Best Botanica Podcasts (2024)

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EP228. Beauty: vanity or important? 7:03

1h ago7:03

7:03

Are you tired of being bombarded by unrealistic beauty industry standards and wondering if all your beauty products are truly necessary? If so, this episode is for you. In this week's opinion piece, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist and CEO of Formula Botanica tackles the age-old question: is beauty merely vanity, or is it g…

1
LA earns 5 new Michelin stars. Plus, Tim Walz is a foodie, Pete Wells yells at clouds, and Part 2 of our interview with Botanica's Heather Sperling. 1:51:08

7d ago1:51:08

1:51:08

Michelin held its 2024 California Guide Ceremony earlier this week, and it’s fair to say that LA restaurants fared rather well. Jordan Kahn’s Vespertine earned back its 2 stars, Holbox, Uka and Meteora earned their first, and LA also dominated the list of new Bib Gourmands. But, like I ask my therapist on a weekly basis, what does it all mean? Fath…

1
The best tacos in LA, work-life balance in fine dining, and postmodern beer with LAist's Gab Chabran. Plus, how Snibbs' Daniel Shemtob developed the perfect shoe for chefs. 1:39:11

1h ago1:39:11

1:39:11

Today on the LA Food Podcast, is work/life balance possible in fine dining? What the heck is postmodern craft beer? And why should Angelenos care about the passing of Famous Amos founder Wally Amos? James Beard-nominated reporter Gab Chabran is with us today to explore all of these topics, and to tell us why he believes the city’s best tacos are in…

1
Episode 45: Latinx Beauty Influencing, Embracing Curly Hair and Building an Agency in NYC with Danielle Alvarez from The Bonita Project 24:57

7d ago24:57

24:57

Today, host Chef Carla Contreras is joined by Danielle Alvarez, the Founder of The Bonita Project, to discuss work-life balance for creative entrepreneurs, how she established her beauty PR business, and The Bonita Project’s initiatives for emerging Latina and BIPOC influencers. As the founder of a Latina-owned PR and marketing agency based in New …

1
EP227. Is the beauty industry all just fluff? 31:22

6h ago31:22

31:22

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, welcomes Erika Geraerts, founder of Fluff Casual Cosmetics, to explore the concept of intentional beauty and its transformative potential within the beauty industry. Erika Geraerts has redefined what it means to be a beauty brand with Fluff Casual Cosmetics.…

1
Is Bill Esparza revolutionizing food criticism? Plus, a Bourdain biopic, the rise of restaurant robots, and a beefy interview with First Light Farms' Jason Ross. 1:38:56

11h ago1:38:56

1:38:56

Today on the LA Food Podcast, is Bill Esparza revolutionizing the restaurant review or is he merely feeding his ego? There’s an Anthony Bourdain biopic in the works, a New York Times article on whether the robots are ready to run restaurants, and a lightning round of bad idea / horrible idea featuring ice cream flavored water and and a Bon Appetit …

1
EP226. The latest in beauty greenwashing: "recycle ready" 7:05

5d ago7:05

7:05

Have you ever wondered what “recycle-ready” means when it comes to cosmetic packaging? Brace yourself, because this term might surprise you. “Recycle-ready” refers to packaging designed for future recycling systems that don’t yet exist. Essentially, brands are claiming eco-friendliness by betting on future infrastructure improvements, not current c…

1
EP225. Can cosmetic packaging be sustainable? 31:19

5d ago31:19

31:19

As the beauty industry grapples with its environmental impact, the question on everyone's mind is: can cosmetic packaging be sustainable? Anyone looking into plastic packaging will be familiar with the sea of acronyms used for plastics: PET, PE, PP, HDPE. What do these acronyms mean? And which materials should beauty brands use when choosing packag…

1
The gourmand's guide to visiting (or hosting visitors in) LA. Plus, Botanica's Heather Sperling on her unique journey and the state of food media. 1:48:34

27d ago1:48:34

1:48:34

We’re joined on the pod today by none other than Father Sal. As you know, dear listener, Father Sal doesn’t actually live in Los Angeles, but when he does visit our city, which happens often, he always comes prepared with the most thorough itineraries humankind has ever seen. If planning were an Olympic sport, Father Sal would take home gold, silve…

1
EP224. The latest in beauty industry greenwashing: when brands call their products "more" sustainable 6:34

12d ago6:34

6:34

If a cosmetic product isn't sustainable in the first place, how can it suddenly become 'more' sustainable when a brand makes an improvement? The language used by beauty brands in relation to sustainability can be problematic. Last week, we interviewed Nishit Dedhia of KAIN Cosmeceuticals about the eco-designed manufacturing plant he runs in Mumbai,…

1
Hot girls eat pickles, with Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar of Good Girl Snacks. Plus, it's rainin' taco guides as we pick up the pieces of the Esparza-Villa's fallout. 1:32:16

19d ago1:32:16

1:32:16

We’re joined today by Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar, the co-founders of Good Girl Snacks, a company you might be familiar with if you’ve come across their viral Hot Girl Pickles on your social media feed. Yasaman and Leah join us to share their story of ditching their day jobs as recent grads to start a pickle company with a Gen Z twist. We’re a…

1
EP223. How a Mumbai factory is setting new eco-design standards in cosmetic manufacturing 35:03

1M ago35:03

35:03

Have you ever wondered where your favourite beauty products are made? We spend a lot of time worrying about the provenance of our ingredients, but we never discuss the manufacturing facilities where cosmetics are produced. What are these buildings like? Are they created with eco-design principles in mind? How do they handle waste or water managemen…

1
Dr. G's Top 10 Books 27:15

1M ago27:15

27:15

In this final episode of season 1, Dr. Guerra offers a list of her top 10 books. Cheers to summer reading...Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram. Follow @goldhoops_god https://www.i…

1
Bill Esparza vs. Villa's Tacos. Plus, why New Zealand real fruit ice cream is the sweet treat of the summer. With Creamy Boys' Duncan Parsons and Joe Wedd. 1:41:14

25d ago1:41:14

1:41:14

This week, legendary LA food writer Bill Esparza made waves when he dropped a scathing review of Villa’s Tacos on his Instagram stories. The review had been building for weeks, if not more than a year, and its Kendrick-style intensity left all of Los Angeles talking. Father Sal is with us today to dive deep into the situation, including what led to…

1
Episode 44: Honoring Aztec Traditions to Create Modern Day Skincare with Sarah Miramontes of Paca Botánica 16:37

26d ago16:37

16:37

Today, host Chef Carla Contreras is joined by Sarah Miramontes, the founder of Paca Botánica, to discuss her amazing brand story, how her soap is made, and her entrepreneurial journey. After making soap with her mom one day on a whim, Sarah realized how the craft aligned with her passion for skincare and the potential to transform a hobby into a bu…

1
EP222. Bye-bye Beauty Greenwashing 7:16

1M ago7:16

7:16

Imagine a world where greenwashing doesn’t exist. Or let’s go one step further, imagine a world where greenwashing doesn’t exist in the cosmetics industry. This could potentially be the future, as legislation is emerging all over the world to make companies and organisations liable for greenwashing. In this week's opinion piece, Lorraine Dallmeier,…

1
Sister, Sister! 25:58

28d ago25:58

25:58

In this episode, I dive into 90s pop culture with the TV show “Sister, Sister” staring twin sisters Tia and Tamara Mowry. I’m also spending part of this episode discussing important sisters in the Catholic Church. Amazing women such as Teresa of Avila, Sor Juana, and Corita Kent. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This…

1
Baroo is the LA Times' Restaurant of the Year. Plus, Eater's Mona Holmes on what makes LA food (and food media) great. 1:54:14

2M ago1:54:14

1:54:14

Father Sal is with us today to talk about the LA Times’ 2024 Restaurant of the Year Baroo. We break down what the award means, why it’s significant, and why we are so excited for our upcoming meal at this very special restaurant. We also talk about the LA Times’ Gold Award winner, the rise of non-alcoholic beer, and the sudden closure of Rampart Vi…

1
EP221. How Europe plans to shut down greenwashing in beauty 26:56

1M ago26:56

26:56

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, welcomes Priscilla Rolvers, founder of the Green Cosmetics Revolution to discuss the new EU Greenwashing Directive. Pretty soon, any beauty brand making eco-friendly claims in the European Union might want to start looking over their shoulder if they haven’t…

1
"Blocked and Blessed" 32:17

2M ago32:17

32:17

In this episode, I talk about understanding when a relationship has run its course and when its time to let go of the toxic people in our lives. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram…

1
The Bear Season 3 Recap - Part 2. Plus, service fees here to stay, street vendors win big, and Gorilla Pies needs our help. 1:18:11

2M ago1:18:11

1:18:11

Part 2 of our The Bear Season 3 recap. Father Sal is with us to break down episodes 6-10. If you listened to Part 1 on Monday, you'll know that we weren't too sweet on episodes 1-5. Did the second half of the season change our opinion? Not exactly, but keep listening to find out where exactly we feel the show got lost in the sauce, and most importa…

1
EP220. How Tom's of Maine faced a class action lawsuit for the recyclability of its toothpaste tubes 10:24

1M ago10:24

10:24

Who knew you could get into trouble over a toothpaste tube? In this episode, Lorraine Dallmeier, a Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, dives deep into sustainability claims by exploring the details of the class action lawsuit faced by toothpaste brand Tom's of Maine... all because they said their toothpaste tubes wer…

1
Dreaming of You 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

In this episode, I talk about dream interpretation, astral travel, and the living legacy of singer Selena Quintanilla. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram. Follow @goldhoops_god ht…

1
The Bear Season 3 Recap - Part 1: Does it still have the special sauce? 1:06:11

2M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Father Sal and I recap episodes 1-5 of The Bear Season 3, which is now streaming on Hulu. Helpful links:The Bear https://www.hulu.com/series/the-bear-05eb6a8e-90ed-4947-8c0b-e6536cbddd5f--Get 10% off when you use code "LAFOOD" on House of Macadamias https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify…

1
Live from Holbox: Lunch with Santiago Lastra, chef of London's Michelin-starred KOL 1:39:58

2M ago1:39:58

1:39:58

Santiago Lastra is the chef of Michelin-starred restaurant KOL in London. He visited in LA on the heels of the World’s 50 Best ceremony in Las Vegas, where KOL was named the number 17 best restaurant in the world. He stopped by the City of Angels for a special collab dinner with Vespertine’s Jordan Kahn, and I’m really honored he made time to grab …

1
EP219. Why beauty brands are getting sued for sustainability claims 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

Navigating the tricky waters of sustainability regulations isn’t easy. So, to ensure your brand stands out for the right reasons, this episode is a must-listen. Green Beauty Conversations host Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica and her guest Maggie Spicer, Formula Botanica graduate and founder of Source Beauty ESG, explore these tricky wat…

1
"Let’s dance! Perichoresis and Divine Love" 28:19

2M ago28:19

28:19

In this episode, Dr. Guerra discusses the beautiful imagery of the Trinity as a divine dance and the importance of marching to the beat of your own drum! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagr…

1
Top Chef Season 21 Recap. Plus, service fees live to fight another day, reservation resale platforms get the axe, and Luca gives vegans free political advice. 1:19:22

2M ago1:19:22

1:19:22

Top Chef Season 21 is in the books. A champion has been crowned, both for Top Chef and our LA Food Pod Fantasy Top Chef. Father Sal and I are joined by Jessie Evans also known as Jessie Eats, and Daniel Wargo AKA Forking Around to recap the finale and the season as a whole. But first, a few things that caught my eye this week. An iconic LA fast foo…

1
Episode 43: Sharing Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Uplifting Others with Argelia Atilano 26:38

2M ago26:38

26:38

Today, host Chef Carla Contreras is joined by Argelia Atilano, a radio host, author, and presenter, to talk about wellness practices, the power of the voice, and the importance of community building. As a mother and voice of her community, Argelia Atilano is busy. She shares the wellness tools she turns to daily and how they support her incredible …

1
EP218. Do wrinkles cause ageing? 8:29

2M ago8:29

8:29

Research is starting to suggest that skin ageing isn’t simply a case of cosmetic wear and tear, but might instead be driving whole-body ageing. Green Beauty Conversations host Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, explores this mind-blowing research in this latest episode. She'll be asking you whether you are prepared to flip everything you’…

1
"What...like its hard?" 26:57

2M ago26:57

26:57

In this episode, Dr. Guerra talks about setting and reaching personal goals. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram. Follow @goldhoops_god https://www.instagram.com/goldhoops_god Chee…

1
What the James Beard Awards and World's 50 Best tell us about dining in 2024. Plus, is Little Tokyo "endangered?" And what the heck is up with Joey Chestnut? 1:09:41

2M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Kuya Lord’s Chef Lord Maynard Llera took home this James Beard Award this week for Best Chef California, and we’d like to extend him and his whole staff a heartfelt LA Food Pod congratulations. Today’s episode is all about awards. I’m joined by Father Sal to discuss LA’ showing at the Beards, as well as some of the most interesting takeaways from t…

1
EP217. Children using anti-ageing skincare 24:25

2M ago24:25

24:25

There’s a trend that’s been growing for several years. Teens, tweens, and children are using anti-ageing skincare, with active ingredients like retinol. Today, colleague, School Education Manager, Ana Green joins Lorraine Dallmeier, CEO of Formula Botanica, as they discuss this new trend. Together, they explore why more children using anti-ageing s…

1
"Botanicas, Limpias, & Evil Eye...oh my!" 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

In this episode, Dr. G explores aspects of Latina spiritual practices and rituals associated with Curanderismo. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram. Follow @goldhoops_god https://w…

1
From Boulder to Bourdain, the many lives of Checker Hall's Gabe Kennedy. Plus, Infatuation pans Vespertine, the problem with "shoppy shops," and The Best Restaurant in Town. 2:02:03

3M ago2:02:03

2:02:03

Gabe Kennedy is the all-star chef behind Highland Park’s Checker Hall. He joins us today to tell us his high-octane journey, which includes winning Anthony Bourdain’s competition show “The Taste,” co-founding one of the hottest plant-based supplement companies on the market, and uprooting his life in New York to relocate to LA and grace our city wi…

1
EP216. Traceability - where the ingredients come from 10:12

2M ago10:12

10:12

Have you ever wondered where the ingredients in your product came from? Most of us have no clue. Following the path of an ingredient from formulation back to its origin is called traceability. It is the detailed supply chain of an ingredient. This knowledge is essential to address environmental and social concerns. If a brand doesn't know its ingre…

1
"Pancakes or Salvation?" 27:12

3M ago27:12

27:12

In this episode, Dr. Guerra takes a deep dive into living out one’s faith and the various temptations along the way. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instagram. Follow @goldhoops_god http…

1
Lunch with the Infatuation's Brant Cox at Mae Malai (P.S. EEEEEATSCON is upon us). Plus, The Bear Season 3 trailer, mental health and burnout in the industry, and R.I.P. Always Pan. 1:53:34

2M ago1:53:34

1:53:34

We’re joined on today’s episode by the Infatuation’s Brant Cox for the first-ever in person podcast in LA Food Pod history. Brant and I met up for lunch at Mae Malai in Thai Town for some wonderful boat noodles (and much more). We caught up about what it’s like to be BFFs with Chris Pine, where he’s been eating lately, and oh yeah, a little thing c…

1
EP215. How seaweed becomes sustainable beauty 26:12

3M ago26:12

26:12

In this episode, we dive deep, almost literally, into the oceans with a look at how our seas can be a sustainable source of beauty ingredients. Podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier talks to Matthew Perkins, the founder of Macro Oceans to learn how regeneratively-farmed seaweed is turned into eco-friendly cosmetics. Macro Oceans, a technology company bas…

1
"Say it with your chest!" Creating Health Boundaries 31:50

3M ago31:50

31:50

In this episode, Dr. Guerra encourages you to say it with your chest! How to stay true to yourself by implementing healthy boundaries, even in difficult situations. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our co…

1
Fast Eddie: Can Eddie Navarrette save California restaurants? Plus, Something About Her blues. 1:12:28

3M ago1:12:28

1:12:28

Eddie Navarrette is the Executive Director of the Independent Hospitality Coalition in addition to being one of LA’s foremost consultants in helping restaurants navigate the debilitatingly confusing process of opening their doors. He’s been at the center of advocating for restaurants for several years now, helping shape much needed policies for boo…

1
EP214: What is regenerative beauty? 7:29

3M ago7:29

7:29

Imagine a beauty industry that gives back more to the environment than it takes. That’s the crux of this week’s Green Beauty Opinion in which podcast host and Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier explores the concept of regenerative beauty. This revolutionary approach isn't just about reducing beauty’s environmental impact; it's about actively e…

1
"Tower Moments and the Myth of the Late Bloomer" 23:46

3M ago23:46

23:46

In this episode, Dr. Guerra dives into the importance of developing one's intuition, navigating life's tower moments, and the myth of late bloomer. Enjoy! Thanks for checking out my podcast, "Gold Hoops and God". This podcast is designed for Millennial Latinas and is fueled by faith and culture. Ignite the fire within!” Join our community on Instag…

1
Molly Baz and lactation-gate, restaurant finances dissected, and Michelin goes to Mexico. Plus, Top Chef midseason check-in with the hosts of Compliments to the Chef. 1:19:29

3M ago1:19:29

1:19:29

A midseason check in on Season 21 of Top Chef. We’re about half way through the season, so LA Food Pod Top Chef correspondent Father Sal is on the pod to dissect the highs, lows and everything in between. We’re also joined by two of my new favorite people - Bits Nicholas and Nancy DaSilva, the hosts of Compliments to the Chef, the must-listen Top C…

1
Episode 42: Herbal Education with Alexis Durham, Director of Education of the American Herbal Products Association 10:58

3M ago10:58

10:58

Today, host Chef Carla Contreras is joined by Alexis Durham, an herbalist, teacher, gardener, and avid lover of the herbal industry. Alexis is the Director of Education at the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), and in this episode, we discuss the importance of knowing your herbs and how the AHPA is supporting herbal businesses. Alexis’ lo…

1
EP213. Exploring regenerative beauty with LUSH 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

Ever wondered what regenerative beauty is and if it’s even achievable for the beauty industry? In this latest episode, we dive into the transformative world of regenerative beauty with Ruth Andrade, the visionary Earth Care Strategy Lead at LUSH. This eye-opening discussion unveils how regenerative practices are not just the future, but a necessity…

1
Bill Esparza on his journey, "taco bros," David Chang and much, much more. Plus, World's 50 Best recognizes Kato, 5 So Cal restaurants added to the Michelin Guide, and Sweetgreen embraces beef. 1:49:50

4M ago1:49:50

1:49:50

We’re joined by none other than Bill Esparza, the legendary award-winning writer, author, TV fixer and saxophonist. Maybe you’ve read his reporting at Eater, maybe you’ve eaten at one of his many finds, or maybe you’ve seen him on shows like Somebody Feed Phil. Regardless of where you know him from, Bill’s one of the most essential voices in LA foo…

1
EP212. Circularity and recyclability are two different things 7:31

3M ago7:31

7:31

Circularity and recyclability are often-misunderstood concepts in the beauty industry. Last week, we explored the potential of upcycled beauty ingredients with Harry McIlwraith of the Upcycled Beauty Company. Building on that enlightening discussion in this week’s opinion episode, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier tackles a crucial question: …

1
Ep 21: Season 2 Is Here 17:38

4M ago17:38

17:38

Season 2 of Mystical Frequency is here! Jen (them/they) fills you on the month break, energy shifts, and new perspectives. They also have a very important announcement regarding a Tarot 101 Workshop hosted by them in July! Sign up for the Tarot 101 Workshop https://clw.as.me/schedule.php Jen's IG : instagram.com/celestiallightwitch…

1
James Beard loves LA media, the future of reservations, and serious questions about LA's croissant game. Plus, Chef Jonathan Harris of Linden, LA's most underrated new fine dining concept. 1:35:37

4M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

We give flowers to the very deserving LA-based journalists and writers who did score James Beard nominations, including Gab Chabran, Daniel Hernandez and Noah Galuten. We also talk about what we learned from a New Yorker deep dive on the Wild West that is restaurant reservations, why Angelenos are flocking to two new bakeries that opened this week,…

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Botanica Podcasts

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