Why Fresh Matters: A Candid Conversation with Green Juju's Billy Hoekman

04/15/25 • 65 min

What’s really in your pet’s bowl? In a recent episode of our Get Fresh with Jenn podcast - host Jenn Newark sits down with Billy Hoekman, Vice President of Nutrition and Communication at Green Juju, to dig into what sets real, whole food apart from the rest.

Billy doesn’t hold back—he shares why transparency in the pet food industry is still rare, and how Green Juju is doing things differently.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in:

🔍 What Makes Green Juju Different

No synthetic vitamins—every nutrient comes from real, whole, well sourced foods
Simple, short ingredient lists you can actually read and understand
Recipes created by nutritionists, rooted in nature

🥩 The Truth About Ingredients

“Ingredient splitting” is still a trick used to hide poor-quality components
Fresh food labels should look like your grocery list—not a science experiment
Billy explains why “complete and balanced” doesn’t always mean healthy

🧠 Pet Nutrition Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Not every pet needs the same thing—bio-individuality matters
Why Billy avoids buzzwords and focuses on species-appropriate nutrition
Green Juju offers diverse recipes (like bison, duck, and salmon) to match your pet’s needs

📦 Frozen vs. Freeze-Dried: What You Should Know

Frozen foods deliver the freshest option with minimal processing
Freeze-dried is great for convenience but may have slightly less nutrient retention
Both options can support raw feeding or be used as food toppers depending on your goals

💡 Billy’s Advice for Pet Parents

Start small: even one scoop of fresh food a day can make a difference
Know your source—transparency is key
Trust your gut and watch your pet, not just the marketing

Learn more about Green Juju Products at Pet Grocer CLICK HERE

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**The content in this podcast is not meant to replace veterinary advice. Always consult your holistic veterinarian prior to using any recommended items or supplements.**

Billy doesn’t hold back—he shares why transparency in the pet food industry is still rare, and how Green Juju is doing things differently.

Here’s what you’ll learn when you tune in:

🔍 What Makes Green Juju Different

No synthetic vitamins—every nutrient comes from real, whole, well sourced foods
Simple, short ingredient lists you can actually read and understand
Recipes created by nutritionists, rooted in nature

🥩 The Truth About Ingredients

“Ingredient splitting” is still a trick used to hide poor-quality components
Fresh food labels should look like your grocery list—not a science experiment
Billy explains why “complete and balanced” doesn’t always mean healthy

🧠 Pet Nutrition Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

Not every pet needs the same thing—bio-individuality matters
Why Billy avoids buzzwords and focuses on species-appropriate nutrition
Green Juju offers diverse recipes (like bison, duck, and salmon) to match your pet’s needs

📦 Frozen vs. Freeze-Dried: What You Should Know

Frozen foods deliver the freshest option with minimal processing
Freeze-dried is great for convenience but may have slightly less nutrient retention
Both options can support raw feeding or be used as food toppers depending on your goals

💡 Billy’s Advice for Pet Parents

Start small: even one scoop of fresh food a day can make a difference
Know your source—transparency is key
Trust your gut and watch your pet, not just the marketing

Learn more about Green Juju Products at Pet Grocer CLICK HERE

Previous Episode

Your Energy & Health Impacts Your Pet - Time for a Post Holiday Reset...Let's Rest & Repair

A Time to Rest and Repair for You and Your Pets

January often finds us feeling a bit blah after the excitement and energy of the holiday season. In this podcast episode, Jenn speaks with Pet Grocer staff member and owner of Be Light Wellness Coaching, Sarah O'Donnell, about the importance of rest and repair—for both you and your pets.

We explore the deep connection between our mental and physical well-being and how it can influence our pets' health. Just like us, they need time to rest, recharge, and repair. Here are some key concepts we discussed in the episode:

Self-care: Prioritize activities that help you feel grounded and balanced.
Unplugging: Take breaks from screens and digital distractions.
Meditation: Practice mindfulness to reduce stress and promote calm.
Grounding: Spend time in nature to reconnect with yourself.
Eating Comforting and Nutritious Foods: Enjoy foods like broths, stews, fresh fruits, and vegetables to nourish your body.
Gratitude Practice: Reflect on positive moments to shift your mindset.

We also discuss the science behind these practices, exploring how they support both mental and physical health for you and your pets. These practices benefit you and can also create a more peaceful, healing environment for your pets.

Tune into this podcast for a deeper dive into these topics and practical tips on how to bring more rest and repair into your life and your pet's routine.

Resources:

https://www.mdpi.com/1047888

https://bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/

https://blog.mindbrainbodylab.com/p/the-neuroscience-behind-sunlights

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2113852118

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6589172/