FoodNiche Changemakers

Latest Episodes:

The Next Chapter: Where Food, Health & Human Stories Meet Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

What if understanding food and health required more than knowing the science?

As we close this chapter of the Changemaker Podcast, we’re preparing for something new: conversations that bring together leading experts, powerful personal stories, and the science behind how food shapes our health.

We’ll go beyond facts and headlines to meet the people behind the research, explore the experiences that shaped their thinking, and translate complex science into conversations that matter in everyday life.

This isn’t goodbye. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.

Stay tuned. The next conversation may change the way you think about food, health, and what’s on your plate.

Understanding Transposable Elements, Food Security, and the Future of Genetics with Susan Wessler Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of the Changemaker Podcast, Dr. Julia Olayanju sits down with Susan R. Wessler, pioneering geneticist and leading expert on transposable elements, to explore her work.

Together, they discuss the dynamic nature of the genome, the role genetics plays in agriculture and food security, and how scientific discovery can drive innovation to support a healthier and more sustainable future.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by ENISQ, a gamified platform for K12 health and nutrition education. Learn more on enisq.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/enisq

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enisq_com

⁠ENISQ: Overview | LinkedIn⁠

About Dr. Olayanju:

Dr. Julia Olayanju is a scientist and educator who advocates for enhanced nutrition education in schools and communities. She is the founder of ENISQ, where she and her team are leveraging technology to enhance health and nutrition education in K-12 schools.

https://enisq.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

Understanding Food As Medicine With Elizabeth Machinca Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Increasingly, healthcare systems, researchers, and public health leaders are recognizing what science continues to demonstrate: the food we eat plays a critical role in preventing and managing chronic diseases, improving quality of life, and shaping long-term health outcomes.

The concept of Food as medicine continues to gain momentum, but there are ambiguities when it comes to this term and how healthcare providers are integrating food into their patients' healthcare plan.

In today’s episode of the Changemaker Podcast, Dr. Julia Olayanju speaks with Elizabeth Machnica, a registered dietitian and team lead for the Food As Medicine Program and Director of Health and Well-Being at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. With expertise spanning clinical nutrition, public health research, food systems, and community design, Elizabeth shares valuable insights on the future of preventive health, equitable patient care, and what it truly means to integrate food as medicine into healthcare and community systems.

This is a thoughtful conversation about building healthier communities through innovation, education, and intentional systems-level change.

Visit BNMC wesite to learn more and support their work: https://bnmc.org/

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by ENISQ, a gamified platform for K12 health and nutrition education. Learn more on enisq.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/enisq

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enisq_com

⁠ENISQ: Overview | LinkedIn⁠

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://enisq.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

Plant-Based Diet, Longevity and Overall Health With Julienna Risse RDN Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

In today’s episode of the Changemaker Podcast, Dr. Julia Olayanju sits down with Julieanna Risse, a registered dietitian, author, and leading voice in plant-based nutrition and healthy aging.

Together, they explore the science of nutrition, longevity, and lifestyle choices that can improve quality of life and support long-term health.

From evidence-based wellness strategies to the power of storytelling in health education, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone seeking to understand better the connection between food, health, and living well.

To learn more about Ms. Risse or to get a copy of her book, visit: https://healthspandietitian.com/

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by ENISQ, a gamified platform for K12 health and nutrition education. Learn more on enisq.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/enisq

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enisq_com

ENISQ: Overview | LinkedIn

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://enisq.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

Building healthier Communities Through Education - Welcome To A New Season Of Changemaker Podcast May 25, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Changemaker Podcast with Dr. Julia Olayanju. In this special episode, Dr. Julia shares the renewed vision behind the podcast and why conversations around food, health, science, and innovation matter now more than ever. From groundbreaking research and emerging technologies to practical insights that can improve everyday life, this season is focused on helping listeners better understand the connection between what we eat and how we live. Join us for thought-provoking conversations with scientists, innovators, educators, healthcare professionals, and changemakers shaping a healthier future for communities around the world.

A Reflection On Shaping A Healthier Food Future | Season Closer Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Join us on the final episode of this season, where Dr. Julia Olayanju shares a reflection on the future of food. This season has been a journey—one where we explored the powerful intersection of food, innovation, science, and community health. Together, we’ve heard from visionary leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and advocates working tirelessly to reimagine our food systems and create healthier futures.

But as we wrap up the season, Dr. Julia Olayanju leaves everyone with a deep insight to ponder, and more importantly, an invitation to act.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by FoodNiche-ED, a gamified platform that enhances the knowledge of food and health. Learn more on foodniche-ed.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/foodniche_ed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodniche_ed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodNicheEd/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodniche-education

About Dr. Olayanju:

Dr. Julia Olayanju is a scientist and educator who advocates for enhanced nutrition education in schools and communities. She is the founder of FoodNiche-ED and FoodNiche where she and her team are driving a healthier future through programming, resources and technology.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

Fueling Innovation & Access: Funding the Future of Food for Health. Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode—recorded live at the FoodNiche Health Forum this summer—we’re diving into a powerful conversation on Fueling Innovation & Access: Funding the Future of Food for Health.

Transforming food systems to support public health requires more than innovative ideas—it demands strategic investment. From sustainable food startups to community-based nutrition programs, access to funding is critical to scale solutions that improve health outcomes and promote equity.

To unpack this, we’ve brought together a dynamic panel of leaders from venture capital, philanthropy, public health, and food innovation. Joining me in this conversation are:

Bunmi Olayanju, Care Center of New Jersey
Laura Abda, Branch Venture
Valeria Cobos, Plug and Play Ventures
Marcia Hopper, Branch Venture
Together, we’ll explore how strategic funding can accelerate change at the intersection of food, health, and equity.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by FoodNiche-ED, a gamified platform that enhances the knowledge of food and health. Learn more on foodniche-ed.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/foodniche_ed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodniche_ed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodNicheEd/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodniche-education

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

The ROI of Food As Medicine Program Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

This special episode—recorded live at the FoodNiche Health Forum this summer—we’re diving into a vital conversation on The ROI of Preventive Nutrition: How Nutrition Education and Food-Based Interventions Can Reduce Long-Term Healthcare Costs.

As chronic diseases continue to drive up healthcare spending, evidence is mounting that investing in preventive nutrition delivers measurable returns. From school-based programs to clinical initiatives, nutrition education and food-centered interventions can reduce the burden of diet-related diseases, improve population health, and significantly lower long-term costs.

Joining me for this important discussion are:

Dr. Joan Salge Blake, Boston University
Funke Ajenikoko, Rockefeller Foundation
Beth Machnica, Buffalo Medical Center

Together, we’ll explore how preventive nutrition is not just a public health strategy—it’s a smart economic investment in our collective future.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by FoodNiche-ED, a gamified platform that enhances the knowledge of food and health. Learn more on foodniche-ed.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/foodniche_ed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodniche_ed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodNicheEd/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodniche-education

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

The Cost Of Food Insecurity By Dr. Lauren Fiechtner Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode recorded live at the FoodNiche Health Forum at Harvard Medical School, we dove into an urgent and often overlooked public health issue—food insecurity.

Our featured presentation is titled: “The Cost of Food Insecurity in Massachusetts”, led by Dr. Lauren Fietchner, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Fietchner is a nationally recognized physician and health equity advocate whose research focuses on the intersection of food access, poverty, and improving health outcomes for children. At Harvard Medical School, she mentors the next generation of healthcare leaders while conducting groundbreaking work on the societal and economic impacts of food insecurity in collaboration with.

In this presentation, Dr. Fietchner examines the ripple effects of food insecurity—from rising healthcare costs to long-term developmental and chronic health challenges—while offering data-driven insights and potential solutions for systemic change.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by FoodNiche-ED, a gamified platform that enhances the knowledge of food and health. Learn more on foodniche-ed.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/foodniche_ed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodniche_ed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodNicheEd/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodniche-education

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/

Innovating A Healthier Future For The Next Generation - Dr. Julia Olayanju and Dr. Anabelle Broadbent Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to another special edition of the FoodNiche Changemaker Podcast.

In this special fireside chat—recorded live at the FoodNiche Health Forum at Harvard Medical School—we’re tackling one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time: childhood obesity.

Over 14 million children in the U.S. are affe cted by obesity, putting them at greater risk for lifelong chronic diseases. Yet, despite growing concern, nutrition education remains one of the most underleveraged tools in prevention.

In this thought-provoking conversation, I sat down with Dr. Anabelle Broadbent, to discuss how we can turn innovative ideas into meaningful impact for the next generation.

Together, we’ll explore how food education, policy shifts, and cross-sector collaboration can help reverse these alarming trends and build a healthier future for our children.

Sponsor:

The podcast is made possible by FoodNiche-ED, a gamified platform that enhances the knowledge of food and health. Learn more on foodniche-ed.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/foodniche_ed

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodniche_ed/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodNicheEd/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodniche-education

About Dr. Olayanju:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaolayanju/