In this episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, Martina Halloran sits down with Erin Hysom, Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst at the Food Research and Action Center, to explore why free school meals are not just a policy choice, but a reflection of our shared values.

Together, they discuss how access to nutritious meals at school supports children’s dignity, advances equity, and strengthens communities. Erin shares insights into the current landscape of child nutrition policy, the impact of universal school meals, and what is at stake when food access is treated as conditional rather than essential.

This conversation invites listeners to rethink school meals as an act of collective care, one that recognizes children as whole people deserving of nourishment, stability, and opportunity. It is a powerful reminder that when we gather around care, we help create systems that allow all children to thrive.

Perfect for listeners interested in food justice, education, and the ways policy can shape a more caring and equitable future.

To learn more about The Giving Garden and Food Research and Action Center, visit us at Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In our January episode, we welcome Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Science Director of The Big Joy Project, for a deeply grounding conversation on joy as a daily practice and a collective responsibility.

Together, we explore what joy truly means beyond fleeting happiness, how it is cultivated through small intentional actions, and why joy is essential not only for personal well-being but for resilient communities. Drawing from decades of research and real-world impact, Dr. Emiliana shares how The Big Joy Project invites people across the globe to reconnect with wonder, gratitude, and human connection, even in times of uncertainty.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, to notice what nourishes you, and to remember that joy is not something we wait for, it is something we practice and share. Rooted in science, compassion, and lived experience, this conversation reminds us that when joy is nurtured collectively, it becomes a powerful force for healing, generosity, and lasting care.

Perfect for a reflective start to the year, this episode offers gentle wisdom, practical insights, and a hopeful reminder that joy is both deeply personal and profoundly communal.

To learn more about The Giving Garden and The Big Joy Project, visit us at Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In this month’s episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, Martina sits down with two remarkable voices from Project Bread’s Council of Experts, Paula Tobon and Giovanny Zuniga. Both once faced food insecurity, and both now use their lived experience to guide powerful, community centered solutions that help others not only access nourishment but reclaim dignity and possibility.

Their stories remind us that food insecurity is not a personal failure, it is a systemic issue, and change becomes possible when those who have walked the path lead the conversation. Paula and Giovanny share what helped them move from surviving to thriving, how they use their experiences to shape Project Bread’s programs, and what each of us can do to support families across the country who are still struggling.

This episode is an invitation to listen with an open heart and to imagine a future where care, community, and lived experience guide the way forward.

Tune in, gather for good, and be inspired by the strength and hope that grow when we center real stories and real voices.

November invites us to pause and reflect on the ways we care for one another. In this heartfelt episode, host Martina Halloran shares the personal story that planted the earliest seeds of The Giving Garden®. From the significance of free lunch programs, to leading a community rooted in care today, Martina explores how small, intentional acts can nourish both body and spirit.

Listeners will hear the real impact of food insecurity in the United States today, and how The Giving Garden® is helping support access to nutritious food through partners across the country. This episode honors the idea that when we gather for good, our care becomes a catalyst for change, connection, and dignity.

Tune in to reflect on gratitude, community, and the power we each hold to help ensure that every table is a place of nourishment and belonging.

Together, we can grow a world where everyone has what they need to thrive.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush. In this episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, we turn to the Brujas of Brooklyn, Dr. Griselda Rodriguez-Solomon and Dr. Miguelina Rodriguez, for grounding wisdom that reminds us joy itself can be a radical act of resistance.

Known for their powerful work in ancestral healing, spirituality, and community wellness, the Brujas share practices that help us root ourselves in the present, care for our emotional landscapes, and reclaim joy even in the face of seasonal stress and societal pressures. Through daily rituals and collective care, they invite us to embrace joy not as an afterthought, but as a source of strength and a way to resist the forces that pull us away from ourselves.

Whether you’re preparing for busy gatherings, navigating emotional transitions, or simply seeking more intentional moments in your day, this conversation offers tools to ground, nurture, and celebrate your spirit.

Tune in and discover how grounding and joy can become powerful practices for thriving during the season ahead.

To learn more about The Giving Garden, visit Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In this episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, host Martina Halloran sits down with Anne Mernin, Executive Director of Toni’s Kitchen, a Montclair, NJ food ministry that has transformed into a powerful community hub for hunger relief and wellness.

Anne shares how her team serves over 2 million meals a year while connecting neighbors to health care, legal support, and resources that foster independence.

From the dignity of restaurant-style service to innovative programs like mobile markets and food truck outreach, Anne’s story is a testament to the ripple effects of giving and the power of community partnerships.

Listen now and be inspired to grow community through small acts of giving with dignity.

To learn more about The Giving Garden, visit Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In this powerful episode of The Giving Garden Podcast, we sit down with Sara Cardona Kay, a renowned art dealer, activist, and founder of POWarts [Professional Organization for Women in the Arts]. With more than 25 years of experience across museums, auction houses, and her own gallery, Sara has spent her career advocating for equity, creativity, and the transformative power of women in the visual arts.

We explore what it means to build a collective that not only uplifts women but mobilizes them. Sara shares how POWarts was born out of a need for connection, mentorship, and advocacy; and how it has since grown into a thriving network of changemakers redefining leadership in the arts.

This conversation is a call to action for anyone who believes in the power of creative community. It reminds us that when women come together with purpose and passion, they don’t just shift conversations - they shape culture.

Tune in to hear how Sara’s journey is planting seeds of change, and how we can all take part in cultivating a more inclusive, inspired world.

To learn more about The Giving Garde, visit Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka

In this special midyear episode, host Martina Halloran reflects on the powerful conversations shared over the past five months. From food justice and maternal health to equity in the trades and work that’s worth it, each guest has illuminated what giving looks like in real life. Together, they’ve revealed a deeper truth - giving is not just an action, it’s a way of being.

Join us as we revisit moments of honesty, vulnerability, and courage from thought leaders and organizations like Michael Altfest from The Alameda County Community Food Bank, Demi Knight Clark from Osprey, Erin McAleer, from Project Bread, Lisa Price from Love Delivered, and Georgi Enthoven from Work That’s Worth It.

This episode is both a thank you and a call to reflect on the kind of impact we each want to make. Because when we give from a place of purpose, we grow something greater than ourselves. We grow community.

To learn more about The Giving Garden, visit Loyalty Program | Dr. Hauschka