Podcast
Dear Citrus Diaries
Hosted by Lauren Hodgen · EN
Each episode, I'll sit down with inspiring founders + creatives who are making waves in the CPG food and beverage world. From innovative entrepreneurs to trailblazing executives to game changing creatives, we delve into their stories and who they are outside of their title. Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and equipped with the insights you need to succeed in the kitchen and your career.
@citrusdiaries.studio | citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com
39episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S5 E27: Isabel Washington of Laurel's
Feb 18, 202500:43:10Tap to summarizeIsabel’s love for coffee started early and only grew stronger during her college years at USC. Mornings began with a fitness class, followed by a latte on the way back to her dorm—then another on the way to class, and often another in the afternoon. When she transitioned into the fast-paced world of consulting, coffee became even more essential, fueling long days that started at the airport and ended late at client sites. But finding a great grab-and-go latte was nearly impossible—most were filled with artificial sweeteners, unnecessary oils, and ingredients that didn’t sit well with her dairy sensitivity.Everything changed when she discovered A2 dairy. Unlike conventional dairy, A2 was creamy, indulgent, and easy on the gut. That revelation led to the creation of Laurel’s—a line of simple, high-quality canned lattes designed for life on the go, without the downsides. Now, coffee lovers can enjoy a rich, barista-level latte anytime, anywhere, without compromise.With Laurel’s, Isabel set out to make a coffee experience worth looking forward to—because a grab-and-go latte should be just as satisfying as one from your favorite café.IGdrinklaurels |drinklaurels.comFind Me:IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studiocitrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.comCreate your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E26: Kaureen Randhawa of Besto
Feb 11, 202500:36:32Tap to summarizeKaureen Randhawa is the founder of Besto—pesto’s newest bestie! Besto is the first-ever pesto that’s nut-free, gluten-free, and free of seed oils. Having lived with a lifelong nut allergy, Kaureen understood the frustration of missing out on the classic pesto that so many enjoy. On top of that, finding a store-bought pesto that tasted fresh and looked vibrant was nearly impossible. Determined to change that, she created her own—crafting a unique, flavorful pesto using ingredients like apple cider vinegar and spinach, all while accommodating her dietary needs. Besto's mission is simple: No Nuts. No Seed Oils. Just Pesto. What began in a cozy 506-square-foot New York apartment has since blossomed into a nationwide launch in December, driven by overwhelming demand from "besties" craving a pesto that suits their allergies—or simply one that tastes fresh and vibrant. In January, Besto made its debut at Pop Up Grocer in the West Village, with a goal for 2025 to expand into more retail locations. Whether nut-allergic, gluten-intolerant, avoiding seed oils, or simply a pesto lover who craves bold, clean flavors, Besto is here to deliver. IG eatbesto | eatbesto.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E25: Hannah Pollack of Nightingale
Feb 4, 202500:21:53Tap to summarizeWhen Belgian chef Xavier came to Richmond, Virginia to open a restaurant, little did he know he’d meet his match in his meticulous and spunky Southern sous chef, Hannah. The two bonded over their love of cooking and really good food. Their love story was just the beginning, when Hannah started whipping up restaurant-quality ice cream sandwiches they knew they were onto something. Now the husband and wife team sandwich together their European roots, Southern charm and premium ice cream between freshly baked chewy cookies. Handcrafted in small batches, Nightingale ice cream sandwiches are made with a 14% butterfat ice cream, fresh baked cookies & homemade inclusions. Joyful & indulgent in nature, they cannot be compared to any other ice cream novelty, evoking tastes of childhood with new-age sophistication. IG nightingaleicecream | nightingaleicecream.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E24: Sofia Rovirosa & Jane Ko of Wanderlands
Jan 28, 202500:41:39Tap to summarizeAbout Sofia Rovirosa, Co-FounderSofia Rovirosa is the co-founder of Wanderlands. She grew up in New Mexico on her family’s 4th generation pecan estate with a strong sense of connection to both food and land. This curiosity and love of the outdoors took her across the high deserts of Arizona and New Mexico closely followed by the US Virgin Islands, southeast Alaska, and eventually, Napa, where she immersed herself in viticulture as a cellar master at a winery in Napa, California. This hands-on experience working closely with the land inspired in her a love and respect for the concept of terroir — the idea that something could capture the essence of a place and season. Her passions led to her desire to replicate this with her family’s pecans, creating Wanderlands to share this sense of “somewhereness” with others.About Jane Ko, Co-Founder and Head of Brand & MarketingJane Ko is the co-founder of Wanderlands. The head of brand and marketing, Jane Ko’s experience spans 20 years across multiple industries at Kellogg (leading global brand strategy for brands Pringles and Special K), eos, L’Oreal, Nars Cosmetics & Multiple CPG/Beauty Startups. Jane earned her PhD in Neuroscience at Harvard University and champions the application of neuroscience and neurosensory techniques to develop stronger and more memorable brand products and experiences in CPG. IG visitwanderlands | wanderlands.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E23: Diane Aylsworth, CEO of Aunt Fannie's
Jan 21, 202500:31:25Tap to summarizeDiane Aylsworth, CEO of Aunt Fannie's, brings years of food and bev CPG experience to the cleaning category. From marketing to sales to positioning, Diane wears many hats as an emerging brand CEO. She has been with Aunt Fannie's for 7 years and most recently led the team through a major brand refresh. Passionate about early stage, fast growth brands, her vision is to continue to build Aunt Fannie's to move the category towards products designed for safe use. Diane is based in Portland, OR and when not cleaning up cleaning, she can be found obsessing over artisan cheese or hanging with her two dogs Argo & Roxy. auntfannies.com | IG auntfannies Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E22: Natasha Brao of Shooka Sauce
Jan 14, 202500:32:11Tap to summarizeNatasha is on a mission to celebrate different cultural flavors leading to new recipes, ideas, and conversations. She has crafted a deeper meaning behind the classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern one-pan dish, Shakshuka. Originally from Los Angeles, she found her start in Syracuse NY through trial and error during grad school. She went on to create Shooka, a thick, chunky, tomato-based sauce meant to be served with poached eggs in a skillet with crusty bread — but you can add anything you want! IG shookasauce | shookasauce.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E21: Brown Butter Cookies with the Cook family of Something Sweet
Dec 17, 202400:25:48Tap to summarizeSomething Sweet was founded by the Cook family after the unexpected loss of their husband & dad, Dan, in 2021. The Cooks turned their pain into purpose by sharing their mom’s recipes and their dad’s favorite treats. When life is hard, sometimes you just need Something Sweet. Hugs, Kim, Lindsey, Brittney and Cailin Cook IG somethingsweetdough | somethingsweetdough.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E20: California Culinary Scene with Rick Marino of Desert Dust
Dec 10, 202400:50:15Tap to summarizeTour manager by day, Desert Dust slinger by night, founder Rick Marino brings his rock n roll mentality to the shelf with Desert Dust's date-based seasoning blends. Inspired by the desert that Rick calls home and has loved for decades, Desert Dust uses dates from Coachella Valley to craft flavorful, healthy, desert-powered spice blends and taco seasonings. Rick noticed a lack of California culinary souvenirs throughout his travels and that is what sparked the idea for Desert Dust. Now people can bring a piece of the desert home. IG getdesertdust | desertdust.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Transcribe →S5 E19: Lebanese Cuisine with Rawia Abdelsamad of beituti
Dec 3, 202400:28:26Tap to summarizeBeituti, meaning homey in Arabic, embodies the warmth and joy of gathering with family and friends around a shared table. Founded by a Lebanese-American family with roots in Beirut, Beituti brings the vibrant flavors of Lebanon to kitchens across the U.S., blending tradition with convenience. The journey began when Rawia and her family moved to the U.S. and discovered a gap in grocery aisles—there were few options for the zesty cooking sauces, flavorful marinades, and indulgent baking mixes that define Lebanese cuisine. Determined to share their heritage, she created Beituti to make authentic Middle Eastern flavors accessible, fast, and easy to prepare. With clean, preservative-free ingredients, Beituti offers a modern take on time-honored recipes, ensuring that every product delivers both authenticity and irresistible taste. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special celebration, Beituti invites everyone to experience the hospitality and bold flavors of the Levant, all from the comfort of home. From their family table to yours, Beituti is more than a brand—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and culinary tradition. IG eatbeituti | eatbeituti.com Find Me: IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio citrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.com Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
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