207. Dr. Bronner's Cosmic Engagement Officer: David Bronner on an extraordinary family business & legacy

The RegenNarration Podcast

I had the pleasure of sitting down with David Bronner, the Cosmic Engagement Officer of the famed Dr Bronner’s, whose life story is as rich and foamy as the company's iconic soap.
Since David became CEO of the top-selling brand of natural soaps, body care and food products in 1998, the company has grown from $4 million in revenue to well over $100 million, and all while continuing to change so much about the systems and stories we live by. In recent times, they’ve co-founded Regenerative Organic Certification, setting a whole new standard of global supply chain transformation. And here today David announces a new upcoming initiative called the Purpose Pledge, which follows on from last week’s conversation on regenerative finance with Esther Park uncannily well.
But what really had me wondering, as I approached Bronner’s Californian HQ, was how David feels about the iconic All-One company ethos and legacy, 76 years in, given the state of the world today. Having emerged from the tragedy of the Holocaust at the hands of David’s inspired grandfather Emanuel, and knowing that amongst the company’s trailblazing regenerative supply chains are communities in both Palestine and Israel, this was a profound opener to our conversation.
We go on to talk about their deep involvement in plant medicine and the psychedelics resurgence, and how it relates to David’s personal healing – and even how he returned to work at the company. Then there’s the capping of executive pay and giving to others all profits they don’t need, how to grapple with ‘regen washing’, David’s ‘big journey’ as a vegan now advocating for regenerative agriculture, and finally, the breaking news.
As always, head here for chapter markers if you’d like to see an overview or navigate the conversation that way. You can find a transcript there too (also available on Apple and some other apps), which is AI generated and imperfect, but hopefully provides greater access for those who need or like to read.
Recorded on 16 May 2024.
Title slide: AJ & David, after the yarn (pic: Olivia Cheng).
See more photos on the episode web page, and to see more from behind the scenes, become a member via the Patreon page.
With thanks to Mel from Dr Bronner’s Australia, and everyone at Bronner’s HQ.
Music:
Green Shoots, by The Nomadics.
Regeneration, by Amelia Barden, from Regenerating Australia.
The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests (thanks to Josie Symons).
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Luvut

1. Music, Preview, Introduction & Supporter Thanks (00:00:00)

2. How David feels about the family legacy given the state of the world today (00:04:40)

3. Has healing the family’s inter-generational trauma mattered? (including Dr Bronner’s deep history in plant medicine and psychedelics) (00:11:00)

4. Capping executive pay & dedicating all profits they don’t need (00:14:25)

5. Why David didn’t think he’d work in the company - & what changed (00:16:00)

6. The book & family actions that changed David’s mind towards the company (00:23:30)

7. How did he get his business skills up to achieve massive growth & all the other non-commercial outcomes? (00:26:55)

8. Investing in activism, and the ins & outs of hemp and palm oil (00:29:00)

9. Co-founding Regenerative Organic Certification with Patagonia, Rodale & others (00:30:30)

10. Regen washing? Does more need to be done with the various certification schemes? (00:33:10)

11. David’s big journey as a vegan now advocating for regenerative agriculture (00:36:40)

12. Breaking news – Purpose Pledge about to launch (inc. enabling more regenerative finance) (00:41:40)

13. Music and Concluding Words (00:44:15)