show episodes
 
High-low brow conversations about culture, science, and tech. With hosts Joey Camire, Aaron Powers, and executive producer/nerd herder Jess Vander. SYLVAIN is a strategy and design company.
  continue reading
 
Artwork

1
The Food Professor

Michael LeBlanc, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

icon
Unsubscribe
icon
Unsubscribe
Weekly
 
Join Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax with host Michael LeBlanc as they look at the hot issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries. We'll discuss proprietary industry and consumer food related research, check out fresh new ideas and talk about half baked strategies. © 2020-2025 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  continue reading
 
Artwork
 
Listen in on Jane Street’s Ron Minsky as he has conversations with engineers who are working on everything from clock synchronization to reliable multicast, build systems to reconfigurable hardware. Get a peek at how Jane Street approaches problems, and how those ideas relate to tech more broadly. You can find transcripts along with related links on our website at signalsandthreads.com.
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois break down the most pressing food and trade stories this week on The Food Professor Podcast, which is making waves across Canada and beyond. 🔴 Trump's Tariff Shockwave: The duo unpacks the impact of Donald Trump's latest tariff threats on Canadian farmers, the surprising response from Mexico, and whether food …
  continue reading
 
What's to come in 2025? This week, Wild Prognostications returns! Jess, Aaron, and Joey make their predictions for the new year, discussing micro-social media [3:30], platform madness [6:52], nihilistic design [13:10], weaponized compliance [18:32], graphic realism pivoting to novel gameplay [24:05], dressing up [30:38], blockbuster novels [33:15],…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois explore diverse food industry topics. The show kicks off with a conversation about Texas barbecue, featuring Chuck Charnichart, also known as BBQ Rat, the young, award-winning pitmaster of Barb’s BQ. Her journey from working at Texas' top barbecue spots to launchi…
  continue reading
 
How do we respond to the competing incentives of hybrid work? This week, we revisit our conversation from Critical Nonsense 290! Hybrid Work, this time with special guest and workplace design leader Amanda Stanaway of ERA-co. She joins Joey and Jess to talk about belonging, productivity, the corporate Kool-Aid, burnout, human connection, and hammoc…
  continue reading
 
This episode of The Food Professor podcast features Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois in conversation with Nicholas Mulroney, co-founder and CEO of Bond Bakery Brands. The discussion begins with Mulroney's transition from a finance background to the food industry, inspired by his acquisition of Portofino Bakery in 2019. His company invests in …
  continue reading
 
Why would you break up with your best friend? This week, Joey and Jess talk about para-romance, frenemies, communication styles, emotional proximity, work relationships, and boy and girl bands. They don’t talk about Whodini. references Oprah: Should You Really Break Up with That Friend? Black Love: How to Grieve Women Friendships That No Longer Ser…
  continue reading
 
On this episode we look at the hottest topics in the food business including class action claims over inaccurate grocery scales and the FTC's case against John Deere's repair policies. Both highlight the implications for consumer trust and farmer autonomy. The conversation turns to obesity measurement as the hosts critique the outdated Body Mass In…
  continue reading
 
Why do people love rituals so much? This week, a rerun from the Nonsense Wellspring (archive)! Again, Jess, Aaron, and Joey talk about medicine, Lunar New Year, habits, disease, leg washing, and flossing. They don’t talk about Jane's Addiction. references twitterpated Yale School of Medicine: Phenylephrine, a Common Decongestant, Is Ineffective, Sa…
  continue reading
 
The latest episode of The Food Professor podcast, hosted by Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois, offers a forward-looking discussion on 2025's potential impacts on the food industry. From groundbreaking AI applications to evolving political landscapes, this episode is packed with insights. Key topics include AI's transformative potential, partic…
  continue reading
 
When is it okay to correct someone? This week, a rerun from the Nonsense Wellspring (archive)! Again, Jess and Joey talk about Vander-ism, otaku, pedantry, language, Ryan-ing, and comments sections. Thankfully, they don’t talk about the Oxford comma. references Otaku Corrections Department (because of course): Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the…
  continue reading
 
How did our predictions play out in 2024? This week, Aaron, Jess and Joey look back at their prognogs from Episode 247, discussing AI hardware, energy optimism, Scarlett Johansson, AI slop, EV, algae-based biofuels, the gelatin market, and wide shoes. They don’t talk about Jamie Foxx. references Wired: "Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft C…
  continue reading
 
In the final episode of The Food Professor Podcast for 2024, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois reflect on a whirlwind year in the agri-food industry. With a mix of sharp insights and humour, we tackle the top ten food stories of the year and set the stage for what's to come in 2025. The episode starts with the we…
  continue reading
 
What kernels of truth are there in sci-fi content today that can maybe predict what our smart technological futures will look like? This week, Jess and Joey talk about retrofuturism, the Otis elevator, all things Dymaxian, AI, post-scarcity society and ship names. They don’t talk about our dystopian present. references Christmas in Connecticut Otis…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discuss various pressing topics in the food and retail sectors. We begin with reflections on the release of Canada’s Food Price Report, which sparked substantial media coverage despite being overshadowed by broader economic and political issues, including the prop…
  continue reading
 
What do we do with Cultural Beige? This week, Aaron and Joey talk about cultural homogenization, algorithms, local commerce, international culture, outliers and Charli XCX. They don’t talk about Christian Bale or J. G. Ballard. references Empire Of The Sun "Walking On A Dream" Empire Of The Sun "Alive" @ The Hollywood Bowl 11/23/24 Sabrina Carpente…
  continue reading
 
This episode of The Food Professor #podcast highlights the release of Canada's Food Price Report, forecasting a 3-5% increase in food costs for 2025, translating to an additional $801 yearly expense for a family of four. Key drivers include escalating meat prices due to small herd sizes, pork inflation, and avian flu impacting poultry. The eastern …
  continue reading
 
Why haven't we figured out hybrid yet? This week, Jess and Joey talk about remote working, cost structures, collaborative tools, individual flexibility, speaker microphones, and body language. They don’t talk about sensory processing issues and how they impact in-person productivity. references Yegor Denisov-Blanch on software engineering productiv…
  continue reading
 
In this engaging episode of The Food Professor Podcast, hosts Sylvain Charlebois and Michael LeBlanc navigate a packed agenda, blending international trade, environmental policy, and groundbreaking innovation in the coffee industry. The episode kicks off with a live interview with Ed Hoehn, COO of Atomo Coffee, recorded at the Coffee Association of…
  continue reading
 
What varietal of mind wine are your grapes lately? This week, Aaron, Joey, and Jess talk about pattern breaking, the restorative power of boredom, bird brains, pajama day, the productivity mindset, and seizing rest. They don’t talk about when Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. references Feng Shui Modern by Cliff Tan B…
  continue reading
 
In this lively episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois tackle a rich menu of topics spanning BBQ, agriculture, global health, and trade. We kick things off with a nod to Texas BBQ culture, celebrating the Michelin Guide's arrival in the state. We highlight an inspiring conversation with…
  continue reading
 
Why are we so obsessed with trying to live forever? This week, special guest Chandler Saunders joins Jess and Joey to talk about adult superlatives, aging, the soul, compounding experience, afterlife FOMO, and aging reversal. They don’t talk about Irene Cara. references Piaget's 4 Stages of Cognitive Development Explained Ray Kurzweil Ship of These…
  continue reading
 
This week on The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, we dive into a compelling episode featuring Mitchell Scott, CEO of Cult Food Science. Mitchell's company is at the forefront of cellular agriculture, a revolutionary field paving the way for cultivated meat. Cult Food Science is making strides in commercializing lab-grown—though they pre…
  continue reading
 
What is it about certain settings that just piss us off? This week, Joey and Jess talk about Maggie Rogers, live concerts, the unflustered mom, road rage, cycling, and liminality. They don’t talk about mosh pits. references Maggie Rogers The Unflustered Mom: How Understanding the Five Anxiety Styles Transforms the Way We Parent, Partner, Live, and …
  continue reading
 
In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois discuss the implications of Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency on the agri-food sector. We explore how his administration may impact trade, environmental policies, and Canadian food security. Trump's presidency, with a Republican-controlled Congres…
  continue reading
 
What's the best way to unlock a sense of financial security in all of us? This week, Aaron, Joey, and Jess talk about voting, the economy, financial insecurity, the post-scarcity world, unequal distribution, and intergenerational trauma. They don’t talk about A$AP Rocky. references Werewolf Bar Mitzvah The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Agatha Throug…
  continue reading
 
On this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois bring on an influential guest: Per Bank, President and CEO of Loblaw Companies Limited. Bank, who joined Loblaw in late 2023 after a diverse career in Europe, shares his perspectives on Canadian retail, competition, and his vision for th…
  continue reading
 
In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, we welcome back to the show Colleen Martin from Caddle, who presented exclusive research on sustainability based on a survey of over 8,900 Canadians. Colleen revealed that 55% of consumers consider sustainability important when choosing products, but price sensitivity remains a key barrier. Millennials…
  continue reading
 
What do we do about power distance? This week, Joey and Jess talk about organizational hierarchy, Geert Hofstede, authoratative leadership, omakase, decision-making, and Mr. Oizo. They don’t talk about Flat Stanley. references IF This is 40 Mark Menjívar's "Refrigerators" Geert Hofstede's 6-D model of national culture Mr. Oizo's "Flat Beat" Mr. Oiz…
  continue reading
 
In the latest episode of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, we welcome a special guest, Zeeshan Fazal, Regional Director and Agrifood expert from Export Development Canada (EDC). Recorded live at the SIAL food innovation show in Montreal, Zeeshan explains how EDC supports Canadian companies in expanding their reach beyond borders, inc…
  continue reading
 
Sylvain Gugger is a former math teacher who fell into machine learning via a MOOC and became an expert in the low-level performance details of neural networks. He’s now on the ML infrastructure team at Jane Street, where he helps traders speed up their models. In this episode, Sylvain and Ron go deep on learning rate schedules; the subtle performan…
  continue reading
 
In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Heidi Dutton, CEO of Lovingly Made. Heidi shares how her organization is revolutionizing plant protein for people, pets, and aquaculture, ensuring the highest standards in sustainable sourcing. We dive deep into the world of agricultural entrepreneurship, with Sylvain providing his expert insights, particu…
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Quick Reference Guide

Listen to this show while you explore
Play