Loading...

PODCAST

Next Up Podcast

Next Up is NxtGen Network"s podcast for the food industry: real conversations with the people actually building school nutrition and foodservice, not just the ones giving keynotes. Industry leaders and rising voices get into the actual career stories, the wins, the setbacks, and the innovation reshaping K-12 foodservice from the inside. If you work in food and want to hear from people who"ve actually done it, this is your show. Subscribe so you don"t miss the next one.

arts food

All Episodes

01:00:42

The Social Hour | The Behind NxtGen Network's Social...

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/09/29

AI won't replace you. The person who uses it will.In this special edition of the Next Up Podcast, Marlon sits down with NxtGen Network Social Media Managers Rachel and Kariss. They talk AI, social media strategy, school nutrition marketing, and what really happens behind NxtGen's content.Rachel and Kariss pull back the curtain on the AI tools they've built into their daily workflow. Kariss shares the AI "brand voice" skill she built to create NxtGen-style content on command

en

00:52:57

The Miami-Dade Difference

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/07/06

DRAFTWhat happens when a Food & Nutrition Officer spends 25 years inside one of the largest school districts in America — and refuses to settle for "good enough"? You get Angie Kasselakis, RDN, SHRM-SCP — and a school meal program feeding 156,000 kids a day across 360+ schools in Miami-Dade County.In this episode, Marlon Gordon sits down with Angie Kasselakis, Food & Nutrition Officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, to talk about her 25-year journey from part-time food service worker to

en

00:24:03

Fresh From The Vine | Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes...

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/05/26

Sponsored by Red Gold Tomatoes, this special live episode of the Next Up Podcast was filmed at the NxtGen Masterclass in Orlando, FL, bringing together school nutrition leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals to talk about the future of K-12 foodservice.From branding and marketing to product innovation and student engagement, the conversation dives into new ideas helping school meal programs grow and better connect with their communities.Thank you to Red Gold for continuing to support

en

01:09:30

Menu Drives Your Business: Inside Health-e Pro's...

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/04/17

What happens when a retired school nutrition director decides to build the software she always wished she had? You get Health-e Pro — a USDA-approved menu planning platform with over 5,000 recipes, 20,000 products, and a team of dietitians and food service professionals building technology from the inside out.In this episode, Marlon Gordon sits down with Kadon Simmons (Head of Growth) and Kim Coleman (Head of Product) at Health-e Pro to break down how their founder Meg Chesley turned a consulting

en

00:46:56

Packing Bags and Paying Tabs

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/01/28

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Samantha Bourque from National Food Group and Zee Zees for a powerful conversation about food insecurity, corporate social responsibility, and how purpose-driven work can create real change in communities across the country.From Samantha’s journey through the Detroit Lions, ESPN, and Ford Motor Company to her current role leading community impact initiatives, the conversation explores how food can be a vehicle for education,

en

00:42:19

If it's About Us Don't Do it Without Us | GENYOUth

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/01/16

This conversation features members of the GENYOUth National Youth Council discussing the importance of student engagement in school meal programs. They explore the mission of GENYOUth, the stigmas surrounding school meals, and the need for improvements in meal options and cafeteria experiences. The students emphasize the significance of time and space during lunch, the impact of breakfast on performance, and the desire for more cultural diversity in food offerings. They also address misconceptions

en

00:38:22

Behind the Brand: Zee Zees

Next Up Podcast ·

2026/01/05

In this episode of The Next Up Podcast, host Marlon Gordon sits down with Tara Sharpe, K-12 Segment Director for Zee Zees® (National Food Group), for an in-depth conversation about branding, innovation, and what it truly takes to succeed in school foodservice.From why K-12 is the “PhD of foodservice” to how strong branding directly increases student participation, Tara shares real-world examples of how fun, compliant, and student-approved products can transform the lunch line. They dive into

en

00:36:57

Inside Eagle Mountain Saginaw’s Nutrition Mission

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of Next Up, we’re joined by Darlene Lopez and Megan Martinson from Eagle Mountain–Saginaw ISD for a powerful look at how food, culture, and education intersect inside today’s school nutrition programs. They share their personal journeys into the nutrition world and raise an important question: What inspires someone to choose school nutrition as a career—and how do we bring more people into this work?Darlene and Meghan walk us through their district’s creative approach to menu

en

00:46:21

Garland ISD’s Culinary Revolution

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of Next Up, the team from Garland ISD—Craig Hempel, Jennifer Miller, and Chef Kevin Jenkins—breaksdown how they transformed one of Texas’s largest districts into a model for freshly prepared, student-centered school meals. Their story immediately raises a powerful question: How can a district this size pull off scratch cooking at this scale? They share how their “Freshly Prepared” philosophy makes scratch cooking more approachable, supported by hands-onculinary training and simple

en

00:37:14

How One Choice Changed a District

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of Next Up, we sit down with Shannon Almand- the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Quitman ISD whose journey into child nutrition proves how powerful purpose-driven work can be. Shannon shares how she transformed her district’s meal program through scratch cooking, innovative service models, and a strong commitment to student wellness.She explains why scratch cooking matters—not just for food quality, but for building trust with students—and asks an important question: What

en

00:49:47

Fueling Healthy Futures

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/10/31

This conversation explores the vital work of Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health programming in schools across the United States. The discussion highlights the personal journeys of the speakers, the importance of school nutrition, the impact of the Healthy Meals Incentives initiative, and the challenges faced in child health today. The speakers emphasize the need for collaboration between education and nutrition professionals, innovative approaches to

en

00:58:39

Astronauts, Chefs, & Dietitians: Building Better...

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/10/10

***A little bit of technical difficulties couldn't stop us from a great conversation and tons of laughs. Make sure you stick around for the bloopers!***We’re kicking off Season 6 with an inspiring, laugh-filled, and eye-opening conversation recorded live in Washington, D.C.! Host Marlon joins Bettina Applewhite, Nichole Taylor, and Stacey Williamson — three powerhouse women whose careers span satellites, school kitchens, and national nutrition leadership.In this episode, we explore everything

en

00:28:29

A Seat At The Table: Creating Spaces Students Love

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/08/18

How can school cafeterias spark innovation, build community, and change the way students see nutrition? In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, we're live at Ignite 2025 and leaders in school nutrition share stories of creativity and passion that are transforming mealtime in schools.The conversation sponsored by AmTab, explores hydroponic gardens, charcuterie-style bento boxes, culturally inspired menus, and modern cafeteria redesigns that make meals exciting, healthy, and community-focused. Lacy

en

01:15:46

Real Talk, Real People: Meet the Masters

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/07/02

Welcome to the debut of the Next Up Podcast Live at the NxtGen Masterclass—where creativity, purpose, and school nutrition collide. Marlon is joined by a panel of powerhouse guests like Melissa Santell, DJ Bonoan, Jamie Ouverson, and Cassie Tucker, this episode kicks off the NxtGen Masterclass- two days of sessions on how to elevate your storytelling, marketing, and photography game in the K-12 Nutrition space, even with minimal resources. From shrimp-styling, to capturing boba yogurt pearls on a

en

00:41:55

NxtGen Masterclass: Celebrating Innovation in School...

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/05/21

How can we make school lunch cool again? What strategies actually boost student participation in school meal programs? In this episode sponsored by Multiteria, school nutrition leaders Marcus Shelton and Anji Branch share how they’re transforming the cafeteria experience through creativity, innovation, and strong community relationships. Plus, we’re joined by a special guest from Multiteria—Regional Senior Sales Manager Tracie Samp—who brings unique insights on how thoughtful design and flexible

en

01:00:00

Beyond The Cafeteria: E S Foods' Mission to Nourish...

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/03/24

In this episode, Tom Ferris shares his journey from a soccer-loving youth to a successful career in the food service industry. He discusses his early experiences in hospitality, his transition to food brokerage, and his current role at ES Foods. The conversation also delves into the importance of fitness and health, especially as life becomes busier with family and work commitments. Tom emphasizes the value of relationships in business and the foundational experiences that shaped his work ethic

en

00:46:32

Innovating School Nutrition: The Trailblazer Awards

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/03/07

In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, produced by NxtGen Network, host Marlon Gordon welcomes guests Jenna Kaczmarski and Shani Hall to discuss the importance of innovation in school nutrition. The conversation revolves around the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative and its impact on school meal programs. They delve into the significance of the Trailblazer Awards, administrative reviews, and how school meals can positively influence children's nutrition.The discussion also highlights the

en

00:45:59

Zee Zees | Making Healthy Food Fun & The Fight to End...

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/02/26

Join Marlon as he chats with Tara Sharpe and Kristine Buyers at the Zee Zees HQ in Michigan. The trio discusses Zee Zees' innovative approach to school nutrition that combines fun branding, product development, and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of School Meal Programs. Learn how Zee Zees is committed to creating engaging products that not only adhere to nutritional standards but also appeal to students, ultimately boosting participation in school meal programs. The conversation

en

00:55:55

Beyond Cool School Cafe: The Power of Prime

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/02/22

In this episode, Marlon sits down with Joe Guadagnino who shares his journey from the fast food industry to leading Cool School Prime, a program that enhances the K-12 food service experience through reward points and rebates. The discussion highlights the importance of nutrition in schools, the evolution of school meals, and the power of collaboration in the K-12 space. Joe emphasizes the significant impact of Cool School Prime, which has already provided millions in rebates and points to school

en

00:46:57

Butterball | Animal Care & Wellbeing

Next Up Podcast ·

2025/02/14

Discover the inside scoop on Butterball in this episode of the NextUp Podcast! Marlon dives into a fascinating conversation with Dr. Alice Johnson and Frank Samuelson from Butterball, uncovering the company's dedication to animal care & wellbeing, food safety, and cutting-edge turkey products. Learn about their transparent auditing practices, the role of antibiotics in turkey farming, and why turkey is gaining popularity in K-12 school meals. Plus, hear about Butterball's community

en

82 results

Similar Podcasts

Broadway Unexpected : Chronicles of their journey

Maya Callaghan

Wild West Tales - Old Time Radio Westerns

theaterofthemind-otr.com

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Host Jon Hagadorn. All stories in...

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

Beyond Pages Podcast

Nsisong Akpan