Rooted & Restless with Marianne Smith Edge

In this powerful episode, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with Kentucky farmer and ag economist Jesse Horn to uncover the realities behind today’s food system—from rising grocery prices to the hidden financial pressures facing American farmers. What We Cover: • Farming today is a high-risk, high-cost business. • Why switching to fruits and vegetables isn’t as simple as it sounds • What “regenerative...

Milk might seem simple — but the story spans across the globe. In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne sits down with Tom Suber to explore how milk travels from local farms to global markets. From cheese and milk powder to whey protein, today’s dairy industry is shaped as much by international demand as it is by what we consume at home. Beyond economics, the cultural side of milk — from...

What does it really mean to eat well in today’s world of evolving science, new medications, and endless nutrition advice? Marianne sits down with Sally Squires, a Washington, DC based health and nutrition writer, former Washington Post health writer and founder of the Lean Plate Club to explore how nutrition guidance has changed over the past 25 years—and what still matters most. From science-base...

In this Rooted & Restless episode, Marianne sits down with registered dietitian Dr. Keith Ayoob, Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NYC to unpack one of the most popular—and most confusing—terms in today’s nutrition conversation. From dietary guidelines to social media influencers, the phrase real food is everywhere, yet rarely explained w...

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne sits down with Clancy Harrison, RDN, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Food Dignity© Movement to explore food insecurity through a lens few experience firsthand. What began as volunteer service became a transformative “aha” moment that reshaped Clancy’s understanding of hunger, dignity, and the deeper structural flaws within our food system. What We Co...

How do farm roots, culinary training, and nutrition science come together to shape healthier, and more flavorful, eating habits? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge talks with registered dietitian and culinary expert Amy Myrdal Miller about her journey from a North Dakota farm to professional kitchens and nutrition leadership and how flavor is the bridge to healthier eati...

Is U.S. agriculture in crisis — or simply evolving? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne sits down with agricultural strategist David Parker to unpack the headlines surrounding U.S. agriculture. From falling commodity prices and global trade tensions to biofuels, land use, and emerging technology, this conversation connects farm-level realities to consumer impact. What We Cover Why c...

Processed foods often get blamed for today’s health challenges—but is processing itself really the issue? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge, MS, RDN sits down with Dr. Taylor Wallace, food scientist and nutrition researcher to unpack the science, history, and misconceptions surrounding processed and “ultra-processed” foods. What We Cover: • Why processed foods exist and...

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge sits down with Connie Diekman, MS, RDN to separate fact from fiction in today’s dietary fat debate. Together, they explore the latest headlines around fats, what the research shows, and how consumers can make sense of conflicting messages. What We Cover: • Why decades of research still show a link between saturated fats, LDL cholest...

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge is joined by Jennifer Schmidt, MS, RD, a registered dietitian and full-time farmer in the eastern shore of Maryland, for a candid conversation about the evolving role of women in agriculture and the economic realities that shape what farmers, male or female, face in growing crops. As the world prepares to recognize the International Yea...

In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge is joined by registered dietitian and food trend expert Mindy Hermann, MBA, RDN to unpack how food trends are identified, amplified, and interpreted — and what they really mean for consumers, industry, and health. The conversation explores where food trends come from, including the role of retailers like Whole Foods and industry intelli...

Welcome to Rooted and Restless. The podcast that digs beneath the surface of what we eat. How it gets to our plates and why it matters to our health. I'm Marianne Smith Edge, registered dietitian and sixth generation farm owner. Each week, I'll explore the complex, fascinating world of food and farming with friends and colleagues, from hot topics and trends to travel, culture and the food...