Best Capstone Project Podcasts (2025)

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Eli Bank - From a Capstone Project to Kroger 42:41

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13d ago42:41

42:41

On this episode, we’re joined by Eli Bank, the Co-founder and COO of Absurd Snacks, a top-9-allergen-free, snack company that started as a senior capstone project at the University of Richmond and now sells in Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix, and college campuses across the Mid-Atlantic. Eli walks us through how he and co-founder Grace turned their cla…

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Mehek Khera - Scaling Smart: A Balanced Approach to Velocity and Door Count 42:28

5h ago42:28

42:28

On this episode, we’re joined by Mehek Khera, the Founder & CEO of Niramaya Foods, heritage-inspired Indian foods built for modern eating. Mehek takes us inside her two-year R&D sprint to turn homestyle recipes into clean-label, shelf-stable dips (no artificial preservatives) and then expands the platform with Naan Pretzels designed for snackable t…

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Jordan Wilson - Building Powder-Stick Efficiency in an RTD Can 33:49

4d ago33:49

33:49

On this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Wilson, Co-Founder & CEO of Sap’s, the clean, canned hydration brand built to deliver “powder-stick efficiency in an RTD can.” Jordan opens up his R&D playbook (coconut-water powder, a small amount of natural sugar, shiitake/adaptogens, and acidity/mouthfeel), explains why Sap’s moved from sleeves to digitall…

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Eric Girard - Inside the Pickle-in-a-Pouch Licensing Playbook 38:34

7d ago38:34

38:34

On this episode, we’re joined by Eric Girard, VP of Sales & Marketing at Van Holten’s, to break down all things licensing and co-branding. He explains how the first deal started when a Tapatío licensing agency approached them at a trade show, how he had to sell it internally (“why pay a royalty?”), and how mentioning Tapatío suddenly opened doors w…

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Mitch Jacobsen - The Energy Tea That Was Born Out Of A Friend's Near-Death Experience 38:11

20d ago38:11

38:11

On this episode, we’re joined by Mitch Jacobsen, P.Eng., Co-Founder & CEO of Rviita, a Calgary-based energy tea brand packaged in lightweight, resealable spouted pouches. Mitch went from petroleum engineer to beverage entrepreneur after a friend’s energy drink-related near-death experience. He walks us through the hard-won lessons of product develo…

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Nick Mallory - Leading Marketing for a 15-Brand Bev-Alc PE Portfolio 49:15

21d ago49:15

49:15

On this episode, we’re joined by Nick Mallory, VP of Marketing at Ackley Brands, the Pacific Northwest, family-owned beverage platform behind a growing portfolio of wine and beer brands (15 as of now). Nick breaks down Ackley’s origin story and roll-up thesis, the decision framework for what makes a great fit, and the first-90-days playbook once a …

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Jimmy DeCicco - Cutting Costs by 80% While Scaling into 70,000+ Doors 40:17

23d ago40:17

40:17

On this episode, we’re joined by Jimmy DeCicco, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Super Coffee, the RTD coffee brand started by Jimmy and his two brothers that went from a dorm-room blend to 70,000+ doors and a $50M+ run rate. A former captain of the Colgate football team, Jimmy unpacks what they got wrong when they tried to go “big-league” too …

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Peter Barsoom - The Brand that Pioneered Functional Cannab*s 48:07

1M ago48:07

48:07

On this episode, we’re joined by Peter Barsoom, the Co-Founder & CEO of 1906, the fast-acting, function-first cannabis brand that has defied the odds to become a leader in the space. A former Wall Street exec turned plant-medicine operator, Peter breaks down how 1906 customized their rapid onset tech, why they started with pressed pills and how nam…

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Shani Seidman - The Most Game-Changing Rebrand of 2024 42:28

1M ago42:28

42:28

On this episode, we’re joined by Shani Seidman, CMO at Kayco, the family-owned brand house behind Manischewitz, Kedem, Gefen, Heaven & Earth, Tuscanini and more. Shani takes us inside the Manischewitz rebrand: why it couldn’t be “just a facelift,” how her team translated 130 years of equity into a modern, welcoming voice, and the very real mechanic…

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Kate Harvey - From Breaking News, to Breaking into Retail 41:02

1M ago41:02

41:02

On this episode, we’re joined by Kate Harvey, the co-founder and CEO of Bare Bones, a category-defining brand on a mission to make nourishment more accessible, flavorful, and functional. What started out in a small kitchen has evolved into a national brand with innovative products like shelf-stable broths, instant protein sticks, and collagen-fuele…

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Kim McDermott - Egglife's Omnichannel Playbook 31:41

1M ago31:41

31:41

On this episode, we’re joined by Kim McDermott, Senior Brand Manager at Egglife Foods, the brand that’s redefining what low-carb, high-protein eating looks like by replacing flour with eggs. With amazing wraps, and the recently launched pasta line, Egglife is just getting started. Before joining Egglife, Kim led key marketing and brand initiatives …

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Bryn Jones - 8 Restaurants and Millions in CPG Retail Sales 49:05

2M ago49:05

49:05

On this episode, we’re joined by Bryn Jones, the VP of Marketing & Retail at Huse Culinary, 123-year-old company with 8 restaurants in Indy and millions in CPG retail sales across the U.S. While most guests enjoy St. Elmo for its legendary shrimp cocktail, Bryn has transformed the brand into a multi-category CPG powerhouse with sauces, spices, and …

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Hank Watt - Securing a Deal on Shark Tank With a West African Berry 23:53

2M ago23:53

23:53

On this episode, we’re joined by Hank Watt, Co-founder of Nature’s Wild Berry, the miracle fruit brand that transforms sour and bitter foods into sweet, candy-like treats - without sugar or artificial sweeteners. After losing 80 lbs and reversing pre-diabetes using miracle berries to sweeten his green juices, Hank teamed up with chef Juliano Bonann…

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Alex Witt - From the Battlefield to Bars 54:45

2M ago54:45

54:45

On this episode, we’re joined by Alex Witt, Co-founder and CEO of Battle Bars, a fast-growing, veteran-owned protein bar brand known for its Rice Krispie-like texture and nostalgic flavors. A Navy veteran turned entrepreneur, Alex has taken Battle Bars from a side hustle to a multi-million-dollar brand with nationwide distribution. Alex shares how …

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AACN: Finding Small Moments of Joy in Nursing 11:30

2M ago11:30

11:30

In this episode of The AJN Podcast, Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, president of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), and Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, immediate past president of the AACN, discuss NTI 2025, the AACN’s Clinical Scene Investigator Academy, and this year’s AACN theme, “On Purpose.” For more infor…

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Brittney Cook - Building the Next Great Cookie Dough Brand 29:28

2M ago29:28

29:28

On this episode, we’re joined by Brittney Cook, the Co‑Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Something Sweet, a family‑run frozen cookie dough brand that’s redefining indulgence with clean ingredients and a heartfelt mission. Brittney and her mom and sisters turned a deeply personal loss into a business that delivers small‑batch, brown‑butter cookie …

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Michael Marra - Designing Retail Stores to Maximize Revenue 36:00

2M ago36:00

36:00

On this episode, we’re joined by Michael Marra, the Co-Founder & Creative Director of Budder Creative, the agency behind modular fixture systems like Budder Groove™ and some of the most immersive dispensary retail spaces in North America. With roots in industrial design for global beauty and apparel brands, Michael has spent the last decade transla…

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Luke Montgomery-Smith - Reinventing Hydration (and Ditching the Bottles and Cans!) 43:06

2M ago43:06

43:06

On this episode, we’re joined by Luke Montgomery‑Smith, Co‑founder of Plink!, the effervescent hydration tablet brand that’s rethinking what it means to enjoy a drink without the waste of bottles or cans. Before launching Plink!, Luke co‑founded Wild Fizz Kombucha, a multi‑award‑winning beverage that saw early success before the pandemic forced a s…

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Mitesh Patel - Leading Creative Direction For 12 In-house Brands 24:32

2M ago24:32

24:32

On this episode, we’re joined by Mitesh Patel, the Senior Director of Creative & Design at High Tide Inc., one of Canada’s largest and most diversified cannabis companies. Mitesh oversees all creative across High Tide’s portfolio, which includes over 200 retail locations under banners like Canna Cabana plus global ecommerce and accessories brands l…

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Paulo Sobral - The Hemp Beverage Playbook 37:17

3M ago37:17

37:17

On this episode, we’re joined by Paulo Lacerda Sobral, the CEO of Lolli Soda - classic soda, remixed with cannabis. Lolli focuses on legacy flavors like Cherry Cola, Grape Soda, and Orange Soda. Paulo honed his beverage chops at big names like PepsiCo and Sierra Nevada Brewing before diving into the cannabis beverage space. He brings deep expertise…

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Brandon Castaneda & Ben Amaya - $25M in Year 1 via TikTok Shop 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

On this episode, we’re joined by Brandon Castaneda, Co-founder and CEO of EZ Bombs - a breakout Hispanic food brand that went from zero to $20 million in just one year by turning traditional Mexican recipes into viral “bath bombs” - and Ben Amaya, the brand’s Director of Marketing. What started in Brandon’s mom’s kitchen exploded on TikTok Shop, wh…

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Kyle Peters - From Entrepreneur to Intrapreneur at Jack Link's 1:01:14

3M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

On this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Peters, the Senior Director of Emerging Brands at Jack Link’s, where he leads brand strategy, P&L, and innovation across a portfolio of growth-stage and incubation brands - including Golden Island, Jack Link’s Chili, and more. Kyle brings a unique lens to scaling emerging brands within a legacy organization, dr…

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Chris Bauer - A Masterclass On Co-packers 45:44

3M ago45:44

45:44

On this episode, we’re joined by Chris Bauer, CFO at Catapult Commercialization Services, the product development and commercialization “fixer” for the CPG industry - from R&D and formulation to supply chain setup, manufacturing, co-packers, and go-to-market strategy. Chris provides a masterclass on the world of co-packers. He breaks down how to ac…

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Sorosh Tavakoli - An Exited Tech Founder’s Second Act in CPG 47:07

3M ago47:07

47:07

On this episode we’re joined by serial entrepreneur, Sorosh Tavakoli, the Founder and CEO of Stockeld Dreamery, a bold food-tech brand reinventing cheese without animals, using fermentation and legumes (this ain’t your typical plant-based cheese). Stockeld first launched in food service with their own take on cream cheese and MELT, sliced yellow ch…

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Andrew Thomas - Rebranding a $400M Meat Snack Leader 44:18

3M ago44:18

44:18

On this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Thomas, VP of Marketing at Archer, the fast-growing meat snack brand formerly known as Country Archer. With a new name, bold new packaging, and a fresh retail strategy, Archer is repositioning itself from niche natural to mainstream powerhouse on track to hit ~$400M in sales in 2025. Prior to Archer, Andrew l…

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Partnering for DNP Project Success: Remember the Librarian 53:49

3M ago53:49

53:49

In this episode of The AJN Podcast, Kerry A. Milner, DNSc, APRN, FNP-BC, EBP-C, Roy Brown, MLIS, AHIP-D, and Ellen Fineout-Overholt, PhD, RN, EBP-C, FNAP, FAAN, discuss their article “Librarian Partnerships in DNP Education,” which appears in AJN’s June 2025 issue. Subscribers to AJN can access the full series and accompanying tools in the reposito…

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Bryan Shelton - Bringing a CPG Mindset to a 100-Year Old Produce Brand 35:39

3M ago35:39

35:39

On this episode, we’re joined by Bryan Shelton, the VP of Sales & Marketing at Giorgio Fresh — the largest grower, shipper, distributor of fresh mushrooms. Before joining Giorgio, Bryan held senior sales roles at legacy CPG companies like Del Monte, Pinnacle Foods, and Kellogg. At Giorgio, he’s leading a modern transformation of a nearly 100-year-o…

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Ryan Gill - How to Win in Off-Premise Wine & Spirits Retail 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing at Three Chord Bourbon, and a spirits industry veteran with deep roots in off-premise retail. Before joining the team at Three Chord, Ryan spent over a decade running top-tier off-premise locations across the South, managing $XXM+ stores and building high-performance teams. That …

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Tara Foster - The COO Playbook for Scaling from Zero to Nine Figures 34:42

4M ago34:42

34:42

On this episode, we’re joined by Tara Foster, the COO of Evergreen (a better-for-you waffle brand), and the former COO of nutpods. Tara was part of the founding team at nutpods, where she helped scale the plant-based creamer brand to a nine-figure run rate and the #2 brand in the category. With over a decade of experience across ingredient sourcing…

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Will Nitze - $100M+ in Revenue With 9 Employees 43:10

4M ago43:10

43:10

On this episode, we’re joined by Will Nitze, the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a functional nutrition brand pioneering “brain + body” fuel for the modern consumer. Launched in 2017, IQBAR is on track to hit $125M this year with just nine full-time employees, spanning 10,000+ retail doors including Walmart, Costco, and Target. Will unpacks how he built …

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Jim Baudino - Breaking Down the Most Exciting Category in CPG 42:40

4M ago42:40

42:40

On this episode, we’re joined by Jim Baudino, the President of Iconic Tonics - a joint venture with Snoop Dogg - and Partner at Harmony Craft Beverages, an incubator focused on cannabis and hemp beverages. Jim joined Shelf Help to break down one of the most exciting categories in CPG today. From velocity benchmarks and dosing trends to on-premise s…

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Laura Morris - Bridging the Gap Between Korean Products and U.S. Consumers 36:55

4M ago36:55

36:55

On this episode, we’re joined by Laura Morris, VP of Marketing at Sempio Foods, Korea’s oldest registered food brand. Sempio was founded in 1946 on a simple promise: never sell a product the founder wouldn’t serve his own family. Today, they’ve grown into a global powerhouse in fermented sauces, noodles, kimchi, teas, and more that’s distributed in…

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Tyler Mayoras - 15+ Years of CPG Private Equity Investing 42:10

4M ago42:10

42:10

On this episode, we’re joined by Tyler Mayoras, Managing Director at Manna Tree Partners. Tyler has spent over 15 years in private equity CPG, partnering with brands like Simple Mills, Health-Ade, New Primal, and Verde Farms. But he’s also been on the operator side, building Cool Beans from scratch, launching into retailers like Sprouts and Wegmans…

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Ian Montgomery - $500B to Move the World to an Entirely Sustainable Packaging Supply Chain 41:14

4M ago41:14

41:14

On this episode, we’re joined by Ian Montgomery, a sustainable design strategist at EcoEnclose and the former founder of Guacamole Airplane, a studio known for pioneering some of the most creative and technical work in sustainable packaging. Ian has worked with top-tier brands like Nike, Whole Foods, Allbirds, Dell, and Flamingo Estate, helping the…

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Sam Rose - The Ice Cream Pouch that's Disrupting Freezer Aisles 36:25

4M ago36:25

36:25

On this episode, we’re joined by Sam Rose, the founder and CEO of RoseBud Ice Cream, a Denver-based brand crafting nostalgic, indulgent ice cream with unapologetically high standards. Sam launched RoseBud after years of self-teaching, boxing, and perfecting pints out of a Walmart ice cream maker. What began as a THC- and CBD-infused experiment has …

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What Nurses Need to Know About Human Trafficking 54:15

4M ago54:15

54:15

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Francine Bono-Neri, PhD, RN, APRN, PNP, FAAN—cofounder and president of Nurses United Against Human Trafficking (NUAHT). Dr. Bono-Neri shares how a single clinical encounter changed the course of her career and ignited her mission to educate nurses on identifying and supporting patients who may be experienc…

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Juan Nino - Building a 5,000+ Door Brand with 15 Family Members 36:53

4M ago36:53

36:53

On this episode, we’re joined by Juan Niño, the Director of Marketing at Artisan Tropic, a family-owned, better-for-you snack brand rooted in Colombian heritage and powered by plantains, cassava, and regenerative agriculture. Juan’s journey is anything but typical. After a career as a professional fútbol player in Colombia, he found himself helping…

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Hannah Perez - How SEEQ Went From TikTok to Target in 3 Years 45:51

5M ago45:51

45:51

On this episode, we’re joined by Hannah Perez, the Co-Founder and Brand Visionary behind SEEQ — the clear protein brand that’s pioneering one of the most refreshing (literally) new categories in sports nutrition. What started with a college friendship has turned into a rocketship brand that's now stocked nationwide at Target, growing a cult followi…

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Douglas Raggio - What He Learned Reviewing 12,000 CPG Deals & Why 70% of Honey is Fake 39:34

5M ago39:34

39:34

On this episode, we’re joined by Douglas Raggio, the founder of Pass the Honey and author of So You Wanna: Start a Food or Beverage Business. Douglas spent a decade as an investor reviewing over 12,000 food and beverage deals before launching Pass the Honey — a single-serve honeycomb brand on a mission to combat one of the most pervasive forms of f…

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Joe Rotondo & Drew DiSpirito - Smearcase, The World's 1st Frozen Cottage Cheese Brand 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

On this episode, we’re joined by Joe Rotondo and Drew DiSpirito, the co-founders of Smearcase — the world’s first frozen cottage cheese dessert, also known as FroCo. What started as a post-run craving turned into one of the most disruptive frozen product launches in recent memory. Smearcase packs 40 grams of protein per pint, uses clean-label ingre…

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Victoria Foster - Accelerating R&D with AI and Selling Rivalz Snacks Into School Districts 25:28

5M ago25:28

25:28

On this episode, we’re joined by Victoria Foster, the Senior Director of Marketing at Rivalz™, a plant-based snack brand pioneering a new era of better-for-you salty snacks. Before joining Rivalz as the second employee, Victoria led growth and innovation at Hometown Foods and ConAgra for iconic brands like PF Chang’s, Bertolli, and Frontera. Now at…

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Ryan Provost - Reinventing Ready-to-Drink with Booz Box Cocktails 31:46

5M ago31:46

31:46

On this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Provost, the Co-Founder and CEO of Booz Box Cocktails, a boxed RTD cocktail brand disrupting the spirits industry with bold packaging, craft mixology, and a form factor nobody saw coming. What started as a pandemic dinner-table idea between roommates in Jersey City has grown into a multi-market brand now sold i…

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Ana Kornegay – Building Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri's Tequila Brand 42:06

5M ago42:06

42:06

On this episode, we’re joined by Ana Kornegay, the VP of Marketing at Santo Spirits, the premium tequila brand co-founded by Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar. Before leading the charge at Santo, Ana spent over 15 years at Brown-Forman overseeing iconic spirits like Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. She's also the founder of Hummingbird Brand…

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Jennifer Barney - Exiting One of the First Almond Butter Brands & Scaling CPG Brands in Today's Market 41:12

6M ago41:12

41:12

On this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Barney, the founder of Barney Butter and one of the sharpest minds in CPG today. Jennifer launched Barney Butter back in 2006—well before almond butter went mainstream—and scaled it into a household name before exiting the business in 2011. Since then, she’s become a go-to advisor to emerging food brands li…

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Professional Licensure: Protecting Your Nursing Livelihood, with Guest, Edie A. Brous, JD, MPH, MS, RN, FAAN 25:21

6M ago25:21

25:21

Resources for further information: National Council of State Boards of Nursing: https://www.ncsbn.org Find your state’s board of nursing here: https://www.ncsbn.org/membership/us-members/contact-bon.page Nurses Service Organization: https://www.nso.com/risk-management/individuals

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Lex Evan of Lexington Bakes – Building a Dessert Brand as a Solo Founder 42:20

6M ago42:20

42:20

On this episode, we’re joined by Lex Evan, the Founder and CEO of Lexington Bakes. My audio isn't great so apologies in advance.... Lexington Bakes is a radically transparent dessert brand crafting nostalgic American treats with organic and fair-trade ingredients. What started as a pandemic side hustle quickly grew into a national CPG brand known f…

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Tiffany Chin – Building Snoop Dogg's Cannabis Empire 42:06

6M ago42:06

42:06

On this episode, we’re joined by Tiffany Chin, the CEO of Snoop Dogg's cannabs empire. Tiffany started her career in corporate retail and tech, but over the past decade she’s helped launch and scale some of the most iconic brands in the space — from Leafs by Snoop to Death Row Cannabis and S.W.E.D., with products and retail locations spanning all a…

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How to perform critical appraisal and synthesis of the evidence 49:11

7M ago49:11

49:11

In this episode of The AJN Podcast, Susan Farus-Brown, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Ellen Fineout-Overholt, PhD, RN, EBP-C, FNAP, FAAN, and Kerry Milner, DNSc, APRN, FNP-BC, EBP-C, coauthors of our Evidence-Based Decision-Making series, review step-by-step how to use the tables and worksheets provided in the article “ritical Appraisal of Evidence: Synthesis …

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DNP Capstone Game Changers: Working with your librarian to search the literature and conducting a rapid critical appraisal of the evidence 28:21

10M ago28:21

28:21

In this episode of The AJN Podcast, lead authors Ellen Fineout-Overholt, PhD, RN, EBP-C, FNAP, FAAN, and Kerry A. Milner, APRN, FNP-BC, EBP-C, discuss the fourth article in the Evidence-Based Decision-Making (EBDM) series, “Critical Appraisal of Evidence for DNP-Prepared Nurses,” which highlights the importance of collaborating with a librarian to …

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Artificial Intelligence: How Nurses Are Using AI to Improve Patient Care and What You Can Do to Get Involved 42:56

11M ago42:56

42:56

In this episode of The AJN Podcast, AJN senior clinical editor Christine Moffa speaks with professors Lisiane Pruinelli, PhD, MS, RN, FAMIA, and Jung In Park, PhD, RN, FAMIA. Resources: The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 10x10 Virtual Programs offer a selection of health and nursing informatics courses in a convenient online format…