Ultrafiltered milk brand
POPULARITY
4 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
2 episodes with Fairlife
6 episodes with Fairlife
Ken just returned from diabetes camp and Graham had questions. Lots of them.What started as a catch-up conversation turned into one of the most relatable episodes Ken and Graham have recorded — because at the heart of it is something every person with Type 1 diabetes knows intimately: the moment your normal routine disappears, diabetes gets unpredictable fast.Ken breaks down what it actually looked like to manage his blood sugar during camp — the increased physical activity, the completely different food environment, and why he went the first two days without taking any basal insulin at all. It's a real-world example of something Ken coaches his clients through constantly — that diabetes management isn't a fixed system. It's a living, breathing process that has to flex with your life.From there the conversation shifts into nutrition — and this is where Ken gets personal. He's currently trying to identify which foods are inflaming his digestive system, why bloating and inflammation are directly connected to insulin resistance, and why reading the ingredient list matters far more than reading the nutrition label. Graham shares his own grocery habits, the Fairlife protein shakes he swears by, and — in a moment of perfect irony — admits they might be the very thing making him feel bloated every night.This one is warm, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation you'd have with two friends who happen to know more about diabetes than almost anyone else you'll ever meet.
Chris and Hector discuss the ransomware attack that disrupted Coca-Cola's Fairlife dairy operations, a phishing campaign that stole hundreds of private Snapchat accounts, Romania's crippled land registry after a destructive cyberattack, LG's decision to shut down controversial smart TV proxy software, the growing debate over automated surveillance cameras, and the latest AI security vulnerabilities affecting developers. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
Milk already feels tight across much of the U.S. That could be the setup for a perfect storm. Summer heat, warm nights, wildfire smoke and plant disruptions have pressured milk production and moved milk into unexpected places. Now, Class I bottlers are preparing for schools to reopen just as cheese plants, protein beverage manufacturers and other processors compete for the same milk solids. In this episode of The Milk Check, guest host Josh White and the Jacoby team break down what could make August, September and October especially interesting for dairy markets. We cover: How heat, smoke and limited nighttime cooling affected milk production Why school bottling demand could tighten the market further How the cybersecurity disruption temporarily increased condensed skim availability How conflict, Red Sea risk and higher freight costs are complicating dairy exports The dairy market is not moving in a straight line. But competition for milk solids is building, and the next few months could determine which product sectors get the milk they need. Listen to The Milk Check episode 103: The Perfect Storm for Milk Solids. Also available on: Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Got questions? We'd love to hear them. Submit below, and we might answer it on the show. Ask The Milk Check Transcript: [Opening commercial] Josh White: [00:00:00] Coming up on the Milk Check. Jennifer S. Kuo: The Red Sea seems to be an issue now as well. Tyler Jokerst: Yeah. Josh, if the Houthis are getting involved, when you’re looking at Yemen that’s a direct effect on the Red Sea, which is the other half of that peninsula . And then it starts to limit the only access point that you can have into the Red Sea being through the Suez Canal. Josh White: In absence of our fearless leader, Ted we invite our audience to join us for one of our bi-weekly commercial meetings, where our group gets together and breaks down the market based on our individual disciplines. Today’s group is a fairly large one but we have members representing our fluid team, our ultrafiltered and cream team, cheese, butterfat, milk powder, and whey, which makes up our trading group. We’re in the dog days of summer right now, schools are out, families are traveling. There’s people out of the office not making decisions. That’s happening both in the U.S. and in Europe. Let’s touch on current market, climate, what we’re experiencing, and then what we’re paying attention to or looking out for in 30 days time. Let’s start with where we’re at on the milk side of things. Greg, both you and Jared, have experienced a little turbulence over the past week or so with some milk movements. We’re just coming out of a big heat stretch. We’re on the cusp of the South starting to refill its bottling pipelines. What are you feeling and seeing right now, Greg? Greg Scheer: We’ve had some plant closures that have pushed milk around the Mideast, the Northeast, and, around the country. We have had a week or two of that. The first heat wave, back several weeks ago, hit the cows harder than expected, and I’m wondering if maybe that’s the age of the herd is a little older that maybe it hit them a little more. Usually, you have a heat wave, the cows recover some. Normal summer, they get another heat wave, and then, it hits them a little harder the second time or third time. Seems like the first heat wave hit the cows a little harder. I think production’s down just a little bit more than we expected or earlier than maybe a normal summer. Other than plant problems that push milk around, it feels tight. We get to next month, schools start up again or are about to, and bottlers start putting milk into the bottle for schools, then it’s gonna get really tight and could be tight through September, October when maybe production comes back a little bit and the pipeline gets filled, and then it levels off demand a little bit. It feels tight other than plant closures. It’s gonna get really tight in a month. And, we’ll see where it goes. But production does seems like it was hit harder. I’m just wondering if maybe the age of the herd may have a little bit to do with it. Josh White: It was also pretty warm nights for the Midwest. It’s pretty well documented that above 70s: tough on cows; below 70s: allows them to recover nicely. I’m in Gurnee, Illinois, which is Grand Rapids [00:03:00] latitude on the Michigan side. For us to get nights above 70 is rare. And we just went through a pretty good stretch where we had a lot of them. The entire Mideast and the Midwest, we went through a solid four or five days of pretty bad smoke. At least our area was bad enough that just walking outside to get your mail, you could taste it. So I can’t imagine that helped anything. Greg Scheer: How much it hurt is hard to quantify maybe, but definitely didn’t help things. Josh White: Are we still really talking about two different countries, more or less? California, everything seems to be fine. They’re running great. They’re just pumping out milk, and then the rest of the country where it feels a little tighter? Greg Scheer: That’s the sense I get everybody I talk to. Yes. You’ve got California on an island there just filling up their plants, and everybody else in a tighter feel, all the way from the Upper Midwest, Mideast, Northeast. And then as you mentioned, I do think the pull to the Southeast will be starting fairly soon as their production slows, and by mid-August when they’re bottling for schools it’ll really get tight. Josh White: Europe is also talking about some of the same things. Heat sounds like it’s impacted France the most. Germany’s been pretty resilient. Everything I’ve read or heard is that in the recent weeks, people have taken their milk production forecast for the remainder of the year down in Europe, and by a noteworthy amount. To be clear, I think most expect European milk production for 2026 to be higher than it was in 2025, but it’s been notably higher through June. And looking ahead, for them to be taking those numbers down to modest growth means that they’re expecting year-over-year numbers to be down the second half of the year. So Europe seems to be slowing its rate of growth. Curious to what that means going into 2027. We seem to be making good milk, and we’ve got plenty of ability to process it, but the rest of the world feels like it’s starting to slow its growth rate, and maybe start to slow down as we look ahead to 2027. Class I plants looking to start filling up a bit in the next two to four weeks. Jared, what’s that mean for you and your team and your products? Jared Miklasz: Yeah, moving over to the condensed and fluid skim side, the market has become noticeably longer over the past couple weeks, and the obvious driver there was the disruption that Fairlife experienced, which affected multiple plants across the country. With those plants still operating below full capacity following that cybersecurity event, milk that would have normally went into their UF and finished protein beverages has been redirected into balancing outlets which, in turn, made condensed skim much more available, and that increased availability was real. We saw a lot more local offers as a result. As operations normalize and those plants continue to ramp up, I would expect some of that excess product to be reabsorbed, although the timing remains still uncertain. Condensed skim has been tight for much of the year. Obviously, that’s been supported by the steady Demand from both Class II and III. And the strong nonfat demand has also kept skim solids competitive. As those dryers continue to pull available skim [00:06:00] away from the condensed markets school milk will also begin here, as Greg alluded to, which should move more milk back into the bottling programs and further reduce the amount of condensed skim available for manufacturing for these Q4 months. Moving over to the UF side of things, that continues to have the strongest long-term demand story. We’ve touched on it almost every podcast, but high-protein dairy appears to have real staying power. Demand is coming from athletes, consumers focused on weight management, older adults trying to maintain muscle. And that’s even beyond the folks using the GLP-1 medications who are told to prioritize protein. That demand also extends well beyond protein shakes. It’s into yogurt, lactose-reduced products, other nutritional beverages, other applications that require greater control over protein, lactose and total solids. But the other key part of that is the cheese, as that’s an important outlet for UF. As those butterfat levels in the farm milk continue to rise, high protein UF can help rebalance that cheese vat and improve yields. The challenge is that cheese makers are competing with higher value protein beverage and yogurt for that same UF supply. More UF capacity is expected to come online, though, here later this year and into ’27, but that does not necessarily mean that the market will become over-supplied. I think the key question is whether capacity grows faster than the demand. The category obviously remains strong, although that increased competition from a wider retail perspective and potential consolidation could eventually slow growth. But so far that demand has continued to outperform expectations. That strong UF demand also tightens the broader skim market because, obviously that milk is moving into UF and no longer available for condensed skim or nonfat. But, overall improving milk production should create more opportunities, particularly in the skim market. However, that strong demand has regional processing constraints and plant reliability all play key factors here long term. Josh White: So we’re probably not gonna be moving in a straight line here, right? As production responds, we’re trying to anticipate how demand continues to grow. We definitely know it’s in vogue. It seems structural, like that we would see more of these protein-enhanced consumer products coming online that are using liquid protein, as well as the popularity of the whey products and some of the others. But over the course of the next 30, 60 days, how are you feeling like that balances out? I heard you mention that we don’t really see a lot more UF coming on until maybe later in the year. In the meantime, if I’m mapping this out correctly, particularly in the eastern half of the country, we’re already snug milk. We have a lot of capacity for cheese that has been filling. We got hit with some heat, and we’re trying to digest the impact on milk production, but we believe there’s been some already in mid-July. And Class I’s gonna start to ramp up in August, and at the moment it feels to me like we’re gonna be competing pretty heavily in all of these sectors for the available milk solids that are out there, and it’s already snug [00:09:00] before the Class I starts to pull their share. Jared Miklasz: Yeah, it feels like a perfect storm here. Everyone’s competing for those solids in the back half of this year before that additional capacity comes online to meet some of that demand. And that competition’s been playing out all summer, but I think it’ll really heat up as we get into August and September, and October, and schools start ramping up, and all, everything aligns there. So I think it’ll be very interesting to see, if any product sectors get shorted. On the protein beverage side they have shelves to make sure they stock and keep that space at the big box stores as well. So I think they’re gonna try to get their milk, but you alluded to it, these, investments on the cheese side, they’re gonna wanna keep those plants full. Jared Miklasz: So it’s gonna be interesting to watch. Josh White: June milk production was a little bit higher than maybe most expected, 2.3% for the country, if I read it right. But most of that heat impact has been in recent weeks, right? The recent three weeks, so since July. We’re looking at a milk production number that’s dated, but we’re experiencing a milk production climate right now that seems to be a little bit tighter for a variety of reasons. But probably one of the bigger one is normal seasonal summertime heat, but may be coming on a bit earlier than expected and a bit stronger than we’re used to at this point in time. We’ve had more headwinds in July. Let’s talk cream for a second. Butter is moving counter seasonally. Overall, the market still feels heavy, but normally this time of year we wouldn’t be moving in the direction that we are. So let’s go with where everything starts. What’s happening on the cream side of things? Jared Miklasz: Yeah, fat remains tight, which has been, somewhat surprising given the amount of milk being separated for the high-protein beverages and all the value-added skim products that we just talked about. As those markets continue to grow, obviously that generates butterfat and that has to find a home. But based on that, I, I would’ve expected more cream to be available, but instead that market has continued to absorb it. Butter is currently trading in the 155 to 160 range, well below levels that we saw last year. And at those levels, cream is much easier for the manufacturers to use in ice cream, cultured dairy, cream cheese, and other Class II applications. It reduces that risk far as finished product and carrying less value. but part of that may be the manufacturers that, you know, adding that fat back into formulations after pulling back when butter prices were much higher. Lower fat cost obviously as far as the taste and texture can improve flavor and yield across the board for a range of products. Even with the stronger milk production and continued growth in the farm level butterfat I do not expect that the cream market is suddenly gonna become long, particularly during these summer months and with the heat that’s still on the horizon and pressure on both milk and volume and components. Over time, the additional milk and fat production should help bring the market back into better balance. But right now, it’s been long. That processing capacity will remain just as important as the total volume that’s being produced. Josh White: Is Class II performance still very strong this year? Jared Miklasz: It is, yeah. They’re the ones that are soaking up the majority of that fat right now. Josh White: Do we have a sense for if we had to try to measure the whole category, and I realize there’s a lot of products that go [00:12:00] into that category, it’s pretty difficult to paint the broad brush. But do we have a sense for are people looking at current markets as an opportunity to build structural inventory, or are they just moving that much more at the shelf? Jared Miklasz: I don’t have a good answer for that one, man. Josh White: Yeah, I don’t either. It’d be curious. ‘Cause if our Class II performance, we’ve seen just domestic performance in certain products look really well year to date. Like the amount of nonfat that’s been consumed domestically, the Class II numbers suggest that things are going really well in, in those markets. I’m just curious if consumer demand is up that much for some of these because maybe pricing promotions or other things, or if there’s been some structural stock building in anticipation of needs the rest of the year. Let’s move on. Let’s talk about cheese a bit. Cheese just made a pretty decent move higher. In Europe similar things, mozzarella prices have really started to move higher in Europe. And now all of a sudden with the U.S. moving higher and European cheddar quite a bit lower than the bounce they saw on their mozzarella, we’re not maybe in quite as an advantageous price position internationally as we were before. How do we see that playing out? Jeff Daanen: You just wonder the real effect is it gonna be for a month or two when we see what happens and how much cheese is out there. But there is cheese available. If you wanted extra loads, they are there. We’re pretty heavy in cheese. The only thing that we don’t have a lot of right now is mozzarella. A lot of that had to do with the World Cup, and there’s some plants that shut down for maintenance. Like Jared said, it was kinda like the perfect storm. plants shut down. People were eating a lot of pizza because of the World Cup, a lot of house parties and stuff like that. But in about another month we’ll be out of this, and there’ll be plenty of mozzarella available. Jennifer S. Kuo: Our price is a lot higher right now than compared to Europe. especially in the Middle East, and even in Asia still, so many people delayed what they would’ve normally ordered in Q2 and going into Q3 because of all the uncertainty, the much higher fuel costs. Everybody has depleted their inventory. And despite our higher prices, we are still getting many requests now still from the Middle East. Pricing really isn’t an issue. It’s just how soon can you ship, and how soon can you guarantee that it’ll get here? So price does not seem to be the barrier right now. Everybody has used their inventory, and they all need to restock. We have the supply. They’re willing to pay a little more. Europe hasn’t really been a conversation with any of our customers. They have not really tried to push back and say, “Europe is better priced right now.” But yeah, the demand is definitely there right now, despite the jump in our market recently. Josh White: Interesting. So it feels like the international demand’s there. The customer’s de-stocked. But at least for products other than mozzarella, we feel really heavy domestically. Is that still accurate? Jennifer S. Kuo: Yeah. Yes. Yeah. But we are seeing the demand in the Middle East is not just for mozzarella right now. It is more geared towards [00:15:00] cheddar. We are getting more inquiries for cheddar than mozzarella right now, which is good for us, both white and color. Tyler Jokerst: Obvious barriers there or risk can be tied around the current situation in Iran as well. Jennifer S. Kuo: The Red Sea seems to be an issue now as well. Tyler Jokerst: Yeah. Josh, you’re dealing with updated issues if the Houthis are getting involved, when you’re looking at Yemen that’s a direct effect on the Red Sea, which is the other half of that peninsula . And then it starts to limit the only access point that you can have into the Red Sea being through the Suez Canal. So it can create a major supply chain choke point for just anybody trying to get any kind of imports into the region. Josh White: Including Europe, right? Tyler Jokerst: Yeah, because, that tends to be a route that can cut down on transit times. So you can run into situations where you might have to go around the Cape of Good Hope to get where you need to get. So it can cause a lot of complications across the board. Josh White: So, you got an international market that does demand product. They’re not well covered, but we’re constantly fighting our ability to access and supply that demand. Same story two months later. Jennifer S. Kuo: Yeah, and freight has doubled, And that did not seem to be a barrier. Tyler Jokerst: Nope. Josh White: Demand seems resilient then, huh? Tyler Jokerst: Yeah, so I guess Josh, not being too familiar on the dairy side, still learning a lot I would imagine that means the price difference there is significant enough where historically logistics has been a major barrier for U.S. product getting international. I think that clearly the opportunities continue to make themselves clearer for international growth with U.S. dairy product. Josh White: If we could wave a wand and the conflict was over tomorrow, which is not likely, I understand that, do we think that customers are going to step in heavily and demand’s gonna feel strong at that moment because they’re not getting an adequate amount of product? Or have they been purchasing to be safe all along and trying to stay ahead of their needs? Jennifer S. Kuo: I think they’ve been trying to wait it out, and they keep thinking, “Oh, okay, it’s, the war is over, the war is over,” and it keeps restarting. I don’t think they have any inventory now. They wanna know how fast can you get it here and how much. Josh White: Specifically as it relates to the Iran conflict, where are we at in terms of demand destruction? Because when we started these conversations, and I think we had Cefetra on a call probably almost two months ago now, and we asked the question: how long does this have to go on before it goes into notable demand destruction within the region because people can’t import the raw materials they need to make the products that they consume? If price isn’t, really the barrier at the moment, it still is access to the supply. I think at that point in time we talked about August sort of being, like, the magic month to where if this lasts into August, we’re gonna start to really hurt dairy consumption within the region. Jennifer S. Kuo: I think that’s still the magical question we’re trying to find the answer to. Tyler Jokerst: The war is prolonging the situation. It could’ve happened by now, but that huge variable is not really giving us a good read. Josh White: Do we think the answer is gonna be universally the same between milk [00:18:00] powders, butterfat, and cheese, or is it different for different products? Jennifer S. Kuo: The answer’s the same because it’s availability. They’re all on the same boats, right? Yeah. You don’t ship cheese separately from powder separately from butter. I think it’s all just access based. Josh White: I’ll clarify the question. It’s less about the ability to get the product and more about at what point in the timeline when you can’t get it conveniently, do you start to have demand destruction on the consumer level? Because you can’t get the cheese, which you will find its way to retail, the butterfat, which is largely an ingredient for processed cheese applications and other things, the milk powders, which serve some of the same and some different manufacturing products. All three of them overlap each other like a chain, but the cheese is closest to consumer. The butterfat is very close to consumer as an ingredient making some of these processed cheese products and other things, milk powder is going into some of that, but then also as an ingredient maybe in other applications like bakery and some consumer packaged goods. If we get into August, which of those areas is most vulnerable? Is it the consumer products because they really are bringing it in just in time, they have to make what they make they’re considered more luxury type items that, you can cut from your diet if you can’t get it versus maybe something along the lines of manufactured products that they may have more deep inventories of, and they will run out, but they might not be running out until September or beyond. At this moment I don’t get the impression talking to European colleagues, talking within our own team in the different product categories, it doesn’t feel like material demand destruction yet. It seems like we’re still finding a way to get some product in, seems like they’re still willing to pay for product, seems like some stuff’s still happening. It’s just at some moment that will come to a head, I think. And we initially expected by August it would become a real problem that meant we’re going to be missing dairy demand out of that region. And we’re knocking on the door of August. Josh White: We’ll be right back after these messages. Diego Carvallo: I’m Diego Carballo with T.C. Jacoby & Co.. T.C. Jacoby & Co. specializes in international dairy markets. For new customers that haven’t done business with Jacoby, I would tell them that we can provide them with many of the powders, dairy products that they consume, not only with the physical product, but we can also help them mitigate their risk. We know dairy. We know the main players. We know the main providers for the whole value chain. We are one of the strongest players in the U.S. market because we have contact all the way from the farmer moving the liquid milk all the way to the end users that buy the end products. I am Diego Carballo with T.C. Jacoby & Co., and we bring dairy to the world. Josh White: Let’s shift gears. Diego, let’s talk a bit about nonfat dry milk, skim milk powder, and what’s happening, globally [00:21:00] there. Yesterday, we had a firm GDT. What does that tell you? Diego Carvallo: We’ve seen the market under heavy pressure, mainly in the U.S., which was the market that was the most expensive for the past I would say six months. It seems like the U.S. market is going back into a price range where we’re competitive internationally. And that had to happen because the U.S., as we’ve mentioned before, we need to export about two out of three loads that we manufacture in the U.S. for nonfat. And we were not competitive for a long period of time. Our prices were $400 to even $1,000 per metric ton higher than European prices. And now that we finally have plenty of availability we have to find a price where exports become competitive again. And that’s what’s happened. In the past few weeks, we’ve had a few additional factors that have added pressure to prices, and that’s what Jared mentioned on plant interruptions in the U.S. And that’s definitely shifted some skim milk concentrate and some products to the drying towers. And that’s adding a lot of pressure onto prices. We’re seeing more inventory, more product availability from the manufacturers. The market is looking for other outlets, and those outlets are in the Middle East, in Asia, and other places, maybe South America, where the cost of the freight has gone up to an extent where we’re paying probably twice what we used to pay. So the exports price has to come down so that we’re competitive again. We should find some support in the current levels. We’re close to the $1.40s and the physical offers are even lower than that especially for SMP. For SMP, we’re seeing offers close to the $1.35, which is ten cents under the current futures. And I think at that level, we’re starting to be competitive even with a more expensive freight rate. I think we should find support unless we start seeing Europe trend lower and New Zealand prices also trending lower, which hasn’t happened at this point. A lot of availability around and not too many customers looking for product at this moment. Josh White: Okay, on the whey product side, it is absolutely the definition of a summer market right now. I think after two quarters of prices constantly moving up for whey proteins, and the whey market trying to rebalance so many changes over the past year. Over the course of 2025 and into early 2026, we saw a lot of large sweet whey powder producers upgrade their facilities to higher protein WPC80 or WPI. At the same time, there was the commissioning of a very large sweet whey powder facility in Texas that is offsetting the production that we’ve lost, and that’s been a bit turbulent. And that just means that we’re exchanging approved brands for both domestic [00:24:00] customers and international customers for a new brand that needs to be approved. And so we’ve seen a trading range for sweet whey powder that’s been 60 to 70 cents for quite a while. But the actual spot market has seen a lot more basis volatility. New brands trying to buy their way into business, brands that remained that have legacy or approvals for perhaps Asian clientele in a market that seems to be pretty short right now, they’re getting bigger basis premiums. So sweet whey powder has been largely range-bound, but that doesn’t really tell the story. It’s been a big shift in who has the product and where that product can go. On the protein side that story’s pretty well-documented and well-reported at the moment. It is shockingly resilient. Diego mentioned that milk proteins are realizing the benefits of this health and wellness movement. Some of the current trade relationships might be supportive of milk proteins. Aside from that, we’re just seeing more demand, people formulating to it, buying more and using more of it. Jared talked about the UF side of things and how there’s just new demand creation in a lot of different categories from beverage to, some of the other Class II products. The whey category remains just on fire. It seems to be both products. Now, we had two quarters in a row where people were terrified they couldn’t get access to supply, and they watched pricing increase by 20-plus percent. Now we get into the summer and pricing hasn’t increased over the last few weeks, and that’s making some people nervous. You’ve got a lot of people out there that are like, “Oh, it’s not gonna continuously go up. does that mean this market’s going to crash?” It’s always possible, of course. These markets don’t move one-directionally. We should expect a retracement at some moment in time. But everything I read from the consumer demand aspect of it, I don’t see any cracks in the floor. What I see is we’ve moved pricing up so rapidly that now that people are going into the summer months and maybe taking some holidays, if they come back in August and need to replenish, this thing goes right back up. If they come into August and find out that the movements on the shelf at the grocery stores have slowed as much of a price increase we’ve seen, we should look out. So I’m not in either camp right now. I guess I’m a little bit more of the belief that the consumer profile seems to be growing, seems to be willing to pay the prices that we’ve seen. And every time we start to think that the GLP-1 catalyst will end or mature, the GLP-1 drug gets cheaper, you can take it in a different form, and a larger percentage of Americans are actively using the drug. I’m also starting to see the GLP-1 aspect of the protein market get reported in Europe more. We have to remember, the U.S. market is nowhere near mature and in terms of its adoption of GLP-1 as a weight loss tool, consumers are educating themselves at a rapid level, trying to understand what the right foods are, and dairy seems to be on the right side of that discussion. Whey protein maybe being the biggest beneficiary. Milk proteins, though, certainly [00:27:00] a beneficiary. And the rest of the world still can follow. So I don’t know. I remain pretty bullish protein overall, but I think it would be irresponsible to assume that this is a one-directional market, and that it’s just gonna resume an uptrend as we get past the summer slowdown that we’re experiencing in North America and Europe. We need to be aware of what some of the potential upside shocks could be to the market as the globe enters those months where we produce the least amount of milk. We should keep our eye on a few potential shocks. Not all to the upside, some to the downside but I think we’re vulnerable to see maybe a little bit of volatility in the months to come. Let’s go through the group as sort of kind of a fun round the table. Most important discussion or impactful thing in the past week that has your attention. So Tristan, let’s start with you. Tristan Suellentrop: One of the most notable developments is the continued shift towards milk proteins. As WPC80 and WPI prices remain expensive and a little bit more difficult to source, I’ve noticed more people are evaluating MPCs as a partial replacement which is creating stronger demand across the entire high proteins category. Kait, how about you? Kait Holzschuh: There does seem to be a lot of demand for whey permeate and lactose abroad that you just don’t see in the U.S., so I find that kinda interesting. Josh White: Yeah, good point. We didn’t touch on that, but it started with lactose, and now it’s even cascaded to whey permeate. The amount of inquiries that we’ve received in the past couple weeks across all sectors: international feed sectors, international food sectors, domestic food, and domestic feed. There’s clearly it’s clearly a tight market. Great point. Thank you. Miguel? Miguel Aragón: It might be just isolated to Mexico, but there is a glut of cheese in Mexico. When we were in the $1.40s, probably, a lot of cheese made its way down there, and it has affected the market right now. With the prices now, the hope of the customers that we talk to is that things will level off. But right now, still a lot of cheese, a lot of cheap cheese in Mexico. It affects current business right now. And the second one is demand during World Cup was not as good as expected, and this comes from the Association of Supermarkets and Convenience Stores in Mexico. So two things that really caught my eye in the last two weeks. Josh White: How do we feel the same question would be answered in the U.S.? Do we think that the World Cup impact on demand was worse than, equal to, or better than expected? Jeff Daanen: I think it was better than expected. Because when this first came out, I didn’t think that it would impact a whole lot. But when it was all said and done, it just seems like the snack part of the cheese business really took off, along with pizzas. I think there were a lot of pizzas consumed. That’s why mozzarella’s really tight, and it probably will be for at least another month or so. Josh White: Jonathan? Jonathan B. Powers: Yeah, I think probably the most impactful thing is talking about WPC [00:30:00] 34 and nonfat. Nonfat and SMP hasn’t been readily available in the Midwest, and there’s a need for that protein range in the calf milk replacer world, and we’re starting to get a lot more conversations around stockpiles for those products. As we’ve discussed, WPC 34 is kind of a dying product. There’s not a lot of people that are making it anymore, and there seems to be a lot of companies, even in the food space, that are still very reliant on it and trying to satisfy the need for it when it isn’t necessarily available. We’ve had people reach out for permeating lactose. The volume of requests has been astonishing, honestly. Josh White: Manuel? Miguel Aragón: Where I have a lot of my focus is cheese in general. It just feels like there is something brewing right now. Technically, it’s entered a uptrend right now again and it’s still choppy, right? At least on the futures board. But it feels like there’s opportunities there and yeah. So I’m just soaking up everything I can hear about cheese right now and really try to get a feeling for the market there. Besides that, nonfat is just shaving off more and more. We basically broke the support we had for a long time now, so it really feels like it’s on another leg down. Yeah, we’re gonna see how that plays out. I personally also think we’re gonna find support in the 140s. We might test a little lower than that, but at some point, it should stall and become a little more stable. Josh White: Diego, based on what you said about S&P in the 130s and then what Manuel just said about the technical support and what that looks like, that kind of aligns, right? Because I think I heard you make the comment that as we, a 140 nonfat, you can make S&P cheaper for those that don’t really pay attention to the difference. Lactose is really tight, too. Do we think that there’s a connection to why the milk sugars are tight, and all of a sudden, we are seeing pricing that’s a little bit more SMP competitive globally? Diego Carvallo: I do think that there is, yeah. We made very little SMP for the first six months of the year because it wouldn’t make any sense to export when we’re $1,000 higher than European markets. Now that we’re competitive, it does make a lot of sense to make SMP, especially when protein is very high and you can take it down with a cheap product like lactose or milk permeate. It makes sense to find demand in other markets for the SMP. So I do think that the demand for the carbohydrates has picked up now that nonfat has become competitive again. Josh White: For the benefit of everyone so we’re all talking the same language, nonfat dry milk and SMP are typically universally used in applications, but they’re very different products. What we call nonfat dry milk is an unstandardized product. That specification is a minimum protein percent of 34. But today’s productivity [00:33:00] of components in our milk supply, the average unstandardized protein level in nonfat dry milk is pushing 38 or more percent at least 37 and a half in most times. Now, the rest of the world standardizes their product, and they standardize to either one of two things: 32%, which is the old Codex, 34%, which I think is a little bit more common. Or at least it’s common out of the U.S. that we would standardize to 34%. When we say why would there be a connection between lactose and milk powder, you can add lactose or milk permeate to your nonfat supply to bring the protein down to a standard level. So when we stay standardized, that’s what we mean, where they’re basically bringing it to a 34% protein, most commonly out of the U.S., and then that allows us to compete for international business. Certain markets can use either, but certainly would, prefer a higher protein content at a competitive price. So when I mention our futures are at $1.40, that’s nonfat, and our average nonfat has a higher protein. So if we’re standardizing, that means that we can add this cheaper lactose or cheaper milk permeate to the volume, and that lowers the overall price. So the whole conversation there was more or less like, “Hey, are we making SMP now, and are we competing globally for international business? ‘Cause if we are, that also tells us at least we’re closer to finding a support price, finding some type of global support level for the product.” But you’ll hear us really start to break down the difference between SMP, nonfat dry milk. But many customers can use either. I wouldn’t say most, but many Okay. I, we covered a lot. Yara, any discussions over the past week that you that you feel were most interesting? Yara Morales: It’s a lot of inventory in Mexico, and the customer was offering me nonfat dry milk instead of buying. That was the most surprise, we know that since the price is going down so bad, and they have a lot of inventory with high prices. They have a contract that they have to take it. That’s hard for them. They are losing a lot of money. And the inquires, they looking for whey permeate. They are looking for lactose and proteins. But it’s hard to get the whey permeate and the lactose like you mentioned it. But this is the inquiry we have in Mexico so far, just protein basically because otherwise it’s difficult right now. Josh White: Yeah, agreed. Okay, all, I know it was an unusual discussion. Thanks for joining us today on the Milk Check. Mike Brown: For one part of the supply chain to be successful, everyone has to be. My superpower is practical application of data and analysis. I believe firmly that Jacoby’s success is because we help our suppliers and our buyers be successful. I’m Mike Brown, and I love working for T.C. [00:36:00] Jacoby and Co. because I get to help people Make their businesses more successful.
Nvidia opens the AI security tent Microsoft puts a cyber sprinter in MDASH Fairlife ransomware spills data Get the show notes here: https://cisoseries.com/cybersecurity-news-nvidia-opens-ai-security-tent-microsoft-adds-cyber-sprinter-to-mdash-fairlife-ransomware-spills-data/ Huge thanks to our sponsor, Pindrop A finance worker joined a video call with their CFO and wired $25 million to attackers. This isn't fiction—it happened. Deepfake video. AI voice. Completely convincing. It could be happening in your meetings right now. Pindrop Pulse for Meetings can detect deepfake impersonation before the damage is done. Go to pindrop.com and start verifying.
A ransomware attack against Coca-Cola-owned Fairlife forced the company to temporarily suspend production across the United States. Product safety was not affected, but production-related systems were.How does a cyberattack stop a physical product from being manufactured? Why would a company shut down production when there is no evidence that the product itself was compromised? And what does this tell us about the difference between restoring technology and restoring a business?Ben interviews Tyler Moffitt about operational ransomware, manufacturing dependencies, containment decisions, and what organizations should learn from Fairlife's response.As featured on Million Podcasts' Best 100 Cybersecurity Podcasts Top 50 Chief Information Security Officer CISO Podcasts Top 70 Security Hacking PodcastsThis list is the most comprehensive ranking of Cyber Security Podcasts online and we are honoured to feature amongst the best!Follow or subscribe to the show on your preferred podcast platform.Share the show with others in the cybersecurity world.Get in touch via reimaginingcyber@gmail.com
Texas A&M football preseason predictions, a potential milk shortage affecting Fairlife, A.I. discussions, all things milk, Generation Z, and Jimothy the raccoon with short spine syndrome — plus the latest news and sports.
New Windows zero-day, Coca-Cola's Fairlife hit by ransomware, and a core WordPress RCE David Shipley covers a new Windows zero-day disclosure from "Nightmare Eclipse" called LegacyHive, a local privilege escalation flaw in the Windows User Profile Service that could be weaponized despite a stripped-back public release, as Microsoft investigates and sets a Patch Tuesday record with 570 fixes including two exploited zero-days. Coca-Cola suspended U.S. production at its Fairlife dairy unit after a ransomware attack, with scope still being assessed and the Food and Ag ISAC warning the sector has seen about 205 attacks this year. Abbott faces two separate breach claims: ShinyHunters alleges vishing-led SSO compromise and massive data theft from legacy systems, while Shadowbytes claims access via LabCentral credentials, which Abbott disputes as non-sensitive. The episode also highlights Conti leak revelations about healthcare targeting and details a core WordPress bug chain (WP_2Shell) enabling unauthenticated RCE, now patched in 6.9.5 and 7.0.2. 00:00 Sponsor NordLayer 00:36 Headlines Preview 01:05 Windows Zero Day LegacyHive 03:35 Record Patch Tuesday 04:22 Fairlife Ransomware Shutdown 05:49 Abbott Dual Breach Probes 08:09 Conti Leaks Healthcare Cruelty 09:33 WordPress Core RCE WP 2Shell 11:29 Wrap Up And Listener Notes 12:06 Sponsor Message NordLayer
Dairy company Fairlife suffers cyberattack Microsoft warns of surge in ACR Stealer attacks on customers Abbott Labs investigates two cyber incidents amid extortion claims Get the show notes here: https://cisoseries.com/cybersecurity-news-fairlife-dairy-cyberattack-acr-stealer-surge-abbott-labs-incidents/ Huge thanks to our sponsor, QuilrAI AI agents don't ask permission. They act -- moving data, triggering workflows, changing systems. QuilrAI is the permission layer they never had. Its Decision Engine evaluates the content, context, and intent of every action - before it completes. Alerts tell you later. QuilrAI decides now. Visit quilr.ai.
An AI just ran an entire hacking campaign on its own. No human at the keyboard, 17,000 actions in a single weekend, against Hugging Face, the platform nearly every company on earth downloads its AI from. If the tool your business relies on can be attacked by software that never sleeps, the math on cybersecurity just changed for everyone. *The cost of attacking just dropped. The value of defending just went up.* Bryan Hornung, Randy Bryan, and Reginald Andre break down this week's stories for executives, owners, and operators who don't have time to keep up with cyber news but can't afford to be blindsided by it either. First, the one that should make every owner sit up. Hugging Face, the "GitHub of AI," disclosed that an autonomous AI agent broke in through a poisoned dataset, stole credentials, and moved through its systems, logging more than 17,000 actions before it was caught. That is the workload of a full hacking crew, run by software, at a speed no human team can match. Here is the part that should reframe how you think about your own company: for years the limit on an attacker was people, and people cost money and don't scale, but an agent erases that limit. The new economy runs on agents plus employees, and the criminals are already staffing up with agents. Then it gets physical. A ransomware attack hit Coca-Cola's Fairlife, the premium milk brand doing over $3 billion a year, and shut down every one of its U.S. production plants. This wasn't stolen emails, it reached the operational systems that physically make the product, so a breach turned into a full shutdown. Because Coca-Cola is publicly traded, the attack landed in an SEC filing within days, a reminder that a cyberattack is now a material business event you may legally have to report. One detail worth noting: the Canadian plants kept running because they were separated from the U.S. network, which is exactly what good segmentation buys you. Finally, the numbers behind all of it. The new Sophos State of Ransomware 2026 report surveyed 2,158 companies that actually got hit, and the headline flips a common assumption: 79% of attacks now start with a stolen login, not some exotic exploit. Even more sobering, 97% of the victims whose attack began with stolen credentials already had multi-factor authentication turned on, which means regular MFA is being bypassed. The good news you can act on: two-thirds of encrypted victims recovered from backups instead of paying, and while ransom demands fell to around $700,000, the average cleanup still runs $1.7 million, so prevention is almost always the cheaper line item. Three stories, one thread. The cost of launching an attack keeps falling, which makes every dollar you spend defending worth more than it was a year ago. In this episode, we discuss: • How an autonomous AI agent hacked Hugging Face with no human at the keyboard • Why the Coca-Cola Fairlife ransomware attack shut down U.S. milk production • What the Sophos State of Ransomware 2026 report reveals about stolen logins • Why "we have MFA" is no longer enough to stop a ransomware attack • How network segmentation kept Fairlife's Canadian plants running • Why the new economy forces owners to think in agents and headcount • Where business owners should spend their next security dollar Security Squawk is a weekly podcast and live stream for business owners and executives. Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/securitysquawk Subscribe | Like | Share #SecuritySquawk #CyberSecurity #HuggingFace #AI #CocaCola #Fairlife #Ransomware #Sophos #DataBreach #MFA #BusinessRisk #MSP
La falta de reglas claras y de marcos de gobernanza formal mantiene en la incertidumbre a la alta dirección en México, restando certeza al momento de integrar la Inteligencia Artificial en decisiones de negocio críticas, según revela el nuevo estudio de Accenture e IPADE Business School. En este episodio también encontrará:La licitación de hasta 40 MHz para el despliegue de redes inteligentes privadas e Industria 4.0 en sectores estratégicos. El ataque de ransomware contra la filial Fairlife de The Coca-Cola Company que paralizó su producción en Estados Unidos. El plan de Volaris para incorporar internet satelital de Starlink a partir de 2027, enfocado en la totalidad de su flota de 150 aeronaves Airbus. Secciones:Historia Innovadora: Mobility ADO. Así lo dijo: Andy Eyherabide (Wizeline). Breves de la semana: sobre adquisiciones (Lumen y Empower AI)Prompt que me cambió la vida: Manuel Purón (AWS México). IT Masters Insight: Wilfrido Santillán, director de Gestión integrada de servicios de incidentes mayores para América de Novartis.#GobernanzaAI #AltaDireccion #Ciberseguridad #Industria40 #InnovacionITLe invitamos a seguir IT Masters Update, dejarnos sus comentarios aquí o a través de #ITMastersUpdate en las redes sociales y a visitar nuestro sitio oficial en IT Masters Mag.
US equity markets declined on Friday (17 July) amid fresh decline for semiconductor stocks and as oil prices continued to climb – Dow fell -407-points or -0.77%. Coca-Cola Co dropped -3.96% after it disclosed a “ransomware event” involving its dairy company Fairlife. Coca-Cola said that “the full scope, nature and impacts of the incident are not yet known,” and although “product quality and safety have not been impacted,” Fairlife production operations in the U.S. are temporarily suspended. Goldman Sachs Group Inc (down -2.76%), Home Depot Inc (-2.63%) and International Business Machines (IBM) Corp (-2.91%) fell over >2.5%.
News sources: https://lmg.gg/L8hqh Timestamps: 0:00 Linus Torvalds welcomes AI coding 1:14 Lenovo's inkjet-printed OLED laptop 2:32 EU forces Google to open Android 4:04 QUICK BITS INTRO 4:13 Ransomware halts Fairlife production 4:44 Samsung foldable specs leak 5:20 Moonshot unveils Kimi K3 5:56 23andMe settles its data breach 6:30 OpenAI sells a $70 basketball 7:04 Credits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The boys introduce Big Grove's TigerHawk as the new Iowa beer sponsor, and then pivot into a rant about nonstop neighborhood fireworks disrupting sleep with young kids. The crew celebrates Team USA in the World Cup after Balogun's red card is reversed and discusses the controversial call, upcoming match vs Belgium, and betting on FanDuel, plus broader patriotic unity. They dig into Drake's diet, fasting, Fairlife milk habit, and training approach, then talk Iowa football summer conditioning, mental toughness, and practice demands. They recap the Savannah Bananas selling out Kinnick, featuring Brad Banks, Dallas Clark, and Spencer Lee, and share Tim Lester stories about recruits and Safety Zach Lutmer's play recognition before closing with season outlook and World Cup futures. If you love the show and want to show support, tell your friends! And, check out our exclusive content at Patreon.com/washedupwalkons where you can find extra podcast episodes, exclusive merchandise, Merch discounts with every tier, private Walkon discord channel access, and more! Find us on social media @washedupwalkons Visit TheWashedUpWalkons.com for all of our episodes, merchandise, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A special June Dairy Month episode of STtalks is now live! In this STtalks taped during STgenetics®' Elite Dairy Summit in Puerto Rico, Tim Doelman, former CEO of fairlife®, joins us to discuss building one of the fastest-growing beverages over the past 12 years by “unlocking” milk's nutrition and creating products based on consumer needs rather than commodity thinking. With the belief that milk contains the building blocks of life, especially proteins, we dive into the great opportunities that lie before dairy producers and how we can meet consumers' needs and demands today.
New 5 Hour Energy Flavors, Ninja Creami talk, Michael Jackson's Tour Rider and more on the After Hours Podcast!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For decades, soda giants fought over sugar and fizz…but now the battlefield has shifted to protein shakes. In my latest content, I break down why Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is no longer content being an RTD Protein categorical spectator, as The Coca-Cola Company (via fairlife) and PepsiCo (via Muscle Milk) dominate the shelves. From "nostalgia-hacking" the market with the upcoming GHOST x Yoo-hoo collaboration to a potential power move involving Horizon Family Brands, KDP is building a "functional fort" to challenge Coca-Cola's dairy dominance. I'll provide deep insights regarding...Ghost x Yoo-hoo Launch: Why childhood nostalgia is KDP's biggest asset."Milk Gap": How a partnership with Horizon Organic could create a "cleaner," better version of fairlife.Strategic Proxy Wars: The roles of Monster Beverage, Celsius Holdings, and Nutrabolt in the larger beverage ecosystem.Future of KDP: What the 2027 business separation means for the "Performance in a Can" era.Is KDP's aggressive play into ultra-filtered milk and lifestyle protein enough to potentially close the gap on fairlife? Let's dive into the data.
360: Ultra filtered milk has less sugar and more protein and it's lactose free! So what's the issue? I bet you didn't know the process of how it's made and the extra steps these brands go through to accomplish this innovative milk and why you may not be digesting dairy properly. Today I'm sharing why I stay away from any of this ultra milk and why you may want to think twice before consuming them. Plus, I'm sharing my top milk bands! Topics Discussed: → Is ultra filtered milk actually healthier than regular milk? → Why does ultra filtered milk have more protein and less sugar? → Is lactose free milk easier to digest or harmful? → What is the processing method behind ultra filtered milk? → Why might dairy cause digestion issues even if it's lactose free? As always, if you have any questions for the show please email us at digestthispod@gmail.com. And if you like this show, please share it, rate it, review it and subscribe to it on your favorite podcast app. Sponsored By: → Fatty15 | For 15% off the starter kit go to https://fatty15.com/digest → Our Place | Go to https://fromourplace.com/digest and shop their 40% off sitewide sale for a limited time! Timestamps: → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:03:15 - Raw Milk + Immunocompromise → 00:04:45 - Fairlife Milk → 00:07:41 - Milk Pasteurization Types → 00:11:42 - Milk Refrigeration → 00:15:32 - Ultrafiltered Milk → 00:18:48 - Inspired Milk → 00:20:30 - Heating Milk → 00:22:31 - Milk Recomendations Further Listening: → Think You're Dairy Intolerant? Try This First | BOK Check Out Bethany: → Bethany's Instagram: @lilsipper → YouTube → Bethany's Website → Discounts & My Favorite Products → My Digestive Support Protein Powder → Gut Reset Book → Get my Newsletters (Friday Finds) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's episode of The Breeze, Duane Stanford and John Sicher bring in RBC Capital Markets analyst Nik Modi to unpack why big beverage companies struggle to create disruptive innovation in-house. And when big companies acquire disruptive new brands, why are the results so mixed? Duane, John, and Nik use Coca-Cola's acquisitions of BodyArmor and Fairlife as case studies to explore distribution speed, culture, incentives, and how organizing around occasions can restore relevance.• BodyArmor's write-downs and sports drinks losing hero status• The three pillars of deals and why manageability breaks• Distribution pace versus market-by-market velocity• Cultural momentum beats brand equity• Founder retention and the Church & Dwight model• Dual engines for core and emerging brands• Organizing around occasions, not categories• Fairlife's independence, protein timing, and tech moat• PepsiCo–Poppi risks and keeping operational fit• AI, data, and faster concept-to-shelf cyclesText us thoughts, questions, or topic suggestions.
What's developing isn't a “high-protein convenient nutrition” categorical battle between wholesale club private label and branded products…but an evolving model of coexistence! The two largest warehouse clubs in the United States each offer shoppers unique features and their own style of bulk discounting…but more recently, the biggest commonality is the effort by Costco and Sam's Club to expand private label product assortments. In a retail landscape shaped by economic headwinds, generational turnover, and changing definitions of value, private label has become a powerhouse…not only as budget-friendly alternatives but a strategic lever for growth, shopper loyalty, and brand identity. Similarly, in an inflation-conscious landscape, shoppers are choosing private label not just because it's cheaper…but increasingly because it also meets their evolving expectations for quality, innovation, and experience. But with private label shifting from “stigma” into a reflection of consumer values, thus moving beyond simply being placeholders for branded products…Costco and Sam's Club are leaning into this momentum by positioning expansive store-brand expansion as a destination. But if you aren't a Costco member, you might've missed that Kirkland Signature launched a whey protein powder last summer. And if you aren't a Sam's Club member, you likely overlooked that Member's Mark launched an ultra-filtered milk protein shake last month. Though, recognizing that both wholesale clubs had launched high-protein bars several years earlier…you might be questioning the significance of these other convenient nutrition private label products, right? For years, Quest Nutrition defined the “high-protein bar” category…essentially building the modern protein bar. Then, both Kirkland Signature and Member's Mark entered the space…matching Quest Nutrition on just about every product variable. The biggest difference…price! But it was a clear signal that the high-protein bar category had officially gone mainstream. Similarly, Optimum Nutrition and Fairlife are defining the “protein powder” and “protein shake” categories respectively…essentially building those modern convenient nutrition subcategories. But now, wholesale club retailers have entered the space…matching Optimum Nutrition and Fairlife on just about every product variable. Again, the biggest difference…price! But it's another clear signal that these high-protein convenient nutrition subcategories have officially gone mainstream. But for branded CPG products…private label activity from Costco and/or Sam's Club can feel like an attack. However, those leading wholesale club retailers are simply upholding a promise to their members. Unfortunately, whether it's macro-related or more categorically specific factors (like persistent dairy proteins input cost inflation), consumers have increasingly searched for better value without sacrificing quality…and wholesale club private label brands will steadily take fuller advantage of this market opportunity. Finally, despite this rise in categorical private label activity…I'll end my latest first principles content piece by highlighting how branded products can continue holding a powerful place in consumers' hearts (and shopping carts).
Has anyone else noticed that compared to a few of its peers…the Premier Protein growth story gets overlooked by pundits far too often? BellRing Brands (NYSE: BRBR) is a portfolio that owns a collection of convenient nutrition brands like Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition, which was previously wholly-owned by Post Holdings. A fast-paced and busy lifestyle is pushing consumers to switch to quick and healthy meal options. This has resulted in above average categorical growth rates and increased household penetration of RTD protein shakes that promote active lifestyles. Additionally, powders are becoming more mainstream, and category proliferation has created an environment where more consumers are purchasing both every day and performance nutrition positioned protein products at grocery stores and mass retailers. Bellring Brands reported 2025 Q4 net sales of $648.2 million, which was up 16.6% YoY. Premier Protein (~86% of BellRing Brands total revenue) grew 14.9% YoY, driven by strong volume growth. Dymatize Nutrition was up 32.9% YoY, stemming from strong volume growth and pulled forward international revenue ahead of planned pricing actions in fiscal year 2026. But since this was the company's fiscal fourth quarter, BellRing Brands annual results included generating net sales of $2.32 billion, an increase of 16.1% YoY…which comprised of a 14.7% volume increase and 2.2% increase in price/product mix. Moreover, I provide deep dives into Premier Protein RTD protein shakes business activity, along with examining similar metrics surrounding the protein powders from Premier Protein and Dymatize Nutrition. But my latest first principles content piece will end with briefly analyzing the product development variable defining this next phase of RTD protein beverages market. Premier Protein owns just over a quarter of the market…and the other quarter market share is held by the two RTD protein beverages under Fairlife (owned by The Coca-Cola Company). And from a product development standpoint, (in many ways) these are different products. Premier Protein is essentially an emulsified protein powder beverage…which has a comparatively thicker (higher viscosity) fluid and generally the consumption experience reminds you of drinking a healthy milkshake. Then, Fairlife (Core Power) is primarily ultra-filtered milk…which is thinner and generally the consumption experience reminds you of drinking a typical beverage. So, who (or I guess technically which product approach) wins? I don't think there's a definitive answer to this question just yet…despite Fairlife (Core Power) retail sales growth outpacing Premier Protein, and the gap closing quickly across a collection of other commercial metrics. While the competitive landscape is filled with declining legacy, newer insurgent, and crossover brands…it will continue as mainly a marketplace duopoly for some time, as it will take many years to replicate the manufacturing capacity, supply chain, product expertise, brand equity, and retailer relationships of these market leaders.
Come for the chocolate milk, stay for the Kendrick Lamar.
Which chocolate milk is best? Chocolate milk is an odd beverage for us because there was a large stretch of our lives where we drank it nearly every day, but have seldom drank it since. Today we are going to dive back into chocolate milk to determine which brand is best, and if it deserves a place in our current lives. This week's contenders are Fairlife, Hershey, Nesquick, and Yoohoo. Please like and subscribe and if you have any suggestions, let us know by tweeting us @tastetestdummies or email us at nickandjohnpodcast@gmail.com. SPOILER! Below is a list of which milk corresponds to each numbered glass it was in: 1. Nesquick 2. Yoohoo 3. Fairlife 4. Hershey's
Ever feel like your wallet is getting skinnier faster than you are on your weight loss journey? Mike and Rob dive deep into the money pit of fitness marketing, exposing what you actually need to spend on—and what's just clever marketing.The duo tackles the premium pricing of products like Fairlife milk (spoiler: you're paying triple for just 4g more protein) and bust the myth that organic labels guarantee better nutrition. Between frozen vegetables that outlast their fresh counterparts and generic brands manufactured in the same facilities as the expensive options, there are countless ways to trim your grocery bill without compromising your results.Beyond just shopping tips, they explore how recent FDA funding cuts have eliminated monitoring for six major foodborne illness strains, creating serious public health concerns. They also share invaluable insights on developing sustainable eating habits through finding enjoyable recipes rather than forcing yourself to eat "health foods" you hate.Most powerfully, they emphasize that mindset trumps materials in weight loss. No expensive product can replace the foundation of good habits, community support, and finding joy in your fitness journey. As Mike notes, "The mindset is where I started. If you can't seem to keep your calories in check... don't blame yourself. This isn't a moral failing. You just don't know where you're going right now."Ready to save money while still reaching your goals? This episode delivers practical wisdom without the hefty price tag. Join the conversation, and don't forget to catch Mike and Rob streaming No Man's Sky—say "banana bread" in the chat for a chance to win In Moderation merch! Support the showYou can find us on social media here:Rob TiktokRob InstagramLiam TiktokLiam Instagram
DMI's Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation. Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options. Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA's Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples. The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category. This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.
Talk to enough beverage industry oldheads…and eventually a few will share their “rise and fall” thoughts on The Coca-Cola Company's Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) unit. Launched in 2007, the VEB business unit was tasked with identifying and supporting the growth of beverage brands with billion-dollar potential through investment or acquisition. Essentially, VEB was a way for the beverage giant to better manage smaller brands…allowing them to move quicker (and fail faster). But judging VEB can drastically change based on snapshots over time and if you're holding The Coca-Cola Company to this absurd standard that success only means billion-dollar generational brands. So, maybe you could point to relative miscalculations with cold-pressed juice brand Suja or the more recent shuttering of Honest Tea or ZICO coconut water…but when talking about corporate venture capital, it only takes a massive success to balance everything out! And when we mention The Coca-Cola Company's VEB business unit…you can't overlook fairlife, which is now the fast-growing billion-dollar portfolio brand and has become absolutely crucial to the future of Coca-Cola.
In this episode of The Hen Report, Mariann and Jasmin welcome back Richard “Kudo” Couto of Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) for a crucial follow-up to his interview from episode 819. When Kudo first appeared on the show, his major investigation into Woodcrest Dairy was just breaking, and he couldn’t share all the details. Now he returns to reveal how ARM’s…
Title: How to Make Millions with Vending Machines with Mike Hoffman Summary: In this conversation, Seth Bradley and Mike Hoffman delve into the world of vending machines as a business opportunity. Mike shares his journey from a Midwest farm boy to a successful entrepreneur in the vending industry, highlighting the evolution of vending technology and the potential for passive income. They discuss the importance of location, understanding demographics, and the scalability of vending routes. Mike emphasizes the need for upfront work and learning before delegating tasks, while also addressing the misconceptions surrounding passive income in the vending business. In this conversation, Seth Bradley and Mike discuss various aspects of entrepreneurship, particularly in the vending machine business. They explore the importance of capital raising, the journey of self-discovery, influences that shape business decisions, and the definition of success. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of flexibility, discipline, and focus in achieving entrepreneurial goals, while also touching on financial milestones and the attributes that distinguish successful entrepreneurs. Links to Watch and Subscribe: Bullet Point Highlights: Mike's journey from a classic Midwest farm boy to a successful entrepreneur. The evolution of vending machines from traditional to smart technology. Understanding the importance of location in the vending business. The analogy of baseball levels to describe starting in vending. Scaling up from single A to big leagues in vending routes. The significance of demographics in product selection for vending machines. The potential for passive income with proper systems in place. The need for upfront work before achieving passivity in business. Vending is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it requires dedication. The future opportunities in the vending industry are expanding rapidly. Raising capital can dilute ownership but may be necessary for rapid growth. Self-discovery often leads to unexpected career paths. Influences in business can come from personal experiences rather than just mentors. Success is often defined by the ability to prioritize family and flexibility. Entrepreneurs work harder than in traditional jobs but gain flexibility. Discipline is crucial for saying no to distractions. Successful entrepreneurs often focus on niche markets. High foot traffic locations are ideal for vending machines. AI is transforming business operations and efficiency. Networking and connections can lead to valuable opportunities. Transcript: Seth Bradley, Esq. (00:04.898) Mike, what's going on buddy? Doing great brother, doing great. How about you? Mike (00:06.748) Don't worry, Mike (00:11.664) Good, I'm a little flustered. I usually have my mic set up over here, but I guess we just moved and it's not here today. I guess, yeah, new office and it's been a whole hot mess. Seth Bradley, Esq. (00:19.822) New office or what? Seth Bradley, Esq. (00:27.862) Nice man, nice. I see you got the whiteboard cranking back there. Love to see that. Mike (00:33.114) Always. I love your background. That's sweet. Seth Bradley, Esq. (00:38.03) Thanks man, yeah, I'm on camera all the time so I like I need to just build this out instead of using like a green screen so Made the investment made it happen Mike (00:44.86) Totally. Yeah, absolutely. Seth Bradley, Esq. (00:49.442) Have we met in person or not? I don't know if we've met at a Wealth Without Wall Street event or I couldn't tell. Okay. No, I did not go to Nashville last year. Mike (00:58.478) I don't think so. don't think you're... Were you in Nashville last year? Mike (01:04.634) No, okay. No, I don't think we've met in person. Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (01:08.256) Okay, all good, man. All good. Well, cool. I'll just go over the format real quick. We'll do kind of a shorter recording. We're do like 30 minutes, something like in that range. And then we'll just kind of like break. And then I'll, want to record a couple of other quick segments where I call it Million Dollar Monday. I'm kind of asking you about how you made your first, last and next million. And then 1 % closer, which would just be kind of what separates you, what makes you the top 1 % in your particular vertical. So we'll just kind of record those separately. Those will be real short, like five minutes or so. Mike (01:44.924) Okay, yeah, I'll follow your lead. All good. Seth Bradley, Esq. (01:47.15) Cool. Cool. Let's see. I think I already have this auto recording. So we're already recording. So I'll just jump right in. Mike (01:55.377) Okay. Seth Bradley, Esq. (01:57.782) Welcome to Raise the Bar Radio, hosted by yours truly Seth Bradley. We today we've got Mr. Passive, Mike Hoffman. Mike, welcome to the show. Mike (02:08.189) Thank you for having me fired up to be here. Seth Bradley, Esq. (02:10.855) Absolutely man, really happy to have you on. I know it's been a little bit of a trek here to get our schedules lined up, but really stoked to have you on today, man. I see you said you moved into a new office. You've got the whiteboard cranking, so love to see it. Mike (02:25.372) yeah, whiteboards are the only place I can get my thoughts down. Seth Bradley, Esq. (02:29.399) Yeah, man, it makes a difference when you actually write something rather than type it or even on a mirror board where you're doing it online. just there's something about physically writing something down. Mike (02:41.328) You know, I'm glad you said that because yesterday I flipped to Seattle for a quick work trip and I didn't have wifi and I literally had three pages of just, I, was so like the clarity of some of these kinds of bigger visions I have now from just being able to write for an hour on a flight was, I was like, man, I gotta do this more often. Seth Bradley, Esq. (03:00.363) Yeah, for sure. The key though is once you write it down, it just doesn't go into the trash or into a black hole somewhere where you never see it again. So that's kind of the disadvantage there. If you have it on your computer and you're taking notes or you have it on a mirror board, at least it's there to reference all the time. If you write it down on paper, sometimes, I've got my Raze Masters book right here for notes, but it's like, it might go into the abyss and I'll never look at it again. So you gotta be careful about that. Mike (03:27.184) Yeah, yeah, I need to check out the Miro boards. I've heard a lot of good things about them. Seth Bradley, Esq. (03:31.467) Yeah, yeah. Awesome, Mike. Well, listen, for our audience who doesn't know anything about you, maybe just tell them, you know, tell them a little bit about your background. Tell them about your your main business and we can take it from there. Mike (03:43.354) Yeah. So I think for those that don't know about me, I'm a classic Midwest farm boy started with a classic, you know, showing cattle at the county fair and all of that and had a lemonade stand growing up. And then my first job was actually at McDonald's, you know, thinking about the whole success of that business model. But when I was coaching and, out of college, I got my first rental and I was like, wow, this is crazy. making money without. really much time involved. and then with my work in Silicon Valley, know, Seth, was classic Silicon Valley, you know, cutthroat job that, startup life and traveling three weeks out of the month. And I was on, I was in airports all the time. And was like, these vending machines I would run into at airports were just so archaic. And so I went down this path of like unattended retail and kind of the future of, of that. And that's really where I just see a huge opportunity right now. And so it's kind of what led me into all these different income streams that I'm passionate about. Seth Bradley, Esq. (04:49.431) That's awesome, man. Well, let's dive into that a little bit deeper. me about these income streams. It centers around vending machines, right? But I'm sure there's a lot more to it. I'm sure there's a lot of different entry points for people. Maybe just kind of give us a general synopsis to start out. Mike (05:06.78) Yeah, so I think the big thing with, you know, if we're talking vending specifically as an income stream, you know, most people think of vending as the traditional machines where you enter in a code, you put your card on the machine and then a motor spirals down a Snickers bar or a soda and you go into the chute and grab it. Nowadays, there's these smart machines that literally you just unlock the door, or even if you go into, land in the Vegas airport right at the bottom of the escalator where it says, welcome to Las Vegas, there's a 7-Eleven with gates and AI cameras, and there's no employees in the 7-Eleven. And it just tracks whatever you grab and to exit the gate, you have to pay for it. So like, there's just this huge market now where we just installed it in urgent care. less than two months ago and we can do over the counter meds in that machine because it doesn't have to fit into a motor. It's just shelf space. You identify with the planogram with the AI cameras like, okay, Dayquil in this slot or Salad in this slot and then whatever they grab, gets charged to the person that pulls it from it. Seth Bradley, Esq. (06:15.469) That's interesting, man. Yeah, I mean, my initial thought too, was just like the traditional old vending machine where you're getting a candy bar or a cola out of there. But yeah, nowadays, now that you mentioned that, you see this more and more every single day where you've got these scanners, you've got kind of self-checkout, that sort of thing. So that's kind of, that expands that world and really opens it up to the future, right? Like it just really, that's what we're trying to get to, or at least we think we wanna get there, where we're kind of removing humans and... kind of working with technologies and things like that. Mike (06:49.488) Yeah, and I think, you know, removing the whole human thing. mean, those machines still got to get stocked and you know, there's not robots running around doing that. But I just come back to, I was a Marriott guy when I was on the road all the time and I'd go to these grab and goes at a Marriott and grab a, the end of the night, I'd grab like a little wine or an ice cream sandwich. And I literally had to go wait in line at the check-in desk behind three people checking in just to tell them, Hey, put these on. room charge and I was like if I had a checkout kiosk in that grab-and-go I could have just removed all the friction for this customer experience. Seth Bradley, Esq. (07:27.772) Right, 100%. Yeah, I mean, there's a place and time for it and there's more and more applications for it that just pop up every single day and you can kind of spot that in your life as you're just kind of moving through, whether you're checking into your hotel or whatever you're doing. Mike (07:41.456) Yeah, yeah. So that's just kind of what excites me today. Seth Bradley, Esq. (07:45.973) Yeah, yeah, so when a stranger asks you what you do just in the street, what do you tell them? Because I have a hard time answering that question sometimes too, but I'd love to hear what your answer is. Mike (07:56.804) Yeah, I would just say it depends on the day. You know, what do you do or what's your, you know, it's like at the golf course when you get paired up with a stranger and they're like, tell me about what you do for your career. And I just say, I'm a classic entrepreneur. And then I'm like, well, what do you do? And it's like, well, tell me about the day. You know, what fire are you putting out? Like today we just got the go ahead for five more urgent cares for our local route. But then, you know, we have a community of operators across the country that we help really build. Seth Bradley, Esq. (07:57.933) haha Ha ha ha. Seth Bradley, Esq. (08:09.879) Yeah. Yeah. Mike (08:25.616) Vending empires and so we had a group call this morning. So literally, there's a lot of just, you know, it's classic entrepreneurial life. You never know what the day's script is gonna be. Seth Bradley, Esq. (08:36.161) Yeah, for sure. And you focus a lot on not only on your own business, but also teaching others, right? Teaching others how to kind of break into this business. Mike (08:45.402) Yeah, that's my passion, Seth. When I got into my first investment out of college was a $70,000 rental, you know, putting 20 % down or 14K and using an emergency fund. like my background in going to college was as a coach. like I knew I wanted to kind of take that mindset of like coaching people, you know, teach them how to fish. I don't want to catch all the fish myself. It's just not fulfilling that way. So that's really where my passion is. Seth Bradley, Esq. (09:15.373) Gotcha, gotcha. tell me about like, tell me about step one. I mean, how does somebody break into this business? Obviously your own personal business is probably very advanced. There's probably a lot more sophisticated investing strategies at this point and you've got different layers to it. But somebody just kind of starting out that said, hey, this sounds pretty interesting. This vending machine business sounds like it can be passive. How do you recommend that they get started? Mike (09:40.57) Yeah, so I'm always, I view like the whole vending scale as similar to Major League Baseball. You got your single A all the way up to the big leagues. And if you're just starting out, I always recommend like find a location where you can put a machine and just learn the process. Like to me, that's single A analogy. you know, that always starts with, people want to jump right to like, well, what type of machines do you recommend? products, how do you price products? And the first question I'll always ask Seth is, well, what location is this machine going in? And they're like, well, I don't know yet. I was just going to buy one and put it in my garage to start. And it's like, no, you need to have the location first. So understanding that, is it a pet hospital? Is it an apartment? Is it a gym? Where is the foot traffic? And then you can cater to what's the best machine for that type of location. Seth Bradley, Esq. (10:36.887) Got it, got it. Now is this a kind of a rent, you rent the space to place the machine with that particular business or wherever you're gonna place it or how does that all come together? Mike (10:47.644) not typically, some people are kind of more advanced, like apartment complexes are used to the revenue share model. So they're going to ask for a piece of the pie for sure, for you to put the machine in their lobby. but like, you know, when we're talking urgent carers or even pet hospitals are viewing it as an amenity. And so we probably have, I don't even know how many machines now 75 now, and we, you know, less than half of those actually, Seth Bradley, Esq. (10:50.423) Okay. Mike (11:15.1) us rent or ask for a revenue share to have them in there. So I never leave lead with that, but we'll do it if we need to get the location. Seth Bradley, Esq. (11:23.989) Interesting gotcha. So it's really a value add for wherever you're gonna place it and that's how most people or I guess most businesses would look at that and then you're able to capture that that space Mike (11:27.366) Mm-hmm. Mike (11:34.236) Yeah, absolutely. So, um, a great case study is we have a 25 employee roughing business here in Oregon. And you might think like, only 25 employees. It's not going to make that much money. Well, we do $1,200 a month. And the cool thing about this, Seth, is the CEO of this roughing company literally did napkin math on how much it costs for his employees to drive to the gas station during their 20 minute break. And then How much they're paying for an energy drink at the gas station and then how much gas they're using with the roofing like the work trucks to get to and from the gas station So he's like I want to bring a smart machine into our warehouse Set the prices as half off so that four dollar monster only costs his rofers two dollars and then we invoice him the the business owner every month for the other 50 % and so he actually Calculated as a cost savings not asking for money to rent the space Seth Bradley, Esq. (12:35.597) Yeah, gotcha, gotcha. That makes sense. That makes sense. I love the baseball analogy with the single A, double A, triple A, even into the big leagues here. know, a lot of the folks that listen to this are already kind of, you know, in the big leagues or maybe think about some capital behind them. Like how would they be able to jump right in, maybe skip single or double A or would they, or do you even suggest that? Do you suggest that they start, you know, small just to learn and then maybe invest some more capital into it to expand or can they jump right to the big leagues? Mike (12:48.891) Yeah. Yeah. Mike (13:03.966) I think they can jump right to the big leagues. this is, I'm glad you brought this up because just listening to some of your episodes from the past, there's no doubt that you have people that could buy a route like a off biz buy sell today. And I think this is a prime opportunity. it's very similar to flipping a house. you, you know, there's a route in Chicago, I think it was for $1.1 million, you know, whatever negotiating terms or seller financing or, or what have you, got a lot of, your, your audience that is experts in that. But the cool thing about these routes is they have the old school machines that have the motors and that are limited to, this type of machine, you can only fit a 12 ounce cannon. Well, guess what? The minute you buy that route, you swap out that machine with one of these micro markets or smart machines. Now you just went from selling a 12 ounce soda for $1.25 to now a 16 ounce monster for $4.50. Well, you just bought that location based on its current revenue numbers and by swapping out that machine, you're going to two or three acts your revenue just at that location. And so it's truly just like a value play, a value upgrade, like flipping the house of, okay, there's a lot of deals right now of these routes being sold by baby boomers where it's like, they got the old school Pepsi machine. Doesn't have a credit card reader on it. They can't track inventory remotely via their cell phones. So They're not keeping it stocked. Like all those types of things can really play in your favor as a buyer that just wants to get to the big leagues right away. Seth Bradley, Esq. (14:37.651) I love that. When you say buy a route, what are you really buying? Tell me about the contractual agreement behind that. What are you really buying there? Mike (14:47.184) You're just buying the locations and the equipment associated with it. So like this Chicago route, it's like, we have machines in 75 properties all across the Chicago suburbs. And they could be medical clinics. could be apartments. could be employee break rooms at businesses, but that's when you start diving into those locations. It's like, I have a snack machine and a soda machine here. Well, you swap that out with a micro market that now instead of. Seth Bradley, Esq. (14:49.279) Okay. Okay. Mike (15:13.626) that machine that'll only hold a small bag of Doritos that you charge two bucks, well now you get the movie size theater bags that you can really put in there in a micro market. Like naturally just that valuation of that route based on those 75 machines current revenue, I mean you're gonna be able to two or three X your revenue right by just swapping out those machines. Seth Bradley, Esq. (15:35.959) Wow, yeah, I love that analogy with real estate, right? It's just like a value add. It's like, how can I bring in more income from what already exists? Well, I need to upgrade or I need to put in some capital improvements, whatever you want to call it. Here's the vending machine upgrades or a different kind of system in there. And you get more income. And obviously that business in itself is going to be worth more in a higher multiple. Mike (15:58.396) Absolutely. mean, a great example of this is we had a machine in an apartment complex and it was your traditional machine with the motors and you have to enter in the code. Well, we could only put in four 12 ounce drinks and then chips. Well, we swapped that out with a micro market. Well, now that micro market, we literally put in bags of Tide Pods for laundry, like these big bags of Tide Pods. We'll sell those like hotcakes for 15 bucks. And our old machine, Seth Bradley, Esq. (16:25.281) Yeah, let's say those aren't cheap. Mike (16:27.246) Yeah, our old machine Seth, it would take us to get to 15 bucks, we'd have to sell eight Snickers. That's one transaction. Seth Bradley, Esq. (16:33.547) Right, right. Yeah, yeah. How do you do an analysis kind of based on like what you think is gonna sell there, right? Like you're replacing, let's say a Dorito machine with Tide Pods, you know? So you have to individually go to each location and figure out what will work, what will sell. Mike (16:47.738) Yeah. Mike (16:51.834) It's all about demographic. Absolutely. So, you know, we have, we have, we have a micro market and a manufacturing plant that's, it's a pumpkin farm and there's a ton of Hispanic workers. So we do a lot of like spicy foods, a lot of spicy chips. do, we do a ton of, mean, the sugar or sorry, the glass bottle cokes. They do, they love their pastries. Seth Bradley, Esq. (16:53.431) Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (17:06.349) Yeah. Mike (17:15.868) So we just doubled down on the demographics. So yesterday I was filming at one of our micro markets that's in a gym and they crushed the Fairlife protein shakes, like the more modern protein shakes, but they won't touch muscle milk. So we're literally taking out one row of muscle milk just to add an extra row of Fairlife shakes. So you're constantly just catering to the demographics and what's selling. Seth Bradley, Esq. (17:40.632) Yeah, yeah, this is awesome. I mean, this is literally just like real estate, right? Like you go and you find a good market. You're talking about demographics, right? Find the market, see what they want, see how much you can upgrade, how you can upgrade. If it's an apartment, it's a unit. If it's here, it's the product that you're selling and the type of machine, or maybe it's a mini market. A lot of things to kind of tie your understanding to here. Mike (17:45.926) Yeah. Mike (18:05.904) Yeah, absolutely. Seth Bradley, Esq. (18:07.615) Yeah, awesome, man. Awesome, Where are you at in your business? Like what, you know, what are the big leagues looking like right now? You know, what are you doing to expand your business, raising the bar in your business? Mike (18:18.692) Yeah, I'm going after that's a really good question. I'm going after kind of these newer markets and we're kind of past that point of like, okay, let's pilot in this location. For example, that urgent care, we didn't know if it was going to be a good location two months ago when we installed. Well now it's already crushing it. Well, there's six other urgent cares in town and we just got to go ahead on five of those six. So like for me, it's doubling down on our current proof points of where. okay, we know that manufacturing plant, the pumpkin farm does really well. So let's start getting intros to all their, manufacturers of the products they need to grow pumpkin. know, like we're just doubling down on scaling because now we have the operational blueprint to really just kind of to go after it. Seth Bradley, Esq. (19:03.917) Gotcha, gotcha. Tell me about how passive this can really be, right? So I used to have, before we switched over to the new brand, Raise the Bar podcast, it was the Passive Income Attorney podcast, right? I was really focused on passive investments, focused on bringing in passive investors into my real estate deals, things like that. And I think that word passive gets thrown around quite a bit, right? And sometimes it's abused because people get into things that are not truly passive. Mike (19:18.427) Yeah. Mike (19:28.784) Mm-hmm. Seth Bradley, Esq. (19:33.517) What's your take on that as it relates to the vending business? Mike (19:38.49) Yeah, so I think as far as with the vending business, there's clearly upfront leg work that needs to be done, whether that's finding locations or any of those things. So I have a route that is here in Oregon, and then we bought a route last year in Illinois and have scaled that route. I spend 30 minutes a week on each route now. that these urgent cares and stuff, like we have an operator that's running the whole route. Here's the problem, Seth. It's like people are so scared to build systems to ultimately systemize things or they're too cheap to hire help. And I'm the opposite. like, you know, kind of like Dan Martell's buy back your time. Like I have like a leverage calculator and like I constantly think about is this worth my time? Cause as you know, you're busier than me. Like it's so limited. for me, my routes, I would consider them passive, like one hour a week is, is nothing in my mind. But as far as like, you know, I'm, I'm also a passive investor on, we're building a, an oil loop station in Florida and I sent my money a year ago to, to my, active investor and I haven't talked to him since. Like that's actually truly probably passive now, you know, I'm not doing anything, but there's, there's different levels to that. And I'm a huge believer like. don't delegate something until you know what you're delegating. So people that want to start with the vending routes, sure, if you want to buy a route that already has an operator, that's one thing. but these, if you're starting a vending route for your kid or for your stay at home wife or whatever, as a side hustle, like get in the weeds and install that first machine. So when you hire help to take over the route, you know what you're delegating. Seth Bradley, Esq. (21:09.773) Mm-hmm. Seth Bradley, Esq. (21:27.021) Yeah, that's key. That's key. And you you described just like any other business, right? I think that's kind of where people get themselves into trouble. That sometimes they get sold the dream that is truly passive. And eventually it can be. I mean, you're talking about an hour a week. To me, that's pretty damn passive, right? But you know, upfront, you you've got to learn the business. You've got to know what you're getting yourself into. Like you said, you've got to learn before you delegate so that you know what you're delegating. There is going to be some upfront work and then as you're able to kind of delegate and learn Then you can make it more and more passive as you go Mike (22:00.88) Yeah, I mean, it's no different than what's the same when people tell you that they're busy. I mean, you're just not a priority. Like that's a fact. you're not. People say it's the same thing when people come to me and they're like, I'm so busy. It's like, okay, well let me, let me see your schedule. Where are you spending your time? You know, it's like when people are like, I can't lose weight. Okay, well let me see your food log. What did you eat yesterday? Did you have ice cream? Like this is like the same kind of thing. That's where passive I think has been really abused. Seth Bradley, Esq. (22:16.097) Yeah. Yep. Mike (22:29.638) To me, the bigger issue is like, vending is not get rich quick. And so like, if you're expecting to leave your nine to five tomorrow and vending is going to make up for that in one day, like that's not going to Seth Bradley, Esq. (22:41.089) Right, Makes sense. Speaking of passive, do you raise capital or do you have any kind of a fund or have you put together a fund for something like this? Mike (22:51.48) We haven't put together a fun, we're definitely buying routes is definitely becoming more and more intriguing. And I know there's some PE players starting to get into the vending game, but it's something we've been definitely considering and on our radar of do we want to. Seth Bradley, Esq. (22:58.541) Mm-hmm. Seth Bradley, Esq. (23:10.231) Gotcha. Cool. I mean, you brought in money partners for some of those routes yet, or is that still something you're exploring too? Mike (23:18.168) No, I think it's just something we're thinking about. mean, what do you recommend? Seth Bradley, Esq. (23:21.089) Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'd recommend I mean, it depends, right? Like I'm I'm scared to turn you by trade, but I don't like to say you should always raise capital no matter what. Right. Like you've been able to scale your business as you have and grown it to where it is without bringing outside capital. It sounds which is great because you own 100 percent or with whatever business partners you might have. You know, when you start raising capital, you're giving a large chunk of that piece away, not necessarily your whole company. But if you're buying you know, a set of routes or that sort of thing. You you're gonna give a big piece away to those past investors if you're starting a fund or even if it's up. Even a single asset syndication here for one of these, you know, these routes, you could put it together that way. You know, it's just something to consider. But a lot of times when people are looking to scale fast, right, if they wanna grow exponentially, you've gotta use other people's money to get there or hit the lottery. Mike (24:08.294) Mm. Mike (24:15.856) Absolutely, no, agree. That's spot-on and I actually before you know the Silicon Valley company That I was part of we had a we went through probably series a B C D C ground Let's just say we weren't very fiscally responsible. So I come from the, you know, it's like the ex-girlfriend example. I don't want to just start taking everyone's money. Seth Bradley, Esq. (24:42.413) Yeah, yeah, that tends to happen with some startups, right? Like before you get funding, you're super frugal because it's your money and every single dollar counts. And you're like, I don't want to pay, you if it's software, you don't want to pay the software engineers. I'm going to out, you know, put it, you know, hire Indian engineers, that sort of thing. And then once you get a few million bucks that you raised in that seed round, then it just goes and you're like, whoa, wait a minute, let's hire 20 people. You know, it's you got to be careful about that. Mike (25:05.606) Yeah Yeah, yeah, that's a great, great take on it. Seth Bradley, Esq. (25:11.245) Yeah, it's, yeah. It's a question I love to ask and I think it's about time for that. So, in a parallel universe, tell me about a different version of you. So a different but likely version, right? Like, for example, for me, I went to med school for a year and a half and then I dropped out and I ended up becoming an attorney. So that was like a big turning point, right? So I could have easily at some point just said screw it and became a doctor and that would have been a totally different route than I'm going down right now. What's an example of something like that for you? Mike (25:42.524) Wait, are you being serious about that? I took the MCAT too. I got into med school and then I, yeah, I was pretty mad in school. And then the more I learned about exercise science, I was like, organic chemistry is not fun. Seth Bradley, Esq. (25:44.321) Yeah, totally. yeah? There you go. Seth Bradley, Esq. (25:57.39) It is not fun. I did not love that. I majored in exercise physiology and then I ended up switching to biology because it was just a little bit of an easier route to get my degree and go into med school and I went for a year and a half and then I dropped out because I absolutely hated it. I knew I didn't want to do it. I was just more attracted to business and that sort of thing. Mike (26:16.346) Yeah, that's crazy. That's awesome. parallel universe. I, that's a really good question. I don't know. I, kinda, I have two kids under three and the other side of me wishes I would have traveled more. you know, I mean, we'll get there hopefully when they get out of high school and someday. But right now I just think there's so many different cultural things and ways to skin the cat. And it's just fascinating to learn some of those things. Mike (26:55.352) yourself in those cultures. go to different cultures and really like understand how they did things for a time, a period of time to really just learn their thinking. Seth Bradley, Esq. (27:07.777) Yeah, I love that man. I had a similar experience of what you're describing. I didn't travel abroad really other than like, you know, Canada and Mexico until I studied abroad in Barcelona during law school and I got to stay there for a couple of months. So you actually had some time. It wasn't like you're just visiting for a week or a weekend or anything like that. You got to kind of live there right for a couple of months and it just totally changed my, you know, my outlook on life and just the way that you see things like I feel like we're in the US and we just think Mike (27:19.627) Seth Bradley, Esq. (27:37.76) US is number one and there's only one way to do things the way that we do things that kind of attitude. And then when you go to Western Europe and you see that culture and you drive or get on a train, it's like an hour away and you're in a totally different culture and they're doing it a certain way as well and it's working. You just see that other people are doing things differently and still being successful at it, still having a thriving culture and it's just awesome to see. Mike (28:03.312) Yeah, absolutely. Seth Bradley, Esq. (28:06.251) Yeah. Tell me about some major influences in your life. What turned you or got you into that, the vending business? It's not one of those typical things. mean, I know you're in the education business, so you're kind of really spreading the word about this type of business. But I would say when you started, there might not have been a mastermind or educational courses around this. mean, how did you kind of get drawn into that? Were there any particular people or influences that brought you in? Mike (28:29.308) you Mike (28:36.188) Yeah. So the, biggest influence for me to get into vending, uh, wasn't actually a person. It was actually, was, um, I had landed, I was coming back from the Pentagon from a trip back to the Bay for the startup we were talking about. And I was in the Denver airport and 11 PM, you know, our flight was delayed. And then they're like, Hey, you have to stay in the airport tonight. The pilot went over their hours for the day, blah, blah, blah. So I went to a vending machine and I remember buying a bottle of water. I think it costs like at the time three bucks or something. I knew that bottle of water cost 20 cents at Costco. And I was like, there is someone that's at home with their kids right now making money off me and they're not even at this mission. Like the machine is doing the work. So I had like an aha moment of like, what are my true priorities in life? And like, why am I chasing this cutthroat startup from. Palo Alto and trying to make it when reality was my priorities are freedom to spend more time with my family. So that's really kind of what led me into this path of starting a vending machine side hustle to keep our lifestyle as we had kids. We wanted to have a nanny and we wanted to be able to still go on dates and things like that as a couple with my wife. So that's really kind of my family and just like... having the freedom to do things. Like that's what I'm really passionate about. Seth Bradley, Esq. (29:59.084) Yeah. Yeah. I mean, building on that, and you may have already answered that, but what does success look like for you? Mike (30:01.766) next Mike (30:06.268) an empty calendar. Seth Bradley, Esq. (30:08.621) Good luck with that. Good luck with that. Mike (30:11.516) Oh man, I was gonna say, how do we crack that code? No, yeah. No, but I think success to me is doing things like picking up my daughter at three and even being able to say no to the things that aren't gonna get you to where you need, like the discipline piece of this too. Seth Bradley, Esq. (30:15.708) man. Seth Bradley, Esq. (30:33.995) Yeah, yeah, mean, you know, for me, it's kind of similar, right? It's not going to be able to empty that calendar. Not yet, at least maybe here in the future. But for now, it's pretty filled. But it is it's flexible, right? Like us as entrepreneurs, you know, we probably work more than we ever worked when we were in our W-2s. But at the same time, it's you know, we're working in our own business for ourselves, for our families. And we have the Flexibility, a lot of people will say the freedom, right? But we have the flexibility to move things around. And if you want to pick your kids up at school at three, or you do want to take a weekend off, or something comes up in your schedule, you have the flexibility to do that. Whereas if you're kind of slaving away at the nine to five, you can't really do it. Mike (31:04.486) Yeah. Yeah. Mike (31:20.198) Yeah, that's spot on. mean, I just wrote that down, but flexibility is, cause you're right. When you started becoming an entrepreneur, this is what I tell people all the time when they want to get a venting around is like running your own business. You are going to work harder than you do for your boss currently at your W-2. Like you have to do payroll. You have to do, like you gotta like make sure there's money to actually do pay, you know, like all those things that you just don't even think about when you have a W-2. It's like, today's Seth Bradley, Esq. (31:39.543) Yeah Mike (31:48.89) You know, this Friday I get paid. Well, when you run a business, mean, that money's got to come from somewhere. Seth Bradley, Esq. (31:51.905) Yeah Right, yeah, 100%, man, 100%. All right, Mike, we're gonna wrap it up. Thanks so much for coming on the show. Tell the listeners where they can find out more about you. Mike (32:05.286) Yeah, so thanks for having me. This has been great. I have free content all over the place. can find me on the classic Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, but I also have vendingpreneurs.com is where we help people that are more interested in actually the vending stuff. But I've been really trying to double down on YouTube lately because there's just a lot of content and you can't get it off a one minute reel. Seth Bradley, Esq. (32:32.417) Love it, man. All right, Mike, appreciate it. Thanks for coming on the show. Mike (32:35.91) Thanks for having me. Seth Bradley, Esq. (32:37.227) Hi brother. Alright man, got a couple more questions for you. We do like a quick, kind of do the full podcast episode and then I'll just do kind of a quick episode that'll follow up on a Monday and then another one on a Friday. Cool. Mike (32:55.814) See you. Seth Bradley, Esq. (32:59.693) We out here. Welcome to Million Dollar Mondays, how to make, keep, and scale a million dollars. Mike is a super successful entrepreneur in the vending machine business and beyond. Tell us, how did you make your first million dollars? Mike (33:20.922) Yeah, Seth. It was probably actually through real estate and just getting a little bit kind of lucky with timing with COVID and short-term rentals and some of that. But yeah, that's probably how I got the first million. Seth Bradley, Esq. (33:25.229) Mm. Seth Bradley, Esq. (33:37.079) Gotcha, cool. Yeah, real estate usually plays a role in the everybody's strategy down the line, whether they're in that primary business or not, whether they start out there or they end up there, real estate usually plays a part. How'd you make your last million? Mike (33:53.956) Yeah, that's a good question because it's completely different than real estate, but it's actually been vending machines. So that's been kind of fun. just, you you talk about product market fit whenever you're an entrepreneur with a business. And that was just kind of the perfect storm right now of traditional vending really kind of being outdated. And we found a product market fit with it. Seth Bradley, Esq. (33:57.57) Right. Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (34:16.215) Gotcha. Cool. that was from, was this maybe mostly attributed to kind of buying those routes, those larger routes? Mike (34:23.32) Exactly. Yeah. Buying old school routes and really kind of flipping them like a house with modern micro markets charging, with different products and what would fit in a vending machine, like more of the unorthodox, you know, toilet paper and tide pods and things that wouldn't fit in a traditional vending machine. I mean, we'll sell $35 bottles of shampoo in these micro markets. So just kind of, go and add it in a different way. Seth Bradley, Esq. (34:49.857) Yeah, and then with the aging population, there's gotta be more and more of these things popping up. So there should be more opportunity for people to get involved or for people like yourself to just snag everything, right? Mike (35:01.102) Yeah, I think there's no chance I could snag everything, not even just in this town alone that I'm currently in. I mean, machines are getting cheaper, the technology is getting way better with AI. And nowadays, it's not what fits in a vending machine motor. It's okay, what's shelf space? if it's a bottle of shampoo or a glass Coke, it doesn't matter because it's not just getting thrown down the chute of a traditional machine. Seth Bradley, Esq. (35:05.387) Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (35:27.521) Makes sense, makes sense. Last, how are you planning on making your next million dollars? Mike (35:34.3) I think probably with AI, we're doing a lot of interesting stuff with helping people scale their, their vending routes. that is applicable to any, small business. And so I'm really intrigued. Just every time I go down a rabbit hole with some new AI tool, I feel like there's another better one that just came right behind it. So I just think it's kind of that time where you can really get ahead by just learning. Seth Bradley, Esq. (36:06.209) Yeah, totally makes sense. mean people that are not paying attention to AI whether it's simply using chat GPT instead of Google search are getting left behind quickly because it's just advancing so fast. I can't even imagine what this world's gonna look like five years from now the way that things are moving. Mike (36:23.132) It's crazy. Three years ago when I was working for a tech company selling software into the government, I would have to work with three secretaries to schedule a meeting with the general to sell their software. Now my EA is literally an AI bot and everyone that's scheduling time on my calendar, they don't even know they're talking to a non-human, which is pretty Seth Bradley, Esq. (36:43.479) Yeah, 100%. We're gonna, I predicted within five years, everybody's gonna have a humanoid robot in their home with AI instilled and they're gonna be doing physical things for us at our homes. Yeah. Yep. Yep. 100%. Awesome, All right, moving on to the next one. Mike (36:50.181) Yeah! Mike (36:57.917) I hope so. I hope they can go to Costco get all our groceries do our do our laundry The dishes Seth Bradley, Esq. (37:11.501) You're clearly in the top 1 % of what you do, Mike. What is it about you that separates you from the rest of the field? Mike (37:19.056) Ooh, that's a good question, Seth. I think it's just discipline, know, discipline and focus. One of the hardest things is being able to say no with the things that don't align. And when I was growing up, I had a quote that has really stuck with me. That's like, it's better to be respected than liked. And I think that really resonates. Like naturally as a human, you want to be liked and help people, but the 1 % are really good at saying no. Seth Bradley, Esq. (37:47.649) Yeah, I love that man. That's a great answer. Kind of building on that, what do you think the number one attribute is that makes a successful entrepreneur? Mike (37:57.468) probably focus. Yeah. Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (37:59.212) Yeah, focus. Yep. The one thing, right? The one thing. Mike (38:04.186) Yep. That's why you come back to like the most successful entrepreneurs. They always niche down and they niche down because they just, got hyper-focused. Like this is kind of why for me, you know, I started this passive Mr. Passive on social media before I even got into Vendi. Well, now everyone's like, well, how passive is Vendi? And well, it's like, what's really interesting is I was posting all these different, what I thought passive income streams in the time, but everyone, 95 % of the questions I got about Airbnbs are all my different investments was about bending. So I just niche down on, on bending and I just looked back on that and I was like, it really forced me to focus. Seth Bradley, Esq. (38:43.263) Awesome, awesome. What's one thing someone could do today to get 1 % closer to success in the vending machine business if they are really interested in learning more? Mike (38:53.892) tap into your connections and find a location that has high foot traffic, whether that's a friend that works at an urgent care, a sister that lives at an apartment. You know, you take your kid to that gymnastics studio that has a ton of foot traffic between 4 PM and 8 PM. Like all those locations are prime locations to put one of these modern smart machines in. so, tapping into your connections, well, you know, Seth Bradley, Esq. (39:24.567) Love that man. Awesome. All right, Mike, I appreciate it, brother. We'll to meet in person sometime, Mike (39:30.574) I would love to. Where are you based, Seth? Seth Bradley, Esq. (39:31.789) I'm in San Diego, where you at? Mike (39:34.78) I am in Eugene. Yeah, Oregon. I'll come down your way though. Seth Bradley, Esq. (39:37.39) Cool We're planning on doing yeah, we're planning on doing so me and my wife we have a Sprinter van and Last May we did we did going back to the flexibility piece, right? We did 32 days in the van up through Wyoming Montana and then into like Into Canada and they're like Banff and Jasper and all the way up to Jasper and then we circled back on the west coast Through Vancouver and then down back to San Diego Yeah Mike (40:05.52) What? Seth Bradley, Esq. (40:06.829) Pretty wild, pretty awesome. And the reason I brought that up is this year we're gonna do shorter trip. We're probably gonna do two, maybe three weeks at the most, but we're gonna do kind of the Pacific Northwest. So Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver and all those parks and stuff up there. Mike (40:17.254) Yeah. Mike (40:21.744) Yeah, you definitely have a, have you been to Bend before? Bend is like my, that whole area, Central Oregon is, and even Idaho, like all those kind of, yeah. That's awesome. Please let me know when you're up this way. I mean, I'll come meet you wherever. That'd be amazing. Absolutely. Yeah. Awesome. Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (40:24.641) Yeah, yeah I have. Seth Bradley, Esq. (40:38.861) Sure man grab a coffee or beer. I appreciate it. Yeah, let's do it. Yeah all right brother great to meet you and I will send the information on when this is gonna get released and give you you materials and all that stuff so we can collaborate on social media Mike (40:51.964) Okay. Okay. Yeah. Is a lot of your audience, like passive investors? Seth Bradley, Esq. (40:58.593) So most of that, so now I'm rebranding. I rebranded because I'm gonna be speaking more towards like active entrepreneurs, Active entrepreneurs, people raising capital, that sort of thing. Whereas before it was based on passive investors and people really focused on attorneys. So I'm an attorney and I was raising capital from attorneys for my real estate deals. Now I'm really more into selling shovels. I'm scaling my law firm. I'm chief legal officer for Tribest, which is, we've got a fund to fund. Mike (41:20.262) Mm-hmm. Seth Bradley, Esq. (41:28.085) legal product there as well. So we're really trying to bring in active, active entrepreneurs and people raising capital. Mike (41:29.777) Yeah. Mike (41:36.572) Okay, because I got that, I was just thinking through when we talking about that oil development project, that could be a good, the guy that runs that fund could be a good interview for you. Just thinking through your audience, because he's always looking for investors into his fund and like these oil lubs are just crushing it. Seth Bradley, Esq. (41:49.901) Cool. Yeah. Seth Bradley, Esq. (41:58.464) Yeah, cool. Who is it? Just, I don't know if I know him or not. Mike (42:02.183) Um, Robert Durkey, he's out of Florida. has, his problem is he's sitting on a gold mine that has no, like he's old school, doesn't know social media, any of that. So that's why I think he'd be perfect for you. Cause I think you could help him and he could definitely help you with some kickback. Yeah. So cool. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Hopefully we meet soon. Okay. See you Seth. Bye. Seth Bradley, Esq. (42:05.645) I don't think I know. I don't think I know. Seth Bradley, Esq. (42:13.889) Yeah. Gotcha. Seth Bradley, Esq. (42:20.705) Cool, okay, sounds good man. Yeah, I appreciate the introduction. Yeah, all right brother. Talk soon. See ya. Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley's Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/ https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/ https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesq https://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en Mike Hoffman's Links: https://www.instagram.com/mikehoffmannofficial/ https://x.com/mrpassive_?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedhoffmann/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mr.passive
Likefolio's Megan Brantley covers the consumer giant Coca-Cola (KO) before earnings. “These are brands that are so engrained” in consumer shopping habits, she says, but she is “shocked” by the amount of traction Coca-Cola has had recently. “It's been receiving a ton of interest in its Fairlife brand,” she notes, calling it evidence of the GLP-1 effect. They have a bullish tilt towards KO ahead of its report.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Nutrition Nugget! Bite-size bonus episodes offer tips, tricks and approachable science. This week, Jenn is talking about Fairlife Protein Shakes—are they as nutritious as they claim to be, or just another cleverly marketed sweetened milk drink? You've probably seen these shakes on shelves, boasting big protein numbers and minimal sugar, but what's hiding in the ingredient list? Jenn discusses the ultrafiltration process, the surprising number of sweeteners, and how these shakes compare to a good old-fashioned protein powder. Could this be your new go-to post-workout drink… or is it time to reconsider what recovery should taste like? Tune in to hear Jenn's take—and decide for yourself. Like what you're hearing? Be sure to check out the full-length episodes of new releases every Wednesday. Have an idea for a nutrition nugget? Submit it here: https://asaladwithasideoffries.com/index.php/contact/ RESOURCES:Become A Member of Salad with a Side of FriesJenn's Free Menu PlanA Salad With a Side of FriesA Salad With A Side Of Fries MerchA Salad With a Side of Fries InstagramHealthier” Food Swaps: Worth It or a Hard Pass?
The fearless founder of Animal Recovery Mission takes no prisoners in his quest to expose the darkest corners of animal exploitation. Richard “Kudo” Couto, a former Miami Beach real estate developer turned undercover investigator, joins us to reveal how his organization infiltrates illegal slaughterhouses, exposes factory farm abuses, and challenges corporate giants like Coca-Cola’s Fairlife. From Miami’s underground horse meat trade…
• Bart Merrick and Crystal Vann promoted as experienced realtors • Dan shares story about selling his mom's beach house with Bart and Crystal's help • Jason joins via Zoom to talk about his positive experience selling his childhood home • Jason praises Bart for being informative and helping make educated decisions • Crystal praised for attention to detail and professionalism • Tom and Dan joke about Crystal's superpower and Bart's quiet demeanor • Jason lives in Raleigh and mentions insurance issues as a reason to sell • Jason thanked and invited to visit the studio • Show opens live from Just Call Mo Studio • Seth Petruzzelli introduced as guest, now with a mustache • Tom and Dan joke about diversifying the T&D universe with new characters • Seth jokes about being asked to say bad things and acting out for material • Dan praises Seth's fatherhood and photos of him with his baby • Seth and Dan discuss fleeting nature of parenting moments • Jokes about wives' fluctuating weight and appearances • Hurricane Party in Sanford promoted as punk/ska festival • Merchman back for 18th year, new sunglasses and stickers for sale • Seth says he's doing well and talks recent health changes • Seth started eating beef and goat again due to high B6 levels • Jokes about “goof” being goat + beef • Refuses to eat a Baconator, avoids pork • Dan stalks Seth's social media and notices no boat posts since December • Jokes about otter poop in expensive, unused boat • Boat engine overheated after short use before Memorial Day • Seth limped it back home, scratched himself checking for issues • Chat member Conway J offers help; penis pic jokes ensue • New law prevents boat cops from stopping vessels without cause • Jokes about vomiting, smoke, or nudity triggering probable cause • Legal to be naked on your own boat in Florida • Speculation about nudity rules depending on distance or appearance • Dan praises boat nudity as freeing; jokes about peeing off the back • Karate birthday punches explained; Seth gives light strikes to kids • Student Jackal loves it; Tracy joins in during nephew's birthday • Dan jokes about Maisie getting kicked for posture in dance • Seth trying to sell his house and frustrated by picky buyers • Complains about people lacking vision when viewing customized homes • Therapy floated as a way to handle real estate stress • Seth unsure if he'd prefer a male or female therapist • Seth says symptoms from B6 toxicity improving: twitching, tingling • Recalls getting HIV tests regularly and awkward exchange with staff • Jokes and impressions about assumptions made at testing clinic • Conversation about microcuts, risk, and anal sex in safe sex talk • Upcoming topics teased: Karate Kid reboot and Pigpen's music • Matty Matheson from The Bear mentioned, plus song “Mental Madness” • Dan shares that Andrea lost 20 pounds on Dr. Power's plan • Focus on in-body testing, hormone levels, and real nutrition • Seth's Karate of Orlando site promoted, ages 3 to 65 • Talk about Karate Kid Legends with Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan • Mortal Kombat's Raiden and Shang Tsung inspired by Big Trouble in Little China • Desire for a 4K copy of Big Trouble; movie available on Prime • Jokes about watching it while smoking weed together • Announcement for Tom and Dan Family Skate-a-Thon on July 12 • New BDM-only barbecue event coming in September • Hittin' Skins collab with new sun shirts and straw hats • Friendly trash talk about Pineapple Man triathlon challenge • EJ claims he can outswim Dan; race in Lake Conway teased • Listener emails cover mocktails, NA drinks, and Fairlife milk • Dan had a pina colada after 4 months dry; Tracy had one too • Listener confesses to eating full container of Publix cookies • Joey Chestnut eats 27 bags of popcorn in new record • Dan shares old gorge stories—pizza and donuts • Vomiting after overeating discussed as weirdly relieving • Long ear and cheek hair discoveries horrify the group • Ayahuasca, psilocybin, and panic attacks from early weed use • Shared dream visuals and AI video sparking collective memories • Dan thought he was a child again during NYE weed brownie freakout • Reflection on how a single experience can trigger lifelong anxiety • Tom and Dan discuss how brains are more similar than people think ### **Social Media:** [Website](https://tomanddan.com/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/tomanddanlive) | [Facebook](https://facebook.com/amediocretime) | [Instagram](https://instagram.com/tomanddanlive) **Where to Find the Show:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-mediocre-time/id334142682) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2FtZWRpb2NyZXRpbWUvcG9kY2FzdC54bWw) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Mediocre-Time-p364156/) **The Tom & Dan Radio Show on Real Radio 104.1:** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-corporate-time/id975258990) | [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2Fjb3Jwb3JhdGV0aW1lL3BvZGNhc3QueG1s) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/podcasts/Comedy/A-Corporate-Time-p1038501/) **Exclusive Content:** [Join BDM](https://tomanddan.com/registration) **Merch:** [Shop Tom & Dan](https://tomanddan.myshopify.com/)
This week on Nacho Fitness Coach, Caleigh and Sara dive into the absurd world of social media nutrition “experts,” where apparently if “protein” isn't listed in the ingredients, it simply doesn't exist. We break down a viral video claiming Fairlife shakes have zero protein (yes, really), and talk about how misinformation is messing with people's heads. We also unpack what ingredient lists actually mean, the difference between nutrition facts and macros, and how unrealistic physique expectations online have gotten. Plus, we go off on some signature tangents, reflect on body image goals that never seem to stop shifting, and try to make peace with the number on the scale. Spoiler alert: it's not about chasing perfection—it's about understanding your body and not taking advice from a guy shouting in the milk aisle.Connect with us on social media!Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Youtube | Facebook | X (Twitter) | WebsiteThis podcast offers health, fitness, and nutritional information and is designed for educational and entertainment purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have heard on this podcast. The use of any information provided by Nacho Fitness Coach podcast is solely at your own risk.
DMI's Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation. Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options. Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA's Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples. The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category. Tune in to find out! What is the economic impact of The Dairy Checkoff? Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast The Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast offers firsthand perspectives on examples of local, national and global checkoff collaborations to grow sales and build trust in U.S. dairy. This episode is sponsored by Dairy Management Inc.
“I used to be the largest dairy consumer on the planet. I used to eat so much dairy and meat. The more that I looked into the dairy industry, the more that I saw that it was the singular, most inhumane industry on the planet, that we've all been lied to, including myself, for years. I always believed that the picture on the milk carton, the cow standing next to her calf in the green field with the red barn in the back was true. It's certainly the complete opposite.” – Richard (Kudo) Couto Richard (Kudo) Couto is the founder of Animal Recovery Mission (ARM), an organization solely dedicated to investigating extreme animal cruelty cases. ARM has led high-risk undercover operations that have resulted in the shutdown of illegal slaughterhouses, animal fighting rings, and horse meat trafficking networks. Recently, they released a damning investigation into two industrial dairy farms outside of Phoenix, Arizona supplying milk to Coca-Cola's Fairlife brand. What they uncovered was systemic animal abuse, environmental violations, and a devastating betrayal of consumer trust. While Fairlife markets its products as being sourced "humanely," ARM's footage tells a very different story—one of suffering, abuse, and corporate complicity. Despite the evidence, this story has been largely ignored by mainstream media—likely due to Coca-Cola's massive influence and advertising dollars.
Spoiler: it's in your brain.Learn more at HotelEarth360Sources:Sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculturePlastic mulching, and occurrence, incorporation, degradation, and impacts of polyethylene microplastics in agroecosystemsMicroplastic stress in plants: effects on plant growth and their remediationsWhy Government and Industry Must Address “Forever Chemicals” in the Food SupplyEPA Grants Petition on Three PFAS Found in Fluorinated Plastic ContainersPotential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic EffectsRecycling Rates by Country 2025Plastic Bans Around the WorldEconomic benefits of phasing out plasticsPlastic-eating bacteria can help waste self-destruct‘We are just getting started': the plastic-eating bacteria that could change the worldCR letter to Fairlife on plastic chemicals in its Core Power High Protein Chocolate Milk Shake product
DMI's Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships. They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation. Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options. Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA's Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples. The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category. Tune in to find out! To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com Host & Guest: Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Anne Marie Splitstone, Executive Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc. Guest: Silvia Robles, Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.
What happens when you grow up in an athletic household, with a high school coach for a dad and two sisters who played at the collegiate level, too? You don't just play the game—you live it. And if you're Sam Erger, you take that passion and turn it into a career shaping the next generation of athletes.In this fun, real, and inspiring episode of Counsel Brew, we sit down with SMU Women's Volleyball Head Coach Sam Erger to talk about her journey from player to play-caller, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how she juggles leading a Division I team while also raising a family. Since taking the helm at SMU, Sam has transformed the women's volleyball program into a powerhouse. With her relentless drive, deep passion for the sport, and commitment to her players, she has helped elevate the team's performance, culture, and competitive edge and has set new records. Inside the Huddle with Coach Erger:
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 23rd, 2025 including Celsius Acquires Alani Nu / Hiyo Investment/Coca-Cola Takes on Olipop and PoppiCelsius Holdings said on Thursday it would buy health and wellness drinks brand Alani Nutrition in a $1.8 billion deal through a combination of cash and stock, boosting its portfolio to build on the growing demand for sports and energy beverages.Alani Nutrition, a female-focused brand that delivers functional beverages and wellness products, was founded in 2018 and will be acquired from its co-founders, Katy Schneider and Haydn Schneider, and its operator, Congo Brands, Celsius said.According to Yahoo Finance: The venture capital arm of Constellation Brands has acquired a minority stake in Hiyo, a nonalcoholic “social tonic” containing a blend of functional ingredients, including adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals.Constellation's senior vice president of new business ventures, John Utter, said in a statement the Hiyo investment aligns with the aims of beverage giant's VC group, which is to capitalize on emerging categories.The Modelo brewer's investment could help the brewer expand its presence in the growing category. Hiyo's health halo could also help it stand out in the crowded ready-to-drink category, as consumers seek out beverages that give them more of a nutritious benefit.Posted on CNBC: Starting in late February, consumers on the West Coast and in the Southeast will be able to try Coke's iteration of the trendy drink.Soda consumption has broadly fallen in the U.S. over the last two decades, hurt by health concerns and an increase in alternatives on the market, from cold brew to energy drinks to water. But in the last five years, sodas containing prebiotics have taken off, thanks to industry newcomers Olipop and Poppi.Olipop recently raised $50 million at a valuation of $1.85 billion, the company announced Wednesday. And Poppi made its second straight Super Bowl appearance in this year's game, shelling out up to $8 million to reach the game's record audience.Digestive health soft drinks have grown from a $197 million category in the U.S. in 2020 to one of roughly $440 million in 2024, according to Euromonitor International data. Still, it's a fraction of the overall soda market, which is worth billions of dollars.Simply Pop's first product lineup leans fruity, in a nod to Coke's Simply juice brand. Flavors include pineapple mango, lime, strawberry, fruit punch and citrus punch.“We went out and really listened to consumers. They love this space, they're really looking for stuff that tastes good, and that's something we know how to deliver on at Simply and at Coke,” said Becca Kerr, CEO of Coke's North American nutrition unit, which includes its Simply and Fairlife brands.Simply Pop drinks have no added sugar and contain 25% to 30% real fruit juice, the company said. They also contain vitamin C and zinc, which can boost the immune system.
If you customize a Ferrari, they won't let you buy another… even if you're Justin Beiber.Coca-Cola's biggest acquisition ever is Fairlife… because milk is having a moment.DOGE is targeting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau… so we're look at trim-cuts vs buzz-cuts.Plus, we wrote a heartbroken love poem ahead of Valentine's Day… to Peloton.$RACE $KO $PTONWant more business storytelling from us? Check out the latest episode of our new weekly deepdive show: The untold origin story of… Ben & Jerry's Phish Food
This is our daily Tech and Business Report. Today, KCBS Radio news anchor Steve Scott spoke with Bloomberg's Brett Pulley. Shares of Coca-Cola are up following the company's latest earnings report and it appears the company's big bet on milk is one of the reasons why.
You may know Dr. Marissa Hake from her online following as the @Calfvet, but what you may not know are the big dreams, bold prayers, and brave actions that led to her career of now five years with Fairlife and the recent opening of their direct-to-consumer farm store for Black Label Beef. Get ready to laugh with us, cry with us and be inspired on the Uplevel Dairy Podcast. Connect with Marissa Online https://www.blacklabelfarms2020.com/ https://www.instagram.com/blacklabelfarmmarket/ https://www.instagram.com/calfvet_/ https://www.drhakecalfvet.com/ This Episode is Brought to you by Adisseo This episode is sponsored by Uplevel Dairy Podcast Founding Partner Adisseo, a global leader in nutritional solutions and premier provider of rumen-protected methionine for dairy producers who want to optimize milk production, capture more value from components, and maintain the health of their high-performing herds. Learn more at https://www.adisseo.com/en/ Want to get new episodes in your inbox? Subscribe here: https://www.upleveldairy.com/subscribe
Send us a textIn the first episode of a new season, we make a few mistakes and we talk about even more of them we've seen in gym goers and been guilty of for years. We observe and we don't judge. It's a space space but we also hope you're listening enough to see if you might be making or witnessing many of the same ones. Shout to Fairlife and Reign Energy. This will be the last time I ever put those tow that close together. And as promised, Jimmy's gym playlist from Spotify is linked below. Thanks for starting another year with us. It's only going to get better from here. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/10gCVaYHRWhxJUnxBiTbQd?si=rXGivmMPRiGtaj3y7_G0TQ
Crain's consumer products reporter Ally Marotti talks with host Amy Guth about how the latest experiment at Butterfinger's Franklin Park factory as the brand tries to innovate.Plus: Snack maker Hearthside settles Illinois child labor probe, Coca-Cola and Fairlife nearing move to vintage Fulton Market building, downtown Wheaton apartments sold for $101 million, feds hurry to finalize money for Belvidere auto plant reboot before Trump takes over and Mondelez is exploring a takeover of Hershey.
182 | This week we discover Glyphosate - friend or foe - what is the truth behind this maligned and current hot topic, how McDonalds is putting on their suite and tie and heading to court to sue the” Big Four” meat packers, and dairy goes viral - the Utah trend that has captured a fun, out of the box way to drink one of our favorite diary products. Courtney Swan on Alex Clark's Culture Apothecary Podcast McDonald's sues several meat packing companies, claims they colluded to inflate beef prices ‘Protein Diet Coke' Is Going Viral, So I Bravely Tried It (for Science) SHOP Discover Ag MERCH!! We have two collections - our “Core Collection” with our more traditional logos and our “Club Discover Collection” with our more fun - limited time offer - designs. Shop them all here. Welcome to “Discover Ag” where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by a western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher @NatalieKovarik and a sought after dairy sustainability speaker & millennial dairy farmer @TaraVanderDussen - Discover is your go to podcast for food news. Every Thursday your hosts dish up their entertaining and informative thoughts to keep you in the know & help you “discover” what's new in the world of food. Connect on a more personal level with your hosts by JOINING “CLUB DISCOVER”. Our once weekly newsletter where Natalie & Tara share all their latest discoveries from what they are watching, eating, cooking, reading, buying, listening tom wearing and more. It's the insider scoop on all the things your hosts are LOVING AND DISCOVERING!!!! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!!!! COZY EARTH: Luxury bedding, bath, and apparel. Listeners can get up to 40% off using the code “DISCOVER”. PERFORMANCE BEEF: Cattle management software that's easy to use and allows you to simplify feeding, performance and health data recording. TURTLEBOX: The loudest, most durable outdoor speaker on the market Code “DISCOVER” ARMRA COLOSTRUM: Our favorite supplement Code “DISCOVER” MANUKORA HONEY: Honey with Superpowers Code “DISCOVER” TOUPS & CO: 100% natural tallow based skincare & makeup Code “DISCOVER” WILD WEST KIDZ: Children's book subscription dedicated to western lifestyle children's books. Code “DISCOVER” ENCHANTMENT VINEYARDS Family-owned winery & the only ingredient in their wine is grapes. No additives. Code “DISCOVER20” Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
181 | This week we discover how PepsiCo is buying out tortilla-chip maker Siete Foods for $1.2 billion, the 500 Miles of Destruction left by Hurricane Helene and the impact on agriculture, and RIP to the Schwan's guy. PepsiCo to buy tortilla-chip maker Siete Foods for $1.2 billion 500 Miles of Destruction: Hurricane Helene's impact on ag across the southeast RIP Schwan's Guy: Mourning An American Frozen Food Icon SHOP Discover Ag MERCH!! We have two collections - our “Core Collection” with our more traditional logos and our “Club Discover Collection” with our more fun - limited time offer - designs. Shop them all here. Welcome to “Discover Ag” where agriculture meets pop culture. Hosted by a western tastemaker & millennial cattle rancher @NatalieKovarik and a sought after dairy sustainability speaker & millennial dairy farmer @TaraVanderDussen - Discover is your go to podcast for food news. Every Thursday your hosts dish up their entertaining and informative thoughts to keep you in the know & help you “discover” what's new in the world of food. Connect on a more personal level with your hosts by JOINING “CLUB DISCOVER”. Our once weekly newsletter where Natalie & Tara share all their latest discoveries from what they are watching, eating, cooking, reading, buying, listening tom wearing and more. It's the insider scoop on all the things your hosts are LOVING AND DISCOVERING!!!! THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!!!! COZY EARTH: Luxury bedding, bath, and apparel. Listeners can get up to 40% off using the code “DISCOVER”. PERFORMANCE BEEF: Cattle management software that's easy to use and allows you to simplify feeding, performance and health data recording. TURTLEBOX: The loudest, most durable outdoor speaker on the market Code “DISCOVER” ARMRA COLOSTRUM: Our favorite supplement Code “DISCOVER” MANUKORA HONEY: Honey with Superpowers Code “DISCOVER” TOUPS & CO: 100% natural tallow based skincare & makeup Code “DISCOVER” WILD WEST KIDZ: Children's book subscription dedicated to western lifestyle children's books. Code “DISCOVER” ENCHANTMENT VINEYARDS Family-owned winery & the only ingredient in their wine is grapes. No additives. Code “DISCOVER20” Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
Chelsea and Lindsay catch up on Chelsea's recent comedy show and discuss the boring and unoriginal jokes men tell. They also talk about Taylor Swift's shitty personality, the cult that is Fairlife milk, and how Chelsea's broken air conditioner led to her finding out one of the maintenance guys has a swastika tattoo.Connect with Honestlythehonestlypodcast.comIG: @thehonestlyshowTikTok: @thehonestlyshowChelsea's IG: @chelsea_turanoLindsay's IG: @dr.lindsayregehrYouTube: The Honestly PodcastSend us a text
What happens when a fitness coach turned internet personality teams up with a professor and veterinarian to tackle social media's wild world? Meet David and Amanda Ziegler, the dynamic duo known as the Ziegler Monsters. This week on "In Moderation," we unfold their journey from professional careers to social media stardom, Amanda's unexpected rise on TikTok, and their shared love for Fairlife products. Expect humor, insights, and a deep dive into the importance of accurate, educational content in a world rife with misinformation.Craving protein-packed snacks but unsure where to start? We've got you covered! Discover our breakdown of the best protein-rich treats, from the perfect blend of Fairlife milk and Hershey's chocolate to the superior taste and texture of Magic Spoon and Three Wishes cereals. We also discuss how Quest chips and pastries strike a balance between nutrition and indulgence. Whether you're a gym fanatic or just looking to up your protein game, this episode offers invaluable tips on practical supplements, debunking myths, and integrating diverse protein sources into your diet.But that's not all. We explore the intense world of bodybuilding, discussing both the physical and psychological challenges athletes face. Hear personal fitness goals, the quest for balance, and what it's like to pursue professional status in the IFBB. From our gym equipment reviews to the nuanced culture of fitness in Japan, this episode is packed with intriguing discussions and practical advice. We even touch on the importance of trust, adaptability, and the sheer value of taking action, whether in the gym or in life. Don't miss out on this captivating and comprehensive conversation! Support the Show.You can find us on social media here:Rob TiktokRob InstagramLiam TiktokLiam Instagram
Bodybuilding Nerds Episode 740 Vijay Puri & Scott McNally
Consumer Reports Article: https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/the-plastic-chemicals-hiding-in-your-food-a7358224781/ Subscribe to the Five Minute Friday Newsletter **https://farmtravelerseries.substack.com/** And be sure to follow us on social media! **https://www.youtube.com/farmtraveler** **https://www.instagram.com/farm_traveler/** **https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmTraveler** **https://twitter.com/TheFarmTraveler** **https://www.carbontv.com/podcasts/farm-traveler/** Thanks for checking out this newsletter and for supporting all things Farm Traveler. If you are interested in starting a podcast, see my new Podcast Coaching offering! **https://thefarmtraveler.com/trevor-williams-podcast-consulting/** To buy some of the products I've mentioned, like beef from Good Ranchers or Oak Barn Beef, check out this link for all of our affiliate items: **https://beacons.ai/farmtraveler** Farm Traveler is part of the Waypoint Outdoor Collective, the Podcast Network for the Outdoors-man. Check out all of the Waypoint Outdoor Collective Podcasts HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the Key Nutrition podcast, hosts delve into the realms of overrated and underrated topics, offering insights on various aspects of life, coaching, fitness, and nutrition. From their perspectives on Pilates and yoga to emerging sports stars like Caitlyn Clark, they dissect prevalent beliefs surrounding sugar-free and fat-free foods, while also weighing in on the efficacy of Fairlife protein shakes. Join the conversation as they challenge conventional wisdom and uncover hidden truths in the world of health and wellness. Join The Key Collective – https://mykeycollective.com Work with a Key Nutrition Coach – Click Here Join The Next Level Experience Waitlist – Click Here Submit your questions to be featured on our Q&A episodes. Order from Cured Nutrition and get 10% off your order by using discount code: Brad Order from Legion Supplements and get 20% off your first order by using discount code: keynutrition Connect with us on Instagram Host Brad Jensen – @thesoberbodybuilder Key Nutrition – @keynutrition
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
