{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Wednesdays Off","title":"Wendy Wesley & Ted Cooper | From Soil to Soul: Nourishing Community, Challenging Food Myths, and Growing Change - Wednesdays Off Ep. 10","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3950,"description":"What if the secret to a healthier, more connected community lies in the soil beneath our feet and the meals we share? In this episode of the Wednesday's Off Podcast, host Stavros Michailidis sits down with Wendy Wesley, a passionate registered dietitian and founder of the St. Pete Cooking School, and Ted Cooper, the dedicated garden manager at Daystar Life. Together, they reveal how Daystar Life—a St. Petersburg nonprofit—goes beyond fighting food insecurity by empowering locals with nutrition education, hands-on cooking classes, and a thriving organic garden that turns food waste into fresh produce for families in need. Discover how Wendy and Ted are challenging the status quo of food pantries by prioritizing nutrients over empty calories, fostering a culture of giving, and building a resilient neighborhood from the ground up. Dive into their stories of personal transformation, practical tips for home gardening and cooking, and the powerful ripple effects of community-driven change. Experience the heart and wisdom of Daystar Life—catch the full episode for a fresh perspective on food, community, and what it truly means to nourish a city.\nEpisode Timeline:\n[00:05] Introduction to Wendy Wesley and Ted Cooper, their backgrounds, and Daystar Life’s mission\n[02:20] Wendy and Ted share how they became involved with Daystar Life and their personal motivations\n[03:35] Overview of Daystar Life’s services: food pantry, rent assistance, and holistic support for the community\n[05:31] The closed-loop system: turning food waste into compost and organic produce\n[06:30] Wendy and Ted’s career journeys before Daystar and what drew them to their current roles\n[08:31] Challenging food pantry norms: prioritizing nutrients over calories and empowering through education\n[10:42] Cooking and gardening classes as tools for community empowerment\n[11:26] Seedlings to Neighbors: building gardens for local families and fostering self-sufficiency\n[13:43] The unique culture of volunteers and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/QXCWs12cUg7giPSjkPxaFtzdqKRCzjhUCwok1dTe47E/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lMTgx/Yzg2YWJlMGIzNTlk/ZGIwNTYzOTc1MDgw/NTgwNS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}