Once Upon A Food Story

Elise Museles

Once upon a time, your food story began… Like all good stories, it's filled with twists and turns. Your beliefs, experiences, and thoughts about food all play starring roles. But what if the story you've been telling yourself is holding you back in ways you don't even realize… until now? Welcome to Once Upon a Food Story, the podcast that uncovers the powerful internal and external narratives shaping your relationship with food. Hosted by Elise Museles, an expert in eating psychology and nutrition, this show offers raw, real conversations with inspiring change-makers who are making a big impact in this world. Together, we'll explore the tools you need to shift your inner dialogue into one that's empowering, transformative, and uplifting. If you're feeling weighed down by diet culture, overwhelmed by food choices, or simply seeking a space to talk openly about cultivating a more positive mindset around food, you're in the right place! When it comes to your food story, you deserve a happy ending. And no matter where you are on your journey, it's never too late to turn the page and write a new chapter.

  1. 6d ago

    How to Take Care of Yourself in a Noisy World with Amy Ippoliti

    What if everything you're doing to take care of yourself is preparing you for something bigger? We usually think of wellness through a personal lens – the food, the routines, the healthy rituals. But what if those practices aren't just about feeling better? What if they're giving us the capacity to engage more deeply with the world around us? Amy Ippoliti is a yoga teacher, author, and advocate for human and planetary health, who believes that caring for ourselves is essential, but it's not the final destination. Amy pushes back on a wellness culture that tells us to retreat, protect our peace, and tune out the chaos. For her, taking care of yourself isn't about checking out. It's what builds the resilience and clarity to stay present to the people and the planet that need you. In this episode, you'll learn: How yoga can help you become more self-aware and connected to your body Why knowing where your food comes from is key for optimal health The connection between soil health, nutrient density, and how you feel Simple ways to make fresh food more accessible Why community is one of the most underrated forms of wellness This conversation is a powerful reminder that how you care for yourself shapes how you care for the world.   Learn More about Amy Ippoliti: Website: amyippoliti.com Instagram: @amyippoliti The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga Substack: amyippoliti.substack.com   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    42 min

  2. May 20

    Embrace Your Confidence, Style, and Joy in Midlife with Lauren Dimet Waters

    Have you ever hit a moment in midlife where you looked in the mirror, or made a decision, or got dressed and thought, is this even me anymore? So many women are navigating that exact feeling right now. The body changes. The shifting confidence. The noise around food, health, beauty, and what you're supposed to look like and feel like at this stage of life. It's a lot. Lauren Dimet Waters has built an entire platform for women over 50 who refuse to age quietly, and she does it with honesty, humor, and a zero-tolerance policy for BS. As the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Fountain of 30, she helps women move through this chapter in life with confidence, a strong sense of style, and permission to finally be who they're meant to be without apology. In this episode, you'll learn: How to filter the fearmongering around food and wellness Why finding your own style is more confidence-boosting than chasing trends The secret to building a closet that fits who you are right now Why socializing is one of the most powerful and underused health tools in midlife The one thing you need to make midlife feel easier and more fun This conversation will give you a whole new lens for seeing midlife not as a decline, but as the chapter where you stop shrinking and start showing up as your most joyful, confident self.   Resources Mentioned: Rewrite Your Food, Fashion, and Beauty Story Your Midlife Food Story: What's Changed and What Matters   Learn More about Lauren Dimet Waters: Website: https://www.fountainof30.com/ Instagram: @fountainof30 Podcast: Beauty Is a Bitch   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    48 min

  3. May 6

    What We've Been Getting Wrong About Wellness

    Have you ever found yourself down a late night rabbit hole, adding something to your cart that promised to fix everything? It's never been easier to reach for the supplement, the protocol, the skincare your favorite influencer is praising. We're living in the most exciting time in wellness history. Peptide stacks, CGMs, red light therapy, cold plunges, biohacking tools… and a $6.8 trillion industry that keeps growing. Some of these innovations can genuinely improve our health and our lives. But somewhere in the middle of all this innovation and optimization, we started skipping steps. And I think we've lost the plot. No supplement stack can out-supplement poor sleep. No peptide replaces a meal made from real food. No gadget rewires a nervous system that's running on chronic stress and negative self-talk. You cannot build anything lasting on a shaky foundation. You need the fundamentals, the basics that will actually move the needle. In this episode, you'll learn: How your inner narrative directly impacts digestion and nutrient absorption The unglamorous habit that outperforms most cleanses, detoxes, and supplements Why one simple morning habit can improve your sleep A fun way to nourish every cell in your body The mindset shift that makes movement feel natural, not forced The two "essential nutrients" that can elevate your quality of life When the foundations are solid, everything else works better. Including all the latest wellness biohacks and innovations.   Resources Mentioned: Shift Your Inner Narrative Stress Less While Eating  More on 30 plants a week study Advanced Sleep Tips Walk Your Way to Clarity and Calm  EWG website: www.ewg.org Elise's favorite water bottle recommendation (non-plastic)   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    24 min

  4. Apr 22

    The Truth About Plastic in Your Restaurant Meals with Chef Johanna Hellrigl

    Have you ever thought about what's happening behind the scenes at a restaurant before your meal arrives at the table? Even if you prioritize organic, local, or farm-to-table, there's another layer most of us aren't seeing. The hidden ingredient? Plastic. Johanna Hellrigl, chef, restaurateur, and sustainability advocate is on a mission to reduce invisible plastic exposure inside restaurant kitchens, from packaging to storage to the everyday tools that touch your food long before it reaches your plate. As Johanna shares, this isn't just an environmental health issue, it's also a human health issue. And as someone who believes food should be sourced, prepared, and enjoyed with love, she sees limiting plastic as part of that same commitment. In this episode, you'll learn: Where plastic is hiding in restaurant kitchens and why it matters for your health The specific conditions that make plastic exposure most harmful How to infuse your food with good energy, even at home One simple habit shift to reduce microplastics and chemical exposure Ways to dine out more consciously without losing the joy of it A powerful exercise to help you trust your intuition and take care of your health This conversation will change the way you think about restaurant meals and give you the awareness and tools to enjoy eating out more intentionally.   Resources Mentioned: Tiny Health Microbiome Test Stainless steel blender container Dr. Robynne Chutkan Gut Health Episode The Plastic Detox To-Go Cups EWG Tap Water Database   Learn More about Johanna Hellrigl: TEDx Talk: The Plastic You Eat Website: amaresturant.bar Instagram: @chefjohannahellrigl Ama Instagram: @amarestaurant.bar   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    54 min

  5. Apr 8

    Reduce Toxin Exposure at Home Without Overwhelm with Lindsay Dahl

    We're living in a time where there's more information than ever about what's in our food, our products, and our homes…and instead of feeling empowered, it can be overwhelming, confusing, and even anxiety-inducing. As the Chief Impact Officer at Ritual and author of the new book, Cleaning House, Lindsay Dahl believes that it's not about eliminating every possible exposure, but about becoming more informed and more intentional – without fear driving the process. From decades of experience in environmental health, Lindsay shares a pragmatic approach to navigating a world filled with information and misinformation when it comes to chemical safety and reducing our everyday exposures.  She offers a refreshing perspective that moves away from fearmongering and toward informed, practical action.  In this episode, you'll learn: How to think about your home environment, room by room One simple thing you can do to support systemic change in environmental health Ways to reduce toxic exposure without trying to control everything What to know about supplement safety, sourcing, and transparency Why you can't shop your way to safety – and what to do instead If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the information or stuck in a punitive relationship with exercise, this episode will help you reframe movement in a more expansive and empowering way. This is a conversation about nuance, trade-offs, and finding a more grounded, sustainable way to care for your health.   Resources Mentioned: Ritual Supplements EWG Verified     Learn More about Lindsay Dahl: Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals Website: https://lindsaydahl.com/ Instagram: @Lindsay_Dahl Substack: https://lindsaydahl.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-dahl/   Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the  Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    49 min

  6. Mar 18

    What Happens When You Bring Stress to the Table

    Ever sit down to eat and realize you're distracted, rushing, or already thinking about the next thing instead of the food in front of you? That's stress taking a seat at the table, and it's quietly impacting your digestion, your metabolism, and your ability to enjoy your food. Even though I've been teaching and sharing about this for over a decade, I recently had a firsthand reminder of how stress can sneak into meals and have real consequences. Stress can show up in many ways – from multitasking while eating, rushing from one thing to the next, overthinking food choices, or running through that constant inner dialogue about whether you're "doing it right." The good news is that you can shift your physiology and get the most from your meals. I dive into simple and practical ways to move out of that stressed state so your body can "rest and digest", allowing your food to be more nourishing, satisfying, and energizing. In this episode, you'll learn: What stress does to your body while eating The subtle ways stress shows up at your table (that you might not even notice) How overthinking food choices and trying to optimize every bite can backfire The negative impact of multitasking while eating (and what to do instead) Simple shifts to support your nervous system and improve digestion  You'll feel empowered to leave stress behind and sit down to eat in a much more relaxed state of mind. Supportive Resources: Calm Your Nervous System and Find Inner Peace Walk Your Way to Energy, Clarity, and Calm The Food-Mood Bundle ($15 special offer!!) Learn More about Elise Museles: Work 1:1 with Elise (get 50% off with code FOODSTORY) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    17 min

  7. Mar 4

    Rethink Movement to Feel More Energized and Alive with Lara Heimann

    Has movement become just another task on your to-do list? Get your steps in. Lift the weights. Stretch before bed. But what if movement could be more than a box to tick. What if it could energize you, spark joy, and set you up for a better tomorrow? Lara Heimann is a physical therapist, yoga teacher, movement educator, and founder of the LYT Method™, who helps thousands of people rethink what movement really means. Instead of seeing it as punishment or performance, she shows how it can help you understand your body, build a strong foundation, and support your energy, mindset, and daily life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why pain is feedback and how to use it to move smarter How a strong foundation transforms everything you do physically and mentally Quick "movement snacks" that boost energy and focus in minutes Why novelty in movement literally grows your brain and keeps you engaged Simple strategies for stronger, healthier bones How curiosity and compassion turn movement into a feel-good practice   If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the information or stuck in a punitive relationship with exercise, this episode will help you reframe movement in a more expansive and empowering way.   Learn More about Lara Heimann: Website: practice.lytyoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lytyogamethod Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara.heimann Redefining Movement Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redefining-movement/id1440053459 Get 5 weeks of The LYT Daily for $5 using code MOVEBETTER: lytyoga.com   Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the  Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    57 min

  8. Feb 18

    Cut Through the Clean Beauty Confusion with Melanie Petschke

    The products you use every day – from makeup to skincare – don't just sit on your skin. They become part of your daily exposure, and understanding what's really in them can impact your health and overall wellbeing. While clean beauty has been gaining attention, there are still important nuances beyond labels and marketing claims. This conversation goes deeper, giving you the clarity to make empowered choices every day. Melanie Petschke, board-certified nurse practitioner and co-founder of Crunchi, is raising the bar for makeup and personal care products. With over 15 years of research into the health impacts of environmental toxins, she shares how beauty products can be safe, high-performing, and sustainable. Melanie also breaks down how to cut through the noise, focus on what really matters, and take practical steps to reduce your toxic burden – without fear or overwhelm. In this episode, you'll learn: What "clean beauty 2.0" really means in 2026 and why it matters How to spot greenwashing and see past marketing claims Why some commonly misunderstood ingredients, like preservatives, are more nuanced than they seem The everyday exposures that make the biggest difference (hint: fragrance isn't so safe) A simple approach to reduce your body's cumulative toxic burden    This conversation is about raising standards, cutting through confusion, and giving you the clarity and confidence to care for yourself in ways that really matter.   Learn More about Melanie Petschke: Website: www.crunchi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crunchicollection/ Melanie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniepetschke/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crunchicollection     Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the  Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

    45 min
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5
out of 5
79 Ratings

About

Once upon a time, your food story began… Like all good stories, it's filled with twists and turns. Your beliefs, experiences, and thoughts about food all play starring roles. But what if the story you've been telling yourself is holding you back in ways you don't even realize… until now? Welcome to Once Upon a Food Story, the podcast that uncovers the powerful internal and external narratives shaping your relationship with food. Hosted by Elise Museles, an expert in eating psychology and nutrition, this show offers raw, real conversations with inspiring change-makers who are making a big impact in this world. Together, we'll explore the tools you need to shift your inner dialogue into one that's empowering, transformative, and uplifting. If you're feeling weighed down by diet culture, overwhelmed by food choices, or simply seeking a space to talk openly about cultivating a more positive mindset around food, you're in the right place! When it comes to your food story, you deserve a happy ending. And no matter where you are on your journey, it's never too late to turn the page and write a new chapter.

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