In this episode, Brad asks Alex about her new certification as a certified “acupunct” (not to be confused with full-blown acupuncturists—those folks train for years), to explore the magical, stress-melting world of auricular acupuncture. That’s right: it’s acupuncture, but just for your ears.

Alex breaks down how this ear-only version of acupuncture taps into the vagus nerve, bringing on a deep sense of calm she fondly refers to as being “Accu-stoned.” We talk ear maps (yes, your ear has a whole body on it), how tiny pins can chill you out, and why your wax situation isn’t actually a big deal. Bonus: Alex loves removing earwax, so she’s truly in the right line of work.

We also get into how this chill-inducing treatment is just one part of the growing lifestyle medicine toolkit at Holy Cross—along with culinary coaching, half-marathon training, and plans to crash a Montserrat class or two with some nutrition truth bombs.

Worried about the pins? Don’t be. They're tiny, single-use, and nowhere near your eyeballs (that would be ocular acupuncture, and no one wants that). Want to try it? Just call Health Services at (508) 793-2276 and say, “Pin my ears!”

This episode is proof that wellness doesn’t always come in a green smoothie—sometimes, it comes in the form of a pin to the ear and a nap-level vibe reset.

Come get pinned. Stay zen. No eyeballs involved.

Darlene Menz is back in the booth (because, let’s face it, she had way too much fun last time!) to chat about why we should stop rushing through our meals. Between Darlene’s love for savoring her food and Brad's habit of eating faster than you can say "dinner is served," we dive into the benefits of slowing down, appreciating your food, and enjoying some good old-fashioned conversation with friends and family.

From how fast food culture impacts our bodies (and minds) to why we should all stop eating over trash cans (Brad....guilty as charged), we break down the importance of mindful eating. Spoiler alert: taking time to chew your food could be the key to avoiding that dreaded post-meal bellyache!

So, if you’re tired of scarfing down your food while multitasking, tune in to learn how to slow down, savor every bite, and create a more fulfilling dining experience. Trust us—your body and mind will thank you!

Grab your thermometers and put down that dented can of beans because Brad is about to school you on food safety like never before! In this episode, we're talking all things temperatures, bacteria, and the things you should NEVER eat—like a bulging can (trust us, you don’t want to mess with botulism).

Brad explains the world of FAT TOM (and no, that’s not a new breakfast trend), walks us through the danger zone (spoiler: it’s not a cool action movie), and why you should ALWAYS let your steak rest—because it’s been through a lot, okay?

Plus, as a seasoned ServSafe proctor, Bradley spills the beans on what it’s really like teaching food safety—hint: it's not all fun and games, but he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve to keep things exciting. So tune in, get the facts, and learn how to cook without giving yourself or your guests a foodborne illness. You’ll never look at a can of soup the same way again!

Get ready to dive into a world of nutrition, sports, some snacks and dorm room cooking! Host Alex is joined by the one and only Brad Shannon and our special guest, Carly Robinson, a grad assistant in the Wellness Department at Holy Cross. Carly’s journey from student-athlete to nutrition guru is nothing short of impressive. She managed to self-design a nutrition major at Holy Cross—because who wouldn’t want to create their own degree when you’re that ambitious, right?

Carly spills the tea on how her athletic days helped her find the perfect blend of sports nutrition and food science, and she’s now juggling grad school at UMass Lowell with a gig as a wellness assistant at Holy Cross. You know, just casually becoming a registered dietitian while still having time for, well, life.

In this episode, Carly shreds some common nutrition myths (no, protein shakes are not just for bodybuilders), shares the ins and outs of becoming a registered dietitian (spoiler: it involves a lot of really interesting internships and real-world experience), and serves up a ton of valuable info for anyone interested in health, food, and the athletic lifestyle. So grab a snack, , and tune in for a fun, educational, and slightly hilarious episode. You won’t want to miss it!

In this episode, Brad and Alex tackle the wild world of nutrition labels – because, let’s face it, who actually reads them unless they’re hunting for the secret sugar stash? They’ll guide you through deciphering all that confusing jargon like "serving size" (spoiler: it's never as big as you think) and "percent daily value" (and no, it's not a secret plot to get you to eat more broccoli). From finding out how much sugar is really in your snack to learning how to spot a deal without getting duped by fancy packaging, this episode is your grocery store survival guide. Bonus: they’ll tell you when to skip the supplements and when your vitamins are actually working harder than you are. So grab a snack (preferably something with a real label), sit back, and get ready for a hilarious yet practical crash course in smarter shopping and healthier eating!

In this a-moo-sing episode, Brad is alone in the studio again, and this week we have a Special Guest from Mapleline Farm, our Milk supplier for the campus. In this week's episode we milk the truth from a real-life dairy farmer to learn more about Milk and Local Dairy. Ever wondered what happens to male calves on a dairy farm?

Our guest, and fifth generation farmer, Jessica Dizek, drops knowledge on everything from the elite status of Jersey cows—yes, they’re basically the royalty of ruminants—to why your oat milk latte is just expensive grain water. We dive into milk math, cow comfort strategies (fans! shade! spa days?), and the ongoing dairy vs. “milk” beverage debate. Are almonds trying to pass themselves off as mammals? The nerve.

Plus: raw milk, Connecticut cheese nuns, and whether probiotics are really just party animals in your gut. It’s a full-bodied conversation with a creamy finish—no additives necessary.

So pour yourself a tall glass (of actual milk), and get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe question your next alt-milk decision.

In this episode, Brad and Alex discuss the challenges of navigating food marketing and making healthier choices. They explore the impact of labels and buzzwords like “plant-powered microbiome approved” and “prebiotic,” using the example of Olipop, a trendy soda marketed for digestive health. While Olipop has fewer calories and more fiber than traditional sodas, the hosts reflect on whether it’s truly a better option compared to simple, whole foods like water and fruit.

The conversation delves into the complexities of food production, comparing organic, non-organic, and bioengineered foods. They highlight the risks farmers face with chemical inputs and the potential loss of nutritional value in some GMO foods. Ultimately, the episode emphasizes the importance of reading labels, understanding what’s in your food, and making conscious decisions to prioritize whole foods over processed options.

They wrap up by giving you the ultimate life hack: read the labels! Because when it comes to food, knowing what’s in your meal is way better than just trusting some trendy buzzwords. It’s about making smarter choices, not falling for the marketing magic trick.

This week on the pod, it’s a little different—Alex is not in the studio, and Brad is unsupervised… or at least, he thought he was. Enter: Carly Thibodeau, Director of Sustainability, to keep him in check as they tackle one of the biggest topics yet—sustainability.

They break down the actual impact of climate change, from unpredictable weather patterns to the terrifying possibility of a world without maple syrup (a truly dystopian nightmare). Brad also ponders the ultimate philosophical question: Is it still "green energy" if you forget to check the box on your electric bill?

In this week’s Brad has a Lightning Round, they cover the most low-effort ways to be sustainable, whether or not buying a reusable water bottle counts as a personality trait, and how much guilt is too much when you leave your canvas tote bag at home again.

Plus, a deep dive into Purple Goes Green Week at Holy Cross—including The Show the Waste, the one event that’s equal parts educational and deeply unsettling, showing all the waste from un eaten food. They also chat about trayless dining (spoiler: it’s actually brilliant), composting (it’s not that gross, we promise), and the little things that make a big difference—without requiring you to live like a forest hermit.

It’s a wild ride full of laughs, slightly alarming climate facts, and Brad’s best attempt at staying on topic. Tune in!