Thrive Bites

What does healing look like when your identity straddles cultures? How do we address mental health in a community taught to stay silent? What if redefining wellness means confronting intergenerational wounds—together?

In this episode, we sit down with Soo Jin Lee and Linda Yoon—two powerhouse mental health advocates, co-authors of Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity, and co-founders of  @yellowchai...

Can a vegan lifestyle create generational health?

🌱 In this powerful episode of the Thrive Bites Podcast, Dr. Colin Zhu sits down with Chef Nekia Hattley—plant-based foodie, chef, and founder of My Daddy’s Recipes—to explore how a shift to vegan living transformed not just her health, but her purpose and mission.

Chef Nekia opens up about her journey, her love for soulful, plant-based comfort food, and how she’s using food to em...

What does healing look like when men are finally allowed to speak?

In this powerful episode, we bring together four incredible voices—Leo Xia, Michael Huynh, Jackson Xia, and Noel Garcia, who are each reshaping the conversation around men’s mental health, identity, and healing within Asian and Asian American communities.

Through stories of pain, resilience, and community, this episode sheds light on how mental health challenges h...

What if your gym felt more like a community than cold, standalone machines? In this episode, I sit down with Coach Josh Graves, founder of Fitness on Fire, to unpack what it takes to build a fitness business that lasts—and why community might be the most important muscle you build.

We talk about how Josh and his wife Haydee took a leap of faith in 2015, opening a gym not just for physical activity and exercise, but for connection,...

Could rethinking your food storage change your health and the planet? In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Grieg, Co-Owner and Co-Operator of Ambrosia, and Grae Maisenbacher from the marketing team, to dive into how a simple family tradition turned into a powerful movement for sustainability, reducing food waste, and reimagining everyday choices.

Jordan shares the story of how her mother, Jan, sparked the original idea behind Am...

Looking for a cleaner, more sustainable source of omegas that doesn’t come from fish? 🐟🚫

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Matheson shares a powerful plant-based alternative that could change the game for your brain, heart, and overall health.

Dr. Jeff Matheson is the Founder and Medical Director of Pure Life Science and the Medical Director of The Headache, Migraine & Pain Treatment Centre. With over 30 years of medical experience s...

Now, in Part 2, we’re taking it a step further—diving into practical ways to make plant-based eating sustainable, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone!

Chef Caryn Dugan and Dr. Jim Loomis return to share more insights, debunk myths, and demonstrate how simple, delicious meals can fuel your body and prevent disease. Whether you're just starting your plant-based journey or looking for new inspiration, this episode is packed with va...

Can food truly be medicine? What if science and cooking came together to make plant-based eating both powerful and practical? In this episode, we explore the science behind plant-based nutrition and how to bring it to life in your kitchen with Chef Caryn Dugan and Dr. Jim Loomis.

Chef Caryn Dugan is the founder of the Center for Plant-Based Living, the nation’s first plant-based culinary education center. After facing personal heal...

Yes, even busy families can go plant-based! 🌱✨ Think you’re too busy to eat plant-based? Think again!

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Yolanda Rivera-Caudill and Chelsea Dye to talk about making plant-based living simple, fun, and doable for busy families. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or just looking to eat more plants, this episode is packed with practical tips and real-life strategies to help you succeed!

Dr. Yolanda ...

Did you know that gut health plays a major role in your overall well-being, from your immune system to brain function? Many health issues stem from an unhealthy gut, yet this crucial connection is often overlooked.

In this episode, we dive deep into gut health with Dr. Christine Bishara, an integrative Gastroenterologist doctor specializing in healing from within by optimizing gut health. She’s a pioneer in gut research and even p...

Welcome to Part 2 of Staying Active as You Age!

In this episode, wellness expert Angela Fischetti  @boomerandbeyondwellness  takes us through a series of workout demos for seniors.

Angela's expert-led exercises will help you maintain strength, mobility, and flexibility as you age so that you can stay active and independent for longer.

Whether new to working out or just looking to improve your routine, these gentle yet effective exe...

Did you know that after age 30, we start losing muscle mass every year? But here’s the good news—you can do something about it! Staying active is one of the best ways to keep your strength, energy, and independence as you age.

In this episode, I’m joined by Angela Fischetti, a wellness expert who’s passionate about helping seniors stay fit, mobile, and full of life. Angela Fischetti is a virtual physical fitness and yoga instructor...

What if the key to transforming your health was not in a prescription, but in the food you eat? In this powerful episode, Dr. Melanie Cano, a Panamanian physician and expert in plant-based nutrition, reveals how embracing a plant-powered lifestyle can be a game changer for your health.

Dr. Melanie shares her experience growing up in Panama and how the country views health and wellness. She talks about her medical training and how i...

Sure, there’s no magic food that’ll instantly help with weight loss, but did you know certain foods can make a real difference when added to a more balanced diet? What if some simple changes could help you reach your goals faster?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Neal Barnard, MD, FACC, a true leader in plant-based nutrition and preventive medicine. Dr. Barnard is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at George Washington University...

Can fasting really save your life? Could it be the key to healing chronic illnesses, and restoring optimal health? But, how does water-only fasting work, and is it right for you?

These are just a few of the questions we’ll explore in this episode. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alan Goldhamer, a world-renowned expert on medically supervised water-only fasting, to discuss the power of fasting and its potential to transform liv...

Have you ever struggled with losing weight and keeping it off? Do you feel like you’ve tried everything, only to see the weight come back again? What if the answer wasn’t just about dieting, but about making a lasting lifestyle change?

In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the powerful story of Chuck Carroll, also known as “The Weight Loss Champion,” who lost an astonishing 280 pounds and transformed his life. Widely known a...

Ever wondered if going plant-based could fuel an Olympic dream?

In this episode, I sit down with Olympic silver medalist cyclist 🚴‍♀️ and Executive Director and Founder of  @Switch4Good , Dotsie Bausch, to uncover how she defied the odds by embracing a plant-based diet.

Dotsie Bausch lives by the Switch4Good motto—Live better. Do more. Dairy-free—and is on a mission to educate and empower others to do the same. She speaks passiona...

What’s next for the Farm Bill, and how could it change how we think about food and farming?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN, we delve deeper into the recent changes made in the Farm Bill and what they mean for the future.

Christina discusses the potential expiration of current programs and the possible introduction of new laws that could significantly impact our food system.

Beyond policy, Chri...

Curious about how the Farm Bill affects what's on your plate and your health? Ever wondered why it’s so challenging to understand or how it impacts our food system? In this episode, we dive into these questions and more with a very special guest of mine.

Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN, is a healthcare consultant dedicated to advancing nutrition in healthcare and sustainable food production. With a rich consulting, writing, and ...