Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

Inflammation is essential for healing, but when it becomes chronic, it can quietly drive joint pain, blood sugar imbalance, autoimmune conditions, and long-term disease. In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Dr. Josh Redd, founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness and author of The 30-Day Inflammatory Reset, about the root causes of chronic inflammation. They discuss how ultra-processed diets, environmental exposures, stress, hormonal imbalance, and even trauma contribute to inflammatory load, and what practical steps individuals can take to support immune balance through nutrition and lifestyle change. Learn more about Josh’s work at DrJoshRedd.com

Sake sits at the intersection of fermentation science, ritual, and food culture. In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave is joined by Dr. Eric C. Rath, professor of history at the University of Kansas and author of Kanpai: The History of Sake. Together, they explore what sake really is, how fermentation with koji mold transforms rice into alcohol, and why sake has played such a central role in Japanese ritual, everyday life, and food culture. The conversation also traces the history of home brewing, the rise of izakaya gastropubs, and the emergence of American sake as both adaptation and innovation.

In the remote Alaskan wilderness, survival is not a simple metaphor. It is an act of daily practice. In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave reconnects with Sue Aikens, best known from National Geographic’s Life Below Zero, to talk about her memoir North of Ordinary. Broadcasting from Alaska, Sue reflects on a life shaped by abandonment, fierce independence, and learning to endure both emotional and physical extremes—from brutal winters and isolation to surviving a grizzly bear attack. This conversation explores resilience, the role of helpers (human and animal), and what it means to build a sense of self when the wilderness strips everything else away.

For decades, Alzheimer’s research has been shaped by a dominant hypothesis, enormous funding streams, and the promise of breakthrough cures. But what happens when the science itself is compromised? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave sits down with investigative science journalist Charles Piller to unpack the revelations behind his book Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s. We examine how image manipulation, groupthink, and institutional failures distorted the Alzheimer’s research landscape for years, shaping clinical trials, drug approvals, and patient expectations. This conversation goes beyond a single disease to examine research integrity, reproducibility, and the human cost of getting science wrong.

This week on Foodie Pharmacology, we explore the cultural, scientific, and social dimensions of kava (Piper methysticum) with Douglas La Rose, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition. We discuss kava’s roots in Pacific Island traditions, how it’s prepared, what the new AHP monograph means for safety and standards, and why this non-alcoholic beverage is gaining global interest as a pro-social, calming alternative. Douglas shares insights from his work supporting education, responsible use, and sustainable industry growth, offering a grounded look at how this plant bridges community, culture, and modern wellness.

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