Food Lab Talk

Michiel Bakker
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Food Lab Talk

A better food system starts with one thing: vision. Food Lab Talk gives global food system changemakers a platform to articulate their vision for the future of food. The series features interviews with inspiring individuals who are working on the frontlines of many of our most pressing food issues: reducing food loss and waste, enhancing food system transparency, facilitating shifts toward more balanced plant-forward diets, enabling informed individual choices for sustainable lifestyles, and accelerating the transition to a circular food economy.  Join Google’s Michiel Bakker to meet the leaders taking bold action and answering what each of us can do to create a better food system for us all.

  1. 33. Deb Eschmeyer, Original Strategies

    05/02/2024

    33. Deb Eschmeyer, Original Strategies

    A food systems policy expert and social impact entrepreneur, Deb Eschmeyer has dedicated her career to the betterment of society. From co-founding the national nonprofit Food Corps, to serving as Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative, and driving change in the food industry, her efforts have permanently influenced the way we think about food and health. In this episode, Deb shares her journey as a changemaker emphasizing agility and persistence, finding your “zone of genius”, and balancing perspectives and patience to achieve long-term change. Deb Eschmeyer: “Don't take no for an answer and just keep pushing and speaking up and showing up. And it’s sometimes really uncomfortable. There's so many people who don't like public speaking. There's so many people who are brilliant and just have fabulous ideas… Speak up, show up, and develop lines of empathy. To be a better change maker is to understand all the different avenues of change it takes to get things done.” 00:00 Intro to Deb 01:44 From farmhouse to the White House: be relentless, speak up, show up 06:30 How empathy and a diverse set of experiences can help you find your “zone of genius”  09:21 Why school nutrition reform can spark system-wide change  13:03 Focusing on the long view and the direction of travel 15:35 Embracing collective responsibility to drive meaningful systems change 18:20 Complexity and the impending food crisis 21:01 Why trust, accountability, and collaboration are key to impactful change 25:10 Deb’s advice: embrace uncomfortable spaces, focus on your strengths, and keep pushing forward 28:25 Takeaways for changemakers Links FoodCorpsLet's Move! InitiativeAmeriCorpsASU Swette Center for Sustainable Food SystemsHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    31 min
  2. 32. Olivia Thomas, Boston Medical Center and Rewire Health

    04/25/2024

    32. Olivia Thomas, Boston Medical Center and Rewire Health

    Olivia Thomas is a registered dietitian, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of “Rewire Health”, a culinary medicine platform that simplifies healthy home cooking and expands access to teaching kitchens. In this episode, Olivia shares her experiences building a culinary medicine startup, including how active listening and a multidisciplinary approach can lead to impact-focused solutions.  Olivia Thomas: “We need to be focusing on how resources, especially within food as medicine, can be used to reinvest into disinvested communities... I have been redefining how I work on projects based on the impacts. What foods am I marketing? Who is it benefiting? How is the data being used? And the idea of sovereignty is important and making sure that it aligns with the communities we're focusing on and working with.” 00:00 Intro to Olivia 01:09 From childhood cooking to culinary medicine  02:13 How food-based interventions help manage chronic disease 04:50 Overview of Rewire Health from pitch to startup 07:58 Cultivating a culinary medicine platform 09:49 Enabling personally relevant food choices 11:22 Investing in local communities to impact the whole food system  12:30 Embracing change and using technology to stay ahead 14:24 Why navigating complex systems requires a multidimensional approach 17:00 The role of collaboration and community building 18:14 Using culturally affirming recipes to empower choice 20:51 Accelerating behavior change with personalization, practice, and insight 23:37 Shifting perspectives on the role of food’s impact on health 25:44 Creating sustainable habits 28:15 Redefining problem-solving 29:23 How active listening builds trust and drives impact 30:13 Looking towards the future of culinary medicine  32:23 Takeaways for changemakers Links Rewire HealthPursuit AppBoston Medical Center’s Teaching KitchenThe Teaching Kitchen CollaborativeCorbin Hill Food ProjectBoston Medical Center: Eat to Treat Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    34 min
  3. 31. Jack Bobo, University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute

    04/18/2024

    31. Jack Bobo, University of Nottingham Food Systems Institute

    Jack Bobo is the Director of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute which brings together transdisciplinary researchers to address some of the most pressing food systems challenges. He is also the author of the 2021 book “Why smart people make bad food choices.” In this episode, Jack shares how breaking down silos can foster collaboration, why reframing your thinking can help navigate tradeoffs, and how small shifts in language can impact people’s perceptions. Jack Bobo: “I believe less in right and wrong and good and bad, and more in thinking in terms of choices and consequences. And if you can help to lay out the consequences of actions, I think in many ways you can lead people to knowledge instead of sort of beating them up with science. Researchers and academics love to tell people what to do and they like to tell them the answer. I think it's much better to be able to help people to understand the consequences of different choices. And then you may end up getting a different outcome, but at least they understand the consequences of it and it's an informed decision.” 00:00 Intro to Jack 01:14 Overview of the University of Nottingham’s Food Systems Institute 03:44 Taking a systems approach to lead global change  05:18 Why consensus is important for problem solving 06:45 Addressing the “language barrier” in food systems solutions 08:38 How shifting from “should” to “could” focuses on opportunities and solutions  11:40 Leading people to knowledge by framing the consequences of choices 13:56 Building trust by understanding confirmation bias and the misleading nature of our brains 17:38 The paradox of improved nutrition research and rising obesity rates 20:00 How to overcome the invisible influences on food choices  23:14 Changing the food system by focusing on social norms 25:51 The importance of word choice for effective change making 27:59 Why networking and storytelling are life skills 29:39 Balancing the continuum of local vs. global sustainability  31:37 Takeaways for changemakers Links University of Nottingham Food Systems InstituteThe Nature ConservancyBook: Why smart people make bad food choicesTEDx: Why We Fear the Food We EatFuturity Food Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    34 min
  4. 30. Salaam Bhatti, Food Research and Action Center

    04/11/2024

    30. Salaam Bhatti, Food Research and Action Center

    Salaam Bhatti is the SNAP Director at the Food Research and Action Center, a 501(c)(3) that uses advocacy and strategic partnerships to improve the health and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States. Tune in to learn how to bring together diverse perspectives, challenge established norms, and seek innovative solutions for modern society.  Salaam Bhatti: “The best way to find change is to go out and find like-minded people. Create a coalition to make that change happen. But if you want to perfect that, then you have to find people who disagree so that you can really understand why you believe what you believe. And maybe there are things that just need education, that just need more facts to help bring them to your side. Or maybe you were wrong and you can come to a compromise or an agreement. But until you get out of your comfort zone, the change you will try to make will only be fleeting and never systemic.” 00:00 Intro to Salaam  01:25 From law to public benefit activism 04:50 How sparking joy drives passion in food justice 06:09 Addressing food insecurity for an equitable food system 08:20 How zoning and economic inequalities exacerbate food insecurity 10:55 Why building strategic alliances can bridge divides to pass policy reform 14:28 Exploring the ripple effects of SNAP program changes on the economy 18:00 Overview of the Food Research and Action Center 19:14 Addressing poverty related hunger solutions and challenges 21:20 How choice and increased access improves health outcomes 26:17 Reimagining food policy for modern needs 28:22 Why getting out of your comfort zone can lead to systemic change 31:11 Takeaways for changemakers Links Food Research Action Center (FRAC)Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Report: Household Food Security in the United States in 2022Quantifying the Impact of SNAP Benefits on the US Economy and Jobs Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    34 min
  5. 29. Christopher Gardner, Stanford School of Medicine

    03/21/2024

    29. Christopher Gardner, Stanford School of Medicine

    Dr. Christopher Gardner is a nutrition scientist focused on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid for optimal health, as well as the forces that can successfully motivate people to improve their food and beverage behaviors. His recent research interests include: “stealth nutrition,” which focuses on shifting diets through the integration of non-health related approaches, like the connection between food and climate change; institutional food; and the microbiome. Christopher Gardner: “I would say the biggest thing for me is humility. I am a nutrition scientist. I understand the mechanism. You should eat that. [But] there is the business aspect, the marketing aspect, the legal aspect, the policy aspect, the cultural aspect, the historical aspect, the storytelling aspect… The humility to recognize how many other disciplines and factors are tugging at people's tongues and hearts and brains, has really been the greatest learning experience for me.” 00:00 Intro to Dr. Gardner 01:03 How nutrition research becomes a Netflix documentary  04:22 Using humor to inspire retention 06:09 The road from philosophy to nutrition science 07:20 The dissonance with access to nutrition information 09:21 Food & Society: External motivators and behavior change 14:51 Why institutions have a powerful role in food systems transformation 16:55 The "instead of what" and "with what" approach to behavior change 21:26 The complex nature of food choice 25:50 How “stealth nutrition” influences choice 29:34 Embracing humility and creative storytelling in science communication  32:18 Takeaways for changemakers Links Stanford School of Medicine Nutrition Studies Research GroupNetflix Documentary - You Are What You EatThe Game Changers DocumentaryCardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical Twins A Randomized Clinical TrialMichael Pollan’s Omnivore Dilemma Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, MiracleEric Schlosser's Fast Food NationMarian Nestle's Food PoliticsCIA’s Greg Drescher on Using Deliciousness to Drive Change | Food Lab Talk Episode 13 Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    35 min
  6. 28. Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Diabetes Digital

    03/07/2024

    28. Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Diabetes Digital

    Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones are nationally recognized Registered Dietitians and Certified Diabetes Educators. They are the founders of Food Heaven – a multimedia platform originally founded for women and communities of color experiencing barriers to food, healthcare and nutrition education - and the newly launched Diabetes Digital - a trusted source for virtual personalized nutrition counseling dedicated to diabetes and prediabetes. In their highly successful podcast, videos, books and more, they dive deep into health and wellness topics with a lens on inclusivity and cultural competency. Wendy Lopez: “Needs vary based on what community you're talking about, what country you're in, what neighborhood you're in. Talking to the people that are impacted the most by the food system to learn more about what their needs are, what they would want out of a food system, is really important because they're the main stakeholders.” Jessica Jones: “It's also making sure that people have access not only to health promoting foods, but also culturally relevant foods. Because so often people want to come into communities and say, you should be doing this, or, these are the foods that are helpful. And it's like one list. But it's more effective, and we've seen this firsthand, trying to incorporate foods that people enjoy that are part of their cultures and not demonizing those foods.” 00:12 Intro to Wendy and Jess 01:55 The evolution of Food Heaven to Diabetes Digital 03:46 How prioritizing cultural relevance builds inclusive, sustainable food systems 06:35 Celebrating diversity to reduce stigma and shame 08:09 Socioeconomic and cultural factors influence on choice 10:42 Improving access to healthy, sustainable foods  12:50 Building trust through science and lived experiences 15:01 How motivational interviewing balances nutrition advice and personal preferences  18:11 Embracing life’s fluctuations 21:08 Why growing a diverse support community can enhance impact 24:14 The importance of embracing “fun” in business development 26:47 Takeaways for changemakers Links Food HeavenDiabetes DigitalDiabetes Digital PodcastMotivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    29 min
  7. 27. Clancy Cash Harrison, Food Dignity Movement

    02/29/2024

    27. Clancy Cash Harrison, Food Dignity Movement

    Clancy Cash Harrison is a food equity advocate, registered dietitian, TEDx speaker, and international thought leader who challenges the way food insecurity is approached and discussed. Her mission to demolish the stigma around food access places her on the cutting edge of advocacy. Clancy is the founder of the Food Dignity® Movement, a strategic program for leaders who want to shift how they approach nutrition outreach by making healthy food access a priority. Clancy Cash Harrison: “How can we create solutions that work? First, I had to be humble enough to say I was wrong. One of the questions I started asking myself is, where am I wrong so I can be right? Now we have our volunteers asking the same question. What are we here to learn today from the people that we're working with?” 00:24 Intro to Clancy 01:49 How uncovering personal bias began the Food Dignity Movement 04:56 Breaking down silos to collaboration  07:32 Defining hidden hunger  09:04 Why changemakers should adapt solutions to each unique audience 11:33 Creating solutions that work: “Where am I wrong so I can be right?” 14:19 Taking hunger out of the charity box 16:30 Driving systems change through local agriculture 17:41 How to use skepticism and appreciation to fuel changemaking 19:10 The material impact of one $8,000 walk in cooler 21:23 People are the experts in their life  22:50 Uncovering the “why” instead of judging food choices 25:16 How admitting what you don’t know can fuel personal growth 27:46 Call to action: find the cracks and be the glue  29:17 Takeaways for changemakers Links Food Dignity MovementClancy’s TEDxFood Dignity Movement Podcast Food Dignity Challenge Food Dignity Documentary  Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    32 min
  8. 26. Walter Willett, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

    02/15/2024

    26. Walter Willett, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

    Dr. Walter Willett is a physician and Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He also co-chairs the EAT-Lancet Commission, a group of 37 world-leading scientists working to determine how to provide a healthy diet for a future population of 10 billion people while respecting planetary boundaries. Dr. Willet’s career has centered on the development of methods to study the effects of diet on the occurrence of major diseases. His research has provided unparalleled insight into the long-term health consequences of our food choices. Walter Willett: “Look at where you are and start off working there. Ultimately at a much larger scale, you'd like to have an impact. But if you don't have control of the dials and the levers at that level, your own food service and wherever you happen to be working or studying can often be improved a lot, and you learn a lot from that experience. I certainly have. Almost everybody has part of their life in a workplace or in their community that they could be making some improvements. And a lot of times that's where the biggest changes start.” 00:22 Intro to Walter 02:43 Connecting human health and the climate crisis 04:24 The Great Acceleration Theory 06:29 Three pillars for food systems transformation 08:47 Harnessing community action to catalyze systems change 10:30 The history of our food choices and related complexity of shifting diets 13:31 Levers to positively influence population diet quality 16:21 What global consumption habits tell us about public health trends 18:02 Lessons from effective grassroots movements 20:50 Building trust, providing better data, and acknowledging uncertainty 24:01 Integrating justice into food systems solutions 26:37 Generational awareness and action on sustainability 28:28 Embracing disciplinary diversity for systems transformation 29:36 Why patience is the #1 skill for change management 31:40 Takeaways for changemakers Links The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, HealthThe Great Acceleration TheoryScientific Review: Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systemsSummary Report: EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report (includes Five Strategies for a Great Food Transformation)Research Article: Improvements In US Diet Helped Reduce Disease Burden And Lower Premature Deaths, 1999–2012; But Overall Diet Remains PoorVideo: What is a healthy and sustainable diet? The EAT-Lancet Lecture - Johan Rockström & Walter Willett EAT-Lancet 2.0 Keep in Touch Subscribe, rate, review the show at foodlabtalk.com Follow Food Lab talk on YouTube and LinkedIn *The views expressed by the guests in this podcast don't necessarily represent the host’s views, nor those of his employer.

    34 min
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About

A better food system starts with one thing: vision. Food Lab Talk gives global food system changemakers a platform to articulate their vision for the future of food. The series features interviews with inspiring individuals who are working on the frontlines of many of our most pressing food issues: reducing food loss and waste, enhancing food system transparency, facilitating shifts toward more balanced plant-forward diets, enabling informed individual choices for sustainable lifestyles, and accelerating the transition to a circular food economy.  Join Google’s Michiel Bakker to meet the leaders taking bold action and answering what each of us can do to create a better food system for us all.

Information

  • Creator
    Michiel Bakker
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©️ 2023 Food Lab Talk
  • Show Website
    Food Lab Talk

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