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Grocery Pulse Podcast: Grocery, CPG , Leaders & Supermarket Retail Insights for Independent Grocers
Grocery Pulse Podcast: Grocery, CPG , Leaders & Supermarket Retail Insights for Independent Grocers
Grocery Pulse Podcast is aimed at independent grocers, food industry professionals, CPG founders, and retail executives. Host George Goodwin, a fourth-generation grocer and strategist at Innovar Marketing Agency, talks with industry leaders and family-owned business owners. Episodes cover category management, supply chain, retail technology, and customer experience. The show focuses on practical strategies for growing grocery businesses.
Episodes
From Grocery Journalism to CPG Leadership: A Journey of Purpose & Innovation | GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode, Michelle Breyer shares her unique journey through grocery, journalism, entrepreneurship, and CPG, from covering Whole Foods' and H-E-B's growth to founding a company and helping emerging brands through SKU. She shares what she's learned from watching hundreds of founders navigate the CPG roller coaster, the importance of mentorship and community, and what it takes to b
Functional Foods & Drinks: The Future of Wellness, CPG & Grocery | GroceryPulse Podcast
Makor Coffee founder Eli Mash joins GroceryPulse to share how he built a functional organic coffee brand on the side, going from Shopify to 42 grocery doors and Amazon while still working full-time in tech.Host George Goodwin (4th-generation grocer and founder of Kōbu Kombucha Powder) sits down founder-to-founder with Eli to taste each other's products and talk honestly about building in the f
Four Generations of Grocery: How Plum Market Built a $0 PE Empire & Redefined Specialty Retail with Marc Jonna | GroceryPulse hosted by George Goodwin
I had the opportunity to sit down with Marc Jonna, Co-Founder & President of Plum Market, and this was a really special conversation for me as a fourth-generation grocer. Marc's grocery story goes back generations.His father, Ed Jonna, founded Merchant of Vino in Michigan, which was later acquired by Whole Foods. Marc went on to become a National Wine Buyer for Whole Foods before leaving with
Mike "Fitz" Fitzsimmons: 178 Miles Solo, Reno Tahoe Odyssey — Ultramarathon Mindset, Mental Toughness, Endurance, Nutrition & Resilience | GroceryPulse w/ George Goodwin, 4th-Gen Grocer & CPG Founder
Mike Fitzsimmons became only the second person in history to complete the 178-mile Reno Tahoe Odyssey solo — finishing in 45 hours and 5 minutes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains.But this episode isn't just about running. It's about mastering your mindset when everything in you wants to quit, building resilience through adversity, fueling your body for peak performance, and why success — in busi
The Power of Relationships in Grocery: Leadership, Sales & the Future with Lori Brown | Grocery Pulse Podcast
"The grocery industry may be driven by logistics and supply chains—but it’s still powered by relationships."In this episode of Grocery Pulse, George Goodwin speaks with Lori Brown, a 40+ year grocery industry leader and President of The Illuminators. Lori shares insights from her experience across retail, CPG, and supply chain—revealing why communication, presence, and servant leadership
From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Gut-Brain Connection with Mike Schmidt | GroceryPulse Podcast
"Nutrition is the gateway drug to spirituality."In this episode of Grocery Pulse, George Goodwin sits down with holistic health coach Mike Schmidt to discuss the powerful intersection of gut health, identity, and the grocery industry. Mike opens up about his personal journey—battling 10 years of chronic acne and a 16-month period of burnout—and how he used "food as medicine" to
How Independent Grocers Win: Modernizing a Family-Owned Health Food Store / Vitamen Store with Jake Kiviko Recorded Live at the Natural Independent Expo | GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode, Jake from Nature's Finest shares insights into the journey of running a family-owned health food store, the importance of customer empowerment through education, and the challenges of modernizing operations in a competitive market. He discusses the significance of selecting the right brands to partner with and highlights current trends in health and nutrition. The conversation als
How a CPG Founder Built a Clean Protein Bar—Backed by an NBA Champion | Retail lessons on brand, growth & integrity with George Goodwin, 4th Gen Grocer & CPG Founder | GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Jacqueline Smith, Founder & CEO of E3 Energy Cubes—a Utah-based, woman-owned protein bar brand on a mission to “change the flavor of healthy.” Jacqueline shares how an accountant’s mindset (yes—math) helped her build a better-for-you bar with balanced macros (fats, carbs, protein), clean ingredients, and flavor that actually h
How the Founder of UGG Built a Billion-Dollar Global Brand- Brian Smith on The Birth of a Brand, Retail Lessons & More | Interview by George Goodwin, 4th Gen Grocer, CPG Founder | GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Brian Smith, founder of UGG and author of The Birth of a Brand. Brian shares how UGG started from six pairs of sheepskin surf boots and grew into a global, billion-dollar brand — and why that journey had far more struggle than overnight success.He explains how brand building is less about logos and trademarks, and more about what
Functional Mushrooms & Wellness: Walker | The Happy Mushroom Company x George Goodwin w/ GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Walker, founder of The Happy Mushroom Company, for a deep conversation on the future of grocery, functional foods, and building a health-focused CPG brand from the ground up.Together, they explore how mushrooms are reshaping wellness, why consumers are shifting toward functional nutrition, and what it really takes to l
Future of Grocery & Natural Retail: How Community and Sustainability Drive Indie Success — Jeremiah Bogenhagen | Naturally Independent Expo 2025| George Goodwin x Jeremiah Bogenhagen
Independent grocers and emerging CPGs are rethinking which trade shows actually move the needle. In this GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin talks with Jeremiah Bogenhagen (President, Positively Natural Network and CEO of Health Essentials) about the Naturally Independent Expo in Palm Springs—why it’s intentionally small, how it maximizes retailer–supplier face time, and the education tracks
The Future of Grocery: The Emotional Science Behind Why We Shop — How Smell, Design, and Human Connection Are Shaping Retail | George Goodwin x Kevin Kelley
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Kevin Kelley, Co-Founder of Shook Kelley, to explore the future of grocery through the lens of emotional science, design, and human connection.They uncover how smell, sensory engagement, and behavior architecture influence consumer decision-making — and why successful grocers are moving beyond convenience to create mea
Turning POS Data into Retail Media Power w/ Steve Dietch (Bridg / Rippl) and George Goodwin
Independent and regional grocers don’t just need impressions—they need measurable lift. In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin (4th-gen grocer & founder of Innovar Marketing) sits down with Steve Dietch, Chief Revenue Officer at Bridg and retail-media network Rippl, to unpack how identity resolution and POS-level purchase data are changing the game for regional chains and C-store
Turning Social Media Comments into Customers: The Future of Grocery Foot Traffic with Oskar Wahlbäck & George Goodwin
Local grocers don’t need another “awareness-only” social tactic—they need sales. On this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin (4th-gen grocer & founder of Innovar Marketing) sits down with Oskar Wahlbäck, founder & CEO of Commentsell, to explore how European-style “reserve in comments” deals are transforming social media into a true sales channel.Already powering 250+ stores in Swe
From Family Grocer to Policy Leader | Ron Fong, CEO of California Grocers Association | GroceryPulse by Innovar Marketing Agency
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, host George Goodwin sits down with Ron Fong, President & CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), for an insightful conversation on leadership, advocacy, and the future of grocery.Ron shares his personal journey from growing up in his family’s grocery store to becoming one of the most influential voices for California’s grocery industry. Tog
The Future of Grocery, CPG & Retail Media covering AI, Attention & Authenticity in Retail| Chase Binnie the CEO of Retailwire on GroceryPulse with George Goodwin
What does the future of retail media look like?In this episode of GroceryPulse by Innovar Marketing Agency, host George Goodwin sits down with Chase Binnie, CEO of RetailWire — the leading retail industry thought leadership platform with 1M+ monthly readers and 8 acquisitions under its belt.Chase shares how he went from designing album art in high school to running a 23-year-old legacy media compa
Smart Technology in Grocery: Boosting Efficiency, Labor ROI & Store Performance w/ Stu Gavurin & George Goodwin on GroceryPulse by Innovar Marketing Agency
In this episode of Grocery Pulse, host George Goodwin speaks with Stu Gavurin, founder of Opsense, about the transformative role of smart technology in food safety, compliance, and efficiency within the grocery and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. They discuss the inspiration behind Opsense, the significant issue of food waste, and the importance of real-time monitoring and alerts in grocery
Retail Efficiency Reimagined: Scan Coordination, Tag Updates by The HandyCart Workstation
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with CJ Warstler, the inventor of the Handycart Workstation, to unpack how one simple tool is revolutionizing efficiency in retail environments. With over 30 years of experience in sales and consulting, CJ shares the real-world problems that inspired him to create a smarter, more effective workstation—right from his own garage.Together
The Future of Grocery Packaging: Design, Technology & Customer Insights with Adam Steinberg
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with design experts Adam Steinberg and Henry Casanova to explore the evolving world of CPG packaging and grocery retail design. Together, they dive deep into the importance of clarity in packaging, how consumer behavior drives design decisions, and why eco-friendly packaging is more than just a trend.The conversation touches on the pow
Beyond Organic: How Alexandre Family Farm Became America’s First Certified Regenerative Organic Dairy
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin speaks with Blake and Stephanie Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm, the first certified regenerative dairy farm in the U.S. They share the inspiring story of building a family farm rooted in stewardship, nutrition, and sustainability—and how their mission is reshaping the dairy industry.From the power of regenerative farming practices that resto
Leading the Organic Movement: Kelly Damewood of CCOF | GroceryPulse by Innovar Agency
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Kelly Damewood, CEO of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), to unpack the future of organic farming, certification, and consumer trust. Together, they explore how organic and regenerative agriculture can become the norm—not the exception—through smart certification, clear communication, and authentic leadership.Kelly share
HR Lessons: One of the Largest U.S. Utility Companies w/ about 20 years of experince | Deborah Sanchez on GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Deborah Sanchez, an HR consultant with nearly 20 years of experience advising C-suite leaders at one of California’s largest utility companies. From her beginnings as a young mom seeking stability to now shaping corporate HR strategy, Deborah shares powerful insights on employee retention, mentorship, workplace culture, and leader
Leading Retail: Lessons from James W. Keyes, Former 7-Eleven & Blockbuster CEO by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Podcast
In this episode of GroceryPulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin welcomes James W. Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, and Chairman of Wild Oats Marketing LLC. James brings decades of leadership experience from some of the most iconic brands in retail, and today, he shares his unique insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of the retail industry.The conversation delves
Grocery Media’s Impact: Trends, Insights, and the Shelby Report Bob Reeves by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 11
In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin sits down with Bob Reeves, Executive Vice President and Associate Publisher at Shelby Publishing. As a grocery media expert and USC Food Industry Management Program alumnus, Bob shares insights from over two decades of documenting and influencing the grocery industry. The conversation dives into the critical role of grocery me
Cutting Distractions in Grocery with Sleke by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 10
In this episode of Grocery Pulse by Innovar Agency, host George Goodwin, a fourth-generation grocer and retail strategist, sits down with Austin and Brennen, co-founders of Sleke. Sleke is revolutionizing workplace productivity with its “smart dumb phone,” designed to eliminate distractions and enhance focus.
The conversation explores the impact of smartphone distractions on grocery and retail op
Leadership Lessons from an Olympian: Krysta Palmer on Grit, Food Trends & Grocery Success | GroceryPulse
In this exciting episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, George Goodwin welcomes Krysta Palmer, Olympic Bronze Medalist and USA Diving National Team member, to explore what grocery leaders and store owners can learn from athletes. Krysta shares her journey from earning medals on the global stage to preparing for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, all while balancing a Kinesiology degree and an MBA.Gro
Innovating Grocery Marketing: Insights from Ron Bonacci by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 8
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, George Goodwin is joined by Ron Bonacci, Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising at Big Y Foods. With over 20 years of experience in the grocery and retail industry, Ron shares his expertise in crafting innovative marketing strategies and driving customer engagement. The conversation delves into the evolving role of marketing in the grocery sector
40 Years of Grocery Evolution: Lessons from Kevin Coupe, Host of MorningNewsBeat by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 7
In this episode of the GroceryPulse Podcast, we sit down with Kevin Coupe, the host of the renowned MorningNewsBeat and a grocery industry veteran with over 40 years of experience. Kevin shares his invaluable insights into the evolving world of grocery retail, offering advice on how retailers can stay relevant, embrace technology, and create a unique store identity. From the rise of e-commerce to
Building a Healthier World with Ayoub’s Dried Fruits and Nuts by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 6
Join George Goodwin on Grocery Pulse as he talks with Amir Hosh, founder of Ayoub’s Dried Fruits and Nuts. Learn how Ayoub’s is transforming North America’s snack culture with fresh, healthy options. They discuss overcoming challenges, fostering positive team energy, and building a family legacy. Tune in to hear how Ayoub’s is shaping a tastier future. Sponsored by Innovar Marketing Agency! 🛒 Lear
Millennial Mothers Share Their Grocery Shopping Habits sponsored by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Vol. 5
In this podcast, millennial mothers candidly share their grocery shopping habits, followed by a lively fireside chat discussing why they choose to shop where they do. Gain valuable insights into consumer behavior and trends in the grocery industry. Stay tuned for more. 🛒
Grocery Webinar for Store Owners Targeting Mothers by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Podcast Vol.4
🛒 Uncover the Secrets of Mom-Powered Grocery Shopping! 🛒 Mothers do about 60 to 80% of the grocery shopping for their family! Dive into the minds of influential moms who steer the course of family grocery decisions! 🌟 In our recent webinar, a dynamic panel of savvy moms spilled the beans on what really goes on behind the aisles of their grocery shopping escapades. More questions? email us at Marke
Navigating International Supermarkets: Insights from SuperGMart by Innovar Marketing Agency | GroceryPulse Podcast Vol. 3
In this episode of Grocery Pulse, we sit down with Paul, one of the family owner of Super G Mart, a thriving family chain of international supermarkets. Paul shares his journey in defining a unique store identity, fostering successful vendor partnerships, optimizing real estate space, and creating a welcoming shopping experience for a diverse customer base. Learn how Super G Mart adapts to market
Empowering Grocers with Advanced Analytics: Innovar Marketing Agency & GreenChoice | Grocery Pulse Podcast Vol.2
Join Grocery Pulse host George Goodwin as he interviews founder Galen, delving into the evolution of grocery shopping with a focus on health-conscious choices, differentiation for independent stores, environmental responsibility, loyalty factors, transparent price tagging, and affordability of healthier choices. Tune in for insights into the crucial aspects of differentiation, environmental respon
retailMetrix Story by Innovar Marketing Agency: Empowering Grocers w/ Advanced Analytics | Grocery Insight Video Podcast Vol. 1
Step into the fast-paced world of retail with the launch of our retailMetrix Podcast, ”Grocery Pulse.” Uncover key insights, tips, and tricks from industry experts, empowering retailers to thrive in today’s competitive market.
