
Food, We Need To Talk
A science-based, humor laced approach to health and fitness. With the help of top researchers from the health and wellness fields, Juna Gjata and Dr. Eddie Phillips break down the science behind good nutrition, exercise, stress, sleep, and more. Includes a generous helping of sarcasm (Juna), dad jokes (Eddie), and pristine sound design (our awesome producers).
Latest episodes

Apr 14, 2025 • 37min
Is Leaky Gut a Real Thing? Bloating, Brain Fog, and More
In this episode, we tackle one of the buzziest—and most confusing—topics in gut health: leaky gut. Juna’s dad has been asking about it nonstop, so we brought in one of the world’s leading experts, Dr. Michael Camilleri from the Mayo Clinic, to break it all down. What exactly is leaky gut? Is it real, how do you know if you have it, and can it actually cause brain fog or autoimmune disease? Dr. Camilleri gives us the real science on gut barriers, how food and medication affect them, and what you can do to support your gut health (spoiler: fiber wins again). If you've ever wondered whether your bloating or brain fog has anything to do with your gut—or you just want to stop your dad from sending you wellness TikToks—this episode is for you.Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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Apr 7, 2025 • 5min
Why You’re Sleeping Less—and What to Do About It
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Michele Joanellis all about insomnia and why so many of us are struggling with sleep—without even realizing it. We dive into what happens to our sleep as we age, why menopause and post-menopause can disrupt sleep patterns, and whether it's normal to wake up in the middle of the night (spoiler: it might be more normal than you think). Dr. Joanellis also breaks down why your Fitbit might be lying to you, how to rethink sleep “opportunity” vs. actual sleep, and why your mom's late-night TV habit might not be the worst thing ever. Plus, we get into how much sleep you really need, how to help your circadian rhythm as you get older, and what to actually do when you're wide awake at 3 a.m.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!
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Mar 31, 2025 • 46min
You Probably Have Insomnia... Here's What to Do About It
You probably have insomnia… and you probably don’t even know it. In this episode, we dive into one of the most relatable struggles out there: not being able to fall asleep, stay asleep, or stop stressing about sleep. We’re joined by Dr. Michelle Jonelis, a sleep medicine specialist who explains why your sleep tracker might be lying to you, why optimizing your sleep setup might backfire, and what actually works to fix your sleep (spoiler: it’s not melatonin). Dr. Jonelis breaks down the gold-standard treatment for insomnia and why so many of us are going about it the wrong way. If your brain won’t shut off at night, this one’s for you—or at least the 75% of us in the same boat.You can find Dr. Jonelis's website here!Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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Mar 24, 2025 • 6min
Why Am I Sore for Days? (And What It Means About Your Workout)
In this episode, we are continuing last week’s Q&A!! Have you ever wondered how long you’re supposed to be sore after a workout—or better yet, how to be less sore? We’re tackling DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness): how long it should last, what’s actually happening in your muscles, and when it might be a sign of something more serious. Then we dive into insulin resistance—what it is, how it develops, and how to catch it early before it turns into something bigger. You’ll learn how to tell if your workouts are helping or hurting, and which simple habits can make a real difference in blood sugar regulation. If you’ve ever been sore for days or confused about prediabetes, this one’s for you.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!
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Mar 17, 2025 • 41min
Juicing vs. Blending, Fixing Joint Pain, Post-Meal Walks, and More!
In this episode, we’re back with another round of listener Q&A—our favorite kind of episode where we get to hang out and tackle your biggest health and nutrition questions! We break down whether blending, juicing, cooking, or even just chewing your food affects its nutritional value (spoiler: Eddie drops some serious anatomy knowledge on us). We also talk about how to keep your joints strong and healthy, why post-meal walks are so effective, and share some mantras that keep us motivated on our own health journeys. We can't wait for you to hear this one!Sign up for our newsletter here.For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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Mar 10, 2025 • 5min
Practical Tools for a Happier Life: Flow States, Gratitude, and More
Discover how positive psychology can transform your life through practical strategies. Learn why stress can occur even during good times, and explore the surprising effects of kindness and gratitude on well-being. Delve into the science of flow states and how positive visualization can enhance your mindset. Dr. Liana Lianov shares insights on social connections and the impact of small acts of generosity. Plus, hear personal reflections on acts of kindness, emphasizing that even little gestures can create big differences.

4 snips
Mar 3, 2025 • 46min
The Science of Increasing Your Life Satisfaction
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of positive psychology—not just thinking happy thoughts, but the actual science of what makes life worth living! We’re joined by Dr. Liana Lianov, founder of the Global Positive Health Institute, to explore how boosting your happiness, resilience, and sense of purpose can literally improve your health. We also take the five-question test that reveals how satisfied you are with your life—spoiler: one of us crushed it, and one of us… did not. Plus, we break down simple, science-backed ways to bring more joy, gratitude, and meaning into your daily routine (even if you're stressed and busy). If you’ve ever wondered how to thrive—not just survive—this episode is for you!Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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Feb 17, 2025 • 51min
Why You Can’t Sleep (And What to Do About It)
Ever find yourself wide awake at night, mind racing, unable to sleep—only to be falling asleep at your desk the next afternoon? Yeah, same. In this episode, we dive deep into the science of sleep with Dr. Param Dedhia, an expert in sleep, obesity, and integrative medicine, to answer all your burning (or drowsy) questions. Why do we even need sleep? How much is enough? And most importantly—how can we actually get better sleep? If you’ve ever struggled with exhaustion, cravings, or just wanted permission to prioritize rest, this episode is for you!Sign up for our newsletter here!For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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Feb 10, 2025 • 4min
Pepperspray, Running with Headphones, and Other Self-Defense Myths
In this episode, we talk to self-defense expert Meg Stone about the safety advice we’ve all heard—like whether you should ditch your headphones while running or give your kid pepper spray. Meg breaks down what actually makes you safer, why some classic tips don’t hold up, and how feminist self-defense can change the game. We also dive into how to balance risk with quality of life, so you can live your life and feel secure doing it.To hear the rest of this episode, sign up for the Foodie Fam!For weekly notes on our episodes, sign up for the Food We Need to Talk newsletter!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG!Be friends with Juna on IG and Tiktok!
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4 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 45min
Why Most Self Defense Advice Doesn't Work... and What Actually Does
In this episode, we’re covering a topic we’ve never tackled before: self-defense. Our guest, Meg Stone, author of The Cost of Fear, explains why most self-defense advice is outdated, fear-based, and often ineffective—plus what actually works. We discuss how to recognize coercion, set verbal boundaries, and use simple but powerful physical techniques to protect yourself. Meg also shares how learning self-defense can boost confidence in all areas of life. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly stay safe, this episode is a must-listen!Check out Meg’s book: The Cost of Fear: Why Most Safety Advice Is Sexist and How We Can Stop Gender-Based Violence For weekly episodes, come join the Foodie Fam!Check out our book!Chat with us on IG @foodweneedtotalk!Be friends with Juna on Instagram and Tiktok!
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