Grow Everything Biotech Podcast

Karl and Erum kick off 2026 by reviewing their 2025 forecasts—celebrating the wins (DeSci's rise, waste as a resource, AI-biology convergence) and acknowledging the misses (no biotech M&A boom, no quantum biology breakthrough yet). Then they unveil their boldest predictions for the year ahead: the first functional AI-composed genome entering production, a major non-sterile biomanufacturing facility breaking ground, biological arbitrage creating competitive advantages against tariffs, consumer-held health records surpassing traditional medical data in clinical significance, space-manufactured drug crystals entering human trials, definitive proof of alien life, and AI-enabled communication with whales and other animals. They also welcome Lizette Couto, who joins the podcast to provide science definitions and explanations throughout episodes going forward. From dirty biology manifestos to peptide proliferation to interspecies communication, this episode maps the frontiers where synthetic biology, AI, space technology, and consumer adoption collide. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - 🎙️ Welcome to 2026: The Year Biology Gets Real(00:01:00) - Introducing Lizette Couto: Science Definitions and Podcast Updates(00:03:00) - 2025 Predictions Review: Using AI to Analyze Episodes(00:04:00) - What We Got Wrong: H5N1, Quantum Biology, and M&A Activity(00:10:00) - What We Got Right: DeSci's Rise and the BIO Token(00:12:00) - Waste as a High Value Resource: Agricultural to Urban Applications(00:14:00) - Onshoring and Government Funding: A Crushing Year for Science(00:18:00) - AI and Biology Convergence: From Reading to Composing Genomes(00:20:00) - Microbiome and Longevity in Mainstream Culture(00:23:00) - 2026 Prediction #1: The First AI-Composed Genome Goes Into Production(00:26:00) - 2026 Prediction #2: Major Non-Sterile "Dirty Biology" Manufacturing Facility(00:30:00) - 2026 Prediction #3: Biological Arbitrage Creates 15-20% Margin Advantage(00:34:00) - 2026 Prediction #4: Consumer Health Records Become More Significant Than Medical Records(00:36:00) - 2026 Prediction #5: Consumer Biotech Gains on Industrial Biotech (The Bathroom Shelf Wins)(00:41:00) - 2026 Prediction #6: Space-Manufactured Drug Crystals Enter Human Clinical Trials(00:44:00) - 2026 Prediction #7: We'll See Proof of Alien Life(00:48:00) - 2026 Prediction #8: AI Enables Clear Communication with Whales and Other Animals(00:51:00) - Closing Thoughts and Upcoming CPG Series PreviewLinks and Resources:H5N1 bird fluNovo Nordisk Quantum Computing Program145. Decentralized Science 101: Defining DeSci with the Experts146. Pump It Up: Benji Leibowitz on DAO-ing Science Differentlybio.xyzHairDAOMango Materials123. From Gas to Glam: Molly Morse Discusses Mango Materials' Biodegradable InnovationsIndustrial Microbes113. Microbe Mission Possible: Noah Helman Discusses iMicrobes' Quest to Turn Waste into WealthSymmetry Wood154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteNIH and NSF alarming funding cutsOneSkinEVO 2122. Ecohacking the Planet: Daniel Goodwin of Homeworld Collective Brews Up Planetary-Scale SolutionsThe Future of Science: Modernizing the U.S. Scientific Enterprise152. Crystals in the Cosmos: Varda Rewrites Drug Formulation in MicrogravityTopics Covered: biotech, industry, predictions, biomanufacturing, consumer biotechHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 Music by: Nihilore Production by:  Amplafy Media

Karl and Erum kick off 2026 with deep reflections on prosperity, consciousness, and the idea that we might be living in a simulation. But the real focus is on a concept that could make or break biotech companies: orchestration. They dive into why most biotech innovations outside of pharma struggle to commercialize and introduce the idea of value chain syndication—bringing together innovators, manufacturers, investors, and big incumbents to create entire ecosystems rather than just individual deals. Using examples like K18 Hair's marketing orchestration and the urgent need to replace Red Dye 40, they break down how founders can architect strategic "seed deals" that build toward transformative industry shifts. This isn't about traditional sales or business development—it's about becoming the center of an ecosystem that includes everyone from ingredient suppliers to end customers. With tailwinds from geopolitical changes, supply chain concerns, and increasing demand for bio-based solutions, the time for orchestration is now. Whether you're a founder trying to scale or a big company looking to innovate, this episode shows you how to think bigger than your own company and build the infrastructure for a bio-based future.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Welcome and New Year reflections from California and Cape Town(00:01:00) - Prosperity, money circulation, and building a better society(00:04:23) - Consciousness, simulation theory, and the philosophy of everything(00:09:00) - Why we're replaying the orchestration episode(00:10:00) - What is orchestration and why it's not just sales or business development(00:15:00) - Why biotech companies struggle to commercialize outside pharma(00:18:00) - Value chain syndication and manufacturing orchestration explained(00:20:00) - Seed deals: How to start small and build toward the big picture(00:22:00) - The Red Dye 40 case study: Architecting an ecosystem for change(00:27:00) - Why founders need to think differently and become deal architects(00:31:00) - Why now? Geopolitical and economic tailwinds for biomanufacturing(00:34:00) - Risks, rewards, and the 5-10 year arc of ecosystem building(00:37:00) - Final reflections and how to get started with orchestrationLinks and Resources:MessaginglabNational Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology's Report: Charting the Future of BiotechnologyRed Dye ban153. Ghosts of Biotech Past: Veronica Breckenridge’s Playbook for Smarter Scaling149. Beyond Capital: Phil Morle of Main Sequence Ventures on Collaboration as the New Competitive Edge120. Busting Biotech's Bottlenecks: Veronica Breckenridge on the Path to Industrial Scale26. Breaking Bad Hair Habits with Biology: Suveen Sahib's K18 Rescues Your StrandsStar Talk Neil deGrasse TysonTopics Covered: biotech, CPG, business models, industry, bacterial cellulose, fermentationHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected] by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

In this special holiday replay episode, we revisit our conversation with Ashley Beckwith, founder of Foray Biosciences, who shares her groundbreaking work in plant cell culture and tissue engineering. Growing up in Colorado, Ashley watched forests disappear to housing development and wildfire—experiences that sparked her lifelong mission to reimagine how we produce plant materials. After training as an engineer and working in medical device development, she pivoted to apply tissue engineering concepts to plants, initially exploring lab-grown wood before discovering a more fundamental problem: the lack of accessible, efficient plant cell culture processes. Today, Foray develops fabricated seeds for forest restoration, creates harvest-free plant products, and builds AI-powered tools to accelerate plant science R&D. Ashley explains why plant cells are the fundamental building blocks for everything from molecules to materials to entire ecosystems, and how her company is working to solve the seed shortage crisis that prevents us from restoring 94% of post-wildfire sites. She also discusses the potential for de-extinction of recently lost plant species in California and the importance of creating regenerative rather than extractive relationships with plant systems. This conversation explores the intersection of synthetic biology, forestry, and biomanufacturing while reminding us that we are all, whether we know it or not, plant people.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Holiday Greetings and Stranger Things on Broadway(00:04:41) - Introducing Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences(00:07:17) - Growing Up in Colorado: Watching Forests Disappear(00:10:48) - From Medical Engineering to Plant Biology(00:15:00) - The Lab-Grown Wood Experiment(00:18:58) - Understanding Plant Cells as Versatile Production Agents(00:25:00) - Fabricated Seeds for California Biodiversity Restoration(00:33:00) - Addressing the Wildfire Restoration Seed Shortage(00:42:00) - Building the Plant Operating System with AI(00:50:00) - Why We're All Plant PeopleLinks and Resources:Foray Biosciences⁠⁠SF500 (Argentinian Global Venture Fund)⁠⁠Syensqo Corporate Venture Fund⁠⁠H.C. Wainwright⁠⁠University of Vermont - Dr. Steve Keller⁠⁠University of Maryland - Dr. Matt FitzpatrickForay Biosciences154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteTopics Covered: developmental biology, morphology, morphospace, planarians, electroceuticals, bioelectricity, tissue regeneration, biomedical applications, holidays, ChristmasHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: [email protected] by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

In this episode, Karl and Erum speak with Aradhita Parasrampuria, founder of CellSense, about revolutionizing the fashion embellishment industry through biology. Aradhita shares her journey from witnessing toxic dye masters in Gujarat textile factories to creating biodegradable sequins, beads, and buttons using algae and bacterial cellulose. She explains how her materials can be produced at room temperature, glow in the dark through bioluminescence, and are manufactured through an automated system that eliminates exploitative manual labor. With one in five garments containing embellishments, CellSense addresses a massive market while tackling microplastic pollution, worker health issues, and the 2027 EU ban on microbeads and lead. Aradhita discusses successful pilots with fashion brands and skincare companies, the challenges of achieving vivid colors and iridescence with biomaterials, and her vision for a circular system where anyone can upload a design and receive custom bioplastic solutions. The conversation explores the intersection of design, biotechnology, and sustainability, demonstrating how biology can create materials that don't just replace plastics—they surpass them.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Introduction: Fungi as environmental game-changers(00:26:18) - Podcast updates and Michael Levin episode highlights(02:10:35) - Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences: mining fungal biodiversity(04:57:22) - The untapped power of mycelium in biotechnology(08:04:15) - Launching the Future is Fungi Award(08:58:40) - Susanne Gløersen: Why fungi deserve to be core technology(00:12:09) - Fungi's role in solving climate, pollution, and soil degradation(00:27:06) - Quickfire questions with Susanne Gløersen(00:29:14) - Ricky Casini of Michroma: replacing synthetic food dyes with fungi(00:38:10) - Scaling fermentation capacity in South Korea(00:38:45) - Pitching fungal colorants to food manufacturers(00:40:22) - Regulatory wins and transparency in natural colors(00:41:19) - The future of fungal bio-factories in food production(00:43:05) - Scaling up production and strategic partnerships(00:44:09) - Why color matters in consumer packaged goods(00:45:46) - Winning the Future is Fungi Startup Award(00:46:59) - Quickfire questions with Ricky Cassini(00:49:02) - Dr. Britta Winterberg introduces Mycolever's clean beauty mission(00:50:00) - Fungal bio-compounds replacing petrochemicals in cosmetics(00:52:10) - Technical challenges and breakthroughs in fungal biotech(00:59:52) - Quickfire questions with Dr. Britta Winterberg(01:02:54) - Final reflections on the fungal innovation revolutionLinks and Resources:CellsenseCellsense Partnership with the United NationsBioculture Event hosted by Biofabricate x Juniper VCArahita - LinkedinMountain and The Sea - Ray Nayler 138. Living Textures, Wild Pigments: Suzanne Lee on Nature’s New Aesthetic Toolbox154. No Trees Were Harmed: Symmetry Wood's Gabe Tavas on Growing Wood from WasteGrow Everything SubstackGrow Everything PatreonTopics Covered: biomaterials, fashion, embellishments, sequins, bacterial cellulose, fermentationHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 

Karl and Erum explore the untapped potential of fungi through three groundbreaking interviews. First, they speak with Susanne Gloersen, founder of the Future is Fungi Award, about why fungi represent the next frontier in biotech and how her global platform is accelerating fungal innovation across industries—from soil remediation to firefighting foam. Next, they sit down with Ricky Cassini of Michroma, winner of the Future is Fungi Award, who explains how his team engineers fungi to produce natural food colorants that outperform synthetic dyes and plant-based alternatives, offering 50x more potency than traditional options while being heat and pH stable. Finally, they interview Dr. Britta Winterberg of Mycolever, runner-up of the award, who discusses how her company uses fungal biodiversity to create sustainable bio-compounds for cosmetics, including emulsifiers and enhanced beauty oils that replace petrochemicals without compromising performance. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight recent developments like MIT researchers using fungal compounds to treat brain cancer, FDA's phase-out of synthetic dyes, and the growing shift toward bio-based ingredients in food, cosmetics, and beyond.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Introduction: Fungi as environmental game-changers(00:26:18) - Podcast updates and Michael Levin episode highlights(02:10:35) - Ashley Beckwith and Foray Biosciences: mining fungal biodiversity(04:57:22) - The untapped power of mycelium in biotechnology(08:04:15) - Launching the Future is Fungi Award(08:58:40) - Susanne Gløersen: Why fungi deserve to be core technology(00:12:09) - Fungi's role in solving climate, pollution, and soil degradation(00:27:06) - Quickfire questions with Susanne Gløersen(00:29:14) - Ricky Casini of Michroma: replacing synthetic food dyes with fungi(00:38:10) - Scaling fermentation capacity in South Korea(00:38:45) - Pitching fungal colorants to food manufacturers(00:40:22) - Regulatory wins and transparency in natural colors(00:41:19) - The future of fungal bio-factories in food production(00:43:05) - Scaling up production and strategic partnerships(00:44:09) - Why color matters in consumer packaged goods(00:45:46) - Winning the Future is Fungi Startup Award(00:46:59) - Quickfire questions with Ricky Cassini(00:49:02) - Dr. Britta Winterberg introduces Mycolever's clean beauty mission(00:50:00) - Fungal bio-compounds replacing petrochemicals in cosmetics(00:52:10) - Technical challenges and breakthroughs in fungal biotech(00:59:52) - Quickfire questions with Dr. Britta Winterberg(01:02:54) - Final reflections on the fungal innovation revolutionLinks and Resources:Future is Fungi AwardsFuture is Fungi Award WinnersThe Future is Fungi Award on LinkedInmichroma - 1st place winner Michroma partners with CJ CheilJedang to advance precision fermented colorsMycolever - 2nd place winnerXPRIZEThe language of fungi - Andrew AdamatzkyCosmetic 360 Event156. When Matter Makes Decisions: Michael Levin on the Intelligence of Form158. Mycelium On, Sound Off: How GOB's Lauryn Menard Makes Biomaterials Feel Like Culture126. Sizzling Success: Eben Bayer of MyForest Foods on Scaling Mycelium Magic46. Meat the Future: How Paul Shapiro is Brewing Superfoods at Better Meat Co.131. Leaf It to Science: How Foray Bioscience's Ashley Beckwith is Reforesting the FutureTopics Covered: mycelium, fungi, mushrooms, Future is Fungi, bioinnovation, biotech, mycoremediation, food dyes, personal care and beautyHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553