Your Mama’s Kitchen
Higher Ground
“Tell me about your mama's kitchen.” That’s the simple request which begins each episode of this Audible Original podcast from acclaimed journalist Michele Norris (NPR’s All Things Considered, The Washington Post) and Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama's media company. Every week, hear guests like Michelle Obama, Conan O'Brien, Ina Garten, José Andrés, John Legend, and more explore the complexities of family life and how their earliest culinary experiences helped shape their personal and professional lives—and of course, each guest brings a recipe for a favorite dish from their youth so you can taste a bit of their story.With a delicious buffet of actors, authors, chefs, musicians, and more, the rich conversations that flow from that simple, initial prompt reveal the histories, memories, and cultures that emerge from the kitchen—the heart of the home—where we are nourished physically and spiritually. Your Mama’s Kitchen is a podcast about cuisine and culture, ingredients and identities, and the meals and memories that make us who we are.Your Mama’s Kitchen is a production of Higher Ground.Produced by Sonia Htoon.Associate Producers are Jenna Levin, Stella Hartman, Itxy Quintinilla and Camila Thur de Koos.Sound design and engineering from Andrew Eapen, Ryan Kozlowski and Roy Baum.Executive producers for Higher Ground are Mukta Mohan, Dan Fierman and Michele Norris.The show’s closing song is 504 by The Soul Rebels.Editorial and web support from Melissa Bear and Say What Media. Our talent booker is Angela Peluso.Copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC / Sound Recording copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 29, 2025 • 55min
Why Binging with Babish Had to Detox from Craving Online Fame
Michele chats with Andrew Rea, the creator behind the massively popular Binging with Babish, to talk about how a Reddit side project turned into a culinary empire. Andrew opens up about losing his mom at a young age, why making cooking videos connects him to both his parents, and how he handles the highs and lows of social media fame. Plus, he shares his spin on his mom’s Cookie recipe. The trick? “Let out your inner child monster”! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 25, 2025 • 46min
Should You Wash a Cast Iron Skillet? From A Hot Dog Is A Sandwich
Sharing an episode of A Hot Dog Is A Sandwich. On the show, Mythical Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati discuss, debate, and dissect the web’s most hilariously controversial culinary quandaries. In this episode, Josh and Nicole debate whether a cast iron skillet needs to be washed every time you use it. Listen to more “A Hot Dog is a Sandwich” episodes at https://link.chtbl.com/AHDIASYMKFDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 22, 2025 • 53min
Food that Connected Susan Orlean to the Land her Parents Fled
Susan Orlean, a renowned journalist and bestselling author, shares her insights on growing up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and the Hungarian dishes that evoke her parents' lost home. She reflects on the culinary skills that her mother didn't teach her, and the significant role food plays in shaping identity and familial bonds. Orlean shares a delightful recipe for cheese balls, inviting listeners to explore their own culinary memories. Through rich storytelling, she connects food with nostalgia and the immigrant experience.
Apr 15, 2025 • 58min
The Secret Behind Tanya Holland’s Famous Cornmeal Waffles
Tanya Holland, a celebrated chef and U.S. Culinary Diplomat, shares her passion for food and hospitality, rooted in her family's tradition of hosting gourmet supper clubs. She discusses the significance of her Oakland restaurant, Brown Sugar Kitchen, and the cultural heritage behind her famous cornmeal waffles. Tanya reflects on how personal experiences and community shape her culinary journey while addressing the evolution of soul food and the emotional ties that food fosters among people.
Apr 8, 2025 • 56min
Randall Park on Following Dreams without Parental Permission
Actor, comedian and director Randall Park takes us back to his upbringing in Los Angeles, where he learned important lessons about community in his father's small 1-hour photo shop. He gets into how he managed to jumpstart his career in entertainment without telling his parents -- while living under their roof. Plus, we learn how to make his mama's Korean soup, Tteokguk.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 1, 2025 • 52min
How Sarah Ahn Built a TikTok Empire From Her Mom’s Korean Kitchen
Sarah Ahn, a cookbook author and popular content creator behind 'Ahnest Kitchen', shares her family's inspiring journey from Korean War survival to TikTok fame. She discusses the emotional significance of '손 맛' (hand taste) in Korean cooking and reveals her mother's thoughts on their newfound social media stardom. Sarah dives into the challenges of preserving culinary heritage, the joy of family cooking, and the secrets to perfect dishes like kimchi and fried chicken. Her heartfelt reflections bring warmth and nostalgia to the kitchen.
Mar 25, 2025 • 48min
From Jazz to Cooking: Freedom within Form with Wendell Pierce
Actor and author Wendell Pierce takes us back into his home in Pontchartrain Park, Louisiana. He shares how he got his mother's love of learning and his father's sense of adventure. Plus, we learn his mom's secret for cooking Okra to avoid all that slime.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 18, 2025 • 48min
Why Dan Pashman Keeps His Pork Pan in the Garage
Dan Pashman, a renowned food podcaster and the mastermind behind the unique Cascatelli pasta shape, shares his delightful culinary journey. He reminisces about his mother’s legendary fajita experiments and the family’s Tex-Mex adventures. The conversation dives into balancing kosher traditions with personal cooking preferences, including the amusing habit of storing a pork pan in the garage. Dan also explores the evolution of pasta, encouraging creativity in cooking and recounting the rise of Cascatelli's fame. This episode is a feast for nostalgia and culinary innovation!
Mar 12, 2025 • 55min
Introducing IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson dive into their sibling bond, sharing heartfelt stories from their childhood and the lessons learned along the way. They explore the importance of communication, support, and family values through various life experiences, from first crushes to career changes. The hosts also touch on the significance of lifelong learning and practical parenting tips, including how to teach kids financial literacy. Laughter and real conversations abound as they invite listeners to reflect on their own relationships and experiences.
Mar 11, 2025 • 53min
Lashana Lynch on Leading with Jamaican Pride
Lashana Lynch, a British actor known for her roles in No Time to Die and Captain Marvel, shares her journey from a close-knit West London community to Hollywood. She emphasizes the influence of her Jamaican heritage, particularly her mother's strength, on her acting and identity. Lynch fondly recalls her childhood in her grandparents' record shop and expresses her love for Jamaican comfort food, especially her mama’s saltfish dish, while reflecting on the significance of cultural representation in her work.
