Food for Thought with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. When we think about staying healthy, we naturally focus on daily habits like a balanced diet, exercise, and stress management. But there is a critical, often overlooked window into our body’s internal workings that tells us exactly how those efforts are paying off: regular blo...

The concept of memento mori —remembering that we are mortal—is often viewed as morbid or macabre. But for those who embrace it, acknowledging the brevity of life isn’t about dwelling on the end; it’s about celebrating every single moment we have. In this episode, I share a very personal journey that has been years in the making: the process of choosing a final resting place and designing a gravest...

While Southern Italy is the land of sun-drenched tomatoes and olive oil, Northern Italy offers a completely different culinary landscape. Characterized by the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, the mist of the Po Valley, and the sophisticated canals of Venice, the North is a region of rich history and hearty, “stick-to-your-bones” fare. In this final installment of our Italian culinary tour, we head...

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Our culinary tour of Italy continues in Tuscany, a region whose cypress-lined landscapes and medieval hill towns define the quintessential Italian dream. This episode focuses on a cuisine where the philosophy of cucina povera meets world-class agricultural products, creating a...

Our culinary tour of Italy continues as we head into Central Italy, a region defined by rolling hills, ancient forests, and a deep agricultural heritage. Comprising Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Le Marche, this area moves away from the tomato-heavy south toward a rustic palette of beans, grains, and earthy foraged treasures. What This Episode Covers: * We explore the temperate climate and t...

When many Americans think of Italian food, they immediately picture heavy, meat-laden dishes like chicken parmigiana, spaghetti and meatballs, and rich cheese sauces. But the reality of traditional Italian cuisine—especially in the South—is entirely different! In this episode, we dive deep into the culinary heartbeat of Southern Italy and explore how its sun-drenched climate, rich volcanic soil, a...

Pollinators are in serious decline—from monarch butterflies to native bees—and the consequences are profound, and in today’s episode, we talk about how you can help—starting right where you are. Specifically, how to create a pollinator sanctuary in your own backyard. Unlike so many global challenges, this is something we can actually impact—right in our own yards, balconies, and communities. In th...

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In today’s episode, we take a closer look at DEXA scans — what they measure, what the numbers actually mean, and whether getting one is worth it. These scans are becoming more common in fitness and wellness settings, providing insight into body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat,...

In today’s episode, we talk about why bone density begins to decline and what actually builds strong, resilient bones — at every age and every stage of life, including perimenopause and postmenopause. Now, before you think, “Well, that’s not me — I’m in my 20s… my 30s… my 40s,” please give this episode a listen, because the strength of your bones at 60 is determined by what you do at 25. This is P...

In today’s episode, we look at why Valentine’s Day—long before chocolates and cards—was rooted in the natural world and inspired by birds! And we explore how food, desire, and romance became intertwined with love, pleasure, and compassion. It’s a fun, playful, and historical episode, grounded in the senses, and—of course—rooted in compassion. Happy Valentine’s Day… or happy any day you choose to c...

Before we talk about symptoms, hormones, or interventions we have to examine the words we use to describe women, aging, and the most natural biological transitions of our lives. Because language doesn’t just reflect our attitudes—it actively shapes how we experience our bodies, our worth, and our place in the world. Drawing from personal experience, cultural history, etymology, and media portrayal...

What does it actually mean to be vegan? For most people, the answer is simple—until it isn’t. This week on Food for Thought (celebrating 20 years!) , I explore what happens after someone stops eating animal products…when the (seemingly) neat definition starts running into the messy reality of the world we live in. Most of us don’t actually live by strict definitions, but when real-life scenarios a...

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Food for Thought podcast remains listener-supported. To support this work and receive perks and exclusive engagement, please consider becoming paid subscriber (but don’t go anywhere if you’re a free subscriber)! Welcome to 2026—and to the 20th anniversary year of Food for Thought ! I’m kicking off the new year with an episode about stretching our comfort...

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. In this episode of Food for Thought , I explore the long, often-forgotten history of abstaining from meat during Advent and other Christian fasting periods, and how that tradition actually aligns beautifully with a modern vegan lifestyle. Drawing from my own Catholic upbringin...

As part of our deeper series on protein, perimenopause, and hormone health, this episode kicks off a multi-part exploration of soy—one of the most misunderstood yet most powerful foods in our plant-based toolkit. This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. There’s so much confusion around soy—does it act like estrogen?...

In this episode, we return to protein —this time looking at how to use it strategically to build and maintain muscle, especially as we age (or level up, as I like to say). If you haven’t yet listened to Are You Getting Enough Protein? Part One and Are You Getting Enough Protein? Part Two , I highly recommend doing so — they lay the foundation for this deeper dive into how protein works in the body...

In this episode of Food for Thought , we’re separating fact from fear when it comes to omega-3s, omega-6s, and seed oils. I share what I’ve learned from testing my own Omega-3 Index, what the results mean, and how I’m adjusting my diet and supplements for both heart and brain health. We’ll talk about why omega-6s aren’t inherently bad, how to bring balance back through whole foods and direct EPA/D...

In this episode, I share why I’ve been off mainstream media (and feel calmer, clearer, and more engaged), how I stay informed on my terms, and what the Tao Te Ching and Stoicism taught me about hope that does the work. We’ll look at the “doom loop,” why outrage isn’t engagement, and how to channel energy into real life—voting, volunteering, showing up for people you love—without pretending everyth...

You may not know this, but I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan—both the novels and the film—and this episode springs from one of the most powerful lines in both the books and the movies. When the world feels heavy—politics, climate, cruelty—that sentence brings me back to what I can actually choose: my response to it all. I also share some of my favorite thoughts from one of my favorite Stoic philoso...

In this updated episode of Food for Thought—Omega-3s: Skip the Fish, Boost Your Brain (and Get Enough!)—we talk about these incredibly important fatty acids that are vital for brain, heart, mood, eye, and overall health. You’ve probably heard recommendations to eat fish to get your omega-3 fats, but listen to understand exactly what these fats are—and why skipping the middle fish is beneficial. Wh...

Today’s episode is an update of one I produced a few years ago—so you have the most accurate, up-to-date, science-based information about how to eat as healthfully as possible and how to use supplements to complement an already healthy diet. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why I prefer targeted essentials over one-size-fits-all multivitamins * The non-negotiables I prioritize (and why), including...

We’re continuing the protein conversation I started in Are You Getting Enough Protein? ( Part One and Part Two ). In those episodes, I unpacked why amino acids from plant and animal sources are identical, why the RDA is just a minimum, and why being intentional about protein matters as we level up in age and fitness. Paid subscribers enjoy printable resources and my recipe for Homemade Seitan , so...

Language doesn’t simply describe reality—it shapes how we see it, how we feel about it, and whether we act. The words we use around climate aren’t neutral: they can spark urgency, create fatigue, or open the door to hope. Research shows that familiar terms like climate change and global warming elicit more urgency and willingness to act than newer, heavier terms like climate crisis or climate emer...

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet , I encourage you to start there—we covered the basics of protein: what it is, how it functions in the body, why plant and animal amino acids are identical, and why the RDA is just the minimum. In Part 2 , I talk about what’s shifted for me now that I’m at Level 55 (a language reframe I now love for “aging”), and why I had to “level up” when it came to both st...

For decades, U.S. dietary guidelines have linked “protein” with animal products. Even as the visuals evolved—from the “Basic Four” to the Food Pyramid to MyPlate—the message stuck: protein means meat. But protein isn’t a food group at all. It’s a macronutrient made of amino acids—the building blocks your body uses to build muscle, repair tissue, produce enzymes and hormones, and support immune hea...