Creatine, Collagen & Kefir: Lifeway's Next Big Innovations Revealed

What does it take to build a category-defining brand that has stood the test of time for decades? In this episode of Pour Decisions, Dan Weisbach sits down with Julie Smolyansky, President & CEO of Lifeway Foods, to discuss how her family introduced kefir to the U.S. market, built Lifeway into the leading kefir brand, and helped pioneer today's gut health movement. Julie shares the incredible story behind Lifeway's growth, why taste still matters more than hype, how probiotics impact everything from digestion to mental wellness, and what trends she's watching next—including creatine, collagen, and functional dairy innovation. Whether you're a founder, operator, retailer, or simply curious about the future of functional food and beverage, this conversation is packed with insights on building products that consumers come back to again and again. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Building Consumer Awareness Around Kefir 01:29 Gut Health, Immunity & Mental Wellness 02:17 The Lifeway Origin Story 03:18 Explaining Probiotics to Consumers 04:25 Why Kefir Is Different Than Supplements 04:58 Kerry Sponsor Message 05:15 Creating Daily Consumption Habits 06:19 First Impressions of Beverage Forum 06:50 Advice for Emerging Beverage Brands 08:05 Why Taste Still Wins 08:43 Lifeway's Latest Innovations 08:58 Creatine, Collagen & Functional Dairy 10:07 Final Thoughts & Closing This episode is sponsored by Kerry, where science and nutrition meet great taste. Kerry partners with leading brands to solve real-world challenges across flavor, functionality, nutrition, cost optimization, and sustainability—helping food and beverage companies create products consumers love. Learn more at: https://www.kerry.com #PourDecisionsPodcast #Lifeway #JulieSmolyansky #Kefir #GutHealth #FunctionalBeverages #Probiotics #FoodInnovation #BeverageIndustry #Entrepreneurship