Wellness is showing up everywhere - from luxury events and hospitality to mocktails, cold plunges, red light therapy, and even automotive brand activations. In this episode of The Well Known Podcast, Shannon sits down with Vanessa Gordon, founder of East End Taste, to talk about how wellness has changed the way people gather and what guests are actually looking for now. Vanessa shares why genuine connection matters more than traditional networking, where she would invest a wellness-event budget, and why she believes the next big shift may be much simpler: less stimulation and more meaningful time together.
What You’ll Learn
- Why meaningful connection is replacing traditional networking at events.
- Which wellness activations are getting attention right now, including cold plunges, red light therapy, IV drips, and B12 shots.
- How mocktails and more inclusive food-and-beverage options are reshaping hospitality.
- Where Vanessa would put the budget if an event can invest in only one wellness element.
- Why the future of wellness may move toward simplicity, presence, and less overstimulation.
Chapters
00:00 Why the wellness bubble may be ready to shift
00:18 Meet Vanessa Gordon of East End Taste
00:56 How East End Taste grew from media into events
02:16 Why wellness became part of Vanessa’s events
02:50 What people really want from gatherings now
03:28 Are wellness activations a trend or a real demand?
04:34 How mocktails changed the event landscape
05:55 More inclusive menus and wellness-minded options
06:17 Bringing wellness into Porsche and Audi events
07:38 Where to spend the wellness budget
08:43 Vanessa’s definition of wellness
09:24 Why “less is more” may be the next wellness shift
10:16 Technology, overstimulation, and the need for connection
11:09 Where to find Vanessa and East End Taste
If this conversation gave you a new way to think about wellness, events, or connection, like this episode, subscribe to The Well Known Podcast, and share it with someone who cares about wellness worth knowing.
Connect with Shannon: https://instagram.com/thewellknownpodcast
Connect with Vanessa: https://instagram.com/eastendtaste https://instagram.com/vanessapgordon
DISCLAIMER: The information shared on this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered medical, health, nutritional, psychological, or professional advice.
The content shared here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.
Always consult your physician or another qualified health care provider before making decisions about your health or wellness.
