Martha Barra: Owner of Barra of Mendocino

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Martha Barra, Owner of Barra of Mendocino and Redwood Valley Cellars—a pioneer in organic winemaking with a story that spans decades of grit, growth, and unwavering values. Alongside her late husband, Charlie Barra, Martha helped turn a single vineyard into a thriving, vertically integrated wine business with more than 350 acres of certified organic grapes, two acclaimed wine brands (BARRA of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards), and a 2.8 million gallon custom crush facility serving wineries across Northern California.
In our conversation, Martha shares what it’s really taken to lead in a legacy industry, the early decision to farm organically before it was popular—or even profitable—and how she’s weathered market shifts, changing consumer expectations, and personal loss to keep the business thriving. We dive into the value of patience, the hard truths about the organic wine market, and how Martha continues to innovate while staying rooted in tradition. If you’ve ever wondered what resilience, vision, and leadership look like over the long haul—this one’s for you.
Whether you’re in the food and beverage world, building a family-run business, or just love hearing from leaders who’ve done the work for decades—this episode is full of timeless insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Michael Jacobson: CEO of French Florist

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist—the Los Angeles-based floral brand that has transformed from a single struggling shop into a $9.5M+ powerhouse poised for national franchise expansion. Michael is on a mission to disrupt the floral industry with a blend of creativity, operational excellence, and a commitment to customer experience.
In our conversation, Michael shares what it took to transform French Florist, from the unsexy but critical work behind the scenes to building a brand that puts feelings and customer experience first. We dive into the systems and mindset shifts needed to scale a family business, the power of storytelling in a traditional industry, and why focusing on values before revenue has driven French Florist’s success.
Whether you’re a founder looking to reinvent a legacy business, a brand builder wanting to understand operational excellence with heart, or someone who loves hearing about bold transformations—this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Daryl-Ann Denner: Co-Founder & Creative Director of nuuds

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Daryl-Ann Denner, Co-Founder and Creative Director of nuuds—the elevated basics brand redefining what comfort and confidence look like. From high school chemistry teacher to influencer to nine-figure founder, Daryl-Ann’s story is a masterclass in listening to your audience, trusting your gut, and building something that truly fits.
We dive into her journey from fashion blogger to CEO, how she built a loyal community of over two million followers, and why she created nuuds to offer high-quality, flattering staples for real bodies—not fit models. Daryl-Ann shares what it was like launching a brand as a mom of three, the product development lessons she learned the hard way, and what it takes to scale a business with heart and intention.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creator looking to launch a brand, or someone curious about what it really takes to build trust and community at scale—this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.
Now live on The Kara Goldin Show!

Sameer Mehta: Co-Founder & CEO of Smash Kitchen

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sameer Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Smash Kitchen—the bold, better-for-you pantry brand on a mission to clean up the condiment aisle. Alongside his co-founders, Sameer is bringing flavor, fun, and function to everyday staples with organic, non-GMO ingredients and serious brand attitude.
In our conversation, Sameer shares how his experience helping launch Casper and co-founding the pet brand Jinx shaped his journey into food. We dive into how this unlikely trio came together, why they chose condiments as their entry point, and what it takes to build a brand that disrupts legacy categories while staying mission-aligned. From storytelling and design to authenticity and clean ingredients, Sameer offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand that’s as craveable as it is purpose-driven.
Whether you’re a food lover, a brand builder, or someone curious about reimagining everyday essentials—this episode is packed with flavor and insight. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Tapasya Bali: Founder & CEO of 100 Cal Snacks

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Tapasya Bali, Founder and CEO of 100 Cal Snacks—a functional food brand redefining what it means to snack with purpose. After a successful career on Wall Street and a personal health crisis fueled by stress and burnout, Tapasya made a powerful pivot. She created 100 Cal Snacks to offer portion-controlled, gut-friendly products designed to support the gut-brain connection and promote real, lasting wellness.
With a background in wellness entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others heal through food, Tapasya shares the story behind the brand, how she’s combining adaptogens with real ingredients, and what makes her approach different from so many “better-for-you” snacks on the shelf. We dive into how she’s building with both science and soul, and why 100 Cal Snacks is about more than just calories—it’s about empowerment.
If you’re interested in functional food, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, or transforming a personal challenge into a greater mission, this episode is for you. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Maria Weaver: Founder & CEO of XO Maria Louise

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Maria Weaver, Founder and CEO of XO Maria Louise—a bold new jewelry brand rooted in the power of reinvention, intention, and individuality. After an impressive 30-year career leading media, entertainment, and tech giants including HBO, Showtime, and Warner Music Experience—where she doubled revenue during her tenure as Global President—Maria made the courageous leap into entrepreneurship.
In our conversation, Maria shares why she walked away from the corporate world at the height of her career to build something deeply personal. We explore the philosophy behind XO Maria Louise, how she turned life’s pivots into fuel, and why she believes starting over is a superpower. Maria also discusses the mindset shifts that guided her transition, the importance of legacy and community, and how her brand is creating space for women to express themselves unapologetically.
If you’re navigating a transition, building a values-led brand, or simply love stories of bold reinvention—this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Kegan Fisher: Co-Founder & CEO of Frank Darling

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kegan Fisher, Co-Founder and CEO of Frank Darling—the fine jewelry brand reimagining the engagement ring experience with modern design, ethical sourcing, and custom craftsmanship. What began in a Brooklyn apartment in 2017 has grown into a nationally recognized brand with showrooms across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—and even more to come.
In our conversation, Kegan shares how her background in industrial design and advanced manufacturing helped shape Frank Darling’s signature customer-first experience. From digital ring quizzes and try-at-home kits to one-on-one design consultations and local artisan craftsmanship, Frank Darling makes designing your dream ring seamless, personal, and transparent. We also dive into how the brand is expanding into other fine jewelry categories, why ethical sourcing and local production matter more than ever, and what it takes to innovate in a legacy-driven industry.
If you’re into entrepreneurship, the future of retail, or just love hearing how great brands are built—this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Heather Terry: Founder & CEO of GoodSAM Foods

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Heather Terry, Founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods—the farmer-first snack brand flipping the traditional CPG playbook on its head. With a just-closed $9 million Series A, raised primarily from Latin American investors who understand regenerative agriculture, Heather is proving that it’s possible to scale a values-driven business without compromising your mission.
In our conversation, Heather shares the lessons she learned the hard way about taking misaligned money—and why she’d rather go out of business than do it again. We dive into how she brought investors to the farms to meet smallholder growers face-to-face, why most food investors are missing the point, and how GoodSAM is creating a new model that’s good for people, good for farmers, and good for the planet. From fundraising and transparency to supply chain transformation and climate action, Heather offers a powerful look at what it takes to build a regenerative brand that lasts.
Whether you’re a founder raising capital, a food industry insider, or someone who cares about building a better food system—this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Michael Fedele: Founder & CEO of Throne SPORT COFFEE

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Michael Fedele, Founder and CEO of Throne SPORT COFFEE, a bold new player redefining the future of functional coffee. After helping take BODYARMOR from a $1M brand to over $1B in retail sales, Michael is back to disrupt another category—this time, merging performance, recovery, and caffeine in a way that’s never been done before.
Michael shares the story behind Throne SPORT COFFEE, how he teamed up with superstar Patrick Mahomes, and what it takes to build trust, scale a brand, and win shelf space in today’s crowded beverage landscape. From lessons learned at BODYARMOR to the rise of better-for-you drinks and building around athlete authenticity, this episode is packed with takeaways for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and anyone chasing big, bold ideas.
Don’t miss it!

Martin Reeves: Author of LIKE: The Button That Changed the World

Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Kara Goldin Show! Today’s guest is someone who literally wrote the book on how one tiny-ass button changed the whole damn world. I’m joined by Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of LIKE: The Button That Changed the World.
You’ve tapped it. You’ve chased it. You’ve felt the dopamine hit. But what’s the real story behind the “like” button? In this episode, Martin and I dive deep into the origins of the iconic thumbs-up, how it became the foundation of today’s attention economy, and the unexpected ripple effects it’s had on business, mental health, and even artificial intelligence. We talk about how this seemingly simple feature changed the way we measure validation, shaped entire industries, and taught us what not to overlook when launching innovation in a tech-saturated world.
If you’re curious about the intersection of psychology, business, and technology—and how small signals can drive massive behavior—you won’t want to miss this one. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.