Welcome to Insight into Health, my radio show on listener-supported KSVY 91.3, where I explore ways to make healthy living realistic, enjoyable, and sustainable. I am your host, Allison McKeany, and these are the show notes for the live radio show that aired on May 11, 2026.
My website got a makeover! Check it out at allisonmckeany.com.
My Upcoming Events:
May 21st, 2:30 - 4 pm: Nutrition, exercise, & bones
June 4th, 2:30 - 4 pm: Science of sleep
June 18th, 2:30 - 4 pm: Daily practices to support better sleep
June 11th, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm: Nutrition Across the Cancer Journey
July 9th, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm: Eating Well on the Hard Days
Listen to the episode:
Beyond the What: Neurogastronomy
Thank you to the person who turned me on to “Unforgettable,” a beautiful memoir/cookbook written by Emily Kaiser Thelin, all about the amazing life and adventures of Paula Wolfert.
In addition to being a great read, interspersed with delicious recipes with full-page color photos, it was the last chapter that really struck me. It was an honest and vulnerable account of Paula’s cognitive decline into Alzheimer’s disease, what she’s done through food and lifestyle to support her brain for years, and introduced me to the idea of “neurogastronomy.”
Neurogastronomy? The study of how the brain experiences flavor, which turns out to be an example of “multi-sensory stimuli” that promotes neuroplasticity. Flavor is a culmination of smell, taste, texture, temperature, sound, memory, and more. Plus, combining the act of cooking and enjoying meals with others supports brain health from multiple angles.
(If you are looking for the Mix & Match Frittata recipe I mentioned on air, scroll to the bottom. And let me know if you try it!)
Let’s Talk: Catt John
Catt John is a professional singer and entertainer who found her gift in church and cultivated it through musical theatre and choir as a child, at UCLA’s musical theatre program as a college student, and has spent time performing in New York, on cruise ships, and most recently has put together The Catt John Band, with bassist Lyle McKeany.
She joined me to talk about her passion project of bringing the gift of music to retirement homes and assisted living facilities throughout the area. We discussed how exposure to music, especially during the ages of 15-25, creates a musical imprint of memories that are processed and stored differently from other memories, making them durable throughout life, even when experiencing cognitive decline.
Thanks for being here,
Allison
Please remember that this information is meant to inform and inspire and is not personal health or medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare team about what is right for you.
