#19 Justin Mares - Pt 2: Fixing the Broken Food & Health Systems

06/27/24 • 53 min

In part 2 Justin Mares and I discuss the broken food and health systems in the US and the need to prioritize human flourishing. We get into the weaponization of our instincts by companies that produce addictive food, the importance of fixing our environment and food system, and the role of human health in the built environment. Justin shares his experience in the health industry and highlights the misalignment of incentives in the food and healthcare industries.

We touch on the lack of trust in traditional institutions and the challenges of following dietary guidelines. Justin talks about nutrient density in crops, the depletion of nutrients in soil, the impact of food processing on nutrient density, and the potential consequences for human health. We also delve into the challenges of scaling sustainable farming practices and the role of government and corporations in addressing health and environmental issues. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the need for individual and community action to create positive change.

Takeaways

The food and health systems in the US are profoundly broken and need to be fixed to promote human flourishing.
Companies are weaponizing our instincts to create addictive and profitable food products.
Fixing the environment, food system, and built environment is crucial for improving human health.
There is a lack of trust in traditional institutions and their ability to provide accurate health advice.
The misalignment of incentives in the food and healthcare industries hinders progress in promoting human health. Nutrient density in crops is influenced by the nutrients in the soil, and over time, the depletion of nutrients in the soil has led to less nutrient-dense crops.
Food processing can further reduce nutrient density, and the consumption of processed foods may lead to nutrient deficiencies and cravings for specific nutrients.
Scaling sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, can help improve soil health and nutrient density in crops.
Government regulations and policies play a role in shaping the food system, but individual and community action is also necessary to create positive change.
Addressing health and environmental issues requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of various factors, including food production, human health, and environmental sustainability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment

00:57 Weaponizing Instincts: The Addictive Food Industry

06:22 Misaligned Incentives in the Food and Healthcare Industries

08:16 The Broken Healthcare Industry

19:19 The Debate on Veganism and Vegetarianism

25:12 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Nutrient Deficiencies in Food

26:41 The Impact of Soil Depletion on Nutrient Density in Crops

29:07 The Nutrient Decay Curve and the Role of Food Processing

34:29 Challenges and Potential of Scaling Sustainable Farming Practices

36:25 Government and Corporate Responsibility in Addressing Health and Environmental Issues

43:00 The Need for Individual and Community Action

CONNECT WITH JUSTIN

Justin’s Substack: ⁠The Next | Justin Mares | Substack⁠
Twitter: ⁠Justin Mares (@jwmares) / X⁠
Kettle and Fire: ⁠https://www.kettleandfire.com/⁠
Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines: ⁠https://www.drinksurely.com/⁠
Perfect Keto: ⁠https://perfectketo.com/⁠
Truemed: https://www.truemed.com/

RECS

Book Rec: ⁠Formerly Known as Food⁠

Book Rec: ⁠The End of Craving⁠

Book Rec:

Takeaways

The food and health systems in the US are profoundly broken and need to be fixed to promote human flourishing.
Companies are weaponizing our instincts to create addictive and profitable food products.
Fixing the environment, food system, and built environment is crucial for improving human health.
There is a lack of trust in traditional institutions and their ability to provide accurate health advice.
The misalignment of incentives in the food and healthcare industries hinders progress in promoting human health. Nutrient density in crops is influenced by the nutrients in the soil, and over time, the depletion of nutrients in the soil has led to less nutrient-dense crops.
Food processing can further reduce nutrient density, and the consumption of processed foods may lead to nutrient deficiencies and cravings for specific nutrients.
Scaling sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, can help improve soil health and nutrient density in crops.
Government regulations and policies play a role in shaping the food system, but individual and community action is also necessary to create positive change.
Addressing health and environmental issues requires a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of various factors, including food production, human health, and environmental sustainability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment

00:57 Weaponizing Instincts: The Addictive Food Industry

06:22 Misaligned Incentives in the Food and Healthcare Industries

08:16 The Broken Healthcare Industry

19:19 The Debate on Veganism and Vegetarianism

25:12 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Nutrient Deficiencies in Food

26:41 The Impact of Soil Depletion on Nutrient Density in Crops

29:07 The Nutrient Decay Curve and the Role of Food Processing

34:29 Challenges and Potential of Scaling Sustainable Farming Practices

36:25 Government and Corporate Responsibility in Addressing Health and Environmental Issues

43:00 The Need for Individual and Community Action

CONNECT WITH JUSTIN

Justin’s Substack: ⁠The Next | Justin Mares | Substack⁠
Twitter: ⁠Justin Mares (@jwmares) / X⁠
Kettle and Fire: ⁠https://www.kettleandfire.com/⁠
Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines: ⁠https://www.drinksurely.com/⁠
Perfect Keto: ⁠https://perfectketo.com/⁠
Truemed: https://www.truemed.com/

RECS

Book Rec: ⁠Formerly Known as Food⁠

Book Rec: ⁠The End of Craving⁠

Book Rec:

Previous Episode

#18 Justin Mares - Pt 1: The Great American Poisoning

Justin Mares is the founder of Kettle and Fire, Perfect Keto, and Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines, and is working on his fourth company: Truemed. I am super impressed with what Justin has accomplished, and am a big fan of Kettle and Fire. My wife and I drink their bone broth regularly. What I am most inspired by is that Justin isn’t in business just to be in business. He is in business to solve problems that make peoples’ lives better, specifically around their physical and mental health and wellbeing. As the sickest generation of Americans in history–and it’s not even close–he is on a mission to rescue the food system and transform the industry into something that serves people first, not profits. Health is foundational to human flourishing – even before shelter.

We discuss how Justin started Kettle and Fire by testing the idea with a landing page and no actual product to gauge demand. We discuss the importance of a healthy food system, and the failures of regulatory bodies like the FDA. Justin emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize consumer health and wellness. Our conversation explores the impact of food regulations and the state of health in the US. Justin highlights the differences between the US and the EU in terms of food regulations, with the US allowing thousands of chemicals in food that are banned in Europe. We also discuss the high rates of chronic diseases and obesity in the US, and the connection between physical and mental health.

TAKEAWAYS

The most profitable food products are often the worst for people, highlighting the brokenness of the food system.
Starting a company that prioritizes consumer health and wellness is important but challenging.
Bone broth is a nutrient-dense food that can improve gut, skin, and joint health.
The FDA and other regulatory bodies have failed to protect consumers, leading to high rates of chronic disease.
The food system needs to be reformed to prioritize healthier and more sustainable options. The US allows thousands of chemicals in food that are banned in Europe, leading to worse health outcomes for Americans.
The US has high rates of chronic diseases and obesity, with 60% of Americans living with at least one chronic disease and 80% being overweight.
There is a strong connection between physical and mental health, and addressing physical health through food interventions can improve mental health.
Food regulations and the food system play a significant role in the overall health of the population.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment

01:09 Guest Introduction: Justin Mares

03:25 Starting Kettle and Fire: Testing the Idea

08:16 The Benefits of Bone Broth

11:35 Creating Healthier Food Products

19:11 The Failures of Regulatory Bodies

23:33 Differences in Food Regulations: US vs. EU

30:42 High Rates of Chronic Diseases and Obesity in the US

41:42 The Connection Between Physical and Mental Health

46:24 The Impact of Food Regulations on Health

CONNECT WITH JUSTIN

Justin’s Substack: The Next | Justin Mares | Substack
Twitter: Justin Mares (@jwmares) / X
Kettle and Fire: https://www.kettleandfire.com/
Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines: https://www.drinksurely.com/
Perfect Keto: https://perfectketo.com/
Truemed: https://www.truemed.com/

RECS

Book Rec: Formerly Known as Food

Book Rec: The End of Craving

Book Rec: Gangs of Am...

Next Episode

#20 Rob Parker: Trilith President - Town Builders of the 21st Century and the New Walkable City

Trilith is a newly built (and growing) walkable community located next to Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the most successful TNDs and New Urbanists communities in the country.

Rob Parker, as President, leads a team of designers, architects, planners and builders in creating the 235 acre master-planned residential and mixed use development. Rob is a transformational leader with a focus on people, and has extensive experience in town building, commercial and retail development, music entertainment, non-profit leadership, marketing, branding and capital development.

This episode is a must for developers, investors, planners, architects, engineers or city officials interested in creating more walkable, mixed-use, people-first places. Hear directly from someone who has actually done it successfully, and learn about the keys to success, as well as some of the pitfalls.

Trilith is built on the principles of new urbanism, with a focus on walkability, sustainability, and a deep sense of community. The vision of Trilith is to create a town for creatives, artists, storytellers, and makers, where everyone feels loved, served, inspired, and connected. The community is designed to promote longer, better, and happier lives for its residents. Trilith is a successful example of a people-centered, walkable community that prioritizes sustainability and quality of life.

TAKEAWAYS

Trilith is a walkable community in Atlanta, Georgia, built on the principles of new urbanism.
The community is designed to promote longer, better, and happier lives for its residents.
Trillith is focused on creating a sense of community and connection among its residents.
The community is committed to sustainability and has implemented practices such as geothermal heating and cooling and the preservation of green spaces. Trilith is a people-centered, walkable community that prioritizes sustainability and quality of life.
The development focuses on creating smaller footprint, energy-efficient homes and incorporates sustainable technologies like geothermal energy and solar power.
Trilith emphasizes the importance of community and mental health, offering enrichment activities and a progressive school.
The financing of the project involved patient capital and partnerships with builders and investors.
The success of Trilith has led to increased property values and a positive impact on the surrounding area.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Trilith and Rob Parker

03:01 Creating a Walkable Community for Creatives

07:47 Promoting Longer, Better, and Happier Lives

14:42 Fostering a Sense of Community and Connection

18:08 The Freedom of Living in a Walkable Environment

20:29 The Impact of COVID-19 on Trilith

29:05 The Importance of Sharing the Vision

37:48 Commitment to Sustainability and Green Practices

40:02 Creating a Sustainable and Walkable Community

41:30 Incorporating Sustainable Technologies in Home Design

44:20 Prioritizing Community and Mental Health