyoko Schinner, Ever Cheat and Eat Cheese?
April 2: The Queen of Cheese, Miyoko Schinner of Miyoko’s Creamery joins me to discuss health and cruelty issues with dairy and the struggling industry. In addition, we discuss her mission that is a company, Miyoko’s new cheddar cheese, the impetus for starting a cheese dynasty and the reality that is the rapid growth of plantbased dairy. To inform the USDA that you do NOT want dairy to be recommended as a health food on its nutritional guidelines, visit this link:http://bit.ly/2Qp1SU6
For the audio podcast, click here.
April 1: What's the Next Big (Plantbased) Idea? Big Idea Ventures Share the Secret!
What’s the next Big (Plantbased) Idea? Andrew Ive, General Partner and Founder of Big Idea Ventures shares the secret, but here’s a hint: it isn’t food. Watch and listen in to find out! For the audio podcast, click here.
March 31: Lou Cooperhouse of BlueNalu on the Impending Reality of Cellular Aquaculture
Lou Cooperhouse, CEO and President of BlueNalu, joins me to discuss the impending reality of cellular aquaculture, changing consumer habits and demands, the waste, inefficiency, cruelty and environmental by-product of fishing and fish farms and the worldwide rising demand for fish. This is the future! Listen in. For the audio podcast, click here.
March 30: Ryan Bethencourt of Wild Earth on the Changing Pet Food Industry
Ryan Bethencourt, Founder of Wild Earth Pet Foods and Co-Author of The Clean Pet Food Revolution: How Better Pet Food Will Change the World, joins me to discuss how our pet food industry props up factory farming and how much of the pet food consists of dead, diseased, disabled and dying animal contributing to the spread of disease. We also talk about the changing landscape of investing in plantbased start-ups. Finally, Dr. Jeff Schaider, Former Chariman of the Department of Emergency Health at one of the largest emergency rooms in the country, Cook County in Chicago, talks about Coronavirus, testing and managing supplies. For the audio podcast, click here.
March 27: How Are Vegan Restaurants Surviving During COVID-19 Crisis?
Andrew Kalish of Sam & Gertie’s and Kāl’ish and Jennie Plasterer of Kitchen 17 are two of very few Chicago vegan restaurants which have not closed…in fact they have reinvented themselves, forging ahead with new business models to keep vegan food, their businesses and hope alive. Tune in to listen to these two business leaders braving the frontlines of Coronavirus! For the audio podcast, click here.
March 24: Impossible Foods' Rachel Konrad Talks Impossible Pork
Firecracker and Powerhouse Rachel Konrad of Impossible Foods joins me on The Plantbased Business Hour to discuss Impossible Pork, the expected swift shift of consumer food trends and if an IPO is in the future. Rachel also explains in great detail how studies show that people don’t like to have their food coming from dead carcasses. For the audio podcast, click here.
March 23: Claire Smith of Beyond Investing and Beyond Animal
Claire Smith, CEO of Beyond Investing and Chairwoman of Beyond Animal, talks about the bottleneck with bank loans for vegan businesses. For the audio podcast, click here.
March 20: Danny O'Malley on Grocery Stores Stocking Up on Plantbased Items During Coronavirus
Founder of Before the Butcher and current Presiplant of #UnCut Burgers, Danny O’Malley joins me to discuss 1) how being acquired has helped his company weather the Coronavirus, 2) if grocers are considering plant-based meats when meat supplies have run out, and 3) if we have come to a saturation point for plant-based burgers. For the audio podcast, click here.
March 19: The Plantbased Business Hour: Curt Albright of Clear Current Capital
First up is Curt Albright of Clear Current Captial. Curt and I discuss 1) the power of impact investing, 2) the contract manufacturing deficit for plant-based businesses and 3) the individual potency of the consumer. Watch below and share. For the audio podcast, click here.
Below are business interviews on my sister interview show, Awesome Vegans Influencer Series, that inspired me to start the Plant-based Business Hour.
2020: David Yeung on Green Monday, Green Common, Omnipork and China’s Growing Interest in Plant-based. For the audio podcast, click here.
2020: Jim Richards of Milkadamia on regenerative farming and the end of dairy. For the audio podcast, click here.
2020: Shark Tank’s Mrs. Goldfarb from UnReal Deli. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Reporting Live from the Good Food Institute Annual Summit. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Plant Power Ventures and Veggie Grill Co-Founder, T.K. Pillan, on Predictions for a Plant-based Economy. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Founders of Chicago Vegan Foods and Dandies Marshmallows, Dan Ziegler and Ryan Howard on vegan marshmallows. Plus, Marketing Director Dan Reed gives a tour of the factory. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Ryan Bethencourt of Wild Earth Pet Food on the plant-based tech space. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: CEO of Greenleaf Foods (Lightlife and Field Roast), Dan Curtin on Celebrating 40 Years of Lightlife. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Josh Tetrick of Eat JUST Distributing Plant-based Eggs Around the World. For the audio podcast, click here.
2019: Seth Tibbott of Tofurky and the History of Plant-based Foods. For the audio podcast, click here.
2018: Good Food Institute’s Director of Innovation, Brad Barbera. For the audio podcast, click here.
2018: Aidan Altman and Andrew McClure are intent on making animal butter obsolete with Faba Butter and ForA Foods! For the audio podcast, click here.
2018: Ethan Brown Launches Beyond Sausage (in my kitchen). For the audio podcast, click here.
2018: Upton’s Natural Founder Daniel Stackmann and VP Nicole Sopko on the Vegan Economy. For the audio podcast, click here.
2017: Citibank Exec Phillip Wollen on the Mathematical Imperative for Going Vegan. For the audio podcast, click here.
In addition to the Plantbased Business Hour, a series in my overall Awesome Vegan Influencer Series podcast, I continue with my weekly radio show. The Elysabeth Alfano Show airs every Sunday 4p ET live on the WCGO-Chicago, WCGORadio.com, The Smart Talk Radio Network, The JaneUnChained News Network, Vegan Magazine and Alexa. To hear more of The Elysabeth Alfano Show, click here.
And please, help me make the first and only syndicated plant-based radio show in the nation a huge success! Tell YOUR local station to pick up The Elysabeth Alfano Show, available across the nation through the Smart Talk Radio Network or by contacting me at Elysabeth at Elysabeth@ElysabethAlfano.com.
SUBSCRIBE to The Elysabeth Alfano Show on iTunes and to my Youtube Channel, Elysabeth Alfano. Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter so you never miss a Facebook Live interview session or live cooking demos. Plus, don’t forget to stay in touch on Instagram and Twitter.
Thank you, also, to VegFund for supporting this podcast! In addition to my weekly Sunday radio show (4p ET on WCGO) you can catch me live on WGN Radio, WCPT Radio, WLS Radio and periodically on WGN-TV, WCIU-TV, iHeart Radio, Good Morning LALALand, Bagels Over Broadway, Splash Magazine Worldwide and NPR’s KCRW as a plant-based expert.