Kesha Stickland's mission is clear: to make healthy food accessible and delicious. After a life-changing health crisis, she turned to mushrooms as a powerful tool for healing—and now she's revolutionizing the meat alternative industry. Discover how her journey from software engineer to food innovator is transforming consumer behavior and building healthier communities.

Episode Summary:
Kesha Stickland, CEO and co-founder of The Mushroom Meat Co., shares her journey from software engineering and consulting to food innovation. Following a severe health crisis and personal journey to recovery, Kesha discovered the healing power of mushrooms. Her commitment to health drove her to develop award-winning beef and pork alternatives using functional mushrooms as the star ingredient.

In this episode, Kesha breaks down the science behind mushrooms, their nutritional power, and why they outperform many meat alternatives in both health benefits and sustainability. She also explores how she's working with farmers to grow mushrooms as a profitable alternative to traditional livestock, unlocking new economic opportunities and utilizing existing supply chains. Throughout the conversation, Kesha opens up about her leadership journey, her role as a visible role model, and how she embraces every learning as a powerful tool for innovation and growth.

Listen in to hear how Kesha's dedication to health is driving impactful change in the food industry and what we put in the center of our plates.

Key Themes:

• How Kesha Stickland's health journey inspired her to build The Mushroom Meat Co.
• The powerful nutritional benefits of mushrooms and their role in overall health
• Why reducing friction is key for changing consumer behavior, even when health is the motivating factor
• Why Kesha doesn't believe in failure and sees everything as a learning moment
• How a successful career in software, engineering, and consulting translates to her role and strengths as a founder
• Why celebrating wins and finding moments of laughter are key to her success

Links & Resources

• Connect with Kesha Stickland and our host Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Kesha's work with The Mushroom Meat Co.
• Follow The Mushroom Meat Co. on Instagram for chef-driven recipes and more
• Want more founder stories? Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Learn more about Renew VC, and follow on LinkedIn to stay in the know

Jilea Hemmings isn’t just ahead of the curve — she’s defining it. From pioneering meatless meals before the plant-based boom to transforming food access with AI-driven retail, Jilea is proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares how she navigates resistance to change, the importance of asking the right questions, and why laughter is her secret to sustainable entrepreneurship.

Episode Summary:
Jilea Hemmings, co-founder & CEO of Nourish + Bloom, has spent her career pioneering solutions before the market even realizes it needs them. In this conversation, she shares how her early adoption of trends — from plant-based nutrition to AI-driven retail — has positioned her at the forefront of innovation.

Jilea discusses the power of asking questions and learning from customers, highlighting how initial skepticism can shift when people experience the benefits of new technology firsthand. She breaks down how AI enables Nourish + Bloom to serve communities that big box retailers often ignore, proving that automation can be a force for social good.

Beyond business, Jilea opens up about the role of joy and play in entrepreneurship. She and her husband, Jamie, have built not only a thriving company but also a resilient partnership, grounded in humor and shared purpose. Whether it’s navigating setbacks or celebrating wins (something she admits she needs to do more), Jilea emphasizes the importance of perspective, patience, and asking the right questions. Listen in to learn how Nourish + Bloom is redefining retail, reshaping perspectives, and proving that impact-driven businesses can also be highly profitable.

Key Themes:

• The market and impact opportunity at the intersection of food, retail, and innovation
• Overcoming resistance to change and shifting consumer behavior
• What it means to dare to fail up
• The realities of building a company by community, for community
• The power of laughter and celebrating milestones in business
• Why asking the right questions is an essential leadership and life skill

Resources & Mentions:

• Connect with Jilea Hemmings and Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Nourish + Bloom Market and Technologies, including their Purpose Round
• More information about food access, including terminology and USDA food access data
• Follow Nourish + Bloom on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC and follow on LinkedIn for more

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. Walter Ley breaks down how he forged his own, built his own playbook, and learned to trust his instincts as he celebrates his company, Branch, hitting the 1 million user milestone.

Episode Summary:
Walter Ley didn’t follow a prewritten script — he built his own playbook for success with his company, Branch. In this episode, we dive into his journey as a founder, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and how he navigates the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. From embracing uncertainty to making bold decisions, Walter shares insights that can help any entrepreneur carve their own path.

Walter and host Kt McBratney discuss bootstrapping and VC funding, the joy and challenges in growing a team, learning from failures, and the different ways we can define success for ourselves. His approach to building a company without a fixed framework provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to break conventional molds and build something truly unique and impactful.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• How Walter developed his own entrepreneurial framework
• The power of adaptability and trusting your instincts
• Lessons from building a company without a set playbook
• Strategies for navigating uncertainty and making tough decisions
• What hills would Walter and Kt die on? (Hint: they involve alternative milks and punctuation)

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Branch, including upcoming elections near you
• Connect with Walter Ley and follow Branch on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kt McBratney on LinkedIn and Bluesky
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC