From the bustling corridors of Goldman Sachs to the humming fields of bee apiaries, my guest today, Carly Stein Kremer, took a path that defies convention.

This shift was a result of a chance discovery of propolis (the “immune system” of a beehive) during her travels abroad, which didn't just alleviate Carly's long-standing health woe, but redefined her entire life's mission. Now, instead of stock charts, Carly's world revolves around bee charts, and instead of fiscal health, she's dedicated to championing the incredible health benefits of bees and their offerings.

Carly's not just another entrepreneur; she's a bee ambassador. She's a voice for sustainable beekeeping, advocating for the planet's key pollinators. For Carly, it's not just about producing items under her company, Beekeeper’s Naturals; it's about a holistic approach – partnering with responsible apiaries, researching with top bee institutions, and ensuring that every product that carries the Beekeeper’s Naturals name stands up to rigorous, pesticide-free standards. She does all this while being a flagbearer for change, with accolades like the Forbes 30 Under 30. A renowned bee expert, Carly has also been featured in Allure and Vogue magazine, along with numerous podcast appearances to share the importance of bees in our daily lives.

Beekeeper's Naturals is a company deeply rooted in the principle of harnessing the natural wonders of the bee world. Leveraging the potent protective properties of propolis, a substance bees use to defend their hives from germs, the company has developed products that bolster human health. Propolis is a powerhouse ingredient packed with vitamins B, C, D, zinc, and antioxidants, alongside over 300 other advantageous compounds that support the immune system, soothe throats, and maintain a healthy gut balance.

Thanks to Carly, Beekeeper's Naturals is staunchly committed to sustainable and ethical practices. They conscientiously avoid overharvesting from their hives, and their bees are only fed the hive's own products. Ensuring that their apiaries remain untouched by harmful chemicals, the company is situated in pristine, green locations. Moreover, they go the extra mile by conducting third-party pesticide testing, ensuring that their hives and the resulting products remain untainted. In terms of packaging and product integrity, Beekeeper's Naturals ensures its offerings are free from artificial colors, preservatives, alcohol, gluten, GMOs, refined sugars, and any other harmful fillers. This company embodies a true commitment to both nature and the well-being of its consumers.

Today, Carly unveils the enigmatic universe of bees and their treasures. Together, we navigate the intricacies of propolis, nature's defender, highlighting its pivotal role in protecting the hive and its ancient recognition as a natural healer. Along the way, we also get into the less-trodden trails, like the potent influence of bee products on fertility and the fascinating world of bee venom therapy. 

-How did Carly start beekeeping?…07:59

• Beekeepers Naturals (use code BEN to save 20%)
• She had an autoimmune condition, always sick 
• Discovered propolis while in Europe for a semester
• Got sick with tonsillitis
  • A pharmacist in Florence gave her propolis
  • Recovered in 5 days
• After that experience, started beekeeping
• Couldn’t find clean and pesticide-free propolis in America
• After college, ended up as a trader at Goldman Sachs
• Apprenticing as a beekeeper
• Eventually started Beekeepers Naturals (use code BEN to save 20%)

-How does Beekeeper's Naturals get clean products?…11:46

• Very hard to get clean products
• Set up a sustainable, regenerative supply chain
• Working in geographies that have different pesticide regulations than we have in North America
• Very little product comes from the U.S.
• A lot of pollen is coming from Spain
  • Working also in Brazil, Canada, and potentially in Ukraine
  • Always looking for new partners and doing a full audit
• Looking at beekeeping practices and pesticide exposure
• There is rigorous third-party pesticide testing involved

-The use of propolis as antibiotics…14:53

• Propolis is the substance the bees use to line their hive and keep it germ-free
  • The immune system of the hive
• Comes from plant and tree resins
• It's been used for thousands of years
  • Used to dress wounds
  • The Assyrians would drink it to reduce fever
  • In the 17th century, it was listed as an official drug in the London Pharmacopeia
• Propolis for humans is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial
• Really high in antioxidants
• It contains cape – a polyphenol that has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect
• Kill the bad bacteria, but support the good bacteria in the gut

-How is propolis harvested?…16:52

• Sticky amber-colored substance; people scrape it off the hive walls
  • That method is invasive. Imagine it like you're getting into the bee's living room and space and sticking tools in there
• Carly’s first mentor was a third-generation beekeeper from Romania, also a retired biochemist
• She learned a non-invasive method to get propolis
• Superfood Honey (use code BEN to save 20%)
• Honey with propolis

-The impact of bee products on fertility…18:53

• Carly had a sugar addiction
  • Got candida
  • Cut off sugar and honey
• At the time, wanted to get pregnant
  • Nothing happened
• Propolis has zero sugar
• Took Superfood Honey every day and got pregnant
  • 745 milligrams of royal jelly
• Looked at the science; royal jelly has hormone-balancing effects
• Studies in rats show that it improves follicle growth in the ovaries
• Studies in male animals show that royal jelly can improve sperm motility and quality
• The study on menopausal symptoms
  • 1000 mg of royal jelly every day showed almost complete symptom resolution in 8 weeks

-What is royal jelly?…25:34

• The colostrum of the hive
• The secretion from the nurse bees for newborn babies for the first 3 to 5 days of development
  • Then the bees transition on to a more normal bee diet of honey and pollen
• Only the queen bee stays on exclusive royal jelly diet 
• Complete Gut Health (use code BEN to save 20%)
  • Propolis could be effective against MRSA
  • Has been shown to actually help heal leaky gut
• Has gut-supporting effect, but more studies are being done on propolis
• Propolis is like an immune system superhero with a powerful effect on the gut
• Cape and propolis help support the probiotic effect
• Propolis has the ability to improve tight junctions – the glue between intestinal cells
• The combo of the prebiotic, probiotic and post-biotics

-Bee allergies and bee venom therapy…25:34

• Propolis may reduce the histamine response to a bee sting
• Allergies to bee venom therapy are case-specific
• Study in animals – the allergic response was inhibited by pollen in 62% of the animals
• Bee venom therapy
  • Ben’s experience with bee venom therapy in Sedona
• Bee venom therapy is fascinating
  • Help in recovering from Lyme disease
• The Heal Hive – Carly's friend has recovered from Lyme disease
• Carly’s mentor in Romania is doing a lot of research on it
• You have to be really careful not to trigger an allergic response
• Therapy needs to be done in a sustainable way
  • When bees sting human skin, it rips out their stinger, and they die
  • Putting a mesh sheet on the skin prevents the stinger from getting stuck therefore preventing the bee from dying

-The benefits of pollen and royal jelly…37:27

• Bee products are immunomodulatory agents
  • Life changing for people who have auto-immune conditions
• Pollen is the most bioavailable complete multivitamin you can get
  • B vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Free-forming amino acids
  • Antioxidants
  • Protein
  • Antifungal
  • Anti-microbial
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Bee pollen is also a hepatoprotective agent – has protective effects for your liver
• An experiment with poisoned rats
  • The pollen lowered the level of poison in their blood
• Taking pollen before and after a workout
  • Increases blood hemoglobin value and oxygenates the tissue
• Bee pollen contains phytosterols, which can help to regulate hormones and have mild activity on estrogen receptors
• Mixing pollen with water and food
• Royal jelly also has a lot of amazing effects on the brain
  • Contains super powerful nootropic
• Two fatty acids that are only naturally occurring in royal jelly
  • 10-HAD
  • MP1 Oxide
• Used for hormonal balance, longevity, concussion, and brain health
  • Improves your spatial reasoning
  • A rich source of choline
• The DNA Way by Kashif Khan
• Lion's Mane with Super Honey
• Brain Fuel – with Ginkgo Biloba and Bacopa Monnieri (use code BEN to save 20%)
  • Contains plant-based nootropics that help modulate the stress response, help with focus, memory, concentration
  • A great source of choline
• Ben's use of sauna, Lion's mane extract and exercise
• Good honey has a positive impact, when taken in moderation, on the glycemic index and insulin sensitivity
• Kion Energy Bars uses honey as a sweetener

-The use of honey in cooking…48:47

• Ben’s use of honey in cooking
• Primal Kitchen (use code BEN to save 10%)
• Is honey still nutrient-dense when used in cooking at high temperatures?
• When cutting sugar, honey doesn’t have to be cut off
• Honey promotes better sleep and has a calming effect
• Propolis (use code BEN to save 20%) 
  • For gut and immune system
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-microbial
• Royal jelly (use code BEN to save 20%)
  • For brain
  • Fertility
• Bee pollen (use code BEN to save 20%) 
  • Multivitamins
  • Nourishment
  • Muscle growth
  • Metabolism regulation
• Honey is the only food on the planet that never expires
• Honey with salt for the slow release of carbohydrates and minerals
• Honey with collagen (use code BENGREENFIELD to save 15%) for good sleep
• Lozenges and drops (use code BEN to save 20%)

 -The effects of buckwheat honey…53:44

• Buckwheat honey comes from bees that pollinate mostly buckwheat plants
• The crop has to be diverse – buckwheat and 30% of wildflowers
• The base of Carly's cough syrups (use code BEN to save 20%)
  • Excellent for respiratory infections
  • Has one of the highest antioxidant counts
  • Slight variants in honey because of biodiversity

-Should pollen and royal jelly be refrigerated?…56:28

• A raw royal jelly should be refrigerated
  • But not if it is in honey
• Honey is naturally preserved
• Bee bread – incredibly nourishing
  • You cannot harvest the bee bread sustainably
• Carly recreated the bee bread with the superfood honey
• It is very hot in the hive – the products are heat-resistant
• Bee pollen can go in the refrigerator to preserve freshness
• Bee bread is delicious
• Bee bread is popular in Eastern Europe