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

Step into the chaotic, delicious, hilarious, and heartfelt world of the kitchen with chef and author Cole Crocker. In this episode of 50 Tastes Of Gray, Cole discusses his new book "Commi Kitchen", a witty exploration of shared kitchen dynamics, colorful characters, and the humor that keeps chefs going.

From his early culinary inspirations to managing restaurants, Cole shares how personal tragedy shaped his career, why teamwork is essential, and how discomfort fuels growth. He also weighs in on tipping culture, the emotional realities of kitchen life, and the impact of shows like The Bear on the culinary profession.

👉 Whether you’re a foodie, aspiring chef, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of restaurant life, this conversation blends humor, wisdom, and heart. Don’t miss it!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Cole Crocker and Commi Kitchen

02:47 Cole's Culinary Journey and Background

06:01 Transitioning to Restaurant Management

09:08 The Chaos of Commi Kitchen

12:01 The Impact of Personal Tragedy on Culinary Career

15:07 Writing Commi Kitchen: A Blend of Truth and Fiction

17:53 The Humor and Heart of the Kitchen

21:03 Tipping and Team Dynamics in Restaurants

24:02 The Bear: A Chef's Perspective

27:10 The Spiritual Journey of Cooking

29:59 Conclusion and Where to Find Commi Kitchen

Chef Cole Crocker Contact Info:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Commi-Kitchen-Book/61576136947118/

https://www.instagram.com/commikitchenbook/

https://www.commikitchen.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 engaging conversation, Rick Lewis shares his unique journey through life, touching on themes of storytelling, performance, and personal growth. He discusses how these experiences shaped his career as a performer and speaker. Rick reveals his innovative corporate performance as a waiter, the importance of connection through storytelling, and his recent struggles with panic attacks. He also introduces his writing community, Write Hearted, emphasizing the significance of authenticity in writing and the power of shared experiences. The conversation concludes with insights into Rick's future plans and his heartfelt connection to his work.

#​performance #storytelling #socialanxiety

Chapters

00:00 Sunny Days and Seasonal Affective Disorder

02:53 Life on the Move: A Journey Through 36 Homes

05:49 The Art of Storytelling: From Performer to Speaker

09:06 The Waiter Routine: A Unique Corporate Performance

11:46 The Reveal: Transforming Perception Through Story

14:50 The Power of Connection: Storytelling in Keynotes

17:56 Panic Attacks and Personal Growth

20:54 Right Hearted: Building a Writing Community

23:55 The Importance of Authenticity in Writing

26:50 Future Plans and Entrepreneurial Spirit

29:59 The Unbranded Self: A Unique Book Experience

32:47 Connection Through Humor and Heartfelt Words

35:53 Final Thoughts

Where to Find Rick http://www.ricklewis.co/

https://www.writehearted.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 Is God a Boy or a Girl? Gina Barreca Explains, Gina Barreca joins Matthew Gray for a witty, thought‑provoking conversation about love, food, and humor. From debating the gender of The Supreme Being to her love of mashed potatoes, why slurping is a deal‑breaker, and why leftovers are life’s sweetest reward, Gina blends sharp comedy with heartfelt wisdom. She also reflects on being “funny for a woman,” the quirks of aging, and how relationships endure when built on respect, friendship, and laughter.

#IsGodABoyOrAGirl #ginabarrecaexplains #50tastesofgray #feministhumor #relationshipwisdom

Gina Barreca Social Media

Instagram: @gina.barreca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gina.barreca.144048

🎧 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

Deborah Mallow, author of Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, joins Matthew Gray to share her inspiring journey from classic overachiever to finding true balance and happiness. In this conversation, Deborah explains how small acts—like smiling in the mirror—can spark big changes, and why decision‑making is the foundation of living with joy. She also introduces her Positive Energy Club, a community built on choosing positivity every day.

Listeners will discover practical steps to reduce burnout, embrace resilience, and transform daily routines into sources of confidence and motivation. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or simply fewer days that suck, Deborah’s wisdom offers a guide to lasting change.

#SixStepsToFewerDaysThatSuck #PositiveEnergyClub #50tastesofgray

🌐 Connect with Deborah Mallow

📸 Instagram → @daily.decisions

🌐 Website → TheDailyDecisions.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedailydecisionswithdeborahmallow

🎧 Connect with Matthew Gray & 50 Tastes of Gray

🎧 Subscribe for more bold conversations and cinematic storytelling from 50 Tastes Of Gray and Matthew Gray 🎧 All My Shows & Episodes → LoveLife.com

📘 Get My Book → HawaiiFoodTours.com

📲 Facebook: • 50 Tastes of Gray • Hawaii Food Tours * Matthew Gray

📸 Instagram → @50tastesofgray

Cartoonist Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell joins Matthew Gray on 50 Tastes Of Gray to plot The Perfect Murder: Death By Cheese — A Culinary Conspiracy.

From Gruyere as a deadly weapon to finger foods at a wellness retreat, this satirical episode dives into the absurd intersection of culinary delight and criminal intent. Expect dark comedy, Trader Joe’s conspiracies, and improvised twists that turn everyday food into a crime scene. If you’ve ever feared a charcuterie board or questioned the motives behind a cheese sample, this one’s for you.

🎧 Subscribe to 50 Tastes of Gray for more absurd culinary crimes, satirical storytelling, and cartoonist confessions. ​

#DeathByCheese #50TastesOfGray #HilaryFitzgeraldCampbell #CulinaryConspiracy #DarkComedyPodcast