Realfoodology Podcast Episode Summary

Episode: Can We Make Health Bipartisan? | Fixing MAHA, SNAP & Food Policy
Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Courtney Swan
Guests: Molly & Ryland (regenerative farming experts, siblings, and food activists)

Episode Overview

In this powerful live episode, Courtney Swan is joined by siblings and regenerative food system leaders Molly and Ryland to discuss the intersection of food policy, health, and bipartisan action in America. Focused on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, the conversation dives deep into the limitations and possibilities of government intervention, the urgent need for SNAP (food stamp) reform, and how citizens—regardless of political affiliation—can unite for better food, farmer survival, and public health. The guests share personal stories, practical policy solutions, and an appeal for unity over division in healing the country’s food system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Journeys and Motivation

• Courtney’s Background: Started Realfoodology out of a passion for spreading truth about the food industry and nutritional health.
  • “What we're eating is everything. It determines our health in general.” (00:37)
• Molly & Ryland’s Path: Introduced through the regenerative agriculture movement and “Kiss the Ground” documentary, forging deep ties as activists and friends.

2. MAHA Movement: Progress & Disappointment

• MAHA Support & Bipartisanship:

  • Ryland recounts how supporting Bobby Kennedy led him to step down from his nonprofit, Kiss the Ground, to work toward “a bigger opportunity for service and transformation.” (05:54)
  • Ryland notes government is a “continuum of disappointments,” but the conversations and forward momentum are breakthroughs compared to previous administrations. (11:12)

• Disappointments with MAHA:

  • Molly expresses skepticism about lasting government solutions, highlighting lost opportunities:
    • The Republican Party doesn’t understand that the pro-health coalition (the “MAHA moms”) is bipartisan, not strictly Republican. (12:25)
    • Good programs in bad bills—like fresh grain supply chains—were discarded without nuance. (13:36)
  • Concerns over policy backslides, such as pesticide lawsuits and PFAS regulations being rolled back, despite promises. (20:32)

    "I don't think that's what anybody thought when they were rallying for MAHA." — Molly (20:43)

• Notable Quote:

  • “Politics is gonna be a continuum of disappointments. On some level, it’s like, forgiveness is preloading disappointment—and being grateful for that.” — Ryland (11:12)

3. Building Health Beyond Politics

• Courtney’s Call for Unity:
  • Despite shifting from ‘far left’ to supporting MAHA, her core message has always been about real food and health for all. (24:30)
  • “We are all Americans... it doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you’re on, you’re still being poisoned by your food system.” (25:50)
• Molly’s Take on Bipartisanship:
  • The real food movement has always been driven by the left, but now has support from the right, too.

    "Now it seems like… the left is screaming, ‘No, no, no—it’s totalitarianism to take Red Dye 40 out of the cereal.’ Like, what?" (26:19)

  • Emphasizes need for critical thinking and to reject information that "divides us."

    "We are all being poisoned. There is no discrimination." (27:17)

  • Critique of environmentalism: the narrative that “we don’t belong here” undermines the urgency for reform.
• Ryland on Messaging:
  • Calls for positive, unity-driven messaging. Warns that divisive, “othering” content goes viral but doesn’t serve the broader healing goals. (36:21)

4. SNAP/Food Stamp Reform: Vision & Impact

• Problems with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):
  • 10% of SNAP dollars go to soda companies.
  • Most SNAP purchases are junk foods, fueling obesity/diabetes in low-income families. (39:15)
• Molly’s Reform Proposal:
  • Limit SNAP-eligible products to foods with 5–10 ingredients.
    • “All the companies would reformulate… and take out a lot of the ingredients because they would not be able to get that revenue.” (39:37)
  • Double SNAP value at farmer’s markets, more money for single-ingredient whole foods.
  • SNAP as a true "nutrition grant"—if the outcome is nutrition, the program rules should reflect that.

    "SNAP is a nutrition grant from the government... the outcome should be nutrition." — Molly (41:12)

  • Existing SNAP infrastructure fails small farms (buying hoops)—difficult, bureaucratic, inaccessible. (47:02)
• Broader Effect:
  • Changing SNAP rules would cause all brands to reformulate and could shift the entire food supply toward healthier products, not just for SNAP recipients but for everyone. (51:03)

    “It creates health across everybody.” — Molly (51:03)

  • Local examples in Texas (H.E.B. supermarkets), already rearranging store layouts in anticipation of SNAP rule changes. (51:20)
• Stats:
  • More money is spent with SNAP on soda, candy, snacks, ice cream, and desserts than on fruits, vegetables, eggs, beans, and rice combined. (62:18)

5. Crisis of Family Farms & Solutions

• Farm Attrition Crisis:
  • “One in 15 farms is lost in the last eight years, which is a full-on agrarian collapse.” — Molly (45:37)
  • Molly illustrates how SNAP reform could save struggling small family farms—describes a real example of a farm able to survive thanks to government food box programs. (46:00)
  • Current SNAP/Farmer’s Market systems don’t support small producers due to high thresholds, logistics, and bureaucratic hurdles. (47:02)
• Practical Solutions for Listeners:
  • Molly: “What can we do? Besides buying from farmers, what can we do to support? Literally just buy from farmers.” (53:16)
  • Support local, regenerative, and family-owned farms; convenience must be sacrificed to regenerate local economies.
  • Word-of-mouth matters; conversations and community action have a real ripple effect. (56:22)
  • True change, as Will Harris said, comes from the ground up.

6. Policy Levers: What Should Ag Leaders Do?

• Subsidy Reform:

  • Molly proposes reforming crop insurance and creating incentives for grazing and regenerative layers on private lands (especially in Texas). (66:42)
  • Suggests a “first-time land buyer” low-interest program for young farmers, similar to veteran or first-time home buyer programs.
  • Incentivize BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land and private land stocking for edible livestock, raising overall food resiliency.

• Technical Training & Outcomes:

  • Ryland stresses that conservation subsidies should reward measurable ecological improvements, citing Gabe Brown’s regenerative frameworks for lasting transitions. (70:34)
  • “You get more money if you’re showing that there’s an outcome being delivered for those dollars.” (72:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The land that we stand on, the land that we eat, serves everyone. It doesn’t serve the left or the right.” — Ryland (35:47)
• “If you’re getting information… and it’s trying to divide us, then be critical thinking what you’re seeing, because we are all being poisoned.” — Molly (27:17)
• “SNAP is a nutrition grant from the government printed money... the outcome should be nutrition.” — Molly (41:12)
• “McDonald’s just put a fund of $200 million towards regenerative ranching... that to me shows that a thousand little chips have led to a directional shift.” — Ryland (62:46)
• “We are in a very precarious position. …Not one single order of soybeans has been put in from China…We’re importing everything.” — Molly (64:04)
• “If we want cool stuff to exist where we live, we have to support it… It has a ripple effect.” — Molly (54:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:33 – Courtney’s intro and the birth of Realfoodology
• 05:54–12:25 – Ryland’s story: joining and supporting MAHA, leaving his nonprofit
• 12:25–14:13 – Molly’s perspective: systemic skepticism and missed opportunities
• 17:48–20:32 – Heritage Foundation events, pesticide shields, government contradictions
• 24:30–29:07 – Bridging political divides over food and health
• 35:47–38:11 – Regenerative agriculture and messaging for unity
• 39:37–44:50 – SNAP problems and Molly’s actionable reform plan
• 45:37–49:08 – Family farm collapse: stats and testimony
• 51:03–53:16 – Policy changes, ripple effects on food companies
• 53:16–56:22 – Concrete actions: support your local farmer, community impact
• 62:18–64:04 – SNAP/junk food stats & Big Food lobbying; McDonald's and regenerative ag
• 64:04–66:23 – Farm and food system fragility in the US
• 66:42–72:00 – If we could speak to Secretary Rollins: actionable subsidy and training changes

Final Takeaways

• Food policy reform is possible and urgent: Reforming SNAP alone could create sweeping improvements in health and shift the broader food landscape.
• Bipartisanship is not only possible but necessary: Real food, farmer success, and better health transcend political divides.
• Personal action is essential: Buying directly from farmers and spreading awareness in your community makes a difference—be the change.
• Systemic transformation needs both grassroots demand and policy smart change: From regenerative farming support to realignment of subsidies, solutions must address the roots of farm and health crises.

(This summary omits all advertisements, intros, and outros. For further resources, visit the podcast’s website or follow @realfoodology on Instagram.)