David Bronner is the Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling brand of natural soaps in North America and producer of a range of organic body care and food products. He is a grandson of the company founder, Emanuel Bronner, and a fifth-generation soapmaker.
Under David and his brother Michael’s leadership, the brand has grown from $4 million in 1998 to $129 million in annual revenue in 2019. David and Michael established Dr. Bronner’s as a sustainable leader in the natural products industry by becoming one of the first body care brands to formulate with hemp seed oil in 1999 and to certify its soaps, lotions, balms, and other personal care products under the USDA National Organic Program in 2003.
Today, David is helping to lead the effort to establish the Regenerative Organic Certified standard, dedicating time and resources to creating an integrated, comprehensive program that addresses soil health, animal welfare, and fair labor practices to advance sustainable and ecological alternatives to industrial agriculture.
In addition to his support of advocacy for regenerative organic agriculture, David directs Dr. Bronner’s resources to support animal advocacy, wage equality, and drug policy reform. He is a dedicated vegan and enjoys surfing and dancing late into the night.
In this episode, Beth and David discuss ...
- How psychedelics have played a part in David's evolution in business
- How psychedelics are crucial to help us wake up and deal with the immense global challenges we currently face
- Shifting to regenerative organic agriculture
- A new corporate form - the Benefit Corp - that enshrines social impact as a primary purpose alongside generating profit
- Psychedelics and spiritual bypassing
- The Indigenous Conservation Medicine Farm project
- The importance of thinking about your medicine like you think about your food - how it is it grown, harvested, etc.
- Investing your energy and resources in the causes that you're most passionate about
- Drug policy reform
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