Best Recalibrating The Scales Podcasts (2025)

1
Returning from Portugal: Weight Fluctuations and Travel Insights 28:31

1d ago28:31

28:31

The weight loss journey never follows a perfectly straight line. After a three-week adventure through Portugal and Spain, I stepped on the scale expecting the worst. The number showed 255 pounds—15 pounds heavier than when I left—sending me into a momentary panic. Yet amazingly, within just five days of returning to my normal routine, I was back do…

1
143. Ideas Spinning in Your Head? Here’s How to Use (or Lose) Them Strategically 13:30

6d ago13:30

13:30

Do you ever feel like your brain is overflowing with ideas—but you’re not sure what to focus on or how to make progress? This episode is for you if you're full of inspiration, but also full of tabs open in your brain, and each has ten ideas! You'll hear why getting your ideas out of your head and into a documented plan leads to more clarity, alignm…

1
142. Sales Tips for Food Brands - Reach Out, Stand Out, & Follow Through 15:49

12d ago15:49

15:49

In Episode 142 of the Food Business Marketing Podcast, we (Katie Mleziva & Clint Matthews) dig into what it means to activate your sales plan—and take action. We cover everything from buyer outreach to building relationships and preparing for buyer meetings. What you’ll hear: Why your first step should be checking in on current accounts Where and h…

1
141. Bridging Brand Strategy and Sales: Don’t Just Sell More, Sell Smarter 16:22

20d ago16:22

16:22

Today Clint and I are discussing how to bridge the gap between brand strategy and sales execution. From prioritizing accounts to pitching to retail buyers, we break down how a strong brand foundation supports smarter sales decisions—and prevents wasted time and money. What You’ll Hear: Why sales can feel too overcomplicated—and ideas of how to adju…

1
140. Brand Personality: Stay on Brand and Stand Out 14:07

27d ago14:07

14:07

If your brand could talk… what would it say? And more importantly, would your ideal people feel connected—or confused? In this solo episode, I explore why brand personality helps you show up consistently, create meaningful connections, and stand out in a crowded market. In fact, it’s one of the KEY bridges between your internal strategy and how you…

1
How Citrus, Dirt, and Kindness Are Transforming My Weight Loss Journey 27:32

29d ago27:32

27:32

Ever wondered why certain foods make you feel happier? Or why gardening seems to boost your mood? The answers might surprise you – and they could transform your weight loss journey. After my recent gallbladder removal surgery, I'm sharing fascinating discoveries about how our mental and physical health intertwine on the path to weight loss success.…

1
139. Is Your Brand Helping or Holding You Back? 4 Ways to Review and Recalibrate Your Strategy 9:54

1M ago9:54

9:54

As a food business founder, you’ve grown. Your business has evolved. Is your brand keeping up? In this solo episode, I’m taking a step back to reflect, with four simple yet powerful questions that can help you review your brand strategy. Whether things feel a little off or you’re just due for a tune-up, this episode will help you identify where you…

1
Unexpected Detours: Emergency Surgery and Diet Recalibration 32:40

1M ago32:40

32:40

Sometimes our bodies force us to recalibrate everything we thought we knew about nutrition and weight management. After a surprise plateau in my weightloss, I found myself in the emergency room with severe gallbladder infection requiring immediate surgery. Those mysterious extra pounds weren't muscle or fat—they were warning signs my body was despe…

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138. Scale Up or Step Away: What’s Next for Your Food Business? - with Jordan Buckner of FoodBevy 33:35

1M ago33:35

33:35

At some point, every business owner has a moment of reflection—is this brand ready to grow, or is it time to let go? And the reality is that you may even go back and forth on the same day, right?! In this episode, I'm joined by my new co-host Clint Matthews, co-founder of Start Right Foods, and Jordan Buckner, founder of Foodbevy. Jordan shares his…

1
137. Say Less to Sell More...A Sales Tip to Use at Your Next Buyer Meeting 12:00

2M ago12:00

12:00

Today I’m joined by Clint Matthews—co-founder of Start Right Foods and my NEW GUEST COHOST! I'm excited to share that Clint will be joining me in some future episodes to bring a fresh food business founder and sales lens to the conversation. Today we’re kicking things off with a powerful tip you can bring into your next buyer pitch. In ep 137 we ta…

1
Beyond the Scale: Life, Loss, and Finding Joy 27:45

2M ago27:45

27:45

The journey beyond the scale reveals profound truths about weight loss, psychology, and finding joy amidst life's most challenging moments. When we think about cravings, most of us focus on willpower and restriction. But what if that approach actually strengthens our desire for forbidden foods? Drawing from behavioral psychology, I explore how our …

1
136. When Branding Goes Bad… Avoid This Mistake 11:03

2M ago11:03

11:03

Let's talk about why strong brand strategy should guide creativity—not restrict it. Brand strategy is meant to bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to how you show up—but sometimes it gets taken too far. In this episode, I talk about the "dark side of strategy"...i.e. what happens when brand strategy becomes so rigid that it starts to backfir…

1
Finding Joy in Dieting: My Journey to Sustainable Weight Loss and Wellness 23:07

2M ago23:07

23:07

What if the secret to sustainable weight loss isn't found in rigid meal plans or punishing restrictions, but in a flexible framework designed to adapt to life's inevitable curveballs? After experimenting with over 30 different diets throughout my life, I've discovered something revolutionary in its simplicity: diets fail when they demand perfection…

1
135. Is a Great Product Enough to Grow Your Food Business? 12:51

2M ago12:51

12:51

Does your product speak for itself? Early on, especially after some positive feedback on how delicious their products are, many food business owners believe that having a great product is enough. And while your product IS important, when it comes time to grow and scale up your business, a great product is not enough to set you apart. In this episod…

1
Breaking Free: From Suicidal Thoughts to Losing 300 Pounds 52:56

2M ago52:56

52:56

What drives someone to contemplate ending their life at nearly 550 pounds, and what unexpected insight transforms that same person into someone who loses over 300 pounds? Drew Maness, an information security professional with 25 years of experience and former elite water polo player, takes you through his journey from rock bottom to remarkable tran…

1
134. How to Shift from Running a Business to Growing a Brand 10:44

2M ago10:44

10:44

If your business feels scattered or your growth has stalled, it might be time to step back and ask a powerful question: Are you building a brand or running a business in reaction mode? (ie your business is running you!) In this episode of The Food Business Marketing Podcast, I explore why this distinction matters more than ever in today’s crowded m…

1
133. Which Learning Style Fits You Best? (Plus, 2 Quick Updates!) 11:42

2M ago11:42

11:42

Today’s episode is a little less strategy teaching and more self-reflection about how you learn best. In part, this is to help you maximize investment of your time and money when you want to learn something for your business, but also because I want to get your feedback about the content I create as well! I will walk you through common learning sty…

1
132. B2B Brand Strategy: How to Create Clarity & Build Connection Faster 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

Why brand strategy gives B2B businesses an edge in standing out, selling more, and scaling with confidence. You might not think of your business as a “brand,” especially if you manufacture equipment or offer consulting services—but having a clear brand strategy can make a BIG difference, to you and your team as well as your customers. In fact, it c…

1
131. Would You Rather Be Connecting or Marketing to Build Your Food Business? 8:00

3M ago8:00

8:00

What if you created a Connection Plan instead of a traditional Marketing Plan? If the word "marketing" makes you cringe just a little—you’re not alone. I know many food business owners who do. And, I have a Marketing degree and I even feel the same way sometimes! But my approach is different. That’s why in this short and powerful episode of the Rea…

1
130. How to Write a Brand Positioning Statement That Makes Your Brand Stand Out 15:44

3M ago15:44

15:44

If you're working to grow your food business but feel like your focus is scattered and your messaging is not as clear as it could be, it's time to revisit your brand positioning. This episode dives into one of the most essential (yet often overlooked or complicated) parts of brand strategy—defining what you want to be known for and why your audienc…

1
129. Marketing Feels Like Too Much When You’re Busy? 3 Steps to Create On-Brand Content Faster 13:18

3M ago13:18

13:18

When you’re running a food business, marketing can easily fall to the bottom of your list—especially during busy seasons. But consistency matters, and your brand strategy can be the lifeline that helps you stay visible without starting from scratch. In this episode, I share a 3-step approach to creating aligned content faster, so you can stay consi…

1
128. The Real Story Behind a Good Brand Story 10:20

4M ago10:20

10:20

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to tell a compelling brand story, you’re not alone—and there's good news! You might just be starting in the wrong place. In this episode, I share the story behind crafting a meaningful and memorable brand story. That includes why your brand story should support your strategy—not come before it. You’ll learn how …

1
127. Looking for Your Competitive Advantage? Start With Strategy 11:43

4M ago11:43

11:43

If you want to stand out in a crowded market, attract the right people, lead your team, and build your food business with confidence, it all starts with strategy. In this episode, host Katie Mleziva shares why brand strategy isn’t just for big brands with big budgets—it’s how smaller, purpose-driven food businesses gain a real competitive edge to s…

1
126. Running In Circles? The Power of a Fresh Perspective 9:16

4M ago9:16

9:16

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the things—but still not making progress...like you're just running in circles? In this short and lighter episode, I share a personal (and slightly ridiculous) real-life story that turned into a powerful reminder: sometimes the answer isn't about pushing through—it's about finding a way to shift your perspec…

1
125. 10 Quick and Easy Social Media Post Ideas for Food Businesses 15:17

4M ago15:17

15:17

Does social media make you feel like getting social...or make you want to hide?! Social media can feel like a never-ending challenge when you’re running a food business. You know you need to post consistently and keep your content engaging, just like when you're talking with people in person. But sometimes, you just hit a wall (or a time crunch) wh…

1
124. Unlock Your Food Brand's Full Potential (Food Brand Strategy Blueprint Part 3) 12:30

5M ago12:30

12:30

In the final episode of our 3-part series, we’re diving into activating your brand strategy so you can make your brand stand out, offer the right products and messages to the right people, motivate your team...and see results! You’ve put in the work to build your brand foundation and craft a clear, compelling strategy, but now it’s time to make it …

1
123. Organize Your Ideas to Build a Cohesive Brand (Food Brand Strategy Blueprint Part 2) 17:08

5M ago17:08

17:08

Does it feel like you have a million ideas spinning in your head when it comes to your food business? You’re not alone! As a food business owner or leader, gathering insights about your advantages, competitors, and consumers is essential—but making sense of it all to define and document your brand strategy is where the magic happens. In this episod…

1
122. Start Standing Out With These 4 Steps (Food Brand Strategy Blueprint Part 1) 12:33

5M ago12:33

12:33

Every strong food brand starts with a clear foundation. But how do you define what truly makes your brand different? In this episode - the first in a three-part series - I'm breaking down Step 1: Defining the 4C’s of your Brand Strategy Inputs. These are some of the key elements that help you build a strong, strategic food brand that stands out...b…

1
121. Are You Maximizing Your Food Brand’s Growth Potential? 12:17

5M ago12:17

12:17

You make a great product, but in order to scale your food business you will need a strong brand that is meaningful and memorable. Brand strategy is what sets your food brand apart—it’s how you meet your consumers’ needs in a way your competitors can’t (or won’t). But how do you know if your current strategy is working? That’s where the Brand Checku…

1
120. Building a Winning Brand: How Start Right Foods Stands Out in the Frozen Breakfast Aisle with Clint Matthews 37:53

6M ago37:53

37:53

What does it take to get your food brand onto store shelves—and make sure it doesn’t blend into the sea of sameness? Clint Matthews, co-founder of Start Right Foods, joins host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva to talk about how the Start Right brand has evolved, why a strong brand strategy is a foundational piece for successfully scaling a b…

1
119. How to Communicate That Your Food Brand IS Actually Better 12:20

6M ago12:20

12:20

Find the full transcript for this episode plus other resources for food business owners at www.realfoodbrands.com/podcast. Do you ever wonder how to stand out in a crowded market and help people see why your food brand really is better? In today’s episode, I’m answering a listener’s question: ‘Katie, how can I tell people our products are ACTUALLY …

1
118. Is Pivoting Too Often Hurting Your Food Brand? 12:23

6M ago12:23

12:23

Find the full transcript for this episode plus other resources for food business owners at www.realfoodbrands.com/podcast. Have you ever felt stuck in reaction mode, pivoting too often when things don’t go as planned? Today, we’re diving into 3 ways pivoting too soon might be hurting your food brand more than helping it. We’ll explore why consisten…

1
117. Achieve Clarity, Confidence, and Consistency in Your Food Business with a Brand-First Approach 10:55

10M ago10:55

10:55

In this episode, Katie Mleziva, Food Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast shares how taking a brand-first approach can help you prioritize ideas and take aligned action to build a strong, cohesive food brand that stands out. Whether you’re just starting or have been in the business for a while, this approach ensures y…

1
116. How Trying to Build Your Food Brand Could Be Holding You Back 12:17

11M ago12:17

12:17

Your Brand Strategy requires careful word choice, and so does how you talk about your plans with your team and partners. Listen to this episode for one easy, but important shift that will instill confidence in your brand! I'm your host and Food Brand Strategist, Katie Mleziva. I spent years in Brand Management at big companies before I left the cor…

1
115. Your Big Shift: From Selling a Great Product to Building a Strong Brand 17:14

1y ago17:14

17:14

Are you selling a product or building a brand? Everyone has to start somewhere, but in this episode, Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva shares what it means to go from making a great product to building a strong brand that stands out. Here's what's in this episode - you can find all the links on the episode web page. The event that sparked Katie’s…

1
114. Intentional Marketing: getting ON the shelf, IN the cart, and OUT of the pantry (or fridge!) 16:07

1+ y ago16:07

16:07

Have you thought much about the fact that you need to sell your product THREE times before someone can use it at home? I don’t share this to be depressing because sometimes one sounds like enough! And if it sounds like more work, it’s just the reality of breaking down the process that’s already happening and being intentional with your marketing an…

1
113. The Power (Struggle) of Focus...and How Your Brand Strategy Can Help 25:31

1+ y ago25:31

25:31

In almost every client meeting or strategy session I hear food business owners relay concern over how many things are competing for their attention -- and how exhausting it can be. Some share they are diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, and some just feel like they are being forced to wear too many hats at the same time every. single. day...and are searchi…

1
112. Welcome Back! Doing the Right Things at the Right Time in Your Food Business 18:31

1+ y ago18:31

18:31

The Real Food Brands Podcast is BACK and I'm so glad you're here. The topic of doing the right things at the right time is always a good concept to keep top of mind, and in this episode, you'll hear me (Katie Mleziva, your food brand strategist) talk about: What you can expect from new podcast episodes to help you Define, Align, and Activate your b…

1
111. What to Do When Something Is Out of Alignment With Your Vision...and the Shift I'm Making 21:26

3y ago21:26

21:26

Have you ever noticed something in your business isn’t working as you planned, or as it once did? Sometimes things that made sense just aren't a good fit anymore. We spend so much time and energy trying to keep pushing forward that it can be hard to step back and admit when things aren’t working the way we want them to—and decide what to do about i…

1
110. 6 Copywriting Tips to Help Food Brands Stand Out with Celsea Jenkins of Grassfed Copy 31:50

3y ago31:50

31:50

Have you ever thought about the difference between content and copy? And how each works differently to connect with your reader depending on if you’re talking about a website, social media, ads, packaging, etc? Today on Episode 110 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, Host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva has a conversation with Celsea…

1
109. Thinking BIG and Making It Happen with Monique & Chevalo Wilsondebriano 37:58

3+ y ago37:58

37:58

Sometimes you need to let yourself dream and think big. Instead of letting other people tell you how things work and why you can’t do something, it can pay off to look at things from a new perspective. It helps, of course, to have a great story, which is something that brand strategy work can really help with. Today on Episode 109 of the Real Food …

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108. 6 Brand Strategy Tips for Small But Mighty Food Businesses (Part 2) 23:58

3+ y ago23:58

23:58

As you’re working to build your food business or farm, brand strategy and brand development may seem like something that can wait for later. The thing is, brand strategy work goes far beyond your logo or fonts or colors. When you’ve done the work to create your brand’s North Star, it serves as the guide and the glue for everything you do on the fro…

1
107. 6 Brand Strategy Tips for Small But Mighty Food Businesses (Part 1) 23:28

3+ y ago23:28

23:28

Brand strategy work is something that is second nature for big brands, but not as common for small brands. There’s so much to do when you’re wearing all the hats that it can seem like something you’ll get to “next.” While big brands have access to brand managers and agencies, we can help even the score by providing streamlined versions of the conce…

1
106. How Riemer Family Farm is Growing a Regenerative Brand 31:08

3+ y ago31:08

31:08

A common approach for food and farm businesses is to think about offering a great product rather than building a strong brand. The thinking is that if a product is good enough, taste will ultimately win and of course, people will buy. While this is understandable as you perfect your craft, great taste and quality are expected these days so we don’t…

1
105. New Episode Index to Help Your Food Brand Stand Out 11:31

3+ y ago11:31

11:31

With over 100 episodes of the podcast now available, we thought it would be a good time to go back and highlight some of the great content you may have missed to help you find the right resources at the right time for your food business. To help, we’ve put together a list of some of our best episodes organized around the Brand Strategy Streamlined …

1
104. What Is a Brand Positioning Statement? 27:27

3+ y ago27:27

27:27

If you want to understand brand positioning, think of Kia, Volvo, and Tesla. Sure, all three are car companies but they’re each very different brands with their own unique, loyal audience, product benefits, and customer experience. All of these factors combined for each brand create a very different offer for each and attract different groups of pe…

1
103. How Consumer Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Food Are Shifting with Sarah Marion of Murphy Research 31:19

3+ y ago31:19

31:19

We’ve been through a lot of changes in the past few years, and as a result, consumer behaviors are shifting. But as a food business owner how do you know what changes are temporary and what changes are here to stay? And how can you meet the evolving needs of your consumers? In Episode 103 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Bra…

1
102. Are you inviting people into a brand story or sharing brand history? 18:46

3+ y ago18:46

18:46

Have you thought about the difference between brand story and brand history? While your brand history can certainly be a part of your brand story, the history is about the past and the story is about the future, and what you’re inviting people to be a part of. Today on episode 102 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strat…

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101. Brand Strategy 101: Positioning Your Food Brand to Stand Out 27:52

3+ y ago27:52

27:52

After episode 100, Katie’s daughter suggested that she “start over,” and it only seemed fitting that episode 101 should be a brand strategy 101—an intro-level class, so to speak. Today on episode 101 of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast, host and Food Brand Strategist Katie Mleziva goes over the five W’s of how Brand Strategy can help you go f…

1
100. Celebrating 100 Episodes With Gratitude, Gear & Giveaway! 16:49

3+ y ago16:49

16:49

When we launched the podcast in March 2018, we didn’t know exactly what the future would hold but we took a leap. It’s been a steady build over the past few years and we’re so thankful for all our listeners and guests who have made this show an enriching and rewarding experience as we work collectively to help more people get access to real food. T…

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