The Freeze Dried Guys - Episode 20 – Eric Morgan with Thrive Life Freeze-Dried Foods

In this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal and Colt sit down with Eric Morgan, President of Thrive Life, one of the most respected names in premium freeze-dried food. Eric shares the fascinating story of Thrive Life's journey from a simple shelving solution to a full-scale freeze-dried food manufacturer. Learn how Thrive ensures industry-leading quality through their proprietary "Neutralock" certification, the strategic moves that allowed them to scale globally, and why food safety and nutrition are at the heart of everything they do.

From pet food to pantry staples, Eric breaks down the latest consumer trends shaping the industry, the evolving demographics of freeze-dried food buyers, and how Thrive Life is tackling food security through education, innovation, and global humanitarian partnerships.

Whether you're a prepper, homesteader, or just someone who wants better food for your family and pets, this episode is packed with real insight from a true leader in the field.

🔥 Sponsored by: Upside Down Event Tents LLC – Custom tents, Mylar bags, and branding gear with free design and shipping. 🌐 www.upsidedowntents.com

Freeze Dryer Shop – America’s #1 freeze dryer store! Compare top brands and shop the hottest machines on the market today. 🌐 www.FreezeDryerShop.com

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🆘 Episode 19 – Emergency Preparedness: Building a Long-Term Food Supply with Freeze-Dried Meals On this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor dives into the critical role freeze drying plays in emergency preparedness. Whether you're new to prepping or a seasoned homesteader, this deep-dive episode is packed with practical strategies for building a reliable, shelf-stable food supply using freeze-dried meals.

We cover how to prep and package meals for maximum shelf life, the best equipment setups for serious stockpiling, how to create balanced nutrition for your family, and the most common mistakes to avoid that could cost you in a crisis. Mykal also discusses smart food rotation, go-to recipes, and the science behind freeze-drying’s unmatched preservation power.

🔒 This is the essential guide for anyone committed to long-term food security and resilience.

🔥 Special thanks to our sponsor: UpsideDown Event Tents LLC – Your source for custom event tents, Mylar bags, and premium branding gear—all with free design and shipping. 🌐 www.upsidedowntents.com

🎧 Listen now on Podbean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms!

In this eye-opening episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we turn the mic around as Mykal Taylor interviews co-host and freeze-drying expert Colt Crisp for a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the industry—cannabis.

Colt breaks down the real science and game-changing benefits of freeze-drying cannabis, including how it enhances THC and terpene preservation, reduces oxidation, and allows growers to scale with precision. We explore everything from vapor pressure control and ideal drying temperatures to the best equipment setups for small and large processors.

Whether you’re a licensed grower, an extract artist, or just curious about what’s next in the cannabis tech space, this episode is loaded with insights, techniques, and honest truths you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔥 Special thanks to our sponsor: UpsideDown Event Tents LLC – Custom branded event tents, Mylar bags, and premium packaging solutions with free design and free shipping. 🌐 www.upsidedowntents.com

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms.

The Freeze Dried Guys – Ep. 17: Meet the 11-Year-Old CEO of Freeze Joy – A Family Business Journey

In this inspiring episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp sit down with Marilou Canafuego and her remarkable 11-year-old daughter Joyceanne—an entrepreneur who's already making waves with her freeze-dried treat business, Freeze Joy.

What started as a heartfelt school assignment quickly turned into a full-fledged business fueled by passion, creativity, and a desire to help others. Joyceanne shares how she’s using freeze drying to bring joy to her community, while Marilou talks about guiding her daughter through the ups and downs of business ownership.

From navigating regulations and choosing the right equipment to selling at school carnivals and dreaming of a storefront, this episode is packed with heart, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone interested in entrepreneurship—no matter their age.

💡 In this episode:

• How Freeze Joy came to life from a fourth-grade dream

• Lessons in money management, leadership, and creativity

• The pros and cons of their chosen freeze dryer setup

• The joy of watching a young entrepreneur thrive with family support

📲 Follow their journey on Facebook at @marilou.canafuego.2024 and look for #LittleCEO to see Joyceanne in action.

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Choosing The Best Freeze Dryer: An Unfiltered Expert Breakdown with Colt Crisp!

In this exciting new episode, Mykal flips the script and puts Colt in the hot seat for an in-depth expert breakdown of today’s top freeze dryers! 🔥 From new hobbyists to serious entrepreneurs, this episode arms you with critical insights on how to choose the right machine for your needs.

We dive deep into the pros, cons, and key features of some of the most talked-about brands in the industry: ✅ D-Freeze ✅ Cryonaut ✅ StayFresh ✅ Harvest Right ✅ Blue Alpine

Highlights include: 🔹 Top 3 things every buyer should consider before purchasing 🔹 Why the D-Freeze is a game-changer for serious businesses 🔹 Honest opinions on Harvest Right's current build quality 🔹 Inside secrets on the Cryonaut’s powerhouse design 🔹 The real advantages of StayFresh machines 🔹 Why Colt says Blue Alpine’s customer service shines—but the machines raise major red flags 🔹 What to buy if you have a $7,000 startup budget 🔹 Essential tips on material science, repairs, and long-term maintenance

💥 Whether you're building a freeze-dried food empire or just preserving your garden harvest, this no-holds-barred episode will save you time, money, and headaches down the road.

🔥 Special thanks to our sponsor: Upside Down Event Tents LLC – Custom tents, Mylar bags, and branding gear with free design and shipping. 🌐 www.upsidedowntents.com

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube! 👉 Like, subscribe, and share to support freeze drying education and small businesses everywhere.

In this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we head to the heart of North Idaho to chat with Cyreen Patton, founder of Silver Hills Homestead. Formerly known as North Idaho Snackables, Cyreen shares her incredible journey—from working in adult mental health and disability services to pioneering a successful freeze-dried food business rooted in sustainability, adventure, and community care. We dig into everything: ✅ Why Cyreen started freeze drying for texture-sensitive individuals ✅ Her experience with backpacking meals to candy and snacks ✅ The highs and lows of using home freeze dryers in a growing business ✅ Honest experiences with equipment failure and repair support ✅ Her thoughtful approach to minimizing waste and maximizing shelf life ✅ Upcoming product launches and her passion for giving back to her local food bank and schools Whether you’re freeze drying for fun or thinking of turning your passion into a business, this episode delivers raw insights, heartfelt stories, and practical advice from a true small-business warrior. 📍 Follow Silver Hills Homestead Instagram & Facebook: Silver Hills Homestead Local availability: North Idaho Unique Creations & Eureka Sally's Chocolate Art Gallery – Wallace, ID 📦 DM for custom orders & local delivery in Silver Valley or Coeur d’Alene 🎧 Listen now on all major platforms – Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and YouTube! 👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and follow to support freeze-drying education and small business innovation. 🔥 Huge thanks to our sponsors: Upside Down Event Tents LLC – Your go-to for custom pop-up tents, Mylar bags, banners, and branded event gear. Free graphic design and free shipping always. 🌐 Visit www.upsidedowntents.com to level up your branding. D-Freeze Freeze Dryers – Scientifically accurate, serviceable machines built for serious business. For $25 off accessories or machines, use code FREEZEDRIEDGUYS2025 at checkout. 🌐 Learn more at www.d-freeze.ca

In this eye-opening episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, Mykal Taylor and Colt Crisp break down the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and what it means for freeze dryer owners and small business operators. If you've ever been frustrated with slow repairs, vague warranty policies, or being asked to fix your own machine under warranty—this episode is for you.

Mykal dives deep into the legal protections this federal law offers consumers, including:

• What a warranty is required to include by law

• When a manufacturer crosses the line into unfair or deceptive practices

• Whether your warranty should "pause" while your machine is out for months of repair

• What your rights are if you're told to perform your own repairs

• Why some companies may be violating the spirit—and possibly the letter—of federal law

This episode isn’t just about consumer frustration—it’s about empowerment. Whether you're a home user, a prepper, or a full-scale freeze-dried business owner, you’ll walk away with practical knowledge to protect your investment and hold companies accountable.

🔧 Sponsored by UpsideDown Event Tents LLC – Your branding partner for custom tents, Mylar bags, banners, and more with free graphic design & shipping. www.upsidedowntents.com

D-Freeze Freeze Dryers – Built for reliability, efficiency, and serious performance. Use code FREEZEDRIEDGUYS2025 for $25 off your order or accessories at www.d-freeze.ca

In this episode of The Freeze Dried Guys, we sit down with Jerad Ducklow, the current Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Parker Freeze Dry and also a respected freeze-drying consultant. With years of experience at one of the leading commercial freeze-dryer manufacturers, Jerad brings a unique and powerful perspective to the conversation—one rooted in large-scale operations, global strategy, and industry evolution.

From navigating scaling challenges and refining Parker's brand identity to helping clients across multiple sectors adopt freeze-drying at an industrial level, Jerad offers incredible insights for both established businesses and those aiming to grow into the commercial space.

In this episode, we cover:

• The biggest lessons learned scaling Parker Freeze Dry’s brand and customer base

• How Parker differentiates itself from other commercial freeze-drying manufacturers

• Key engineering principles that set commercial-grade equipment apart

• What businesses need to understand before moving from consumer-grade to industrial freeze dryers

• Where Jerad sees the freeze-drying industry heading in the next 5–10 years

• Expert advice for entrepreneurs and product developers entering the space

Whether you're freeze drying in your garage or outfitting a commercial facility, Jerad’s experience and advice are a must-hear.

🎧 Available now on all major podcast platforms.

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D-Freeze Freeze Dryer Looking for a powerful, high-performance freeze dryer that delivers consistent, reliable results? The D-Freeze Freeze Dryer is built for efficiency, durability, and innovation, making it the top choice for small businesses ready to scale. 👉 Learn more at www.D-Freeze.ca 🎁 Use code FREEZEDRIEDGUYS2025 at checkout or mention the show to receive $25 off your order!