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
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
Priya Krishna: Food Writer in Disguise
Journalist, author and New York Times critic Priya Krishna joins to dive deeper into the kitchen that inspired her cookbook Indian-ish. She talks through her mom's weeknight dinner routine (all done in a pristine white linen shirt), traveling to new cities and countries for free, and the lengths she goes to avoid being recognized at restaurants. Plus she shares her mom's quick and simple Dal recipe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 10, 2025 • 43min
Karen Pittman on Acting Against the Odds
In this special, live-taped episode actress Karen Pittman join Michele on stage to talk about her journey from Nashville to her career in Hollywood. She revisits the childhood kitchen where she watched her parents' fraught dynamics play out and where she learned to build worlds of her own imagination. Plus, we learn how to make her mama's buttery cinnamon rolls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
Malika Andrews Found her Sportscasting Voice in the Kitchen
Malika Andrews, an ESPN sports journalist known for hosting WNBA and NBA Countdown, reflects on her childhood in a multicultural household. She shares heartwarming stories from her mother's kitchen in Oakland, revealing how those experiences helped her find her voice and confidence. Malika emphasizes the importance of representation in sports for young women and the challenges of navigating identity in predominantly white spaces. Plus, she talks about the joy of cooking and shares secrets to her family's beloved carrot cake.
May 27, 2025 • 58min
The Restaurant That Made Antoni Porowski Proud to Be Polish
Antoni Porowski, food expert on Netflix's Queer Eye and host of the new show No Taste Like Home, joins Michele to talk about being Polish-Canadian and why he was never allowed in his kitchen growing up. He opens up about why he hasn't spoken to his mother in several years, and how cooking and a shared passion for food connects them to each other. We also learn about the iconic restaurant that helped him settle into his Polish identity and the secret behind a classic Polish recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 23, 2025 • 47min
Tom Colicchio on Hunger, Food Deserts, and a Broken System, from Assembly Required
Tom Colicchio, renowned chef and Top Chef judge, has dedicated over a decade to advocating for better food policies. He passionately discusses the irony of food insecurity in a wealthy nation and explores the impact of government policies on hunger. Colicchio shares insights from his work on school lunch reforms and tackling food deserts, emphasizing the importance of community action. He also reflects on the evolution of culinary culture and urges listeners to get involved in local initiatives to combat hunger, especially for children.
May 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
Why You Don’t Stand Next to Brad Meltzer in a Lighting Storm
Brad Meltzer, a New York Times bestselling author known for his thrillers and children's books, shares vivid tales from his Brooklyn childhood. He reflects on family kitchens as the heart of his home, revealing stories of lightning strikes that plague the men in his family. Discover how Jumbo's restaurant in Miami evolved into a civil rights landmark and community hub. Meltzer even dishes out a fried conch recipe from Jumbo's, blending memories, food, and the power of family in this engaging conversation.
May 13, 2025 • 55min
The Caribbean Kitchen That Nourished Michelle Buteau
Actress, comedian and writer Michelle Buteau joins the show to talk about growing up in a lively Caribbean household in New Jersey. She shares how music, dance and food shaped her upbringing and the smells and flavors that took over her childhood kitchen. We also learn about the healing power of humor and how she found the confidence to become a comedian. Plus, she tells us how to make her family’s Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Roy Choi on The Comforts of Underwear Rice
Chef Roy Choi, renowned for his Kogi food truck, shares his vibrant culinary journey shaped by his Los Angeles childhood. He reflects on bridging gaps from his hot-headed youth, navigating the complexities of Asian American identity, and the importance of community gatherings. Discover the warmth of ‘underwear rice’ and how simple dishes like Bimbim Noodle Salad evoke nostalgia and connection. Choi emphasizes how food and shared meals foster emotional bonds, celebrating the power of culinary memories.
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.
