Join me as I sit down with world-renowned experts to explore the truth about food, health, and how to nourish ourselves and our families—one conversation at a time.
#14: Breaking Restaurant Habits: A Chef’s Blueprint for Change
In this episode of Nourished with Nora, Nora sits down with Chef Johanna Hellrigl—mom, restaurateur, and visionary behind Alma, one of the most sustainable restaurants in the country. Recently featured in The New York Times and celebrated for her leadership in rethinking restaurant culture, Johanna is proving that food, health, and planetary wellbeing are deeply interconnected.
Together, Nora and Johanna explore:
The principles that guide Alma’s mission-driven approach
How sustainability and health go hand-in-hand for both guests and restaurant teams
Why “question everything” has become a core philosophy for shifting food systems
The hidden health risks of plastics and what it takes to change restaurant norms
The power of primary foods—community, relationships, joy—alongside what’s on the plate
The balancing act of being a chef, entrepreneur, and mom while pushing for systemic change
Johanna also shares her passion project with Dr. Manasa Mantravadi: designing stainless steel containers to replace ubiquitous plastic deli containers—bringing real solutions from restaurants into homes and schools.
Learn more about Alma: amarestaurant.bar
Follow Johanna: @chefjohannaherrigel on Instagram
21 Aug 2025
#13: Clean Water, Healthy Families: Rorra Founders on Filtration, Wellness, and the Future of Water
On this episode of Nourished with Nora, I’m joined by Brian Keller and Charlie Carlisle, the co-founders of Rorra, the award-winning water filtration company that’s transforming how families think about water. From stainless steel countertop systems to filtered shower heads, Rorra is helping people drink and bathe in water that’s cleaner, safer, and healthier—without the plastics or compromises of traditional filters.
We discuss:
- The personal stories that inspired Rorra—from Brian’s daughter’s eczema journey to Charlie’s experience with Denver’s lead water crisis.
- Why water quality is as foundational to health as sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
- The risks of aging water infrastructure and hidden contaminants like PFAS and microplastics.
- How Rorra’s design preserves minerals for taste and health while filtering out what’s harmful.
- Stories from families and athletes already experiencing the benefits of Rorra water.
- What’s next for Rorra, from new product launches to their long-term vision for public health impact.
As a mom and wellness advocate, I’ve tried countless filters—Rorra is the one I trust.
👉 Learn more or try Rorra here: rorra.com/nora (https://rorra.com/nora)
7 Aug 2025
#12: Plastic-Free Plates: Dr. Manasa Mantravadi’s Vision for Healthier Kids
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a pediatrician, CEO, mom of three, and the founder of Ahimsa—an award-winning company making stainless steel dishware for kids. But more than that, she’s on a mission to reform public health, starting with what’s on our plates.
In this episode, we dive into:
Why the American Academy of Pediatrics warned against plastics
How plastic exposure affects hormones, puberty, and long-term health
What “culinary medicine” really means—and why it’s the future of healthcare
The simple changes families can make to reduce plastic exposure
How Ahimsa is changing what kids eat from at home and in schools
Why school lunch reform = healthcare reform
This is a hopeful, empowering conversation about how we can take small steps in our homes—and big ones in our systems—to raise healthier, happier kids.
Resources & Links:
Dr. Manasa’s company: Ahimsa
Conscious Cafeteria Program: ahimsaschools.com
Follow @ahimsahomeusa on Instagram
Join the school lunch revolution: eatreal.org/parents
Find Nora on Instagram: @nourishedwithnora (https://www.instagram.com/nourishedwithnora)
31 Jul 2025
#11: The Hidden Cost of Plastic: What You Need to Know with Dr. Leo Trasande
Guest:
Dr. Leonardo Trasande, Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at NYU, leading researcher on the health effects of environmental exposures.
Topics Covered:
What plastics are really made of—and how they get into our bodies
The 16,000 chemicals in plastic (and how little we know about them)
Why children are especially vulnerable
Diseases linked to plastic exposure: from hormone disruption to heart disease
Why only 9% of plastic is recycled
The connection between plastic and economic loss ($250B/year in the U.S.)
Which types of plastics to avoid: the worst offenders
Practical tips for reducing plastic exposure
How quickly the body can bounce back
The power we have as consumers to drive change
How to advocate for smarter plastic policy
Brought to you by Rorra
Clean, safe, and beautifully designed water filtration.
👉 Get 10% off at https://rorra.com/nora
Resources Mentioned:
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Studies on phthalates, PFAS, and micro/nanoplastics
UN Global Plastics Treaty discussions
Safe Drinking Water Act
Take Action:
Swap plastic for stainless steel, glass, or wood in the kitchen
Don’t microwave plastic—even if labeled “microwave safe”
Use water filtration where appropriate
Avoid receipts, black plastics, and synthetic fabrics directly on skin
Advocate for plastic regulation at state and national levels
24 Jul 2025
#10: Chef Andrew Zimmern on Sobriety, School Food, and the Joy of Cooking
In this heart-expanding episode of Nourished with Nora, chef, TV host, and humanitarian Andrew Zimmern opens up about the personal and political power of food. From childhood hunger to mental health to wild game and open-fire cooking, Nora and Andrew dive deep into what it really means to nourish ourselves and our communities.
They talk about:
- Why school meals are one of the most important public health issues of our time
- Andrew’s journey through addiction, recovery, and finding purpose
- The power of friendship, real food, and asking for help
- Easy ways to get kids confident in the kitchen
- His go-to summer meals, bean obsession, and upcoming Blue Food Cookbook
Whether you're a parent, foodie, educator, or just looking for inspiration, this episode will leave you fired up and full of hope.
Nourished with Nora is brought to you by Rorra, the water filtration company bringing cleaner, safer water to families everywhere. Visit rorra.com/nora to get 10% off your countertop system or filtered showerhead today.
19 Jun 2025
#9: Playing Big, Failing Boldly, and Listening Deeply with Meija Jacobs
Creative leadership coach Meija Jacobs discusses playing big, embracing failure, and leading with intuition in an interview with Nora, offering actionable insights on personal and professional growth.
12 Jun 2025
Primal Kitchen’s Morgan Zanotti: Scrappy Startups, Motherhood & Clean Eating
Primal Kitchen's CEO Morgan Zanotti discusses building a real-food brand, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and creating a mission-driven company culture in an interview with Nora, CEO of Eat Real.
5 Jun 2025
#7: What Heart Surgery Taught Dr. Eric Weiss About Living Fully | Nourished with Nora
Host Nora LaTorre interviews Dr. Eric Weiss, a heart surgeon and mindset coach, about how his experiences in the operating room inform his perspectives on purpose, resilience, and truly living.
29 May 2025
#6: Unlocking Personal Health with Dr. Deepti Agarwal
Integrative doctor Dr. Deepti Agarwal outlines her five D approach to designing personal health, emphasizing daily movement and weekly planning rituals, in an interview with host Nora.
22 May 2025
#5: How to Raise Healthy Kids in a Screen-Saturated World | Dr. Michael Rich
Description:
What happens to a child’s brain when they stare at a screen? Why do screens feel irresistible? And how can parents help their kids—and themselves—build healthier digital habits?
In this powerful conversation, Nora LaTorre sits down with Dr. Michael Rich, pediatrician, Harvard professor, and founder of the Digital Wellness Lab, to explore how media impacts child development, mental health, and family life.
You’ll learn:
- Why screens trigger a survival response in the brain
- How to rethink “screen time” with 5 simple M’s
- What healthy digital mentorship looks like
- The surprising science behind sleep and growth
- Why boredom is a superpower
- The truth about kids, media addiction, and how to reclaim joy
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just a human with a screen, this episode is a must-listen. Please share it with one friend this week who needs to hear it.
📚 Learn more about Dr. Rich’s work: Digital Wellness Lab (https://digitalwellnesslab.org)
🎙 Subscribe for more expert conversations to help you nourish your future today.
Tags:
#digitalwellness #parentingtips #kidsandtech #mentalhealth #screenfree #familylife #childdevelopment #nourishedwithnora #michaelrich
15 May 2025
#4: The Food Industry’s Addiction Playbook
What if ultra-processed foods are the new tobacco?
This week on Nourished with Nora, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Gearhardt—one of the top 2% of scientists in the world and the creator of the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Her research reveals something alarming: ultra-processed foods don’t just resemble addictive substances—they are addictive, especially for kids.
In this episode, Dr. Gearhardt breaks down:
Why ultra-processed foods hijack our brains like cigarettes
How food giants used tobacco industry playbooks to target children
The surprising truth about how quickly real food can improve mental health
What parents and policymakers can do now to protect the next generation
You’ll walk away with a new lens on what’s in your grocery cart—and what we can all do to shift the system.
Please make time to hear what she has to say—and share this episode with one friend.
Listen now and subscribe for more conversations about real food, real change, and a healthier future.
8 May 2025
#3: Cold Plunges, Hot Saunas & Calm Toughness: A Conversation with Ryan Dewey of Plunge
In this energizing episode of Nourished with Nora, host Nora LaTorre sits down with Ryan Dewey, CEO and co-founder of Plunge, to talk about the health trend that’s sweeping the country—cold plunging—and why it’s more than just a wellness fad.
Ryan shares the story behind launching Plunge, how cold exposure transformed his daily routine, and why he believes plunging helps build what he calls “calm toughness.” The conversation spans from plunging for mental clarity and immune strength to the rising movement of “social saunas” as a new form of connection and community.
Nora and Ryan also explore how Plunge’s mission-driven culture sets it apart. Ryan gives a behind-the-scenes look at his leadership style, the company’s core values, and how giving back—like their early support of Eat Real—has been foundational to their success.
Plus:
- Plunge tips for beginners (including the surprising power of the head dunk)
- Why Ryan prefers high-heat saunas—and designed one you can bike in
- The role of wearables and personalized data in the future of wellness
- What it means to lead with curiosity (and why he always starts with a question)
- The story behind Plunge's marathon team challenge (spoiler: someone's running whether they like it or not)
Whether you’re a seasoned plunger, a sauna newbie, or just curious how wellness and leadership intersect, this episode will leave you fired up and maybe a little chillier (in the best way).
Mentioned in this episode:
The Plunge
Eat Real www.eatreal.org
🎙️ This is episode 3 of Nourished with Nora — don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
1 May 2025
#2: Hidden Sugars, Hidden Risks: Dr. Michael Goran on Formula, Food, and Kids' Health
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Michael Goran, author of Sugarproof and leading nutrition researcher, joins Nora to unpack how ultra-processed foods—especially added sugars—are quietly driving serious health issues in children. From the hidden dangers of baby formula made with corn syrup to the link between sugary drinks and cognitive decline, this conversation is packed with insights every parent deserves to hear.
Listen now and learn how to sugar-proof your home, your school, and your family’s future.
24 Apr 2025
#1: The Power of Real Food
In this premiere episode of Nourished with Nora, host Nora LaTorre sits down with Dr. Robert Lustig—a pediatric neuroendocrinologist, bestselling author, and leading voice in nutrition science. Together, they explore how sugar and ultra-processed foods are fueling a public health crisis, especially in children.
Dr. Lustig breaks down:
- How to recognize the 262 different names for sugar!
- Why sugar is more than just "empty calories"—it's a toxin
- How fructose disrupts metabolism, brain development, and gut health
The truth about juice, fiber, and so-called healthy snacks
- Why most grocery store items are loaded with hidden sugars
- The science behind his landmark UCSF study showing how just 10 days without added sugar can transform kids’ health
- How to recognize and avoid added or “free” sugars
- Simple ways families and individuals can make meaningful change
- This conversation is packed with actionable insights and hard-hitting truths for anyone who wants to better understand what’s really in our food—and what we can do about it.
Resources mentioned:
- https://robertlustig.com/
- UCSF's 10-Day No Sugar Study
- https://eatreal.org/
Subscribe for more expert-led conversations about food, health, and raising thriving families.
22 Apr 2025
Coming Soon: Nourished with Nora
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Meija Jacobs
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Dr Eric Weiss
Dr Deepti Agarwal
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