Having Petrini as a guest speaker kicks off a new series of interview-style podcasts for Whole Foods Market focusing on conversations with today's leading thinkers about food and environmental issues facing our world. Originally started by Petrini as a protest in response to the opening of a major fast-food restaurant in his native Italy, the Slow Food movement seeks to catalyze a shift toward a sustainable food system, preservation of regional food traditions, and a rediscovery of the pleasures of the table and a more harmonious rhythm of life. A passionate spokesperson and writer on how food can connect us to the earth and each other, he was recently included in Time magazine's list of "European Heroes" as one of today's great innovators. "We are thrilled to kick off our new interview-style podcasts with such an inspirational food revolutionary," said Paige Brady, podcast host and social media director at Whole Foods Market.