
Chews Wisely
Welcome to Chews Wisely with Caroline Nelson, where we deconstruct food & sustainability topics with nuance and primary sources. Conversations will range from conscientious omnivory, supply chains, and regenerative agriculture, to the latest food studies, "Big Ag," and more. At Chews Wisely, we’ll go beneath the headlines and hot takes. We believe that real climate solutions are nuanced, that facts are friendly, and that there are many right ways to eat and be sustainable. Keep the conversation going at @chewswiselypodcast on Instagram!
Latest episodes

Jun 25, 2024 • 12min
[Patreon Preview] When Science Fails
A note from Caroline: Making this podcast is one of my favorite things. But right now, I have to put it on pause to attend to the other parts of my life that require my attention. After this, there will be one more episode.
It's not just time commitments that are causing me to pause the podcast for now. In the process of researching these episodes, I've had many personal revelations and it's fair to say that my viewpoints have changed quite a bit. And that's what today's episode is about. It's about feeling failed by science, and by many of the powerful institutions that frame our lives. And about where I'm looking instead for wisdom.
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com

Jun 18, 2024 • 53min
The Truth About Wild Caught Salmon with Tara Hines
Tara Hines, owner of Sockeye Servings, discusses sustainable fishing practices, wild-caught vs. farmed salmon, and the boat-to-table process. She shares insights on crew life, commercial fishing in Bristol Bay, and the importance of accurate seafood labeling. The conversation also touches on the challenges and adventures of fishing, highlighting the rewards despite unpredictable nature.

Jun 4, 2024 • 1h
How to Find Joy Anywhere with Sarah Reese
Sarah Reese, a radically joyful person, shares her 'laws of happiness' to cultivate joy. Topics include choosing happiness in challenges, self-care, and embracing imperfection. The podcast explores the impact of joy on well-being and the importance of prioritizing happiness.

May 28, 2024 • 13min
[Patreon Preview] Should We Be Worried About Microplastics?
Maybe you’ve heard the news. Microplastics are on top of Mount Everest, the bottom of the ocean, in our blood, breastmilk, vital organs, and testicles. They are pervasive and the scope of their effect on our health is only just beginning to be understood. Today’s episode lays out what microplastics (and nanoplastics, goodie!) are, where they come from, and what the early science says (it’s not good). Also discussed: small, easy, meaningful actions we can take to minimize our exposure to microplastics in our daily life.
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com
LINKS:
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/ingredients/704981-POLYETHYLENE/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2024/02/28/microplastics-drinking-water/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/19/bottle-fed-babies-swallow-millions-microplastics-day-study
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/reduce-laundry-microfiber-pollution/
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/29/how-the-fossil-fuel-industry-is-pushing-plastics-on-the-world-.html
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics/
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/22/1252831827/microplastics-testicles-humans-health
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/microplastics-nanoplastics-heart-attacks-strokes-health
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/29/how-the-fossil-fuel-industry-is-pushing-plastics-on-the-world-.html

May 21, 2024 • 1h 14min
Inside the Conventional Chicken Industry with Esther Sprott
Esther Sprott, a regenerative and conventional farmer, sheds light on the secretive commercial chicken industry controlled by integrators. She discusses the advanced technology and challenges in chicken farming, financial struggles for contract farmers, animal welfare, and navigating labels in the industry. The conversation highlights the complexities of balancing traditional methods with modern consumer demands.

May 7, 2024 • 1h 8min
Is Organic Really Better? with Robert Paarlberg
This episode with Dr. Robert Paarlberg mythbusts from start to finish. Everything you think you know about the dirty dozen, food subsidies, the cost of whole food vs processed…just set it to the side because he is here with the data and the nuance that we need to dig deeper. You will especially love his nuance about modern precision agriculture and how we need to stop conflating Big Food with Big Ag. You can break out of your food echo chamber with his latest book, Resetting the Table.
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.comChews Wisely is brought to you by G5 Agency.

Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 4min
Decolonizing Food with Mariah Gladstone
Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet, Cherokee) is a botanist, a chef, and an advocate for healthy eating and indigenous foods. She joins us today for a conversation about the invisible foods all around us, what it means to re-indigenize our diets, and how food was used as a tool of colonization. We also talk about food sovereignty, the limits of the term ‘food desert,’ and the Irish Potato Famine that wasn’t.
Indigikitchen website
Indigikitchen Instagram
Mariah’s Ted Talk
About the Little Ice Age
Sinead O’Connor - Famine
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com
Chews Wisely is brought to you by G5 Agency!

Apr 16, 2024 • 45min
[Patreon Preview] Our Home Birth Story
Caroline tells the story of her home birth, and her journey through the medical system leading up to her crunchy-adjacent birthing experience.
This is a Patreon exclusive episode. To hear the full episode, become a regenerator at the link below.
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com

Apr 9, 2024 • 36min
European Farmer Protests
Today we are diving into some current events, and talking about the farmer protests happening all across Europe. We dig into why and how these farmers are protesting, and what we can take away from these protests here in America.
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com
Chews Wisely is brought to you by G5 Agency!
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/czech-slovak-farmers-block-borders-protest-2024-02-22/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/hundreds-of-tractors-line-the-streets-of-madrid-as-farmers-protest-eu-farming-policies
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1414779/pesticide-sales-by-categorization-of-active-substances-european-union/
https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/outlooks/40408/30645_wrs0404e_002.pdf
https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/en/data-insights/benchmarking-agricultural-productivity-performance-in-the-eu
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/16/europe-farmers-climate-green-protest-eu
https://time.com/6632372/farmer-protests-europe-france-germany-brussels/
https://apnews.com/article/eu-farmer-protest-trade-red-tape-710e9bd6c6df6ecd9e598418473604eb
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/20/world/europe/ukraine-poland-protest-farmers.html

Mar 26, 2024 • 1h 17min
Everything You've Been Told About Nutrition Is Wrong with Lily Nichols
Lily Nichols, RDN, joins us today to turn everything we thought we knew about gestational diabetes (and nutrition in general) upside down. We also cover why we need to get over our fear of salt, fat, and meat when pursuing health. And then we dig into misconceptions around folic acid and B12, and whether eating seafood during pregnancy is safe. Everyone who eats will enjoy this deeply evidence based episode, whether or not you’re pregnant!
Lily’s website & blog
Lily’s books
Lily on Instagram
Stay in touch with Chews Wisely:
IG: @chewswiselypodcast
Patreon: Chews Wisely
Email: chewswiselypodcast@gmail.com
Chews Wisely is brought to you by G5 Agency!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.