Interviews with Packaging People. We cover topics like sustainability, career growth, industry trends, working conditions, and much more!
Hosted by Christian Ellis, managing partner at PackStaff.
New episodes bi-weekly
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
8 Sept 2025
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
25 Aug 2025
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
11 Aug 2025
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
28 Jul 2025
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
14 Jul 2025
PS Episode 8: Liz Mellone, Packaging Executive & Former VP at Colgate-Palmolive
Liz Mellone spent nearly 30 years at Colgate Palmolive, moving from packaging engineer to VP through a mix of cross-functional experience, clear communication, and a deep understanding of the role packaging plays in product development. In this episode, she shares the lessons that shaped her career and the advice she gives to the next generation.
Guest: Liz Mellone (https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mellone/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mellone/))
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
30 Jun 2025
PS Episode 7: Jessie Schwartz, Founder & CEO of Strategic Packaging Partners | EPR Advisor
Jessie Schwartz, Founder and CEO of Strategic Packaging Partners, discusses her journey into consultancy and explains Extended Producer Responsibility compliance, in an interview with Christian Ellis.
20 Jun 2025
PS Episode 6: Rob Kaszubowski, Director, Packaging Optimization at NTT DATA | Packaging Strategist
Rob Kaszubowski, NTT DATA Director, recounts his career journey and provides actionable strategies that transform packaging obstacles into successes for companies and environmental benefits in this interview with Christian Ellis.
6 Jun 2025
PS Episode 5: Vicki Catalina, Former Nestlé R&D Leader Navigating What's Next
Vicki Catalina, former Nestlé R&D Leader, discusses navigating unexpected job loss with Christian Ellis in an interview, offering insights for professionals facing similar career transitions.
Camille Corr Chism, Founder of Indigo Packaging, shares her insights on navigating the packaging industry with purpose and humor in an interview with Christian Ellis.
16 May 2025
PS Episode 3: Danica VanBeek, Founder of VanBeek Packaging
From kicking off her career in the package testing lab at Estée Lauder to launching her own consulting firm out of Southern California, Danica’s story is packed with insights for engineers at every stage of their journey.
Guest: Danica VanBeek, Founder of VanBeek Packaging (https://vanbeekpackaging.com/) (https://vanbeekpackaging.com/)
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: Awareness by A. Cooper (Free Music Archive, CC BY)
9 May 2025
PS Episode 2: Elizabeth Jeffries, Founder of Packsmith Consulting
Guest: Elizabeth Jeffries, Founder of Packsmith Consulting
Host: Christian Ellis (LinkedIn) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianellis/)
Presented by: PackStaff, LLC (https://www.packstaff.com/)
Music: Awareness by A. Cooper (Free Music Archive, CC BY)
2 May 2025
PS Episode 1: Walt Ellis, Founder of PackStaff
Our very first episode!
Christian interviews Walter Ellis, Founder of PackStaff and Christian and Amanda's father, about how the business was founded, what he's learned from his years in the industry, and how he's enjoying retirement.
Music: Walt on the guitar
25 Apr 2025
Season 1 Trailer
Announcing our new podcast, Packaging Speaks! New episodes every other Friday. Episode 1 premiers May 2nd, 2025.
Host: Christian Ellis, Managing Partner at PackStaff
Music: Awareness by A. Cooper (Free Music Archive, CC BY)
Who has been a guest on Packaging Speaks
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jessie Schwartz
Rob Kaszubowski
Vicki Catalina
Camille Corr Chism
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Packaging Speaks
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Packaging Speaks?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
