The Happy Eating Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Look Good, Feel Better? The Science of Dopamine Dressing Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

Deion Sanders is known for saying, “if you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you play good.” And while we’ve never been on the football field in pads, we’ve realized this concept rings true in our everyday lives. In fact, we’ve leaned on that mindset plenty of times when we needed a little extra boost to show up as our best selves. Turns out, there’s real science behind it. It’s called enclothed cognition—and it’s the topic of today’s episode. We break down how what you wear can influence your mood, confidence, productivity, and overall outlook, plus how to use it in real life to your advantage.

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Follow me on Instagram and visit my website! Listen and subscribe to the Happy Eating Podcast.

Rant Therapy: Boundary Issues with My Ex Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining.

Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-life venting sessions with each other—AKA what we’re “so over”.

Rant Therapy: Boundary Issues with My Ex

Thank you for listening to Rant Therapy on the Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes and new rants on Tuesdays. For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

To contact Lester -

olelegante@gmail.com

Rant Therapy: Stop It With the Chardonnay! Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Rant Therapy: Stop It With the Chardonnay!

Thank you for listening to Rant Therapy on the Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes and new rants on Tuesdays. For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

To contact Lester -

olelegante@gmail.com

The Death List: The Checklist You Need Before Your Parents Die Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Here’s something no one thinks to warn you about when you hit your 40s and 50s: you’re going to have to deal with aging parents. And while it might start with something like a minor medical scare, details related to their health and eventually their death can quickly become the thing that keeps you awake at night. Do they have a will? If so, where is it? What about an advance directive or a power of attorney? All of a sudden you realize how little you know about your parents’ preparation—and then what you have or haven’t done for yourself sets in. This is a true story that Brierley and I both experienced recently. And so, as we prefer to do, we called in an expert to guide us. In today’s episode, we’re talking with estate and trust planning attorney Jennifer McEwen. She answers all of our questions and also shares some of the biggest mistakes she’s seen and how to avoid them.

Our guest on the episode is Jennifer McEwen, estate and trust planning attorney with Maynard Nexsen in Birmingham, Alabama.

https://www.maynardnexsen.com/professionals-jennifer-justice-mcewen#Overview

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Rant Therapy: Carolyn’s New Roommate Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Rant Therapy: Carolyn’s New Roommate

Thank you for listening to Rant Therapy on the Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes and new rants on Tuesdays. For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

To contact Lester -

olelegante@gmail.com

The Third Space & Why You Need One Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for your health had nothing to do with what’s on your plate—and everything to do with where you spend your time? Not more time at home. Not more time at the office. We’re talking about that in-between space. The one where conversations happen easily, no one expects anything from you, and you can simply exist alongside other people. It’s called the Third Space. And lately, Brierley and I have been a little obsessed with the concept. So in today’s episode, we’re breaking down what a third space actually is, how to find one, and—maybe most importantly—why it could be one of the most impactful things you can do for your mental and physical health.

Information on the Loneliness Epidemic

Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Rant Therapy - Grocery Bag Fails Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Rant Therapy - Grocery Bag Fails

Thank you for listening to Rant Therapy on the Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes and new rants on Tuesdays. For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

To contact Lester -

olelegante@gmail.com

The Connection Between Seasonal Allergies and Mental Health Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

The Connection Between Seasonal Allergies and Mental Health

Seasonal allergies are about to hit their peak, if they haven’t already. Where we are in the Southeast, everything is coated with a thin layer of yellow pollen right now. Stuffy noses, sore throats, irritated eyes, and fatigue are all common for seasonal allergy sufferers. But could those seasonal allergies also be aggravating your mood? In today’s episode, we’re explaining the very real connection between seasonal allergies and mental health.

Show Notes:

Resources and references mentioned include:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Allergic Rhinitis

Mental Health and Allergic Rhinitis: Depression and Suicidal Behavior

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeating@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Glutathione and NAC—Worth It or Not? Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

If glutathione keeps popping up in your social feeds lately, you’re not imagining it. Glutathione is having a moment. In fact, one of our listeners wrote in and asked us to do a deep dive on this buzzy supplement. What exactly is glutathione? Do you actually need it—or is this just another wellness trend? And for those of you that have seen the supplement NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) in your feed, you may be wondering if it’s better to take it to boost your body’s natural glutathione production instead. If you’ve been wondering whether glutathione or NAC deserve a spot in your supplement routine, this episode will help you decide.

References Mentioned:

Changes in levels of the antioxidant glutathione in brain and blood across the age span of healthy adults: A systematic review

Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Rant Therapy - Jam Bands Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Rant Therapy - Jam Bands

Thank you for listening to Rant Therapy on the Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes and new rants on Tuesdays. For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!

https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com

Learn More About Our Hosts:

Carolyn Williams PhD, RD:

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

Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com

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

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

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

Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!

happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com

Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

To contact Lester -