The Science That Feeds Us
The story behind what's on your plate.
Episodes
33 episodes
New World Screwworm: Understanding the Threat to Livestock and the Food System
In this episode, Dr. Maxwell Scott joins us to unpack the New World Screwworm and why this parasitic fly is an important concern for livestock producers and animal health. Dr. Scott explains how Screwworm affects animals, why it is difficult to...
What is Climate-Resilient Agriculture? Innovations in Food and Farming
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, a...
The Silent Pandemic: Understanding the Rise of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
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 incre...
Why We Choose What We Eat: The Psychology Behind Food Decisions
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 i...
Rewind: PFAS in Our Food: What the Science Says About "Forever Chemicals"
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 ...
Rewind: Is Red Dye #40 Safe? The Science Behind Artificial Food Coloring
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 ext...
Rewind: Sugar Showdown: High Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Cane Sugar
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...
Rewind: SNAP Explained: How the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Works
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...
Rewind: Are Seed Oils Bad For You? Breaking Down the Controversy
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...
Strawberry Thoughts: Where Philosophy Meets Science and Agriculture
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,...
Glyphosate Uncovered: Evaluating Controversial Products
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...
Food Safety 101: How Science Keeps Your Food Safe to Eat
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 re...
Land-Grant Universities and Extension: Bringing Research to Your Community
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 comm...
Land-Grant Universities and Teaching: How They Shape the Next Generation
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 an...
Land-Grant Universities and Research: How Science Solves Real-World Problems
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 develope...
Supplements 101: Quick Fix or Real Results?
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 energ...
What is Gut Health? Separating Science from Wellness Trends
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 in...
The Beef Debate: Grass-Fed, Antibiotics, Hormones, and More
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 pr...
Highly Processed Foods Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter
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...
Food Labels Explained: How to Make Sense of Certifications
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 recordkeep...
Why Protein Matters: Science, Nutrition, and the Latest Wellness Craze
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 misco...
Is Red Dye #40 Safe? The Science Behind Artificial Food Coloring
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 ext...
Sugar Showdown: High Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Cane Sugar
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...
PFAS in Our Food: What the Science Says About "Forever Chemicals"
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 ...
SNAP Outreach: How Communities Are Expanding Access to Food
In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Bird joins us to unpack the role of SNAP outreach in connecting families to vital food resources. She explains how the More In My Basket program works to reduce barriers, simplify applications, and raise awareness o...