Episodes

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Episode 773 - :

Burnin' Dollars? Recess' $30M Raise & Ben Stiller's Soda.

The hosts break down Recess’ $30 million raise, pound shots of olive oil, and wonder if Ben Stiller’s nostalgic soda brand can make it in middle America. Oh, and someone bottled a hot sauce wrapped in a real $100 bill.

Burnin’ Dollars? Recess’ $30M Raise & Ben Stiller’s Soda.2025-10-31T12:20:20+00:00

Episode 772 - :

Her Recipe For A Multimillion-Dollar Brand? Start With Dough.

+ Kathryn Bricken, Doughlicious

Kathryn Bricken, the founder and CEO of Doughlicious, shares how she turned a London-based cookie dough startup into a global frozen dessert powerhouse now in 6,000 U.S. stores, including Whole Foods, Target, and Kroger.

Her Recipe For A Multimillion-Dollar Brand? Start With Dough.2025-10-28T11:47:32+00:00

Episode 771 - :

Unboxing Opportunity & Innovation Here… And There

The hosts unpack curated snack boxes featuring innovative products from emerging food and beverage brands – from sourdough bites and zaatar crackers to whiskey pecans and candied pistachios. They also share insights on how founders can save big and stand out at BevNET’s upcoming events in L.A.

Unboxing Opportunity & Innovation Here… And There2025-10-24T10:48:46+00:00

Episode 770 - :

What Happens After You Sell to Starbucks? For George Howell, Everything.

Specialty coffee pioneer George Howell shares how a long-term vision and a commitment to quality over trends helped reshape American coffee culture, even after Starbucks acquired his original brand. He also reveals the little-known origins of the drink that would become the Frappuccino, critiques why many cafés fall short on customer experience, and explains his unapologetic views on flavored coffee.

What Happens After You Sell to Starbucks? For George Howell, Everything.2025-10-21T11:19:19+00:00

Episode - :

Presented by Vertosa

Making Cannabis Mainstream: Vertosa CEO Ben Larson on Innovation, Education & Efficacy

In this Taste Radio interview, host Ray Latif speaks with Ben Larson, founder and CEO of Vertosa, about how his company is driving the future of cannabis and hemp-infused beverages. Vertosa specializes in creating fast-acting, consistent, and safe active ingredients for some of North America’s leading brands, helping them develop products that serve as functional, [...]

Making Cannabis Mainstream: Vertosa CEO Ben Larson on Innovation, Education & Efficacy2025-10-14T15:35:30+00:00

Episode 769 - :

Is THC In Target A Tipping Point? Finally, Fiber Is Sexy.

Is Target about to normalize THC drinks? The team unpacks a potentially game-changing move by the retail giant, and what it could mean for the future of cannabis beverages. They explore the regulatory roadblocks and why the move might be a tipping point. Plus, why PepsiCo is calling fiber “the next protein,” and a look at CPG innovations, including a surprisingly convenient twist on tomato paste.

Is THC In Target A Tipping Point? Finally, Fiber Is Sexy.2025-10-17T10:29:10+00:00

Episode - :

Elevator Talk: All Día, Grisly's Cosmic, Sipli, Olia, Birdie

The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from All Día, Grisly's Cosmic, Sipli, Olia, Birdie. This week’s special co-host is Andrew Guard, the founder of Right Coast Brands.

Elevator Talk: All Día, Grisly’s Cosmic, Sipli, Olia, Birdie2025-10-15T15:34:23+00:00

Episode 768 - :

Straightaway ‘Runs Its Own Race.’ It’s Why Costco & Shake Shack Came Calling.

+ Cy Cain, Straightaway Cocktails

How can a patient, craft-centric mindset give brands a competitive edge? Cy Cain, the founder and CEO of premium RTD cocktail brand Straightaway Cocktails, outlines a strategy rooted in deliberate, thoughtful growth over the pursuit of viral trends, and emphasizes the long-term value of investments in quality and brand integrity alongside partnerships with Costco, Alaska Airlines and Shake Shack.

Straightaway ‘Runs Its Own Race.’ It’s Why Costco & Shake Shack Came Calling.2025-10-14T11:59:45+00:00

Episode - :

Presented by InvestBev

Backing the Best in Beverage: Brian Rosen on How InvestBev Picks Winners

In this Taste Radio interview, host Ray Latif speaks with Brian Rosen, founder & CEO of InvestBev, about why his firm focuses on the “disenfranchised” small and midsize beverage brands most investors overlook. A third-generation beverage operator, Rosen explains how InvestBev deploys a mix of equity, credit, acceleration, and even insurance to help emerging alcohol [...]

Backing the Best in Beverage: Brian Rosen on How InvestBev Picks Winners2025-10-14T12:19:26+00:00

Episode 767 - :

How Fiber, Gen X & Juice Shots Factor Into The Future Of CPG

Fresh off an exhilarating meetup in London, the team shines a spotlight on some of the standout brands at the event. They also delve into how fiber-forward brands are reshaping categories and why Gen X might be your brand’s unexpected secret weapon. This episode also revisits interviews from our San Diego meetup, including leaders from Sol-ti, Recoup, Innerbloom, Hydr8 and Erva Brew Co.

How Fiber, Gen X & Juice Shots Factor Into The Future Of CPG2025-10-10T12:31:44+00:00