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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.
Episode Timeline:
[00:05] Introduction to Wendy Wesley and Ted Cooper, their backgrounds, and Daystar Life’s mission
[02:20] Wendy and Ted share how they became involved with Daystar Life and their personal motivations
[03:35] Overview of Daystar Life’s services: food pantry, rent assistance, and holistic support for the community
[05:31] The closed-loop system: turning food waste into compost and organic produce
[06:30] Wendy and Ted’s career journeys before Daystar and what drew them to their current roles
[08:31] Challenging food pantry norms: prioritizing nutrients over calories and empowering through education
[10:42] Cooking and gardening classes as tools for community empowerment
[11:26] Seedlings to Neighbors: building gardens for local families and fostering self-sufficiency
[13:43] The unique culture of volunteers and staff at Daystar Life
[16:22] Reflections on the changing landscape of St. Petersburg and the importance of community involvement
[20:46] Sustainable development, urban change, and the impact on local food systems
[28:51] The role of gardening in personal and community well-being; lessons from blue zones
[32:03] Practical gardening tips: mulching, soil health, and the gardener’s role as a scene setter
[38:51] Parallels between gardening and cooking: the importance of preparation and foundational skills
[41:12] Reducing food waste at home: storage, shopping habits, and the emotional impact of waste
[44:17] The difference between processed and fresh foods; challenges in changing food culture
[49:34] The importance of fiber, variety, and realistic approaches to healthy eating
[51:49] Canned vegetables vs. processed snacks: meeting people where they are
[55:53] Gut health, the microbiome, and the addictive nature of ultra-processed foods
[58:00] The importance of paying attention to digestive health and practical dietary advice
[1:05:22] How to get involved with Daystar Life as a volunteer or donor; upcoming cooking classes and community initiatives
Resources:
Routine Rebel: routinerebel.com
Daystar Life: daystarlife.org, volunteer and donations: https://daystarlife.org/donate/
Wendy Wesley Nutrition: https://wendywesleynutrition.com/
Hot Flash Kitchen, A Menopause Nutritional Plan (upcoming book by Wendy Wesley)
Episode Timeline:
[00:05] Introduction to Wendy Wesley and Ted Cooper, their backgrounds, and Daystar Life’s mission
[02:20] Wendy and Ted share how they became involved with Daystar Life and their personal motivations
[03:35] Overview of Daystar Life’s services: food pantry, rent assistance, and holistic support for the community
[05:31] The closed-loop system: turning food waste into compost and organic produce
[06:30] Wendy and Ted’s career journeys before Daystar and what drew them to their current roles
[08:31] Challenging food pantry norms: prioritizing nutrients over calories and empowering through education
[10:42] Cooking and gardening classes as tools for community empowerment
[11:26] Seedlings to Neighbors: building gardens for local families and fostering self-sufficiency
[13:43] The unique culture of volunteers and staff at Daystar Life
[16:22] Reflections on the changing landscape of St. Petersburg and the importance of community involvement
[20:46] Sustainable development, urban change, and the impact on local food systems
[28:51] The role of gardening in personal and community well-being; lessons from blue zones
[32:03] Practical gardening tips: mulching, soil health, and the gardener’s role as a scene setter
[38:51] Parallels between gardening and cooking: the importance of preparation and foundational skills
[41:12] Reducing food waste at home: storage, shopping habits, and the emotional impact of waste
[44:17] The difference between processed and fresh foods; challenges in changing food culture
[49:34] The importance of fiber, variety, and realistic approaches to healthy eating
[51:49] Canned vegetables vs. processed snacks: meeting people where they are
[55:53] Gut health, the microbiome, and the addictive nature of ultra-processed foods
[58:00] The importance of paying attention to digestive health and practical dietary advice
[1:05:22] How to get involved with Daystar Life as a volunteer or donor; upcoming cooking classes and community initiatives
Resources:
Routine Rebel: routinerebel.com
Daystar Life: daystarlife.org, volunteer and donations: https://daystarlife.org/donate/
Wendy Wesley Nutrition: https://wendywesleynutrition.com/
Hot Flash Kitchen, A Menopause Nutritional Plan (upcoming book by Wendy Wesley)
Creators and Guests
Host
Stavros Michailidis
Stavros Michailidis is a freedom-driven entrepreneur dedicated to helping others escape the grind and build lives of clarity, autonomy, and impact. He’s the creator of Routine Rebel, a movement for entrepreneurs who want to design businesses that serve their lives—not the other way around. Known for his grounded approach and rebellious spirit, Stavros brings real-world experience, deep curiosity, and a bias toward action to every conversation. Wednesdays Off is his latest practice: a weekly invitation to rethink work, freedom, and what really matters.
What is Wednesdays Off?
Wednesdays Off is the freedom podcast from Routine Rebel.
It’s for the leaders who are done being consumed by the very businesses they are building. Through raw conversations, personal insights, and behind-the-scenes stories, we explore what it really means to reclaim your time, energy, and joy—without sacrificing success.
This isn't a hustle podcast.
It’s a call to adventure—to practice freedom in real time, to simplify what matters, to build systems that get you out of the weeds, and to connect with others doing the same.
Each episode helps you challenge old patterns, reconnect with what matters, and build a life that’s spacious, meaningful, and yours.
Because freedom isn’t the reward. It’s the requirement.