Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof

Nutrition Connection is where science meets storytelling. Hosted by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, RD, this podcast highlights the dietitians and nutrition experts shaping the future of food and health. Each episode dives into the inspiring journeys of nutrition professionals whose work touches every corner of the food system and healthcare landscape. From research and clinical practice to culinary innovation, public health, food industry leadership, and beyond—dietitians are everywhere, and their impact runs deep.

Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 71 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof, a business show with 71 episodes published.

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  Episode #69

  69: Emily Levin MPH, RDN - PUBLIC HEALTH / GOVERNMENT

  Sep 23, 202638 minS2026

  Emily Levin, a public health analyst and registered dietitian, shares her journey into the field of nutrition, highlighting her early passion for nutrition, the impact of nutrition on health, and her transition into public health. She discusses navigating career opportunities, building a network, the role of nutrition in policy, the influence of women in nutrition, entering the policy space, and the future of nutrition. Takeaways Passion for nutrition from an early age Importance of building a network in the nutrition field Chapters 00:00 Journey into Nutrition 02:53 Early Passion for Nutrition 06:06 Impact of Nutrition on Health 08:58 Transition into Public Health 11:56 Navigating Career Opportunities 15:11 Building a Network 18:08 Role of Nutrition in Policy 21:06 Influence of Women in Nutrition 23:56 Entering the Policy Space 35:49 Future of Nutrition Connect with Emily: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyclevin/ Check out the website: https://www.nutritionconnection.us/ Connect with Dr. Kristen Hicks- Roof LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-hicks-roof/

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  Episode #70

  70: Stacey Woodson MS, RDN - ENTREPRENUER/MEDIA

  Sep 23, 202633 minS2026

  Stacy Woodson shares her journey from aspiring doctor to becoming a nutrition professional, author, and media dietitian. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and the impact of nutrition on personal health. Stacy's diverse career includes clinical work, teaching, entrepreneurship, and storytelling around food and agriculture. She discusses the future of nutrition, focusing on local food systems and the role of dietitians in bridging the gap between communities and food producers. Takeaways Mentorship is crucial for guiding and nurturing the next generation of dietitians. Storytelling around food and agriculture can create a deeper connection and understanding of nutrition. Dietitians can play a key role in bridging the gap between communities and local food systems. Chapters 00:00 The Journey to Nutrition Professional 01:18 Inspiration and Transition to Nutrition 03:24 Biology Background and Career Transition 05:43 Balancing Multiple Roles and Entrepreneurship 12:14 Day-to-Day as a Business Owner 28:02 The Future of Nutrition Connect with Stacey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-woodson-ms-rd-ldn/ Website: staceywoodson.com Connect with the host, Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-hicks-roof/ Check out the Nutrition Connection website https://www.nutritionconnection.us/

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  Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof

  68: Erik Bustillo MS, RD, FISSN, CSC, CF-L2, CPT - PERFORMANCE / TACTICAL

  Sep 16, 202648 min

  The conversation covers Eric Bustillo's journey into the nutrition profession, his early career, roles in corporate wellness and human performance, challenges and setbacks, and his career highlights and achievements. Eric's passion for helping people and his diverse career journey are evident throughout the discussion. The conversation covers Erik's career decision, passion for serving those who serve, the Human Performance Optimization Program, the role of scientific data and evidence in nutrition, professional achievements and impact, getting involved in the tactical nutrition space, and the future of nutrition. Erik emphasizes the importance of individualized nutrition and wellness and advocates for the profession. Takeaways Passion for helping people Diverse career journey Passion for serving those who serve Individualized nutrition and wellness Advocacy for the profession Chapters 00:00 Inspiration for Nutrition Profession 04:08 Early Career and First Roles 08:00 Corporate Wellness and Human Performance 12:03 Challenges and Setbacks 15:59 Career Highlights and Achievements 21:38 Career Decision and Passion 23:53 Human Performance Optimization Program 26:43 Scientific Data and Evidence 32:22 Professional Achievements and Impact 37:16 Getting Involved in Tactical Nutrition Space 42:54 Future of Nutrition Connect with Erik: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbustillo/ Connect with the host, Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-hicks-roof/ Check out the Nutrition Connection website https://www.nutritionconnection.us/

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  Episode #67

  67: Alyssa Smolen MS RDN CDN - COMMUNITY / MEDIA

  Sep 16, 202643 minS2026

  Alyssa Smolen shares her journey from aspiring artist to becoming a dietitian, blending her passion for nutrition with her love for writing and journalism. She discusses the importance of communication skills in the nutrition field and the impact of mentors on her career. Alyssa also details her diverse roles in community wellness and media dietetics, emphasizing the creative freedom and scientific evidence communication in her day-to-day work. The conversation covers the validation of food choices, the impact of recipes on children, the role of dietitians in corporate wellness, the changing perception of healthy eating, the journey of a media dietitian, and the future of nutrition. Takeaways Passion for Nutrition: Alyssa's journey from an aspiring artist to a dietitian is driven by her personal experience with an eating disorder and the inspiration she found in a dietitian who helped her. Communication and Creativity: The blend of communication skills, creativity, and scientific evidence is essential in Alyssa's diverse roles in community wellness and media dietetics. Mentorship and Impact: The impact of mentors and the importance of saying 'yes' to opportunities have been pivotal in shaping Alyssa's career and approach to her work. Validation of food choices is important Recipes can have a positive impact on children's perception of food The role of dietitians in corporate wellness is crucial The perception of healthy eating is changing Building relationships is key in the media and community wellness roles The future of nutrition may involve a focus on fiber and beans Chapters 00:00 Journey to Dietetics 03:38 Blending Communication and Nutrition 07:09 Balancing Diverse Roles 17:27 Creative Freedom and Scientific Evidence 22:56 Validation of Food Choices 23:33 Impact of Recipes on Children 24:23 Role of Dietitians in Corporate Wellness 27:09 Changing Perception of Healthy Eating 31:34 Journey of a Media Dietitian 39:31 The Future of Nutrition Connect with Alyssa Website: https://www.arugalyssa.com/ Ig: https://www.instagram.com/arugalyssa?igsh=aWdpcjIxYnpmcmdk&utm_source=qr TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arugalyssa?_t=8lC6fE8Ykpf&_r=1 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/alyssasmolen Facebook: Arugalyssa Connect with the host, Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-hicks-roof/ Check out the Nutrition Connection website https://www.nutritionconnection.us/

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  Episode #66

  66: Dr. Zach Conrad PhD, MPH - RESEARCH / FOOD SYSTEMS

  Sep 9, 202653 minS2026

  The Nutrition Connection Podcast features a discussion on the intersection of nutrition, sustainability, and economics. Dr. Zach Conrad shares insights into the impact of food on society, health, and sustainability, while Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof explores the practical implications for health professionals and policy makers. The conversation covers the impact of scientific data on policy and clinical guidelines, trade-offs in nutrition and sustainability, consumer behavior and food waste, optimizing health and sustainability through policy, mentorship and its impact on career trajectory, interdisciplinary collaboration in nutrition, and the future of nutrition with databases and computational models. Takeaways Nutrition and food systems have a broad impact on society, health, and sustainability. Research in nutrition and food systems involves interdisciplinary training and mathematical modeling. Scientific data informs policy and clinical guidelines Trade-offs exist in nutrition and sustainability Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Nutrition Connection Podcast 01:18 Inspiration for Becoming a Scientist 03:22 The Broad Impact of Nutrition 03:50 Research and Degrees in Nutrition and Food Systems 06:16 Academic Journey and Interdisciplinary Training 09:01 Academic Background and Research Experience 13:06 Trade-offs and Decision-making in Nutrition and Agriculture 14:07 Crop Varieties and Market Value 16:07 Mathematical Representations of Food Systems 20:20 Research Impact on Health Professionals and Policy 25:39 The Impact of Scientific Data on Policy and Clinical Guidelines 26:55 Trade-offs in Nutrition and Sustainability 29:16 Consumer Behavior and Food Waste 30:20 Optimizing Health and Sustainability Through Policy 32:20 Mentorship and Impact on Career Trajectory 36:18 Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Nutrition 45:56 The Future of Nutrition: Databases and Computational Models Connect with Dr. Conrad Website: ZachSConrad.com Academic: https://www.wm.edu/as/health-sciences/faculty/conrad-z.php LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachconrad1/ Connect with the host, Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-hicks-roof/ Check out the Nutrition Connection website https://www.nutritionconnection.us/

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