The Journal. — Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Wants to Be Set Free
Date: October 6, 2025
Host: Jessica Mendoza
Guest: Ben Cohen (Co-Founder, Ben & Jerry’s)
Overview
This episode centers on the ongoing struggle for the soul of Ben & Jerry’s, the iconic ice cream company known for both inventive flavors and outspoken activism. Host Jessica Mendoza interviews Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, following the recent departure of his business partner, Jerry Greenfield, who cited a loss of the company’s voice under parent company Unilever. The conversation explores Ben & Jerry’s founding ideals, their activism, and Ben’s fight to “set the company free” from corporate control.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. A Company Built on Friendship and Values
- Origins: Ben informs us that he and Jerry have been friends since junior high and started the company with no ambition beyond operating a local ice cream shop in Vermont.
- “We had no intention of becoming a big ice cream company.…We were planning on becoming the little homemade ice cream shop in the old gas station in Burlington, Vermont.” — Ben Cohen [04:13]
- Early Days: Launching experimental flavors—some now infamous, like Lemon Peppermint Carob Chip (“it was a disaster. It was bad.” — Ben [03:56])—helped make the brand unique.
- Flavor Fun: Ben’s personal favorite (“mocha walnut”) hasn’t been made for over four decades; Jessica’s favorite is “Half Baked,” now the bestseller.
2. Incorporating Activism into Business
- Political Flavors: The company introduced flavors like “Pecan Resist” (protesting Trump’s policies) and “Yes Pecan” (supporting the Obama campaign).
- Why Activism? Ben explains their philosophy:
- “It’s become clear that business is the most powerful force in our society.…Business has never had [the] purpose [of improving lives]…So what we learned at Ben and Jerry’s is that as a business, we have a platform…” — Ben Cohen [05:26-07:03]
- He argues companies have more sway than individuals and should use their platform for good.
3. The Unilever Acquisition (2000) and its Aftermath
- Reluctant Sale: Both Ben and Jerry opposed selling to Unilever but lacked the power to prevent it. Despite making significant money, Ben says it was “some of the worst times of my life.”
- “It wasn’t about money. We wanted to have a job that we enjoyed doing, to be working together…to turn out a product we could really be proud of…” — Ben Cohen [08:44-10:03]
- Special Safeguards: The acquisition included a unique governance structure—an independent board with control over the company’s social mission and marketing, which Unilever could not fire.
4. The Social Mission Carries On (for a While)
- Examples: Under Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s continued activism, with public stances on climate change (“Save Our Swirl”) and racial justice (a statement following George Floyd’s murder).
- Ben notes, “It was the company itself and the independent board…a symbol to me that Jerry and I had been successful in our effort to integrate these values…” — Ben Cohen [10:31]
- Company Ownership: For years, the board, not the founders, led on activism—demonstrating that the brand’s values had become institutional.
5. Clash Over Israel and Erosion of Independence
- 2021 Controversy: Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in Israeli settlements (“…selling in those settlements was against its values…” [11:26]), sparking global backlash.
- Ben: “I’m incredibly proud of the company taking that stand.…I was kind of appalled at the way Israel was treating Palestinians…” — Ben Cohen [12:03]
- Accusations of anti-Semitism followed; Ben and Jerry responded, “as Jewish supporters…we fundamentally reject the notion that it is anti-Semitic to question the policies of the State of Israel.”
- Unilever’s Reprisal: After the company’s board made the decision, Unilever intervened and reversed it—beginning to “censor” or “muzzle” the Ben & Jerry’s board.
- Ben: “Before that time, the Ben & Jerry’s folks would…let Unilever know if they were going to put out a post…that changed after 2021 to approval and rejection.” — Ben Cohen [12:55]
6. Chronic Tensions & Jerry’s Departure
- Litigation & Disputes: The acquisition’s terms led to lawsuits between Ben & Jerry’s board and Unilever, particularly over the right to independent activism and the firing of the CEO.
- Jerry’s Exit: Jerry’s recent departure after 47 years was not a surprise to Ben.
- Ben: “Each one of us has a particular tolerance for conflict. And Jerry’s is on the lower end and mine is on the higher end.” [14:41]
- Ben prefers “muzzling” over “silencing” to describe what Unilever has done to the brand. [15:36]
7. The Next Battle: Can Ben & Jerry’s Be Independent Again?
- Unilever Spinoff: Unilever plans to spin off its ice cream business (including Ben & Jerry’s) into Magnum Ice Cream Company, but Ben wants Ben & Jerry’s to go independent—supported by socially aligned investors.
- Ben: “Why don’t you just carve out Ben & Jerry’s…and sell it to a group of investors that are aligned with the mission…so Ben & Jerry’s can go and be Ben & Jerry’s…” [16:16]
- Unilever Refuses to Sell: Unilever says Ben & Jerry’s isn’t for sale as a standalone brand.
- Ben fears that without independence, “the company will no longer take stands that not everybody agrees with, and it’ll just become another part of the corporate mush…” [17:31-18:39]
- On the future: “I believe that we will win.” [19:16]
8. Personal Reflections on Legacy and Purpose
- Why Ben Stays: Ben is still fighting, while Jerry has stepped away.
- “Jerry’s personality and his tolerance for conflict does not allow him to continue to, you know, be front and center, and mine does.” [19:37]
- On Legacy:
- “I don’t care about my legacy. I care about doing the work.” — Ben Cohen [20:27]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Cookie dough and fudge a little sweeter than even I would prefer, but I don’t know, that’s how the heck it worked out.” — Ben Cohen on “Half Baked,” the most popular flavor [00:53]
- “Business is the most powerful force in our society…as a business, we have a platform.” — Ben Cohen [05:26-07:03]
- On selling to Unilever: “I would say [it] was some of the worst times of my life.” — Ben Cohen [08:44]
- On the 2021 Israel decision: “…Unilever started censoring, muzzling Ben and Jerry’s…” — Ben Cohen [12:55]
- “The company will…just become another part of the corporate mush which we have available at the supermarket.” — Ben Cohen [17:31]
- “I don’t care about my legacy. I care about doing the work.” — Ben Cohen [20:27]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Favorite and worst Ben & Jerry’s flavors: [03:11–04:00]
- Founding ideals and early days: [04:13–05:26]
- Why business should be political: [05:26–07:03]
- Reflections on Unilever acquisition: [07:28–10:03]
- Activism as company identity: [10:03–11:26]
- Stopping sales in Israeli settlements & Unilever conflict: [11:26–13:33]
- Jerry Greenfield’s departure: [14:41–15:36]
- Unilever’s spinoff and Ben’s fight for independence: [16:16–18:39]
- On legacy and ongoing fight: [19:12–20:27]
Conclusion
This episode provides a candid, personal look into Ben Cohen’s ongoing campaign to preserve Ben & Jerry’s uniquely activist brand against the backdrop of corporate takeovers and shareholder priorities. With Jerry now departed, Ben continues to fight for the ice cream maker’s right to take stands, insistently prioritizing purpose and values—regardless of whether he’s remembered for it.