The 'Sader Digest

Bradley Shannon, Alex Weld
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  • FOOD
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The 'Sader Digest —where health, wellness, and food collide with a whole lot of flavor! We’re here to dish out fresh ideas and fun conversations about how to eat well, live better, and make food choices that fuel your body and mind. From Holy Cross dining hacks to mastering the art of cooking on your own, we’re serving up everything you need to know to stay healthy and feel your best. Whether you’re curious about what’s on your plate, looking for simple tips to level up your meals, or just want to geek out about all things food, this podcast is for you. Think of us as your foodie friends with a side of wellness wisdom. Grab a seat, press play, and let’s dig in!

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Is Authentic Food Even Real? The most dangerous word in food

    Send a text Is your favorite dish actually authentic… or just something your grandma made really well? In this episode of The 'Sader Digest,  Brad  dives into one of the most overused—and surprisingly controversial—words in food: authentic. From “authentic Italian” to “authentic Chinese,” we love to throw the term around like it’s a universal truth. But according to who? And from where… and when? Brad explores how the idea of authenticity might actually flatten cultures, limit creativity, and ignore the messy, fascinating reality of how cuisines evolve. After all, tomatoes weren’t always Italian, chili peppers weren’t always Asian, and plenty of “classic” dishes—from spaghetti and meatballs to General Tso’s chicken—are products of migration and adaptation. Along the way, we hear stories about immigrant cooking, a kimchi carbonara created by chef Edward Lee, Friday night pizza traditions, and why the most “authentic” food might actually be the food that tells a story. So the next time someone says, “That’s not authentic,” you might want to ask three questions: Authentic to who? Authentic to where? Authentic to when? Because the real beauty of food isn’t that it stays the same—it’s that it never does.

    18 min

  2. 6 MAR

    Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: How a Tomato Built a Nation

    Send a text After a brief hiatus (blame the studio construction, not the tomatoes), The 'Sader Digest is back in action!  While Alex enjoys life somewhere tropical, Brad is holding down the fort in Massachusetts and kicking off a new series of episodes with a surprisingly juicy question: what if one of the most iconic traditions in Italian cuisine… isn’t actually that old? This week, we dive into the humble tomato and the remarkable story behind how a New World fruit ended up redefining an entire nation’s food culture. Drawing inspiration from 10 Tomatoes That Changed the World by William Alexander, we trace the tomato’s journey from the fields of Mesoamerica to the bustling streets of Naples. Along the way, we unpack the strange history of Europeans fearing tomatoes as poisonous nightshade, how acidic fruit and lead plates created a culinary misunderstanding, and why for centuries Italian food didn’t include the red sauces we now consider essential. Yes—there was a time when pasta existed without marinara, and pizza didn’t involve tomatoes at all. As Italy unified in the 19th century, food—especially tomato sauce—helped build a shared national identity among regions that previously had little in common politically or culturally. Along the way, we examine the famous legend of the Margherita pizza, why it might not be entirely true, and why the myth still matters anyway. This episode is part history lesson, part culinary detective story, and a reminder that many of the “ancient traditions” we celebrate today are surprisingly modern inventions. So grab a bowl of pasta (with or without sauce—we won’t judge) and join us as we explore how a simple fruit helped shape Italian identity, global cuisine, and the way we think about tradition itself. 🍅

    23 min

  3. 01/11/2025

    How to Adult in the Grocery Aisle: The College Guide to Survival

    Send a text This week, we’re tackling the ultimate college conundrum: how to eat healthy without selling a kidney or surviving on peanut butter toast. From grocery store hacks and freezer-friendly produce to mastering the mysterious art of the microwave, we cover it all. Learn how to turn your mini-fridge into a nutrition powerhouse, conquer the dining hall without hitting just pizza and fries, and power up your day with protein-packed meals that actually keep you full. Plus, we dive deep into the high-stakes world of apples—Cosmic Crisps, Pink Ladies, and why Honeycrisps are secretly plotting against your wallet.  If you’ve ever wondered how to survive college eating like an adult (without losing your soul or your bank account), this episode is your cheat sheet.

    26 min

  4. 22/10/2025

    Off the Menu: Outtakes Edition

    Send a text Welcome back to The Sader Digest, the health and wellness podcast where we try to sound smart… and often fail spectacularly. In this “Outtakes Edition,” we’re serving up a buffet of our finest bloopers, caffeine-fueled tangents, and questionable life choices—because why let all our worst moments go to waste? You’ll hear Brad spiral into a historical deep dive on the Boston Tea Party (because of course), Alex bravely battle the myth of “superfoods,” and both of us try to do math on air with results that will haunt every nutritionist. There’s talk of acai bowls, dragon fruit slander, caffeine addiction confessions, and even a dramatic protein portion showdown.   So grab a (reasonable) cup of coffee or tea—your kidneys will thank you—and enjoy the chaos, science, and silliness that didn’t make it to the main episodes. This is the Sader Digest: Outtakes Edition. Because sometimes wellness means laughing at yourself. Kenny Loggins anyone?

    21 min

  5. 08/10/2025

    Purple Goes Blue: Beans, Balance & the Birth of the Purple Zone

    Send a text Ever wondered how to live to 100 without moving to a sun-soaked island in Greece? In this laugh-filled finale of our Blue Zone series, Alex and Brad try to bring the secrets of long life to—wait for it—Worcester. From flipping the food pyramid under an olive tree to replacing your PSL with a nap and a handful of beans, this episode proves longevity might be possible… even in a Worcester winter. We cover the essentials: Coffee (yes), PSLs (maybe not)  95% plants, 5%   Walking uphill both ways at Holy Cross = built-in cardio  How to turn the Hill into the first Purple Zone Listen in for wisdom, laughter, and possibly too many bean jokes.

    19 min

  6. 01/10/2025

    Purple Goes Blue: The World Tour of Longevity (Part 1)

    Send a text Brad and Alex jet around the globe exploring the famous Blue Zones — those rare places where people live long, happy, and suspiciously goat-filled lives. From California’s plant-powered Adventists to Costa Rica’s “plan de vida,” from Sardinia’s red wine to Okinawa’s purple sweet potatoes, the guys uncover the secrets to a century-long life. Plus, they ask the ultimate question: could Holy Cross become the first-ever Purple Blue Zone?

    15 min

  7. 24/09/2025

    Microbiome: Epigenetics, Fiber, Antioxidants Oh my!

    Send a text Brad is back. But more importantly Alex is back. And yes — the long-awaited Sader Digest Season 2 is here (still in our makeshift “studio,” but hey, we roll with it). In this episode, Brad and Alex dive headfirst into the mysterious world of the gut microbiome, aka the trillions of tiny tenants living rent-free inside you. Think of yourself as a walking Airbnb, except instead of tourists, you’re hosting bacteria, fungi, and viruses who (surprise!) actually want you to succeed. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why your microbiome is like a garden — give it good food and it thrives, give it junk and it turns into a weed patch.  The surprising truth about epigenetics (spoiler: it’s less “fancy dinner party” and more “your genes get software updates based on your lifestyle”). Why fiber is the unsung hero of gut health (yes, we talk poop). 💩 How stress, sleep, and diet all flip switches in your body that affect your long-term health. Antioxidants explained: why “eating the rainbow” means broccoli, not Skittles (sorry, candy lovers).  Brad’s hot take: Skittles should never have swapped lime for green apple. Ever. With plenty of laughs, bad analogies (looking at you, “walking Airbnb”), and actually useful takeaways, this episode makes gut science less intimidating — and more like a comedy set about bacteria.

    17 min

  8. 13/08/2025

    Beyond the Label: Allergens, Celiac, and the Power of Safe Dining

    Send a text Did you know your immune system can throw a full-blown temper tantrum over a peanut? Or that a crumb of gluten can trigger an autoimmune attack in someone with celiac disease? In this episode, Bradley Shannon—Director of Culinary Development and Nutrition at Holy Cross—dishes out the real scoop on food allergies, the science behind IgE and histamine, what makes celiac disease different, and why dining with dietary restrictions can feel like walking a culinary tightrope. We’ll go behind the scenes at Holy Cross Dining to explore how a college campus can become a haven for students with food allergies and gluten-free needs. From allergen-safe kitchens and gluten-free fryers to staff training and one-on-one support, we’re changing the game. Whether you’re an allergy warrior, gluten-free for life, or just a curious foodie—this episode serves up science, strategy, and some seriously inclusive dining vibes.

    19 min
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About

The 'Sader Digest —where health, wellness, and food collide with a whole lot of flavor! We’re here to dish out fresh ideas and fun conversations about how to eat well, live better, and make food choices that fuel your body and mind. From Holy Cross dining hacks to mastering the art of cooking on your own, we’re serving up everything you need to know to stay healthy and feel your best. Whether you’re curious about what’s on your plate, looking for simple tips to level up your meals, or just want to geek out about all things food, this podcast is for you. Think of us as your foodie friends with a side of wellness wisdom. Grab a seat, press play, and let’s dig in!

Information

  • Creator
    Bradley Shannon, Alex Weld
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The 'Sader Digest
  • Show Website
    The 'Sader Digest