Best Emoryuniversity Podcasts (2025)

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How Plants Make Medicine with Dr. Ryan Nett 43:57

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1h ago43:57

43:57

Plants are master chemists. From caffeine and nicotine to powerful drugs like colchicine, they manufacture an incredible array of molecules that defend against pests, attract pollinators, and sometimes even become lifesaving medicines for humans. But how exactly do plants build these complex compounds, and why do they make them in the first place? …

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Understanding Food Allergies with Dr. Sarita Patil 42:33

22h ago42:33

42:33

Food allergies affect millions of children and adults worldwide—and the numbers are rising. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Sarita Patil, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Co-Director of the MGH Food Allergy Center, to explore the science behind allergic reactions. They discuss the differences between fo…

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Feed Us With Trees Nuts and Our Food Systems with Elspeth Hay 40:24

15d ago40:24

40:24

What if our future food security depended not on fields of grain, but on forests of trees? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, I sit down with Elspeth Hay, author of Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food and host of the Local Food Report on CAI NPR. Elspeth takes us on a journey through oak groves and chestnut stands to explore how nu…

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The Dark Matter of Nutrition with Dr. Giulia Menichetti 48:55

22d ago48:55

48:55

This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Giulia Menichetti, a computational physicist at Harvard Medical School, about one of the most elusive frontiers in nutrition science: the “dark matter” of food. While most nutrition data is focused on a handful of known nutrients, Dr. Menichetti’s “Foodome” Project is charting the vast landscape of o…

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Ethnobiology of Lake Titicaca with Dr. Daniel Villar 38:57

1M ago38:57

38:57

This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with conservation biologist Dr. Daniel Villar about the deep connections between culture, ecology, and traditional knowledge in the Central Andes. Their conversation centers on Lake Titicaca, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes, where Dr. Villar has studied how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) sh…

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Food Medicine is a Recipe4Health with Dr. Steven Chen and Nat Irwin 49:41

1M ago49:41

49:41

What if your doctor prescribed kale instead of pills? This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Quave sits down with Dr. Steven Chen and Nat Irwin to discuss Recipe4Health, a pioneering “Food as Medicine” program transforming how we treat chronic disease. Based in Alameda County, CA, this initiative pairs regenerative and organic produce with health co…

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Psilocybin and the Fountain of Youth with Dr. Louise Hecker 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

Psilocybin and the Fountain of Youth with Dr. Louise Hecker Could magic mushrooms hold the key to longer life? In this episode, Dr. Quave chats with Dr. Louise Hecker, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Founder of Fibronox, about her groundbreaking research on psilocybin and aging. You may have seen the headlines—her team found t…

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What’s on the Menu with Nathalie Cooke 37:02

2M ago37:02

37:02

Menus aren’t just lists of food—they’re time machines. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave returns to Season 7 with literary food historian Dr. Nathalie Cooke of McGill University. Together, they explore how menus offer rich clues into the cultural, economic, and even medical mindsets of past centuries. From elephant soup on menus…

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From Cactus to Culture: The Science of Ethnomicrobiology with Dr. César Ojeda 38:47

5M ago38:47

38:47

This week on the show, we speak with Dr. César Ojeda, an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Dr. Ojeda shares his insights on traditional Mexican fermented beverages, particularly focusing on the science and cultural importance of these foods. We discuss the concept of ethnomicrobiology, the ro…

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Food as Medicine with Kathy Taylor and Dr. Rosette Chakkalakal 47:01

5M ago47:01

47:01

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Rosette Chakkalakal, an Associate Professor at Emory School of Medicine and Director of Preventive Medicine, and Kathy Taylor, Director of Medical Nutrition Therapy at Grady Health System. Dr. Chakkalakal and Taylor share insights into Grady’s innovative Food as Medicine program, which addresses food insec…

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The Plant Powered Diet with Sharon Palmer 40:22

5M ago40:22

40:22

If you feel like you never have time to cook a healthy meal, this episode is for you! This week on the show, we’re joined by Sharon Palmer, known as the ‘Plant-powered Dietician.’ Sharon shares helpful tips on easy and healthy meal preparation and explores the intersection of nutrition and sustainability. Plants really are the best when it comes to…

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Decoding Food's Hidden Secrets with Dr. Selena Ahmed 49:46

6M ago49:46

49:46

Have you ever wondered what’s really in your food—beyond just vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins, and fats—but also the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that impact health? This week on the show, our guest is Dr. Selena Ahmed, Global Director of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) and Dean of Food EDU at the American Heart Asso…

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Doctors by Nature with Dr. Jaap de Roode 43:02

7M ago43:02

43:02

We’ve all seen it—whether it’s a cat rolling in catnip with pure delight or a dog eating grass, only to vomit it up later. Are these just quirky animal behaviors, or could they be something more—perhaps even a form of self-medication using nature’s pharmacy? This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Jaap de Roode, a biology professor at Emory Univ…

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Unlocking the Secrets of Human Milk with Dr. Lars Bode 48:50

7M ago48:50

48:50

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Lars Bode, a leading expert in human milk research and director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego. Dr. Bode takes us on a fascinating journey into the science of breast milk, breaking down its unique composition, health benefits, and role in shaping infant development. We discuss how maternal die…

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Metabolic Psychiatry with Dr. Matthew Bernstein 49:38

8M ago49:38

49:38

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Matt Bernstein, a psychiatrist specializing in metabolic medicine, to discuss the use of ketogenic diets in improving mental and brain health. Dr. Bernstein shares his personal journey and the transformative results he has seen in his patients, and delves into the science behind ketosis, mitochondrial func…

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Medicinal Mushrooms with Hamilton Pevec 46:04

10M ago46:04

46:04

Our guest this week is Hamilton Pevec, ethnomycologist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker who has dedicated his career to advancing medicinal mushroom efficacy and mycological science. Hamilton discusses his work in advancing medicinal mushroom science and shares insights into the Telluride Mushroom Festival, fungal forays, and the incredible health bene…

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Underbelly with Dr. Rachel Hall-Clifford 39:05

10M ago39:05

39:05

Access to clean water is a luxury that many of us take for granted. Without it, the most vulnerable among us—especially children—are at risk of life-threatening diarrheal disease and stunted development due to the cycle of malnutrition and infection. Our guest this week is medical anthropologist, Dr. Rachel Hall Clifford, author of the new book, “U…

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Agriculture – Food – Health Linkages in Latin America with Dr. Andres Jaramillo-Botero and Dr. Natalia Vázquez Manjarrez 50:30

10M ago50:30

50:30

What can the building blocks of our food ingredients tell us about our health and the health of our planet? This week on the show, we discuss the fields of metabolomics and lipidomics with experts Dr. Andres Jaramillo-Botero and Dr. Natalia Vázquez Manjarrez. Andres is the founding Director of the iOMICAS Research Institute, a Rockefeller Foundatio…

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Building a Sustainable Future with Maisie Ganzler 41:26

10M ago41:26

41:26

This week we explore valuable lessons on defining sustainability, avoiding corporate greenwashing, and creating meaningful change. Our guest is author, speaker, and corporate advisor Maisie Ganzler. She is the go-to expert on how companies can make positive change for our world. Driving strategy for Bon Appetit Management Company, the $1.7 billion …

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Cattle Behavior and Animal Welfare with Dr. Temple Grandin 48:28

10M ago48:28

48:28

The global beef market is valued at over $400 billion USD, and US consumers eat more beef than any other country in the world. Yet, most consumers know relatively little about livestock handling and the practices bringing cattle from the field to the dinner plate. This week our guest is Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading expert on animal behavior in the…

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The Global Protein Transition with Dr. Robert Hall and Dr. Justin Siegel 45:12

11M ago45:12

45:12

Vegan or meat protein? Does the type of protein we eat matter for muscle gain? This week we investigate how proteins and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are processed by our bodies. I speak with nutrition and protein experts Dr. Robert Hall and Dr. Justin Siegel about their research on this topic with the Periodic Table of Food Initia…

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Ghostly Gourmets: Haunted Histories & Spooky Recipes with Amy Bruni 35:09

11M ago35:09

35:09

In this Halloween special, we dive into the fascinating world of paranormal cuisine with Amy Bruni, a professional paranormal investigator and author. You may know Amy from the hit TV shows Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits! She’s the author of ‘Food to Die For’ and ‘Life with the Afterlife’. From the haunted halls of the Mount…

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A Call to Farms with Jennifer Grayson 47:32

11M ago47:32

47:32

Can small farms make a difference for our climate and our health? This week we take a deeper look at the principles of regenerative and sustainable farming, the challenges small farmers face, and the critical role of soil health. Our guest is an award-winning journalist, Jennifer Grayson. We discuss Jennifer’s new book, A CALL TO FARMS: Reconnectin…

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Becoming Earth with Ferris Jabr 46:20

11M ago46:20

46:20

Earth is not just a planet with life on its surface but a living entity where life and environment continuously influence and transform each other. Our guest this week is Ferris Jabr, a renowned science writer, to discuss his new book "Becoming Earth." We explore the dynamic interplay between life and Earth's geology, climate, and atmosphere. From …

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Dietary Diversity with Dr. Gina Kennedy 35:46

12M ago35:46

35:46

A diverse diet is important for both human health and sustainable ecosystems. Our guest this week is Dr. Gina Kennedy, Director of Research, Translation and Impact for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) and Principal Scientist with the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT. We discuss the importance of diet and food biodiversity, the goals of P…

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Unlocking Gut Health with Nutritionist Morgan Schneller 53:52

12M ago53:52

53:52

New on the show, we explore the connection between autoimmunity and the diet, examining how the gut microbiome impacts systemic immunity. Our guest this week is Morgan Schneller. She’s a Certified Nutritionist, writer, educator, and founder of Wellbiome, a nutrition consultation practice that prioritizes bio-individual, custom nutrition plans. Morg…

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Sacred Plants with Dr. Gary Nabhan 45:05

1+ y ago45:05

45:05

Join Dr. Quave in conversation with MacArthur Fellow and James Beard award-winning author of “Agave Spirits”, Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan as they discuss the incredible adaptations of desert plants, innovative water management techniques, and the sacred role of plants across various cultures. Dr. Nabhan is globally known for building cross-cultural teams …

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Solving Overactive Bladder with Dr. Ted Johnson 43:31

1+ y ago43:31

43:31

Our bodies change as we age, and the condition of overactive bladder can interfere with sleep patterns and quality of life. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Ted Johnson, who works in geriatric medicine, which is a medical specialty dedicated exclusively to providing high-quality, patient-centered care for older adults. Ted has over …

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Space Food with Vickie Kloeris 43:37

1+ y ago43:37

43:37

Have you ever wondered what and how astronauts eat in outer space? A lot of thought and scientific planning is required to design a space menu! This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Vickie Kloeris, author of “Space Bites” and retired NASA food scientist with over 34 years of experience. Vickie shares her journey from food microbiology to man…

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Navigating Climate Anxiety with Dr. Britt Wray 33:07

1+ y ago33:07

33:07

In a world facing the looming crisis of climate change, it's essential to address not only the environmental impacts but also the mental health challenges that arise from eco-anxiety, grief, and despair. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Britt Wray, Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry, a research and action initiativ…

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Food EDU with Kevin Cody & Jackie Bertoldo 33:19

1+ y ago33:19

33:19

Food EDU is an exciting new educational initiative under development from the American Heart Association. This platform aims to unite various disciplines, geographies, and professions to advance our understanding of food, agriculture, and nutrition. It was inspired by the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) to enable scientists to utilize new …

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Homegrown National Park with Dr. Doug Tallamy 38:33

1+ y ago38:33

38:33

The numbers are startling – 45% of all flowering plants are at risk of extinction. Did you know that replacing part of your lawn with native plants can create a sanctuary for local wildlife and support our planet's biodiversity? This week on the podcast, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Doug Tallamy, New York Times bestselling author of “Nature’s Best Hop…

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Superhot with Troy Primeaux 34:16

1+ y ago34:16

34:16

It’s time to turn up the heat! This week on the show, host Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Troy Primeaux of Primo’s Peppers! Troy developed the “7 Pot Primo” pepper, which arguably (and controversially) may just be the hottest pepper in the world. At an average face-melting 1.79 million Scoville heat units, one “7 Pot Primo” pepper is 360 times hot…

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Exploring Global Food Diversity and Nutrition with Dr. Anna Herforth 34:21

1+ y ago34:21

34:21

Food is not just something we eat to fill our stomachs; there is diversity, culture, and nutrition in every bite! This week on the show, host Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Dr. Anna Herforth, senior research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. They discuss the importance of understanding the diversity of diets worldwide fro…

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Saving Earth's Treasures: The Significance of Herbaria 20:06

1+ y ago20:06

20:06

This week on Foodie Pharmacology, host Dr. Cassandra Quave explores the importance of herbaria, focusing on their critical role in research, biodiversity conservation, and education. Dr. Quave, who became the curator of the Emory University Herbarium in 2012, discusses the challenges herbaria face, including funding and space, as illustrated by the…

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Fermented Vegetables with Kirsten and Christopher Shockey 38:45

1+ y ago38:45

38:45

Fermentation is a transformative process that uses microbes to enhance food's flavor and health benefits. In this episode of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast, bestselling authors Kirsten and Christopher Shockey discuss the revised 10th anniversary edition of their book, 'Fermented Vegetables.' The first edition has been translated into 6 languages, …

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Money, Power, and Corruption in the Food Industry with Austin Frerick 38:11

1+ y ago38:11

38:11

The American food system is under the control of a few elite power players. The economic dynamics of the food system not only shape our food culture, but also affect our health. Our guest this week is Austin Frerick, an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Con…

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Insects on the Menu: A Vision for Sustainable Eating with Dr. Meyer-Rochow 42:41

1+ y ago42:41

42:41

Did you know a single locust swarm can feed thousands? This week on the show, our guest Dr. Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow explores the world of edible insects and how they could revolutionize our food system. Dr. Meyer-Rochow is an expert in neurobiology and ethnobiological studies; he has been studying the nutritional and ecological benefits of insect…

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Treaty Talks: Ancient Grains, Plant Diversity and Sustainable Agriculture with Chef Fatmata Binta 15:10

1+ y ago15:10

15:10

In this episode of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast, hosted by Dr. Cassandra Quave in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, we meet Sierra Leonean Chef Fatmata Binta. From her nomadic restaurant, Dine on Mats, she advocates for plant diversity, highlighting the importance of overlooked ingre…

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Crop Wild Relatives with Nan McCarry 27:53

1+ y ago27:53

27:53

Crop wild relatives are the wild plants that are genetically related to our cultivated crops. They act as a treasure trove of genetic diversity that breeders rely on to improve crops and make them more resilient to climate change, pests, and diseases. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Nan McCarry, ethnobotanist and crop wild relative ent…

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Treaty Talks: Crop Diversity and Global Agriculture 20:40

1+ y ago20:40

20:40

In this episode, Dr. Cassandra Quave hosts the special series 'Treaty Talks,' created in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The interview guest is Dr. Colin Khoury, a crop diversity researcher, who discusses an ambitious global study aiming to gather comprehensive data about crops, their…

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Underutilized foods of the South Pacific with Dr. Vincent Lal 36:10

1+ y ago36:10

36:10

Food has always been a means of nourishment and pleasure, but it is also deeply connected to culture and health. In the Pacific Islands, a region rich in unique biodiversity and vibrant food traditions, this connection between food, culture, and health is particularly evident. This week, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Vincent Lal, manager of analytical …

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Treaty Talks: From the Green Revolution to Regenerative Agriculture 19:46

1+ y ago19:46

19:46

In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology presented by Dr. Cassandra Quave, a collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture facilitates illuminating discussions with different experts focused on plants crucial to our agricultural systems, diets, and health. The onus of this special series is exploring …

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The Ethnobotanical with Dr. Sarah Edwards 42:36

1+ y ago42:36

42:36

Our world is full of fascinating plants, many with deep-rooted historical and cultural significance. In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave discusses the significance of ethnobotany with guest, Dr. Sarah Edwards, an ethnobotanist and biodiversity informaticist at the University of Oxford. Edwards is author of a new book, “The E…

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Reclaiming Soil with Dr. Jon Lundgren 35:26

1+ y ago35:26

35:26

In the world of agriculture, the concept of regenerative farming is gaining significant attention. This innovative approach focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity to create a more sustainable and resilient food system. Join Dr. Quave this week as she and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, the Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation and CEO of Blue …

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The Most Delicious Poison with Dr. Noah Whiteman 43:56

1+ y ago43:56

43:56

Did you know that some everyday foods contain natural toxins that have been developing for millions of years? This week, Dr. Quave talks with Dr. Noah Whiteman, an Evolutionary Biology professor from UC Berkeley and the author of the book “The Most Delicious Poison.” They explore how certain poisons in nature work, how they affect us, and their rol…

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Treaty Talks: The Rise of Pea Proteins 15:29

1+ y ago15:29

15:29

In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave in collaboration with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture presents a series in which she interviews experts on agriculture trends. She talks with Jasmine Wibisono, a graduate from the Bard's College Graduate Programs in Sustainability, about her res…

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Pacific Island Food Revolution with Chef Robert Oliver 44:48

1+ y ago44:48

44:48

Can food culture help combat non-communicable lifestyle diseases? We explore this question and more in the first episode of Season 6 of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast with Dr. Cassandra Quave. This week's guest is Chef Robert Oliver, an award-winning author, TV host, food ambassador, and renowned New Zealand chef with restaurants in cities like Ne…

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What We Sow with Jennifer Jewell 33:17

2y ago33:17

33:17

Seeds are essential to the rhythm of life. This week on the show, we discuss seeds and how gardening can open up deeper connections to nature, our foods, and sense of place. Our guest is Jennifer Jewell, gardener, creator, and host of the public radio program and podcast “Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to …

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The Kitchen Connection with Earlene Cruz 31:47

2y ago31:47

31:47

Welcome to an all new epodes of Foodie Pharmacology with Dr. Cassandra Quave. This week Cassie welcomes Earlene Cruz, founder and executive director of Kitchen Connection Alliance (KCA), explores her role in revolutionizing the global food system. She outlines KCA's mission to educate on sustainable food practices and discusses her work as a Youth …