In this episode, Brad asks Alex about her new certification as a certified “acupunct” (not to be confused with full-blown acupuncturists—those folks train for years), to explore the magical, stress-melting world of auricular acupuncture. That’s right: it’s acupuncture, but just for your ears.

Alex breaks down how this ear-only version of acupuncture taps into the vagus nerve, bringing on a deep sense of calm she fondly refers to as being “Accu-stoned.” We talk ear maps (yes, your ear has a whole body on it), how tiny pins can chill you out, and why your wax situation isn’t actually a big deal. Bonus: Alex loves removing earwax, so she’s truly in the right line of work.

We also get into how this chill-inducing treatment is just one part of the growing lifestyle medicine toolkit at Holy Cross—along with culinary coaching, half-marathon training, and plans to crash a Montserrat class or two with some nutrition truth bombs.

Worried about the pins? Don’t be. They're tiny, single-use, and nowhere near your eyeballs (that would be ocular acupuncture, and no one wants that). Want to try it? Just call Health Services at (508) 793-2276 and say, “Pin my ears!”

This episode is proof that wellness doesn’t always come in a green smoothie—sometimes, it comes in the form of a pin to the ear and a nap-level vibe reset.

Come get pinned. Stay zen. No eyeballs involved.

Darlene Menz is back in the booth (because, let’s face it, she had way too much fun last time!) to chat about why we should stop rushing through our meals. Between Darlene’s love for savoring her food and Brad's habit of eating faster than you can say "dinner is served," we dive into the benefits of slowing down, appreciating your food, and enjoying some good old-fashioned conversation with friends and family.

From how fast food culture impacts our bodies (and minds) to why we should all stop eating over trash cans (Brad....guilty as charged), we break down the importance of mindful eating. Spoiler alert: taking time to chew your food could be the key to avoiding that dreaded post-meal bellyache!

So, if you’re tired of scarfing down your food while multitasking, tune in to learn how to slow down, savor every bite, and create a more fulfilling dining experience. Trust us—your body and mind will thank you!

Grab your thermometers and put down that dented can of beans because Brad is about to school you on food safety like never before! In this episode, we're talking all things temperatures, bacteria, and the things you should NEVER eat—like a bulging can (trust us, you don’t want to mess with botulism).

Brad explains the world of FAT TOM (and no, that’s not a new breakfast trend), walks us through the danger zone (spoiler: it’s not a cool action movie), and why you should ALWAYS let your steak rest—because it’s been through a lot, okay?

Plus, as a seasoned ServSafe proctor, Bradley spills the beans on what it’s really like teaching food safety—hint: it's not all fun and games, but he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve to keep things exciting. So tune in, get the facts, and learn how to cook without giving yourself or your guests a foodborne illness. You’ll never look at a can of soup the same way again!