Jeff Shardell: Founder & CEO of Humble Brands
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jeff Shardell, Founder and CEO of Humble Brands—the clean personal care brand that’s redefining what “natural” can (and should) be. From deodorants that actually work to sustainability initiatives that go far beyond the label, Jeff has built Humble into a trusted name at Whole Foods, Erewhon, and thousands of other retailers across the country.
Before founding Humble, Jeff was a Silicon Valley veteran—part of the early team at Google and co-founder of Gloss.com, which sold to Estée Lauder. But it was a radically different chapter of life that sparked the idea for Humble: a decade spent storm chasing and reconnecting with the basics. That journey led him to start making clean, effective deodorant out of his kitchen—and the rest is history.
We talk about why Jeff left tech to start over, what it really takes to build a brand from scratch in the crowded wellness space, and how a simple formula with four ingredients launched a national movement. He shares how Humble has grown thoughtfully—without compromising quality, values, or his own vision of what health should look like.
If you care about clean living, purpose-driven business, or the wild twists that can lead to a breakout brand—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show.
Monica Rich Kosann: Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Monica Rich Kosann
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Monica Rich Kosann, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of her namesake jewelry brand, Monica Rich Kosann—a luxury brand known for creating jewelry that empowers women to tell their stories. What began with vintage lockets and antique cigarette cases has grown into a collection carried in over 150 stores across the country, including Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, and beloved by celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift.
In our conversation, Monica shares her journey from being a sought-after portrait photographer to building one of the first luxury jewelry brands to achieve B Corp certification. We dive into the inspiration behind her iconic modern lockets, how she scaled a purpose-driven company, and why sustainability, craftsmanship, and storytelling are at the core of her business. Monica also shares what it’s like working alongside her husband, building a legacy brand, and empowering customers through meaningful design.
If you’re interested in creative entrepreneurship, sustainable luxury, or how one woman turned her passion into a purpose-filled business, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
David Wolfe & Jamie Diamonstein: Co-Founders of Tiami
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by David Wolfe and Jamie Diamonstein, the powerhouse duo behind Tiami Sleep—a new luxury mattress brand redefining what great sleep really feels like. With over 60 years of combined experience, including co-founding Leesa Sleep and helping pioneer the direct-to-consumer model in the sleep category, these two know a thing or two about building brands that resonate.
David and Jamie share the story behind Tiami’s launch—including their bold decision to offer just one perfected mattress, and why simplicity, performance, and design are at the heart of everything they do. With a strategic partnership with Design Within Reach, Tiami is already making waves in the luxury space. We talk about what it means to evolve (not just disrupt), how they cracked the code on making a mattress that works for every sleeper, and the big lessons they’ve learned from building brands with staying power. They also dive into their mission to support sleep equity and mental health, how they’re approaching growth differently this time, and what “luxury” really means in a world full of noise.
If you’re building a brand, care about sleep, or just want to hear from two founders who’ve done the work—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show.
Jeff Mahony: CEO of NEFT Vodka
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jeff Mahony, CEO of NEFT Vodka. Known for its ultra-smooth taste, clean ingredients, and bold barrel packaging, NEFT is shaking up the spirits world—earning global recognition and redefining what premium vodka can be.
In our conversation, Jeff shares how he took the reins of NEFT and helped evolve it into a purpose-driven, design-forward brand with a loyal following. We dive into what makes NEFT different in a saturated market, the power of storytelling in spirits, and why sustainability and simplicity sit at the heart of everything NEFT does. Jeff also talks about building a team, disrupting legacy categories, and how to make a product that’s both award-winning and sippable.
Whether you’re a vodka lover, an entrepreneur, or someone curious about how to lead with both innovation and intention—this episode is full of wisdom and takeaways. Tune in to hear how Jeff is building something unforgettable with NEFT. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
Kerry Docherty: Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer of Faherty
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kerry Docherty, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Faherty—the family-owned, American fashion and lifestyle brand redefining what it means to scale with purpose. Known for its surf-inspired aesthetic and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Faherty has grown into a profitable 9-figure business with over 75 stores nationwide and a passionate, loyal customer base.
In our conversation, Kerry shares how she and her co-founders set out to build a brand that challenged the norms of the fashion industry. With a background in law and human rights, she brings a unique lens to what it means to lead with intention—launching initiatives like Faherty’s Native Partnership Program, steering the company to B Corp certification, and ensuring impact and integrity are built into every decision.
We talk about how to create authentic partnerships, how to stay mission-forward as you scale, and what it really takes to build a brand customers trust—without compromising on values. If you’re interested in ethical business, sustainability, or how to lead with both heart and results, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
Randy Goldberg: Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer of Bombas
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Randy Goldberg, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Bombas—the mission-driven comfort brand best known for its ultra-comfortable socks, underwear, and t-shirts, and for donating one item for every item purchased. Since launching in 2013, Bombas has donated over 150 million items to those in need through partnerships with more than 3,500 community organizations.
In our conversation, Randy shares the early days of building Bombas—from discovering that socks were the most requested item in homeless shelters to creating a business that scaled profit and purpose. We talk about how he and Co-Founder Dave Heath designed a better sock, got a deal on Shark Tank, built a standout brand in a crowded space, and stayed true to their mission through every stage of growth. He also opens up about creative leadership, the power of empathy in business, and the infrastructure it takes to scale giving at a national level.
If you’re interested in building a brand with heart, rethinking how business can serve communities, or hearing what it looks like to grow with integrity—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
Carly Zakin & Danielle Weisberg: Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of theSkimm
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of theSkimm—the powerhouse digital media brand giving women the tools to navigate life’s most important decisions. What began as a single daily email has evolved into a platform reaching over 16 million people, delivering smart, nonpartisan content on everything from politics to personal finance.
In our conversation, Carly and Danielle share how they’ve grown theSkimm from a newsletter launched from their couch into a trusted media company, how they lead as co-CEOs, and why their mission to empower women through information has never been more important. We dive into the evolution of their business model, how they stay relevant in a constantly shifting media landscape, and the hard lessons learned over a decade of building together.
Whether you’re thinking about launching something bold, leading with a mission, or curious about how to build lasting connection with your audience—this episode is full of insights you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
Christoph Frehsee: President of tonies USA
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Christoph Frehsee, President and Managing Director of tonies USA—the company behind the wildly popular screen-free audio system for kids, the Toniebox. With more than 7 million Tonieboxes and 100 million Tonies sold globally, tonies is transforming how young children play, learn, and engage—without a screen in sight.
Christoph joined the company with a background in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and global impact, and is now helping tonies scale rapidly in the U.S. market. In our conversation, we talk about the power of audio storytelling in a tech-saturated world, what it means to build a kid-first brand, and how tonies is building emotional connection with families at every level. Christoph also shares his early impression of the Toniebox, why he believes screen-free innovation is the future, and what’s next for the company as it continues to grow its presence in retail, licensing, and original content.
If you’re interested in building a product that kids and parents love—or hearing from a leader who’s helping reshape the future of children’s media—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.
Jessica Sturzenegger: Founder & CEO of Amara
On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Jess Sturzenegger, Founder and CEO of Amara, a baby and kids food company redefining what healthy really means. With a commitment to clean-label ingredients, no added sugar, and nutrient-packed options that actually taste great, Amara is winning over both parents and retailers—and standing out in a crowded category.
Jess shares how Amara went from concept to shelf, the challenges and wins of scaling a CPG brand in today’s market, and the surprising ways freediving taught her the resilience and mindset needed to lead. This episode is packed with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone passionate about building purpose-driven brands. Don’t miss it!
Julie Wainwright: Author of Time To Get Real
On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Julie Wainwright, entrepreneur, e-commerce pioneer, and author of the powerful upcoming book TIME TO GET REAL: How I Built a Billion-Dollar Business that Rocked the Fashion Industry. Julie is the founder of The RealReal, the billion-dollar luxury resale company she took public, and she’s currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Ahara, a precision nutrition company redefining wellness through personalization.
In our conversation, Julie gets real about what it truly takes to build and scale a mission-driven company, the emotional and financial toll of going public, and the often-ignored power moves founders—especially women—need to master. We talk about bouncing back from failure, fundraising in a male-dominated venture world, the media scrutiny she faced at The RealReal, and why building generational wealth requires owning more than just a big vision.
Julie also shares how her new company Ahara is harnessing science to personalize nutrition, what she’s doing differently this time around, and why her book is a must-read survival guide for founders who want to win without losing themselves.
Whether you’re launching your next big thing, navigating your first exit, or just want the unfiltered truth from someone who’s been there—this episode is not to be missed. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.