Adam sits down with Michael Fisher, founder of Rotten, a better-for-you candy brand that’s shaking up the confectionery aisle. With black packaging, wild 1980s-inspired characters, and unapologetic attitude, Rotten is proving that healthier candy doesn’t have to look healthy to win over shoppers.

In this episode, host Adam Feller talks with Alli Ball, founder and CEO of Food Biz Wiz®, about what happens afterthat big retail win. Drawing from her experience as a grocery buyer and CPG coach, Alli shares what founders need to focus on once they’re in stores, from building strong relationships with buyers to tracking store performance and driving real velocity.

In this episode of Shelf Talkers, Adam sits down with Dr. James Richardson, founder of Premium Growth Solutions and author of the best-selling CPG book Ramping Your Brand. Together, they dive into what it really takes for small CPG brands to grow, and more importantly, how to know when they’re actually ready for that growth.

Adam sits down with Stevie Belchak and Alexandra Watkins, two naming experts from the aptly named agency Eat My Words. Together, they unpack the creative chaos behind crafting unforgettable brand names.

Adam sits down with Rachel Klein, founder of Revival, a brand that once brought craft almond butters to hundreds of shelves across the U.S. Rachel opens up about her unconventional journey into CPG, the rollercoaster of scaling into Walmart, and the difficult decision to close her company after a decade. Her story is raw, honest, and packed with lessons for every founder navigating the highs and lows of building a food brand.

Jimmy Feeman, co-founder of NoBaked, shares the sweet story behind their edible cookie dough brand. From starting as a dessert shop to pivoting to DTC during the pandemic and entering retail, Jimmy talks about the challenges and triumphs of growing a brand with his wife, Megan.

Local creators aren’t just more relatable, they’re more effective. In this episode, Charise Flynn of Hummingbirds breaks down why tapping into smaller, community-based influencers can help CPG brands connect more deeply and authentically with their customers.

Great food photography does more than look good, it drives connection, brand trust, and sales. In this episode, renowned food photographer Chava Oropesa shares what separates pro-level work from DIY shots, how to collaborate well with a photographer, and why choosing the right one is about more than just their portfolio.

Too many CPG brands treat brand strategy as a one-and-done exercise, or skip it altogether. In this episode, brand strategist Kelly Bennett breaks down why strategy should guide everything from packaging to partnerships, and how her approach shifts depending on whether a brand is just starting out or refining its next stage of growth.

Jordan Buckner built a promising CPG brand then walked away. In this episode, he shares why he shut down Tea Squares, how burnout shaped his next move, and how he’s now helping hundreds of food and beverage founders grow through FoodBevy.