Fraternity Foodie Podcast by Greek University

Dr. Michael Ayalon

On Fraternity Foodie, we will have some of the tough conversations in Fraternity and Sorority Life with the leading speakers and experts in the industry. We'll discuss topics such as hazing prevention, sexual assault prevention, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, mental health, recruitment, diversity, and any issue involving college students today to help make our campuses safer and stronger.

  1. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    1D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Harvard Psychologist Matthew Nock: 20% of People Experience Suicidal Thoughts! (Spot the Signs and Ask THESE Questions That Could Save a Life) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Trigger Warning: Suicide & Self-Harm If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 (U.S.) or contact your local emergency services. Have you been feeling down lately? What’s been weighing on you the most? Today, Jay sits down with Dr. Matthew Nock, Harvard psychologist and one of the world’s foremost experts on suicide prevention, to unpack one of the most urgent and misunderstood issues of our time. Together, they dismantle common myths about suicide, revealing that it’s rarely about wanting life to end, but more often about escaping overwhelming pain. Drawing on decades of groundbreaking research, Matthew explains how suicidal thoughts take shape, why they don’t always lead to action, and how depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and social disconnection can shape someone’s experience. Jay and Matthew also look at how culture, gender, and age shape risk, uncovering why men are more likely to die by suicide, why adolescence is such a vulnerable stage, and how isolation later in life can intensify struggle. They examine the double edge of technology and AI, from the dangers of online bullying to the hopeful potential tools that can predict when someone may be most at risk. The conversation underscores the lifesaving power of open dialogue, especially between parents and children, while dispelling the myth that asking about suicide will put the idea in someone’s mind. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Talk About Suicide Without Fear How to Support a Friend in Crisis How to Spot Risk Factors in Adolescents How to Create a Safety Plan at Home How to Use Technology Safely for Mental Health How to Break the Stigma Around Suicide How to Strengthen Hope and Connection You are not alone, and your presence in this world carries more value than you may realize. Hold on to hope, and know that even in the darkest moments, there are pathways toward light, growth, and renewal. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 03:13 Why Mental Health Conversations Are Limited 04:24 Suicide Awareness Saves Lives! 05:09 Debunking the Biggest Myths About Suicide 06:02 What the Data Really Reveals About Suicide Rates 08:40 Understanding the Stages of Suicidal Thoughts 12:06 Who Is Most at Risk for Suicide? 16:55 How Men and Women Differ in Suicide Risk 18:30 Why Adolescence Brings Higher Risk 20:02 Should We Teach Suicide Awareness in Schools? 22:19 The Promise and Perils of AI in Mental Health 26:06 Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough 27:36 Bullying Is Still a Serious Risk 30:03 Why Parents Should Talk About Suicide with Their Children 33:57 What If Kids Don’t Want to Talk About It? 36:40 What Steps Should You Take Next? 38:52 Why Men Are More Likely to Die by Suicide  42:06 Why Science Must Guide Suicide Prevention  44:02 New Mothers Experience With Suicidal Thoughts  46:01 Most Effective Therapies For Suicide Prevention 47:53 Do Suicide Survivors Regret Their Attempts? 49:23 How Mental Disorders Increase Risk  50:07 Can We Predict When Someone Will Act on a Suicidal Thought? 52:39 Predicting Who’s at Risk And When 54:00 The Shame Around Suicidal Thoughts 55:41 Careers Linked to Higher Suicide Risk 57:50 Losing a Close Friend to Suicide 59:41 How Do You Begin to Heal After a Loss? 01:01:29 The Impact of Losing Someone to Suicide 01:02:55 You Are Never a Burden 01:04:30 How to Use Social Media Safely and Responsibly 01:06:05 Suicide Is Rarely Sudden, It Builds Over Time 01:07:48 The Future of Suicide Prevention Episode Resources: Matthew Nock | X Nock Lab See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  2. AUG 19

    Erika Sinner: Building an Empathy-Centered Culture

    Building an empathy-centered culture in your organization is possible! Erika Sinner is a CEO, an empathy driven culture advocate, and the guiding force behind Directorie®, an Inc5000 company dedicated to propelling life science organizations forward in bringing vital products to market. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Erika's innovative spirit has fostered successful teams and elevated brands within the pharmaceutical industry. For Erika Sinner, empathy is more than understanding another person’s perspective—it’s about creating environments where people feel seen and valued. Growing up in a household marked by instability, she also learned how important it is to create spaces where people feel safe. Erika is not merely a CEO or an author; she's a catalyst for healing and transformation. In episode 597 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out how early life instability shaped her views on leadership and empathy, why she chose Lindenwood University, how she was able to learn to navigate challenges without losing her sense of compassion, her advice for building an inclusive, empathy-centered culture in organizations, learn more about TinySuperheroes® and her mission to bring a “superhero culture” to children’s hospitals, how Greek organizations get involved in bringing hope and empowerment to kids in hospitals, why she decided to write "Pets Are Family" after her dog Kingston passed away, whether pet bereavement leave will be widely adopted, and what drives her to confront societal gaps head-on. Enjoy!

    27 min
  3. AUG 14

    Armida Espinoza: How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

    How to overcome imposter syndrome? Talk to Armida Espinoza, a first-generation Mexican American and a retired bilingual teacher. Armida hopes to write stories that shed light on second-language learners' academic and emotional challenges, meeting them where they are and validating their reality. Armida hopes that second language learners might glean insight from her experiences on how to walk through their fears and insecurities in life by providing them with techniques that can help them manage their inner voice. Armida is a member of the International Society of Latino Authors (ISLA), the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Authors Guild, and an alumni of the Children’s Book Masterclass Program and Publishing Mastermind with Miriam Laundry Publishing Company. Armida lives in Fresno, California, with her husband, Leonard, and three furry friends: Luna, Sol, and Cutie Boy. In episode 596 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Armida chose Cal State Fresno, when she decided to rewrite her own story from struggling with reading in high school to becoming an international award-winning author, what unique perspective her teaching experience gives on how early self-doubt can take root in children, what are some early signs that someone might be struggling with confidence, how fraternity and sorority students can recognize the difference between healthy humility and harmful self-doubt, how to “welcome and befriend” your imposter, how to replace negative self-talk with empowering thoughts, what Armida would say to her younger self in 1st grade, and how to walk hand-in-hand with your imposter beyond fear. Enjoy!

    21 min
  4. JUL 31

    Lauren Dorman: The Harm of Diet Culture in College

    The harm of diet culture in college is real! A Mental Health Registered Dietitian, Lauren Dorman is a Nutrition Therapist and Body Image Expert who has 22 years of experience working alongside children and adults struggling with food anxiety, body image, and self-esteem, as well as disordered and emotional eating. She is also a certified diabetes educator. After graduating from Penn State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, she obtained a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Rutgers University. Lauren is the owner of Schools, Master Food and Mood, presenting regularly to school districts (both professional development and student lessons) and at webinars, conferences and wellness events. She is also a frequent podcast guest. Lauren is known as a change leader, devoted to strengthening the next generation's mental, physical, and emotional well-being. She believes that everyone deserves to have access to education from a Registered Dietitian -- an expert in nutrition science who can help navigate nutrition misinformation, teach sustainable health habits, enhance brain health, and focus on a self-care behavioral approach toward developing a strong relationship with food, mind, and body. Join her email community with all the resources at: https://admirable-waterfall-367.myflodesk.com/auppulni98 In episode 594 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Lauren chose Penn State and Alpha Phi, what led her to specialize in body image, food anxiety, and emotional eating, how her approach to health is different than what students might see online from “wellness influencers”, what is the difference between body positivity and body neutrality, how sororities and fraternities can create an inclusive environment around body image and food, what are the biggest nutrition myths or red flags on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, how college students can protect their mental and physical health from diet culture, what are common emotional eating triggers for students, how college students can get sustainable energy without caffeine or junk food, and trends on student wellness and nutrition. Enjoy!

    28 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

On Fraternity Foodie, we will have some of the tough conversations in Fraternity and Sorority Life with the leading speakers and experts in the industry. We'll discuss topics such as hazing prevention, sexual assault prevention, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, mental health, recruitment, diversity, and any issue involving college students today to help make our campuses safer and stronger.