023: Customized Carbonation: Popping the Lid on Personalized Hydration with John Thorp & Buzz Wiggins
Release Date: 01/14/2025
046: Your Kitchen, Your Garden: The Indoor Farming Game Changer with Conner Tidd
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “How can we make growing your own food possible in environments where it normally wasn’t? Or can we drastically lower the impact of water use, fertilizer use, or resources used to drive to the grocery store? That’s a big impact that we can have if we can allow you to grow your own food right at home.” —Conner Tidd What if you could grow fresh, pesticide-free produce just steps from your refrigerator, regardless of where you live? Indoor vertical farming isn't just a trend— it's a revolutionary approach to sustainable, accessible food production....
info_outline
045: Urban Food Hacking: Your Yard's Hidden Food Potential with Marjory Wildcraft
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “Once you start eating your own food, it expands your taste horizons and you can’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t work out and it’s horrible, just put it in the compost bucket and start over. It’s okay, you’ll be fine.” —Marjory Wildcraft Food is not just sustenance; it's a fundamental human right that we've outsourced to complex, fragile systems. This disconnection from food sources has transformed us into passive consumers dependent on a market that creates an illusion of abundance, masking a precarious supply chain that can unravel in...
info_outline
044: Entrepreneurial Flavor: Breaking Barriers in the Healthy Snack Market with Seena Chriti
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “I don’t have an MBA. I only have a food knowledge background, and that doesn’t make me an expert, either. But I know how to inquire and how to connect. So I have just been digging and grinding through my process, always finding the answers when I need them.” —Seena Chriti Snack innovation is more than just creating a product—it's about telling a cultural story through flavor. Every bite carries the potential to bridge traditions and challenge culinary expectations. Seena Chriti is a culinary arts graduate from Mexico City with a...
info_outline
043: Farming Forward: How Regenerative Methods Are Rewriting Agriculture with Jason Walker
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “We need to think more about the ecosystem, and it’s not always the cheapest way to do stuff. I think we’re just trying to make a difference. And if we can make a living while making a difference, then that’s really important.” —Jason Walker Regenerative organic farming is more than just a method—it's a revolutionary approach to healing our planet's most critical resource: soil. It offers a holistic approach that sees agriculture not as an extraction process but as a recuperative, life-giving partnership with the Earth. Jason Walker is a visionary...
info_outline
042: From Tap to Table: Smart Water Storage Techniques for Modern Communities with Jamiah Hargins
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “Trust that you can do the Math and that you have the tenacity and that nature will give you way more opportunities than you even need.” —Jamiah Hargins Imagine a world where water conservation isn't just a choice, but a critical strategy to survival. Water isn't just slipping through our fingers—it's vanishing before our eyes. Yet, our current consumption patterns are writing a dangerous narrative for future generations. Hence, the silent crisis of water conservation demands immediate, innovative solutions that reimagine how we interact with...
info_outline
041: Mindful Foodies: Eating Smart, Wasting Nothing with Janet Irizarry
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “I want to create a world of mindful foodies. I don't see this as a little project. I see this as something big.” —Janet Irizarry Every bite we take is a vote for the planet's future, and our children are the most powerful voters we have. By modeling mindful eating to them, we can transform how future generations understand and respect the journey of their food. Janet Irizarry is a culinary innovator and passionate educator who has dedicated her professional life to reshaping how families approach food sustainability. As an instructor at the Culinary...
info_outline
040: Scaling Smart: Practical Advice for Small Business Owners with Sebastian Stahl
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “My advice for people that are wanting to shift or starting out is to just jump in the water. Once you're there, you're going to figure out how to swim.” —Sebastian Stahl A lot of startups crumble within their first year—a stark reminder that dreams alone cannot sustain a business. But the difference between survival and surrender often hinges on adaptability, strategic thinking, and the courage to pivot when the path becomes uncertain. Sebastian Stahl is a battle-tested entrepreneur who has navigated the complex terrains...
info_outline
039: The Entrepreneur’s Plate: Reimagining Food’s Potential for Sustainability with Ashwin Cheriyan
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Episode Description: “You can over engineer things like a business plan. I think there's no substitute for going out and just trying things— that's the best and fastest way you can learn.” —Ashwin Cheriyan Modern life often makes it hard to balance convenience, health, and sustainability, leaving many searching for better options. Ashwin Cheriyan, Thistle’s co-founder and CEO, is a former corporate lawyer turned passionate innovator, dedicated to bringing health and sustainability to everyone’s table. Ashwin’s work focuses on proving that eating delicious,...
info_outline
038: Bytes for Bites: Streamlining Food Innovation with AI with Riana Lynn
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Founder Resource Series Episode Description: “I think consumers and company leaders are becoming more curious as to what the alternatives are and not just following simple workflows and playbooks. The transparency and the ability to educate around the possibilities— the alternative possibilities of manufacturing and ingredients that are available.” —Riana Lynn The possibilities for AI-powered innovation in the culinary world are truly exciting. Consumers are now more intrigued than ever about the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions in innovation and...
info_outline
037: Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying
Essential Ingredients Podcast
Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying Episode Description: “It's having a genuine interest in your consumers, not just a transactional experience— That is the best way to build community.” —Wen-Jay Ying Building a thriving community takes more than just a shared interest— it requires genuine connections, a sense of belonging, and a shared vision for a better future. In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important....
info_outline“There are ups and downs through all of that. You have to be prepared for those days when things don't feel like they're moving ahead. And you have to bring the same type of passion, the same drive on either type of day.” —John Thorp
“You're never trying to get a yes out of anyone you're talking to when you are an early founder; you are trying to get a not, no… If it's getting bad feedback, fix it immediately and go right back. You have the ability to change someone's mind after they've made an opinion.” —Buzz Wiggins
Sparkling water has become a beloved beverage for its refreshing fizz and health-conscious appeal. Yet, the environmental impact of single-use containers and the lack of customization options have left many consumers seeking a more sustainable and personalized solution. How can we rethink the way we enjoy carbonated drinks?
John Thorp and Buzz Wiggins, the co-founders of Aerflo, have dedicated themselves to revolutionizing the sparkling water experience. With their innovative portable carbonation system, they are empowering consumers to take control of their hydration while minimizing waste.
Tune in as Justine Reichman sits down with John and Buzz to discuss their entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building a sustainable product, the far-reaching benefits of their approach to sparkling water, the benefits of having the right co-founder, the lie we were all made to believe about recycling, and more!
Meet John:
With over a decade of experience as an alternative investment professional, John Thorp brings a strong business acumen and strategic mindset to Aerflo. John is passionate about designing sustainable products that improve the lives of consumers while also reducing environmental impact. Under his leadership, Aerflo has developed innovative carbonation technology and established a unique refill model to move beyond single-use waste. John is committed to building a company that creates positive change through thoughtful, consumer-centric design.
Meet Buzz:
As a skilled designer and problem-solver, Buzz Wiggins has been instrumental in the development of Aerflo's innovative product design and packaging. Leveraging his expertise in product design and optimization, Buzz has led the team in creating a seamless user experience while also ensuring the environmental sustainability of the Aerflo system. Buzz's creative approach and attention to detail have been crucial in bringing Aerflo's vision to life.
Connect with Aerflo:
Connect with NextGen Purpose:
Episode Highlights:
02:07 The Inspiration Behind Aerflo
16:33 Challenges and Prototyping
22:10 Business Building Lessons
31:50 Focus on Environmental Impact
34:30 The Lie We Were Made to Believe