In this episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, Martina Halloran sits down with Erin Hysom, Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst at the Food Research and Action Center, to explore why free school meals are not just a policy choice, but a reflection of our shared values.

Together, they discuss how access to nutritious meals at school supports children’s dignity, advances equity, and strengthens communities. Erin shares insights into the current landscape of child nutrition policy, the impact of universal school meals, and what is at stake when food access is treated as conditional rather than essential.

This conversation invites listeners to rethink school meals as an act of collective care, one that recognizes children as whole people deserving of nourishment, stability, and opportunity. It is a powerful reminder that when we gather around care, we help create systems that allow all children to thrive.

Perfect for listeners interested in food justice, education, and the ways policy can shape a more caring and equitable future.

To learn more about The Giving Garden and Food Research and Action Center, visit us at Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In our January episode, we welcome Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Science Director of The Big Joy Project, for a deeply grounding conversation on joy as a daily practice and a collective responsibility.

Together, we explore what joy truly means beyond fleeting happiness, how it is cultivated through small intentional actions, and why joy is essential not only for personal well-being but for resilient communities. Drawing from decades of research and real-world impact, Dr. Emiliana shares how The Big Joy Project invites people across the globe to reconnect with wonder, gratitude, and human connection, even in times of uncertainty.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, to notice what nourishes you, and to remember that joy is not something we wait for, it is something we practice and share. Rooted in science, compassion, and lived experience, this conversation reminds us that when joy is nurtured collectively, it becomes a powerful force for healing, generosity, and lasting care.

Perfect for a reflective start to the year, this episode offers gentle wisdom, practical insights, and a hopeful reminder that joy is both deeply personal and profoundly communal.

To learn more about The Giving Garden and The Big Joy Project, visit us at Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In this month’s episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, Martina sits down with two remarkable voices from Project Bread’s Council of Experts, Paula Tobon and Giovanny Zuniga. Both once faced food insecurity, and both now use their lived experience to guide powerful, community centered solutions that help others not only access nourishment but reclaim dignity and possibility.

Their stories remind us that food insecurity is not a personal failure, it is a systemic issue, and change becomes possible when those who have walked the path lead the conversation. Paula and Giovanny share what helped them move from surviving to thriving, how they use their experiences to shape Project Bread’s programs, and what each of us can do to support families across the country who are still struggling.

This episode is an invitation to listen with an open heart and to imagine a future where care, community, and lived experience guide the way forward.

Tune in, gather for good, and be inspired by the strength and hope that grow when we center real stories and real voices.