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  • Opening session reflections FNCE® 2025

    Opening session reflections FNCE® 2025

    The event started on Saturday, October 11 with a dynamic opening session featuring TV host, author and award winning chef Carla Hall. Hall was the perfect speaker to invigorate dietitians and nutrition professionals before a whirlwind four days in Nashville, TN. A Tennessee native herself, Hall used her professional experience and understanding of culture to inspire those in attendance as she spoke about the ways food connects us. Speaking from the heart, Hall adlibbed her way in and out of her talk, weaving in personal anecdotes from her dinner the night before at local Nashville spot, “The Audry” and reminiscing about personal food memories like savoring her mother’s meatloaf and her grandmother’s specialty dish, hot water cornbread.

    Hall shared her personal connection to food through her African American roots inspiring attendees to think about their own food memories, and she challenged everyone to think beyond food as energy. Having this perspective is crucial for dietitans to better counsel clients and patients in an inclusive and culturally appropriate way. Hall spoke about the difference between a “celebration food” versus an “everyday food,” and also called on those in the food industry to consider the nutrient density of the items on their menus as so many rely on takeout or dine at restaurants regularly. She even gave the example of another chef changing his menu after he realized he couldn’t routinely eat in his own restaurant. Just as dietitians adapt to new and emerging trends others in the food industry should too. Hall emphasized that, “Food is nourishment. Food is fuel. And food is connection.”

    The passionate way Hall talked about food and the impact it has had on her life shined through every moment of her session. Attendees left inspired, energized and empowered to connect with food in ways that nourish their body and well-being.

     

    Alyssa Smolen, MS, RDN, CDN, is a community dietitian, communications cochair for the NJAND, and nutrition content creator on Instagram. She has been quoted as a nutrition expert in Food Network, Forbes, Parade and US News and World Report. Her account, @arugalyssa, promotes simple recipes and is a source for myth-busting nutrition misinformation.

    You can connect with Alyssa on Instagram, TikTokand LinkedIn



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  • Opening session reflections FNCE® 2025

    Opening session reflections FNCE® 2025

    Reflections from the 2025 FNCE® Closing Session

    By Maree Ferguson

     

    Staying Authentic and Playing the Long Game: Joy Bauer in Conversation with Andy Cohen

     

    At FNCE, Joy Bauer sat down with Andy Cohen for a candid conversation about building a career that blends passion, authenticity, and balance.

    There was some controversy with Andy being chosen as the keynote speaker.  Not knowing too much about him, as an Australian who doesn’t watch The Real Housewives, I went in with an open mind..

    Andy shared that while his “day job” has always remained his main focus, but side projects keep things interesting. His mantra? Lean into the mess. Be yourself, stay relaxed, and go with what you know. Audiences can sense when you’re genuine, and authenticity always wins.

    He encouraged dietitians to see today’s media landscape and digital world as full of opportunity. Start small, focus on doing one thing really well, then build from there. “This is a great time for content creators,” Andy said. “There are so many platforms; use them strategically to expand your footprint.”

    To stay visible and relevant, Andy suggested focusing on what people already recognize you for, then using that as the foundation to pivot into new areas. A podcast, blog, or social media can help new audiences discover you.

    Andy also stressed the importance of discipline and consistency, from meeting every deadline to keeping a clear perspective on what really matters. He shared that writing daily for years helped him reflect, stay grounded and be intentional about life choices.  When it comes to balance, family keeps Andy’s career in perspective. He makes time for what matters most, even if that means saying no to opportunities that don’t align.

    Despite his success, Andy reminded everyone that “nobody is immune to haters.” His advice: focus on your community, stay true to what you do best, and put your phone down when things feel overwhelming.  Reconnect with real people, and remember that what feels big online often isn’t.

    Ultimately, Andy’s message was about playing the long game: prioritize what fuels you, protect your time, and keep showing up with passion and purpose.

    And a big shoutout to Joy Bauer who nailed the interview!  Joy led a dynamic, engaging conversation blending career insights with personal stories, and kept the energy high from start to finish. A truly gifted interviewer!

    To see more of Joy in conversation with dietitians – check out our Dietitian to Dietitian webseries. 

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  • Opening Up to Painful Emotions With A Gentle Practice

    Opening Up to Painful Emotions With A Gentle Practice

    Taking a moment to pause can enable us to move in the direction of suffering, to work, and to alleviate it, with wisdom and compassion.

    This is a meditation that I sometimes rely on when I find myself feeling the reactivity that comes up from what’s happening in the news, what’s happening in our communities, what’s happening in our country, and what’s happening in the world right now. Whether it’s because of the pandemic, a shooting, or an unnecessary killing of a good human being—it happens too frequently. It happened to Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others. 

    Take a moment to pause with all of the news coming at us, especially if you are someone who seeks to move in the direction of the suffering, to work, and to alleviate it, through actions and engagements in the world. This gentle practice can provide support to you in remaining grounded as you open up to information that may cause you pain. 

    A Gentle Practice for Opening Up to Painful Emotions

    1. Noticing any of these kinds of reactivities coming up for you, you can, as always, just take a few deep and conscious breaths. And as you do so, you’re turning your attention in a very purposeful way toward these sensations that are coming up for you beneath the breath and in the body. 
    2. Taking a long, slow breath in, and a gentle, even longer breath out. Continue to follow the flow of your breathing as best you can, resting your attention there.
    3. On an in-breath, breathe in for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven, and then release for a count of eight. We’re doing the four, seven, eight cycle here. So on the next in-breath, breathe in for four counts, hold for seven counts, and then release for eight counts. Repeat that four, seven, eight cycle of breathing in and out one or two times. Breathing out through the mouth, if at all possible.
    4. Now settle into a natural rhythm and as best you can, maintain awareness of the quality of your breath—in and out. And rest as best you can, along the river of these sensations, resting in the long, broad, and deep now.
    5. As you rest, gently call to mind your desire and the will you have inside yourself for peace that begins with you. For well-being that begins right here, right now, in your own body and being and spirit, for justice that begins here.
    6. Perhaps on the next in-breath, consciously focus on the love and compassion that exists in your own heart. The peace that can begin with you right now—extending through you, right now.
    7. As you breathe in, bring greater awareness to this love. This warm, loving softness within you. Or other characteristics that you sense in your own experience, other ways you would describe your own warming heart and the will in your heart for justice and positive social community, for global change.
    8. As much as possible, allow yourself to completely feel the compassion in your being for everyone who’s suffering—obviously in a way that includes you, includes all of us. And particularly those who are suffering the most in your community and in the world right now, wherever they may be.
    9. So as you breathe in and out, breathing in the sense of awareness of the love in your heart, and breathing out very consciously, sending loving support toward all those you believe to be in need of it in this very moment.
    10. Breathe in a sense of your own loving heart and what is well within you, and while breathing out, gently extending the wish for well-being from your own head to toe, and flowing out through you, to the communities you meet and touch and work with. And out as far as my reach can go, circling the globe.
    11. As you bring this meditation gently to a close, take a moment to appreciate all that you are, all that you do. The body that is carrying you through this very life in all its perfect imperfections—just as you are. 
    12. Call forth an intention for staying grounded and holding with grace, your spirit, your being, and your energy for the work today.

    Follow this practice and other meditations guided by Rhonda Magee on her SoundCloud. 



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