Building Food Brands Consumers Trust and Remember With Nicole Rogers
Nicole Rogers shares how taste, trust, retail strategy, and authentic storytelling help food and beverage brands build lasting consumer connection.
Building Food Community and Connection With Jill McLewis
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce talks with Jill McLewis, Executive Director of Naturally NorCal, about building a stronger food and beverage community through authentic connection.
Making Milk Cool Again: Rebranding Dairy for Gen Z With Seth Bahler
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce talks with Seth Bahler, CEO of Oakridge Dairy, about rebranding dairy for Gen Z. Seth shares how canned milk can refresh the category, why flavor and transparency matter, and how student research shaped the brand. He also discusses retail growth, farm technology, AI, and building a fifth-generation startup.
Building Brands With Soul and Strategy With Gagan Levy
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce talks with Gagan Levy, Founder and CEO of GURU, about building brands with soul and strategy. Gagan explains how to lead with customer value, use culture-centered insights, and scale devotion without losing purpose. He also touches on regenerative storytelling and yoga-inspired leadership.
Cracking the Egg Marketing Code With Ed Hoffman
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce talks with Ed Hoffman, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the American Egg Board, about cracking the egg marketing code. Ed explores audience targeting, creator partnerships, and campaigns that increase consumption. He also touches on immersive media, AI, measurement, and career self-advocacy.
Redefining Hydration and Clean Beverage Innovation With Jordan Pilosof
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce sits down with Jordan Pilosof, Co-founder of SaltWater Co., to discuss clean hydration and functional beverage innovation. Jordan shares how athletics shaped the brand, why sampling drives adoption, and how clean positioning helps products stand out. He also touches on co-packing, AI in CPG, and finding the right partners to scale.
Launching a Unique Wellness Product in Today’s Market With Sara Couch
Sara Couch shares how Splendor Water grew from a family story into a wellness brand, scaling from DTC to retail with smart strategy decisions.
Future-Proofing Creator Businesses With Laurie Buckle
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce talks with Laurie Buckle, Founder and CEO of CookIt Media, about future-proofing creator businesses. Laurie explains how creators can diversify beyond brand deals, why authentic content outlasts algorithm changes, and how long-term partnerships benefit brands and creators. She also touches on AI, in-person relationships, and emerging food and supplement trends.
Unlocking Growth Through Strategic Branding and Design With Fred Hart
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce is joined by Fred Hart, Brand and Design Consultant at Hart Brands, to discuss unlocking growth through strategic branding and design. Fred covers how design fuels each stage of growth, why retail context matters, and how simplification strengthens brand communication. He also shares insights on research, AI, naming, and building brands with room to evolve.
The Four C’s of Brand Growth With Jake Ahles
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce chats with Jake Ahles, Founder and Creative Director of Morel Creative, to discuss why cohesive storytelling drives brand growth. Jake shares insights on the Four C’s framework, how to avoid common brand mistakes, and strategies for connecting with buyers and consumers. He also touches on using AI thoughtfully and auditing content to refine messaging.
Proven Marketing Strategies for Food and Beverage Brands With CJ Bruce
In this episode of The Missing Ingredient, CJ Bruce is interviewed by Chad Franzen of Rise25 to discuss scaling food brands through data-driven marketing. He explains how marketing audits and competitor analysis shape strategy, why micro-influencers often outperform larger creators, and how storytelling and performance marketing work together to drive growth. CJ also talks about using AI to streamline marketing workflows and unlock new creative opportunities.
Building Resilient Brands, Not Hype Unicorns With WavenDean Fernandes
WavenDean Fernandes shares how CPG founders can build resilient brands through human connection, packaging, product taste, and purpose.