Latest / Nutrition Connection by Dr. Kristen Hicks-Roof / 73: Tambra Raye Stevenson MPH, MA, PhD(c)- AGRICULTURE / NONPROFIT
Transcript
- Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Welcome back to the Nutrition Connection Podcast, the show where science meets storytelling. I'm your host, Dr. Kristen Hicksroof, dietitian, researcher, and lifelong advocate of the role of nutrition, health, and wellness. Each episode, I sit down with nutrition experts from all across the food and healthcare systems, leaders whose work touches nearly every aspect of our lives. The views, thoughts, and comments on this podcast do not reflect those of my employer nor the employers of my guests. So let's go ahead and get connected. I am super excited to bring on today's guest today. We had Tambra Ray Stevenson. She's the founder and CEO at Wanda, Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture. Welcome to the show, Tambra. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Kristen, thank you so much for having Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Thank you so much. Tambra Raye Stevenson: me and looking forward to the conversation. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yeah, and I've been following you on social platforms for years. You've won a number of accolades, but I also just love the work you do of advancing and inspiring a new generation. I like in your title, you call yourself Food Shiros. just really advancing women in agriculture. so we we're really gonna dive into your story, but To start it off from the beginning, what really inspired you and made you want to pursue nutrition? And then how did that journey lead into Wanda? Most definitely. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Stephanie, I would say my journey in nutrition began long before I ever knew it was even a profession, but it began at our family table. growing up in Oklahoma, my sister was my main customer. I created a menu with my mom's leftovers as the special of the day and made other dishes for her. and so my only context was fruit, was you know, the lunch later or caterer and not realizing all and Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: created a menu with my mom's leftovers as the special of the day and made other dishes for her. and so my only context was fruit was, you know, the lunch later or cater and not realizing full into Tambra Raye Stevenson: my really post freshman year interning at baylor mad and type of children that nutrition research was a field. It's not Betty Crocker, which Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: my release post freshman year turning at Baylor Med and children that we personal research was billed. It's not Betty Crocker. Tambra Raye Stevenson: my dean at Oklahoma City would talk much about of removing anything that looked like the 1960s and this is a real profession for women to get into. And I knew as pragmatic as my grandma was that even if I didn't have a Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Which my dean at Oklahoma City would talk much about of removing anything that looked like the nineteen sixties and this is a real profession for women to get into. And I knew as pragmatic as my cop was, that even if I didn't have a job in the space, that I would be able to apply it to my own health, my family's health. And so those sorts of degrees that had that multiplier effect was very appealing. I think the other part. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Space that I would be able to apply it to my own health, my family's health. And so those sorts of degrees that had that multiplier effect was very appealing. I think the other part for me is having grown up with a grandma who had diabetes and died for from convocations while I was in high school made a real impact of wanting to pursue health, specifically medicine, because we first see doctors, not dietitians, when we grow up as children. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: We is having grown up with a grandma who had diabetes and died for from convocations while I was in high school made a real impact of wanting to pursue health, specifically medicine, because we first see doctors, not dietitians, when we grew up as children. Tambra Raye Stevenson: And so seeing the impact of that disease and other diet related diseases and lifestyle diseases in my family really shaped my understanding of Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And so seeing the impact of that disease and other diet-related diseases and lifestyle diseases in my family really shaped my understanding of Tambra Raye Stevenson: my path and purpose, but also seeing that diabetes is not going to be a part of our heritage and that our heritage is black eyed peas, it's green, it's okra, it's millet, it's movement. like my granddad, you know, will walk. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: my path and purpose, but also saying that diabetes is not going to be a part of our heritage and that our heritage is black eyed peas, it's green, it's okra, it's millet, it's movement. like my granddad, you know, will walk in the morning for miles to the local senior center. it's our faith that even when we don't see, we know that God is watching and is guiding our food and it's the inf ingenuity and the creativity of women. Tambra Raye Stevenson: in the morning for mouse to the local senior center. it's our faith that even when we don't see we know that God is watching and is guiding our food and it's the ingenuity and the creativity that women make something out of nothing and stretching meals in our hope. And so that is what laid the foundation for me before I ever stepped into human nutrition at Oklahoma State. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: make something out of nothing and stretching mills and our hope. And so that is what laid the foundation for me before I ever stepped into human nutrition at Oklahoma State and really enjoyed the research in botany, in bone bone mineral research and realizing that before we can be clinicians, we have the backbone of researchers and evidence that really guide and support our ability to help heal and help families, Tambra Raye Stevenson: and really enjoy the research in botany, in bone bone mineral research and realizing that before we can be clinicians, we have the backbone of researchers and evidence that really guide and support our ability to help heal and help families, men. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: men. When I love how you talked about it helps not only the public health, but it also helps you and your own family. You know, I think that's one thing that is a pro and a con for nutrition is that we as nutrition professionals, whether you're on the research side or a clinician, you can help your own decision making, right? But then we can also help inform and educate and inspire communities and public health. And I I don't think there's very many professions that Can have that like direct connection with their own life, which is really an added value. But it's also, you know, when I used to live in Florida, it was a con because a lot of people they would read books in nutrition and they wouldn't, they would want to take our licensure away from being a dietitian in Florida. And so there is that pro and con, but I think that that's an added value that we can deliver as nutrition experts. And I also loved your focus on. Really like those cultural foods that we grew up with? Like that's part of our identity. you know, my roots are based in Texas and okra and black eyed peas, and you know, you you talk about some of these foods, those are a staple in growing up. And when we moved to Arizona, I didn't have those staples. Like people looked at me and they still look at me weird when I'm like, Can we get okra in our grocery store? You know, and they're like, I don't even what that is. So I I think there's a lot of key messages that you really talked about there. But how did you kind of journey into creating Wanda and talk to us? Like what is Wanda? Tambra Raye Stevenson: believe it or not, when Michelle Obama was in Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: believe it or not, when machine Tambra Raye Stevenson: office with the Let's Move initiative, I saw this force of galvanizing chefs to really take on child well-being and nutrition in a way that I've never seen, you know, the highest office of the land do. And what I saw missing were the people in my profession that went to school to specifically study this exact issue around improving the health and wellness. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: being and nutrition in a way that I've never seen, you know, the highest office of the land do. And what I saw missing were the people in my profession that went to school to specifically study this exact issue around improving the health and wellness of families and children. And I knew more shock with diabetes than anything else. And so it's like, how is this even possible? So once I became a mom myself, Tambra Raye Stevenson: of families and children. And I knew more chef with diabetes than anything else. And so it's like, how is this even possible? So once I became a mom myself, in that time period and seeing my four-year-old having a cavity in preschool and the teacher not seeing the role she plays in the junk food and reward system that they provide, was culpable. But yet I'm Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: in that time period and seeing my four-year-old having a cavity in preschool and the teacher not seeing the role she plays in the junk food and reward system that they provide was culpable but yet I'm challenging and advocating for garden and nutritional education in the district, but yet don't see it in my own children's backyard. Tambra Raye Stevenson: challenging and advocating for garden and nutrition education in the district, but yet don't see it in my own children's backyard. And that became a wake-up call for me is like, how do I have these women and others see themselves as food freedom fighters on the front line? And I think because I grew up in a military town and had a West Point nomination like Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And that became a wake up call for me. It's like, how do I have these women and others see themselves as food freedom fighters on the front line? And I think because I grew up in a military town and had a West Point nomination, like Tambra Raye Stevenson: I don't mean to militarize nutrition, but it is equivalent in my eyes as part of natural security when we think about nutrition security and the role that we can Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I don't mean to militarize nutrition, but it is equivalent in my eyes as part of national security when we think about nutrition security and the role that we Tambra Raye Stevenson: play as a village to truly help that child. And so from a myriad of experiences led to one creating a word that my baby girl Ruby could say, Wanda, like baba, nana, dada. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: can play as a village to truly help that child. And so from a myriad of experiences led to one creating a word that my baby girl Ruby could say, Wanda, like Baba, Nana, Dada. Tambra Raye Stevenson: So as a comms person, I knew language matters. But then the other part was creating a community that I felt that I can belong to. I think so many times, if you're the, Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: So as a comms person I knew language matters. But then the other part was creating a community that I felt that I can belong to. I think so many times if you're the Tambra Raye Stevenson: you know, I think Steve Jobs in his well-known speech talked about, you know, getting all the awkward nerds and introverts together. In many ways, I felt that within nutrition, like what is the space of people who care about Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: You know, I think Steve Jobs in his well known speech talked about, you know, getting all the awkward nerds and introverts together. In many ways, I felt that within nutrition, like what is the space of people who care about not only our community but also our heritage and how identity plays a role? How do we advocate and transform this identity into power in a collective that can make a difference? And so Tambra Raye Stevenson: not only our community, but also our heritage and how identity plays a role. How do we advocate and transform this identity into power and a collective that can make a difference? And so s realizing Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: realizing all the history that wasn't incorporated in nutrition, like knowing about Fleming Cotrell or Fanny Lehemer or having met Evelyn Creighton, it's like where's the space that we honor these women as well and walk in their footsteps Tambra Raye Stevenson: all the history that was incorporated in nutrition, like knowing about Fleming Cottrell or Fanny Lou Hamer or having met Evelyn Creighton, it's like where's the space that we honor these women as well and walk in their footsteps. And learn about their leadership and how we can apply to fight the same fight to help improve our communities. That is why Wanda manifested in not just a rallying call of I am Wanda, Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and learn about their leadership and how we can apply to fight the same fight to help improve our communities. That is why Wanda manifested in not just a rallying call upon Wanda Tambra Raye Stevenson: but also as a community of a sisterhood of a soil and soul that understands that we are returning to our roots, we are reclaiming our food waste, and we're restoring our health. And that is the revolution that we've been waiting for. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: But also as a community of a sisterhood of a soil and soul that understands that we are returning to our roots, we are reclaiming our food waste and we're restoring our health. And that is revolution that we've been waiting for. You can feel the emotion in your voice. And I often get like this too when I go and speak with people. When it's something that you're so passionate about and you can identify with it. You know, it's kind of like when people say you shouldn't work a day in your life. And in a way, when you find that triangulation of your passion and your expertise as well as like your deep-rooted knowledge, it's it doesn't feel like work because you really do love what you're doing. And I like I can see it really just from the tone of your voice. You know, and I think the thought of I remember when I became a mom and we have three little kids and you you do get empowered of like I wanna raise them to be amazing human beings, right? And to love the earth as much as I love the earth and to care about the food that nourishes their body. And and so I I can so relate with you on those things that it adds a whole nother dimension to where my passion already exists. And I'm already a very passionate person. You know, and so your career in Wanda really has crossed, you know, public health, agriculture, media, technology, health, I mean, all global food systems. So how do you feel like all your experiences and career roles that you've had, and maybe you can give us a glimpse of what you did pre Wanda, how do you feel like that shaped your vision for really how you wanna transform nutrition? Tambra Raye Stevenson: So being from Viral Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: So being Tambra Raye Stevenson: Belt USA Oklahoma, sat in many p church pews Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Search pew. Tambra Raye Stevenson: and my the pastor or reverend and now mine senior was the first form of persuasive communicator that I learned from of like how do you motivate and convince people of something that they cannot see and make an investment in. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And convince people of something that they cannot see and make an investment in, and that is the power of faith and hope that guides me. And so I think about how one that Moses telled on the mountain is the avatar in my head. And how Tambra Raye Stevenson: And that is the power of faith and hope that guides me. And so I think about how one that Moses Telad on the mountain is the avatar in my head. and how it motivated me to see from a systems perspective everything is connected. So I really do see myself as a silo smasher. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It motivated me to see from a systems perspective everything is connected. So I really do see myself as a silo smasher. and so when people see trees, I see forests, but I also appreciate the importance of the trees. and so having had a variety of degrees in different disciplines and worked across different federal agencies from health to commerce, the ag it also was Tambra Raye Stevenson: and so when people see trees, I see forests, but I also appreciate the importance of the trees. and so having had a variety of degrees in different disciplines and worked across different federal agencies from health to commerce to ag, it also was understanding Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: understanding that I want to learn from each of these spaces to find this common denominator of how do we see that food Tambra Raye Stevenson: that I want to learn from each of these spaces to find this common denominator of how do we see that food. connects to all of this. If food is economical, it's political, it's social, it's cultural, it's spiritual even. and so it has the ability to connect in ways that most other spaces don't. And that's what keeps me anchored and centered in it. because it's a powerful way to help shape tell stories Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: connects all of this. Food is economical, it's political, it's social, it's cultural, it's spiritual even. And so it has the ability to connect in ways that most other spaces don't. And that's what keeps me anchored and centered in it. Because it's a powerful way to help shape tell story. Tambra Raye Stevenson: and help connect people in the ways that can feel esoteric and others will feel grounded and nostalgic for some. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and help connect people with like co esoteric and others, but double grounded in nostalgic for some. That's awesome. And we're gonna go a little per personal about your career journey too. You know, you talked about how you're a PhD candidate before we we jumped on. So talk to us about like what made you want to go that route and what is your research? My guess is it intersects everything that you do at Wanda. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Yeah, so I was trained to think Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Yeah, so I was trained to think Tambra Raye Stevenson: for a terminal degree well back even in high school, just every summer was Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Even in high school, just every Tambra Raye Stevenson: filled with a different science or pre med program all through college, post college, from Harvard to Penn to Baylor to a broaden Dominican Republic, like Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Pin to Baylor to a broad in Dominican Republic. Tambra Raye Stevenson: I was a lifelong learner, still am, but I will say this will be the last degree. and I Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: still am but I will say this will be the last degree. and I hang my hat on this one three three degrees in partly because my mindset is I need the proper tools and modalities for the issues and the language to really express. And as someone who was a very reserved child, always in my head, I literally could not always communicate how I felt. Tambra Raye Stevenson: hang my hat on this one three three degrees in partly because my mindset is I need the proper tools and modalities for the issues and the language to really express. And as someone who was a very reserved introverted child always in my head I literally could not always communicate how I felt or what I saw in the world. And so I always Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: or what I saw in the world. And so I always Tambra Raye Stevenson: admired those who understood the gift of Gab, like preachers, like speakers, and said that is a skill I want to hone because if I can truly master the art of communication and expression, that is the opium for the people that can transform the way in which they see themselves in this world and what we can achieve together. And Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: admired those who understood the gift of Gab, like preachers, like speakers, and said that is a skill I want to hone because if I can truly master the art of communication and expression, that is the opium for the people that can transform the way in which they see themselves in this world and what we can achieve together. Tambra Raye Stevenson: so that is why for me, social media became critical. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And so that is why for me social media became critical. It it removed the gate guardrails, the gatekeepers. You saw people express themselves in ways that they were not in their daytime jobs or even just life, public life. and so when I saw the chance and opportunity to shift how we went from traditional media, which was very like almost like traditional education lecture style, but not really engaging, and now we Tambra Raye Stevenson: They removed the gate guardrails, the gatekeepers. You saw people express themselves in ways that they would not in their daytime jobs or even just life, public life. and so when I saw the chance and opportunity to shift how we went from traditional media, which was very like almost like traditional education lecture style, but not really engaging. And now we've converged into more interactive and social media where they will work. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: into more interactive and social media where they report engagement almost from a place that can be a little bit addictive, which can be a bit problem making, which is why our space and media technology democracy understanding governance and maximums and ecology of is equally as important as the tool itself and how people training for a time like now. I will be raising to Tambra Raye Stevenson: for engagement almost from a place that can be a little bit addictive, which can be a bit problem making, which is why our space in media technology democracy, understanding the governance and macrosystems and ecology of media is equally as important as the tool itself and how people use it. And so it is a proper training for a time like now. I will say raising digital natives, Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: donators totally Tambra Raye Stevenson: totally strict And push me in this direction. I said if I get another PhD and it be in nutrition and learning cars, macros, that's not going to help me at all for what I see as the true epidemic that we're facing around missing disinformation, but also people feeling so lonely but yet disconnected from everyday life. that is almost like a challenge of humanity that we're living in. And so I Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and pushed me in this direction. I said if I get another PhD and it be in nutrition and learning carbs, macros, that's not going to help me at all for what I see as the true epidemic that we're facing around missing disinformation, but also people feeling so lonely but yet disconnected from everyday life. That is like a challenge of humanity that we're living in. Tambra Raye Stevenson: see a lot of Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: see a lot of commonalities between what we're dealing with in the food and nutrition space, but also in the media communication space. So to be able to have the language and combine it together and say, hey, my research is about logging, but I see that much as a nutrient as vitamin B12. And so what are the connections that these two have that we tackle from a research perspective but also understand Tambra Raye Stevenson: Commonalities between what we're dealing with in the food and nutrition space, but also in the media communication space. So to be able to have the language and combine it together and say, hey, my research is about belonging, but I see that much as a nutrient as vitamin B12. And so what are the connections that these two have that we need to tackle from a research perspective, but also understand as parents? Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: as parents. Tambra Raye Stevenson: when we see our child engaged going through dopamine highs and finding connection when they feel ostracized in the schools and not wanting to take that thing away, but also putting guardrails in place and realizing, as we started with Ruby in the beginning, how do we be the village village to help with our children's well being, not only from a nutrition perspective, but in a digital landscape as well. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: When we see our child engage more through dopamine highs and finding connection when they feel ostracized in the schools and not wanting to take that thing away, but also putting guardrails in place and realizing as we started with Ruby in the beginning, how do we be the village village to help with our children's well being, not only from a nutrition perspective, but in a digital landscape as well? When all of them are connected, right? Like The decisions we make are impacted by the access we have, the communities, the peers, all the way up to the policies and infrastructure in place of the systems, right? So they are all interconnected, whether you're talking about, you're right, like a single food and the nutrients to where it's grown and how it's available in the marketplace, right? Like that's all governed by agriculture up to policy. And same in the commun communication space. I love science communications. I mean, that's one of, you know, I'd love to bring researchers on the podcast. And I mean, I bring nutrition professionals across the across sectors because communication is really central to everything we want to do to with people, right? It's taking the science and communicating it, whether you're working on formulation of a new product or helping a community in a diabetes prevention class, or even, Tambra Raye Stevenson: Right. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: you know, how do you take the complexities of science and accurately communicate it? Because it, you know, it's it's not an easy thing to communicate science. You know, and I think that's one of the challenges. I know what I was at American Society for Nutrition Conference earlier in the summer, and it's a really big challenge, science communications, especially when you're in a world of So much mis and disinformation. Do you fight? Do you correct them? Do you stand still? And so I think there, you're, you're sitting at that perfect intersection of study and you can apply it across every you know aspect of food and nutrition. So thanks for diving a little deeper into that. so you know, you Tambra Raye Stevenson: Yeah, of course. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: often say nutrition is so much more than just what's on our plate. So how do you think? science and culture and storytelling and community kind of work together to improve health. And then what does what Wanda initiative are you really most proud of? Tambra Raye Stevenson: Most definitely. so I some yeah, I sometimes say that Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Definitely. so I some yeah, I sometimes Tambra Raye Stevenson: every plate has a biography. So a mill can tell us where our family migrated from, what crops survived c colonialism, where foods were available during hardship, and what a grandmother believed would heal Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: We would heal Tambra Raye Stevenson: a code and what advertisements a child saw before breakfast. So nutrition is never only a biochemical transaction. It's Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Child saw before breakfast. So nutrition is never only a biochemical transaction. It's it's biological, it's emotional, it's cultural, it's political, it's relational. And so science helps us understand what food does inside the body, and culture helps us to understand what food means, and storytelling helps people locate themselves within that meaning, and community determines whether healthier practices can be sustained. And we need all four science without. Tambra Raye Stevenson: It's biological, it's emotional, it's culture, it's political, it's relational. And so science helps us understand what food does inside the body, and culture helps us to understand what food means, and storytelling helps people locate themselves within that meaning, and community determines whether healthier practices can be sustained. And we need all four. Science without culture Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Culture can become Tambra Raye Stevenson: can become. Technically correct, but socially irrelevant. Culture without careful evidence can sometimes preserve practices that need to evolve. And storytelling without accountability can spread misinformation and individual behavior change programs without community support can leave people feeling blamed for conditions they did not create. And so the goal is not to choose between science and culture. The goal is to create an honest dialogue between them. And that is what Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: technically correct but socially irrelevant. Culture without careful evidence can sometimes preserve practices that need to evolve. And storytelling without accountability can spread misinformation and individual behavior change programs without community support can leave people feeling blamed for conditions they did not create. And so the goal is not to choose between science and culture, the goal is to create an honest dialogue between them. And that is what Tambra Raye Stevenson: I call narrative nutrition. Understand that people organize health information through stories before someone changes what they eat. They may need to change or reclaim the story that they've been told about their body, their food, and their community. So one initiative that I'm most proud of currently is Nourish. our maternal food is medicine. Maternal nutrition is often reduced to a list of instructions: eat this, avoid that, gain this much weight. But mothers never Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I call narrative nutrition. Understand that people organize health information through stories before someone changes what they eat. they may need to change or reclaim the story that they've been told about their body, their food, and their community. So one initiative that I'm most proud of currently is Nourish. our maternal food is medicine. Maternal nutrition is often reduced to a list of instructions eat this, avoid that, gain this much weight. But mothers never Tambra Raye Stevenson: need more than at least they need dignity, access, cultural, meaningful education, and above all, a sort of a community that they belong to. And so for me, Nourish has brought birth workers and doers who are also mothers or aunties and nanas together to learn, to cook, to share their stories and identify what nourishment, not just nutrition, means within their real lives. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: meet more than endless. They need dignity, access, cultural meaningful education, and above all, a sort a community that they belong to. And so for me, nourish has brought birth workers and doors who are also mothers or aunties and nanas together to learn, to cook, to share their stories and identify what nourishment, not just nutrition, means within their real lives. Tambra Raye Stevenson: And also recognize that nutrition is part of a maternal health infrastructure. And we cannot talk seriously about birth health outcomes, infant health, or childhood obesity without addressing not only food access, but maternal nutrition before, during, and after pregnancy. And last, I would say I'm also proud of the work we created in the continuum post-birth, which is we're creating a space for. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And also recognize that nutrition is part of a maternal health infrastructure. And we cannot talk seriously about birth health outcomes, infant health, or childhood obesity without addressing not only food accidents, but maternal nutrition before, during, and after pregnancy. And last, I would say I'm also proud of the work we've created in the continuum post-birth, which is we're creating a space for Tambra Raye Stevenson: a story of a little girl like Wanda and sharing and supporting her family as we create Wanda's world as an edutainment space for parents to use and help empower their children. And also our Wanda Scholars program that has been funding girls' education in college to study agonutrition between Oklahoma to Nigeria and our first cohort Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: A story of a little girl like Wanda is sharing and supporting her family as we create Wanda's World as an edutainment space for parents to use and help empower their children. And also our Wanda Scholars program that has been funding girls' education and college to study agonutrition between Oklahoma to Nigeria and our first cohort. Tambra Raye Stevenson: of girls just graduated at Bar University in Kano, Nigeria this summer. and so for me, these are the these are my legacy elements and and so many others that have donated and supported and partnered in this work that I'm most proud of. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: but girls just graduated at our university in Kano, Nigeria this summer. and so for me, these are the these are my legacy elements and and so many others that have donated and supported and partnered in this work that I'm most proud of. I love how you talk about narrative nutrition. I haven't heard that. I'm totally gonna use that but I will credit you, don't worry. you know, because there is so much, there's so many layers to nutrition. And again, as a mom, I was actually fascinated going through the pregnancy journey. It was a sheet of paper with very broad guidance and basically things that you can't do. And I thought pregnancy, I was like, wow, this is really bad. There's like no infrastructure here. I mean, forget culture and all of that. You're talking basic Tambra Raye Stevenson: Right. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: instruction. And then in the postpartum, no one even looks at the mom. I mean, it is only about the baby. And I was like, wow, this is Tambra Raye Stevenson: Yeah. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: terrible. I mean, it's fascinating going through it and it's terrible. You know, I after my first daughter, so in the nutrition world, there's a supplement called Juven, which is a wound healing supplement that's often used for diabetic wound ulcers. And with my first kid, I she was breached. I couldn't turn her. And so I knew I had to have a C-section. And so I was like, I told my OB, I said, look, I'm a researcher. What I want to do is I want to publish a case study on using this oral nutrition supplement to help with wound healing. Since I know you're gonna cut me open, right? And so I published a a case report about three months after I delivered the baby where the OB went in and did visual analog scales and Really talked about wound healing. And I was like, something so minor as a nutrition supplement is not even on the thought process, right? And instead, we're just left literally cut open with a baby in tow, trying to learn how to breastfeed, how to eat because you're can't move, you know, and it was just like. I wanted to dedicate my whole life to this research area because I was like, this is such a gap. So I'm so happy that what y'all are doing at Wanda is at least in part addressing that gap. And I think for anyone listening, there is major infrastructural challenges here, but we also need people to do the work. Whether that's the dietitians, the doulas, the cousins, the family. I mean, the you need all levels of support. So thank you for Tambra Raye Stevenson: Definitely. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: For doing that work. I'm sure you can attest to that. Like, weren't you shocked as a mom? Like what? I I totally was. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Yeah. I I totally was because one, it's it's you're shifting your identity, Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: You're shifting your Tambra Raye Stevenson: not just as a woman anymore, but as a mother and all the historical social implications that come with that title and burden in many ways, as much as the blessing. And no one pr truly prepares you, which Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And no one truly prepared Tambra Raye Stevenson: is why I feel like just like the PhD, you need a therapist and a coach. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: H. D. You need a therapist and a coach. Tambra Raye Stevenson: You also in Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: you all Tambra Raye Stevenson: motherhood need that emotional wellness coach and the doula to really usher in this transformation of yourself and identity and also baby, because in many ways we are contrived to just be a vessel and we are more than a vessel. And that's why I want to uplift a documentary that's out by the founder of Moms First, who created No Country for Mothers, that Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: doula to really usher in this transformation of yourself and identity and also baby because in many ways we are contrived to just be a vessel and we are more than a vessel and that's why I want to uplift a documentary that's out by the founder of Moms First who created No Country for Mothers that was highlighted on PBS recently go check it out Tambra Raye Stevenson: was highlighted on PBS recently. go check it out. The focus Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: focus is to build these community conversations and what country are we building that truly supports motherhood? Tambra Raye Stevenson: is to build these community conversations and what country are we building that truly supports motherhood. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I love that. I'm gonna have to check it out because I I mean I left academia, so I'm not there anymore, but I still have this underlying passion. And I mean, that's a lot of what I I have for your passion for Wanda, mine is really how do I advance and help? nutrition as a profession as a whole. So we have very similar actually crossovers with different niches, you know, and a lot of times I get questions of how do we do things beyond the clinical space? Like what are career paths that I can go into? And so I think many times students and even professionals don't realize how broad nutrition careers can be. So what advice would you give for someone to create impact in both traditional but then beyond traditional clinical pathways. Yeah, I would definitely say that Tambra Raye Stevenson: Yeah, I would definitely say that when I went through the process, I thought about what were my childhood loves that kept tuggering tethering at me. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: It tuggering tethering at me. Tambra Raye Stevenson: I loved art, I was in music, I enjoyed, you know, speaking up. And so I definitely knew I could not be on a traditional track. I needed to create a lane for myself that allowed my full range of talents. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And so I definitely knew I could not be on a traditional track. I needed to create a lane for myself that allowed my full range of talents Tambra Raye Stevenson: and gifts to really be honored. and so for me, that would be the first thing is do a lot of introspection work. one phrase that I remember just learning from elders is we have to master ourselves. God Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and gifts to really be honored. and so for me, that would be the first thing is do a lot of introspection work. one phrase that I remember just learning from elders is we have to master ourselves. Tambra Raye Stevenson: put us on this earth for a reason with certain tools and gifts. Even if people want to point out your flaws, focus on what you know that you're good at. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: God put us on this earth for a reason with certain tools and gifts. even if people want to point out your flaws, focus on what you know that you're good at, Tambra Raye Stevenson: And that will be the superpower that needs to be unlocked to help change and create a better world and uplift humanity. So I knew clinic was never my path, but I do want to understand it to appreciate those who were on that front line. But I knew that the space for me was to be in community Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and that will be the superpower that needs to be unlocked to help change and create a better world and uplift humanity. So I knew Clinic was never my path, but I do want to understand it to appreciate those who were on that front line. But I knew that the space for me was to be in community. Tambra Raye Stevenson: and help prevent you from going in the hospital if we can, possibly, but also how do we change? Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And help prevent you from going to the hospital if we can, possibly, but also how do we change our family trajectory and starting with ourselves and our beliefs and the decisions that we make every day? One phrase I tell my kids is if for every choice that you make, there's a consequence, whether it's good or bad. And I think that applies in this situation as well. I think for students, because I definitely get the slide in the DM wanting to pick your brain and ask questions. Tambra Raye Stevenson: our family trajectory and starting with ourselves and our beliefs and the decisions that we make every day. One phrase I tell my kids if for every choice that you make, there's a consequence, whether it's good or bad. And I think that applies in this situation as well. I think for students, because I definitely get the slide in the DM, wanting to pick your brain and ask questions because clearly they're not getting the kind of guidance and support and mentorship in at the university level. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Because clearly they're not getting the kind of guidance and support and mentorship in at the university level. and so that has also raised why for me Wanda becomes important. It it becomes a sanctuary for those seeking additional support and mentorship that complements their classroom education. And so Tambra Raye Stevenson: and so that has also raised why for me Wanda becomes important. It it becomes a sanctuary for those seeking additional support and mentorship that complements their classroom education. And so I would say that I would tell them that nutrition is not a narrow career. it touches every system that shapes our human life, and you can work Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I would say that I would tell them that nutrition is not a narrow career. it touches every system that shapes our human life. And you can work Tambra Raye Stevenson: across policy to education, now technology fields, media philanthropy, helping to give money to organizations like Wanda and communicate and be those media makers to help amplify the people and programs that are doing the work in the community. And so working Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: across policy to education, now technology fields, media, philanthropy, helping to give money to organizations like Wanda and communicate and be those media makers to help amplify with people and programs that are doing the work in the community. and so Tambra Raye Stevenson: beyond the hospital is also we share with our own Wanda scholars in Nigeria, giving them radio experience to do wave Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Working beyond the hospital is also we share with our own scholars in Nigeria, giving them radio experience to do weight weekly nutrition programming to help educate the public, to know that you can be a food entrepreneur, you can fight for climate issues, as much as helping to organize your community. And so my advice is always to build both depth and range, develop a strong foundation. Tambra Raye Stevenson: weekly nutrition programming to help educate the public. to know that you can be a food entrepreneur, you can fight for climate issues, as much as helping to organize your community. And so my advice is always to build both depth and range, develop a strong foundation In nutrition science, we need professionals who can distinguish evidence from enthusiasm and the internet provide an abundant supply of enthusiasm and also study history, culture, economics, politics, and communication and human behavior. a nutrition recommendation is never delivered within a vacuum. and it helps it be Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: in nutrition science with professionals who can distinguish evidence from enthusiasm and the internet provide an abundant supply of enthusiasm and also study history, culture, economics, politics, and communication and human behavior. A nutrition recommendation is never delivered within a vacuum. And it helps to be empathetic when you're supporting communities because you've had that background Tambra Raye Stevenson: empathetic when you're supporting communities because you've had that background and life experience. Second, I would say learn to translate. The most impactful professionals can move between worlds. They can speak to researchers, to mothers, to farmers, to policymakers, to funders, to clinicians, and children without diminishing the intelligence of the audience. And third, get close to community. Do not build a career entirely from a desk. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: en life experience. Second, I would say learn to translate. The most impactful professionals can move between worlds. They can speak to researchers, to mothers, to farmers, to policymakers, to funders, to clinicians, and children without diminishing the intelligence of the audience. And third, get close to the community. Do not build a career entirely from adept. Tambra Raye Stevenson: volunteer, conduct listing sessions, work with grassroots organizations, like Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Volunteer, conduct listening sessions, work with grassroots organizations. Tambra Raye Stevenson: we have students from Brown University to American University to Howard who are working with us, visit farms and markets and learn how policies are experienced every day, and go testify on these very programs that need sleeping and need a voice. I recently did that on maternal health. It turned into a media interview, being invited to go speak to primary care associations. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Like we have students from Brown University to America University to Howard who work with us, visit farms and markets and learn how policies are experienced every day and go testify on these very programs that need something and need a voice. I recently did that on maternal health. It turned into a media interview, being invited to go speak the primary care associations Tambra Raye Stevenson: and also help to connect to a funder that's been following our work. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: and also help to connect to a plunder that's been following our work. Tambra Raye Stevenson: That is the power of learning to use your voice and it not only benefit your organization, but it has a ripple effect in benefiting the community. So lastly just pay attention to the world around you. Ask the tough questions and and your most meaningful work may begin with a problem you keep noticing that everyone else learned to accept. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: That is the power of learning to use your voice and it not only benefits your organization, but it has a ripple effect in benefiting the community. So lastly, just pay attention to the world around you. Ask the tough questions and your most meaningful work may begin with a problem you've noticed me that everyone else learned to accept. Tambra Raye Stevenson: And so do not wait for a job description that perfectly describes your calling. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: And so do not wait for a job description that perfectly describes your calling. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Some of us have to have to create the role, the organization, the language, and the field we want it to enter. And so this is part of my story. I do not see a clear professional pathway connecting African foods and public health and women's leadership and media and ad and technology. But eventually I realized I'm not failing to find the pathway. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Some of us have to have to create the role, the organization, the language, and the field we wanted to enter. And so this is part of my story. I do not see a clear professional pathway connecting African foods and public health and women's leadership and media and ad and technology. But eventually I realized I'm not failing to find the pathway Tambra Raye Stevenson: I was being called to build it. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: I was being called to build it. I mean, those tips and advice are spot on. Rewind the episode and listen to those key tips and advice again because it really is so important, especially as we move into the wave of technology, more technology than we already had, is the communication is key. And the communication is different for every stakeholder audience that you're going to talk to. How you talk with your parents. would be different than a child. How you would talk with a farmer would be different than a policymaker. It doesn't mean the content is different, right? Like you still may be talking about the same issues or the same science, but how you phrase it and how contextual you give. so I mean Tamra, that advice was like it's a lot of what I give too of know your audience Follow your passions. You said it way more eloquent. So I'm gonna go back and make sure I listen to that again. but you know, I think a lot of those are just rooted in go towards things that inspire you, that you're passionate about. And if it's not a full time gig, like obviously sometimes those are they're challenges, right? You can't just go out and start your own nonprofit because you gotta pay bills and you gotta you have a mortgage and whatever. And so figure out ways of, okay, maybe you have to do a full time gig that you love, but you don't, or you like, but you don't love while you're maybe building this next step, this next generation of where you want to go. So I think that was really good advice. I always love to go back into, you know, what do you think's coming next? So looking ahead, Tamra. How do you think the future of nutrition is gonna play? What is the role of food democracy, AI, cultural foodways, and leadership? How do you think that's all going to, you know, move forward? Most definitely, I would say the future of nutrition will not be the Tambra Raye Stevenson: Most definitely. I would say the future of nutrition will not be defined only by discovering another nutrient, or def defining Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Another nutrient. come on. It could we could find a new nutrient. Tambra Raye Stevenson: Well, there is the dark matter of nutrition in the works right now. or designing another app. it will be defined by whether we can build systems that people trust and have the power to shape. And so for me, that begins with food democracy. food democracy means that people should have a meaningful voice in the decisions affecting their food and health, what is grown, what enters their schools, what research receives funding, what Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: shape. And so for me that begins democracy means that people should have a meaningful voice in the decisions affecting their food and health, what is grown, what enters their schools, what research solutions are brought into their communities. Tambra Raye Stevenson: claims companies can make and which solutions are brought into their communities. Access matters, but voice and power matter too. And cultural food ways will also be central. As our country becomes more diverse, nutrition cannot continue treating culture as an optional garnish sprinkled onto a standard intervention. Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN: Thanks so much for being on the podcast and really sharing your story and getting to learn all about the philosophy of interconnection between food and culture. So if you like the show, make sure you like, subscribe, leave a review. But most importantly, check out the next episode because every episode I bring out a different dietitian and nutrition expert to share their story and give you tips and advice on how to be successful.