Edible Empire

Michael Mayell founded Cookie Time, one of New Zealand’s best-loved brands, in his early twenties and has gone on to create multiple successful businesses since then. However, Michael’s focus is now much bigger than simply building businesses – he’s on a mission to build a prosperous New Zealand where both people and the environment flourish.

Michael is spearheading a number of social enterprise initiatives including Drinkable Rivers NZ, which pushes for more than the government’s current target of making 90% of New Zealand rivers swimmable by 2040. Drinkable rivers – a crazy thought!

In this episode we discuss:
• Michael’s backstory and journey to his more recent way of life, including his plant-based diet
• The story of Cookie Time – from humble beginnings to striking gold with the business concept
• Drinkable Rivers NZ campaign, their current work on the Avon river and future direction for the organisation
• Michael’s passion for hemp as a versatile and eco-friendly material and a nutritious food option for New Zealand
• The need for a local and sustainable food system in New Zealand

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

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To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

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Megan Grant is currently undertaking her PhD exploring the relationship between seabirds and their terrestrial habitats, while Gabrielle Henderson is in the process of completing her undergraduate studies in Marine Biology at the University of Tasmania.

Both ladies are involved in projects at Adrift Lab. We first broached the issue of marine plastics and their impact on seabirds in Season 2 Episode 33 with Dr Jack Auty, and in this conversation, Megan and Gabrielle expand on this pressing issue by discussing Megan’s previous publications and Gabrielle’s upcoming research paper!

In this episode we discuss:
• Megan’s background, her amazing honours project and, more recently, her three-minute thesis
• Gabrielle’s background and her recent pivot from seaweed to seabirds
• Both ladies’ experience with Adrift Lab
• The plastic polluted paradise that is Lord Howe Island
• Ingestion and transportation of plastics by seabirds
• Marine debris as nesting material – where it comes from and why it’s a problem
• Current methods for estimating levels of debris in birds’ nests and why standardised measurements are so important
• Approaches to reduce plastic pollution and the (slow) translation of research into policy
• Future plans, research and direction for both ladies (with kudos to Gabrielle for her upcoming scientific paper – a great achievement for an undergrad!)

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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Andre Borell is a successful entrepreneur whose love of the ocean spurred him on to more recently add film director and producer to his already impressive CV. Andre is the filmmaker behind the new documentary Envoy: Shark Cull, which sheds light on the long-running ‘shark safety’ programs in place off of the Queensland and New South Wales coastlines.

Narrated by Aussie actor Eric Bana and with interviews from some of the biggest names in ocean conservation, this documentary exposes the failings, deception and huge environmental costs of current shark control methods, and also educates viewers on the importance of sharks for our marine eco-systems.

This documentary should be essential viewing for anyone in Australia (and elsewhere around the world!), as it’s addressing a critical issue that has been kept out of the public eye for far too long.

In this episode we discuss:
• Andre’s background and inspiration for producing the documentary
• The facts about sharks, the misconceptions about these important predators and why we need to protect rather than cull!
• Shark control strategies: methods in place, their effectiveness and misconceptions and the broader issues associated with the current programs including the huge amounts of bycatch
• The critically endangered shark species currently on the government’s kill list
• Shark control alternatives and why the government should act
• How to take action and support this important movement- starting by signing this petition!
• The important collaborations that make this film so impactful
• The launch of the documentary on streaming platform Stan, and other options for watching

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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Dr Malcolm Mackay and Jenny Cameron are two of the pioneers of the plant-based movement in Australasia. Malcolm is a GP and board-certified lifestyle medicine practitioner and Jenny is a nutritionist, wellness coach and research librarian. Together they offer consultations, group education programs and resources through the website Whole Foods Plant Based Health.

Recently, along with Dietitian Dr Peter Johnston, Jenny and Malcolm have launched their new Endeavour; Melbourne Lifestyle Medicine. Their flagship 10-week program is the first of its kind in Australia and provides participants with the knowledge and skills they need for real and lasting change.

In this episode we discuss:
• Jenny and Malcolm’s respective backgrounds and what inspired the transition to a plant-based lifestyle for them both
• Transition strategies for people wanting to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet
• The importance of focusing on what’s being added in, rather than focusing on what’s being removed
• Potential pitfalls and nutrition tips for athletes to be aware of when changing their diet
• Understanding the principles of calorie density for weight control and meeting nutrient needs
• Being aware of appropriate portion sizes to avoid inadequate caloric intake on a plant-based diet
• Whole Foods  Plant Based Health and the resources offered under the umbrella of Plant Based Health Australia
• Melbourne Lifestyle Medicine, which expands on other domains of lifestyle medicine in addition to nutrition
• What will be on offer with their 10-week lifestyle medicine program and the expected benefits
• Useful resources and tips for a smooth transition to a whole food plant-based diet, including Whole Food Plant Based on $5 A Day
• Upcoming events and immersion programs

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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Dr Jack Auty is a lecturer in the Medical Sciences in the School of Medicine at the University of Tasmania. His research focus is how inflammation can contribute to disease.

Jack has a broad range of research interests; from how microplastics induce lung and gut inflammation to whether commonly use anti-inflammatories can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Jack is a master communicator and we cover a lot in this fascinating conversation, have a pen and paper on hand!

In this episode we discuss:
• Jack’s background and current research interests
• Alzheimer’s disease 101 – from discovery to disease progression, and Jack’s research that focuses on inflammatory responses in the brain
• Modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease, including Jack’s research regarding the role of Zinc
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy: The link between contact sports and brain inflammation, including an interesting discussion regarding the role of protective gear
• Exposure to microplastics and consequent inflammatory responses in various bodily systems
• Plastic pollution and impact on wildlife – it’s more complex than we thought
• Paper: Plastic debris increases circadian temperature extremes in beach sediments
• Responsible waste management, the need for systemic and policy change and the necessity for clearer labelling of plastics to increase awareness within the community
• The role of recycling and the massive amounts of greenwashing we are subjected to as consumers
• Jack’s work with Adrift Lab and future research projects
• And so much more!

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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In this episode, we bring you the third and final recording from the recent Evidence Based Eating NZ event in Dunedin. In this episode Professor Jim Mann discusses New Zealand’s looming diabetes disaster and the role of plant-based diets in tackling this issue. Jim has been a Professor in Human Nutrition and Medicine at the University of Otago and a consultant Endocrinologist in Dunedin Hospital for 25 years.  Jim is also director of the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge and the Director of Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Human Nutrition and Principle Investigator for the Riddet Institute.

Over the coming months, Evidence Based Eating NZ will be delivering their final two public lecture events in Auckland and Wellington that will highlight the power of plant-based whole foods to restore health to all New Zealanders. Please visit the Evidence Based Eating NZ website for more details and to register.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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In this episode, we bring you the second recording from the recent Evidence Based Eating NZ event in Dunedin, this time hearing from Yvette Hall. Yvette is a medical student and here she discusses her personal and family journey to adopting a plant-based lifestyle and the lack of nutrition in medical training.

Please note there were technical issues at this event, hence the short duration of this recording.

Over the coming months, Evidence Based Eating NZ will be delivering their final two public lecture events in Auckland and Wellington that will highlight the power of plant-based whole foods to restore health to all New Zealanders. Please visit the Evidence Based Eating NZ website for more details and to register.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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In this episode, we bring you a recording of Dr Martyn Williamson’s lecture at the recent Evidence Based Eating NZ event in Dunedin. The Dunedin event, held on 1 August 2021, was themed ‘Avoiding Severe Illness’ and this recording is the first of three presentations. Martyn is a GP and university lecturer based in Alexandra, NZ. Here Martyn discusses medical training and why holistic nutrition is a better place to start for avoiding illness. Martyn has appeared on our podcast previously, so to find out more about Martyn and his work listen to S2 Ep 13: Plant-Based Nutrition for Metabolic Health.

Over the coming months, Evidence Based Eating NZ will be delivering their final two public lecture events in Auckland and Wellington that will highlight the power of plant-based whole foods to restore health to all New Zealanders. Please visit the Evidence Based Eating NZ website for more details and to register.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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Julia Rucklidge, PhD is a Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Julia has over 130 peer-reviewed publications and textbook contributions and is currently on the executive committee for the International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research.

Julia was named in the Top 100 Most Influential Women in New Zealand in both 2015 and 2018 and is a world leader in Nutritional Psychiatry research, investigating the role of micronutrients regarding mental illnesses such as ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, anxiety, stress and PTSD.

In this episode we discuss:
• Julia’s background and how her interest in nutrition and mental illness evolved
• Conventional treatments vs lifestyle practices for improved mental state
• The important link between nutrition and mental health and neuroscience
• The role of micronutrients in the manifestation of mental illness
• The changing food system, our consumption of ultra-processed food and concerns regarding mental illness
• Optimal eating patterns for improved mental health
• Julia’s research regarding the mental health benefits of micronutrient supplementation following traumatic events including earthquakes, floods and mass shootings
• Julia’s Mental Health and Nutrition online short course
• Julia’s book, 'The Better Brain',  co-authored with Dr Bonnie Kaplan

You can view Julia's TEDx talk here.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
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Still holding the record for most popular guest ever, Dr Mike Joy returns to the podcast for round two. If you’re new to the force that is Mike Joy we suggest checking out our first conversation, Episode 12 on Season 1. Mike is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

In this episode, Mike gives us his reaction to the recent IPCC report and provides us with an important update regarding the ongoing concerns about the unsafe nitrate levels in New Zealand’s lakes and rivers. Mike is one of our most valued guests as he’s not one to sugarcoat, and here he delivers some hard truths regarding the actions required to properly address the climate emergency.

In this episode we discuss:
• Mike’s key takeaways from the recent IPCC report
• The connection between GDP and GHG emissions and the urgent need for the adoption of a ‘degrowth’ economy
• The problems associated with current net-zero and carbon-neutral strategies and measurements
• The current state of Aotearoa’s waterways and the impacts this has on both human and planetary health
• Mike’s recent ‘win’ regarding dodgy use of water statistics by government agencies
• Mike's essay Food for Healing in the book: The New Possible
• Mike’s work with the Environmental Law Initiative and Boomers for Real Climate Measures
• And a lot more – this one is an important conversation!

To read the papers recommended by Mike in this episode:
• Through the Eye of a Needle: An Eco-Heterodox Perspective on the Renewable Energy Transition
• Growth through contraction: Conceiving an eco-economy
• Additionally, Mike mentioned Geoff Reid’s current work, documenting the environmental harms from intensive farming practices. Read more about Geoff’s work and sign the petition here.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, make sure you visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.