Food First: Recent Episodes
Cumulus Media Detroit
Join Dr. Phil Knight for “Food First,” presented by the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Farm Bureau Insurance. Each edition features innovative leaders from across our community for a sharing of ideas and solutions that can help us end food insecurity. Dr. Knight is a tireless advocate who believes that Michigan – the nation’s second most diverse agricultural state – is well poised to prove that hunger is not better, not stronger, not smarter, and not beyond us to solve.
Aug. 9, 2026 ~ Phillip Knight discusses the importance of viewing food insecurity through the lens of person-in-environment theory, which identifies systemic failures rather than just personal shortcomings. By shifting focus from individual choices to environmental factors like transportation, education, and economic policy, they argue that we can develop more effective and lasting solutions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Aug. 2, 2026 ~ Dr. Philip Knight and Gerry Brisson discuss the importance of addressing food insecurity with dignity, particularly in small communities where the stigma of needing help is amplified by social familiarity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
July 26, 2026 ~ Rebecca Freeman Adcock, the new chief government relations officer for Feeding America, about the importance of bridging the gap between national food policy and the lived experiences of those facing hunger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
July 19, 2026 ~ Dr. Dawn Opal is honored for her six and a half years at the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The group reflects on how their shared commitment to influence, insight, innovation, and integrity allowed them to navigate crises and improve food security for many. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
July 12, 2026 ~ The hosts discuss the need to evolve the conversation around food security from a focus on simple output metrics to a more comprehensive six-dimensional framework that prioritizes human outcomes. By refining how organizations measure their work, they argue that leaders can better align their strategies with the actual needs and agency of the people they serve. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
June 14, 2026 ~ Kurt Reiber, the retiring CEO of Freestore Foodbank, joins the show to discuss his transition from successful careers in banking and law, to nonprofit leadership. Dr. Phil Knight shares insights on leading a food bank, including innovative fundraising like the rubber duck regatta and shifting focus from solely feeding to “ending the line” work through workforce training and supportive services. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
May 31, 2026 ~ Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio Region President Mike Land discusses his company's commitment to community involvement and making people’s lives better. Triada Stampas, CEO of Fulfill Food Bank in New Jersey, also joins the show to talk about her journey into food banking and her focus on policy to achieve food security. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
May 17, 2026 ~ Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson discuss the qualities of great leaders, emphasizing continuous learning, curiosity, humility, and the ability to listen. Trisha Cunningham, CEO of North Texas Food Bank, shares her journey from the corporate world to nonprofit leadership, highlighting the importance of investing in people and leveraging technology to address food insecurity. Mike Lan, regional president for Huntington Bank, discusses his organization’s commitment to community development and making people’s lives better. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
May 10, 2026 ~ Dr. Philip Knight and Gerry Brisson about how Know Better Do Better and Huntington Bank work together to address food insecurity through six dimensions for scalable solutions and community progress. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
April 4, 2026 ~ Brian McGrain to discuss the importance of inter-organizational collaboration in addressing food insecurity, explaining the 60-year history of Community Action Agencies, emphasizing their role in local community development, from addressing homelessness to providing early childhood programs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
April 26, 2026 ~ Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, to discuss his leadership and the organization’s work. He shares his journey into food banking and the impactful merger of two food banks into one unified entity serving the entire state of Connecticut. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
April 19, 2026 ~ Leadership isn’t about getting it right—it’s how you show up when it matters. Dan Flowers joins Food Secure Nation to unpack trust, relationships, and the courage to lead in a divided world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
April 12, 2026 ~ Liz Lowe of the Allegiance Group, who discusses the role of fund development in creating a food-secure nation. She shares her personal experience growing up in a food-insecure household, which fuels her passion for working with food banks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
April 6, 2026 ~ Joree Novotny and Mandy Palluro join the show to discuss the six dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
March 29, 2026 ~ Hosts Phillip Knight and Gerry Brisson discuss the six dimensions of food security: availability, access, utilization, stability, sustainability, and agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
March 22, 2026 ~ Hosts Philips Knight and Gerry Brisson talk about the unseen leadership of state associations in the fight against hunger, sharing examples of how state associations convene partners, advocate for policy changes, and drive innovative solutions to improve food security across their states. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
March 15, 2026 ~ Claire Babineau-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, discusses her departure and the changes she brought to the organization. She reflects on shifting the focus of Feeding America from serving its member food banks to serving people experiencing hunger, emphasizing “lived expertise” and dignity. She shares how this change led to a new strategic framework, impacting how the network approaches data and engages with those it serves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
March 8, 2026 ~ Stacy Dean, director for the Global Food Institute at George Washington University, discusses food access, her career path, from shaping national SNAP policy to leading food programs at the USDA, and now examining global food systems. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Virginia Witherspoon is a lawyer who transitioned into food security work and now leads the Channel One Food Bank in Rochester, Minnesota, while also chairing the National Advisory Committee for Feeding America. She shares her journey from law to social services, highlighting how her legal background influences her leadership in managing risk, compliance, and advocating for dignity in food distribution. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Feb. 22, 2026 ~ Tori Martin discusses the “11 Trends in Philanthropy” report, highlighting the critical need for nonprofits to demonstrate competence in addition to good intentions to build public trust. The conversation explores how trust is tested by rising expectations and accelerating technology, emphasizing that “words match work” and strong alignment is built on trust. They also discuss the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence and the need for a balance between human leadership and AI as a tool to bring context to data and foster innovation in the nonprofit sector. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brasson welcome Melissa Cherny, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and chair of Feeding America’s Public Engagement Advisory Committee. Melissa shares her personal experiences with food insecurity and discusses her work leading food banks in North Dakota and Rhode Island, highlighting how they adapt to different challenges and prioritize community outcomes beyond just providing food. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Feb. 8, 2026 ~ Dr. Sheryl Kirschenbaum discusses food insecurity, highlighting the misalignment between policy and human behavior, like work requirements that unintentionally penalize small wage increases and complex application processes for benefits. Dr. Kirschenbaum stresses the importance of personal stories in policy discussions and rebuilding trust in the system to create sustainable solutions for a food-secure nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Jan. 25, 2026 ~ Food insecurity in America remains a stubborn challenge, not due to a lack of effort or resources, but because it is a complex issue with many facets. The “six dimensions of food security”—availability, access, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability—offer a framework to address this complexity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Jan. 18, 2026 ~ Food Secure Nation explores the critical connection between agricultural stability and food availability, highlighting that hunger solutions begin in the field, not just at food pantries. Scott Pickett of the Michigan Corn Growers Association discusses how economic predictability, sound policy like the Farm Bill, and a stable labor force are essential for farmers to sustain food production. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Jan. 11, 2025 ~ Food Secure Nation seeks to address food insecurity in America by bringing together diverse individuals and organizations. The initiative aims to foster a shared understanding of the problem and its solutions, moving from familiarity to expertise. Through collaboration and shared knowledge, Food Secure Nation strives to create a food-secure future for the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Jan. 4, 2026 ~ America isn’t short on food, or support programs, or goodwill. We’re short on alignment. In this first episode, discover why 42 million Americans face food insecurity, how rising costs have outpaced wages, and why fixing hunger means rethinking old assumptions. You’ll hear the hidden costs to health and education and a powerful truth: when we know better, we’re responsible to do better. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Oct. 5, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Sept. 28, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Sept. 21, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Sept. 14, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Aug. 10, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Aug. 3, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ July 27, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ June 29, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ June 22, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ June 15, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ May 10, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ May 4, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ April 27, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ April 6, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ March 23, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ March 9, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ March 1, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Feb. 23, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Feb. 2, 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Dec. 22, 2024 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Nov. 24, 2024 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Nov. 3, 2024 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Oct. 20, 2024 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Food First ~ Oct. 6, 2024 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.