Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

The Taste of Pain! Solving the Puzzle of Pain Receptors with Dr. David Julius

How many of you love hot sauce? What makes chili peppers so alluring to our palates? Well, it has a lot to do with pain and how our bodies react to pain stimulants like capsaicin. Join me as I speak with Dr. David Julius – an expert on pain receptors – as they discuss how humans sense certain spices, and what this means in the search for new non-opiate pain therapies.

#Pain #Spicy #Peppers

Crop Diversity and the “Doomsday” Vault with Dr. Cary Fowler

Join me as I speak with leading agricultural scientist, Dr. Cary Fowler, about the importance of seed banking and conserving crop diversity.  Ever heard of the “Doomsday Seed Vault”? Though it may sound like something out of a sci-fi thriller – this important gene bank where millions of seeds are stored in a tunnel carved into the arctic ice – is 100% real. Tune in to this episode of Foodie Pharmacology to learn why saving seeds is key to the future of global food production in a changing climate. 

#SeedBank #Crops #Conservation

The Food Explorer and the Life & Adventures of David Fairchild with Daniel Stone

I speak with award-winning author, Daniel Stone, about his book on the life and adventures of David Fairchild: The Food Explorer. If you enjoy delicious foods like avocados and the Meyer lemon, you have Fairchild and his team members to thank for bringing these crops into cultivation in the US! Daniel’s book is an edge-of-your-seat historic account of this work that reads like an adventure novel! Tune in to this episode of Foodie Pharmacology to learn more about this fascinating read!

#Explorer #Crops #Agriculture

The ABCs of Herbal Medicines with Mark Blumenthal

I speak with Mark Blumenthal about his work on the science and safety of botanicals. Mark is the founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, which is a leading, independent, research and educational nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating accurate, reliable, and responsible information on herbs and medicinal plants. The topics of sustainability, problems with adulteration and safety of herbs, and how to learn more about the healing power of plants are all covered in this episode of the Foodie Pharmacology podcast.

#Herbalism #DietarySupplements #HerbalMedicine

Stingless Bees, Peccaries & Adventure in the Amazon with Dr. Bruce Hoffman

I speak with ethnobotanist Dr. Bruce Hoffman about his work with the indigenous people of Suriname! Bruce discusses his work with the Amazon Conservation Team and shares what life is like in the Amazon! He explains how the ACT works with local Trio and Saramaccan communities to establish stingless bee hives as a source of local income for this medicinal forest honey. We also discuss what to do if you encounter a group of peccaries in the forest… (here’s a hint) climb a tree… FAST!

#Amazon #StinglessBees #Rainforest

Salmon: The Common Fate of a Fish and the Earth with Mark Kurlansky

I speak with award-winning author Mark Kurlansky about his latest book, Salmon! to take a closer look at one of nature's most remarkable and inspiring animals: salmon! Salmon have long history of being sought out by both commercial and sports fishing all over the Northern Atlantic and Pacific. Incredibly, these fish can undergo major changes in their body to survive both in fresh and salt water during different phases of their life cycle! Not many fish can do that! Amazingly, they travel thousands of miles in the ocean to return to the exact river and location of their birth. Yet, salmon are threatened by everything from deforestation, to climate change, to dams. If the salmon can survive, then just maybe there is hope for the planet.

#Salmon #Water #Fisheries

Everyday Ayurveda with Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya

I dive into Ayurvedic medicine with Dr. Bhaswati Bhattacharya (author, Everyday Ayurveda). Dr. Bhattacharya is a Harvard-educated, licensed, board-certified holistic physician trained in family medicine and preventive medicine. She’s also a published scientist trained in pharmacology, neuroscience and Ayurveda, an awarded educator, and a best-selling author. 

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest systems of medicines known to mankind. A focus in the healing process is on cleansing the body and re-establishing harmony and balance in the body.  In addition to being a stand-alone system of medicine, it is also used in integrative health practices. We explore what Ayurveda is all about and also how diet factors into health and healing in this system of medicine.

#Ayurveda #India #HealthyDiet

Discovering The Giving Kitchen with Bryan Schroeder

With the instability of the restaurant and food service sector in the midst of COVID - Never has there been a more important time for an organization like this to support food service workers. In this episode, I speak with Bryan Schroeder of The Giving Kitchen ,a nonprofit organization that offers stability to the food service community in Georgia. They fulfill that promise through a vision of a food service community where crisis is met with compassion and care and where self-care is valued above all else. Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. 

#FoodService #Nonprofit #Atlanta

Regional Food & Farming with Kathleen Finlay

I speak with Kathleen Finlay, President of Glynwood, a leader in the regenerative agriculture movement. Kathleen has also been instrumental in organizing women who work for environmental progress. The Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming is a non-profit organization serving food and farming changemakers from New York’s Hudson Valley and beyond. They advance local food production in the region, as well as educate a national audience about efforts to regionalize food and agriculture. Guided by the highest standards of ecosystem, soil, animal and community well-being, they promote regenerative agriculture in service of our natural environment, local economies and human health.

#Farming #HudsonValley #Agriculture

Jennifer Woltz, Asili: Traditional Medicine for HIV in Tanzania

East Africa houses over half of the global HIV cases, and almost 5% of the population of Tanzania has HIV.  Yet, only about half of the people with HIV consistently take anti-retroviral medication to treat it. Asili Research Alliance was born out of a calling to change these dire statistics. I speak with Jennifer Woltz of Asili about their innovative program working with local healers to supply a plant-based, locally sourced and produced medication that has known anti-HIV activity. Over 2,000 people have benefited from this treatment, either as a supplement to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or by itself when they are unable to obtain ART.  The treatment is used to supplement ART or when ART is not an option (due to cost or scarcity).  Their goal is to enable people living with HIV to regain their health in order to keep working and taking care of their families. 

#HIV #Africa #TraditionalMedicine