Insights and Innovation Manager (Food Scientist) Uses Sensory Science to Create the Drinks You Love, with Nikki Wollak

<br /></p>Nikki Wollak is an Insights and Innovation Manager (a food scientist) at a flavor and beverage development company. Her job is all about making things taste amazing. From running taste tests to translating TikTok food trends into real product ideas, Nikki’s work lives at the intersection of science, creativity, and what consumers will be thirsty for in the future. </p><br /></p>Nikki shares how flavors are developed—from a spark of inspiration to a fully launched product on store shelves. She helps the scientists at her company make great tasting flavors and products by running taste tests, conducting other research studies, and helping to identify trends. She literally gets paid to eat and drink things! Plus, she observes and ask questions of others who are doing the eating and drinking.</p><br /></p>Whether it’s recreating the vibe of a childhood snack or exploring a bold new flavor combo, Nikki’s job is to help brands create products that are relevant, saleable, and desirable. </p><br /></p>Nikki dives into the fascinating world of sensory science, market trends, ingredient innovation, and how consumer feedback drives the flavors we love. </p><br />We chat about:</p><br /></p><ul><li>How considering viral Instagram drink hacks and TikTok cooking videos can show emerging trends that leads to innovation and future products</li><li>How her team uses sensory science to measure taste, texture, aroma, and mouthfeel</li><li>How she combines data with market research and consumer feedback </li></ul><br /></p><b>Contact Info:</b><br />Nikki Wollak - Guest<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-wollak-2a1435123/">Nicole (Nikki) Wollak</a> (LinkedIn)</p><br />Julie Berman - Host<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman</a> (LinkedIn)</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

01:00:20

Chief Medical Examiner Helps Protect the Living By Solving the Mysteries of How People Died, with Dr. Deirdre Amaro of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner

Dr. Deirdre Amaro, the Chief Medical Examiner of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner (OME), believes in the strong ties between solving the mysteries of how people die and how this critical work helps to protect the living. </p><br /></p>She has a unique role in that she actively does the post-mortem exam, looks at things under a microscope, and analyzes toxicology results while also stepping into her executive role and managing recruiting, hiring, training, and day-to-day operations. She is an amazing example of doing this AND being that -- her job requires completely different skill sets, and she is doing them all. She is living into the "Yes, And" philosophy! </p><br /></p>Dr. Deirdre oversees the centralized, state-wide medical examiner system for the entire state of Utah. Her and her team investigate all sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious, or unattended deaths that happen in the state.<b> </b>This means they determine:</p><br /></p><ol><li>Cause of death (the injury, illness, or disease that made the person die) and </li><li>Manner of death (the general category of death, including natural, accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined)</li></ol><br /></p>Dr. Deirdre Amaro is a quadruple-certified physician in:</p><ul><li>anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, forensic pathology, and neuropathology </li></ul>Before this role, she worked as a forensic pathologist since 2016 in multiple states and a variety of medical examiner systems.</p>   </p>This is a fascinating interview with an incredibly dedicated, smart woman who helps advocate for both the dead and the living through her work. </p><br /></p><b>Contact Info:</b><br />Dr. Deirdre Amaro - Guest<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-amaro-a1615031/">Dr. Deirdre Amaro</a> (LinkedIn)</p><br />Julie Berman - Host<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman</a> (LinkedIn)</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

01:13:16

Veterinary Chief Medical Officer Helps Beloved Pets Stay Healthy and Happy, with Dr. Alea Harrison of Banfield Pet Hospital

Dr. Alea Harrison is the Chief Medical Officer of Banfield Pet Hospital where she supports the practice’s 3,600 veterinarians across 1000 hospitals throughout the United States to deliver high-quality, preventive care to millions of pets every year.</p><br /></p>Dr. Harrison has been with Banfield for more than 17 years. She started as a veterinarian in the practice’s hospitals in 2006 and has had progressive leadership roles. </p><br /></p>Her personal experience treating pets and listening to pet owners helps her identify the best tools and strategies to make best-in-practice treatment decisions informed by the latest medical research, Banfield’s own data, and values of inclusion and wellbeing. </p><br /></p>She's also a strong advocate for getting more women and minorities into STEM careers and leadership positions.</p><br /></p><b>Contact Info:</b><br />Dr. Alea Harrison - Guest<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alea-harrison-724a28103/">Alea Harrison</a> (LinkedIn)</p><br />Julie Berman - Host<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman</a> (LinkedIn)</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:49:20

Starting is Easy, Staying Consistent is Hard: Lessons From Podcasting (5 Years!), with Host Julie Berman

"Is it hard to do a podcast?" is one of the most common questions I get asked after people learn that I have a podcast.</p><br /></p>It's not hard to start. The HARD part is being consistent. It's doing it and then <em>continuing  </em>to create it once the initial sparkles and warm fuzzies wear off, and you're supposed to contact a guest, or record an intro, or talk with an editor, and you just plain don't want to!! Like stomp-your-feet, put-your-foot-down, not in the mood to do it.</p><br /></p>Staying CONSISTENT is honestly what changes the game and this applies to practically everything you want to do. How do you get started, and more importantly, what steps will you take to remain consistent? </p><br /></p>I share about how this leads to</p><ul><li>"Yes, And" thinking</li><li>Building your confidence, and </li><li>My journey of starting "Women with Cool Jobs" 5 years ago in February 2020!</li></ul><br /></p>If you’ve ever thought about starting something new—whether it’s a podcast, a business, or a passion project—this episode is for you. </p><br /></p>Julie Berman - Host<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman</a> (LinkedIn)</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:18:55

Susie Moore on Why Good Enough Is and the Importance of Having a Bias Towards Action (Shorties ep)

Susie Moore shares why good enough IS in her book, "Let It Be Easy" (one of my absolute favorite books)! Having a bias towards action AND being okay with starting out imperfectly with something new are a powerful combination. </p><br /></p>**Welcome to "Shorties" -- quick episodes that help you discover more possibilities for how you approach life, in addition to learning the possibilities for cool jobs!</p><br /></p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:07:37

Marine Biologist and Animal Trainer Inspires People to Care for Ocean Animals, with Kristyn Plancarte (Replay)

Kristyn Plancarte is a marine biologist and animal behavior expert with more than a decade of experience. She has worked with marine mammals like sea otters, sea lions, walruses, false killer wales, African penguins, and beluga whales. She ensures their health and welfare; trains them to perform specific actions like doing eye drops, giving a blood sample, or spraying the audience with water; and educates in person and on social media.</p><b> <br /></b>Kristyn shares all about how she helps the animals, funny stories and experiences she's had with the animals, the process for training them, how you can get into the field, and why she is so passionate about her marine mammal friends.<b><br /><br /></b>We also chat about her unexpected foray into the social media world and how she uses multiple platforms (TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram) to educate, engage, and inspire people to care about the animals in our ocean. She became a content creator during the pandemic so she could share what she and her colleagues do and see at the aquarium, because so many facilities and resources were closed. Along with her community, she has raised almost $50,000 for conservation!</p><br /></p>** <em>Note. </em>This is a Replay episode originally published 11-2-22</p><br /><b>Contact Info:</b><br />Kristyn Plancarte - Guest<br /><a href="https://www.kpassionate.com/">www.kpassionate.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kp.assionate/?hl=en">@KP_assionate</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/KPassionate">KPassionate</a> (YouTube)<br /><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@k_passionate">@k_passionate</a> (TikTok)</p><br />Julie Berman - Host<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman</a> (LinkedIn)</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

01:31:24

Scott Dome on Your Favorite Version of You & Why Paying Attention to These Details Will Impact Your Life (Shorties ep)

Scott Dome's quote about noticing may sound obvious.<br /><br />Yet, if you can really understand the details and nuances of when you <em>come to life</em> and when you truly <em>feel like YOU</em>, you've found some magical keys. You can help yourself unlock many new doors that can positively affect how you move through the world and add in what brings you the most fulfillment and joy.<br /><br />**Welcome to "Shorties" -- quick episodes that help you discover more possibilities for how you approach life, in addition to learning the possibilities for cool jobs!</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:07:03

Digital Publisher and Event Producer Shares the Magic of the Hamptons, with Vanessa Gordon

Vanessa Gordon went from English as a Second Language (ESL)  and fitness teacher to the CEO and Publisher of a digital publication and runs an event production and consulting business based on her love of the Hamptons of Long Island. As a Hampton's native, she has deep ties and relationships that allow her to share the magic of where she's from and why she loves it through her digital content and events. <br /><br />Originally created in 2016, East End Taste is a digital publication that focuses on sustainable and international culinary travel for coastal destinations. Two years later, she created the Hamptons Interactive Brunch, an annual summer event series. She also helps consult and produce many other events.<br /><br />We talk about:<br /><br /></p><ul><li>What it's like to be in the publishing and media industry</li><li>How real relationships are essential components for success</li><li>Why listening to your intuition and instincts are critical</li><li>The behind-the-scenes details of planning upscale events</li></ul><br /><br /><b>Vanessa Gordon - Guest</b><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessapgordon/">Vanessa's Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://www.vanessapgordon.com/">Vanessa's website</a><br /><a href="https://eastendtastemagazine.com/">East End Taste Magazine</a><br /><br /><b>Julie Berman - Podcast Host & Producer</b><br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman's LinkedIn Profile</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a> </p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

01:15:03

Jen Gottlieb's Rule of 51 Percent & Why It Means You Can Go All In Now (Shorties ep)

Do we need to be 100% ready or believe in ourselves 100% to get started?<br /><br />Jen Gottlieb argues, "No!" I share one of my favorite concepts from Jen's book <em>Be Seen. </em>This is a powerful concept (especially for over-researchers, over-planners, or perfectionists) that just may change your life and help you go all in now.<br /><br />**Welcome to "Shorties" -- quick episodes that help you discover more possibilities for how you approach life, in addition to learning the possibilities for cool jobs!</p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:08:15

Life Coach, Author & Podcast Host Shares Why We Don't Have to Be Perfect, We Just Have to Start, with Susie Moore

Sometimes, we are lucky enough to meet the people we admire who have mentored us from afar, and Susie Moore is one of those people for me. Susie Moore is a world-renowned life coach, author, and host of the top-rated Apple podcast, <em>Let It Be Easy</em>. <br /><br />She brings joy, fun and perspective to different areas of life in a way that no one else can. She's a sought-after expert for media outlets and has been featured on the <em>Today</em> show, <em>Good Morning America</em>, <em>Dr. Oz</em>, <em>Business Insider</em>,<em> Forbes</em>, <em>Oprah</em>, <em>The Wall Street Journal</em>, <em>Cosmopolitan</em>, and <em>Marie Claire</em>. <br /><br />In addition, she's the resident life coach for <em>Greatist</em> and the author of <em>Let It Be Easy</em> and <em>Stop Checking Your Likes</em>. <br /><br />If you want to check out Susie's Self-Coaching Society (that I truly love being in), you can use my affiliate link:<b> </b><a href="https://go.susie-moore.com/t?orid=241989&opid=91"><b>https://go.susie-moore.com/t?orid=241989&opid=91</b></a><b> </b><br /><br />** Note: I occasionally promote things for a commission. I promise that I only promote things that I really like and believe in!<br /><br /><b>Susie Moore - Guest</b><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/susie.moore/">Susie's Instagram</a><br /><a href="https://susie-moore.com/">Susie's website</a><br /><br /><b>Julie Berman - Podcast Host & Producer</b><br /><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieberman/">Julie Berman's LinkedIn Profile</a><br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/culturebeerandcheese/?hl=en">@womencooljobs</a> (Instagram)<br /><a href="https://womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a> </p><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1195658/open_sms" target="_blank">Send Julie a text!!</a></p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <br />I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020.<br /><br /></p> <b>If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️</b> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman"><b>https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman</b></a> <br /><br />Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (<a href="http://www.womenwithcooljobs.com/">www.womenwithcooljobs.com</a>), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much. <3</p>

00:39:29