Exercise helps college students manage stress! In 2002, certified personal trainer Holly Kouvo had a vision: to create an independent personal training company that teaches clients innovative ways to fit exercise into their daily lives. You can improve balance and strength using chairs, build strength by doing arm curls with a gallon of milk while waiting in line at the grocery store, or exercise with bands in a hotel room. Holly's philosophy differs from the traditional "create-a-standard-routine-for-the-gym" mantra. She prides herself on creating customized programs that fit each client's unique lifestyle. Holly takes your goals, likes and dislikes, strengths, and time constraints, and helps you to fit fitness in to your day.

In episode 614 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Holly to dedicate her life to helping others "fit fitness in", how college students in their 20s can start investing in their long-term brain and body health, some of the biggest misconceptions young adults have about aging and wellness, how exercise helps college students to manage stress, what are some simple, creative ways college students can "fit fitness in" throughout their day, how much exercise does a college student really need to see benefits, how nutrition plays into brain health and longevity, how fraternity and sorority leaders can model this within their chapters to build healthier, more energized communities, and what lessons we can learn in her upcoming book, "Fitting Fitness In: Staying Fit, Sharp, and Independent as You Age". Enjoy!

Getting to forgiveness is very possible! Our next guest is Melissa Jean Rod, but you can call her M.J. She is a writer, speaker, sunset-chaser, and accidental detective of her own family tree. She helps women navigate the heartbreak of father wounds, the confusion of family secrets, and the questions of identity with honesty, hope, and a healthy dose of humor. Her debut book, The Daddy Files tells the true story of what happened when she found out the man she thought was my father… wasn't. It's part memoir, part mystery, and all about how God shows up in the middle of our mess. If you've ever felt left out, let down, or like you're carrying questions no one's answering—she sees you. She has been there. And she wrote this story for you.

In episode 613 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired MJ to write "The Daddy Files", how that truth changed her life, how growing up without a father shaped the decisions she made, how college students can start healing from the "father wound" if they've never had that relationship modeled in their lives, why it's important to get to forgiveness, how her faith evolved through the process of uncovering family secrets, why humor is essential in overcoming trauma, what advice she has for others who discover unexpected truths about their families through DNA testing, how her family relationships changed after the truth came out, and what MJ would tell her 20 year-old self. Enjoy!

The problem of declining fertility rates globally will have a significant impact on the future. Dr. Marina Straszak-Suri is an OBGYN with over 30 years of practice dedicated to women's health, fertility, and reproductive education. With a unique blend of clinical expertise and a deep commitment to evidence-based, holistic care, she empowers individuals and couples to take charge of their reproductive journey. Dr. Marina is also a passionate educator and mentor, with years of experience teaching medical students, residents, and healthcare professionals through her work as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. She is known for her warm, accessible teaching style and ability to translate complex medical science into practical, actionable guidance.

In episode 612 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Dr. Marina to combine medical science with a holistic approach, what motivated her to write "Optimize Your Fertility Naturally", why younger people are surprised to learn that lifestyle affects fertility, why college students should care about reproductive health and fertility today, what are the early warning signs that a woman's reproductive health may be suffering, how diet, exercise, and sleep influence hormone balance and reproductive health, what are the most effective ways to reduce its impact on reproductive health, why declining fertility rates globally is an urgent problem, and what myths about women's fertility she would like to see disappear once and for all. Enjoy!

Chuck Marting is the author of "Mastering the Impairment Code", endorsed by New York Times bestselling author Jack Canfield. With 30 years in law enforcement and drug recognition, he's trained hundreds of organizations on workplace safety and impairment. Chuck has spoken at national conferences including the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association, the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association, and the Federal Transit Administration. He also hosts two podcasts—The Language of Leadership and Clearing the Haze—focused on building safer, stronger organizations.

In episode 611 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Chuck to dedicate his life to teaching others how to recognize impairment, why he decided to write the book called "Mastering the Impairment Code", why students should not assume that marijuana, vapes, and edibles are harmless, how substances like fentanyl are being mixed into everyday use, what are the signs of impairment that fraternity and sorority members should be watching for in their peers, how we can build build safer and more accountable fraternity and sorority communities, what are the biggest myths he wishes college students would stop believing about "functional" use of substances, what does the future of impairment recognition look like, and how universities, national Greek organizations, and alumni partners work together to support student wellness and safety. Enjoy!

Dr. Dean Rudoy is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University, trained at the New York University-Bellevue Medical Center, and received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University. He is author of three books, including his latest — EMISSARIES: Stories and Reflections — a collection of 60 stories lived and lessons learned over the past three quarters of a century — which has been described as "a quiet book for chaotic times". In addition to practicing, teaching, and writing about psychology, he has been devoted to causes — children, peace, social justice, and human rights — serving as consultant to national and international organizations and on various boards, including that of The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, on whose Board of Trustees he currently serves.

In episode 610 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Dr. Rudoy's shift from political to psychological healing, how those early experiences in social justice shaped the way he approaches healing and empathy today, what he means by "give what you need", what it means to have "a quiet book for chaotic times", how students can do daily acts of service on campus, how students can accept that we are whole as we are, how students can develop inner confidence and compassion for themselves, how they can recognize and trust the emissaries in their lives, and what advice he would give his 21 year-old self about living a meaningful life. Enjoy!

How can college students start their mindfulness journey? Let's talk to Laurie S. Jacobson, an author, speaker, and Certified Health Coach. She has spent more than 25 years promoting health and wellness through education, media, and personal appearances. She's been featured in local and national publications, and hosted Cooking for Health on WJAC-TV.

In episode 609 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired her journey to a Buddhist monastery and what those first few days were like, what advice she would you give to students who might see those same abusive or toxic signs in their own relationships, how college students can bring mindfulness into their day, what happened when she practiced silence for 22 days at the monastery, what is the role of physical health in supporting emotional and spiritual wellbeing, what misconceptions about health and wellness does she see most often, and what freedom felt like after years of control and fear. Enjoy!

Let's talk about the elephant in the room, and the 5 questions you MUST ask your next lover. Leonarda Minutillo is a poet, writer, teacher, mom, and speaker (even in ASL). She studied at York University in Toronto with an Honours BA with Physical Education /Psychology; B.Ed at University of Toronto; Deaf Ed at York University; and then, with an International Rotary Scholarship attended Gallaudet University in WDC, the only university in the world tailored to Deaf students. It was a dream come true. Leonarda is now making a big career shift slowly leaving the classroom and stepping into the role of writer and poet where she has not only found great healing but also a long-awaited connection to her intuition. After publishing her first poetry book, "The Day I Bought a Teddy Bear and a Vibrator", Leonarda says the whole process has been incredibly transformational.

In episode 608 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Leonarda to start writing poetry and how that helped to reclaim her voice, how learning to listen to her intuition changed the trajectory of her life, how college students can channel creativity to heal from heartbreak or self-doubt, how she defines self-love in a world where people often seek validation from others, what are the 5 conscious questions to ask a potential lover so you can take care of yourself, what is the P.I.E. Principle, how studying at Gallaudet University shaped her perspective on communication and connection, how young people learn to see endings as beginnings, what role does community play in healing and self-discovery, how transitioning from teaching to writing and speaking full time taught her courage, and what advice she would give her younger self. Enjoy!

Careers in the trades or manufacturing are of interest to you? Terry Iverson is a manufacturing leader, author, and keynote speaker dedicated to reshaping America's perception of skilled trades. As founder of CHAMPION Now!, and author of Finding America's Greatest Champion and Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing, Terry brings over 45 years of experience mentoring and inspiring the next generation of makers.

In episode 607 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what inspired Terry to become the founder of an organization changing how America perceives manufacturing, what are the biggest misconceptions college students have about careers in the trades or manufacturing, how student debt can be America's potential career killer, how college students or recent grads can get involved in apprenticeship or internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience, how mentorship shaped his journey, how leadership principles from the manufacturing floor translate to leading a team or a chapter, what is the connection between gamers and digital CNC manufacturing, lessons from his books called "Finding America's Greatest Champion" and "Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing", and what is one action students can take this week to begin discovering their own path to becoming a champion. Enjoy!