The 'Sader Digest
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!
Episodes
20 episodes
Seeds of Change: Luther Burbank, Flavor’s Forgotten Pioneer (Part 1 of 2)
Long before chefs were hoping to breed vegetables for flavor (Dan Barber we are looking at you!), one eccentric plant lover in California was reshaping the future of food—seed by seed. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Brad digs into the...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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13:50
Seed Oils: Supervillain or Scapegoat
Are seed oils trying to kill you… or just help you crisp your Brussels sprouts? In this solo episode, Brad dives deep into the bottle to unpack why seed oils have gone from heart-healthy hero to internet villain. Is it the omega-6s? The industr...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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17:14
What Moves Holy Cross: Inside Campus Rec with Jamie Shannon
In this energizing episode of The 'Sader Digest, Brad sits down with his better half—Jamie Shannon, Director of Campus Recreation at Holy Cross—to talk treadmills, team spirit, and why you don’t want to spill Gator...
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Season 1
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31:20
“April Showers, Snowstorms & Plant-Powered Pencils”
This 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), an...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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19:28
Doubling Down on the Vagus Nerve: Now Serving Tranquility, One Ear at a Time
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....
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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20:34
Menz-tioning Mindful Eating: Darlene is Back
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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17:56
Practicing Safe Food: More Than Just Wrapping It Up
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 bulg...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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30:41
Building a Degree, Blending Nutrition: Here's To You Carly Robinson
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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33:42
Label Me Confused: Decoding Nutrition Myths & Smart Shopping
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 "...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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28:52
Udderly Local: Keeping Milk Close to Home, with a Farmer’s Story
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 le...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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35:29
Buzzwords and Bellyaches: The Battle Between Marketing and Real Food
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 o...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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27:54
Purple Goes Green: Talking Sustainability with Carly, Director of Sustainability
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 tackl...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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37:35
Life on the Menz: Where Lifestyle Medicine Meets Better Living
Brad 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 w...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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26:41
Cutting Through the Clutter: Kitchen Gear That’s Worth It and What’s Just Taking Up Space
Welcome 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 kniv...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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35:20
Buzzed & Confused: The Truth About Caffeine
Brad 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 f...
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25:31
A Dose of Joy: Hydration & Wellness Tips You’ll Love
This 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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28:38
“Meat, Beans, and Everything In Between: The Protein Power Hour in 25 minutes”
In 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...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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25:57
Phat Facts: Navigating the Good, the Bad, and the Healthy Fats!
In 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’...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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22:19
"Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: What You Gonna Do? The Truth About Fueling Your Body"
In 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 be...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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26:07
Macro Bites: A Taste of What Sader Digest Brings to the Table
Welcome 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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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19:15
