016: Plant-Based Probiotics for a Healthier Gut and a Happier Planet with Ryan Johnston

Essential Ingredients Podcast

"We, as food brands, can do better. We can deliver higher quality products. We can work with fresher ingredients that are better sourced." -Ryan Johnston

The trend of going plant-based is powerful for many reasons. For one, it promotes gut health. Our gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria that play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall health.

Diet is a major modifiable factor that influences the composition of the gut microbiota. Unfortunately, the modern diet and lifestyle are major contributing factors to an imbalanced gut microbiome. On the other hand, a plant-based diet is rich in fiber and phytonutrients, which promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Biotic Ferments is a company that was built for this reason. Being a social purpose company, Biotic Ferments have taken their game to the next level by using USDA Certified Organic ingredients that are regeneratively sourced. They also use renewable sources in their production, practice zero food waste, use 70% recycled glass with BPA-free lids, and avoid using refined sugar in their products. Most importantly, they do not sacrifice taste as they believe that food should be a source of joy and satisfaction.

In this episode, Justine sits with Biotic Ferments co-founder and CEO, Ryan Johnston. Justine and Ryan discuss how to weave tradition into innovation, what regenerative agriculture means and how to practice it at home and in business, how to run a food brand that touches people, what it takes to run a family business, and the secret to creating products with better flavor and higher quality.

Meet Ryan:

Ryan is the co-founder and CEO of Biotic Brands, a family-owned social purpose beverage company. He grew up in west Sonoma County where his love for living systems had grown over the years.

Ryan also serves as the Strategic Advisor at Landscape Carbon Calculator, Orchard Manager and Cidemaker at Ethic Ciders, and the Chair of the Board of Directors at Daily Acts Organization, where he also met his lovely wife, Kellen.

When he's not working, Ryan spends his time fly fishing, backpacking, foraging, gardening, and cooking. Ryan and Kellen now live in Sebastopol.

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Episode Highlights:

01:20 Expanding KVASS

05:29 Building Relationships Around Food

09:14 What is Regenerative Agriculture

13:35 The Role of Food Brands

18:49 Passion for Flavor and Quality

25:12 Catering to People's Tastes