ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff

About ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff

ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff is where Cynthia Barstow brings together natural products change-makers sharing their stories with younger generations, so together they can help make sense of what’s on our shelves. Along the way, they reveal how the choices we make — from food to fashion, beauty to beverages — impact our health, our wellness, and our planet.

Publisher

Cynthia Barstow

Category

arts · arts · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Apr 2025

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   Fair Trade Matters

   What does Fair Trade really mean when we see it on the shelf—and how much difference can one little label actually make? In this episode, Cynthia is joined by Paul Rice, founder of Fair Trade USA and author of the new book Every Purchase Matters: How Fair Trade Farmers, Companies, and Consumers Are Changing the World. Joining us is my sustainability marketing Gen Z voice, Ruby Adamowicz, bringing the questions and perspective of a generation that wants its purchases to reflect its values—but ...

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   "LOCAL" WORKS for all of us.

   At a time when food recalls are making us think more about where our food comes from and how far it travels to reach us, this episode of ShelfSense looks at a different model. I talk with Kristin Howard, General Manager of Real Pickles, a company that has spent 25 years building a regional food system around local farms, shorter supply chains, and the community it serves. We’re joined by Shannon Largey, a young local-food entrepreneur committed to building her own business within that same re...

3. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Purpose Over Profits: Dr. Bronner's

   David Bronner shares with Cynthia and Gen Z Voice Emma Cosaboom how one family-owned soap company became a powerful model for purpose-driven business. From fair trade and regenerative organic sourcing to living wages, refill systems, Magic Chocolate, community engagement, and the Purpose Pledge, Dr. Bronner’s shows what it looks like when a company uses its products — and its power — to help change the world. Send us Fan Mail

Who has been a guest on ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rebecca Hamilton
• Jen Brown
• Katherine DiMatteo

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

43

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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