Know Better Do Better ~ Food Secure Nation

Oct. 17, 2026 ~ In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk with Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Michael Flood shares his journey from soccer and newspaper work to leading one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

October 10, 2026 ~ Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson explore veteran service and food security on Food Secure Nation. They discuss Clarence’s community contributions and interview retired Army Colonel Nate Springer about transitioning military leadership to food banking, organizational decentralization, and feeding families in Southern Colorado. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https:...

Jerry Brisson and Dr. Phil Knight introduce Clarence and Nate Springer to highlight how military service instills a lasting commitment to helping others. When individuals take off the uniform, their dedication to a mission often shifts into local community leadership, such as volunteering at food banks or mentoring young people. Research shared by Vira supports this by showing that veterans volunt...

Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson introduce a broader view of hunger among older populations by challenging traditional assumptions about food access. When Colleen Heflin and Madonna Harrington-Meyer discuss their book, they reveal that food scarcity is frequently the result of difficult budget trade-offs caused by high housing and utility expenses. Because older adults prioritize keeping a roof o...

Dr. Phil Knight and Lori Dijkstra discuss the complex social dynamics of food insecurity within tight-knit rural environments. Living in a small community means individuals often know the volunteers distributing assistance personally, creating a barrier of vulnerability and reluctance to ask for help. Lori Dijkstra shares personal reflections from growing up receiving assistance, illustrating the...

Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson welcome Feeding America CEO Dennis McDonough to “Food Secure Nation.” Dennis McDonough shares his journey from a large Minnesota family to leading national government agencies and now fighting food insecurity. Discover how his background in service shapes his dedication to the mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informati...

Rebecca Freeman-Adcock highlights that the federal government historically views food security through the lenses of national and economic stability. Because individuals facing food insecurity often face a singular, consuming problem regarding their next meal, Rebecca Freeman-Adcock advocates for aligning these high-level security conversations with the immediate needs of vulnerable populations. T...

Aug. 30, 2026 ~ Hosts Phillip Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Crystal Fitz-Simons, who recently became the president for the Food Research and Action Center, FRAC, an organization that has spent more than 50 years shaping America's response to hunger. She isn't starting a new story, but she is writing the next chapter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for info...

Aug. 16, 2026 ~ Hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Cynthia Kirkhart to discuss her leadership at Facing Hunger Food Bank and her commitment to supporting families in Appalachia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug. 9, 2026 ~ Phillip Knight discusses the importance of viewing food insecurity through the lens of person-in-environment theory, which identifies systemic failures rather than just personal shortcomings. By shifting focus from individual choices to environmental factors like transportation, education, and economic policy, they argue that we can develop more effective and lasting solutions. Host...

Aug. 2, 2026 ~ Dr. Philip Knight and Gerry Brisson discuss the importance of addressing food insecurity with dignity, particularly in small communities where the stigma of needing help is amplified by social familiarity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 26, 2026 ~ Rebecca Freeman Adcock, the new chief government relations officer for Feeding America, about the importance of bridging the gap between national food policy and the lived experiences of those facing hunger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 19, 2026 ~ Dr. Dawn Opal is honored for her six and a half years at the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The group reflects on how their shared commitment to influence, insight, innovation, and integrity allowed them to navigate crises and improve food security for many. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

July 12, 2026 ~ The hosts discuss the need to evolve the conversation around food security from a focus on simple output metrics to a more comprehensive six-dimensional framework that prioritizes human outcomes. By refining how organizations measure their work, they argue that leaders can better align their strategies with the actual needs and agency of the people they serve. Hosted by Simplecast,...

June 14, 2026 ~ Kurt Reiber, the retiring CEO of Freestore Foodbank, joins the show to discuss his transition from successful careers in banking and law, to nonprofit leadership. Dr. Phil Knight shares insights on leading a food bank, including innovative fundraising like the rubber duck regatta and shifting focus from solely feeding to “ending the line” work through workforce training and support...

May 31, 2026 ~ Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region President Mike Land discusses his company's commitment to community involvement and making people’s lives better. Triada Stampas, CEO of Fulfill Food Bank in New Jersey, also joins the show to talk about her journey into food banking and her focus on policy to achieve food security. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pc...

May 17, 2026 ~ Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson discuss the qualities of great leaders, emphasizing continuous learning, curiosity, humility, and the ability to listen. Trisha Cunningham, CEO of North Texas Food Bank, shares her journey from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership, highlighting the importance of investing in people and leveraging technology to address food insecurity. Mike La...

May 10, 2026 ~ Dr. Philip Knight and Gerry Brisson about how Know Better Do Better and Huntington Bank work together to address food insecurity through six dimensions for scalable solutions and community progress. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 4, 2026 ~ Brian McGrain to discuss the importance of inter-organizational collaboration in addressing food insecurity, explaining the 60-year history of Community Action Agencies, emphasizing their role in local community development, from addressing homelessness to providing early childhood programs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

April 26, 2026 ~ Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, to discuss his leadership and the organization’s work. He shares his journey into food banking and the impactful merger of two food banks into one unified entity serving the entire state of Connecticut. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

April 19, 2026 ~ Leadership isn’t about getting it right—it’s how you show up when it matters. Dan Flowers joins Food Secure Nation to unpack trust, relationships, and the courage to lead in a divided world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 12, 2026 ~ Liz Lowe of the Allegiance Group, who discusses the role of fund development in creating a food-secure nation. She shares her personal experience growing up in a food-insecure household, which fuels her passion for working with food banks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adverti...

April 6, 2026 ~ Joree Novotny and Mandy Palluro join the show to discuss the six dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 29, 2026 ~ Hosts Phillip Knight and Gerry Brisson discuss the six dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 22, 2026 ~ Hosts Philips Knight and Gerry Brisson talk about the unseen leadership of state associations in the fight against hunger, sharing examples of how state associations convene partners, advocate for policy changes, and drive innovative solutions to improve food security across their states. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...