Shows
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffFrom pasture to protein: TRUST Organic COWSWhy can we trust organic cows? Cynthia sits down with Gary Hirshberg, Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist of Stonyfield Farm, alongside Gen Z voice Mari Averill, for a conversation that goes far beyond the dairy case. Gary shares the backstory behind Stonyfield—how a small, values-driven idea became a national brand by letting cows, farmers, and transparency shape relationships with consumers. Together, they explore why organic isn’t just a label, but a form of preventable healthcare—for our bodies, the land, and the people who steward it. Mari brings a next-g...
2026-02-1722 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Tinned Fish? Sustainable Seafood ProteinTinned fish is everywhere—but is it actually a smart, sustainable protein? In this episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia Barstow sits down with Henry Lovejoy (EcoFish, Henry & Lisa’s, Freshé) to unpack what sustainability really looks like from the sea, and with Caitlyn Bangert, a Gen Z protein seeker, to ask the questions shoppers are quietly wondering. From sourcing and labels to taste, trust, and convenience, this conversation helps you shop the tinned fish aisle and seafood counter with confidence.Send us a text
2026-02-0321 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffCracking Protein: Chicken or the Egg?Since protein is hot right now, we wanted to go straight to the source of one of our go-to choices. In this episode, we sit down with mother (Annie) and daughter (Tessa) Diemand—second- and third-generation poultry farmers—for a conversation that helps close the distance between raising chickens and producing eggs with care, and the grocery store cooler. We unpack what labels like local, cage-free, and pasture-raised really mean, how practices have evolved across generations, and what they hope shoppers pause to appreciate the next time they crack an egg or cook a piece of chicken.Send...
2026-01-2021 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Hot in 2026? Protein! Clean Beauty (from within), Functional Mushrooms, Supplements...Data—not brands—shape our shelves.If you’ve noticed protein suddenly everywhere, beauty promises moving into drinks, or unfamiliar ingredients showing up in foods, this episode explains why—and what that means for us as shoppers.Scott Dicker of SPINS and I decode what’s hot heading into 2026—and how the trends that often appear first in supplements move next into the foods and beverages we buy for our health and wellness. This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about understanding what’s real, what’s useful, and what’s coming ne...
2026-01-0623 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffCelebrate MOCKTAILS with BenefitsLooking for something bubbly to toast your Christmas or New Year’s celebration? Give a listen before you decide what to drink. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or simply taking a pause, Wild Mocktail’s Rebecca Hamilton shows how intentional NA mocktails bring ritual, flavor, and festivity without the regret. Joined by Gen Z guest Ruby Adamowicz, who captures the cultural shift unfolding in her generation, this episode explores the rise of elevated mocktails that deliver flavor, function, and a clearer kind of buzz. Send us a text
2025-12-2323 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffHot Cocoa, Zero WorryIf food sensitivities make you feel like you’re always missing out, this episode is your warm invitation back in. Cynthia sits down with young founder Ali Lazowski, whose delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free and organic hot cocoa was born from her own long road to diagnosis, and Gen Z voice Grace Kaiser, who’s navigated similar struggles. Together, they share how comforting traditions can be enjoyed—without worry, without symptoms, and without compromise. Happy Holidays!Send us a text
2025-12-0924 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffSecrets in your SPICE JarYour spice jar has a story… and it reveals what’s really behind the flavors in your food. Join Cynthia, Frontier Co-op/Simply Organic CEO Tony Bedard, and Gen Z voice Sara Yelle as they trace spices back to the people and places that grow them. This warm, eye-opening episode shows how everyday flavors carry purpose — and why the spices you choose matter more than you realize. As the holiday season begins, enjoy a dose of thankfulness knowing every spice jar on your rack can make a difference for our planet and her people.Send us a t...
2025-11-2531 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with RICE?Rice feeds half the world — and may be a key to saving the planet. In this episode, host Cynthia Barstow and Gen Z voice Marigold Averill sit down with Caryl Levine, co-founder of Lotus Foods, to explore how a staple grain can become a force for good. From preserving biodiversity to empowering women farmers and reducing methane emissions, discover how changing what goes into our rice bowls can nourish both the body and the Earth. Listen to the stories behind our stuff — and how one small bowl of rice can make a world of difference.Send us a te...
2025-11-1126 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Chocolate?Chocolate is one of the world’s sweetest pleasures—and one of its most bitter industries. In this episode, Cynthia Barstow and Gen Z voice, Vivian Mottl, talk with Joe Whinney, the pioneering founder of Theo Chocolate and now co-founder of Magic Chocolate, to explore how a once-broken system is being reborn through regenerative organic farming. With Dr. Bronner’s passing the torch to Magic Chocolate, a new era begins—one rooted in ethics, ecology, and extraordinary flavor. As trick-or-treaters head out to fill their bags, it’s worth discovering how "the right chocolate"...
2025-10-2820 min
The Natural ListGen Z's Data-Driven Approach to Health and Wellness with Cynthia BarstowIn this week’s episode of The Natural List, hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith talk with Cynthia Barstow, founder of Protect Our Breasts and professor at UMass, to explore how Gen Z is reshaping the natural products landscape. As the host of the podcast "Shelf Sense, the stories behind our stuff," Cynthia brings unique insights into how today's young consumers approach health, wellness and brand authenticity. She has also contributed to NewHope.com in the past, discussing chemical concerns in plastic packaging. https://www.newhope.com/business-management/4-tips-to-get-ahead-of-chemical-concerns-in-packaging Today’s conversation goes deep into Gen Z's...
2025-10-2729 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with an Anticancer Lifestyle?Everyone seems to know someone who’s heard the words “You have cancer.” Many of us want to do something about it. What if we can—through simple, everyday choices that lower risk and strengthen wellbeing? In this episode, Cynthia talks with Meg Cadoux, founder of the Anticancer Lifestyle Program, who has dedicated years to providing free, science-based resources for survivors and their loved ones. Joined by Maggie Hurley, a next-generation voice and Protect Our Breasts alum, they explore five pillars—Change, Mindset, Diet, Fitness, and Environment—that make prevention both powerful and possible.Visit the Anticancer Lifestyle Pr...
2025-10-1429 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Functional Fungi?Mushrooms are moving off our plates and into our coffee, protein powders, and daily wellness routines. In this episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia Barstow digs into the booming mushroom dietary supplement trend with Sandra Carter, founder of OM Mushroom, and Gen Z fitness enthusiast Neo Paradis. Together, they explore why functional fungi are suddenly everywhere, what benefits they promise, and how this hot trend is reshaping the wellness market.Send us a text
2025-09-3024 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Clean Beauty?What does “Clean Beauty” really mean—and who’s making sure it delivers? Cosmetics veteran Curt Valva and Gen Z changemaker Izzy Desrosiers unpack the personal care and cosmetics standards, the myths, and the movement toward safer, more transparent products that actually perform. Hopeful, eye-opening, and practical—this is what every consumer needs to know about the future of beauty. Send us a text
2025-09-1627 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with the Little Brownie Bits in our Ice Cream?As it turns out, that Ben & Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice-cream holds more than you’d ever expect. In this episode, we go beyond the pint to uncover the story behind those rich, fudgy chunks—from the ovens of Greyston Bakery to a philosophy rooted in Zen Buddhism.Cynthia Barstow talks with Roshi Eve Marko, a Zen teacher who helped grow Greyston alongside Bernie Glassman, and Christine Conroy, who’s carrying the bakery’s mission forward. Together, they explore how one little ingredient—often overlooked—can reflect a much bigger commitment to justice, opportunity, and transformation.Send us a
2025-09-0227 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat’s Up with Our Seafood?In this episode, former oyster farmer and Happy Planet podcast host Abigail Carroll joins Gen Z seafood lover and POB alum Eliza Peters for a conversation about the changing state of our oceans—and what it means for the seafood we love. From the “terroir” of the sea that shapes an oyster’s flavor to the microplastics and warming waters affecting our food and our future, we dive into the big questions. Abigail shares hope-inspiring innovations from entrepreneurs in the ocean economy, while Eliza asks what every thoughtful consumer wants to know: Can we still trust what’s on our plate...
2025-08-1931 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat’s Up with Our Kids’ Stuff: Back to School and moreThis expanded Back-to-School episode is for parents of all ages— from those raising babies and toddlers to moms of tweens. Host Cynthia Barstow is joined by longtime alum and POB advisor Kristin Peters and daughter-in-law Bex Barstow, current Co-Ed of Protect Our Breasts at BCPP, to explore what moms really want to know about safer school supplies, snacks, baby gear, and more. From lunchboxes to lotion, we’ve got your little ones covered.Suggested Choices from our Guests:Food: Once Upon a Farm (pouches and bars), Amara Smoothie Melts, Happy Wolf Bars, Hippies, Jonny Pops...
2025-08-0529 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat’s Up with our LOCAL Stuff: Farmers Markets, Farm Stands & CSAs?In this episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the magic of local food with Dan Kaplan, Brookfield Farm CSA farmer of 28 years, and Leila Tunnell, K–6 garden educator and past farm apprentice. Together, they share how community supported agriculture offers us an opportunity to connect more deeply—with the land, with each other, and with what we eat. From farm stands to school gardens, little ones across local elementary schools are learning to love the full experience—from soil to harvest—and with it, growing a genuine desire to protect it all. Hear how engaging with local food encourages connecti...
2025-07-2226 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Our HERBAL Stuff?In this revealing episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the roots of the herbal products lining our shelves. Our guests, Dr. Zoe Gardner, editor of the Botanical Safety Handbook and self-proclaimed herb nerd, and Emma Cosaboom, a Gen Z expert in sourcing and marketing, both bring their deep experience from their time at Traditional Medicinals, a brand celebrated for its sourcing integrity. Together, they unpack why plant material quality is the key to herbal efficacy, and how not all herbal companies meet that mark. From the importance of indigenous knowledge to the science behind what works (and what doesn’t...
2025-07-0834 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Our Sips & Snacks?In this Fourth of July-inspired episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia is joined by Sarah Alexander, Director of Customer Marketing at Nixie and one of her first Seed to Shelf assistants, along with her daughter Emily Barstow, a marketing consultant who got her start at Late July Organic Snacks. They share behind-the-scenes stories from the early startup days at Late July and explore how founder Nicole Dawes is once again leading with purpose — this time with Nixie, the only certified organic, zero sugar, zero calorie (non-probiotic) soda line on the market. It’s a conversation about values, innovation, and why working for...
2025-06-2424 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Our SUN Stuff?Is Sunscreen protecting us…or putting us at risk? Badger Co-CEO Rebecca Hamilton and clean beauty advocate + new mom Jen Brown unpack mineral sunscreens, SPF, when to reapply, UVA vs UVB, and the chemicals that might be doing more harm than good. Send us a text
2025-06-1029 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Our Organic Stuff?Is Organic the real deal? What about other product claims? How can I afford it? Organic pioneer Katherine DiMatteo talks with Gen Z Sage D’Amelio about how Organic became a law and what to consider in making Organic choices on the shelves.Send us a text
2025-05-2629 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffWhat's Up with Our Stuff? Toxins & HealthThe two women leading Protect Our Breasts share how hidden chemicals in our everyday products are linked to breast cancer—and what we can do about it. From plastic packaging to fragrance trees, and campus campaigns to motherhood, this student-driven action has already created real change. Send us a text
2025-05-1328 min
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our StuffTrailerShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff is where Cynthia Barstow brings together natural products change-makers sharing their stories with younger generations, so together they can help make sense of what’s on our shelves. Along the way, they reveal how the choices we make — from food to fashion, beauty to beverages — impact our health, our wellness, and our planet.Send us a text
2025-04-2901 min
The Professor Frenzy ShowHelen of Windhorn #6, Jack Dodson, Twilight Zone The EncounterThe Professor Frenzy Show Episode 332 Helen Of Wyndhorn #6 from Dark Horse | Writer(s): Tom King | Artist(s): Bilquis Evely | $4.99 G.I. Joe #1 from Image Comics (W) Joshua Williamson (A) Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire $4.99 Lady Mechanika: The Devil in the Lake #3 from Image Comics (W) Joe Benitez, M.M. Chen (A) Siya Oum $3.99 Hard Case Crime Minky Woodcock The Girl Called Cthulhu #2 from Titan Comics | Writer(s): Cynthia von Buhler | Artist(s): Cynthia von Buhler | $3.99 Transformers #14 from Image Comics (W) Daniel Warren Johnson (A) Jason Howard, Mike Spicer $3.99 Witchblade #5 from...
2024-11-2054 min
Heartland Stories RadioProtect Our Breasts: Young Women Fighting Against Breast Cancer (re-run)October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are bringing you back this amazing episode about Cynthia Barstow and her organization Protect Our Breasts. For Cynthia Barstow, Senior Lecturer of Marketing at Amherst Isenberg School at the University of Massachusetts and Founder and Executive Director of Protect Our Breasts, the fight against breast cancer is personal. In 2010, a routine mammogram led to her own breast cancer diagnosis—something faced by nearly 300,000 women each year. As her treatment began, so did a deep dive into breast cancer research, especially what causes the disease. Tune in to learn more ab...
2021-10-1928 minHeartland Stories RadioProtect Our Breasts: Young Women Fighting Against Breast CancerFor Cynthia Barstow, Senior Lecturer of Marketing at Amherst Isenberg School at the University of Massachusetts and Founder and Executive Director of Protect Our Breasts, the fight against breast cancer is personal. In 2010, a routine mammogram led to her own breast cancer diagnosis—something faced by nearly 300,000 women each year. As her treatment began, so did a deep dive into breast cancer research, especially what causes the disease. Tune in to learn more about: - Her personal story of going through breast cancer and how the idea for her organization was born; - About the wi...
2021-04-1328 min
GastropodExtreme Salad and Crazy PotatoesStep away from the French fries—and even from that bag of pre-washed mixed greens lurking in the crisper drawer. It’s time to reconsider the potato and up your salad game.In this episode, Cynthia and Nicky talk to science writer Ferris Jabr about the chestnut-flavored, gemstone-hued potatoes he discovered in Peru, as well as the plant breeders working to expand American potato choices beyond the Russet Burbank and Yukon Gold. Plus we meet wild gardener Stephen Barstow, whose gorgeous megasalads include 537 different plants, to talk about ancient Norwegian rooftop onion gardens and the weedy origins of borscht. If you...
2015-03-0326 min