# TLP490: Reinventing Candy and Culture with Katie Lefkowitz

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-leadership-podcast-743147/tlp490-reinventing-candy-and-culture-with-katie-lefkowitz
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-leadership-podcast-743147/tlp490-reinventing-candy-and-culture-with-katie-lefkowitz.md
Podcast: [The Leadership Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-leadership-podcast-743147)
Published: 2025-12-17T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://theleadershippodcast.libsyn.com/tlp490-reinventing-candy-and-culture-with-katie-lefkowitz
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/theleadershippodcast/TLP-490.mp3?dest-id=381054
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-leadership-podcast-743147/episodes/tlp490-reinventing-candy-and-culture-with-katie-lefkowitz
Duration seconds: 1701

## Resource

Katie Lefkowitz is a neuroscience-trained entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Harken Foods who's reinventing candy with gut health at its core. In this episode, Katie reveals how her neuroscience background taught her to demand feedback systematically and observe behavior over words—skills that proved universal across consulting, scaling, and founding companies. She shares why she chose measured growth at Harken after experiencing Caulipower's explosive trajectory. Katie explains how the "seven questions framework" helps teams navigate the market's rapid shifts by keeping core values fixed while pivoting operational tactics. Discover practical approaches to data-driven decision-making, building authentic workplace culture, and leading through uncertainty without losing sight of core values. Find The Leadership Podcast episode 490 on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Katie Lefkowitz on Reinventing Candy and Culture https://bit.ly/TLP-490 Key Takeaways [03:03] Katie explains her neuroscience background taught her the scientific method, helping evaluate questions less emotionally and with reduced bias. [04:05] Katie describes how all decisions need to be based in data, seeking feedback from every person on the Harken team. [05:44] Katie shares Harken was created after a health scare related to colon cancer introduced her to food as medicine. [07:25] Katie explains Caulipower grew as the fastest growing brand in all of CPG, but for Harken she wants to be more measured. [09:03] Katie confirms the Caulipower success gave her confidence to go at it alone with Harken. [09:48] Katie reflects on trying to be what she thought a leader looked like, being insecure about her age and gender. [11:45] Katie explains there will always be som…

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