{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"David's Decadent Bet, AI Discovery &amp; Austin's Top Operators","description":"Can protein be a decadent dessert? David is betting on it. We dig into the brand's new frozen desserts, unpack Smash Foods' $5 million funding round, examine how AI is changing the path to purchase and revisit standout insights from some of Austin's smartest operators. Show notes: 0:20: Pod-Assembly. Pints Delight. Bye, Chia. Claude Picks. Yo Matcha. No Sweat Studio. \u2013 While a \u201csample captain\u201d builds a podium, the hosts preview BevNET Live NYC 2026 before sampling the latest opus from Peter Rahal\u2019s David Protein brand: a new line of indulgent frozen desserts (aka ice cream). They turn their attention to Smash Foods\u2019 $5 million funding round and what its evolution reveals about the power of simplifying a brand story to fuel growth. They also examine AI\u2019s growing influence on product discovery and purchasing decisions, and what that shift could mean for emerging brands competing for consumer attention. The hosts also highlight a new matcha liqueur, a seedy cracker brand and a \u201cbrief\u201d collaboration. 27:17: Interviews from Taste Radio\u2019s Austin Meetup \u2013 Nutrabolt Chief Commercial Officer Jason Cantelli discussed scaling multiple brands while staying relentlessly focused on consumers. Corner Market Communications founder and CEO Megan Kelleher outlined how modern PR can drive tangible business results. NextFoods CEO Marc Seguin reflected on revitalizing GoodBelly, building a strong culture and thinking like an owner at every stage of growth. Bloom SVP of Brand Erica Tam explained how community-building, influencer marketing and retail execution have fueled the brand\u2019s rapid rise. Brands in this episode: David Protein, Halo Top, Smash Foods, Protein Pints, Yoshi Matcha Liqueur, Coaqua, Scoops, Mid-Day Squares, Superfoodio, Top Seedz, Old Milwaukee, OOSO, C4, Cheribundi, GoodBelly, Bloom&amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Taste Radio","author_url":"http:\/\/tasteradio.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41548860\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/202656825"}