The NESI Podcast

NESI Podcast Team

The NESI Podcast is an official podcast of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), brought to you by its Network of Early Career Researchers and Students (NESI). Each episode features honest conversations with students, early career researchers, and global leaders in the field—sharing ideas, research journeys, and practical tips for navigating academic and professional life. Want to get in touch? Email: nesipodcast@isbnpa.org

  1. 11/16/2025

    The Art of Peer Review with Professor Melody Ding

    Peer review sits at the heart of academic life — but how do we learn to do it well?Most researchers receive review requests long before they receive any real guidance. And yet, thoughtful, constructive reviewing is one of the most meaningful ways we contribute to the scientific community. In this final episode of Season 1 of the NESI Podcast, we explore the craft, purpose, and practice of peer reviewing with Professor Melody Ding — behavioural epidemiologist, public health researcher, and editor at the Journal of Physical Activity and Health (JPAH). Melody shares insights from her recent paper on improving peer review, and we talk about how clarity, care, and collegiality can elevate the quality of both reviews and the research they aim to strengthen. Tune in to learn:• What makes a high-quality peer review• How to approach reviewing with clarity, respect, and a constructive mindset• Practical guidance from an experienced editor on what journals look for If you are interested in the paper discussed in today's episode, find it here:https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/20/11/article-p989.xml You can learn more about Melody and her work here:https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/about/our-people/academic-staff/melody-ding.html New episodes of the NESI Podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on:Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬X: @ISBNPAInstagram: @isbnpaadminLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-society-of-behavioral-nutrition-and-physical-activity/ Do you want to feature your work on the podcast? We are always looking for new voices! Please reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you want to share — whether that’s a specific paper, a broader project, or a topic in your field that you’re passionate about.

    The Art of Peer Review with Professor Melody Ding

  2. 11/03/2025

    Stronger for longer: Tackling sarcopenia through research and practice

    Muscle loss isn’t just a normal part of ageing — it’s a major public-health challenge. Sarcopenia, the gradual loss of muscle and strength, affects millions worldwide and is a key driver of frailty, falls, and reduced independence. But research now shows it begins decades earlier than we once thought — meaning prevention has to start well before old age. In this episode of the #NESIPodcast, Steve speaks with Dr. Lara Vlietstra, Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago. Originally trained as a physiotherapist in the Netherlands, Lara completed two master’s degrees in clinical and geriatric health sciences before earning her PhD on pre-sarcopenia. Her work now spans muscle health, falls prevention, and community-based approaches to healthy ageing. Together, they explore how sarcopenia develops, what we can do earlier in life to protect strength, and how community-driven research can shape practical solutions that truly work. Tune in to hear about:• How sarcopenia is defined — and why early prevention matters• What Lara’s pre-sarcopenia research reveals about midlife muscle health• How community co-design ensures research reflects lived experience and local context Lara shares her belief that real progress happens when researchers work with communities, not just on them — bringing together clinical expertise, lived experience, and local partnerships to turn evidence into change. Connect with Dr. Lara Vlietstra:📧 lara.vlietstra@otago.ac.nzNew episodes of the NESI Podcast are released bi-weekly.Follow us on:Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬X: @ISBNPAInstagram: @isbnpaadminLinkedIn: International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Do you want to feature your work on the podcast? We’re always looking for new voices!Email us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you’d like to share — whether that’s a paper, a project, or a topic in your field that deserves a spotlight.

    Stronger for longer: Tackling sarcopenia through research and practice

  3. 10/21/2025

    From Science to Systems: Lessons from 70 Years of Physical Activity Promotion

    In this episode of the #NESIPodcast, Steve speaks with Dr. Tepi McLaughlin, a researcher and policy leader whose work explores the intersection of physical activity, systems thinking, and political economy. Together, they unpack the evolution of the field, the importance of politically informed approaches, and the role of advocacy in navigating commercial and structural determinants of health. The link to Tepi's paper is here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11747872/ Progress, Tepi argues, will come from testing what truly works in real-world settings, guided by politically aware, cross-sector collaboration. At the same time, we need to stay alert to the commercial forces shaping those systems and ensure their impact is addressed through strong advocacy and smart policy. New episodes of the NESI Podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes — follow us on:Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬X: @ISBNPAInstagram: @isbnpaadminLinkedIn: International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Do you want to feature your work on the podcast? We’re always looking for new voices! Email us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you’d like to share — whether that’s a paper, a project, or a topic in your field that deserves a spotlight.

    From Science to Systems: Lessons from 70 Years of Physical Activity Promotion

  4. 10/02/2025

    Policy, People, and Physical Activity: Lessons from Dr. Sven Messing

    How can policy create the conditions for people to move more in their everyday lives? In this episode of the #NESIPodcast, Steve chats with Dr. Sven Messing, a researcher based at the University of Limerick in Ireland through a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship. With a background in political science and over eight years of experience in physical activity and public health, Sven’s work explores how policies at all levels—international, national, and local—shape opportunities for people to be active. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Sven Messing and his work: https://www.ul.ie/ehs/pafh/dr-sven-messing 🎧 New episodes of the NESI podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on:Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬X: @ISBNPAInstagram: @isbnpaadminLinkedIn: International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 📢 Got research to share? Reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org — we’d love to feature your work.

    Policy, People, and Physical Activity: Lessons from Dr. Sven Messing

  5. 09/15/2025

    Shifting the system: different approaches to tackling physical inactivity

    In this episode, Stephen speaks with Dr Ben Rigby from Newcastle University (United Kingdom) about his commentary, Reflections on inaction: how might we reverse continuing trends in physical inactivity, which asks why decades of physical activity promotion have failed to move the needle — and what bold ideas might finally shift the dial. Ben shares his reflections on the limitations of current policy approaches, and the tendency to treat inactivity as a simple behaviour problem rather than a complex, systemic issue. You’ll hear about:• Why global physical activity targets are likely to be missed — and what that tells us• The need to think beyond individual behaviour change to structural levers like time, equity, and resource distribution• How we might re-imagine physical activity promotion to create more meaningful movement experiences Whether you work in research, policy, or practice, this conversation will challenge you to step back, rethink assumptions, and imagine a more radical future for physical activity promotion. 🔗 Read Reflections on Inaction: https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2025.2473331 🔗 Learn more about Dr Rigby’s work: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/people/profile/benjaminrigby.html 🎧 New episodes of the NESI podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on:Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬X: @ISBNPAInstagram: @isbnpaadminLinkedIn: International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 📢 Got research to share? Reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org — we’d love to feature your work.

    Shifting the system: different approaches to tackling physical inactivity

  6. 08/18/2025

    From Screen to Strength: Integrating Digital Exercise Guides into Cancer Care with Dr. Jordan Curry

    Exercise oncology is reshaping cancer care—proving that movement is not only safe for people with cancer but can also boost treatment outcomes, ease side effects, and enhance quality of life. As digital health grows as a tool for delivering care, eHealth offers a promising way to make exercise guidance more accessible—but how does it fit into cancer treatment? In this episode of the NESI Podcast, Emma speaks with Dr. Jordan Curry, a research associate at Hull York Medical School and Lead Communications Officer for the Cancer Prevention and Management Special Interest Group. Jordan’s research explores how exercise—and increasingly, digital technology—can support people living with and beyond cancer. We dive into his work on two major projects, ExerciseGuide UK and CANFit, which provide tailored, evidence-based exercise programs through digital platforms. Jordan shares how these tools can help patients stay strong, manage treatment side effects, and recover more effectively. Tune in to hear about: • How patients and the public are shaping exercise oncology research • The practical challenges of delivering eHealth interventions in real-world care • What recent studies reveal about the feasibility and acceptability of digital exercise guides Whether you’re a healthcare professional, researcher, patient, or simply curious about the future of cancer care, this episode offers an inspiring look at how movement and technology can work hand in hand to improve lives. Want to follow Jordan and keep up with his research? You can find him at: https://www.hyms.ac.uk/about/people/jordan-curry New episodes of the NESI podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on: Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬ X: @ISBNPA Instagram: @isbnpaadmin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-society-of-behavioral-nutrition-and-physical-activity/ Do you want to feature your work on the podcast? We are always looking for new voices! Please reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you want to share on the podcast, whether that is a specific paper, a larger project or a topic in your field that you study.

    From Screen to Strength: Integrating Digital Exercise Guides into Cancer Care with Dr. Jordan Curry

  7. 08/04/2025

    Active from the Start: Building Movement into Early Childhood with Dr. Dr. Charla Santiago-Saamong

    How can we create early childhood environments that truly support physical activity and active play? In this episode, Stephen chats with Dr Charla Rochella Santiago from the University of the Philippines Diliman, about her research on physical activity in early years settings — and why movement in these foundational years matters for lifelong health and development. Dr Santiago shares insights from her work in childcare and preschool settings, highlighting how educators, environments, and policy intersect to shape young children’s movement behaviours. You’ll hear about: Why early childhood is a critical time for developing movement habitsThe cultural and structural challenges to promoting active playOpportunities to support educators as movement champions Whether you're in research, education, or policy, this episode offers a compelling look at the power of movement in the early years. 🔗 Learn more about Dr Santiago’s work: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charla-rochella-santiago-saamong/ 🎧 New episodes of the NESI podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on: Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social‬ X: @ISBNPA Instagram: @isbnpaadmin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-society-of-behavioral-nutrition-and-physical-activity/ 📢 Got research to share? Reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you want to share on the podcast— we’d love to feature your work.

    Active from the Start: Building Movement into Early Childhood with Dr. Dr. Charla Santiago-Saamong

  8. 07/21/2025

    Let’s Talk About Sedentary Living: Breaking the Sitting Streak with Dr. Jennifer Gale

    Small moves can have big impacts on our health.   We all love to unwind after a long day—whether it’s sinking into the couch to watch TV or scrolling through our phones. But what if those quiet evening hours were also the perfect time to sneak in some movement? In this episode, we explore how adding a few simple movement breaks can make a difference to our health.   In this episode, Steve is joined by Dr. Jennifer Gale, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Otago. Jen shares her research on how incorporating movement breaks during our favourite evening sedentary activities can potentially benefit our cardiometabolic health.   Tune in to learn about: ·      The risks of sedentary lifestyles ·      The health benefits of breaking up sitting time ·      How to incorporate movement into our evening routines   If you are interested in the paper discussed in today's episode, find it here: https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/10/3/e001774   You can stay up-to-date on Jen and her research here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/paediatrics-child-health/people/profile?id=3714 New episodes of the NESI podcast are released bi-weekly. Don’t miss updates on future episodes. Follow us on: Bluesky: ‪@isbnpa.bsky.social X: @ISBNPA Instagram: @isbnpaadmin LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-society-of-behavioral-nutrition-and-physical-activity/     Do you want to feature your work on the podcast? We are always looking for new voices! Please reach out to us at nesipodcast@isbnpa.org with a short bio and the research you want to share on the podcast, whether that is a specific paper, a larger project or a topic in your field that you study.

    Let’s Talk About Sedentary Living: Breaking the Sitting Streak with Dr. Jennifer Gale
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About

The NESI Podcast is an official podcast of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA), brought to you by its Network of Early Career Researchers and Students (NESI). Each episode features honest conversations with students, early career researchers, and global leaders in the field—sharing ideas, research journeys, and practical tips for navigating academic and professional life. Want to get in touch? Email: nesipodcast@isbnpa.org

Information

  • Creator
    NESI Podcast Team
  • Years Active
    2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NESI Podcast Team
  • Show Website
    The NESI Podcast