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 w ...
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“April Showers, Snowstorms & Plant-Powered Pencils”
19:28
19:28
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19:28This April might have served up some snowflakes instead of sunshine, but we’re bringing the heat with some fresh plant-forward vibes! Join Alex and Brad as they survive the last gasp of winter, nerd out over the perfect pencil (yes, really), and dive into Brad’s new plant-based nutrition class. Oh did we mention this episdoe was previously recorded…
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Doubling Down on the Vagus Nerve: Now Serving Tranquility, One Ear at a Time
20:34
20:34
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20:34In 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 acupunctur…
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Menz-tioning Mindful Eating: Darlene is Back
17:56
17:56
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17:56Darlene 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 enjoyin…
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Practicing Safe Food: More Than Just Wrapping It Up
30:41
30:41
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30:41Grab 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…
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Building a Degree, Blending Nutrition: Here's To You Carly Robinson
33:42
33:42
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33:42Get 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-desi…
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Label Me Confused: Decoding Nutrition Myths & Smart Shopping
28:52
28:52
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28:52In 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 secr…
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Udderly Local: Keeping Milk Close to Home, with a Farmer’s Story
35:29
35:29
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35:29In 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 g…
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Buzzwords and Bellyaches: The Battle Between Marketing and Real Food
27:54
27:54
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27:54In 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 tradi…
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Purple Goes Green: Talking Sustainability with Carly, Director of Sustainability
37:35
37:35
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37:35This 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 patte…
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Life on the Menz: Where Lifestyle Medicine Meets Better Living
26:41
26:41
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26:41Brad and Alex are back, and this time, they’ve brought in a ringer, Darlene Menz, nurse practitioner and lifestyle medicine pro. She and Alex recently got certified in Lifestyle Medicine, which basically means they know all the science-backed ways to keep people healthy before they even get sick. The crew dives into the six pillars of lifestyle med…
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Cutting Through the Clutter: Kitchen Gear That’s Worth It and What’s Just Taking Up Space
35:20
35:20
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35:20Welcome back to the Sader Digest, where Brad and Alex dive deep into the wild world of kitchen gear. They look at the good, the bad, and the utterly useless. From pots and pans that might cost you your rent money to knives sharp enough to cut through the toughest of meal prep, we’ve got it all covered. Brad’s about to drop some wisdom on pots—what …
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Buzzed & Confused: The Truth About Caffeine
25:31
25:31
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25:31Brad and Alex are back, jittery as ever, to tackle one of college life’s biggest fuel sources: caffeine. Whether you’re a coffee purist, an energy drink enthusiast, or someone who just mainlines espresso shots between classes, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down the buzz—literally. Are Celsius and Monster secretly just adult Capri Suns wit…
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A Dose of Joy: Hydration & Wellness Tips You’ll Love
28:38
28:38
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28:38This week on The Sader Digest, we sit down with Joy LaGrutta from the Office of Student Wellness and Education to talk about all things wellness at Holy Cross. From the surprisingly life-changing massage chairs at Ciampi-Condron to the rise of substance-free housing, we dive into how students are taking wellness to the next level. Joy shares some t…
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“Meat, Beans, and Everything In Between: The Protein Power Hour in 25 minutes”
25:57
25:57
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25:57In this episode of The 'Sader Digest, Brad and Alex get into the juicy details of protein (the Third and Final Macro)—breaking down what it is, why it’s important, and how to find the right balance in your diet. From the environmental impact of meat (yes, we’re talking about cow farts) to how protein can boost your health, they cover it all. Brad s…
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Phat Facts: Navigating the Good, the Bad, and the Healthy Fats!
22:19
22:19
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22:19In the 3rd episode of The Sader Digest, Brad and Alex are digging into one of the most misunderstood food groups: fats! From the “bad guys” to the “good guys,” they break down the essential role fats play in our diets. You’ll hear about the difference between those solid, artery-clogging saturated fats (think butter) and the heart-healthy unsaturat…
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"Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: What You Gonna Do? The Truth About Fueling Your Body"
26:07
26:07
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26:07In Episode 2 of The 'Sader Digest: Brad and Alex dive into the fascinating world of carbohydrates—good carbs vs. bad carbs. They explore why carbs are essential as the body's primary energy source and break down the science behind digestion, fiber, and blood sugar regulation. The episode highlights the benefits of whole grains, fruits, and vegetabl…
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Macro Bites: A Taste of What Sader Digest Brings to the Table
19:15
19:15
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19:15Welcome to the first episode of The 'Sader Digest: A Food, Wellness, and Health Podcast, the official Holy Cross podcast on nutrition and well-being! Hosted by Bradley Shannon, Director of Culinary Development and Nutrition, and Alex Weld, a board-certified lifestyle medicine nurse practitioner and self-proclaimed foodie, this episode explores the …
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