The Well Fed Neighbor

The Seed Oil Story: From Chemistry to Chronic Illness Ep 94

Seed oils aren’t simply dietary fats—During refining, these oils generate lipid peroxides and aldehydes that integrate into cell membranes, impair mitochondrial respiration, and activate inflammatory signaling. Cell membranes become inflexible which is essential for cells to function properly. Reducing them is one of the most effective ways to restore cellular function. What should you be eating though? Go local as much as possible.

San Francisco vs Snackzilla- Episode 93

The city of San Francisco is suing Big Food for cooking up ultra-processed products that act more like addictive snacks than real nourishment. Think “Snackzilla goes to court.” With giants like Nestlé and PepsiCo on the defense, the case exposes how UPFs hijack health—and why the real solution isn’t a lawsuit, it’s going back to local, real food that never needs a lawyer. I wouldn’t wait for this one to play out to source local though.....it's going to take years!!!

Forever Chemicals: What's In Your Water- Episode 92

Federal rollbacks on PFAS rules and delayed fluoride reviews leave communities exposed to chemicals linked to cancer, hormonal disruption, and neurodevelopmental risks. With weakened standards and years-long implementation gaps, Americans must rely on local testing, filtration, and informed choices to protect their health until stronger protections return. A reverse osmosis filter is a good idea whether you are on city or well water!!!

Regenerative vs Industrial: Finding Balance - Episode 90

Regenerative forestry isn’t just about trees—it’s about restoring whole ecosystems. Moonstruck land management takes that even further, weaving soil biology, water cycles, wildlife corridors, and community stewardship into one holistic vision. When we heal the land, we heal ourselves. This episode explores how regeneration becomes resilience.

Secrets in Healthcare Recap- Episode 89

Sarah and I recently attended Secrets in Healthcare, a conference once known for outside-the-box ideas that are now becoming mainstream. We recap key insights and trends shaping modern wellness—from root-cause healing and detoxification to the power of food and community—sharing what’s next for our health-conscious, well-fed neighbors. Food truly is medicine.

From Entitlement to Empowerment- Episode 88

When we talk about entitlement programs, we rarely talk about empowerment. Yet what if SNAP, WIC, and school meal dollars could actually fuel local farms, rebuild community health, and restore food sovereignty? In this episode of The Well Fed Neighbor Podcast, we explore how redirecting public food dollars into regenerative, local systems transforms dependence into resilience—one bite, one community, and one policy at a time. 

Rooted in Renewal- Celebrating Legacy- Episode 87

Recently, I learned that one of the greatest soil biologists of our time — and the woman who laid the foundation for much of what I know about soil biology — is stepping into retirement. Dr. Elaine Ingham’s influence has shaped how we understand the living, breathing world beneath our feet.
While this marks the end of her hands-on teaching era, it also signals a powerful new beginning. She’s shifting from a proprietary model to one that’s rooted in open access, shared learning, and collaborative scientific discovery. In true regenerative fashion, her life’s work is seeding the next generation of soil stewards — proving once again that when one season ends, another is always ready to bloom.

What's Your Beef? Episode 86

Beef prices are really high right now which has a lot to do with simple economics; laws of supply and demand. Less beef available=higher prices. People are still eating record amounts of beef despite the high prices. I'm no economist but if you want to avoid some of the pitfalls of the industrialized system, developing a relationship with a local farmer is a way to buffer your cost and get a higher quality food product. I paid $12/pound for a half cow and was happy to support my local regenerative farmer. 

Sugar Beets and Ozempic- What Do They Have in Common Episode 85

Sugar beet prices , a subsidized food in America, have plummeted 30% in this last year. Apparently, American are eating A LOT less sugar. This has in part been attributed to the addition of GLP- 1 drugs like Ozempic being prescribed on a massive level.  Are we trading one problem for another? I would vote for neither

Small Land, Big Vision, and Community- Episode 84

What if I told you that you could feed your family—on just half an acre of land? Most people think they need hundreds of acres to make a difference. But today, we’re going to unpack how a small space, managed wisely, can change your health, your neighborhood, and your food system. Special Guests this evening, Ryan and Angela Howard who produce a a large portion of their food on just a half an acre in Ida, Michigan, right in the middle of town! You won’t want to miss this real life example!