
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 Up with Our HERBAL Stuff?
In this revealing episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the roots of the herbal products lining our shelves. Our guests, Dr. Zoe Gardner, editor of the Botanical Safety Handbook and self-proclaimed herb nerd, and Emma Cosaboom, a Gen Z expert in sourcing and marketing, both bring their deep experience from their time at Traditional Medicinals, a brand celebrated for its sourcing integrity. Together, they unpack why plant material quality is the key to herbal efficacy, and how not all herbal companies meet that mark. From the importance of indigenous knowledge to the science behind what works (and what doesn’t), this episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever sipped an herbal tea or taken a supplement for their health.