We spend a third of our lives sleeping… but most of us have never stopped to ask what’s actually inside the mattress beneath us. In this episode of Shelf Sense, Cynthia Barstow is joined by Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer of Naturepedic, along with Gen Z voice and UMass alum Athena Velonis, to explore the surprising world of mattresses, bedding, flame retardants, indoor air, and what “organic” really means in this category. From the “new mattress smell” to the materials we spend eight hours a night surrounded by, this conversation unpacks why our sleep environment matters more than most of us realize — especially for young adults setting up first apartments and homes.

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What does it really take to keep our orange juice organic? A lot and it goes on behind the scenes and in the groves - it might even mean inviting wasps in for a visit. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Matt McLean—founder of Uncle Matt’s Organic, pioneer and former leader in the Organic Trade Association—alongside Gen Z voice and upcoming podcast host, Kylie Kittredge to uncover the effort, values, and tough decisions behind what’s in our glass.

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In Jungle to Shelf: The Medicine Hunter Story, I sit down with Chris Kilham—and Gen Z voice Samira Krol—to trace the remarkable journey of botanicals from remote forests and indigenous communities to the products we find on our shelves. Chris shares how decades of global exploration uncover plants with real health potential, and why ethical sourcing and respect for local knowledge matter just as much as the benefits themselves. Together, we connect his adventures to your everyday choices—because what’s on your shelf has a story, and sometimes, it starts far away from the store.

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It’s the hottest new functional beverage that is truly refreshing. In this episode of ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff, Cynthia Barstow sits down with Erik Ramstad, farmer and founder of Farmwell Drinks, along with Gen Z voice Jacob Wilson, to explore a powerful (and little-known) berry: aronia. Grown on his family’s regenerative organic farm, aronia berries are gaining attention for their remarkable nutritional profile—delivering up to 3x the antioxidant levels of blueberries. We answer questions like what antioxidants actually do in the body, why regenerative organic agriculture matters, and how these deeply pigmented berries are being transformed into a uniquely refreshing, low-sugar option for today’s wellness-conscious consumer.

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Milk is one of the most familiar foods on our shelves—but today, it’s also one of the most questioned. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Stephanie Alexandre, Farmer Owner and passionate advocate for nutrient-dense foods, alongside Gen Z voice Nick Katsoulis, to explore what’s really behind the milk we drink—from taste and digestibility to how cows are raised and what A2/A2 actually means. Together, they connect the dots between pasture-raised practices, regenerative organic farming, and a growing curiosity about whether the way milk is produced might shape not just its flavor, but how it makes us feel in our bodies, hearts and souls.

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Every spring, magic happens in the forests of the Northeast. As the days warm and the nights stay cold, maple trees begin to flow — and the centuries-old ritual of maple sugaring begins. In this episode, Cynthia sits down with Arnold Coombs of Coombs Family Farms/Bascom Maple Farms, the most respected names in organic maple syrup. Arnold grew up sugaring as a child and has spent decades helping bring organic maple syrup to kitchens around the world while protecting the forests and farmers who make it possible. Joining the conversation is Paige Andersen, a Gen Z voice asking the questions younger consumers want answered in order to trust what’s on their shelves. Together they explore the craft, culture, and transparency behind one of nature’s sweetest gifts.

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As the industry-only Natural Products Expo West begins today, the future of our grocery stores takes shape. Cynthia goes behind the scenes of the natural products industry’s most influential gathering with hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith of New Hope Network to explore how conversations around regenerative organic agriculture, safer packaging, transparency, and trust move from shared visions to the products on our shelves — shaping a marketplace that is better for all of us.

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Why 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-generation lens, asking the questions today’s consumers care most about: trust, proof, and whether brands truly live their values. The result is an essential cross-generational dialogue about why organic supports farmers and the planet—and what it will take to earn, and keep, trust in the products on our shelves.

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