In this episode of 50 Tastes Of Gray, host Matthew Gray sits down with Shirley Billigmeier, an expert in energetics and intuitive eating, for a grounded and honest conversation about food, autonomy, and trust.

Set against the backdrop of Minnesota’s current socio-political tension, they explore how external chaos—politics, fractured friendships, pandemic aftershocks—bleeds into our relationship with food. Shirley shares her personal journey from joyful childhood food memories to helping others reconnect with hunger as a calm signal rather than a crisis.

Together, they unpack intuitive eating, the gut–brain connection, emotional hunger, and the radical idea that your body already knows what it needs. This episode isn’t about rules, restriction, or willpower—it’s about reclaiming choice, pleasure, and self-trust in a world that profits from confusion.

#IntuitiveEating #FoodFreedom #GutBrainConnection #50TastesOfGray #EmotionalEating

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Current Events in Minnesota

04:04 Shirley's Journey with Food and Eating

08:41 Understanding Hunger and the Gut-Brain Connection

14:46 The Simplicity of Eating and Emotional Connections

20:11 Tools for Managing Eating Habits

24:51 The Role of Intuition in Eating Choices

30:41 Cooking, Convenience, and the Kitchen Experience

35:34 The Complexity of Eating and Emotional Well-being

41:55 Success Stories and Transformations in Eating Habits

42:05 Conclusion and Resources for Listeners

Shirley's Socials:

1. Instagram: instagram.com/innergeticsmethod
2. Facebook: facebook.com/learn.innergetics
3. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shirleybilligmeier

🎧 Matthew Gray Socials

🎧 All My Shows & Episodes → LoveLife.com

📘 Get My Book → HawaiiFoodTours.com

🎧 Connect with Matthew Gray & 50 Tastes of Gray

📸 Instagram (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/50tastesofgray

🍽️ Instagram (Food Tours): https://www.instagram.com/hawaii_food_tours

📘 Facebook (Podcast): https://www.facebook.com/50TastesOfGrayPodcast

🌺 Facebook (Let’s Eat Hawaii): https://www.facebook.com/LetsEatHawaii

💼 LinkedIn (Matthew Gray): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-hawaii

✍️ Substack (50 Tastes Of Gray): https://50TastesOfGray.substack.com

In this engaging conversation, author Amanda Graham (Good Stuff To Read When You're About To Lose Your Sh*t) shares her experiences as a comedy writer and public speaker, discussing everything from culinary adventures to personal growth. The dialogue explores themes of cultural identity, the challenges of networking, and the importance of asking for help. Amanda's unique perspective on food as a comfort and connection, along with her insights on grief and resilience, make for a thought-provoking and entertaining exchange.

#AmandaGraham #comedy #food #lifelessons #culturalidentity #networking #self-help #grief #culinaryexperiences #personalgrowth

00:00 Introduction and Fun Banter 05:58 Cattle Stampede and Life Adventures 12:01 Culinary Experiences and London Life 18:04 Cultural Identity and Family Heritage 24:01 The Amanda Method and Life Lessons 30:00 Navigating Challenges and Asking for Help 35:57 Reflections on Crime and Society 42:13 Food as a Comfort and Connection 48:06 The Book and Its Purpose 53:54 Networking and Community Building 59:56 Closing Thoughts and Aloha

Amanda Graham's website: https://www.ItsAmandaGraham.com/

🎧 Matthew Gray Socials

🎧 All My Shows & Episodes → LoveLife.com

📘 Get My Book → HawaiiFoodTours.com

🎧 Connect with Matthew Gray & 50 Tastes of Gray

📸 Instagram (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/50tastesofgray

🍽️ Instagram (Food Tours): https://www.instagram.com/hawaii_food_tours

📘 Facebook (Podcast): https://www.facebook.com/50TastesOfGrayPodcast

🌺 Facebook (Let’s Eat Hawaii): https://www.facebook.com/LetsEatHawaii

💼 LinkedIn (Matthew Gray): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-hawaii

✍️ Substack (50 Tastes Of Gray): https://50TastesOfGray.substack.com

In this holiday 2025 episode of 50 Tastes Of Gray, I sit down with journalist and author Robert Sullivan for a conversation that moves easily between warmth and darkness—Christmas traditions, family food memories, literary history, and the less nostalgic realities of sports, gambling, and organized crime. It’s a festive episode with teeth. #FoodAndMemory #ChristmasPodcast #50TastesOfGray

Chapters

00:00 Christmas Cheer and Gift Giving

03:01 Culinary Traditions and Family Feasts

06:00 New England Food Culture and Personal Memories

09:41 Literary Connections: Jack Kerouac and Family History

14:42 The Beat Generation and Its Legacy

20:05 Sports Journalism and the Changing Landscape

28:42 The Impact of Gambling on Sports

41:55 Investigative Journalism: Risks and Rewards

49:54 Dinner with Legends: Personal Reflections

52:46 COVID-19: A Personal Experience

56:09 Clam Chowder Debate and New England Cuisine

01:01:49 Childhood Food Memories and Trivia

01:04:00 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Bob's Substack: That Reminds Me of a Story

https://RobertSullivanBooks.substack.com

🎧 Matthew Gray Socials

🎧 All My Shows & Episodes → LoveLife.com

📘 Get My Book → HawaiiFoodTours.com

🎧 Connect with Matthew Gray & 50 Tastes of Gray

📸 Instagram (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/50tastesofgray

🍽️ Instagram (Food Tours): https://www.instagram.com/hawaii_food_tours

📘 Facebook (Podcast): https://www.facebook.com/50TastesOfGrayPodcast

🌺 Facebook (Let’s Eat Hawaii): https://www.facebook.com/LetsEatHawaii

💼 LinkedIn (Matthew Gray): https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-hawaii

✍️ Substack (50 Tastes Of Gray): https://50TastesOfGray.substack.com