What do the hosts make of Caulipower's fitting exit, a tennis icon's investment in a corn-free (!) popcorn startup, and Padma Lakshmi's partnership with a particularly spicy CPG brand? It's a full serving of Taste Radio, complete with a taste-test of high-fiber gummy candy and a $20, creatine-packed cereal.

Show notes:

0:25: Stacking, Bro. A Plant-Based Pioneer. No Corn, Thanks. Celeb Spice. Rising Talks. Man, That's Pricy. – Mike recounts his attendance at Supply Side Global and takeaways from the annual trade show. The hosts unpack Urban Farmer's acquisition of Caulipower and praise founder Gail Becker's vision and authenticity, before highlighting tennis star Novak Djokovic's $5 million investment in Cob, a corn-free popcorn brand, and Padma Lakshmi's collaboration with Diaspora Co. They also preview the upcoming NOSH Live, BevNET Live, and Brewbound Live events, emphasizing new opportunities like live Elevator Talk sessions where founders can pitch on stage. Later, they sample and review several innovative food and beverage products, including Shameless Snacks (fiber-rich gummies), Man Cereal (a pricey, high-protein, creatine cereal), Dirty Mountain Dew (cream soda-infused soda), Wildwonder's new holiday drink set, The Cumin Club's ready-to-eat Indian meals, and Plaid Circus non-alcoholic cocktails.

Brands in this episode: Koia, Caulipower, A Dozen Cousins, Snickers, Shameless Snacks, Man Cereal, Mountain Dew, Wildwonder, The Cumin Club, Plaid Circus, Narra, Laurel's Coffee

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Pantry Gems, Berski, Benni Pops, KiuKiu and Superlova.

In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week's special co-host is Mia Medina, the founder and CEO of Gather Brands. She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

Every founder dreams of breaking the rules. Few do it with such quiet confidence as Oliver Dixon, the co-founder of better-for-you soda brand Something & Nothing.

In this episode, Olly tells the story of how a creative experiment in a London bar became a category-disrupting soda brand now expanding rapidly across the U.S. He explains how his design sensibility and refusal to compromise on flavor helped shape a brand that feels both modern and timeless.

Something & Nothing's complex, mid-calorie sodas are inspired by travel and crafted with natural juices, not sweeteners. The brand's growth has been driven by thoughtful distribution in cafes, hotels, and cultural spaces. Earlier this year, Something & Nothing entered 260 Whole Foods stores in the U.S.

From surviving early missteps (like an ambitious, but ill-fated alcohol launch) to building credibility through selective distribution and cultural partnerships, Olly shares how discipline, taste, and integrity can scale just as powerfully as hype.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Oliver Dixon, Co-Founder, Something & Nothing – Olly shares how his background in culture, design, and hospitality shaped the brand's identity, and how the sodas were created to fill a gap in the market for flavorful, adult non-alcoholic beverages. He explains the origins of the name "Something & Nothing," and inspiration for soda flavors. Olly talks about the impact of intentional and focused distribution in foodservice retailers and discusses the company's expansion into the U.S., emphasizing that organic word-of-mouth and placement in trusted venues are their strongest marketing tools. He also reflects on lessons learned from a failed foray into alcoholic spritzes, and why the company prioritizes flavor, authenticity, and long-term brand value over functional ingredients and trends. Olly highlights the brand's "Not Pop" campaign, launched in Chicago, and why maintaining a deliberate, design-led approach is key to its potential as a global brand.

Brands in this episode: Something & Nothing, Fanta, Poppi, Olipop