ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff

IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) has been a short series of episodes to answer questions listeners and my students have had. in this episode, I share the context for decisions about who and what companies to have on the show. No Surprise - our first guest is with Time Magazine's Most Influential Company 2026, Dr. Bronner's on Tuesday, September 8. My hope is to bring the most inspiring, passionate and principled brands to help make sense of the stuff on our shelves...together!

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IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) is a new series of short episodes where I answer some of the questions I’ve been asked since launching ShelfSense. In this episode, I share my  journey into the natural and organic products industry from my own discovery of a broken food system, thanks to my dog, to taking students to Expos for 27 years.  Hopefully, you'll hear my passion for contributing to a better, healthier, safer and more ethical world in my own small way. For the final IMHO on September 1, we'll share a preview of the inspiring guests coming in Season 2 after Labo...

IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) is a new series of short episodes where I answer some of the questions I’ve been asked since launching ShelfSense. In this first episode, I share the real reason I started the podcast—and why I believe purpose-driven entrepreneurs have so much to teach us, especially the next generation. Their stories have become a powerful way to bring passion, values, and possibility into my classroom and beyond. Next week, I’ll share my own unexpected journey into the natural and organic products industry, followed by a preview of the inspiring guests coming in Season...

Wild-harvested ingredients are found in everything from herbal teas and supplements to skincare—but how do you know they were gathered in a way that protects both nature and the people who harvest them? In this episode, Sarah Vito of the FairWild Foundation joins Gen Z voice Yasha Devate to explain the FairWild certification and why it matters. Together, we explore how responsible wild harvesting helps conserve biodiversity, supports local communities, and ensures that valuable plant species can thrive for generations to come.

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Healthy skin starts with what you put on it every day. In this episode, Cynthia is joined by annmarie Skincare CEO Rachel Pachivas and Gen Z voice Izzy Desrosiers to explore clean skincare, mineral vs chemical, and the thoughtful ingredients behind the new Salt + Blue sunscreen. Discover how to better protect your skin while supporting a healthier future for people and the planet, and especially our oceans.

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With reports suggesting one of the most active tick seasons in years and new questions emerging about some conventional bug-repellent ingredients, many people are wondering how to protect themselves and their families outdoors. In Ticks & Bugs, Badger Co-CEO Rebecca Hamilton and outdoor enthusiast Naomi Phelps join me to discuss ticks, mosquitoes, Lyme disease awareness, outdoor protection strategies, and what to look for when choosing a bug repellent. Because the outdoors should feel like freedom, not fear. And nature should restore us, not stress us out.

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What happens when a mission-driven founder refuses to abandon the planet and the people behind our products? Seth Goldman joins Shelf Sense to talk about the evolution from Honest Tea to Just Ice Tea, and why purpose, organic sourcing, fair trade, and transparency matter most in the products we bring home. Alongside Gen Z voice Maci Gould, this conversation explores how trust is built — and why the next generation is paying attention.

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We spend a third of our lives sleeping… but most of us have never stopped to ask what’s actually inside the mattress beneath us. In this episode of Shelf Sense, Cynthia Barstow is joined by Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer of Naturepedic, along with Gen Z voice and UMass alum Athena Velonis, to explore the surprising world of mattresses, bedding, flame retardants, indoor air, and what “organic” really means in this category. From the “new mattress smell” to the materials we spend eight hours a night surrounded by, this conversation unpacks why our sleep environment matters more than most of us r...

What does it really take to keep our orange juice organic? A lot and it goes on behind the scenes and in the groves - it might even mean inviting wasps in for a visit. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Matt McLean—founder of Uncle Matt’s Organic, pioneer and former leader in the Organic Trade Association—alongside Gen Z voice and upcoming podcast host, Kylie Kittredge to uncover the effort, values, and tough decisions behind what’s in our glass.

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In Jungle to Shelf: The Medicine Hunter Story, I sit down with Chris Kilham—and  Gen Z voice Samira Krol—to trace the remarkable journey of botanicals from remote forests and indigenous communities to the products we find on our shelves. Chris shares how decades of global exploration uncover plants with real health potential, and why ethical sourcing and respect for local knowledge matter just as much as the benefits themselves. Together, we connect his adventures to your everyday choices—because what’s on your shelf has a story, and sometimes,  it starts far away from the store.

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It’s the hottest new functional beverage that is truly refreshing. In this episode of ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff, Cynthia Barstow sits down with Erik Ramstad, farmer and founder of Farmwell Drinks, along with Gen Z voice Jacob Wilson, to explore a powerful (and little-known) berry: aronia. Grown on his family’s regenerative organic farm, aronia berries are gaining attention for their remarkable nutritional profile—delivering up to 3x the antioxidant levels of blueberries. We answer questions like what antioxidants actually do in the body, why regenerative organic agriculture matters, and how these deeply pigmented berries are being transf...

Milk is one of the most familiar foods on our shelves—but today, it’s also one of the most questioned. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Stephanie Alexandre, Farmer Owner and passionate advocate for nutrient-dense foods, alongside Gen Z voice Nick Katsoulis, to explore what’s really behind the milk we drink—from taste and digestibility to how cows are raised and what A2/A2 actually means. Together, they connect the dots between pasture-raised practices, regenerative organic farming, and a growing curiosity about whether the way milk is produced might shape not just its flavor, but how it makes...

Every spring, magic happens in the forests of the Northeast. As the days warm and the nights stay cold, maple trees begin to flow — and the centuries-old ritual of maple sugaring begins. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Arnold Coombs of Coombs Family Farms/Bascom Maple Farms, the most respected names in organic maple syrup. Arnold grew up sugaring as a child and has spent decades helping bring organic maple syrup to kitchens around the world while protecting the forests and farmers who make it possible. Joining the conversation is Paige Andersen, a Gen Z voice asking the qu...

As the industry-only Natural Products Expo West begins today, the future of our grocery stores takes shape. Cynthia goes behind the scenes of the natural products industry’s most influential gathering with hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith of New Hope Network to explore how conversations around regenerative organic agriculture, safer packaging, transparency, and trust move from shared visions to the products on our shelves — shaping a marketplace that is better for all of us.

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Why can we trust organic cows? Cynthia sits down with Gary Hirshberg, Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist of Stonyfield Farm, alongside Gen Z voice Mari Averill, for a conversation that goes far beyond the dairy case. Gary shares the backstory behind Stonyfield—how a small, values-driven idea became a national brand by letting cows, farmers, and transparency shape relationships with consumers. Together, they explore why organic isn’t just a label, but a form of preventable healthcare—for our bodies, the land, and the people who steward it. Mari brings a next-g...

Tinned fish is everywhere—but is it actually a smart, sustainable protein? In this episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia Barstow sits down with Henry Lovejoy (EcoFish, Henry & Lisa’s, Freshé) to unpack what sustainability really looks like from the sea, and with Caitlyn Bangert, a Gen Z protein seeker, to ask the questions shoppers are quietly wondering. From sourcing and labels to taste, trust, and convenience, this conversation helps you shop the tinned fish aisle and seafood counter with confidence.

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Since protein is hot right now, we wanted to go straight to the source of one of our go-to choices. In this episode, we sit down with mother (Annie) and daughter (Tessa) Diemand—second- and third-generation poultry farmers—for a conversation that helps close the distance between raising chickens and producing eggs with care, and the grocery store cooler. We unpack what labels like local, cage-free, and pasture-raised really mean, how practices have evolved across generations, and what they hope shoppers pause to appreciate the next time they crack an egg or cook a piece of chicken.

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Data—not brands—shape our shelves.

If you’ve noticed protein suddenly everywhere, beauty promises moving into drinks, or unfamiliar ingredients showing up in foods, this episode explains why—and what that means for us as shoppers.

Scott Dicker of SPINS and I decode what’s hot heading into 2026—and how the trends that often appear first in supplements move next into the foods and beverages we buy for our health and wellness. This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about understanding what’s real, what’s useful, and what’s coming ne...

Looking for something bubbly to toast your Christmas or New Year’s celebration? Give a listen before you decide what to drink. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply taking a pause, Wild Mocktail’s Rebecca Hamilton shows how intentional NA mocktails bring ritual, flavor, and festivity without the regret. Joined by Gen Z guest Ruby Adamowicz, who captures the cultural shift unfolding in her generation, this episode explores the rise of elevated mocktails that deliver flavor, function, and a clearer kind of buzz.

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If food sensitivities make you feel like you’re always missing out, this episode is your warm invitation back in. Cynthia sits down with young founder Ali Lazowski, whose delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free and organic hot cocoa was born from her own long road to diagnosis, and Gen Z voice Grace Kaiser, who’s navigated similar struggles. Together, they share how comforting traditions can be enjoyed—without worry, without symptoms, and without compromise. Happy Holidays!

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Your spice jar has a story… and it reveals what’s really behind the flavors in your food. Join Cynthia, Frontier Co-op/Simply Organic CEO Tony Bedard, and Gen Z voice Sara Yelle as they trace spices back to the people and places that grow them. This warm, eye-opening episode shows how everyday flavors carry purpose — and why the spices you choose matter more than you realize. As the holiday season begins, enjoy a dose of thankfulness knowing every spice jar on your rack can make a difference for our planet and her people.

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Rice feeds half the world — and may be a key to saving the planet. In this episode, host Cynthia Barstow and Gen Z voice Marigold Averill sit down with Caryl Levine, co-founder of Lotus Foods, to explore how a staple grain can become a force for good. From preserving biodiversity to empowering women farmers and reducing methane emissions, discover how changing what goes into our rice bowls can nourish both the body and the Earth. Listen to the stories behind our stuff — and how one small bowl of rice can make a world of difference.

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Chocolate is one of the world’s sweetest pleasures—and one of its most bitter industries. In this episode, Cynthia Barstow and Gen Z voice, Vivian Mottl, talk with Joe Whinney, the pioneering founder of Theo Chocolate and now co-founder of Magic Chocolate, to explore how a once-broken system is being reborn through regenerative organic farming. With Dr. Bronner’s passing the torch to Magic Chocolate, a new era begins—one rooted in ethics, ecology, and extraordinary flavor.  As trick-or-treaters head out to fill their bags, it’s worth discovering how "the right chocolate"...

Everyone seems to know someone who’s heard the words “You have cancer.” Many of us want to do something about it. What if we can—through simple, everyday choices that lower risk and strengthen wellbeing? In this episode, Cynthia talks with Meg Cadoux, founder of the Anticancer Lifestyle Program, who has dedicated years to providing free, science-based resources for survivors and their loved ones. Joined by Maggie Hurley, a next-generation voice and Protect Our Breasts alum, they explore five pillars—Change, Mindset, Diet, Fitness, and Environment—that make prevention both powerful and possible.

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Mushrooms are moving off our plates and into our coffee, protein powders, and daily wellness routines. In this episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia Barstow digs into the booming mushroom dietary supplement trend with Sandra Carter, founder of OM Mushroom, and Gen Z fitness enthusiast Neo Paradis. Together, they explore why functional fungi are suddenly everywhere, what benefits they promise, and how this hot trend is reshaping the wellness market.

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What does “Clean Beauty” really mean—and who’s making sure it delivers? Cosmetics veteran Curt Valva and Gen Z changemaker Izzy Desrosiers unpack the personal care and cosmetics standards, the myths, and the movement toward safer, more transparent products that actually perform. Hopeful, eye-opening, and practical—this is what every consumer needs to know about the future of beauty.

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As it turns out, that Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice-cream holds more than you’d ever expect. In this episode, we go beyond the pint to uncover the story behind those rich, fudgy chunks—from the ovens of Greyston Bakery to a philosophy rooted in Zen Buddhism.

Cynthia Barstow talks with Roshi Eve Marko, a Zen teacher who helped grow Greyston alongside Bernie Glassman, and Christine Conroy, who’s carrying the bakery’s mission forward. Together, they explore how one little ingredient—often overlooked—can reflect a much bigger commitment to justice, opportunity, and transformation.

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In this episode, former oyster farmer and Happy Planet podcast host Abigail Carroll joins Gen Z seafood lover and POB alum Eliza Peters for a conversation about the changing state of our oceans—and what it means for the seafood we love. From the “terroir” of the sea that shapes an oyster’s flavor to the microplastics and warming waters affecting our food and our future, we dive into the big questions. Abigail shares hope-inspiring innovations from entrepreneurs in the ocean economy, while Eliza asks what every thoughtful consumer wants to know: Can we still trust what’s on our plate...

This expanded Back-to-School episode is for parents of all ages— from those raising babies and toddlers to moms of tweens. Host Cynthia Barstow is joined by longtime alum and POB advisor Kristin Peters and daughter-in-law Bex Barstow, current Co-Ed of Protect Our Breasts at BCPP, to explore what moms really want to know about safer school supplies, snacks, baby gear, and more. From lunchboxes to lotion, we’ve got your little ones covered.

Suggested Choices from our Guests:

In this episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the magic of local food with Dan Kaplan, Brookfield Farm CSA farmer of 28 years, and Leila Tunnell, K–6 garden educator and past farm apprentice. Together, they share how community supported agriculture offers us an opportunity to connect more deeply—with the land, with each other, and with what we eat. From farm stands to school gardens, little ones across local elementary schools are learning to love the full experience—from soil to harvest—and with it, growing a genuine desire to protect it all. Hear how engaging with local food encourages connecti...

In this revealing episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the roots of the herbal products lining our shelves. Our guests, Dr. Zoe Gardner, editor of the Botanical Safety Handbook and self-proclaimed herb nerd, and Emma Cosaboom, a Gen Z expert in sourcing and marketing, both bring their deep experience from their time at Traditional Medicinals, a brand celebrated for its sourcing integrity. Together, they unpack why plant material quality is the key to herbal efficacy, and how not all herbal companies meet that mark. From the importance of indigenous knowledge to the science behind what works (and what doesn’t...

In this Fourth of July-inspired episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia is joined by Sarah Alexander, Director of Customer Marketing at Nixie and one of her first Seed to Shelf assistants, along with her daughter Emily Barstow, a marketing consultant who got her start at Late July Organic Snacks. They share behind-the-scenes stories from the early startup days at Late July and explore how founder Nicole Dawes is once again leading with purpose — this time with Nixie, the only certified organic, zero sugar, zero calorie (non-probiotic) soda line on the market. It’s a conversation about values, innovation, and why working for...

Is Sunscreen protecting us…or putting us at risk? Badger Co-CEO Rebecca Hamilton and clean beauty advocate + new mom Jen Brown unpack mineral sunscreens, SPF, when to reapply, UVA vs UVB, and the chemicals that might be doing more harm than good. 

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Is Organic the real deal? What about other product claims? How can I afford it? Organic pioneer Katherine DiMatteo talks with Gen Z Sage D’Amelio about how Organic became a law and what to consider in making Organic choices on the shelves.

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The two women leading Protect Our Breasts share how hidden chemicals in our everyday products are linked to breast cancer—and what we can do about it. From plastic packaging to fragrance trees, and campus campaigns to motherhood, this student-driven action has already created real change.

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ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff is where Cynthia Barstow brings together natural products change-makers sharing their stories with younger generations, so together they can help make sense of what’s on our shelves. Along the way, they reveal how the choices we make — from food to fashion, beauty to beverages — impact our health, our wellness, and our planet.

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