The Science That Feeds Us

Епизоди

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  What is Climate-Resilient Agriculture? Innovations in Food and Farming 11.09.2026 30мин

  In this episode, Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton joins us to explore what climate-resilient agriculture looks like in practice and how farmers are adapting to increasing weather variability. We discuss the challenges posed by drought, heavy rainfall, and shifting climate patterns, and how conservation practices like cover crops and reduced tillage can help improve resilience on the farm. The conversation also highlights how different crops and regions face varying levels of vulnerability, and how gro...
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  The Silent Pandemic: Understanding the Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria 28.08.2026 44мин

  In this episode, Dr. Sid Thakur joins us to unpack antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and why it is one of the most urgent challenges for both human and animal health. Dr. Thakur explains how AMR develops, why antibiotics remain essential but increasingly complex tools, and how the One Health approach helps us understand the connections between people, animals, food systems, and the environment. We also explore how resistant bacteria can move through food, farms, pets, hospitals, and the broader ...
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  Why We Choose What We Eat: The Psychology Behind Food Decisions 14.08.2026 45мин

  In this episode, Dr. William Hallman joins us to explore the psychology behind food choice and why the way we think about food is shaped by more than science alone. Together, we discuss how emotions, identity, trust, culture, and social media influence food decisions, while examining why the same information can lead different people to very different conclusions. Dr. Hallman also explains how packaging, labels, and other visual cues shape perceptions of food quality, nutrition, and safety, a...
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  Rewind: PFAS in Our Food: What the Science Says About "Forever Chemicals" 31.07.2026 37мин

  In this episode, Dr. Khara Grieger and Dr. Katy May join us to explore the growing concern around PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” and their connection to our food and water systems. From cookware and cosmetics to contaminated rivers in North Carolina, they unpack how PFAS make their way into our bodies and the risks they pose for human health, farmers, and local communities. We discuss what the science does and doesn’t yet tell us, the challenges of regulating thousands of PFAS compou...
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  Rewind: Is Red Dye #40 Safe? The Science Behind Artificial Food Coloring 17.07.2026 32мин

  In this episode, Dr. Lynette Johnston joins us to explore the science, use, and safety of one of the most common artificial food colors: red dye #40. Dr. Johnston explains where this dye shows up in our everyday lives, and why it is used so extensively in our food system. We discuss how the FDA regulates artificial dyes, what current research says about potential health effects, and how dose, context, and individual sensitivities play a role in understanding risk. She also dives into natural ...
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  Rewind: Sugar Showdown: High Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Cane Sugar 03.07.2026 30мин

  In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Basheerah Enahora to unpack the science and controversy behind two of the most debated sweeteners in our food system: high fructose corn syrup and cane sugar. From their nearly identical chemical structures to how our bodies metabolize them, Dr. Enahora explains why the real concern lies not in the source of sugar but in how much of it we consume. She also explores how cost, processing, and consumer perceptions shape the ingredients that end up on our she...
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  Rewind: SNAP Explained: How the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Works 19.06.2026 41мин

  In this episode, Dr. Sarah Bowen and Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody join us to explore the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the stories, science, and policies behind it. We talk about who uses SNAP, what it actually provides, and how it became one of the most effective tools for fighting food insecurity in the U.S. We also unpack common myths and look at new policy proposals that could reshape how the program works. Dr. Bowen and Dr. Hardison-Moody remind us that food assistanc...
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  Rewind: Are Seed Oils Bad For You? Breaking Down the Controversy 05.06.2026 38мин

  In this episode, Dr. Sarah Ash joins us to break down the buzz, and the backlash, around seed oils. We dive into the science of inflammation, how omega-6s interact in the body, and why understanding a little organic chemistry goes a long way to help make sense of nutrition claims. We also explore how fear-based messaging spreads online, how food influencers keep their audiences hooked, and why nutrition advice often falls apart when it promises a silver bullet. Dr. Ash reminds us that “when y...
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  Strawberry Thoughts: Where Philosophy Meets Science and Agriculture 15.05.2026 48мин

  In this episode, Katie and Bhavisha take a step away from the data and into the harder, often unspoken questions that shape science communication in practice. We reflect on what it means to do this work in spaces where expertise, public values, and lived experience do not always align, and where simply presenting the facts falls short. Drawing on our own experiences, we talk through moments where advocating for evidence can feel at odds with maintaining trust, and where stakeholder perspectiv...
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  Glyphosate Uncovered: Evaluating Controversial Products 01.05.2026 30мин

  In this episode, Dr. Melinda Knuth joins us to unpack the science and social dynamics behind glyphosate, one of the most widely used and debated weed control products. Dr. Knuth explains what glyphosate is, how it works, and how recent lawsuits, questions about scientific transparency, and differing global health conclusions have contributed to public uncertainty. From a consumer behavior perspective, we explore how trust, social media, and peer-to-peer communication shape public perceptions ...
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  Food Safety 101: How Science Keeps Your Food Safe to Eat 17.04.2026 28мин

  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ellen Shumaker to explore the science behind food safety and the systems that protect our food from farm to fork. Dr. Shumaker breaks down what food safety really means from a scientific perspective, how research informs cooking temperatures and storage guidelines, and why simple tools like food thermometers and refrigerator thermometers matter more than we think. We dive into common consumer risks at home and unpack which food safety fears are grounded i...
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  Land-Grant Universities and Extension: Bringing Research to Your Community 03.04.2026 50мин

  In part three of our land-grant series, we turn to the final pillar of the land-grant mission: Extension. We’re joined by Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody and Dr. Misty Blue-Terry to explore how Extension connects research and teaching directly to communities across North Carolina. Together, they explain what Cooperative Extension is, why it was created, and how it continues to serve as the outreach arm of land-grant universities. We also discuss the distinct historical foundations of NC State and NC...
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  Land-Grant Universities and Teaching: How They Shape the Next Generation 03.04.2026 29мин

  In part two of our land-grant series, Dr. Joseph Donaldson joins us to explore what makes land-grant teaching distinct from other higher education models. From the federal mandate that defines land-grant institutions to the balance of theory and hands-on learning reflected in mottos like “Think and Do,” Dr. Donaldson explains how land-grant programs intentionally prepare students for real-world careers. We discuss how land-grant teaching supports workforce development, strengthens communities...
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  Land-Grant Universities and Research: How Science Solves Real-World Problems 03.04.2026 41мин

  In this episode, we kick off a three-part series exploring the land-grant university system by focusing on the first pillar of its mission: research. We sit down with Dr. Ben Chapman to discuss how research within the land-grant system developed historically and why it plays such an important role in supporting agriculture, food systems, and communities. Dr. Chapman explains what makes land-grant research unique, particularly its strong connection to real-world challenges and its integration ...
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  Supplements 101: Quick Fix or Real Results? 20.03.2026 31мин

  In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Allen joins us to unpack the science behind some of today’s most popular dietary supplements and the claims that surround them. From protein powders and creatine and their role in muscle development and brain energy, to collagen supplements marketed for beauty and health, and even the rise of greens powders as a convenient nutrition option, Dr. Allen explains what the evidence actually shows and where hype may outpace biology. Throughout the conversation, we emph...
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  What is Gut Health? Separating Science from Wellness Trends 06.03.2026 34мин

  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Manuel Kleiner to explore all things gut health. Dr. Kleiner breaks down how trillions of bacteria work together to help us digest food, protect our health, and shape the way our bodies function. We dive into his research on how different protein sources, like eggs, red meat, and plant proteins, can alter the microbiome and impact long-term health. He also shares science-backed advice for supporting gut health, the importance of dietary fiber diversity, a...
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  The Beef Debate: Grass-Fed, Antibiotics, Hormones, and More 20.02.2026 46мин

  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Carrie Pickworth to break down one of the most talked-about and often misunderstood topics in food and agriculture: beef production. From grass-fed to grain-fed systems, Dr. Pickworth explains what these production terms actually mean and how beef cattle are raised across different stages of their lives. We explore how cattle diets influence growth, efficiency, and meat quality, what science says about the nutritional differences between grass-finished an...
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  Highly Processed Foods Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter 06.02.2026 39мин

  In this episode, Dr. Chris Taylor joins us to unpack the growing conversation around processed and ultra-processed foods, and why these labels often oversimplify a much more complex food system. From common claims about additives, preservatives, and metabolic health, Dr. Taylor explains what food processing really means and where the evidence still falls short. We explore how nutrient density, fiber, energy density, and substitution effects influence how much we eat, why blanket recommendatio...
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  Food Labels Explained: How to Make Sense of Certifications 23.01.2026 43мин

  In this episode, Dr. Dara Bloom and Dr. Allison Pullin joined us to unpack what food labels and animal certifications really mean and why they can be so confusing for consumers. From third-party verification and auditing standards to recordkeeping on farms, our guests explain how these programs are designed, how they are implemented across different farming systems, and where flexibility exists to balance animal health with practical farm management. We also discuss why no single label can ca...
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  Why Protein Matters: Science, Nutrition, and the Latest Wellness Craze 09.01.2026 40мин

  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Eric Trexler to unpack why protein has exploded from a niche fitness topic into a full-blown wellness trend, and what the science actually says behind the hype. From the rise of resistance training to misconceptions about protein needs, Dr. Trexler explains how protein works in the body, why lifters need it differently than sedentary consumers, and how muscle growth really happens. We explore plant versus animal protein sources, concerns around saturated ...