PRINTCast: PRINT’s Podcast Studio – PRINT Magazine

This is a Prototype: Kate Aronowitz & Robert Fabricant

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 16 May 2024 12:29:44 +0000

Season 2 of This Is A Prototype: The Design Leadership Podcast is underway! The opening episode is a special two-part discussion with a couple of amazing design leaders, Kate Aronowitz of Google Ventures and Robert Fabricant of Dalberg.

In part 1, host Doug Powell digs into Kate’s and Robert’s design backstories, and together they discuss the growth and expansion of design as a practice and a profession in the last two decades, including the important issue of leadership succession. Doug and his guests also begin to explore Robert’s recent Fast Company articles about the state of design leadership. Part 2 of the episode will post early next week.

Brands for a Better World: Be Willing to Lose it All

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 15 May 2024 11:46:55 +0000

Setting out and starting a business takes courage, determination, and the ability to learn as you go. It also requires a certain commitment to the foundational causes of the work.

For Adam Hiner, our guest on today’s show, combining his passion for food and regenerative agriculture with his work ethic and growing knowledge of the entrepreneurial landscape has enabled him to build two really inspiring and conscientious brands. Adam is the CEO and Founder of Pacha, a gluten-free, grain-free, sprouted, fermented, paleo, and plant-based bread company, as well as the Co-Founder of Boochcraft, through which he and his team introduced the market to organic hard kombucha!

In our chat, we get to hear from Adam about the important steps on his evolving path, the morals that ground his work, and some of the challenges he has faced and overcome so far. If you would like to hear about true innovations in the food sector, how Adam approached business during the pandemic, and the power of intuition in a data-filled world, listen in with us!

Key Points From This Episode:

Adam talks about regenerative agriculture and how Pacha is involved and supports this movement.
Challenges in the baked goods space: distribution, freshness, packaging, and more.
The environmental and social initiatives that Adam and Pacha have linked with so far.
A little about the organic, hard kombucha company that Adam started called Boochcraft.
Advice from Adam for aspiring CPG business owners on the realities of running a business and using intuition.
How Pacha was birthed at the beginning of the pandemic and Adam’s attitude towards riding that wave.
Demand for kombucha and the surprising demographics that gravitated towards the products.
Adam’s journey before launching Pacha; selling mortgages, restaurants, catering, and more!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

The Brands for a Better World podcast (formerly Evolve CPG) is hosted by Gage Mitchell, founder (CEO) and Creative Director at Modern Species, a sustainable brand design agency helping better-for-the-world brand launch, evolve, and grow to scale their impact.

Brands for a Better World: When Everything Goes Wrong

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 08 May 2024 21:05:40 +0000

No entrepreneurial journey is without its challenges, but even the biggest ones can be overcome with enough passion, drive, and support.

Today’s guest is Sadrah Schadel, founder and CEO of No Evil Foods, a nationwide plant-based protein company that she and her life partner started in their kitchen in 2014 with just $5000. After a few major hurdles which we discuss during today’s episode, they got to a point where they were weeks away from running out of money and having to shut their doors.

Tune in to hear about the rise, fall, and recent rebrand of No Evil Foods!

Key Points From This Episode:

Factors that inspired Sadrah and her life partner, Mike, to found No Evil Foods.
An overview of the journey of No Evil Foods from Sadrah and Mike’s kitchen in upstate New York to a nationwide plant-based meat provider.
Factors that are foundational to the company culture at No Evil Foods, and the award they won as a result!
Major hurdles that No Evil Foods has been presented with over the past few years.
Sadrah shares the challenges they experienced during the process of scaling their manufacturing.
How No Evil Foods differs from many other plant-based protein brands.
Lessons that Sadrah learned through dealing with her employees’ desire to form a union.
The value of being transparent and showing vulnerability as a leader.
The rebranding that No Evil Foods has recently undergone.
Valuable advice for other entrepreneurs.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Shifting Towards Sustainability

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 01 May 2024 13:57:52 +0000

Conscious consumerism has grown exponentially in recent years, with shoppers expecting more transparency and less waste from the brands they choose to support. While shifting towards more sustainable business practices obviously has a positive impact on the environment, there are also a number of benefits for your brand, which you’ll learn more about in today’s episode!

To help us explore this topic, we are joined by Alicia Lahey, Co-Founder and CEO of Humble Snacks, Canada’s first organic potato chip packaged in 100% plastic-free, compostable bags. We discuss Alicia’s experience in big food, why she and her husband made the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle, and why she didn’t want to launch her own brand unless it came in better packaging, plus so much more.

To find out how you can continue to innovate in the natural and organic snack category and ensure that your packaging mirrors the philosophy of your brand, you won’t want to miss today’s episode!

Key Points From This Episode:

Some of the challenges that come with adopting sustainable packaging solutions.
Why Alicia and her husband were so committed to creating eco-friendly bags.
Lessons learned from SunChips’ infamously noisy packaging.
A look at Humble’s partnership with A Plastic Planet to develop their plastic-free bag.
The importance of investing in plastic-free or plastic-neutral initiatives.
Limitations of compostable packaging and how Humble seeks to solve them.
How proving sustainable packaging successful will move the needle for larger brands.
Alicia’s take on the future of better snacking (and where there’s room for innovation).
Other product categories that Humble will expand into in the future.
The inspiration behind their ‘humble’ brand name.
Why communication is key when working with your spouse in your family business!
Hurdles Alicia and her husband had to overcome to get their product on shelves.
Valuable fundraising tips for other purpose-over-profit founders.
Identifying (and filling) a gap in the market for organic, light, crispy, skin-on potato chips.
Insight into Alicia’s research and development process for Humble Snacks.
How Alicia found her way into the CPG industry, starting with driving a truck!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: John Foraker of Once Upon a Farm

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:24:59 +0000

To make a true impact, your mission needs to be baked into the DNA of your brand from the get-go.

Joining us today to share the keys to the success of an impact-driven brand is John Foraker, Co-Founder and CEO of nutrition-focused kids’ food brand, Once Upon a Farm. In this episode, we discover the most valuable lessons John learned from scaling Annie’s Homegrown, how he came to partner with actress and Once Upon a Farm co-founder, Jennifer Garner, and how he weaves impact into the brands he builds.

Tune in for this revealing episode on scaling without compromising culture, and committing to making an impact.

Key Points From This Episode:

Introducing John Foraker, Co-Founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm.
John’s advice for scaling an impact-driven brand.
The importance of baking impact into the DNA of your brand.
The three most valuable lessons John learned from scaling Annie’s Homegrown.
How and why both John and actress Jennifer Garner got involved with Once Upon a Farm.
The fundamental belief that drives John to use business as a force for positive social change.
The benefits of the public benefit corporation model.
Hiring advice and criticism of the historical corporate mindset.
The importance of authenticity as a leader (and the danger of imitation).
Reframing the term “organic”.
How John married his passion for food and farming with business.
The value of graduate studies and continuous learning in business.
Once Upon a Farm’s purity promise and their partnership with Save the Children.
The evolving nature of B Corp.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Jamie Lamonde, CEO of Kindship Group

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

When you have a greater diversity of people at the table sharing their voices and insights, you inevitably get better solutions. Joining us today is Jamie Lamonde, CEO and Founder of Kindship Group, whose core mission is to scale and grow businesses for good. We talk with Jamie about her recent trip to Germany to attend BIOFACH, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food, how the experience compares to Natural Products Expo West, and her top tips for getting the most out of any trade show experience. Our conversation gets into some of the key differences between American and European food industries, the state of the organic movement and its relationship to non-GMO, regenerative, and biodynamic movements, and Jamie’s hopes for the future of these industries. Join us for an expansive conversation on global food industries, trade shows, and why greater inclusion and diversity are essential for a better world!

Key Points From This Episode:

The upcoming Natural Products Expo West trade fair.
What we are most excited about for Expo West.
Tips to help get the most out of Expo West.
An overview of BIOFACH, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food.
How BIOFACH compares to Expo West.
Jamie’s takeaways from her first trip to BIOFACH in Germany.
The diversity of businesses that Jamie saw at BIOFACH.
Some notable differences between the US and European food industries.
Key insights from conversations on organic farming and regenerative agriculture at BIOFACH.
Embracing how the regenerative movement can enhance organic, not compete against it.
How bad actors and infighting within the movement can discourage consumers.
A reminder of the concerted efforts being made to prevent organic fraud.
Jamie answers our rapid-fire questions on favorite foods, impact-driven leaders, and more!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Laurel Orley, CEO of Daily Crunch

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

There is a certain magic in creating a tasty snack that instantly fills one with joy, and when others are battling to match your experience, you know you’ve birthed something truly special! Daily Crunch is a nut-snacks unicorn and today, we are joined by its co-founder and CEO, Laurel Orley, who explains what makes her brand different from the rest and why its competitors struggle to keep up. Our conversation explores the value of being Women-Owned certified, how Daily Crunch prioritizes mental health, the power of upcycling, and so much more. Tune in to discover the difference between learning in corporate and learning on-the-go, and how ruined plans may actually be a saving grace for budding entrepreneurs. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

What makes Daily Crunch unique, and why other nut companies struggle to keep up.
Daily Crunch’s highest-performing products and flavors.
Laurel defines “upcycled” and explains why we should all be excited about it.
Why Daily Crunch prioritizes mental health and how this manifests throughout the brand.
The value and impact of being certified by Women Owned.
How the company navigates brand partnerships.
The advantages of throwing out the playbook and embracing the pivot.
How Laurel’s background and skills in media have helped her as a CPG entrepreneur.
Her biggest wins and struggles since co-founding Daily Crunch during the pandemic.
Cashew nuts, Japan, self-care, hot yoga, Daniel Lubetzky, and sustainability.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Upcycling with Will Nitze of IQBar

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Many of us know what upcycling means as it pertains to physical things, but what does it mean to upcycle your personal experiences? Joining us today is Will Nitze, the Founder of IQBAR – a company that produces ready-to-eat brain foods. Will is here to talk about what it means to upcycle your personal experiences for them to be more valuable to your future self and others, and in our discussion, we extend this metaphor to discover how downcycling, recycling, and reusing play out in the human experience. If curiosity is getting the better of you (and to find out why that’s a good thing!), press play now.

Key Points From This Episode:

What it means to upcycle your experiences.
Examples of downcycling, recycling, and reusing as found in the human experience.
Understanding what works for you and what doesn’t.
Why it’s important to process correctly and have great channels of distribution.
The necessity of curiosity, and the power of storytelling.
Will explains what gives him his edge and unique creative style.
The ins and outs of IQBAR.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: The Future of Food

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:55:29 +0000

Are you ready to sink your teeth into the future of food? In this episode, we are joined by Adam Maxwell, CEO, and Kelsey Tenney, VP of R&D, from Voyage Foods, to discuss future-proofing the food industry with sustainable and delicious alternatives. Voyage Foods is a food technology company on a mission to create a future where sustainability, accessibility, and flavor go hand in hand in our food. In our conversation, we delve into their motivation for crafting tasty alternatives to ingredients with vulnerable supply chains, how they are changing lives with allergy-free peanut butter, their goals for expanding beyond their existing products, and their approach to future-proofing the food industry. Finally, we wrap up with a rapid-fire food-themed question round. Tune in and discover how to make food better for people and the planet with Adam Maxwell and Kelsey Tenney of Voyage Foods!

Key Points From This Episode:

How Adam and Kelsey met and their motivation for starting Voyage Foods.
Uncover the supply-chain issues associated with our favorite foods.
Discover how their mission with chocolate extends to other products, like coffee.
Their approach to tackling food industry problems before they happen.
Unpack their goal of making sustainable food accessible to everyone, forever.
Learn how crafting allergin-free products forms part of their mission.
How their food science backgrounds inform their future-proof approach.
Mentoring and helping other food companies to grow along the way.
Balancing transparency with protecting their R&D developments.
Hear about the initial powerful reactions from customers to their products.
What aspect of Voyage Foods people resonate with the most.
Insights into the challenges and hurdles of working in the food CPG space.
The future vision of the company and the impact it hopes to create.
Their commitment to incorporating upcycled ingredients.
A food-theme round of rapid-fire questions for Adam and Kelsey!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Lisa Curtis of Kuli Kuli

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Kale is often considered the go-to green superfood. In the Battle of the Supergreens, however, moringa (or “super kale”) is a formidable opponent! While working with women farmers in West Africa, Lisa Curtis was introduced to the profound healing and energizing powers of moringa. Out of that experience, Lisa created Kuli Kuli, a Certified B Corp that allows Americans to experience the power of superfoods like moringa while also empowering farmers around the world. Today, this award-winning entrepreneur and thought leader joins us to share the incredible health benefits of moringa, Kuli Kuli’s journey from Peace Corps to grocery store, and some of the strategies the brand uses to educate consumers about its nutritious superfood products. We also touch on how Kuli Kuli is pioneering the future of food, delicious ways to add moringa to your diet, and so much more. To find out how Lisa is aligning mission and product to revolutionize the superfood industry, be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

The incredible health benefits of moringa compared with kale.
Building a brand that empowers farmers and delivers nutritious superfood products.
How Kuli Kuli is pioneering the future of food through the plants of the present.
When Lisa first learned about moringa as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger.
Tactics that Kuli Kuli uses to educate consumers about the power of moringa.
Certifications and business initiatives that make Kuli Kuli a force for good.
The combination of luck and preparation that launched the success of Kuli Kuli.
Ways that regenerative agriculture can be more profitable than conventional agriculture.
How you can use moringa to boost energy, reduce blood sugar, and more.
Different ways to consume moringa, whether fresh, powdered, or frozen.
Where you can get your hands on Kuli Kuli’s products (at a discounted rate!)
Lisa’s favorite superfoods, indulgent snacks, impact-driven leaders, and more.
What “better for the world” means for communities, packaging, and consumers.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Kelly Perkins of Spinster Sisters

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Plastic pollution is a significant environmental issue with far-reaching impacts. The beauty and personal care industry alone generates around 120 billion units of packaging annually. Today’s guest has a vision to change that. Kelly Perkins is the Founder and CEO of Spinster Sisters, a B Corp-certified women-owned plant-based water and plastic-free skin, hair, and body care brand on a mission to make the best products for people and the planet. Join us as we dive into Kelly and Spinster Sisters’ journey toward becoming plastic-negative, the hurdles faced in eliminating plastic from their supply chain, and the motivations behind their decision to obtain B Corporation certification. If you are passionate (or even curious) about the urgent need for action to reduce plastic consumption and promote sustainable alternatives to plastic products, then this episode of Brands for a Better World with Kelly Perkins is a must-listen!

Key Points From This Episode:

Peace Out Plastic: Spinster Sisters’ journey to become plastic-negative
Why Kelly believes that the growing awareness of plastic usage is important.
Various hurdles Spinster Sisters has faced in eliminating plastic from their products.
Highlights Kelly has seen from their Peace Out Plastic Campaign.
The decision to obtain B Corporation certification and the associated benefits.
What sparked Kelly’s interest in creating toxic-free personal care products.
How her business and product line have expanded since founding Spinster Sisters.
Shampoo bars and their increasing popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Goodbye

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:37:21 +0000

Well, it’s the end of the road. Or rather, the end of the path.

In the final episode of Revision Path, I’m interviewed by design educator and long-time friend Lisa Babb. We reflected on the remarkable milestones achieved by the show, discussed the dynamic shifts and trends that have shaped the design landscape over the years, and I talked about the legacy and influence of this platform, from the guests who have shared their stories to the listeners who have made this community so vibrant and diverse. Make sure you keep listening to the end of the episode for a few special goodbye messages.

This episode is more than a recap of what Revision Path has achieved. My hope is that it will be a beacon for the ongoing evolution, diversification, and recognition of Black designers, developers, and digital creatives from all over the world. The conversations that have taken place here only underscore the enduring power that comes from a vibrant, engaged, and diverse community.

Thank you for allowing me to hold the mic for you all.

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Pitch to Win with Kat Weaver

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:54:38 +0000

Have you ever wondered what sets thriving entrepreneurs apart? The secret lies in a single skill: effective pitching. In today’s episode, we sit down with Kat Weaver, Chief Executive Officer at Power to Pitch, to discuss mastering the art of pitching for startups. Power to Pitch is a dynamic platform that equips founders with the tools and knowledge to craft winning pitches, compelling stories, and robust fundraising strategies. In our conversation, we delve into why successful pitching is critical for founders, the formulae for a great pitch, common mistakes people make, how she helps raise more capital through successful pitching, and more. To discover invaluable insights and tips to elevate your pitching game and propel your entrepreneurial journey to new heights, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Introduction and background to today’s guest, Kat Weaver.
Power to Pitch and the services it provides founders.
Why successful pitching is not just relevant for fundraising.
Kat shares the secret sauce to a successful pitch.
The power of ‘keeping it simple’ and knowing your audience.
Pitching pitfalls and common mistakes people make.
Hear how Kat practices her pitching skills.
Tips and tricks to enhance your confidence when pitching.
Strategies for weaving a brand’s impact into a pitch.
Details about the Power to Pitch program and how it works.
Insights into the latest fundraising market trends.
Navigating founders’ fundraising and market expectations.
Kat answers a rapid-fire round of pitching-related questions.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Monique Wray

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 13:28:42 +0000

I had such a fantastic time speaking with artist, animator, and illustrator Monique Wray. Her bold, colorful, and lively art has been used by Google, Disney, Nickelodeon, Apple, and Microsoft (just to name a few places). We caught up recently to talk about her career and the evolution of her craft over the years.

Throughout our conversation, Monique offered insights into her creative process. She talked about the impact of a pivotal year of self-discovery, the importance of emphasizing humanity in digital art, and she shared her experiences with freelancing and maintaining a balance between professional work and personal projects.

Monique’s journey is such an inspiration for anyone interested in the confluence of art and tech. Thanks to Sam Bass for the introduction!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Better Candy Bar with Stu Davidoff of Gigantic

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:03:36 +0000

Traditional candy bars have a LOT of sugar. And, while it may not be great for our health, most of us still believe that our taste buds prefer that level of sweetness. But what if the optimal level of sweetness were actually way more subtle than we thought, and required only a small amount of sugar? Joining us today is Stu Davidoff, Founder of Gigantic Candy Bars, to talk about his mission to create a better ‘sorta sweet’ candy bar with less junk and more fun. He tells us about the formulation process behind their products, how they hit the perfect level of sweetness, and their commitment to sourcing better, healthier, and more ethical ingredients. We get into the typical junk you can expect to find in most candy bars, why most people don’t even notice his products have less sugar, and the instrumental lessons he’s learned after three years on the market. If you want to learn more about how to find that sweet spot, whether it’s in business or with candy bars, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

The story behind the founding of Gigantic Candy Bars.
What inspired Stu to create his ‘sorta sweet’ candy bars.
How they found the perfect level of sweetness for their products.
Why most people don’t notice the reduced sugar in Gigantic products.
The excessive amount of sugar (and other junk) found in most candy bars.
Why Stu chose to prioritize non-GMO ingredients.
Entrenched supply chain issues within the cocoa industry.
Gigantic’s commitment to sourcing only fair trade cocoa.
Their decision to only use plant-based, vegan ingredients.
How they formulated vegan caramel for their candy bars.
Other iterations on the traditional candy bar, and why Stu found them lacking.
Ways that brands mislead consumers about the sugar contents of their products.
Instrumental lessons Stu has learned after three years on the market.
We end with our set of rapid-fire questions for Stu!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Mike Nicholls

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 13:30:00 +0000

As we wind down this year’s Black History Month (and our anniversary month — 11 years!), we’ve got a super-sized episode with someone I’ve wanted to have on the podcast for a long time — the one and only Mike Nicholls. Mike is an award-winning storyteller with deep roots in hip-hop culture and design, and is probably most well-known for creating Umber — the design and culture magazine that highlights the global perspectives of Black people and POC from around the world.

Mike talked about how his love for magazines inspired him to create Umber, and shared some of the triumphs and challenges he’s faced over the years as the brand has evolved from a magazine into a media platform. He also spoke about his time as a designer in Atlanta, Philly, and Chicago, how Oakland inspires his work, and talked about how being a designer and a hip-hop artist helps keep his artistic integrity intact.

For Mike, his creative expression is about more than just making ends meet — it’s about creating with a purpose and about telling stories that resonate on a deeper level and embrace the authenticity of Black and brown experiences!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Better Actions with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:56:31 +0000

Feeling inspired by the new year and the recent episode on changing behaviors, this episode focuses on motivating actions that will lead to a better 2024 and world for all. Compounding small actions over time creates a significant impact, and this episode will challenge you to take that first step in helping create a better tomorrow. One thing a day, week, or month, it is totally up to you. In this episode, I offer listeners 54 ideas to help get started. From eating healthily to protecting your time, unpack ways to create a better you before creating a better world. Discover how supporting fair trade, fostering mental health in the workplace, engaging with local communities, and making eco-conscious choices can collectively shape a future we all want to be a part of. Taking better actions is not just a philosophy. It is a roadmap for meaningful change. To hear about the various actions individuals, brands, businesses, and communities can take to contribute to a better world, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Learn to eat better, dance freely, and master the art of self-kindness.
Championing sustainability and exposing greenwashing villains.
Transforming workplaces into happy spaces, donating profits, and setting impact goals.
Discover how small acts in your community can create a ripple of positive change.
Hear easy tips for recycling, sustainable transportation, and loving the Earth.
Insights into Gage’s playbook on future-proofing your life.
The secret sauce that makes Modern Species a beacon of change.
Final words of wisdom for building a better world.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Katrina Lenzly

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:24:21 +0000

I had such a blast chopping it up with the extremely talented Katrina Lenzly. Not only is she an award-winning art director who has done incredible creative work for big brands such as HBO, the NBA, and The Coca-Cola Company, but she’s also a public speaker, and a neo-soul hip-hop artist known as King Cooley. (And I thought I did a lot!) We had an incredibly deep and candid conversation about Black cultural expression, being a working designer, and a lot more.

Katrina talked about growing up on the southside of Atlanta, and shared how she made her way to Savannah College of Art and Design and eventually found her design voice in an unlikely place — a skate shop! We also talked about the realities of advocating for Black-centric narratives and DEI initiatives in the design space, the ebb and flow of support for Black creatives after the summer of 2020, and the power of intention.

This interview with Katrina was really a full-circle moment for both of us, so I hope this conversation inspires you to forge your own path in your creative career!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Nick Budden of Flavor Forward

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 14:00:28 +0000

Can a brand, product, or marketing strategy change the world? Maybe not directly, but today’s guest believes that he can positively influence consumer behavior for a healthier and more sustainable future. Nick Budden is an innovation strategist on a mission to create $500 million in healthy, sustainable food innovation by 2030. He founded Flavor Forward Strategy to help food brands innovate with purpose and, in today’s episode, he joins us to talk about the psychology of behavior change, how you can use these principles to make a positive change in your life, and how brands can inspire life-changing behaviors through their products and marketing. We also share some recommended reads and resources, recipes to make vegetables taste better in 2024, and much more! If you’re intrigued by the potential for brands to shape a better world, this episode is your gateway to understanding how you can become an agent of positive change. Tune in to be inspired to make a meaningful impact, one choice at a time.

Key Points From This Episode:

How brands can inspire better behaviors by solving common problems in innovative ways.
Examples of brands making a meaningful impact by influencing consumer behavior.
Three elements that must converge for a behavior to occur (according to BJ Fogg). • Benefits of employing process-oriented goals over outcome-oriented goals.
Surprisingly simple and reliable strategies to build sustainable habits.
Ways to reframe existing motivations rather than trying to create a new motivation.
Why New Year’s resolutions typically don’t last and incremental changes work better.
Consistency over intensity: why it’s better to start with easy, practical, and enjoyable routines.
Small interventions that add up to improve your daily lifestyle.
The “nudge” that helped Nick make positive changes in his own life.
Books to help you change your habits, ride the CPG growth curve, and even live longer!
Why you should find ways to make vegetables taste good in 2024.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Mitzi Okou

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:42:16 +0000

When it comes to Mitzi Okou, there’s a lot more than meets the eye. She’s a visual and interaction designer, yes, but in addition to that, she’s the founder of Where Are The Black Designers? — a conference that started in 2020 and since then has evolved into an international, volunteer-run, nonprofit design advocacy organization.

Our conversation began with a bit of catching up, then we spent a lot of time talking about what’s happened with WATBD (and the world) since the summer of 2020. Mitzi and I also discussed what it means to sustain yourself doing community work, the current state of DEI and what it means for Black designers, and she shared a bit about what’s in store for the future of WATBD.

Mitzi has made tremendous strides in the design community in a very short period of time, which is a testament to her drive, foresight, and willpower! I can’t wait to see what she’ll accomplish next!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Rebekah Jensen of Sanara Skincare

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Sustainable and green skincare products have become increasingly popular due to their focus on environmentally friendly practices and natural ingredients, but have we tapped into nature’s full potential? In this episode, we embark on a rejuvenating exploration of self-care and Latin American botanicals with the insightful Rebekah Jensen, Founder of Sanara Skincare, to discuss the importance of self-care for entrepreneurs, the untapped potential of Latin American botanicals, and her battle with cancer while trying to grow her business. We delve into her self-care practices that have been a guiding light through adversity and gain invaluable insights into balancing the demands of work and rest. As usual, we end our conversation with our rapid-fire questions for Rebekah. Tune in and discover how cultural wisdom can lead to products that create an impact and enhance the soul with Rebekah Jensen!

Key Points From This Episode:

Rebekah explains the value of self-care routines for entrepreneurs.
How solving her own skincare problems led her to launch a company.
Discover how her kitchen was the start of Sanara Skincare.
Overcoming market downturns and hurdles when launching.
Finding the gap in the market regarding Latin American botanicals.
Tapping into cultural wisdom to create a positive impact.
Rebekah’s experience of battling cancer while growing a business.
The power of reconnecting with her body and her spiritual side.
Some self-care practices that have helped Rebekah.
Keeping a balance between the demands of work and rest.
Details about Sanara Skincare’s incredible range of products.
Staying on top of the latest industry trends to keep competitive.
We end with our set of rapid-fire questions for Rebekah!

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Brands for a Better World: Adam Peek of People of Packaging

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 13:00:00 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with having beautiful, eye-catching packaging that grips a shopper from first sight. But what use is a pretty package if the contents inside are already spoiled? For this unique cross-show episode of Brands for a Better World, our resident host, Gage Mitchell turns interviewee as special guest, Adam Peek dons the host’s chair. Adam is the Senior Vice President of Sales at Meyers and also the host of the People of Packaging Podcast, and he’s here to discuss all things related to packaging and sustainability. We explore how brands can build trust and community with consumers before unpacking the role of packaging in food sustainability and preservation, how brands can get the most out of their packaging, and why it’s important for brands to simplify and clarify their on-packaging message.

Consumers today want to do the right thing – they want to buy from conscious companies; they want to buy from companies that are supporting the health of our earth. The problem isn’t that they want to do it, the problem is [that] consumer trust is at an all-time low with brands.
Adam Peek, SVP of Sales at Meyers and host of the People of Packaging podcast

Key Points From This Episode:

Today, special guest, Adam Peek interviews Gage about packaging and sustainability.
How brands can create connections and build community and trust with consumers.
The role of packaging in food sustainability and preservation.
How brands can use packaging to communicate their authentic commitment to sustainability.
Why it’s important for brands to simplify and clarify their message.

Revision Path: A Special Announcement

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:45:00 +0000

Today’s episode features an update from our 2023 fundraising campaign, as well as news on the future of Revision Path.

Once again, thanks to everyone who has helped support Revision Path over the years — the guests, the sponsors, the supports, and the listeners.

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Paul Lightfoot of Patagonia Provisions

PRINT Magazine — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The brand Patagonia is renowned for its purpose-driven mission of finding solutions to problems, collectively working to battle climate change and help save our home planet. One of the solutions they’re focusing on is regenerative organic agriculture and food sourcing because, after all, everything we consume and eat has a profound impact on our planet. Today’s guest is part of that team working to create systems that foster healthier and “better-for-the-world” food practices. We are excited to introduce, Paul Lightfoot. Paul is the General Manager of Patagonia Provisions, the food business of Patagonia, and the Board Chair of Regenerative Organic Alliance, the non-profit that administers Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™). In our conversation today, we dive into the why behind Patagonia’s journey into the food industry, what inspired their collaborative craft beer program and delve into the Regenerative Organic Movement. To hear about Patagonia’s only acquisition and explore its initiatives to solving the environmental crisis, be sure to start listening now. Enjoy!

Key Points From This Episode:

Patagonia Provisions: why a clothing company decided to start a food company.
How Kernza® Grain happened and the why behind the collaborative craft beer program.
Patagonia’s journey from the apparel business to the food business.
Patagonia Provision’s pursuits and ambitions in the food industry.
Patagonia’s first and only acquisition and why crackers were the next space to invest in.
What fires Paul up about the Regenerative Organic Movement (and what irks him).
What ‘Regenerate, Rejoice, Restore’ means to Paul.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Kyra Wells

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 13:46:19 +0000

I’ve been a huge proponent of the Cleveland creative community since starting this podcast — seriously, go back to the early early episodes — and Kyra Wells is continuing the legacy of hard work, perseverance, and great design that only comes from the 216. Kyra is a true creative professional, whether it’s through her own studio Seven Pillars Design Co., teaching at Cuyahoga Community College, leading campaigns as a creative marketing designer at American Greetings, or through her community efforts as co-president of AIGA Cleveland.

We talked about both her day job and her freelance work, and she shared how both experiences have shaped her voice and find her calling as a designer. She also told her story of growing up in Cleveland, attending Tri-C before then going to Cleveland State University, and even spoke a bit about the role of AIGA for the modern designer.

Kyra’s enthusiasm and passion for supporting young designers and helping them overcome self-doubt is truly inspiring, so if you’re looking for a little pep talk at the start of the year, then you’re in the right place. Thanks to Anne H. Berry for the introduction!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Brands for a Better World: Spencer Lynn of KOS

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:30:33 +0000

Learning from the successes and mistakes of others can help us all to go from strength to strength. Spencer Lynn is the North East Regional Manager of KOS, a health and wellness brand on a mission to improve everyday nutrition and make the world a healthier place. During this conversation, Spencer shares his journey to working in nutrition, how the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, inspired the founders of KOS, and how the brand is providing better nutrition to households and donating 10 million meals to those in need. Tune in to learn from this episode’s inspiring guest.

Key Points From This Episode:

Allowing consumers to feel part of something bigger than themselves.
The history and product range at KOS.
The power of social media in action: the story of an influencer sharing KOS products on TikTok.
Distribution of KOS and where to find it online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
Background information on Spencer Lynn and his journey into working in nutrition.
Spencer’s best advice: learn from the successes and mistakes of others and allow them to learn from you.
Spencer’s hopes for the future of food.
How the ancient Greek tradition of preventative healthcare has influenced KOS.
The complex and interesting world of CPG in comparison to ingredients.
Amazon A and B testing.

Read the transcript and find links from the episode at Brands for a Better World.

Revision Path: Sam Bass

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

If you’ve been thinking about striking out on our own as a new year’s resolution, then this week’s episode might be a good one to check out as I speak with freelance animator and art director Sam Bass. Sam is a creative problem solver at heart, and for the past ten years, he’s worked on illustrative images and animating unique graphics with silky smooth results.

Sam talked about his work and delved deep into his creative process, including some of the unique challenges of sustaining a freelance career. He also spoke about growing up in the DMV area, his time at ICF before moving to Atlanta, and gave a sneak peek into his latest project — a short film called “The Exchange.”

Big thanks to Ricardo Roberts of BIEN for the introduction!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Anne H. Berry

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

“The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection” is one of the most important contributions to the corpus of design history, and I’m so glad this week to have the book’s managing editor, Anne H. Berry, on Revision Path to talk about it. I caught up with her while she’s on sabbatical from Cleveland State University, where she’s an associate professor in the department of art and design.

Our conversation began with a discussion about the state of education and teaching over the past few years, and what it means for students and the general culture. Of course, we also talked about the book, and Anne shared how the super team of editors and contributors came together through the power of a shared vision. Anne also spoke on her 2021 exhibit, Ongoing Matter: Democracy, Design and the Mueller Report.

Thank you to Anne for helping push the conversations around Black design forward!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Matai Parr

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Happy new year! We’re kicking off 2024 with Matai Parr, a designer with a unique approach to his work and his career. Matai just finished the Masters program in interaction design from ArtCenter College of Design, and our conversation was full of fresh insights into the evolving nature of human connections in the digital age, particularly with freelancing, gaming, and social media.

Matai talked about his love for computer science in high school which eventually led him to ArtCenter, and he spoke at length about the significance of gaming communities as modern-day social hubs, the importance of advocacy in the design industry, and what he’s got planned for this year — writing about design!

Matai is all about appreciating the now and making projects that matter to him, and I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from him in the future. Thanks to Breon Waters II for the introduction!

Links

For a video of this interview, including a full transcript, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Salih Abdul-Karim

PRINT Magazine — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 14:14:02 +0000

For our final episode of Revision Path for 2023, I talked with the amazingly brilliant Salih Abdul-Karim. If you’re a motion designer, then there’s a good chance you’ve used Lottie, which Salih co-created during his time at Airbnb and is the new industry standard when it comes to animation on mobile apps and the Web.

Salih talked about his current work at Cōlab, exploring their non-traditional approach which eschews agency hierarchies to maintain a hands-on, skill-diverse team that seamlessly fills in the gaps for startups and other companies. Salih also shared his personal journey of how he found his passion for combining tech and creativity, and we even gave our thoughts on Andre 3000’s debut solo album, New Black Sun.

Even with such a seasoned career, Salih’s humility and mindset of constant learning is truly inspiring. From all of us here at Revision Path, consider this episode our holiday gift to you! Merry Christmas!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Jonathan Patterson

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 16:26:20 +0000

If you’re a product designer that’s been thinking about striking out on your own in 2024, then Jonathan Patterson is a name that you need to know. As a freelance senior product design generalist, he knows all about rolling with the changes in the industry, and about what it takes to stay competitive.

Jonathan and I spoke not too long after his presentation at AIGA Detroit’s IXD2 event, and he talked about the various projects he’s worked on in the fields of healthcare, education, and AI. He also shared his personal journey growing up with a passion for drawing, transitioning from traditional print design to digital products, and explained why he made the switch to full-time freelancing (and what he’s learned along the way).

Hopefully Jonathan’s story and his work inspires you to carve out your own path for your career!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Jonathan Robinson

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 14:13:57 +0000

December is a good time to reflect and take stock of the year, and that’s the basis of my conversation with this week’s guest Jonathan Robinson. Jonathan is a creative powerhouse — a writer, a filmmaker, and a director, just to start — who’s currently on a personal journey of self-discovery.

We started off doing a bit of a recap of the past year, and Jonathan shed some light on what creative and experiential producers do and how he came into those titles through his work in the advertising industry. He also talked about working with AI and VR, and spoke about how his time spent at Facebook and Twitter helped shape him into his current calling as a storyteller.

For Jonathan, chasing his passions and connecting with other people are what drives him. When you look back at this year, what’s been your driving force?

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

For 10 years, Revision Path has been dedicated to showcasing Black designers and creatives from all over the world. In order to keep bringing you the content that you love, they need your support now more than ever. Learn more and consider making a one-time or monthly donation to help keep Revision Path running.

This is a Prototype: Doreen Lorenzo & Mbiyimoh Ghogomu

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 13:31:17 +0000

In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience at argodesign in Austin, Texas, host Doug Powell speaks to Doreen Lorenzo and Mbiyimoh Ghogomu.

Doreen Lorenzo is a pioneering design leader who is the Assistant Dean of the School of Design and Creative Technology at University of Texas, a role she started in 2016. Prior to joining UT, Doreen was the longtime President of Frog Design, one of the largest and most established global design consultancies in the world. Doreen is a columnist for Fast Company where she writes the Designing Women column profiling brilliant women in the design industry.

Mbiyimoh Ghogomu is the co-founder and CEO of Tradeblock, the marketplace for collectible sneakers. Founded in 2019 the company has amassed more than 250,000 users and over a million sneakers available for trade on its digital platform. Tradeblock has raised more than 10 million dollars in VC funding. Mbiyimoh founded the company with childhood friends Tony Malveaux and Darren Smith after starting his career as a content design intern at IBM Design.

Revision Path: Sam Viotty

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:29:37 +0000

We’re exploring the intersections of design, music, and social impact with this week’s guest, Sam Viotty. Not only is Sam an extremely knowledgeable program and experience designer, but she’s also the co-owner of a record label and she’s an adjunct professor at Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business. And that’s just scratching the surface!

We started off by defining program design and experience design, and from there Sam talked about her label, Rosedale Collective, and her dedication to showcasing BIPOC voices in country music. She also dove into her previous work at The Obama Foundation, and how that opened her world to the importance of design in project management and social innovation (and for starting her own company, Viotty Design Studio). Sam even talked a bit about her current role at Adobe, and shared her plans on what she hopes to accomplish in the near future.

Sam’s career is a lesson in how we can all reshape our perspective on the conventional borders of design — something important to learn in this ever-changing world!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

This is a Prototype: Ann Willoughby & Mauro Porcini, plus the State of Black Design Conference

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode, host Doug Powell speaks to two legendary design leaders, Ann Willoughby and Mauro Porcini.

Ann Willoughby is an AIGA Medalist who has been a leading voice in design for over five decades. In 1978 she founded Willoughby Design, one of the first woman-owned design firms in the US. In addition to her leadership of this award-winning firm, Ann has been an advocate for countless community organizations and academic programs throughout her career.

Mauro Porcini is the first-ever Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo where he is infusing design thinking into the company’s culture and leading a new approach to innovation by design that is impacting it’s vast portfolio of products and brands. Mauro is also the author of the book The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People.

They cover a remarkably wide breadth of topics from the important role leaders play in the building of company culture, to how designers respond to emerging technologies. Ann and Mauro share some delightful and inspiring stories about the people who have shaped their journeys as leaders.

Doug opens the episode with a special bonus segment: A short clip of a recent conversation with Professor Omari Souza, founder of the State of Black Design conference, which is happening for the first time ever as a live, in-person event March 15-16 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Revision Path: Phillip J. Clayton (Part Two)

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:32:28 +0000

We’re ending out the month of November with the second part of my conversation with the one and only Phillip J. Clayton. (If you missed the first part of this interview, check it out here.)

After sharing his thoughts on brand purpose, we started discussing our experiences with art and education, and he spoke about facing limitations in school due to dyslexia and feeling misunderstood by teachers and other authority figures. Phillip also talked about his experiences working with renowned brands (including PepsiCo), judging creative work, the evolving nature of packaging design, the need for a holistic view of design.

Big thanks to Phillip for such a wide-ranging conversation!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

This is a Prototype: Tom Scott

PRINT Magazine — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Executive design recruiter Tom Scott is the founder of Verified, the publisher of the weekly newsletter Verified Insights, and the host of the new podcast, Verified Insider. Tom recently interviewed Doug Powell for a future episode of Verified Insider, and in this episode Doug combines his interview of Tom for This Is A Prototype, with a preview of Tom’s interview of Doug for his podcast.

Tom and Doug discuss the reasons design leadership roles are often not set up for success—from inadequate funding and resources, to scoping of the mission, to lack of clarity around what value design can actually bring. Tom explores the critical role recruiters can play in helping companies shape their vision for design leadership.

Revision Path: Phillip J. Clayton (Part One)

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:52:29 +0000

Phillip J. Clayton is a design voice that you need to know. The Kingston-based creative is a strategic advisor, an international design judge, and an expert on branding. We talked for hours about his career and his philosophies on branding and life, so I split this episode into two parts just to make sure nothing got lost. If you’re interested in branding, then get ready for a masterclass!

Our conversation started off with a check-in on this year, and then Phillip shared his goals about being seen as a facilitator and about tackling complex problems and making a meaningful impact. We also talked about how he started his own company PJClayton & Co., the client-vendor relationship, and Phillip dropped a ton of knowledge about his creative process, brand purpose, and the power of extracting valuable information from conversations. (Kind of like what you’re doing with this episode!)

Tune in next week for Part 2! Happy Thanksgiving!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: Tj Hughes

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:22:22 +0000

You may have been scolded as a kid for playing with your food, but with Tj Hughes’ new game Nour: Play With Your Food, that’s the primary objective! I had a chance to speak with Tj, the creative lead behind Nour, fresh off of the game’s release on PlayStation, Steam, and Epic Games.

We spoke a lot about the intersection of art and game development, and Tj shared how teaching himself and gaining knowledge working with a studio helped shape his perspective as a creative. Tj also talked about creating Nour’s unique gaming experience, the challenges and rewards of indie game development, experimentation, and what he wants to do next now that Nour’s been released. If you want to create something truly special, then be like Tj and think outside the box!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.

Revision Path: André Foster

PRINT Magazine — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 14:09:52 +0000

If you’ve been listening to the podcast over the past year or two, you know that the use of AI has been a constant thread through nearly every episode. And this week’s guest, André Foster, has embraced this new tech as part of his creative practice while still producing top notch motion design and animation work through his studio, First Fight.

André gave a rundown on some of the client work and the day-to-day happenings at First Fight, and discussed the importance of perseverance and continuous improvement through difficult social and economic times. The conversation then dives into the use of AI in the creative industry, and from there André talk about his upbringing in Detroit, the city’s creative community, and Bond — James Bond.

For André, resilience, adaptability, and personal growth have been the keys to his success!

Links

For a full transcript of this interview, visit revisionpath.com.