NTI PodTalk by Nutrition Therapy Institute

The Power of Taste: The Link Between Flavor and Nutrition | EP 112

Did you know that the flavors you crave could be guiding your body toward better nutrition? In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, Dianne talks with Sherry Hess, founder of Flavor Remedy, to explore the link between flavor and nutrition and the powerful role taste plays in digestion and overall health.Sherry explains how our taste buds are more than just sensors for pleasure—they’re deeply connected to our biology, influencing digestion, metabolism, and even nervous system regulation. Yet, in today’s food system, flavor is often manipulated. The food industry has learned to strip out bitterness and pump up sweetness, creating hyper-palatable products that keep us hooked while offering little nutritional value. Even in the wellness space, there’s a tendency to mask the very flavors that signal nutrient density.About Sherry:Sherry is a culinary expert and regenerative food advocate with experience in spice manufacturing, restaurant management, and as Executive Chef/Product Developer for Oncobitez. Her talks, including TEDx, inspire self-empowerment through our innate ability to detect nutrition via taste. Currently pursuing a Nutrition Therapy Master Certificate, she connects taste, nutrient density, and soil health through her work with The Flavor Remedy™, showing how taste can help regenerate the food system.Connect with Sherry: ⁠sherry@flavorremedy.com⁠ [sherry@flavorremedy.com] The Flavor Remedy LinkedIn [⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherryhessflavorremedy/⁠ ] **Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page [https://ntischool.com/link-between-flavor-and-nutrition/]. Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com [https://ntischool.com/] for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team. This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy.  The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.

How To Create A Successful Nutrition Career with Sean Emery | EP 111

Are you a holistic nutrition professional feeling stuck in your nutrition career? Meet Sean Emery, co-founder of Holistic Consulting [https://holisticconsultinghq.com/]. In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, Sean breaks down his proven framework for helping holistic nutrition therapists create impactful, profitable practices—without burnout or overwhelm. Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned practitioner, this conversation will inspire you to reimagine how you approach your nutrition career.About Sean Emery:After graduating from the US Naval Academy with a major in computer science and serving as a submariner in the Navy for 8 years, Sean transitioned his passion for health and wellness into a flourishing gym in the heart of Washington DC. Over the past decade, he has expanded the gym to include a swim school for kids and adults, and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy.Recently, Sean completed an MS in Clinical Nutrition and an MS in Herbal Product Manufacturing which has allowed him to expand his gym’s nutrition services and start an online apothecary.Sean is passionate about helping aspiring health and wellness entrepreneurs learn how to run successful businesses. Serving this goal, Sean is a co-founder of Holistic Consulting, a company that helps people new to the holistic wellness field establish profitable businesses. He is also an adjunct professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health teaching a business development course within the Herbal Product Manufacturing masters program.FREE 30-Day online accelerator program [https://holistic-consulting-hq.kit.com/5fb72a24d2]**Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page [https://ntischool.com/how-to-create-a-successful-nutrition-career/]. Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team.This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.

A Look Inside RenewRx with Kari Cao | EP 110

What if nutrition coaching was as routine in prenatal care as an ultrasound? In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, we are taking a look inside RenewRx. Physician associate, NTI Natural Food Chef grad, and RenewRx founder, Kari Cao, shares how she’s weaving food, tech, and coaching into prenatal care. From real-time CGM insights and the “Renewed Plate” method, to insurance-covered coaching that integrates with OB practices, Kari’s roadmap helps moms feel informed, supported, and in control. About Kari Cao: Kari Cao, PA-C, MHS, NFC is a nationally certified Physician Associate, professionally trained Natural Foods Chef, and the visionary founder of RenewRx—a tech-enabled maternal health platform transforming how prenatal care is delivered. After over a decade of clinical practice serving high-risk and underserved populations, Kari saw firsthand the system’s failure to support patients beyond brief office visits. Her passion for nutrition and whole-person care led her to pursue chef training with a nutritional focus, where she discovered the power of food as medicine. Today, Kari leads RenewRx in delivering personalized lifestyle, nutrition, and remote care support—starting with gestational diabetes—to improve outcomes for moms while creating new revenue for OB/GYN practices. Under her leadership, RenewRx has launched and is scaling with the largest high-risk OB group in the U.S., publishing clinical outcomes research, and been recognized as a top MedTech Innovator finalist. Kari’s work bridges science and soul, data and humanity—driven by her mission to renew the joys of pregnancy for both patients and their care teams. Email Kari: kari@renewrx.health RenewRx [https://www.renewrx.health/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karicaorrx/] **Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page [https://ntischool.com/a-look-inside-renewrx/] Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team. This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.

The Connection Between Soil and Human Health | EP 109

What if the secret to better health starts not in your body, but deep in the soil where your food is grown? In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, we are exploring the connection between soil and human health with Think Regeneration [https://thinkregeneration.com/]. Listen in as Dianne, Ryan, and Denise dig into regenerative agriculture, the importance of consumer education, and the obstacles of affordability and equity in accessing high-quality food. Denise and Ryan share practical insight into farming practices that restore ecosystems, support farmers, and lead to better outcomes for both people and the planet.  Gain an understanding of how innovative food prescription programs are transforming health outcomes and get an insider’s look at their upcoming Advancing Food is Medicine conference [https://thinkregeneration.com/adv-food-is-medicine]. Whether you’re a farmer, nutrition professional, or curious consumer, this conversation sheds light on how food, soil, and community health are deeply interconnected—and how we can all play a part in building a better food future. About Think Regeneration: Think Regeneration is 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition of organizations, farmers, ranchers, scientists, researchers, and philanthropists who want to accelerate on-the-ground regenerative food supply projects. Our programs support projects that repair food-growing ecosystems, reverse trends in chronic disease rates, elevate the voices of regenerative growers, and build more community resilience. Contact us today to learn more about partnership opportunities, and our active Think Regeneration programs in 2025. NTI promo code for conference: NTI10 Ryan Slabaugh is the founder and director of Think Regeneration and former executive director of Acres U.S.A., a 51-year-old education and media company known for being the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. Ryan has more than 20 years of experience leading businesses and individuals through change, including fifteen years at community newspapers in Colorado and California. You can reach him at ryan@thinkregeneration.com.  Denise Nicol is the director of strategy and experience for Think Regeneration's programs. Her background in experience management, focus groups, business strategy, and conservation serve our programs to ensure we are continuously improving. Denise grew up on a multi-generational farm in Ohio, and is passionate about food and farming as a career for young people. She volunteers regularly, including starting a composting club in her local school district. You can reach her at denise@thinkregeneration.com.  **Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page [https://ntischool.com/connection-between-soil-and-human-health/]. Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com [https://ntischool.com/] for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team. This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy.  The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.

Beyond the Guidelines: Rethinking Prenatal Nutrition | EP 108

Have you ever wondered why so much prenatal nutrition advice seems outdated? Or why real, whole foods aren’t at the center of it? In this episode of the NTI PodTalk, Dianne sits down with Lily Nichols, RDN, author of Real Food for Pregnancy and founder of the Institute for Prenatal Nutrition. Together, they explore why current prenatal nutrition guidelines often fall short — and how a real food, functional nutrition approach can better support pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding health.About Lily Nichols:Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for evidence-based nutrition. Her work is known for being research-focused, thorough, and sensible. She is the founder of the Institute for Prenatal Nutrition®, co-founder of the Women’s Health Nutrition Academy, and the author of three books: Real Food for Fertility (co-authored with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack), Real Food for Pregnancy, and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. Lily’s bestselling books have helped tens of thousands of mamas (and babies!), are used in university-level maternal nutrition and midwifery courses, and have even influenced prenatal nutrition policy internationally. When she steps away from writing, you can find her spending time with her husband and two children — most likely outside or in the kitchen.Connect with Lily [https://lilynicholsrdn.com] **Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page [https://ntischool.com/rethinking-prenatal-nutrition/].Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team.This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.