The 'Sader Digest

Send us Fan Mail Brad is back. But more importantly Alex is back. And yes — the long-awaited Sader Digest Season 2 is here (still in our makeshift “studio,” but hey, we roll with it). In this episode, Brad and Alex dive headfirst into the mysterious world of the gut microbiome, aka the trillions of tiny tenants living rent-free inside you. Think of yourself as a walking Airbnb, except instead of t...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know your immune system can throw a full-blown temper tantrum over a peanut? Or that a crumb of gluten can trigger an autoimmune attack in someone with celiac disease? In this episode, Bradley Shannon—Director of Culinary Development and Nutrition at Holy Cross—dishes out the real scoop on food allergies, the science behind IgE and histamine, what makes celiac disease diff...

Send us Fan Mail Forget bland broccoli and tasteless tomatoes—this episode is all about sparking a vegetable revolution from the ground up. Brad (FINALLY) shares the stories and insights fresh from the UMass Chefs Conference, where chef Dan Barber issued a delicious challenge: What if we bred crops for flavor, not just profits? From the tiny honeynut squash that flipped the script on supermarket e...

Send us Fan Mail 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 life and legacy of Luther Burbank , the 19th-century horticultural legend who brought us the Russet potato, Shasta daisy, spineless cactus, and...

Send us Fan Mail 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 industrial hexane bath? The TikTok fearmongering? Probably all three. We’ll break down the science, the myths, and the real-life kitchen takeaways...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Gatorade on the gym floor.  Jamie shares behind-the-scenes updates on an exciting equipment refresh at “The Jo,” including new Peloton bikes, more treadmills (bye ell...

Send us Fan Mail 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), and dive into Brad’s new plant-based nutrition class.  Oh did we mention this episdoe was previously recorded?  Brad can't remember when...

Send us Fan Mail 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 . That’s right: it’s acupuncture, but just for your ears. Alex breaks down how this ear-only version of acupuncture taps into the vagus nerve , br...

Send us Fan Mail 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 can say "dinner is served," we dive into the benefits of slowing down, appreciating your food, and enjoying some good old-fa...

Send us Fan Mail 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 bulging can (trust us, you don’t want to mess with botulism). Brad explains the world of FAT TOM (and no, that’s not a new breakfast trend...

Send us Fan Mail 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’s journey from student-athlete to nutrition guru is nothing short of impressive. She  managed to self-design a nutrition major at Holy Cro...

Send us Fan Mail 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 "serving size" (spoiler: it's never as big as you think) and "percent daily value" (and no, it's not a secret...

Send us Fan Mail 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 learn more about Milk and Local Dairy.   Ever wondered what happens to male calves on a dairy farm?  Our guest, and fifth generation farmer, Jessi...

Send us Fan Mail 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 of Olipop, a trendy soda marketed for digestive health. While Olipop has fewer calories and more fiber than traditional sodas, the hosts reflect...

Send us Fan Mail 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 tackle one of the biggest topics yet—sustainability. They break down the actual impact of climate change, from unpredictable weather patterns to the terrifying possibili...

Send us Fan Mail 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 ways to keep people healthy before they even get sick. The crew dives into the six pillars of lifestyle medicine (spoiler: it’s all the thin...

Send us Fan Mail 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 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 makes them good, and which on...

Send us Fan Mail 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 for you. We’re breaking down the buzz—literally. Are Celsius and Monster secretly just adult Capri Suns with a side of heart palpitations? I...

Send us Fan Mail 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 rise of substance-free housing, we dive into how students are taking wellness to the next level. Joy shares some tips on surviving big holidays li...

Send us Fan Mail 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 meat (yes, we’re talking about cow farts) to how protein can boost your health, they cover it all. Brad shares his gardening triumphs...

Send us Fan Mail 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’ll hear about the difference between those solid, artery-clogging saturated fats (think butter) and the heart-healthy unsaturated fats (olive oil, we’re look...

Send us Fan Mail 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 behind digestion, fiber, and blood sugar regulation. The episode highlights the benefits of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables as “good carbs” t...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Alex Weld, a board-certified lifestyle medicine nurse practitioner and self-proclaimed foodie, this episode explores the essentials of health and we...