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.
ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff
What's Hot in 2026? Protein! Clean Beauty (from within), Functional Mushrooms, Supplements...
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Data—not brands—shape our shelves.
If you’ve noticed protein suddenly everywhere, beauty promises moving into drinks, or unfamiliar ingredients showing up in foods, this episode explains why—and what that means for us as shoppers.
Scott Dicker of SPINS and I decode what’s hot heading into 2026—and how the trends that often appear first in supplements move next into the foods and beverages we buy for our health and wellness. This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about understanding what’s real, what’s useful, and what’s coming next.
We also unpack how Gen Z and Millennials are influencing what ends up on shelves—and how knowing the story behind these shifts help shop with more confidence, clarity, and intention.