Shows
The Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 20 - Eric Morgan with Thrive Life Freeze Dried FoodsThe Freeze Dried Guys - Episode 20 – Eric Morgan with Thrive Life Freeze-Dried Foods
In this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal and Colt sit down with Eric Morgan, President of Thrive Life, one of the most respected names in premium freeze-dried food. Eric shares the fascinating story of Thrive Life's journey from a simple shelving solution to a full-scale freeze-dried food manufacturer. Learn how Thrive ensures industry-leading quality through their proprietary "Neutralock" certification, the strategic moves that allowed them to scale globally, and why food safety and nutrition are at the heart of everything they do....2025-06-1848 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep 19 – Emergency Preparedness: Building a Long-Term Food Supply with Freeze-Dried Meals🆘 Episode 19 – Emergency Preparedness: Building a Long-Term Food Supply with Freeze-Dried Meals
On this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor dives into the critical role freeze drying plays in emergency preparedness. Whether you're new to prepping or a seasoned homesteader, this deep-dive episode is packed with practical strategies for building a reliable, shelf-stable food supply using freeze-dried meals.
We cover how to prep and package meals for maximum shelf life, the best equipment setups for serious stockpiling, how to create balanced nutrition for your family, and the most common mistakes to avoid that could cost you i...2025-06-0553 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 18 – Freeze-Drying Cannabis: Preserving Terpenes, Enhancing Quality, and Industry InsightsIn this eye-opening episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we turn the mic around as Mykal Taylor interviews co-host and freeze-drying expert Colt Crisp for a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry—cannabis.
Colt breaks down the real science and game-changing benefits of freeze-drying cannabis, including how it enhances THC and terpene preservation, reduces oxidation, and allows growers to scale with precision. We explore everything from vapor pressure control and ideal drying temperatures to the best equipment setups for small and large processors.
Whether you’re a licensed grower, an extr...2025-05-1729 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 17 - Meet The 11 Year Old CEO of Freeze Joy - A Family Business Journey!The Freeze Dried Guys – Ep. 17: Meet the 11-Year-Old CEO of Freeze Joy – A Family Business Journey
In this inspiring episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Marilou Canafuego and her remarkable 11-year-old daughter Joyceanne—an entrepreneur who's already making waves with her freeze-dried treat business, Freeze Joy.
What started as a heartfelt school assignment quickly turned into a full-fledged business fueled by passion, creativity, and a desire to help others. Joyceanne shares how she’s using freeze drying to bring joy to her community, while Marilou talks about guiding...2025-05-1419 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 16 - Choosing The Best Freeze Dryer: An Unfiltered Expert BreakdownChoosing The Best Freeze Dryer: An Unfiltered Expert Breakdown with Colt Crisp!
In this exciting new episode, Mykal flips the script and puts Colt in the hot seat for an in-depth expert breakdown of today’s top freeze dryers! 🔥 From new hobbyists to serious entrepreneurs, this episode arms you with critical insights on how to choose the right machine for your needs.
We dive deep into the pros, cons, and key features of some of the most talked-about brands in the industry:
✅ D-Freeze
✅ Cryonaut
✅ StayFresh
✅ Harvest Right
✅ Blue Alpine
Highlights in...2025-05-1336 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 15 - Silver Hills HomesteadIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we head to the heart of North Idaho to chat with Cyreen Patton, founder of Silver Hills Homestead. Formerly known as North Idaho Snackables, Cyreen shares her incredible journey—from working in adult mental health and disability services to pioneering a successful freeze-dried food business rooted in sustainability, adventure, and community care.
We dig into everything:
✅ Why Cyreen started freeze drying for texture-sensitive individuals
✅ Her experience with backpacking meals to candy and snacks
✅ The highs and lows of using home freeze dryers in a growing business
✅ Ho...2025-04-2453 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 14 - Understanding Your Rights Under The Magnuson-Moss Warranty ActIn this eye-opening episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp break down the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and what it means for freeze dryer owners and small business operators. If you've ever been frustrated with slow repairs, vague warranty policies, or being asked to fix your own machine under warranty—this episode is for you.
Mykal dives deep into the legal protections this federal law offers consumers, including:
What a warranty is required to include by law
When a manufacturer crosses the line into unfair or deceptive practices
Wh...2025-04-131h 01The Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 13 - Jerad Ducklow with Parker Freeze DryersIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we sit down with Jerad Ducklow, the current Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Parker Freeze Dry and also a respected freeze-drying consultant. With years of experience at one of the leading commercial freeze-dryer manufacturers, Jerad brings a unique and powerful perspective to the conversation—one rooted in large-scale operations, global strategy, and industry evolution.
From navigating scaling challenges and refining Parker's brand identity to helping clients across multiple sectors adopt freeze-drying at an industrial level, Jerad offers incredible insights for both established businesses and those aiming to...2025-04-0648 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 12 – So You Want to Start a Freeze Drying Business? Real Talk with Mykal TaylorIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we flip the mic and dive deep into the world of freeze drying from the perspective of co-host Mykal Taylor, a longtime industry veteran. Interviewed by fellow co-host Colt Crisp, Mykal shares expert-level insights on how to successfully start, build, and scale a freeze-drying business.
Whether you're a hobbyist thinking about going pro or an entrepreneur looking to refine your strategy, this episode covers the foundational knowledge you need. From understanding true startup costs and market saturation to choosing the right equipment and developing a sustainable pricing model—this is...2025-03-261h 08The Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 11 - William Slenders COO of D-FreezeIn Episode 11 of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with William Slenders, COO of Peak and Prairie, the parent company behind the revolutionary D-Freeze Freeze Dryer. In this exclusive interview, William shares how D-Freeze is setting the GOLD standard in freeze drying equipment, delivering unmatched performance, consistency, and reliability for businesses ready to scale.
We dive deep into the technology, design, and future-forward thinking that make D-Freeze a game changer. Whether you're a small business outgrowing consumer machines or a commercial operation looking for next-level efficiency, this episode gives you an insider's...2025-03-2135 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 10 - Sean B. Jones CEO of FoodynamicsIn Episode 10 of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Sean B. Jones, CEO of Foodynamics, one of the nation’s leading white label producers of freeze-dried pet food and treats. Sean shares his inspiring journey, starting with a career shift from the professional world into entrepreneurship, and how opening a pet store in Wisconsin sparked a new passion that led him into the freeze-dried pet food industry.
Sean gives us an inside look at how he started small, using a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer, before recognizing the need to scale quickly. Hi...2025-03-171h 21The Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 9 - Harvest Right V6.0 is it worth it?In Episode 9 of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp dive deep into the much-anticipated release of Harvest Right’s V6.0 Freeze Dryer. Is it truly the “revolutionary” advancement they’re claiming, or is this just another rushed gimmick that could lead to more problems than progress?
In this no-nonsense discussion, Mykal and Colt break down the new features—including Wi-Fi connectivity, app-based controls, Candy Mode, and custom temperature settings—to answer the big question: Is it worth the investment?
🔹 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✅ An engineer’s take on whether the new mater...2025-03-1355 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 8 - Angie SteenkistIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Angie Steenkist, owner of Angie’s Crunch N’ Munch in Kennewick, Washington. Angie shares her journey in scaling up to a commercial freeze-dried candy operation, including the unexpected challenges of getting certified and the frustrations of dealing with Harvest Right’s technical support.
Angie opens up about her difficulties diagnosing and repairing her machines, the frustrating experience of working with Harvest Right tech support, and how she had to seek local repair help—only for technicians to refuse to ever work on a Har...2025-03-0520 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 7 - Dona and Skylar VroubelIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Dona and Skylar, the mother-daughter team behind BoHa Freeze Dried Goodies in beautiful Oklahoma. While their passion for freeze-dried treats is undeniable, their journey has been anything but smooth.
After investing over $15,000 into Harvest Right Freeze Dryers, they’ve been left with nothing but frustration and disappointment. With only two working medium-sized units and several others sitting broken, they share the devastating impact this has had on their business—including a lost contract with Conoco Phillips that could have been a game...2025-03-0442 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 6 - Colt Crisp and Mykal Taylor InterviewIn this special episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Colt Crisp and Mykal Taylor take the hot seat as they share their personal journeys and deep industry knowledge in the world of freeze drying.
We’ll dive into Mykal Taylor’s background in the retail side of the business, from owning Sun Blessed Farms LLC to becoming a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer retailer. He’ll also open up about his time as a repair technician for Harvest Right, discussing common machine issues, troubleshooting experiences, and his insights on maintaining these machines.
Then, we turn to Colt C...2025-02-271h 13The Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep 5 - Deanna EachusIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Deanna Eachus, a talented freeze-dried candy manufacturer from California’s scenic Central Valley. Deanna shares her unique story and explains why she chose Stay Fresh Freeze Dryers over other popular brands.
Throughout the conversation, Deanna opens up about the challenges she’s faced in the freeze-drying industry, how she's overcome those obstacles, and the invaluable insights she’s gained along her journey. Discover how these experiences have fueled the growth and success of her freeze-dried candy brand, and gain inspiration from Deanna...2025-02-2633 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 4 - Valarie BruniesIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Valarie Brunies, owner of Wow Candy Co, a DBA of Vista Enterprises. Valarie shares her journey into the freeze-dried food and candy business, starting with a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer before experiencing frustrations with reliability and performance.
Looking to expand her operation, she made the bold decision to invest in a Wave commercial freeze dryer—a move that came with risks, unexpected challenges, and ultimately led her to sell the unit after realizing it wasn’t the right fit for her busi...2025-02-2018 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep 3 - Christine WoodIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Christine Wood, owner of Christine’s Chop Shop in Mesa, Arizona (www.ChristinesChopShop.com). Christine specializes in freeze-dried treats for animals and works closely with rescue organizations across the United States to support abandoned and abused parrots and birds.
Christine shares her firsthand experience investing over $30,000 into Harvest Right Freeze Dryers—only to face repeated equipment failures, frustrating customer support, and what she feels was unfair treatment. She opens up about the challenges of running a business when your equipment doesn’t perf...2025-02-1923 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 2 with guest Amiee HenryIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Amiee Henry, owner of Sunshine Treats in Wichita, Kansas (www.SunshineTreatsKS.com). Amiee shares her journey as a woman business owner, from starting her freeze-dried business to growing it into a thriving operation.
With seven Harvest Right Freeze Dryers in her shop, Amiee has experienced both the challenges and rewards of running a freeze-dried business. She discusses how she’s managed her equipment, the one repair issue she encountered, and why she’s grateful for the customer support she received from Harv...2025-02-1821 minThe Freeze Dried Guys PodcastThe Freeze Dried Guys Ep. 1 - Sara SullivanIn this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we sit down with Sara Sullivan, owner of Freeze Eat Repeat (www.FreezeEatRepeat.com), a business specializing in freeze-dried candy and dog treats. While Sara casually shares how she started her business, the real focus of this conversation is on the challenges she has faced with her Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.
Sara details the technical issues she’s encountered, including equipment malfunctions, breakdowns, and repeated failures. But the biggest frustration? Her experience dealing with Harvest Right’s customer service. From long wait times to repeated troubleshooting steps that led nowh...2025-02-1422 min