Breaking into a crowded grocery category takes more than a great product – it takes a brand shoppers can’t ignore. In this episode, Ian Tecklin, the founder and CEO of chef-driven frozen pasta brand Ripi, explains why he made brand identity and packaging a core investment from day one and how it helped the company secure nationwide launches at Whole Foods and Target within its first 15 months.

From beef tallow fries to real sugar candy and olive oil potato chips, the hosts discuss how the hottest brands in CPG are winning – and raising serious money – by reimagining old-school ingredients for modern consumers. We also meet with Better Sour co-founders Bella Hughes and Semira Nikou to discuss the brand’s new gummy line and upcoming launch at Whole Foods.

Catherine Smart thought she and her co-founder were building the next great consumer brand. Instead, they found themselves navigating the painful realities of fundraising, retail pressure and ultimately shutting down their business.

As consumers increasingly prioritize quality, functionality and authenticity, brands across food, beverage and wine are redefining what premium means. The hosts explore this evolving dynamic and spotlight innovative brands shaping the future of refreshment and snacking. The episode also features an interview with Jordi Viñals, the managing director of acclaimed Spanish winery Marqués de Vargas.

Innovation is everywhere, but the majority of what consumers see is incremental change. What does it mean to do something meaningfully different? Lasso is attempting to answer that question. In this episode, CEO Mike Messersmith, the former Oatly executive who helped turn oat milk into a cultural phenomenon, shares how his company is rethinking food from the ground up.

A brilliant pitch slam, a buzzy non-alcoholic cocktail acquisition and the quiet decline of meal kits – the hosts break down where CPG is actually gaining (and losing) momentum.