Know Better Do Better ~ Food Secure Nation

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Oct 2026

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Hosted by award-winning radio show talent and Know Better Do Better founders Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, Food Secure Nation is the conversation shaping the future of food security in America. Discover insights from community voices and national leaders as we shed light on real solutions for meaningful progress toward food security. Each episode spans discussions, interviews, exercises, resources, and takeaways, resulting in collective and actionable knowledge. We’re building a clarity engine that helps thousands of people know better so they can do better. Catch new episodes on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on WJR Detroit, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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36 recent

October 25, 202642 min

Impatience Is a Virtue: Dennis McDonough on Hunger, Strategy, and Building Tomorrow Today

Oct. 24, 2026 ~ Food Secure Nation returns with a powerful conversation with Dennis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America. Hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson explore the organization’s bold 2030 vision: an America where no one is hungry. Dennis explains why leaders must be impatient on behalf of families facing hunger. The conversation covers the national food bank network, farmer partnerships, data-driven progress, and the urgent need to keep neighbors at the center of every solution. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 17, 202642 min

Michael Flood and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Oct. 17, 2026 ~ In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk with Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Michael Flood shares his journey from soccer and newspaper work to leading one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 11, 202642 min

Trading Camo for Cans: How One Army Vet Kept His Mission Alive

October 10, 2026 ~ Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson explore veteran service and food security on Food Secure Nation. They discuss Clarence’s community contributions and interview retired Army Colonel Nate Springer about transitioning military leadership to food banking, organizational decentralization, and feeding families in Southern Colorado. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 11, 202633 min

Military Service in the Food Industry

Jerry Brisson and Dr. Phil Knight introduce Clarence and Nate Springer to highlight how military service instills a lasting commitment to helping others. When individuals take off the uniform, their dedication to a mission often shifts into local community leadership, such as volunteering at food banks or mentoring young people. Research shared by Vira supports this by showing that veterans volunteer at high rates and contribute substantially more annual hours than non-veterans, bringing valuable teamwork and adaptability to civilian life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 4, 202642 min

Colleen Heflin and Madonna Harrington-Meyer Dive Into Senior Food Insecurity

Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson introduce a broader view of hunger among older populations by challenging traditional assumptions about food access. When Colleen Heflin and Madonna Harrington-Meyer discuss their book, they reveal that food scarcity is frequently the result of difficult budget trade-offs caused by high housing and utility expenses. Because older adults prioritize keeping a roof over their heads, food often becomes the most expendable budget item. Furthermore, Madonna Harrington-Meyer shares qualitative interviews showing that seniors routinely skip meals or sacrifice nutrition to pay bills or support family members, proving that food insecurity is a deeply social issue rather than just a private struggle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 27, 202642 min

Lori Dijkstra Joins Gerry Brisson and Dr. Phil Knight

Dr. Phil Knight and Lori Dijkstra discuss the complex social dynamics of food insecurity within tight-knit rural environments. Living in a small community means individuals often know the volunteers distributing assistance personally, creating a barrier of vulnerability and reluctance to ask for help. Lori Dijkstra shares personal reflections from growing up receiving assistance, illustrating the lingering shame associated with visible poverty markers like colored cards. This background informs her leadership approach at Feeding South Dakota, where she aims to remove judgment and ensure community members feel respected. Jerry Brasson adds perspective by noting that local gossip and town reputation heavily influence a person’s willingness to seek support, making compassionate local outreach essential for bridging the gap between need and provision. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 19, 202642 min

Dennis McDonough's Path to Choosing Service and Food Security

Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson welcome Feeding America CEO Dennis McDonough to “Food Secure Nation.” Dennis McDonough shares his journey from a large Minnesota family to leading national government agencies and now fighting food insecurity. Discover how his background in service shapes his dedication to the mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 6, 202642 min

Gerry Brisson and Dr. Phil Knight Speak with Rebecca Freeman-Adcock

Rebecca Freeman-Adcock highlights that the federal government historically views food security through the lenses of national and economic stability. Because individuals facing food insecurity often face a singular, consuming problem regarding their next meal, Rebecca Freeman-Adcock advocates for aligning these high-level security conversations with the immediate needs of vulnerable populations. The discussion reveals that while policymakers often desire to help, they are frequently constrained by regulatory and budgetary realities. Effective advocacy requires practitioners to present solutions that are not only conceptually sound but also operationally feasible within the current administrative framework Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 30, 202642 min

Speaking with Food Research and Action Center's New President

Aug. 30, 2026 ~ Hosts Phillip Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Crystal Fitz-Simons, who recently became the president for the Food Research and Action Center, FRAC, an organization that has spent more than 50 years shaping America's response to hunger. She isn't starting a new story, but she is writing the next chapter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 16, 202642 min

Building Food Security in Appalachia

Aug. 16, 2026 ~ Hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Cynthia Kirkhart to discuss her leadership at Facing Hunger Food Bank and her commitment to supporting families in Appalachia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.