In this episode, Dr. Sarah Ash joins us to break down the buzz, and the backlash, around seed oils. We dive into the science of inflammation, how omega-6s interact in the body, and why understanding a little organic chemistry goes a long way to help make sense of nutrition claims. We also explore how fear-based messaging spreads online, how food influencers keep their audiences hooked, and why nutrition advice often falls apart when it promises a silver bullet. Dr. Ash reminds us that “when you try to oversimplify that one thing, it often just falls apart.”

Learn more about Dr. Ash’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/food-bioprocessing-and-nutrition-sciences/people/sla/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

Article: Seeding doubt: The truth about cooking oils: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/seeding-doubt-the-truth-about-cooking-oils

Article: The Facts About Plant Oils: https://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/healthy-eating/the-facts-about-plant-oils/

Book: Pressure Cooker: Why Home Cooking Won’t Solve Our Problems and What We Can Do About It: https://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Cooker-Cooking-Solve-Problems/dp/0190663294

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In this episode, Katie and Bhavisha take a step away from the data and into the harder, often unspoken questions that shape science communication in practice. We reflect on what it means to do this work in spaces where expertise, public values, and lived experience do not always align, and where simply presenting the facts falls short. Drawing on our own experiences, we talk through moments where advocating for evidence can feel at odds with maintaining trust, and where stakeholder perspectives surface real tensions around trade-offs, not just misunderstandings. We also unpack the role of social media in shaping how science is shared, interpreted, and challenged, and how these platforms can both amplify and complicate communication efforts. Throughout the conversation, we come back to the idea that these tensions are not problems to solve, but conditions to work within, and that learning to sit with them is part of becoming a more thoughtful and effective communicator.

Learn more about our work below:

Katie Sanders’ NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-human-sciences/people/catherine-sanders/

Bhavisha Gulabrai’s NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-human-sciences/people/bhavisha-gulabrai/

Hub for Food Systems Communication and Engagement: https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/food-systems-comm-hub/

UC Berkeley- The real process of science: https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/how-science-works/the-real-process-of-science/

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In this episode, Dr. Melinda Knuth joins us to unpack the science and social dynamics behind glyphosate, one of the most widely used and debated weed control products. Dr. Knuth explains what glyphosate is, how it works, and how recent lawsuits, questions about scientific transparency, and differing global health conclusions have contributed to public uncertainty. From a consumer behavior perspective, we explore how trust, social media, and peer-to-peer communication shape public perceptions more than traditional institutions. We also discuss how personal values, including preferences for “natural” and organic products, influence decision making and contribute to common misunderstandings about pesticide use. Finally, the conversation highlights how both consumers and producers weigh effectiveness, cost, and safety along with the role of affordability and social factors. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on scientific uncertainty and how clear, transparent communication can help people navigate complex issues.

Learn more about Dr. Knuth’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/horticultural-science/people/mjknuth/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

“Journal retracts weed killer study backed by Monsanto, citing ‘serious ethical concerns’”: https://www.science.org/content/article/journal-retracts-weed-killer-study-backed-monsanto-citing-serious-ethical-concerns

“Retraction notice to ‘Safety evaluation and risk assessment of the herbicide roundup and its active ingredient, glyphosate, for humans’ [Regul. Toxicol. Pharm. 31 (2000) 117-165]”: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230025002387

Article- “Not your mother’s Roundup”: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/not-your-mothers-roundup

Environmental Protection Agency- Glyphosate: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/glyphosate

Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agphome/documents/Pests_Pesticides/JMPR/2016_JMPR_Summary_Special.pdf

"What to know about the battle over lawsuits alleging that Roundup weedkiller can cause cancer": https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/what-to-know-about-the-battle-over-lawsuits-alleging-that-roundup-weedkiller-can-cause-cancer/article_77f35d43-663e-5141-a97d-a62255203f68.html

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ellen Shumaker to explore the science behind food safety and the systems that protect our food from farm to fork. Dr. Shumaker breaks down what food safety really means from a scientific perspective, how research informs cooking temperatures and storage guidelines, and why simple tools like food thermometers and refrigerator thermometers matter more than we think. We dive into common consumer risks at home and unpack which food safety fears are grounded in science and which are often overstated. Dr. Shumaker also shares insights behind regulations like the FDA Food Code, the role of food safety culture in businesses, and how effective risk communication during recalls and outbreaks helps maintain public trust. Tune in to hear why culture matters just as much as protocols, how to confidently handle leftovers, and why seeing a recall in the news can actually be a sign that the system is working as intended.

Learn more about Dr. Shumaker’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-human-sciences/people/ellen-shumaker/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

NC State’s Safe Plates: https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/safe-plates-5/

NC State’s Safe Plates Food Safety Information Center: https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/safe-plates-food-safety-information-center/

Food Safety: https://www.foodsafety.gov/

Risky or Not Podcast: https://www.riskyornot.co/

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In part three of our land-grant series, we turn to the final pillar of the land-grant mission: Extension. We’re joined by Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody and Dr. Misty Blue-Terry to explore how Extension connects research and teaching directly to communities across North Carolina. Together, they explain what Cooperative Extension is, why it was created, and how it continues to serve as the outreach arm of land-grant universities. We also discuss the distinct historical foundations of NC State and NC A&T State, and how their partnership strengthens impact across the state. Throughout the episode, we highlight how Extension translates research into practical solutions, builds long-term relationships with communities, and addresses modern challenges in agriculture, food systems, and public health. Tune in to learn why Extension remains a vital, people-centered force within the land-grant mission.

Learn more about Dr. Hardison-Moody’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-human-sciences/people/annie-hardison-moody/

Learn more about Dr. Blue-Terry’s work below:

NC A&T State University Bio Page: https://sswd.center/teams/misty-blue-terry-phd/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

National Archives- Morrill Act (1862): https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/morrill-act

Historical Sketch of NC State University: https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/scrc/university-historical-sketch

NC State Extension: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/

“Our Blues Make Us Gold” Documentary: https://www.ncat.edu/news/2024/08/our-blues-make-us-gold.php

USDA Cooperative Extension History: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/what-we-do/extension/cooperative-extension-history

NC A&T State University “A Rich History”: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/cooperative-extension/history.php

NC A&T State University “1890 Programs and Initiatives”: https://www.ncat.edu/caes/morrill-act/programs-and-initiatives.php#:~:text=Agriculture%20(NIFA)%20.-,Today%2C%20the%201890s%20Foundation%2C%20the%20%E2%80%9C19%20Strong%2C%E2%80%9D,Food%20and%20Agriculture%20(NIFA).

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In part two of our land-grant series, Dr. Joseph Donaldson joins us to explore what makes land-grant teaching distinct from other higher education models. From the federal mandate that defines land-grant institutions to the balance of theory and hands-on learning reflected in mottos like “Think and Do,” Dr. Donaldson explains how land-grant programs intentionally prepare students for real-world careers. We discuss how land-grant teaching supports workforce development, strengthens communities, and integrates research and Extension into student learning. Dr. Donaldson shares examples from across the country, reflects on the people-centered nature of land-grant education, and emphasizes how academic programs help students align their interests with meaningful careers in agriculture and food systems. This episode offers a deeper look at how teaching at land-grant universities builds career-ready graduates and sustains the systems that feed, clothe, and support us all.

Learn more about Dr. Donaldson’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-human-sciences/people/joseph-donaldson/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

Career Pathways Matrix: https://careerpathways.ces.ncsu.edu/career-pathways-matrix/

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In this episode, we kick off a three-part series exploring the land-grant university system by focusing on the first pillar of its mission: research. We sit down with Dr. Ben Chapman to discuss how research within the land-grant system developed historically and why it plays such an important role in supporting agriculture, food systems, and communities. Dr. Chapman explains what makes land-grant research unique, particularly its strong connection to real-world challenges and its integration with teaching and extension. We also talk about how research stations, field labs, and partnerships with stakeholders help translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that benefit producers and the public. Throughout the conversation, we highlight the interdisciplinary nature of land-grant research and why collaboration across fields is essential for addressing complex issues. Tune in to learn how research continues to drive innovation and impact within the land-grant mission.

Learn more about Dr. Chapman’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/profile/benjamin-chapman/

Risky or Not Podcast: https://www.riskyornot.co/

Food Safety Talk Podcast: https://www.foodsafetytalk.com/

Check out the following resources to learn more about today’s topic:

NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - Research: https://cals.ncsu.edu/research/

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.

In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Allen joins us to unpack the science behind some of today’s most popular dietary supplements and the claims that surround them. From protein powders and creatine and their role in muscle development and brain energy, to collagen supplements marketed for beauty and health, and even the rise of greens powders as a convenient nutrition option, Dr. Allen explains what the evidence actually shows and where hype may outpace biology. Throughout the conversation, we emphasize the importance of looking beyond marketing, understanding how supplements are metabolized in the body, and using reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the science. Tune in for a practical, evidence-based discussion on how to think critically about supplements and make informed decisions based on your individual health needs.

Learn more about Dr. Allen’s work below:

NC State Bio Page: https://cals.ncsu.edu/food-bioprocessing-and-nutrition-sciences/people/jallen/

The Science That Feeds Us podcast brings together extension agents, faculty specialists, and scientists for interdisciplinary conversations on emerging trends in agriculture and the food system. Designed to inform and engage both professionals and curious consumers, we highlight the stories behind the science to build deeper connections to food and agriculture research. The Science That Feeds Us is supported by NC State Extension and NC State University.

Edited and Produced by: Bhavisha Gulabrai

Music: Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.