Ben McKean is the founder of Hungryroot, an online grocery retailer that has changed the way millions of Americans cook dinner (and lunch, and breakfast) and taught them to love plant-based cookie dough. On this episode, Ben shares his journey to launching Hungryroot, and we dig into how the modern grocery store is quite broken. We also talk about what it’s like running his company nearly a decade in. Interested? Use promo code TASTE30 for 30% off the first box. MORE FROM BEN MCKEAN:How I Turned My Hobby Into a Career [Medium]Hungryroot Review: Is This Popular Meal Kit Service Worth the Hype? [Real Simple]Hungryroot: Our Honest Review [CNet]

276: Hungryroot

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824: Deadass Beekeeping and Beyond with Gecile Fojas and Anthony Virey 

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Alison Star Locke earned a B.F.A. in Filmic Writing from USC, where she won the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award. She began her career as a reality TV Story Producer and writing, directing and producing numerous shorts. After staying home to advocate and care for her daughter, who has autism, she returned to work to write and direct The Apology, her first feature, a psychological thriller starring Anna Gunn, Linus Roache and Janeane Garofalo and is available on Shudder, AMC+, Blu-Ray and VOD. Her comedy horror short, Pick Up Time, was laureled up at fests, including Nightmares, Renegade, etc. She recently produced the zombie horror/relationship drama short, Until the End. She lives with her husband and daughter in the LA area. Her work focuses mainly on motherhood, gender disparity, disability and having fun getting your rage out. You can find her on socials at @alisonstarlocke.

Alison Star Locke

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Feeding the Babadook in the Basement

Ben McKenzie is an actor (The O.C., Southland, Gotham) who has become a prominent critic of cryptocurrency through his book Easy Money (2023), and his recent documentary Everyone Is Lying to You for Money (2026).

Ben McKenzie

Is Not Music was founded by Xander Duell as a way to create the artistic infrastructure he couldn’t find in the industry. Is Not Music cultivates projects at the intersection of music, performance, and design. Grounded in collaboration and process, we champion artistic autonomy and ownership.

Is Not Music

Merrill Garbus is the frontperson of Tune-Yards, and a composer whose work includes scores for director Boots Riley’s film projects, most recently I Love Boosters.

Merrill Garbus

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823: Interpol’s Daniel Kessler: Guitarist, Restaurateur, Spanish Food Freak

276: Hungryroot

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