Unstoppable | A Conversation With Change Makers

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Tapasya Bali, Founder and CEO of 100 Cal Snacks—a functional food brand redefining what it means to snack with purpose. After a successful career on Wall Street and a personal health crisis fueled by stress and burnout, Tapasya made a powerful pivot. She created 100 Cal Snacks to offer portion-controlled, gut-friendly products designed to support the gut-brain connection and promote real, lasting wellness.With a background in wellness entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others heal through food, Tapasya shares the story behind the brand, how she’s combining adaptogens with real ingredients, and what makes her approach different from so many “better-for-you” snacks on the shelf. We dive into how she’s building with both science and soul, and why 100 Cal Snacks is about more than just calories—it’s about empowerment.If you’re interested in functional food, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, or transforming a personal challenge into a greater mission,

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Maria Weaver, Founder and CEO of XO Maria Louise—a bold new jewelry brand rooted in the power of reinvention, intention, and individuality. After an impressive 30-year career leading media, entertainment, and tech giants including HBO, Showtime, and Warner Music Experience—where she doubled revenue during her tenure as Global President—Maria made the courageous leap into entrepreneurship.In our conversation, Maria shares why she walked away from the corporate world at the height of her career to build something deeply personal. We explore the philosophy behind XO Maria Louise, how she turned life’s pivots into fuel, and why she believes starting over is a superpower. Maria also discusses the mindset shifts that guided her transition, the importance of legacy and community, and how her brand is creating space for women to express themselves unapologetically.If you’re navigating a transition, building a values-led brand, or simply love stories of bold rei

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kegan Fisher, Co-Founder and CEO of Frank Darling—the fine jewelry brand reimagining the engagement ring experience with modern design, ethical sourcing, and custom craftsmanship. What began in a Brooklyn apartment in 2017 has grown into a nationally recognized brand with showrooms across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—and even more to come.In our conversation, Kegan shares how her background in industrial design and advanced manufacturing helped shape Frank Darling’s signature customer-first experience. From digital ring quizzes and try-at-home kits to one-on-one design consultations and local artisan craftsmanship, Frank Darling makes designing your dream ring seamless, personal, and transparent. We also dive into how the brand is expanding into other fine jewelry categories, why ethical sourcing and local production matter more than ever, and what it takes to innovate in a legacy-driven industry.If you’re into entr

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Heather Terry, Founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods—the farmer-first snack brand flipping the traditional CPG playbook on its head. With a just-closed $9 million Series A, raised primarily from Latin American investors who understand regenerative agriculture, Heather is proving that it’s possible to scale a values-driven business without compromising your mission.In our conversation, Heather shares the lessons she learned the hard way about taking misaligned money—and why she’d rather go out of business than do it again. We dive into how she brought investors to the farms to meet smallholder growers face-to-face, why most food investors are missing the point, and how GoodSAM is creating a new model that’s good for people, good for farmers, and good for the planet. From fundraising and transparency to supply chain transformation and climate action, Heather offers a powerful look at what it takes to build a regenerative brand that lasts.Whether you’re a found

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Michael Fedele, Founder and CEO of Throne SPORT COFFEE, a bold new player redefining the future of functional coffee. After helping take BODYARMOR from a $1M brand to over $1B in retail sales, Michael is back to disrupt another category—this time, merging performance, recovery, and caffeine in a way that’s never been done before.Michael shares the story behind Throne SPORT COFFEE, how he teamed up with superstar Patrick Mahomes, and what it takes to build trust, scale a brand, and win shelf space in today’s crowded beverage landscape. From lessons learned at BODYARMOR to the rise of better-for-you drinks and building around athlete authenticity, this episode is packed with takeaways for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and anyone chasing big, bold ideas.Don’t miss it! Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find m

Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Kara Goldin Show! Today’s guest is someone who literally wrote the book on how one tiny-ass button changed the whole damn world. I’m joined by Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of LIKE: The Button That Changed the World.You’ve tapped it. You’ve chased it. You’ve felt the dopamine hit. But what’s the real story behind the “like” button? In this episode, Martin and I dive deep into the origins of the iconic thumbs-up, how it became the foundation of today’s attention economy, and the unexpected ripple effects it’s had on business, mental health, and even artificial intelligence. We talk about how this seemingly simple feature changed the way we measure validation, shaped entire industries, and taught us what not to overlook when launching innovation in a tech-saturated world.If you’re curious about the intersection of psychology, business, and technology—and how small signals can drive massive behavior—you won’t want to miss this one. Now o

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Cynthia Sakai, Founder and CEO of evolvetogether—the personal care brand making waves for its beautifully designed, clean, and high-performing daily essentials. With a mission to create products that connect people, community, and the planet, evolvetogether is proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.In our conversation, Cynthia shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and how she’s redefining what it means to scale a brand with purpose. We dive into the early days of product development, the non-negotiables behind her clean and sustainable formulas, and the strategy behind evolvetogether’s rapid growth in both DTC and retail. She opens up about staying authentic in a category crowded with greenwashing, how she approaches storytelling that cuts through the noise, and what it takes to build real trust with consumers.Whether you’re a brand builder, product founder, or someone who appreciates intentional design and high-impact entreprene

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Allyse Cirillo, Founder and CEO of Saint Jō Skincare—a brand rewriting the rules of clean beauty. After over a decade in corporate product development, Allyse saw the gaps firsthand: too many brands using questionable ingredients or overpromising with underwhelming formulas. She knew there had to be a better way.So she built it.

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jiajia Sollers, Founder and CEO of Matter of Monday—a modern skincare line built for real life. Jiajia’s journey is anything but traditional: from CFO of a billion-dollar hedge fund to first-time beauty founder, she’s bringing a totally fresh lens to skincare.Her “why”? Stress, fatigue, and blue light were wreaking havoc on her skin—and she knew she wasn’t alone. So she built a brand with high-performance, portable products for high-performance people.We talk about what it really takes to pivot careers, create a standout product in a crowded space, and launch with intentionality in an industry where buzzwords often outpace impact. Jiajia also shares how her upbringing in China and her time on Wall Street gave her a unique advantage as a founder.If you’re into skincare, entrepreneurship, or stories about betting on yourself—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, whic

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jeff Shardell, Founder and CEO of Humble Brands—the clean personal care brand that’s redefining what “natural” can (and should) be. From deodorants that actually work to sustainability initiatives that go far beyond the label, Jeff has built Humble into a trusted name at Whole Foods, Erewhon, and thousands of other retailers across the country.Before founding Humble, Jeff was a Silicon Valley veteran—part of the early team at Google and co-founder of Gloss.com, which sold to Estée Lauder. But it was a radically different chapter of life that sparked the idea for Humble: a decade spent storm chasing and reconnecting with the basics. That journey led him to start making clean, effective deodorant out of his kitchen—and the rest is history.We talk about why Jeff left tech to start over, what it really takes to build a brand from scratch in the crowded wellness space, and how a simple formula with four ingredients launched a national movement. He shares how

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Monica Rich Kosann, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of her namesake jewelry brand, Monica Rich Kosann—a luxury brand known for creating jewelry that empowers women to tell their stories. What began with vintage lockets and antique cigarette cases has grown into a collection carried in over 150 stores across the country, including Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, and beloved by celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift.In our conversation, Monica shares her journey from being a sought-after portrait photographer to building one of the first luxury jewelry brands to achieve B Corp certification. We dive into the inspiration behind her iconic modern lockets, how she scaled a purpose-driven company, and why sustainability, craftsmanship, and storytelling are at the core of her business. Monica also shares what it’s like working alongside her husband, building a legacy brand, and empowering customers through meaningful design.If

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by David Wolfe and Jamie Diamonstein, the powerhouse duo behind Tiami Sleep—a new luxury mattress brand redefining what great sleep really feels like. With over 60 years of combined experience, including co-founding Leesa Sleep and helping pioneer the direct-to-consumer model in the sleep category, these two know a thing or two about building brands that resonate.David and Jamie share the story behind Tiami’s launch—including their bold decision to offer just one perfected mattress, and why simplicity, performance, and design are at the heart of everything they do. With a strategic partnership with Design Within Reach, Tiami is already making waves in the luxury space. We talk about what it means to evolve (not just disrupt), how they cracked the code on making a mattress that works for every sleeper, and the big lessons they’ve learned from building brands with staying power. They also dive into their mission to support sleep equity and mental health, how

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jeff Mahony, CEO of NEFT Vodka. Known for its ultra-smooth taste, clean ingredients, and bold barrel packaging, NEFT is shaking up the spirits world—earning global recognition and redefining what premium vodka can be.In our conversation, Jeff shares how he took the reins of NEFT and helped evolve it into a purpose-driven, design-forward brand with a loyal following. We dive into what makes NEFT different in a saturated market, the power of storytelling in spirits, and why sustainability and simplicity sit at the heart of everything NEFT does. Jeff also talks about building a team, disrupting legacy categories, and how to make a product that’s both award-winning and sippable.Whether you're a vodka lover, an entrepreneur, or someone curious about how to lead with both innovation and intention—this episode is full of wisdom and takeaways. Tune in to hear how Jeff is building something unforgettable with NEFT. Now on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kerry Docherty, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Faherty—the family-owned, American fashion and lifestyle brand redefining what it means to scale with purpose. Known for its surf-inspired aesthetic and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Faherty has grown into a profitable 9-figure business with over 75 stores nationwide and a passionate, loyal customer base.In our conversation, Kerry shares how she and her co-founders set out to build a brand that challenged the norms of the fashion industry. With a background in law and human rights, she brings a unique lens to what it means to lead with intention—launching initiatives like Faherty’s Native Partnership Program, steering the company to B Corp certification, and ensuring impact and integrity are built into every decision.We talk about how to create authentic partnerships, how to stay mission-forward as you scale, and what it really takes to build a brand customers trust—without compromising o

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Randy Goldberg, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Bombas—the mission-driven comfort brand best known for its ultra-comfortable socks, underwear, and t-shirts, and for donating one item for every item purchased. Since launching in 2013, Bombas has donated over 150 million items to those in need through partnerships with more than 3,500 community organizations.In our conversation, Randy shares the early days of building Bombas—from discovering that socks were the most requested item in homeless shelters to creating a business that scaled profit and purpose. We talk about how he and Co-Founder Dave Heath designed a better sock, got a deal on Shark Tank, built a standout brand in a crowded space, and stayed true to their mission through every stage of growth. He also opens up about creative leadership, the power of empathy in business, and the infrastructure it takes to scale giving at a national level.If you’re interested in building a brand with heart

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of theSkimm—the powerhouse digital media brand giving women the tools to navigate life’s most important decisions. What began as a single daily email has evolved into a platform reaching over 16 million people, delivering smart, nonpartisan content on everything from politics to personal finance.In our conversation, Carly and Danielle share how they’ve grown theSkimm from a newsletter launched from their couch into a trusted media company, how they lead as co-CEOs, and why their mission to empower women through information has never been more important. We dive into the evolution of their business model, how they stay relevant in a constantly shifting media landscape, and the hard lessons learned over a decade of building together.Whether you're thinking about launching something bold, leading with a mission, or curious about how to build lasting connection with your audience—this episode is full

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Christoph Frehsee, President and Managing Director of tonies USA—the company behind the wildly popular screen-free audio system for kids, the Toniebox. With more than 7 million Tonieboxes and 100 million Tonies sold globally, tonies is transforming how young children play, learn, and engage—without a screen in sight.Christoph joined the company with a background in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and global impact, and is now helping tonies scale rapidly in the U.S. market. In our conversation, we talk about the power of audio storytelling in a tech-saturated world, what it means to build a kid-first brand, and how tonies is building emotional connection with families at every level. Christoph also shares his early impression of the Toniebox, why he believes screen-free innovation is the future, and what’s next for the company as it continues to grow its presence in retail, licensing, and original content.If you’re interested in building a product tha

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Jess Sturzenegger, Founder and CEO of Amara, a baby and kids food company redefining what healthy really means. With a commitment to clean-label ingredients, no added sugar, and nutrient-packed options that actually taste great, Amara is winning over both parents and retailers—and standing out in a crowded category.Jess shares how Amara went from concept to shelf, the challenges and wins of scaling a CPG brand in today’s market, and the surprising ways freediving taught her the resilience and mindset needed to lead. This episode is packed with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone passionate about building purpose-driven brands. Don’t miss it! Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks. To learn more about Jessica Sturzenegger and Amara:https://amaraorganicfoods.com/http

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Julie Wainwright, entrepreneur, e-commerce pioneer, and author of the powerful upcoming book TIME TO GET REAL: How I Built a Billion-Dollar Business that Rocked the Fashion Industry. Julie is the founder of The RealReal, the billion-dollar luxury resale company she took public, and she’s currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Ahara, a precision nutrition company redefining wellness through personalization.In our conversation, Julie gets real about what it truly takes to build and scale a mission-driven company, the emotional and financial toll of going public, and the often-ignored power moves founders—especially women—need to master. We talk about bouncing back from failure, fundraising in a male-dominated venture world, the media scrutiny she faced at The RealReal, and why building generational wealth requires owning more than just a big vision.Julie also shares how her new company Ahara is harnessing science to personalize nutrition, what she’s doing di

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Meghan Luck, Founder and CEO of Fable Fish Co., the Alaska-born seafood brand that’s reimagining what snacking can look—and taste—like. Meghan’s journey begins on her family’s fishing boats in Alaska, where she developed a deep connection to nature and the wild bounty of the ocean. After a decade working with global brands in New York, she returned to her roots with a clear mission: bring responsibly sourced, nutrient-rich seafood snacks to the modern consumer.Fable Fish Co. is best known for its wild sockeye salmon jerky, crafted from the world’s largest sustainable wild salmon fishery in Bristol Bay, Alaska. But this is more than just jerky—it’s about honoring tradition, protecting ecosystems, and reconnecting people to the natural world through food.In our conversation, Meghan shares what it was like to build a brand that blends heritage and innovation, how she educates consumers on traceability and nutrient density, and why she believes the future of