Packaging Speaks

Fragmented data, missing data, bandwidth problems, changing strategy, lack of awareness… you name it. Everyone has a solution...

For the final episode of the season, Christian is joined by Jay Edwards, Author of Packaging Done Right Is Magic, and founder of Pack2Sustain.

In this episode of Packaging Speaks, Christian sits down with Jen Benolken, MDM & Regulatory Specialist at DuPont. With over 30 years in the packaging industry, Jen shares her journey across medical device manufacturers and suppliers, her passion for sterile barrier systems, and why she proudly includes “volunteer” in her job title. From the critical role of Tyvek to the future of sustainability, standards, and wicked problems yet to be solved, Jen brings a wealth of insight

This week on Packaging Speaks, Christian sits down with Calvin Lakhan, Ph.D, Director of the Circular Innovation Hub at York University and an investigator at Waste Wiki, to explore where sustainability assumptions collide with real-world evidence.

We sit down with Grace Cook, a packaging engineer turned sustainability strategist, who’s rethinking what it means to make an impact. With roots in package development at P&G and KAO, Grace now consults across industries to help companies address their carbon footprint, climate risk, and material choices with eyes wide open. From revamping legacy spec systems to embedding LCA data into daily decision-making, Grace brings both a wide view and a long view to sustainability. We

What we learned is that not all benefits are created equal, and some are more widespread than others.

Lauren La Spina’s packaging career spans cosmetics, food, and healthcare—and she's led teams through everything from rapid product launches to complex supply chain challenges. In this episode, she shares how packaging leaders can stay calm under pressure, ask better questions, and build systems that work long-term.

Wondering if you should contact the hiring manager after applying? This post breaks down when it helps, when it can hurt, and how to do it right. Especially in a world of AI-sorted resumes, the right message can make a difference... if you're thoughtful about it.

This week on Packaging Speaks, we’re joined by Liz Mellone, a seasoned packaging executive whose career spans more than 30 years, most of it at Colgate Palmolive.

Our 2025 Packaging Engineer Survey gave us a glimpse into how engineers actually find solutions—and the variety of tools, teams, and communities they rely on.

Jessie Schwartz reveals how she turned a post-layoff leap into a thriving consultancy; demystifying packaging data, fractional talent, and the coming wave of EPR compliance. Tune in for a masterclass on turning industry pain points into opportunity.

We found that packaging engineers are working in a variety of environments, but the majority are still spending at least some time on-site.

Rob Kaszubowski didn’t plan on a packaging career, but after an aptitude test and a class at UW-Stout, he found his lane.

What titles are common, and how does experience typically translate into seniority?

In this episode, Vicki also opens up about something too many professionals face and not enough talk about: unexpected job loss.

Thanks to hundreds of responses, we now have a clearer picture of how pay varies across experience levels, industries, and career stages.

Camille brings warmth, depth, and serious insight into how to navigate the industry with purpose, persistence, and a sense of humor.

From kicking off her career in the package testing lab at Estée Lauder to launching her own consulting firm out of Southern California, Danica’s story is packed with insights for engineers at every stage of their journey.

New episode of Packaging Speaks this Friday! Learn how Elizabeth built a flexible, thriving packaging career, and what her journey can teach engineers considering consulting or remote work.

Episode 1: Walt Ellis, Founder