Packaging Speaks

PS Episode 13: Jay Edwards | Author of Packaging Done Right Is Magic

Christian chats with Jay Edwards - packaging engineer, financial advisor, and founder of Pack2Sustain, about his unconventional career path and why he’s re-engaging the industry through fractional consulting and thought leadership. We cover his recent Walmart presentation on global trends, EPR, and clean packaging; the intersection of packaging and food safety; paperization and fiber closures; mycelium-based protection; and methane-to-plastic innovation. We also spotlight Jay’s new book, Packaging Done Right Is Magic, a field guide distilling decades of lessons for students and pros alike. Guest: Jay Edwards (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-edwards-61194320/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-edwards-61194320/]) Host: Christian Ellis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/]) Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/ [https://www.packstaff.com/]) Music: Flopsy by Wallypop

PS Episode 12: Jennifer Benolken | Regusalesgineerultantolunteer - Healthcare Packaging

In this episode Christian sits down with Jen Benolken, MDM & Regulatory Specialist at DuPont. With over 30 years in the packaging industry, Jen shares her journey across medical device manufacturers and suppliers, her passion for sterile barrier systems, and why she proudly includes “volunteer” in her job title. From the critical role of Tyvek to the future of sustainability, standards, and wicked problems yet to be solved, Jen brings a wealth of insight and encouragement for packaging professionals at every stage of their career. Guest: Jennifer Benolken (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbenolken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbenolken/]) Host: Christian Ellis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/]) Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/ [https://www.packstaff.com/]) Music: Flopsy by Wallypop

PS Episode 11: Calvin Lakhan, Ph.D | Director of Circular Innovation Hub at York University

This week on Packaging Speaks, Christian sits down with Calvin Lakhan, Ph.D, Director of the Circular Innovation Hub at York University and an investigator at Waste Wiki, to explore where sustainability assumptions collide with real-world evidence. Dr. Lakhan shows how environmental impact plays out in practice, including situations where preventing spoilage can matter more than recyclability, and he walks through how to access and apply the datasets his team has assembled. If you build or buy packaging, this conversation gives you a sharper way to frame decisions and a clear path to the sources behind them. Guest: Dr Calvin Lakhan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-lakhan-ph-d-56329224/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvin-lakhan-ph-d-56329224/]) Waste Wiki: https://wastewiki.info.yorku.ca/ [https://wastewiki.info.yorku.ca/] Host: Christian Ellis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/]) Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/ [https://www.packstaff.com/]) Music: Flopsy by Wallypop

PS Episode 10: Grace Cook | Manager for Strategic Sustainability Consulting at Ramboll

We sit down with Grace Cook, a packaging engineer turned sustainability strategist, who’s rethinking what it means to make an impact. With roots in package development at P&G and KAO, Grace now consults across industries to help companies address their carbon footprint, climate risk, and material choices with eyes wide open. From revamping legacy spec systems to embedding LCA data into daily decision-making, Grace brings both a wide view and a long view to sustainability. We talk about designing better trash, how business incentives can drive meaningful change, and why just “doing what’s always worked” is no longer a viable path forward. Guest: Grace Cook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracecookcircularity/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracecookcircularity/]) Host: Christian Ellis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/]) Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/ [https://www.packstaff.com/]) Music: Flopsy by Wallypop

PS Episode 9: Lauren LaSpina | The Packaging Co-op Founder & Champion of Collaborative Contracting

We sit down with Lauren LaSpina, Founder of The Packaging Co-op: a first-of-its-kind collective of independent contractors structured like a law firm. Lauren shares how she built a thriving network of experts who collaborate, support one another, and pool resources to serve clients across the packaging world. Guest: Lauren LaSpina (The Packaging Co-op: https://pkgco-op.com/ [https://pkgco-op.com/], LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlaspina/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlaspina/]) Host: Christian Ellis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/]) Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/ [https://www.packstaff.com/]) Music: Flopsy by Wallypop