Free Daily Podcast Summary
Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Lars Miller & David Gonzalez | Beverage Industry Experts & Functional Beverages
Get key takeaways, quotes, and insights from Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages in a 5-minute read. Delivered straight to your inbox.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Jan 5, 202632 min
Inside the Growth Strategy of a Premium Functional Beverage Brand
How do you build a premium non‑alcoholic spirits brand that resonates with real consumers, competes on bar shelves, and earns repeat loyalty, not just novelty trial?In this episode of Free Spirits, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Emily Onkey, Co‑Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Aplós, a modern functional beverage brand redefining the adult drinking experience.Emily shares the story behind Aplós’ launch in 2020, the cultural shift toward moderation, and why most consumers aren’t quitting alcohol, they’re simply seeking better balance. From the rise of “weekday sober” habits to the emotional role of ritual and routine, she explains how Aplós positions itself as a sophisticated alternative to nightly drinks without the compromise of mocktails.Drawing on her background in luxury retail, brand strategy, and performance marketing, Emily breaks down:• why Aplós built functionality into formulation from day one• how first‑party DTC data shaped product strategy and retail sell‑in• the real customer cohorts driving lifetime value (and why they matter)• why Aplós performs best when merchandised near alcohol• the shift from DTC to wholesale velocity and market‑depth expansion• lessons learned while raising Series A and Series B• how premium brand positioning sustains long‑term differentiationIf you’re building in CPG, functional beverages, non‑alcoholic spirits, or adult beverage innovation, this conversation digs into the operational realities behind product‑market fit, consumer education, retail strategy, and brand longevity.🎧 Listen in for a founder‑level look at how Aplós is helping shape the future of modern drinking.If you are interested in trying Aplós use code LMM20 to save 20% on everything Site Wide!
- Dec 4, 202524 min
Building a Functional Beverage Brand with Retail Strategy and Plant-Based Innovation | Peter Olander
What does it take to launch and scale a functional beverage brand in today’s market?In this episode of Free Spirits, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Pete Olander, the founder and CEO of Happie, a modern functional beverage brand focused on plant-powered energy, clarity, and balance.Pete’s journey blends personal health discovery with deep operational knowledge. Drawing from a background in finance and nutrition, he built Happie from scratch—developing formulas, managing supply chains, navigating compliance, and building strong retail and e-commerce distribution strategies.If you’re in CPG, functional beverages, or the broader adult beverage space, this episode unpacks the reality of bringing an innovative product to market—without shortcuts or fluff.🔍 What You’ll Learn (Chapters):0:00 – IntroductionMeet Pete Olander and Happie’s origin story.5:32 – From Health Journey to Beverage FormulationHow personal wellness challenges led Pete to explore functional ingredients like adaptogens and mushrooms.11:50 – Product Development & IterationWhy simplicity and taste drive Happie’s formulation strategy.18:04 – CPG Ops: Sourcing, Manufacturing, and ComplianceLessons on managing supply chains and staying nimble while scaling production.24:18 – Retail Strategy: Getting on ShelvesThe truth about pitching buyers, sell-through, and packaging for velocity.30:40 – DTC and Amazon StrategyWhy Happie invested in omnichannel from day one—and how it’s paying off.38:25 – Consumer Education & Brand VoiceBalancing functional benefit messaging with compliance in a regulated space.45:10 – Scaling a Beverage Brand With Limited ResourcesHow Pete prioritized spend and talent while growing Happie without outside capital.53:45 – What’s Next for HappieA look at future flavors, product lines, and channel expansion.If you’re building a beverage startup, exploring functional ingredients, or trying to grow a brand across retail and DTC, this founder interview is packed with real-world takeaways.🎧 Listen now and tap into the thinking behind one of the most thoughtful brands in the functional beverage category.
- Nov 13, 202523 min
Emergency Podcast: What the Federal Crackdown Means for Functional Beverages
In our first-ever emergency episode of Free Spirits, hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Chris Lackner, founder and president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, to unpack the breaking news around proposed federal restrictions that could reshape the future of the functional beverage business.Chris has been on the front lines of the policy debate, leading national efforts to protect the category and rally industry leaders. This episode offers clarity, action steps, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in Washington and what it means for adult beverage operators, retailers, brand founders, and investors.We cover:What’s actually in the bill and what changes are being proposedWhat operators can expect in the next 12 monthsThe real risks to the beverage industry, and the mythsHow distributors, consumers, and brands are respondingWhy staying calm and strategic is critical right nowWhat constructive regulation might look like moving forwardWhether you’re a startup founder, part of a national brand, or just passionate about Hemp THC drinks, this episode breaks down the policy, the politics, and the path forward.🎧 Listen now and subscribe to stay informed as the fight for the future of functional beverages continues.
- Nov 6, 202544 min
Building Functional Beverage Brands Through Creative Partnerships
What happens when a craft beer veteran brings creative collaboration into the functional beverage space?In this episode of Free Spirits, Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Spencer Ploessl, an independent creative consultant and advisor at CannaConnect, to talk about the origin and future of Coco Flow—a coconut water-based functional beverage born from a unique collaboration between CannaConnect and Back Channel Brewing.Spencer’s background spans two decades in craft beverage branding, sales, and distribution. Drawing on lessons from the beer industry—grain-to-glass education, collaboration brews, and taproom innovation—he now helps brands reimagine what’s possible in the adult beverage space.This episode dives into:How Coco Flow blends multiple functional ingredients like coconut water, pineapple, lemongrass, and sea salt for hydration and recoveryThe strategy behind building a beverage brand through grassroots marketing and collaboration, not paid mediaWhat it takes to align creative direction, formulation, and business operations across multiple partnersHow product launches in the functional drinks space differ from traditional beverage business modelsWhy scarcity, limited-edition drops, and experiential sampling are gaining traction in adult beverage launchesYou’ll also hear a candid discussion on formulation goals, flavor development, consumer education, and how non-traditional distribution models can still drive real demand.Whether you’re a beverage operator, brand builder, brewer, or marketer looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights into building functional drinks that cut through the noise.🎧 Listen now on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Oct 17, 202540 min
Real-World Data and the Future of Functional Beverages
What happens when beverage innovation meets real-world data?In this episode of Free Spirits, hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez sit down with Kevin Provost, CEO of Greenhouse Ventures and Co-Founder of More Better, to explore how real-world data is shaping the future of functional beverages, adult beverages, and consumer trust.Kevin shares how his background in sales, accelerators, and startup operations led to launching More Better, a data and research company behind one of the largest formula-to-outcome databases in the beverage industry. With over 3,000 participants in their most recent longitudinal study, More Better is bringing hard data to a space that has traditionally relied on anecdote.This episode breaks down:Why most beverage brands struggle to differentiate without real dataHow consumer research drives trust, repeat purchases, and shelf conversionWhat the “Infused: Better” study revealed about alcohol substitution, sleep, stress, and consumer behaviorHow to use research-backed insights in business operations, marketing, and distributor conversationsThe growing role of data in retail, DTC, and on-premise strategyWhether you’re a founder, investor, or operator in the beverage business, this conversation will change how you think about data—not as a luxury, but as a necessity.🎧 Listen and learn how the smartest players in the space are using consumer research to gain an edge in product design, compliance, and go-to-market execution.
- Oct 3, 202543 min
Scaling a Multi-Brand Functional Beverage Platform with Evan Eneman of Iconic Tonics
What does it take to build a multi-brand functional beverage platform in an industry where most startups struggle to launch just one?In this episode of Free Spirits, hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez talk with Evan Eneman, CEO of Iconic Tonics—a premium adult beverage portfolio launched in partnership with Snoop Dogg and powered by Harmony Craft Beverages.With a background in investment, brand incubation, and operational strategy, Evan shares how Iconic Tonics was designed from day one to serve as a platform for beverage innovation—supporting multiple products, brands, and audiences across evolving retail and direct-to-consumer channels.This isn’t just a conversation about branding. It’s a deep dive into the business operations behind modern beverage success:How Iconic Tonics handles launch strategy, distribution, and consumer education across multiple SKUsWhy dose strategy and product format flexibility matter in the adult drinks spaceWhat Evan and his team are learning from early direct-to-consumer data and DoorDash sales performanceHow they’ve approached sampling, trade marketing, and retail activation in key markets like New Jersey, Minnesota, and TexasWhy on-premise venues (concerts, events, hospitality) could be the biggest unlock for next-gen beverage growthYou’ll also hear how the Iconic Tonics team is using shared infrastructure to reduce startup friction, cut legal and operational overhead, and scale smarter across brands—while testing new functional beverage formulations in live venues and retail chains like Total Wine and Woodmans.Whether you’re building a brand, scaling a portfolio, or navigating the challenges of modern beverage business models, this episode delivers grounded, operator-level insights on what it takes to win.🎧 Tap to listen, subscribe, and stay tuned for more conversations at the intersection of beverage innovation, cultural influence, and consumer demand.
- Sep 16, 202536 min
Inside Boston Beer’s THC Beverage Play: Innovation, Operations, and the Future of Adult Drinks
What happens when one of America’s most iconic beverage companies bets big on cannabis?In this episode of Free Spirits, Lars and David sit down with Paul Weaver, Head of Cannabis at Boston Beer Company, to explore how the makers of Sam Adams, Twisted Tea, and Truly are building their cannabis beverage division from the ground up in Canada.Paul shares how his early work in beverage innovation at Molson Coors led to a career-defining pivot into cannabis, and why Boston Beer views functional beverages as both a cultural shift and a smart hedge for the future of the adult beverage industry.They discuss:How Boston Beer launched Teapot and Emerald HourThe regulatory realities of doing business operations in a federally legal cannabis marketWho’s really drinking THC beverages (hint: it’s not who you think)Why co-manufacturing partnerships matter more than everWhat U.S. brands can learn from Canada’s R&D advantagePlus, Paul offers a behind-the-scenes look at innovation culture, consumer feedback, beverage formulation, and what might trigger a Boston Beer entry into the U.S. hemp beverage market.If you’re building a beverage brand, managing R&D, or just obsessed with functional beverage trends, this one’s for you.00:00 – Intro01:00 – Paul’s transition from beer to cannabis03:30 – Early R&D challenges with THC drinks05:00 – How Canada’s system enabled innovation08:30 – Starting the cannabis division at Boston Beer13:00 – Lessons from launching Teapot & Emerald Hour15:00 – Surprising buyer personas and feedback16:00 – Vetting co-manufacturers for quality19:00 – Why Boston Beer doesn’t own its own cannabis facility20:30 – Consumer adoption and channel dynamics23:30 – The overlooked senior demographic26:00 – Building loyalty in a high-choice category29:00 – U.S. hemp market: What Boston Beer is watching34:00 – Future of big beverage & cannabis collabs37:00 – Advice for hesitant legacy brands39:00 – Naming, packaging, and taste-driven design41:00 – Final thoughts: Stand out by being “undeniably dope⏱️ Timestamps:
- Sep 2, 202523 min
Micah Hyde’s Playbook: Building a Functional Beverage Brand After the NFL
After nearly a decade in the NFL, Micah Hyde didn’t plan on entering the beverage industry. But a real estate investment in his Ohio hometown turned into something unexpected, a pivot from dispensary dreams to launching Hyde’s Hail Mary, a new functional beverage designed for recovery, presence, and better nights.On this episode of The Free Spirits Podcast, Micah joins hosts Lars Miller and David Gonzalez to unpack the accidental beginnings of his beverage business and how his football career shaped everything from team-building to formulation strategy. This drink is a low-dose cannabinoid-powered sparkling sipper engineered to help people unwind without sacrificing performance or clarity.Micah shares the thinking behind the 5/5/5 blend of THC, CBD, and CBG, how they landed on a flavor profile inspired by lemon shandy beer, and why his brand intentionally avoids the loud, stoner aesthetic. Instead, Hyde’s Hail Mary signals something more grounded, Midwest values, sports culture, and community-first branding.As someone who still runs a youth-focused nonprofit, Micah speaks candidly about navigating the stigma of cannabis while building something he believes in. We get into tailgate tastings & long-term stadium ambitions, this conversation explores what it really takes to bring a regulated, functional adult beverage to market, and why legacy, identity, and recovery matter just as much as distribution.⏱️ Timestamps[01:00] How a real estate play turned into a beverage startup[02:20] Finding the right team and working with Emergent Beverages[03:23] Functional benefits: recovery, mental reset, and the athlete’s lens[05:03] Formulating the 5mg THC/CBD/CBG stack[07:26] Lemon shandy inspiration and defining the beverage format[09:05] Local-first launch strategy in Buffalo[13:35] Designing a brand that signals beer, not cannabis[17:32] Balancing nonprofit work with cannabis stigma[20:55] Educating new consumers and community-driven messaging[24:05] Long-term goals: NFL stadiums and a new kind of social drink
Get Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Business of Beverages
Will Keating
No, Low and Mid-Strength Drinks
Laura Willoughby MBE
Business Over Beer Untapped
Ben Surratt
FoodBev.com Podcast
FoodBev Media
Shopify Happy Hour
Dan Cassidy
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Podcast
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine
The Healthy Enterprise
Heath Fletcher
The Funk'tional Nutrition Podcast
Erin Holt
Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom
Deb, Mocktail Mom
BS Free MD with Drs. May and Tim Hindmarsh - Medicine, Life, Family, Physician, Doctor, Healthcare, Medical History
Doctor Podcast Network
BeerSmith Home and Beer Brewing Podcast
Brad Smith and Friends
Brand New Taste
Tastehead
About Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages
Join David Gonzalez and Lars Miller as we explore the beverage industry and functional beverages. The Free Spirits Podcast shares stories from founders, brand operators, and retail experts in the beverage and cannabis space. From adult beverages to the secrets of retail success, we explore what makes great brands thrive. Follow us on social media to join the conversation and elevate your understanding of beverage business operations.Social - @larsmillermedia & @herbalprofiles on all social platforms Linkedin - www.linkedin.com/in/lmillermedia
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Lars Miller & David Gonzalez | Beverage Industry Experts & Functional Beverages.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages release new episodes?
Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages cover?
Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages covers topics including Business, Entrepreneurship. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Free Spirits: Insights on Functional Beverages summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.