KISC My Health Radio show with The King of Cranberries Stephen Lukawski as he interviews Stuart Gelbard with Peter Mingils.
This is a really great personal interview of Stuart Gelbard on KISC My Health Radio with Captain Cran Man Stephen Lukawski and Peter Mingils.
Listen in to hear Legacy, Leadership, and Heart with Stu Gelbard.
On the latest episode of KISC My Health Radio, hosts Stephen Lukawski (known universally as “Captain Cran Man”) and Peter Mingils sat down with an industry veteran whose career is defined by integrity and servant leadership: Stu Gelbard, President of Barrington Nutritionals. While this show often touches on health and business building, Stephen Lukawski emphasized that this series is “not about products or services” but rather “about people” and sharing the success stories of legacy leaders to inspire others.
From Yonkers, New York to Industry Leader Stu Gelbard, who is currently celebrating 35 years in business, shared his journey from a middle-class upbringing in Yonkers, New York, to leading a major distribution company in the natural products industry,. Stu credited his foundational work ethic to his parents and immigrant grandparents, who taught him the value of family, hard work, and giving back to the community,.
After working for employers who prioritized profit over people, Gelbard decided to take a risk. He borrowed money from his father and father-in-law to launch Barrington Nutritionals in March 1991, a move made even more daunting because his wife was seven months pregnant at the time. Today, his company operates with core values that mirror his personal ethics: “display integrity, live passionately, value people, and thrive”.
The Importance of Integrity Throughout the interview, the trio discussed the vital role of reputation in the dietary supplement industry. Stu Gelbard shared a critical lesson his father taught him: “Never burn your bridges”. He recounted a specific instance where he took a six-figure loss to resolve a conflict with a customer, prioritizing the relationship over short-term profit. That decision paid off, as the company remains a top client eight years later. Stephen Lukawski noted that this kind of consistency and willingness to “take the high road” is what makes a great leader,.
Giving Back with “Helping Hands” A major highlight of the conversation was Stu Gelbard’s announcement of a new charitable initiative called “Barrington Helping Hands”. Unlike traditional corporate giving, this program empowers employees to raise money and direct those funds to charities in their specific local communities, such as food banks and children’s hospitals. Lukawski praised this “from the heart” program as a way to make a tangible difference in the world.
Advice for the Future When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, Gelbard said simply, “Take the chance sooner”. He also emphasized the importance of finding mentors and listening more than talking.
Peter Mingils closed the broadcast by noting that, in an era of corporate layoffs, the natural products industry remains a “shining light” for young professionals looking for a career with a bright future and mentorship opportunities. Stephen Lukawski thanked Stu Gelbard for being a “North Star” leader who wears his heart on his sleeve.
You can learn more about Barrington Nutritionals:
https://www.barringtonnutritionals.com/
Thanks to Stephen Lukawski, Captain Cran Man, the King of Cranberries for a wonderful and crantastic interview!
You can find the other KISC My Health Radio shows on https://kiscmyhealth.com
You can always tune in to the other KISC My Health Radio shows on https://kiscmyhealth.com and as usual a Special Thanks for Step Change Innovations for sponsoring the KISC My Health Radio Shows https://stepchangego.com
Our newest corporate sponsor is RFI Ingredients https://rfiingredients.com
Below is a bonus Deep Dive Audio Review of this interview with Stuart Gelbard:
