Know Better Do Better ~ Food Secure Nation

Oct. 24, 2026 ~ Food Secure Nation returns with a powerful conversation with Dennis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America. Hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson explore the organization’s bold 2030 vision: an America where no one is hungry. Dennis explains why leaders must be impatient on behalf of families facing hunger. The conversation covers the national food bank network, farmer partnerships, data-driven progress, and the urgent need to keep neighbors at the center of every solution. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Oct. 17, 2026 ~ In this episode of Food Secure Nation, Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk with Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Michael Flood shares his journey from soccer and newspaper work to leading one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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October 10, 2026 ~ Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson explore veteran service and food security on Food Secure Nation. They discuss Clarence’s community contributions and interview retired Army Colonel Nate Springer about transitioning military leadership to food banking, organizational decentralization, and feeding families in Southern Colorado. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Jerry Brisson and Dr. Phil Knight introduce Clarence and Nate Springer to highlight how military service instills a lasting commitment to helping others. When individuals take off the uniform, their dedication to a mission often shifts into local community leadership, such as volunteering at food banks or mentoring young people. Research shared by Vira supports this by showing that veterans volunteer at high rates and contribute substantially more annual hours than non-veterans, bringing valuable teamwork and adaptability to civilian life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Dr. Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson introduce a broader view of hunger among older populations by challenging traditional assumptions about food access. When Colleen Heflin and Madonna Harrington-Meyer discuss their book, they reveal that food scarcity is frequently the result of difficult budget trade-offs caused by high housing and utility expenses. Because older adults prioritize keeping a roof over their heads, food often becomes the most expendable budget item. Furthermore, Madonna Harrington-Meyer shares qualitative interviews showing that seniors routinely skip meals or sacrifice nutrition to pay bills or support family members, proving that food insecurity is a deeply social issue rather than just a private struggle. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Dr. Phil Knight and Lori Dijkstra discuss the complex social dynamics of food insecurity within tight-knit rural environments. Living in a small community means individuals often know the volunteers distributing assistance personally, creating a barrier of vulnerability and reluctance to ask for help. Lori Dijkstra shares personal reflections from growing up receiving assistance, illustrating the lingering shame associated with visible poverty markers like colored cards. This background informs her leadership approach at Feeding South Dakota, where she aims to remove judgment and ensure community members feel respected. Jerry Brasson adds perspective by noting that local gossip and town reputation heavily influence a person’s willingness to seek support, making compassionate local outreach essential for bridging the gap between need and provision. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Phil Knight and Jerry Brisson welcome Feeding America CEO Dennis McDonough to “Food Secure Nation.” Dennis McDonough shares his journey from a large Minnesota family to leading national government agencies and now fighting food insecurity. Discover how his background in service shapes his dedication to the mission. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Rebecca Freeman-Adcock highlights that the federal government historically views food security through the lenses of national and economic stability. Because individuals facing food insecurity often face a singular, consuming problem regarding their next meal, Rebecca Freeman-Adcock advocates for aligning these high-level security conversations with the immediate needs of vulnerable populations. The discussion reveals that while policymakers often desire to help, they are frequently constrained by regulatory and budgetary realities. Effective advocacy requires practitioners to present solutions that are not only conceptually sound but also operationally feasible within the current administrative framework Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Aug. 30, 2026 ~ Hosts Phillip Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Crystal Fitz-Simons, who recently became the president for the Food Research and Action Center, FRAC, an organization that has spent more than 50 years shaping America's response to hunger. She isn't starting a new story, but she is writing the next chapter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Aug. 16, 2026 ~ Hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson talk to Cynthia Kirkhart to discuss her leadership at Facing Hunger Food Bank and her commitment to supporting families in Appalachia. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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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.com
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