Overheard: Where Venture Meets Culture

What comes first? Hip-hop or culture. It's hard to say but there is no doubt that hip-hop artists are incredible story tellers, and we at Listen owe a lot of our truth and inspiration to them. Listen in as JoJo, Brentos, and Jeff dig into their early memories with hip-hop, how artists understand brand, and why being mentioned in a hip-hop song is the ultimate sign that you or your product has officially made it.*This was recorded in February 2022.A word from our portfolio: Whether you're new to the weed party or you've been around for a while, Miss Grass is here to light your way. Miss Grass minis enhances the Time of your life. Fast Times, Quiet Times, All Times—and every moment in between. Head to missgrass.com to find your time today. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jeff Cantalupo and Brentos FernandezFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Phones... They're with us through the best of times and the worst. Although times may have been simpler 20 years ago, our devices have certainly helped us simplify our busy lives. From walking your dog to paying your bills to ordering food, one or two clicks gets you pretty far on a phone or computer. And with that, we've also seen how one or two clicks can cause some damage. Listen in as JoJo, Rick, and Ryan dig into the ways our devices have helped us come together and divided us, some of our own tech hygiene, and our hopes for the future of technology. A word from our portfolio: Catch Co. is on a mission to rescue people from the indoors and creates amazing fishing brands, products, and shopping experiences for the modern angler. Check out catchco.com for your favorite new products and fishing inspiration. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Rick Desai and Ryan SievertFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Whether we're scrolling on social media or shopping or eating or reading the news, we are constantly consuming. It makes up who we are and it's changing — from digital content to physical items, there has never been more to consume. Listen in as the team dives into conscious consumption, the nine lives of our items, the ongoing rent vs. buy debate, and more. A word from our portfolio: Public Goods is your one-stop shop for organic and fair trade groceries, safe and sustainable personal care, and plant powered household cleaners. Visit publicgoods.com to check out our latest products.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Rick Desai and Brentos FernandezFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

If we had a nickel for every time we've heard the phrase “timing is everything” we'd have a lot of nickels. Not only is this true for jobs, relationships, life changes… It's also a key ingredient for startups. The best part? You can't control it. From successes like Uber and Airbnb, to not-so-successes like Webvan and Friendster, JoJo, Brentos, and Jeff dive into how consumer shifts and startup launch timing go hand in hand.A word from our portfolio: Calm is the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation with proven techniques designed to ease your mind or lull you to sleep in under 10 minutes. Calm is on a mission to make the world healthier and happier. Head over to calm.com to check out their latest collabs. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jeff Cantalupo and Brentos FernandezFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

It's that time of year when all of the things you want for the holidays are ✨ magically ✨ showing up in your feed every other post. And even though we're all kinda used to our phones listening to us, it's a little different when you start seeing these products in your snail mail. Listen in as JoJo, Ryan, and Jeff talk about how brands are leaning into direct mail and how Facebook and Apple's privacy updates are changing up the DTC media mix. You already know, we gush over the famous Sears Christmas catalog from years ago. A word from our portfolio: Slumberkins is a leading children's brand promoting early emotional learning. Each of their creature collections focus on unique skills such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, and more. The tools are rooted in therapeutic techniques to help parents and caregivers raise resilient, caring, and confident children. Learn more at slumberkins.com.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jeff Cantalupo and Ryan SievertFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Meta this, meta that. Is it just us, or has it been hard to avoid the term metaverse over the last few months? And although this isn't a new idea, it's happening and the screen-based internet as we know it is changing. Strap on your Oculus and listen in as JoJo, Rick, and Brentos talk about the future of how we'll go to concerts, hang out with friends, spend QT with family, and experience our favorite brands. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded on October 13, 2021. Pre-Facebook Inc. becoming Meta Platforms Inc.A word from our portfolio: Codeverse is a place where today's kids invent tomorrow. Through guided coding, Codeverse is an online platform and community where kids ages 6-13 bring ideas to life by creating their own apps and games. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Rick Desai and Brentos FernandezFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Gone are the days where you just need a bed, pillow, and blanket to sleep. Now, night time routines are more complex and thoughtful than ever with sound machines, customized mattresses, special glasses, and more — creating an industry that's worth over $80B. JoJo, Ryan, and Jeff lay it all on the bed to dive into sleep health, the brands winning in this space, and what a world would look like if sleep training continued into adulthood.A word from our portfolio: Calm is the #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation with proven techniques designed to ease your mind or lull you to sleep in under 10 minutes. Head to calm.com to check out their latest collaborations with your favorite voices like Tabitha Brown, Harry Styles, LeBron James, and more.   Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Ryan Sievert and Jeff CantalupoFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

ICYMI… An online sneaker community, raised a $12.5M Series A to give fans a curated place to navigate the world of shoes. As sneakerheads and community nerds, this opened up the conversation of what it means for a brand to have a community and what it doesn't. JoJo, Brentos, and Rick unpack the difference in showing up versus showing off and how brands build and sustain community. Bonus points if you're able to guess how many times we say the word “community”. A word from our portfolio: Interior Design provides state-of-the-art customization tools, free design guidance and in-home swatches, to give you everything you need to design the perfect new couch from the comfort of your old one. Check out interiordefine.com for all your furniture needs.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez and Rick DesaiFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

You know what they say… do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life. Whoever said that probably didn't think that in 2021, 33% of kids between the ages 8-12 would be saying they want to be YouTubers when they grow up. So, it was time to talk about how passions are turning into careers. JoJo, Brentos, and Jeff take a trip down creator economy lane and dive into the ever changing world of content, monetization, and community.A word from our portfolio: Catch Co. is on a mission to rescue people from the indoors and creates amazing fishing brands, products, and shopping experiences for the modern angler. Check out catchco.com for your favorite new products and fishing inspiration. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez and Jeff Cantalupo Follow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Pandemics and quarantine and kiddos, oh my! As the US passes the one-year mark since the COVID-19 quarantine began, we’re diving into the way this past year has impacted Generation C and their parents — the relationship with each other, new routines, emotional wellbeing, e-learning, and so much more. JoJo, Ryan, and Rick are joined by special guests, Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard, co-founders and co-CEOs of Slumberkins to dish on the boogers and beauty of quarantine. A word from our portfolio: Slumberkins is a leading children’s brand promoting early emotional learning. Each of their creature collections focus on unique skills such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, and more. The tools are rooted in therapeutic techniques to help parents and caregivers raise resilient, caring, and confident children. Learn more at slumberkins.com. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Ryan Sievert, Rick Desai, Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard of Slumberkins Follow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

It’s hard to explain why the bathroom is a key player to women’s conversations, but we tried because it’s a real thing. From first times, to heart to hearts, in your own bathroom or at a bar, a lot goes down in those four walls besides just going to the bathroom. JoJo, Kimmie, and Nika are joined by special guest, Kim Lewis, CEO of CurlMix, to talk about brands that have the bathroom at the center of their strategies and how to rebrand that beloved room. You’re going to want to pull up a chair for this one.  A word from our portfolio: Public Goods is your one-stop shop for organic and fair trade groceries, safe and sustainable personal care, and plant powered household cleaners. Visit publicgoods.com to check out our latest products.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Kimmie Carey, Nika Longo, Kim Lewis of CurlMixFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Audio has been around for a while, but say hello to the new wave. The world is just scratching the surface for new ways to listen to, engage with, and experience audio, and we’re here for it. JoJo, Brentos, and Rick sit down to talk about the audio stack, how audio can build your brand, and the new platforms to plug into. A word from our portfolio: Interior Define makes the furniture customizing and shopping experience enjoyable. Get the piece of your dreams on your own terms at interiordefine.com. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez, Rick DesaiFollow Us⁣:LinkedInInstagramTwitter

It’s January 28th aka nine days after January 19th aka the day most people are likely to give up on their New Year's Resolution. But in case you missed it, resolutions are out and wellbeing is in. JoJo, Jeff, and Ryan are joined by special guest, Mike Apostal, CEO of Factor, to talk about hitting the reset button, what brands can do to lean in, category shifts, and some of our biggest flops from past new year resolutions. A word from our portfolio: Factor delivers healthy meals to your door that are designed by dietitians and created by world class chefs. Check out factor75.com to orders yours today. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jeff Cantalupo, Ryan Sievert, Mike Apostal Follow Us⁣: LinkedIn Instagram Twitter

Let’s be honest... if we can’t get something delivered in two days with free shipping, is it really worth buying? We all know the answer to that. In a time of next-day delivery and being able to track it at every stage, we’ve grown quite impatient. Add in a presidential election during a global pandemic and tensions are at an all time high. Jo, Jeff, and Brentos break down the instant delivery, rapid results, and instant gratification world we live in. Listen in as we talk about the Amazon effect and how it impacts your relationship with the consumer. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jeff Cantalupo & Brentos Fernandez\ Ad \We spend 87% of our time indoors, most of which is spent staring at screens. The devastating impact on our bodies, minds, and relationships is just now coming to light. Picking up a new outdoor activity like fishing can rescue you from all of that. Enter Catch Co. They are creating amazing fishing brands, products, & shopping experiences for the modern angler. Fishing can create fun, memorable experiences that improve your health and wellness and is a great way to bond with friends and family. For information on new products and partnerships, visit catchco.com. Brought to you by Catch Co. Fishing for the modern world. Follow Us⁣LinkedInInstagramTwitter

All jokes aside (well, maybe not all jokes), it was about time to talk about the fourth trimester. Even though it’s become more talked about over the last year, it’s still an under-discussed and under-planned part of the prenatal and postnatal journey. On this real and hilarious episode, we brought in two special guests: Rick and Ryan’s better halves — Nilam and Steph — to chat with Jo about all of their different postpartum experiences. Grab a seat (and maybe a diaper) as we talk about things people don’t tell you about the fourth trimester and the white spaces for brands to break through.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Ryan Sievert & Rick Desai \ Ad \Slumberkins is a leading children’s brand promoting early emotional learning. Each of their creature collections focus on unique skills such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, grief & loss, stress relief, and more. The company, founded by a family therapist and an educator, strives to enrich lives by bringing young children and their caregivers closer together through the routine of interaction, connection and reflection around specific social skills. Each collection includes a story book based around a topic, a soft creature snuggler, and an affirmation card to practice and instill the intention of the collection. It's pretty awesome. The tools are rooted in therapeutic techniques to help parents and caregivers raise resilient, caring, and confident children. Learn more at slumberkins.com.Follow Us⁣LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink. Four words that bring back memories of first learning about recycling. We sat down with Jenna Walker, co-founder of Artifact Uprising and Material Change, to dig into environmental sustainability. Listen in as the team talks about the highs and lows of our own sustainability journeys and how brands are making changes for the better. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Jenna Walker, Brentos Fernandez & Rick Desai \ Ad \Public Goods is committed to making healthier, more informed choices easy and accessible to all. It’s a one-stop shop for organic and fair trade groceries, safe and sustainable personal care, and plant powered household cleaners. All in a simple, beautifully designed package at ultra low prices. You’re going to want to put these on your shelves. You don’t have to be a superhero to make the world a better place. When we take steps together our small choices at Public Goods have a big impact. Visit publicgoods.com to check out our latest products ranging from food to essential oils to liners and vitamins. Follow Us⁣LinkedInInstagramTwitter

What’s harder to resist? Touching a pimple or picking up your phone when it buzzes. The conversation around acne is moving away from hiding and moving toward highlighting. So, there are a lot of opportunities for brands, and consumers, to own it. Listen in as Jo sits down with Ryan and Rick to share their hate-hate relationship with acne and our thoughts on the changing world of skincare.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Ryan Sievert & Rick Desai \ Ad \Want to hear about the warmest outerwear in the universe? Let me tell you about OROS, an outdoor apparel brand powered by NASA that found a new solution to staying warm by looking to the stars. Their products are made with Solarcore - an aerogel composite that creates the best insulation in the universe. No really, it’s been tested against more than 250 insulations and they have yet to find anything warmer. This is the same technology that insulates modern spacecrafts against the most extreme conditions. They pride themselves on sciencing the shit out of everything they do and continuously look for ways to help you find your beyond. OROS’ products range from jackets to bottoms to accessories and everything in between. Get yours at orosapparel.com. Follow UsLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Daily reminder: In a world full of pretty Instagram grids, be a brand that has soul. Good design is table stakes these days, which is why we believe a company’s brand is so much more than aesthetically-pleasing visuals. Listen in as the Brand Dream Team (aka Jo, Jeff, and Brentos) talk through all things brand, not to be confused with branding.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez and Jeff Cantalupo\ Ad \Imagine a futuristic wonderland designed just for kids. A world where kids can explore and experiment with gadgets and advanced, cutting edge technology. Introducing Codeverse. The best interactive coding experience for kids ages 6-13. At Codeverse, kids learn all about coding, video game development, 3D printing, robotics, CDC machining, and app design. Don’t believe me? Go check out the apps students have created in their App Store. Codeverse has studios locations throughout the Chicagoland area, as well as online programs, offering monthly virtual subscriptions, weekly coding classes, summer camps, and kids night out. Whether your child is new to coding or has been doing it for years, they’re sure to have a blast at Codeverse. Sign your tech-loving kid up for a free trial today at www.codeverse.com. Codeverse, a place where today’s kids invent tomorrow. Follow UsLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Do you feel it? It’s a new wave of self-love. As the discussion and acceptance around sexual wellness evolves, we take on the taboo with special guest, Alexandra Fine, sexologist and CEO of Dame Products. Listen in as Al, Jo, Ryan, and Rick dive into the sexual wellness industry and talk pros, cons, and everything in-between. ⁣⁣Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Alexandra Fine, Ryan Sievert, and Rick Desai ⁣\ Ad \⁣⁣We all know a night out with friends after the exciting job promotion, marriage proposal, or first apartment is just what the doctor ordered. The drinks are flowing, but if you're like me, you're dreading the most painful part of the excitement - the shot. Until now. Insert Stolen Liquors, the brand of all brands. Adding its irreverent attitude to both its flagship Smoked Rum, its award winning Stolen Whiskey, and newest friend at the party, Stolen X, which is made up of American Rye Whiskey, with organic raw honey, and orange peel. That sounds delicious. You'll want the shots to keep flowing. Raise a glass and check out thisisstolen.com.⁣⁣Follow Us⁣LinkedInInstagramTwitter

Can you remember a time before you heard the phrase "social distancing"? As the world adjusts to COVID-19, it's been amazing to see just how social we've been and how we're finding new ways to connect with others. Listen in as Jo, Brentos, and Jeff unpack how this time has changed the way we connect, which brands have a meaningful part in the conversation and some of our predictions for when we'll be able to touch each other again. Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez and Jeff Cantalupo\ Ad \Slumberkins is a leading children’s brand promoting early emotional learning. Each of their creature collections focus on unique skills such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, grief & loss, stress relief, and more. The company, founded by a family therapist and an educator, strives to enrich lives by bringing young children and their caregivers closer together through the routine of interaction, connection and reflection around specific social skills. Each collection includes a story book based around a topic, a soft creature snuggler, and an affirmation card to practice and instill the intention of the collection. It's pretty awesome. The tools are rooted in therapeutic techniques to help parents and caregivers raise resilient, caring, and confident children. Learn more at slumberkins.com.Follow UsLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Meatless Monday is no longer satisfying the conscious eater's craving for sustainable food. As plant-based alternatives fill our stomachs, our menus, and our grocery aisles, startups like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger face off against legacy food conglomerates like Tyson and Smithfield. Listen in as Jo sits down to a plant-based lunch with Brentos and Jeff to explore the sustainable food movement, one Impossible Whopper at a time.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Brentos Fernandez and Jeff Cantalupo\ Ad \In 2016, the demand for fresh food had grown into a $25B market. Grocery shoppers wanted more and consistent options for fresh food. So what if you could bring fresh ingredients to the grocery aisle? Field and Farmer is dedicated to just that, as well as transparency, innovation, and clean eating. With juices, salad dressings, and dips, Field and Farmer offers products that can be found in over 500 stores across the Midwest. Go to fieldandfarmer.co to check out some of their tasty offerings.Follow UsLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Dry January or Dry 2020? With the Non-Alcoholic trend sweeping through, there are more and more people opting for an alternative to the social pastime. But what does "being sober" even mean? Listen in as the squad talks about companies that are showing up in the space and what they will need to do to win as a brand, the pressures that come with claiming to be sober and the new generation of non-drinkers. Just in time to wrap up your month of resolutions.Host: Joelle CosmasGuests: Rick Desai and Ryan Sievert\ Ad \Get prepared with Factor. Their fresh, chef-made meals take the time and guesswork out of eating healthy. Whether you're on the go or simply looking to add more nutrition to your lifestyle, Factor is here to introduce you to ingredients with integrity. Check out the menu and subscribe at Factor75.com

Scooters, bikes, and hoverboards - OH MY! There are endless options to get around but that means there are even more reasons we need to be safe in this new world of individual mobility. In most cities and urban areas, it's never been easier to walk out your door and get to where you need to be - what are you doing to keep yourself safe? Is safety brandable or does that take away from the seriousness? There are numerous reasons to invest in products that saves lives, but what happens when product also happens to tap into fashion.\ Ad \Everyone deserves a good mortgage and Own Up Is here to make sure of that. Work with a team that has your best interest in min. Whether you're looking for the right mortgage or looking to refinance, get the process started at Ownup.com.

It's official: we are living in the era of digital fitness. Long gone are the days of aimless jaunts to the gym, lurking around treadmills, clueless about how to use the weight machine. With access to apps and expert trainers, an increasing number for people are swiping into fitness apps that guide them through endless workout options. Check out OROS Apparel for all things science & outdoors with cutting edge apparel tech! Celebrate your moonshot by checking out their Instagram and shopping the latest drop on their website.

When stigma surrounds a topic or category, there are a tension that exists to help build brand that can make a difference. Listen saw this in 2012 around mental health. A topic, often brushed under the rug, began to see a movement in culture. An opportunity emerged for a brand to take a fresh perspective, bring people and culture into the conversation, remove the stigma and provide solutions. The brand was Calm, a nascent idea in 2012 that recently became the firstMental Health Unicorn. Mental health is now a serious priority among consumers and therein lies a behavioral shift that we thought would be interesting to dive into.Check out Public Goods for your one stop shop to all things healthy and affordable! See what they're all about on Instagram and shop their products on their website.

Over the past couple years, Cannabis has exponentially grown to one of the hottest new markets. In 2018, the US passed the Farm Bill. CBD products are no being sold in Walgreens; Luxury retailer Barney’s launched the High End, and Illinois was most recently the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis. With a rapidly declining stigma around cannabis, Listen saw an opportunity to invest in the new market and steer the conversation with a trusted brand voice in this emerging category. Check out Miss Grass for a cannabis brand of the times. See what they're up to on Instagram and shop your daily dose on their website!

At Listen, we back and build the brands of tomorrow. In order to make investments in the visionary entrepreneurs of tomorrow, we are constantly talking to each other and listening. We get that consumers look for brands that reflect their values, inspire commerce, and invite participation. Take a listen at how and why we partner with entrepreneurs to unlock the most meaningful expression of their brand and work to answer the top of mind question at HQ - What if brands listened more?