Healthy Habits Happy Homes

We are excited to present a special episode as the final episode of our season! This episode was created by fourth-year nutrition students at the University of Guelph as part of their Nutrition Communication course and was selected as the top podcast episode. Tune in to hear this fantastic episode from students Dawn and Daniel as they dive into all things fibre!

As warmer weather approaches, so does tick season. In this episode, we are joined by researcher Justin Wood. Justin works at the University of Guelph’s Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Laboratory and is the founder of Geneticks, where he focuses on developing diagnostics for tick-borne diseases and advancing pathogen research. In this episode, we take a deep dive into ticks, Lyme disease, and practical ways to protect ourselves and our families while continuing to enjoy time outdoors this summer.

You may have noticed new labels popping up on some of your favourite snacks but what are they, what do they actually mean, and how can they help you make more informed choices? In this episode of Healthy Habits, Happy Homes, we break down everything you need to know about front-of-package labelling in Canada. Joined by PhD candidate, Emily Ziraldo, from the University of Toronto, we explore what these labels are designed to do, how to interpret them, and what they mean for your everyday food decisions. Whether you’re grocery shopping for your family or just curious about the changes on store shelves, this episode will help you feel more confident navigating nutrition labels.

Join us for this episode as we explore the timely and widely discussed topic of social media and its effects on the brain. With platforms becoming an ever-present part of young people’s daily lives, many are asking: Why are these platforms so addictive, and how are they influencing brain development? From the pull of endless scrolling to the phenomenon of “doomscrolling,” we unpack what is really happening behind the screen. To help us navigate these important questions, we are joined by Dr. Emma Duerden, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience & Learning Disorders, and leader of the Developing Brain Lab at Western University. Her research examines how social media and screen time shape brain development, mental health, and learning outcomes in children and adolescents. Together, we discuss what the science says about social media use, how it may be impacting youth, and what parents, educators, and young people themselves should know.

Vaping. Smoking. Nicotine. What’s actually going on with teens today? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nicholas Chadi MD, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine expert, for a thoughtful and evidence-based conversation about vaping and teens. While this topic can feel complicated, it’s an important conversation to hear. We explore how vaping differs from smoking, why many teens are vaping, and what harmful effects we are starting to see. Dr. Chadi also shares how parents can start open, supportive conversations with their teens and highlights other nicotine products we should be aware of. Dr. Chadi also hosts his own podcast, Healthy Teens, where he explores key issues affecting youth health and well-being.