Podcast · Business

People of Packaging Podcast

by www.adampeek.com · English · Business

This is a podcast where we illuminate the stories of people in the packaging industry and proudly sponsored by TheLabelKing.com Hosted by the Label King of the Mountains, Adam Peek encase.substack.com

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 36 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 39 minNew

361 - Men have skin too and love good packaging design! W/ Freddie Sheridan from YCODE

First of all, before we get to the show notes, I wanted to say sorry to my amazing guest Freddie Sheridan! I thought I had published this episode a few months ago and was going through my recordings and saw that, in fact, it hadn’t been aired yet! You can time stamp the interview when we discuss the World Cup actually :) Secondly, you might notice the podcast got a small upgrade. Each episode will now have it’s own thumbnail and will have chapters so you can skip through to each chapter on Apple Podcasts On to the episode! Freddie Sheridan grew up in the family agency his parents started in…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E360 · 8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick
Ree Dolnick did not set out to leave science. She was a cancer researcher who got handed lab bars she would not eat: chalky, too sweet, and a label she could actually read. She had worked her way through school as a sous chef, so she treated the kitchen like a lab and started writing recipes in a notebook. The company name came from her daughter. Kids at daycare could not say Jessica. They called her Jekka. Ree trademarked JECA, registered the company, and then did nothing with it for six or seven months. Someone finally asked if she was going to use the trademark she had paid for. What…
21 Sep 2026 · 36 min
359 - The most interesting way AI is disrupting packaging design with Andy Kurtts from Buttermilk Creative
So normally, I would have AI create some show notes for me and just copy and paste, however this particular episode needs a special human touch. Which is ironic because myself and Andy Kurtts talk a lot about AI on this episode Spoiler alert to the episode, the most interesting component today is around the topic of agentic shoppers and designing the product packaging graphics to catch the eyes of the agents to recommend products I, personally, had never though about this idea before and was stoked when Andy brought it to my attention! Roughly 18 minutes into the episode we do a live demo…
9 Sep 2026 · 39 min
358 - Former NBA President/GM Tommy Sheppard drops some leadership NUGGETS!
Ok, I get it, this is a weird one for the People of Packaging Podcast but it’s so worth it! Tommy is a business and leadership coach with global experience leading teams and developing talent. Why wouldn’t you want to learn from him? His website is www.tommysheppard.com and his LinkedIn is another way to connect Here are some show notes! In this crossover episode for the People of Packaging and Utah HS Hoops podcasts, Adam Peek sits down with veteran sports executive Tommy Sheppard to discuss servant leadership, building relational equity, and navigating a career in an NBA front office. The…
24 Aug 2026 · 35 min
357 - Dustin Steerman is putting Vert on the map and changing how packaging is bought
Welcome to another exciting episode of the People of Packaging podcast! Host Adam Peek is back at it, coming to you live from the Label King studios. In this episode, Adam sits down with Dustin Steerman, founder and CEO of Vert. Dustin shares his journey through the packaging world—from paper and labels to digital flex pack—and breaks down how he is building a 35,000-square-foot powerhouse facility in Longmont, Colorado. Key Discussion Points: * Industry Origins: Growing up around paper mills, early Philly roots, and leaving Philadelphia sports fandom on a high note after the Eagles’ Super…
17 Aug 2026 · 38 min
356 - A very bubbly interview with fellow CSU Ram and Bom Dia founder, Kevin Selvy
Welcome to another exciting episode of the People of Packaging Podcast! Adam Peek sits down with Kevin Selvy, Founder and CEO of Bôm Dia, to unpack the wild, 3.5-year journey of bringing Brazilian sparkling wine to North America in both screen-printed bottles and portable cans. Bom Dia’s packaging design is almost as good as the sparkling wine! Key Takeaways & Highlights * From Finance to Fermentation: How Kevin transitioned from stock trading in Europe to brewing, winemaking, and mastering beverage packaging. * The “Two Hardest Things”: Why carbonation and cardboard are hands-down the…
9 Aug 2026 · 32 min
355 - Shark Tank Alum Olivia Abrams from Tick Mitt!
In this episode of the People of Packaging Podcast , Adam Peek sits down with Olivia Abrams, CEO and Co-Founder of TickMitt, to chat about turning personal adversity into an innovative, life-saving product line! 🧤🕷️ Episode Overview After contracting Lyme disease on her family’s hay farm in New York, Olivia teamed up with her dad, Steve, to create TickMitt—a chemical-free fabric mitten designed to swipe ticks right off skin, clothes, and pet fur before they bite. They later expanded with the Tick Sidekick, built a raving customer base, braved the waters of Shark Tank , and mastered the…
22 Jul 2026 · 48 min
354 - Beyond the dieline with the incomparable Jake Karls from Mid-Day Squares
Beyond the Die Line: Unfiltered Founder Life, Building a Brand Empire, and No-Bread PB&Js with Jake Karls 🍫🚀 Welcome back to Beyond the Die Line , hosted by Tom Seymour from Bison Bag! In this high-energy episode, Tom sits down with the wild, authentic, and unstoppable Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares. Jake gives an unfiltered look at what it really takes to build a disruptive CPG empire alongside his sister and brother-in-law. From hand-making chocolate bars in a condo kitchen from 5 AM to 5 PM, to getting rejected by 26 co-manufacturers, to building their own manufacturing…
14 Jul 2026 · 39 min
353 - Adam Page and Adam Peek discuss Packaging Market Trends!
Episode Summary In this episode of the People of Packaging Podcast , host Adam Peek sits down with Adam Page, VP of Reports at Smithers , to dive deep into the world of packaging market research. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Adam Page shares valuable insights on why true market intelligence requires human expertise, the limitations of relying solely on AI, and how rapid changes in e-commerce and sustainability regulations are reshaping the packaging landscape. Key Takeaways & Timestamps * 01:40 – Global Footprint: Discover where Smithers is located—spanning London, Akron…
22 Jun 2026 · 36 min
352 - Are you ready to see the next revolution in packaging testing?!? Ankit Dhawan from Blue-Pill.ai
Welcome to another episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, recorded live right here at the Label King Studios in Salt Lake City. I am your host, Adam Peek, and today we are diving deep into the future of packaging design, consumer psychology, and artificial intelligence. Our guest today is Ankit Dhawan, the founder of Bluepill.ai. Ankit has an incredible background, moving from India to the United States to complete his masters at Cornell before leading product for the global marketing team at Amazon. With over seven years of deep experience in AI, Ankit is solving one of the most…
15 Jun 2026 · 27 min
351 - The best RTD innovation I've seen in packaging! 2 cans with Tatiana Chamorro from Toucan
Hey packaging people! I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to just completely packaging-nerd out on an episode! Today, I am honored and blessed to be joined by Tatiana Chamorro, the CMO and founding team member of Toucan Cocktails. Not only is she a seasoned marketing pro and entrepreneur, but she’s also a fellow podcast host! In this episode, we dive deep into some of the most innovative packaging I have ever seen in my life. The ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail industry has been exploding, but Toucan Cocktails realized a huge problem: pre-mixed drinks sitting on a shelf lose their magic…
27 May 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
350 - Beyond the Dieline - Dr Juan from PNuff Crunch joins Tom Seymour
Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Dieine, hosted by Tom Seymour from Bison Bag! In this episode, Tom sits down with his close friend Dr. Juan Salinas, a doctor of food science, master of sports nutrition, competitive bodybuilder, and the brilliant founder of Pnuff Crunch. Juan shares his incredible journey from engineering to formulating iconic snacks for global CPG giants, before taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. He drops absolute gold on the realities of scaling a food brand, navigating the treacherous waters of packaging inventory, and what really happens when you rip…
18 May 2026 · 36 min
349 - Why all your UPC barcodes might be going away soon! Ned Mears from GS1
DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE GS1 CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS, JUNE 9-11 . Register by clicking the link! Get out your glasses, packaging nerds! 🤓 In this episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, host Adam Peek sits down with Ned Mears, Senior Director of Global Standards at GS1 US. They dive deep into the massive industry shift from traditional 1D barcodes to multi-dimensional 2D barcodes—coined “Sunrise 2027.” Ned shares his incredible journey from an RFID subject matter expert to leading the charge on modern product identification. Learn how adding dynamic data elements, like expiration dates,…
7 May 2026 · 29 min
348 - Cracking the Code of Label Compliance with Lauren Rockteacher
Ever wonder why that protein shake has a “Supplement Facts” panel instead of “Nutrition Facts”? Or why your favorite craft soda’s label layout looks a very specific way? It is not just design—it is federal law. In this episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, Adam Peek sits down with Lauren Rockteacher, the founder and principal reviewer at Proof and Panel. With a background in food science and regulatory affairs, Lauren is the “label whisperer” that brands call before they hit the shelves. We dive into the high-stakes world of regulatory compliance, exploring why a beautiful design does…
1 May 2026 · 35 min
347 - Get a $1 Million investment with www.grow-ny.com
Episode Title : Grow-NY with Jenn Smith Host : Adam Peek Guest : Jenn Smith, Director of Food and Ag Innovation Programs at Cornell University and Director of Grow-NY Summary : In this episode, Adam sits down with the multi-titled Jenn Smith to talk about all things food, agriculture, and innovation in Upstate New York. Jenn dives into the Grow-NY competition, a $3 million business competition that draws startups from around the world to compete for top prizes—including a whopping $1 million! They chat about the importance of sustainability, the circular economy, and how even packaging…
28 Apr 2026 · 29 min
346 - Sistine Spritz packaging aesthetic is unreal! w/ founder Kate McLamb and Lauren Alexander
In this episode of the People of Packaging podcast, Adam Peek sits down with Kate McLamb and Lauren Alexander , the visionary co-founders of Sistine Spritz . They dive deep into how they built a brand that’s about much more than just a drink—it’s about “romantic rebellion,” community, and intentional design. The Vision Behind the Spritz 🎨 Kate and Lauren didn’t just set out to make another beverage; they wanted to create an entire world. Drawing from Lauren’s 20-year bac kground in apparel design and Kate’s experience in video production and business development, they approached the brand…
17 Apr 2026 · 59 min
345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough
Show Notes: Beyond the Dieline with Keith McCullough In this episode of Beyond the Dieline , host Tom Seymour sits down with Keith McCullough, the founder of Junebar , to discuss his fascinating pivot from a 20-year career in video game development to the world of CPG 🎮➡️🍏. Keith shares the “level-up” moments and the glitches he faced while building a brand focused on clean, fiber-rich, and functional nutrition. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * The Pivot to CPG: How Keith transitioned from leading a 50-person gaming studio to founding a plant-based snack brand. * Transferable Skills: Why…
6 Apr 2026 · 20 min
344 - CERM user group with Trent Bremer from Grand Rapids Label
This week on People of Packaging , we’re coming to you from the CERM User Group in Dallas, Texas! 🤠 I’m sitting down with Trent Bremer , the VP of Operations & Finance at Grand Rapids Label . Trent isn’t just a numbers guy; he’s helping steer a company that’s been around for a staggering 142 years . We dive into what it’s like to maintain a family legacy that is now entering its 5th generation —a feat that less than 1% of family businesses ever achieve! 🚀 In this episode, we discuss: * The 142-Year Legacy: How Grand Rapids Label evolved from printing Harry Houdini posters to becoming a…
17 Mar 2026 · 28 min
343 - Returning guest, Manya Rubinstein on her new BIG venture!
I had such a blast recording this episode. It’s not every day you get to talk about a brand that is both deeply committed to the planet and also named… well, Big Dick’s Banana Whiskey . I’m joined by a repeat guest, the brilliant Manya Rubinstein , CEO of Isco Spirits and Providence Distilling . If you missed our first conversation back in 2024, go check out Episode 295 . But today, we’re talking about Isco’s “naughty little sibling” brand. 🎧 Episode Summary Manya joins me from Rhode Island to pull the curtain back on one of the most playful (and provocative) launches in the spirits world.…
9 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
342 - Beyond the Dieline with Tom Seymour - Episode 2 with Benita Kasbo from Kasbo's Market
Note from Adam - This episode was prerecorded on January 26, 2026 as noted with the conversation about the snow storm. A lot as happened in the Middle East since this recording. There are some very powerful segments like this one about the importance Benita places on bridging cultural and political differences around the table: Enjoy the episode! 🧀 Beyond the Dieline Ep. 2: From Pharma Sales to Syrian Cheese Pioneer What happens when a global pandemic shuts down your career in pharmaceutical sales? If you’re Benita Kasbo , you don’t just pivot—you preserve a culture. In this episode of…
20 Feb 2026 · 31 min
341 - 2 Kings talk about "people-ing", data, and Compton High
It was a blast having the “MIS King” himself, Esteban Garcia from CERM , in the studio! We dove deep into the belly of the beast: MIS implementation. If you’ve ever switched software, you know it’s not just “plug and play”—it’s a journey. Here are the highlights and key takeaways from our conversation: 🎙️ Key Takeaways from the CERM On-Site Session * Why CERM? It wasn’t about the sales pitch. It was about the roadmap. Most fast-growing, successful label companies in the US are using CERM, and their testimonials spoke louder than any brochure. * The “Why” Matters: Implementing a new system is…
18 Feb 2026 · 38 min
340 - Perro Verde Mezcal Packaging is muy interesante! Special bi-lingual episode
It was a total blast recording this episode with Evelio Mattos and the incredible founders of Perro Verde Mezcal , Juan Santiago Rodriguez and Mariana Carvajal . This wasn’t just a conversation about spirits; it was a masterclass in how brand story, heritage, and “un-compromised” design come together to create something truly rare—or as they say in Spanish, a Perro Verde . 🎧 Episode Summary In our first-ever bilingual episode, we bridge the gap between the traditional palenques of Oaxaca and the luxury spirit market in the U.S. Juan and Mariana share their journey from the worlds of CPG and…
5 Feb 2026 · 46 min
339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!
Hey, packaging fam! Adam Peek! I just had a total “fanboy” moment listening back to this conversation between my good friend Tom Seymour and the absolute powerhouse that is Jessica Kwong. If you aren’t following Jessica yet, fix that immediately. She’s a Cornell food scientist turned founder who is literally redefining what’s possible in the CPG space with Jack & Friends Jerky and Moka Energy . Tom and Jessica go deep on the “behind the scenes” of the founder journey—the stuff that isn’t always pretty but is totally necessary. Check out the show notes below for the highlights! Episode…
2 Feb 2026 · 41 min
MCC, Chapter 11, and what it might all mean
🎙️ Show Notes: The “Prepackaged” Truth Behind the MCC Bankruptcy What is going on, everybody! Welcome back to the People of Packaging. Today, we’re digging into the weeds of one of the biggest stories in the industry right now: the Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) Chapter 11 filing. Last week, I made a post that stirred up a bit of a hornet’s nest. I got a lot of “Adam, you didn’t do your research” comments regarding what a “prepackaged” bankruptcy actually is. Well, friends, I did the research. I went through the 241-page court filing on my own and used AI to help as well. Both resources are…
19 Jan 2026 · 18 min
337 - Rooting yourself in truth - part 1 of Sales Exegesis
People of Packaging Podcast: Rooting Your Sales Journey in Truth In this episode, host Adam Peek takes us on a deep dive into his new book, Sales Exegesis: A Pastor’s Journey into Packaging Sales . Drawing from his unique background as a pastor and his decade-plus career in the packaging industry, Adam explores why so many sales professionals feel disconnected from their work and how to find dignity and integrity in the sales process. Key Discussion Points: * The Dignity of Sales: Adam discusses how the “manipulative salesperson” stereotype has stripped the dignity from the profession. He…
15 Jan 2026 · 31 min
336 - Tom Seymour drops in AND he's our first new mini series host (Beyond the Dieline...coming soon)!
Guest: Tom Seymour, CPP, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Bison Bag & Founder of Moka Energy Host: Adam Peek Episode Overview In this intro to Tom Seymour, new host of the “Beyond the Die Line” series, Adam Peek sits down with Tom Seymour to discuss the human side of the packaging industry. Tom shares his journey from a “C-student” football player to a certified packaging professional, his philosophy on servant leadership, and the exciting launch of his new venture, Moka Energy. Key Takeaways * The Power of Partnership: Tom emphasizes that 75% of his day involves solving…
6 Jan 2026 · 28 min
335 - How Wims! packaging helps people to snap, squeeze, and stir their way to health and joy
The People of Packaging: How Wims! is Changing the Game In this episode of The People of Packaging , host Adam Peek sits down with Lauren Miller , co-founder of Wims! , to discuss their innovative approach to beverage packaging and the cannabis industry. Lauren shares the fascinating story of Wims!, from its family roots in North Carolina to its unique portable packaging solution. One note, they discuss an amazing Dry January advent calendar since this was recorded in November…it’s not too late to get one! www.wims.world Inside the Episode: * The Origins of Wims!: Wims! is a family-owned…
23 Dec 2025 · 50 min
334 - Sabrina Clebnik is pioneering an incredible cannabis brand in Clebby's and the packaging is exquisite!
🍪 Episode Highlights: From Dorm Room to the “Diner-Retro” Shelf Sabrina Clebnik isn’t just baking brownies; she’s re-engineering the entire consumer experience in the cannabis space. In this episode, we dive into how she turned a college pivot into Clebby’s , a brand that’s solving the two biggest headaches in edibles: predictability and shelf-life . 🛠 The “A-Ha” Moment: The Kit Strategy Sabrina realized that shipping fresh-baked edibles is a logistical nightmare (mold, staleness, regulations—oh my!). Her solution? Don’t ship the brownie; ship the kit. * The Secret Sauce: By separating the…
18 Dec 2025 · 31 min
333 - The Chasm is Real: Dragging Packaging into the 21st Century with Jamie Lo from Laibl
Hey everybody! Welcome back to another rad-tastic episode of the People of Packaging podcast. Today, I’m sitting down with Jamie Lo, the co-founder and CEO of Laibl . We’re diving deep into the massive “chasm” that exists between legacy packaging manufacturers and the modern brands who need them. If you’ve ever felt like procurement is a slow-moving dinosaur, this episode is for you. Jamie is building a platform that doesn’t just match brands with suppliers—it uses AI to fix the broken behaviors that have been holding our industry back for decades. 🎧 In this episode, we talk about: * The…
11 Dec 2025 · 28 min
332 - AI, "Augmented Intuition," and the Future of Packaging w/ Xavier Joseph from Aptar
Before we get to the show notes, please go pick up a copy of my new book, Sales Exegesis, available on paperback and Kindle TODAY! 🤖 AI, “Augmented Intuition,” and the Future of Packaging w/ Xavier Joseph Hello everybody! Welcome to another episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, coming to you live from the Label Kingdom! 🦆👑 Today, we are doing something a little different. Instead of just talking shop, we are tackling the Top Questions Asked on Google about AI and Packaging. To help me answer these, I’m joined by a true heavyweight in the industry: Xavier Joseph , the VP of Global…

About People of Packaging Podcast

People of Packaging Podcast is a English business podcast from www.adampeek.com. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: www.adampeek.com
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 36 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1466640620
Rights: Adam Peek

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