Culinary Conversations: Iron Chef Winner Beats Burnout, Cooks Up Modern Wellness Brand

On Beauty, Part 2: with Priya Rao, Executive Editor of The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion

Welcome to Episode 10 of The Luxury Meets…Podcast! “On Beauty, Part 2” with Priya Rao, Executive Editor of The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion. Are We in The Beauty Industry's "Flop Era?" We wrap up Season 1 of The Luxury Meets…Podcast with an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation between host Jed Wexler and Priya Rao, Executive Editor of The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion — one of the industry’s most respected voices in global beauty, wellness, and culture journalism.  A veteran editor and journalist, Priya has held senior roles at Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Glossy. She’s known for her award-winning coverage of the intersection of beauty, culture, and commerce — and for her acclaimed Unfair podcast, one of Apple’s top recommended series. Follow her work at https://www.businessoffashion.com/topics/beauty/ [https://www.businessoffashion.com/topics/beauty/] Jed and Priya explore how beauty and wellness have merged into one powerful ecosystem — from CBD skincare and longevity science to AI ethics, inclusivity, and the new realities of “biohacking beauty.” Plus: * The $700M sale of Touchland — and how a simple hand sanitizer became a collectible luxury. * Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand Rhode Skin's recent acquisition by E.l.f Beauty for $1B after just 3 years in business and an astonishing $212m in net sales — and what that says about authenticity, marketing, and modern celebrity brands. * Why The Business of Beauty dubbed this moment “Beauty’s Flop Era” — and what that really means. * "Black beauty is not a trend," Priya Rao Priya also reflects on her groundbreaking podcast Unfair, which exposed the global skin-lightening crisis — and how performative diversity in beauty remains an unfinished conversation. And she shares powerful insights on how social media and AI are reshaping standards of beauty — for better and for worse — and what the industry must do to protect authenticity and mental health. Season 1 is a Wrap!  Thank You And with that…Season 1 of The Luxury Meets…Podcast is officially a wrap! Thank you to this season's 31 guests - from the business-famous to the famous-famous, as well as a host of visionary founders. And our 21 sponsors (wow). Over the past 10 episodes, we’ve uncovered so much more than just trends, which, by nature, come and go — these are true paradigm shifts across an array of categories in wellness, business, and culture. Thanks to Our Incredible Team: Executive Production: Brit Smith Sound Design & Mixing: Karma Auger, Studio1LA Visual Design: Sur Keath Moon, Secret Club Studio Hosted by Jed Wexler, CEO of LMCC — The Business Platform for Wellbeing: a podcast, events, and coming this holiday season, our first-ever luxury product. Learn More at www.LMCCShow.com [https://www.lmccshow.com/] In the meantime, Stay Tuned for Season 2. Thanks again for joining us.

Beverage Superstars, Part 2: From Snoop Dogg’s Tonic to Women-led Startups: 6 candid founder stories, 1 mega episode!

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Luxury Meets..Podcast…Beverage Superstars, Part 2! It’s Official — Everyone’s stopped drinking alcohol, right?  Or did they? In today’s mega podcast — with 6 founder interviews! — host Jed Wexler discusses the multibillion dollar THC-beverage phenomenon (projected to be $117B worldwide by 2032) with the man behind Snoop Dogg’s and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips’ beverage brands, 3 women drink brand founders, the top retailer in the space — as well as a new alcohol brand born and bred in NYC!   …….And our first ever RECIPE DEMO (Go to 2:32:41) Hear from our guests: Interview #1: Literally Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About THC-Infused Bevs (Go to 5:20) Diana Eberlein: Chair, Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives [https://adultbeveragealternatives.org/], & Chief External Affairs Officer, Vertosa. Diana might know more than anyone about the rapidly exploding THC beverage market, its key players, top trends, and the regulatory landscape Interview #2: From Grassroots to the Big Time: A Woman-Led Beverage Brand Takes Flight (Go to 39:00) Kaitlin Murphy, Co-Founder, Anytime Seltzer.   [https://www.anytimeseltzer.com/]Kaitlin Murphy of Anytime Seltzer shares her keys to growing and promoting a fast-growing indie brand while not racing towards an exit Interview 3: “To Celebrity or Not To Celebrity?: That’s the (Beverage) Question (Go to 1:14:13)  Evan Eneman, Co-Founder & CEO Iconic Tonics [https://drinkiconictonics.com/] and Founder & CEO, Harmony Craft Beverages. A fireside chat with the man behind Snoop Dogg’s and Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips’ THC beverage brands, Evan Eneman Interview #4: Innovative Food Scientist Launches a Category Sensation (Go to 2:07:08) Breanna Neff, Founder & Chief Food Scientist of Brelixi [https://brelixi.com/]Interview 4 features Breanna Neff, Founder & Chief Food Scientist of Brelixi who back in 2023 just may have created the portable on-the-go drink mix and “functional mocktail” trend that everyone is talking about right now… A SHORT RECIPE DEMO! (Go to 2:32:41) And a short and extremely delicious functional beverage recipe demo with Brelixi’s Breanna Neff! Interview #5: The (Retail) Godfather Speaks (Go to 2:37:25) Jon Halper, Owner/CEO, Top Ten Liquors [https://toptenliquors.com/]Adult beverage retail visionary Jon Halper, Owner & CEO of Top Ten Liquors joins the conversation! With 15 locations in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota, Top Ten Liquors sells beer, wine, alcohol, and THC-beverages. Jon might also unofficially be known as the Godfather of THC-infused beverages at retail. Interview #6: “You Talkin’ to Me?” Mother’s Milk: A New York Alcohol (Brand) Story (Go to 3:08:57) Jennifer Roman-Matito and Kristie Kish, Co-Founders, Mother’s Milk [https://drinkmothersmilk.com/]People still like to “drink” right? These next two female founders — and native New Yorkers — wrote the book on how to roll out a beverage brand locally first (and shared a few of their super secret places to go in NYC). Thanks to Our Incredible Sponsors: A very special thank you to these amazing founder-led brands — click the links below for a great discount code for each too: Happi [https://about]Happi is an all-natural hemp-derived THC-infused seltzer brand with stunningly good flavors such as Blood Orange Ginger, Raspberry Honeysuckle, Lime Wild Mint, and Mango Sweet Basil. To Find Your Happi visit www.happihourdrink.com [http://www.happihourdrink.com/] and enter code LMCC25 for a 25% discount Klaus [https://drinkklaus.com/luxury/]Klaus is a ready-to-drink infused cocktails brand by legendary, famed master mixologist Warren Bobrow (and author of the bestselling book “Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails, & Tonics!”) Klaus is a true artisanal, functional, cannabis beverage with the best ingredients and incredible flavor notes: spicy ginger, zesty lime puree, dollops of piquant mirin vinegar, the finest fruit extracts — and so many others. Visit drinkklaus.com/luxury [https://drinkklaus.com/luxury/] and use code LMCC20 for 20% off at checkout.  Bee’s Knees Wellness [http://www.beesknees-wellness.com/] And finally, thank you to Bee’s Knees Wellness — they just launched their limited edition “Beezy Snaps” which are designed with portability, customization, and fun in mind — a discreet, alcohol-free way to boost any beverage without the calories, cans, or hangover.  Visit www.beesknees-wellness.com [http://www.beesknees-wellness.com/] and enter code LMCC20 for 20% off at checkout when you shop Beezy Snaps (before they sell out) as well as their full collection of hemp-derived tinctures, sleep + wellness gummies, and more.  To Sponsor Our Podcast: sponsor@lmccshow.com Season 1 is Almost a Wrap! Subscribe & Follow: FOLLOW “Luxury Meets…” wherever you listen to your podcasts, on Instagram @LMCCShow [https://www.instagram.com/lmccshow/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-luxury-meets-podcast/] so you don’t miss the final episode of Season 1: Luxury Meets…On Beauty, Part 2” Jed’s conversation with one of the world’s top beauty editors, Priya Rao, Executive Editor at The Business of Beauty at The Business of Fashion — a deep dive into trends, brands, wellness, and career journeys. We Love our Team Executive Produced by: Brit Smith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brit-smith-197705109/], Different Leaf Studios Mixed & Edited by: Karma Auger, Studio1LA [https://studio1la.com/]  Visual Design by: Sur Keath Moon, Secret Club Studio [https://secretclub.studio/] LMCC Conference:The Luxury Meets…Podcast is an extension of our award-winning B2B luxury wellness + beauty event experience, LMCC — and the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. Get on our global waitlist HERE [https://www.lmccshow.com/]

Community, A Love Story — From Self-Care to Community Care, A Mega Trend Emerges (4 Riveting Conversations)

Welcome to episode 8 of The Luxury Meets..Podcast…Community, A Love Story! Four conversations with an incredible group of retail, brand, and culture leaders spearheading the global movement around a more individual, personalized approach to health and wellness — the days of “one size fits all” are over  —  while finding business success by prioritizing the communities they serve.  How do they do it? Join host Jed Wexler as he and his guests discuss the movement from Self-care to Community Care — we’ll take you across the U.S., from Los Angeles to Charleston, South Carolina all the way to Williamsburg, Brooklyn Hear from our guests: Interview 1: A Spinal Cord Injury, An Epiphany  (Go to 5:26) * Kyle Paradiso, CEO Sleepy Bear  [https://sleepybeargummies.com/]This former Army Ranger suffered a severe spinal cord injury jumping out of planes and channeled his passion for educating other veterans on the use of THC and CBD instead of opioids — into creating an award-winning wellness brand in the process * Along with April Segal, Founder, Remedy Holistic Pharmacy [https://www.remedyrx.com/]Remedy is on the leading edge of a new wave of “holistic pharmacies” combining the best of modern science, traditional medications, retail, and herbal wisdom Interview 2: Losing (Nearly) Everything Redefines A Professional Life  (Go to 45:36) * Alexandra Van Iden: Co-Founder of PRISMATICS [https://www.weareprismatics.com/] A chat with the co-founder of a groundbreaking communications + strategy agency based in L.A. known for their amazing, viral trend reports on tastemaker+wellness culture. Alexandra also shares what she gained by losing (nearly) everything in the L.A. fires Interview 3: A Spa for Your DNA in Los Angeles (Go to 1:06:25) * Dr. Katelyn Lehman, Co-Founder of Quantum Clinic [https://www.quantumclinic.com/] a new "Spa for your DNA" with a preventative approach to mental health based in Los Angeles — featured in Goop, Vogue, and others — that helps communities heal from burnout and most recently from the L.A. fires. With a thriving retail space too Interview 4: A Third Space Grows in Brooklyn  (Go to 1:34:42) * Micaéla Verrelien and Christopher Sidwell, Co-Founders, Sweet Fire Café & Studio. Finally in interview 4 host Jed Wexler welcomes partners in business and life Christopher Sidwell & beauty/lifestyle influencer Micaéla Verrelien co-founders of Sweetfire Cafe & Studio in Williamsburg Brooklyn — a vegan cafe & bakery, a podcast studio, and a beautiful space designed to bring people together and host A-tier collaborations like those with L’Oreal, Shea Moisture, Hulu, Shonda Rhimes, and many others. Thanks to Our Incredible Sponsors: * Kerwell. Visit www.Kerwellness.com [http://www.kerwellness.com/] to shop The Kerwell Collection — their premium, award-winning line of CBD wellness products created for sleep, stress, pain, and more — use code LMCC20 for 20% off The Kerwell Collection at checkout. * * Brelixi: Experience Brelixi’s multifunctional wellness drink mixes for yourself! Visit brelixi.com [http://brelixi.com/] and receive 15% of your first order when you subscribe to their email list.   * * MĀSK Skin + Body: Visit www.maskskincare.com [http://www.maskskincare.com/] and enter code LMCC20 for 20% off at checkout — check out their groundbreaking, plant-based skincare formulas, face serums, and sheet masks all created to comfort and nurture healthy, radiant skin of all types.  * * Sleepy Bear: Lastly, Kyle and his team from Sleepy Bear wanted to give our listeners something really special — head over to www.SleepyBearGummies.com [http://www.sleepybeargummies.com] and use code “LMCC20” and receive 20% off at checkout.  Want to Sponsor Our Podcast? Get in touch: sponsor@lmccshow.com Each episode is promoted widely across LMCC's extensive marketing channels ~ 30,000 recipients for each release — retailers, editorial press, category influencers, hospitality execs, brands, investors, and business-meets-wellness enthusiasts. Subscribe & Follow The “Luxury Meets…Podcast” wherever you listen to your podcasts, on Instagram @LMCCShow [https://www.instagram.com/lmccshow/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-luxury-meets-podcast/] so you don’t miss our next 2 episodes: Luxury Meets…”Beverage Superstars, Part 2: Celebrity Brands” and “On Beauty, Part 2” Jed’s conversation with one of the world’s top beauty editors — a deep dive into trends, brands, wellness, and career journeys. Tune in to stay informed on key wellness trends, macro and micro. We Love our Team: * Executive Produced by: Brit Smith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brit-smith-197705109/], Different Leaf Studios * Mixed & Edited by: Karma Auger, Studio1LA [https://studio1la.com/]  * Visual Design by: Sur Keath Moon, Secret Club Studio [https://secretclub.studio/] The Luxury Meets…Podcast is an extension of our award-winning B2B luxury wellness + beauty event experience, LMCC — and the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. Get on our global waitlist HERE [https://www.lmccshow.com/]

Culinary Conversations: Iron Chef Winner Beats Burnout, Cooks Up Modern Wellness Brand

Welcome to Episode 7; Luxury Meets…Culinary Life-changing moments, stunning culinary career transformations. In this episode host Jed Wexler talks to the leaders of a new breed of modern culinary companies leading with wellness, CBD, and even Cannabis…and transforming how we all come together in the process. Hear from our guests: Interview #1: Greg Bernhardt, Head Chef of Black Dahlia Botanicals  For over 15 years, chef Greg Bernhardt was a staple in Los Angeles’ bustling culinary scene responsible for some of L.A.’s most impactful Michelin-starred restaurants such as Patina, Trois Mec, Ludo Bites, Church & State, and Paley.  He also won Iron Chef.Then one day he had the mother of all life-changing a-ha moments while stuck in L.A. traffic. Greg discusses how burnout and his mental health epiphany started him on his own personal and professional wellness journey — and how in the process co-created a groundbreaking new category of lifestyle-meets CBD confections brand. You’re also going to love his love-letter to L.A. cuisine. Follow Greg and Black Dahlia Botanicals  Website  [https://blackdahlia.co/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/blackdahliabotanicals/] (Black Dahlia) Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/darkhardt/] (Darkhardt) Interview #2: Nicola & James Stephenson, Co-Founders, oHHo [https://weareohho.com/?cb-ref=JEDWEXLER] These partners in life and in business went from owning one of the buzziest restaurants in London’s Covent Garden as well as an agency serving global clients such as Tiffany & Co, Peloton, The United Nations, Pat McGrath, Microsoft and LVMH… to founding a full-fledged, wellness-forward luxury lifestyle food & beverage company of the future…And a partnership with the (RED) foundation (founded by Bono).  What exactly inspired them? Tune in to this incredible fireside chat and find out. Follow oHHo  Website [https://weareohho.com/?cb-ref=JEDWEXLER]- experience their CBD and Cannabis wellness offerings across chocolate, hot chocolate, beverages, edibles, and so much more.   Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/weareohho/] ------------- Thanks to Our Incredible Sponsors: Happi An amazing all-natural, hemp-derived THC-infused seltzer brand.  To find your Happi visit www.happihourdrink.com [https://happihourdrink.com/] and enter code LMCC25 for a 25% discount: You can also get Happi at these fine stores: Binny's in Chicago, Top Ten Liquors in Minnesota, and Total Wine in Houston, Georgia, Kansas, St. Louis, Tennessee, & Wisconsin.     Upstate Mary A sexual wellness brand with a luxurious collection of CBD-infused plant-powered intimacy essentials. Visit https://upstatemary.com/ [https://upstatemary.com/] and use Code LMCC20 for 20% off checkout. Upstate Mary is Female grown and Women owned — created by founders with a vision to foster conversations and community around female wellness and intimacy. [https://upstatemary.com/]   Black Dahlia Lastly, Greg and his team from Black Dahlia wanted to give our listeners something really special for Valentine’s Day and beyond —  Visit blackdahlia.co [http://blackdahlia.co/] and check out their chef-made confections, Chocolate Bonbons, Lollipops, Gelees, candles, and even fragrances — receive 20% off when you visit blackdahlia.co [http://blackdahlia.co/] and enter LMCC20 at checkout.  Sponsor the Podcast: Get in touch sponsor@lmccshow.com [https://lmccshow.com] Each episode is promoted widely across LMCC's extensive marketing channels ~ 30,000 recipients for each release — retailers, editorial press, category influencers, hospitality execs, brands, investors, and business-meets-wellness enthusiasts. Our Hearts are with Los Angeles Greg and his family are lifelong Angelenos and ask that you donate to the Los Angeles ASPCA [https://secure.aspca.org/donate/ps-202501bn1-sl-p1] if you can to support animals displaced by the L.A. fires.  Subscribe & Follow “Luxury Meets…” wherever you listen to your podcasts, on Instagram @LMCCShow [https://www.instagram.com/lmccshow/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-luxury-meets-podcast/] so you don’t miss our next bunch of episodes: Luxury Meets…Retail Leaders - The Rise of Social Wellness Spaces, Our Love-Letter to Los Angeles, Sexual Wellness, and Beverage Superstars Part 2! We Love our Team Executive Produced by: Brit Smith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brit-smith-197705109/], Different Leaf Studios Mixed & Edited by: Karma Auger, Studio1LA [https://studio1la.com/]  Visual Design by: Sur Keath Moon, Secret Club Studio [https://secretclub.studio/] LMCC Conference: The Luxury Meets…Podcast is an extension of our award-winning B2B luxury wellness event experience, LMCC — and the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. Get on our global waitlist HERE [https://www.lmccshow.com/] Disclaimer:  by listening to this episode you acknowledge that your are 21+

On Beauty, Part 1: with Brian Underwood, Beauty Director of Women’s Health, "Solve this Problem First!"

In this episode host Jed Wexler talks to Brian Underwood, Beauty & Wellness Director of Women's Health — one of the largest health and wellness brands in media —kicking off our new, "On Beauty" series! Brian is an award-winning journalist — he previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and has interviewed everyone from Meg The Stallion, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, and many others, and is a driving force behind the Women’s Health Skincare Awards. He has also graced our LMCC conference stage with top execs from Ulta Beauty, Thirteen Lune, JCPenney, Frederic Fekkai, August, and others. We discuss: * How brands can capture and keep an editor’s attention * The keys to effective storytelling * Favorite Products and how to use them: Bodycare, Haircare, Face: Moisturizer/Cleanser Fragrance, Sunscreen (!), Makeup, Women’s Wellness * How he landed his first big job at Oprah Daily * Brian’s “Fran Drescher Moment” * The importance of creating personal rituals * What ever happened to CBD Skincare? Thanks to our Incredible Sponsors: Upstate Mary: A sexual wellness brand with a luxurious collection of CBD-infused plant-powered intimacy essentials. Visit https://upstatemary.com/ [https://upstatemary.com/] and use Code LMCC20 for 20% off checkout.Upstate Mary is Female grown and Women owned — created by founders with a vision to foster conversations and community around female wellness and intimacy. [https://upstatemary.com/]   Sleepy Bear: Recently named US Weekly’s #1, “Best CBD Brand in America,” this trusted brand of gummies is crafted with unique formulas for everything from sleep, daytime wellness, menstrual support, and deep relaxation.  Head over to www.SleepyBearGummies.com [http://www.sleepybeargummies.com] and use code “LMCC20” and receive 20% off at checkout.  Mary & Jane: Mary & Jane is a women-owned wellness brand renowned for its almost-always sold out “Sunny” microdose hemp-derived edibles, called “melts”  — with just 1mg of THC and a slew of plant ingredients designed to provide subtle yet targeted effects.  Visit shopmaryandjane.com/ [https://shopmaryandjane.com/] and enter code LMCC2025 for 25% off your first purchase. Mary & Jane products are also available at select retailers including: Clean Market, Pop Up Grocer, and Alchemist’s Kitchen. LMCC Conference: An award-winning B2B wellness event experience — and the only one of its kind anywhere in the world. Get on our global waitlist HERE [https://www.lmccshow.com/] To Sponsor this Podcast: sponsor@lmccshow.com [https://lmccshow.com] Inspirations: One of our inspirations in starting this podcast series is Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donahue who has written extensively on the inner landscape of beauty — he insisted on beauty as a human calling. He said: “Beauty isn’t all just about nice loveliness.  Beauty is about a more rounded, substantial becoming... Beauty in that sense is about an emerging fullness, a greater sense of grace and elegance, a deeper sense of depth — a kind of homecoming for the enriched memory of your unfolding life.”  — John O’Donahue Subscribe & Follow “Luxury Meets…” wherever you listen to your podcasts, on Instagram @LMCCShow [https://www.instagram.com/lmccshow/] and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-luxury-meets-podcast/] so you don’t miss Episode 7, Luxury Meets…Culinary — featuring an L.A. chef responsible for some of the buzziest Michelin-starred restaurants in Los Angeles, and how CBD changed everything. Plus very special guests. Executive Produced by: Brit Smith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brit-smith-197705109/], Different Leaf Studios Mixed & Edited by: Karma Auger, Studio1LA [https://studio1la.com/] Visual Design by: Sur Keath Moon, Secret Club Studio [https://secretclub.studio/]