Libsyn Directory

082: Build CPG Faster— Stop CPG Product Chaos With One AI-Powered System with Karen Huh

Release Date: 01/13/2026

100: From NASCAR to Cannabis: Pete Olander's Journey to Wellness Innovation

Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Pete Olander, founder and CEO of Happie, a wellness cannabis and hemp beverage brand rooted in California's agricultural legacy. They explore Pete's unconventional journey from finance and NASCAR to plant medicine, the importance of sustainable and organic practices, and the future of cannabis as a functional wellness tool. Keywords Cannabis, Wellness, Sustainability, Hemp, CBD, THC, Functional Beverages, Organic Farming, California Cannabis, Plant Medicine Key topics Pete Olander's unconventional career path The importance of sustainability...

099: Unlocking the Secrets of Perimenopause and Emotional Eating

Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this insightful interview, Justine Reichman speaks with Terry about her extraordinary journey from refugee camp survival to becoming a wellness advocate and entrepreneur. They explore trauma, perimenopause, emotional eating, and the importance of self-awareness and identity work for women over 40. Keywords wellness, perimenopause, emotional eating, trauma, entrepreneurship, women over 40, health, nutrition, mindset, longevity Key topics Trauma and survival from refugee camp experience Impact of perimenopause on women’s health and weight Emotional eating and hormonal influences The...

098: Revolutionizing Deli Meats: The Fungi-Based Future

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Kim Le, founder of Prime Roots, shares her journey from a chef's background to creating sustainable, fungi-based deli meats that appeal to both meat lovers and vegetarians. Discover how her innovative approach aims to transform the food system, reduce environmental impact, and promote healthier choices. Keywords plant-based, fungi protein, sustainable food, deli meats, environmental impact, food innovation, Prime Roots, alternative proteins, health, transparency Key topics Fungi-based proteins as sustainable alternatives Impact of traditional meat production on environment Consumer...

097: From Waste to Wealth: How Hyfé is Transforming the Food Industry

Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this insightful interview, Michelle shares her journey from ExxonMobil to founding Hyfé, a company revolutionizing carbon refining by utilizing plant waste. Discover how her innovative approach addresses climate change, food industry waste, and health impacts, offering a scalable solution for a sustainable future. Keywords sustainability, waste valorization, bio-refining, plant waste, climate change, food industry, innovation, bio-manufacturing, circular economy Key topics Hyfé’s innovative refining process using plant waste The economic and environmental impact of waste...

096: Ingredient Intel: Spot Harmful Chemicals in Skincare, Choose Healing Actives with Annie Jackson

Essential Ingredients Podcast

“We are a beauty store, and I think there's a tremendous impact that beauty products can have on someone's self-confidence and the way they feel about themselves that day. If we can put a smile on someone's face when they walk in our door, that's incredibly rewarding to me.” —Annie Jackson Clean beauty sounds good, but the labels are confusing and the claims are louder than the truth. We are surrounded by products that promise results without telling us what is inside. The real issue is not access, it is clarity. Annie Jackson, co-founder of Credo Beauty, shares how her journey...

095: How ChicoBag Changed the Plastic Waste Game

Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Andy Keller, founder of Chico Bag, about the journey of creating sustainable reusable bags, the impact of plastic pollution, and practical ways to reduce waste in daily life. They explore the evolution of environmental awareness, innovative product design, and how individual actions can drive systemic change. Keywords sustainability, plastic pollution, reusable bags, eco-friendly products, environmental impact, waste reduction, consumer behavior, plastic industry, microplastics, eco-conscious living Key topics The environmental impact of...

094: The Hidden Gaps in Menopause Education and Care

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Join us as our guest Laura Lambe explore the gaps in menopause education, the importance of personalized care, and innovative approaches to women's health with menopause practitioner Laura Lam. Discover how global trends, diet, gut health, and community support shape the menopause journey. Keywords menopause, women's health, menopause education, HRT, gut health, menopause community, perimenopause, menopause research, menopause support, hormonal health Key topics Menopause education gaps worldwide Impact of diet and gut health on menopause symptoms Differences in menopause experiences...

093: The Future of Jewish Food: Innovation and Tradition with Manischewitz

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Join us as we explore the rich history and innovative future of Manischewitz with marketing manager Talia Sabag. Discover how this iconic brand is blending tradition with sustainability, inclusivity, and modern food trends, all while honoring its cultural roots. Keywords Manischewitz, Jewish food, Passover, sustainability, innovation, cultural heritage, matzah, food packaging, gluten-free, inclusive food Key topics History of Rabbi Manischewitz and the invention of square matzah Innovation in food manufacturing and waste reduction Sustainable packaging and product development Cultural...

092: 5 Key Strategies for Navigating Menopause with Confidence

Essential Ingredients Podcast

In this episode, Justine Reichman interviews Erin Henry, a registered dietician, about navigating midlife changes, hormonal shifts, and how to approach menopause and perimenopause with confidence and support. They discuss strategies for health, community, and empowerment during this transformative stage. Keywords midlife health, menopause, perimenopause, hormonal changes, women's health, nutrition, community support, aging gracefully Key topics Hormonal changes in midlife Nutrition strategies for menopause Building community and support networks Medical and holistic...

091: How Traditional Cooking Can Transform Your Health with Chef Whitney Aronoff

Essential Ingredients Podcast

Join us as we explore the transformative power of food, traditional cooking techniques, and mindful eating with Chef Whitney Aronoff. Discover how to make healthier choices, understand food preparation, and embrace a holistic approach to wellness through food. Keywords food sustainability, healthy eating, traditional cooking, mindful eating, wellness, chef tips, food choices, nutrition, holistic health, food preparation Key topics Food as the foundation for health Traditional cooking techniques and seasonality Mindful eating and intuitive food choices Sound bites...

More Episodes

“The value you get out of Zucca and all the things it can do is far cheaper than what it would take to hire another person or hire an external consultant to do that work.” —Karen Huh

Building a CPG product should not feel like juggling spreadsheets at midnight. Teams lose time, money, and clarity when formulas, costs, and decisions are scattered across multiple locations. This conversation confronts that reality head-on and addresses why speed and focus are crucial in the food, beverage, and supplement industries right now.

Karen Huh shares how two decades in CPG at companies shaped her view of broken product development workflows. That experience led her to build Zucca, an AI-powered operating system designed to unify how CPG teams ideate, formulate, cost, and scale products.

Listen to hear how modern CPG teams are using AI to work smarter and move faster.

Building an AI-powered operating system for CPG product development
Why product launches break down as brands grow
How AI supports formulation, costing, and iteration
Reducing time to scale-ready formulas
Collaboration and single source of truth for CPG teams
Using AI as a teammate, not a replacement
What founders misunderstand about AI and speed
The future of AI in food and beverage innovation

Meet Karen:

Karen Huh is the co-founder and CEO of Zucca, an innovative operating system for product development in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, powered by AI. With over 20 years of experience, Karen has held leadership roles at Starbucks and numerous venture-backed brands, building a strong track record in product innovation and business development. Drawing on her in-depth knowledge of CPG workflows, she is dedicated to streamlining and unifying product development processes through advanced technology. Karen leads a diverse, expert-driven team at Zucca, helping brands of all sizes create, manage, and scale products more efficiently.

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Episode Highlights:

02:12 What Inspired Zucca

05:32 Early Exposure to AI

11:24 Challenges and Surprises in AI Development

16:30 Zucca’s Unique Features and Benefits

19:02 User Experience and Implementation