Episodes

  • EP 34 - Lifestyle Changes to Optimize Men's Hormone Health - Paul Frantellizzi
    Jun 26 2026

    Paul Frantellizzi is a passionate and motivational leader with results-oriented entrepreneurial vision and a unique ability to bring great value to every relationship and business opportunity. A former native of NYC, Paul has a 40+ year history and experience with start-ups, executive management, the organic food industry, two-term Mayor, Police Commissioner, filmmaker, and a national sales and marketing director for Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. He currently leads the team@ Joyful Humans & Blue Toad® developing microdose delivery formats, MGBA support nutrient-rich supplements, protein bars, tinctures, powders, drinks, chocolate, etc., all utilizing Nootropics, Ayurvedic Botanicals, Hemp/ Cannabis/ Mushroom products.

    Prior to creating Joyful & the Toad, Paul was the Chief Innovation Officer for Stanley Brothers Cannabis (founders of Charlotte's Web), he founded the country's premiere co-manufacturer of functional-foods, GOOD SUPERFOODS® (winner of NUTRACON & SSW Editors Choice) and Superfood Innovation Lab® where he innovated for iconic clients such as; USANA, Melaleuca, NuSkin, NewWays, Young Living, Scentsy, Modere, Dr. Mercola, Onnit Nutrition, Walmart, Garden of Life, Kroger, Labrada Nutrition, and many more. Paul also founded the country’s first organic vending distribution company (NextGen Vending®), and developed that industry’s first PLA-based biodegradable water bottle (Earthpure Organics®).

    His beautiful family, core values, sense of community, and a powerful work ethic inspire Paul to be his best everyday

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    In this episode, Paul Frantellizzi shares his personal journey through the testosterone crisis affecting men, explores the science behind hormone health, and offers practical advice on lifestyle, diet, and supplements to optimize testosterone levels and overall well-being.

    Chapters

    00:00 Understanding the Testosterone Crisis

    02:59 The Symptoms of Andropause

    05:50 The Role of Testosterone in Men's Health

    08:47 The Importance of Comprehensive Hormone Testing

    11:44 The Endocannabinoid System and Hormonal Balance

    14:56 Total Testosterone vs. Free Testosterone

    17:37 Cultural Influences on Men's Testosterone Levels

    20:37 Raising Boys to Embrace Masculinity

    27:29 The Power of Kindness and Unconditional Love

    28:18 Lifestyle Changes for Natural Testosterone Support

    29:30 Testosterone Replacement Therapy Options

    31:12 The Importance of Resistance Training and Sleep

    33:14 Cortisol Management and Sunlight Exposure

    34:40 Dietary Choices for Hormonal Health

    36:37 The Role of Fermented Foods and Gut Health

    37:28 Understanding Visceral Fat and Its Impact

    38:59 Intermittent Fasting and Weight Management

    39:51 Key Supplements for Testosterone Enhancement

    41:15 Blood Panels and Hormonal Health

    46:14 Taking Control of Long-Term Health

    Contact Paul Frantellizzi:

    https://www.joyfulhumans.com/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfrantellizzi/

    https://www.instagram.com/joyful.humans/

    https://leadingforwellness.com/blog/guide-to-andropause

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    51 mins
  • EP 33 - Unlocking Peak Performance: The Power of Holistic Self-Awareness - Tim Adams
    Jun 4 2026

    In this insightful interview, Tim Adams shares his expertise on performance, mindset, and holistic self-awareness. Discover how aligning mind, body, spirit, and emotions can unlock peak performance and authentic leadership.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Performance and Mindset

    02:26 The Foundation of Coaching: Mind, Body, and Spirit

    07:57 Lessons from the Sports Field: Precision and Performance

    12:42 The Importance of Mindset in Achieving Success

    17:16 Finding Purpose: Aligning with Your Values

    21:23 Navigating the Hustle: Understanding Rhythm and Recovery

    27:38 Connecting with Your Body and Mind

    28:10 Understanding Your Energy Rhythms

    31:53 The Importance of Identity in Leadership

    34:20 Articulating Vision and Purpose

    39:08 Heart-Brain Coherence in Leadership

    44:58 The Balance of Giving and Receiving in Leadership

    Tim Adams

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachadams/

    https://www.coachtimadams.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    53 mins
  • EP 32 - How Transparency and Quality Control Are Changing the Natural Products Industry - Élan Sudberg
    May 12 2026

    Élan M. Sudberg is CEO of Alkemist Labs, a passionately committed contract testing laboratory specializing in plant and fungal authentication and quantitative analytical services to the food & beverage, nutraceutical, companion animal and psychedelic industries. He holds a degree in chemistry from California State University Long Beach, and has authored numerous articles on phytochemistry and analytical techniques for the natural products industry. Elan is on the AHPA board, was founding chair of the Cannabis Committee, and now chairs the Psychedelic Plants & Fungi Committee. Other boards he serves on include the United Natural Products Association (UNPA) Executive Advisory Committee. He is a Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry Advisor to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The industry has honored Elan and his company in 2019 with NutraIngredients-USA NutraChampion award for advocacy of best testing practices, and the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) award for Efforts on Behalf of Industry in 2022.

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    Élan M. Sudberg shares his 30-year journey in botanical testing, the importance of quality control, and how transparency can revolutionize the industry. Discover insights on testing methods, building a company culture, and enhancing consumer confidence in natural products.

    Chapters

    00:00 Roots of Passion: A Natural Upbringing

    03:08 The Birth of Alkemist Labs: From Garage to Industry Leader

    05:55 Navigating Challenges: The David vs. Goliath of Labs

    09:06 Expertise and Innovation: What Sets Alkemist Labs Apart

    11:55 Understanding Testing: Identity, Potency, and Contamination

    14:55 Building Consumer Confidence: The Importance of Transparency

    17:47 Outcomes Assured: Marketing Quality in the Industry

    22:02 Testing and Quality Assurance in the Industry

    25:21 Company Culture and Leadership Values

    31:43 The Importance of Work-Life Balance

    32:00 Passion for Quality and Integrity

    37:44 Health, Wellness, and Personal Life

    38:24 The Need for Transparency in the Industry

    Élan Sudberg:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/elan-sudberg-62b7774/

    https://www.alkemist.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    43 mins
  • EP 31 - Revolutionizing Women's Hydration: The Greater Than Story - Heather Howell
    Apr 28 2026

    Heather Howell shares her inspiring journey from leading global innovation at Jack Daniels to becoming CEO of Greater Than, a brand dedicated to women's hydration and wellness. Discover how she identified a white space in the beverage market, reformulated products to meet women's needs, and built a brand rooted in empowerment, authenticity, and community.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Greater Than and Heather's Journey

    02:51 The Evolution of Greater Than: A Focus on Women's Wellness

    06:00 Reformulating for Women: Ingredients and Health Benefits

    08:49 Branding and the Goddess Concept

    12:05 Challenges in the Beverage Market: Getting on Shelves

    14:59 The Vision for Greater Than: Future Innovations

    24:42 Empowering Women Through Community Engagement

    26:24 Overcoming Challenges as an Entrepreneur

    30:22 The Importance of Female Representation in Business

    33:27 Balancing Work and Family Life

    39:03 Nourishing the Mind and Body

    43:37 Advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs

    Contact Heather Howell:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-howell-579180118/

    https://www.drinkgt.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    50 mins
  • EP 30 - Unlocking the Power of Nitric Oxide: The Miracle Molecule - Joel Kocher
    Apr 20 2026

    Joel Kocher shares his remarkable journey from tech industry leadership to pioneering in the nutraceutical space with a focus on nitric oxide and its impact on human health. Discover how science, purpose, and strategic vision are transforming health and wellness.

    Chapters

    00:00 From Tech to Nutraceuticals: A Journey of Purpose

    02:57 The Miracle Molecule: Understanding Nitric Oxide

    05:55 The Science Behind Human Products

    09:02 Building Trust in the Nutraceutical Industry

    11:50 Disrupting the Market: The Role of Education

    14:45 The Future of Healthcare and Nutrition

    17:47 Navigating the Challenges of the Nutraceutical Industry

    20:55 The Path Forward: Sustainability and Reform

    31:23 The Role of AI in Trust and Industry Sustainability

    33:21 Vision and Purpose in Entrepreneurship

    35:20 Hiring for Culture Fit and Revolutionary Mindsets

    41:11 Articulating Vision and Corporate Objectives

    43:36 Transitioning from Tech to Entrepreneurship

    51:47 The Importance of Talent in Scaling Businesses

    52:33 Working with a Spouse in Business

    54:24 Health, Nutrition, and Personal Well-being

    Joel Kocher

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkocher/

    https://humann.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    1 hr
  • EP 29 - Harnessing AI and Evidence in Nutraceutical Innovation - Rajat Mittal Shah
    Apr 3 2026

    Rajat Mittal Shah is the Co-founder of Nutriventia, a science-backed nutraceutical ingredients company, a patented inventor, published researcher, and APAC Regional Co-Chair of Women in Nutraceuticals, and today, a candidate for the WIN Global Board of Directors. She brings something rare to this industry: a technology and systems mindset layered on top of deep pharma and nutraceutical experience, and a belief that science is the only durable currency in wellness.

    About Nutriventia

    Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Nutriventia Limited is a leading innovator in premium nutraceutical ingredients, combining science and nature to deliver effective health solutions. With nearly four decades of experience and a pioneering role in Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS), Nutriventia develops high-performance, clinically validated ingredients that address bioavailability, stability, and efficacy. Its advanced delivery platforms enhance consumer convenience, compliance, and outcomes. Trusted by nutraceutical brands worldwide, Nutriventia continues to set benchmarks in creating safe, effective, and consumer-friendly health solutions.

    https://www.nutriventia.com

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    In this insightful interview, Rajat Mittal shares her journey from India to the US, her entrepreneurial ventures in nutraceuticals, and her vision for the industry's future, emphasizing evidence-based solutions, technology, and diversity in leadership.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Rashad Mattel and Nutraceuticals

    01:46 Rajat's Journey: From Education to Entrepreneurship

    04:09 Personal Motivation Behind Nutraceuticals

    06:56 The Future of the Nutraceutical Industry

    10:33 Women in Nutraceuticals: The Importance of Diversity

    15:19 Challenges and Opportunities in the APAC Region

    19:38 Cultural Nuances in Business: The McDonald's Example

    23:06 Framework for Entering the APAC Market

    26:04 The Role of AI in the Future of Nutraceuticals

    31:33 Vision for Women in Nutraceuticals Board

    34:37 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Rajat Mittal Shah

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajatmittal/

    https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/exclusives/dont-just-move-east-why-global-programs-miss-the-mark-when-designed-in-the-west-and-how-apac-teams-can-fix-them/

    https://www.nutriventia.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    38 mins
  • EP 28 - Integrative Aesthetics: Merging Wellness and Beauty - Mark Tager, MD
    Feb 17 2026

    In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mark Tager discusses his journey from family medicine to the field of aesthetics, emphasizing the merging of wellness and beauty. He explores the importance of nutrition, exercise, and hormonal balance in maintaining skin health, while also addressing the impact of sugar and the science behind collagen treatments. Dr. Tager advocates for a comprehensive approach to wellness clinics that prioritize personalized care and preventive measures, highlighting the role of epigenetics and mindfulness in achieving overall health and beauty.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Integrative Aesthetics

    03:04 The Merging of Aesthetics and Wellness

    06:00 The Role of Exercise and Nutrition

    08:57 Understanding Hormones and Skin Health

    11:45 The Impact of Sugar on Skin

    14:56 The Journey of Collagen Health

    17:51 Building a Comprehensive Clinic

    21:05 The Importance of Testing and Personalization

    24:00 The Role of Lifestyle in Longevity

    26:54 The Future of Healthcare and Patient Relationships

    29:56 The Science of Epigenetics and Presence

    Contact Mark Tager

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktager/

    Contact@drtager.com

    https://www.amazon.com/Integrative-Aesthetics-Roadmap-Practice-Success/dp/0971625069

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    43 mins
  • EP 27 - The Science Behind Nutraceuticals - Jeremy Bartos, Ph.D.
    Feb 2 2026

    Jeremy Bartos, Ph.D., is the Chief Science Officer at INW, a contract manufacturing conglomerate specializing in dry dosage forms, liquids, softgels, and functional bars. He has over 18 years of experience working in the dietary supplements industry in a variety of R&D, product development, innovation, business development and sales roles. He specializes in probiotics, having formulated probiotic dietary supplements that have generated close to $1 Billion in sales to date and is an elected member of the International Probiotics Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Committee Member for the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). In his current role, he utilizes his knowledge of the scientific and clinical benefits of nutraceutical ingredients to create new finished product solutions for the dietary supplement, food, beverage and personal care industries, specializing in probiotic, sports nutrition, and health condition-specific innovative solutions.

    His accolades include authoring peer-reviewed publications, co-inventing numerous natural products patents and launching both branded proprietary ingredients and successful finished products tailored for various dietary supplement markets.

    Dr. Bartos received his B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, a division of the State University of New York at Buffalo.

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    In this conversation, Liesl interviews Jeremy Bartos, PhD, the Chief Science Officer of INW, about his unique journey from the pharmaceutical industry to the nutraceutical space. Jeremy shares insights on the differences between these fields, the importance of product development, and the role of science in marketing nutraceuticals. He discusses the impact of AI on consumer behavior, the integration of traditional medicine with modern science, and emerging trends in the nutraceutical industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for real science behind products and the importance of education in consumer health practices.

    Chapters

    00:00 Journey from Pharmaceuticals to Nutraceuticals

    05:08 The Role of Product Development in Nutraceuticals

    10:21 Understanding R&D and Product Development

    15:14 The Importance of Science in Marketing Claims

    18:40 Navigating Consumer Behavior in the Digital Age

    20:33 The Impact of AI on Product Development

    24:10 Integrating Traditional Medicine into Modern Formulations

    29:40 Trends in the Nutraceutical Industry

    37:45 Personal Health Practices and Industry Insights

    Contact Jeremy Bartos:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremybartos/

    jbartos@inwmfg.com

    https://www.inwmfg.com/

    Contact Liesl Bernard:

    liesl@leadingforwellness.com

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

    www.leadingforwellness.com

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    44 mins