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
Jan 28, 2025 • 1min
Welcome Back To Your Mama's Kitchen
Welcome back to Your Mama's Kitchen, where we bring you life changing stories from the childhood kitchens of chefs, musicians, TV personalities and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dec 18, 2024 • 33min
A Taste of the Holidays
John Batiste, a celebrated singer and songwriter, shares his family's beloved Christmas gumbo tradition. He reminisces about the warm holiday spirit in New Orleans, highlighting friendly kitchen competitions among relatives. The discussion features amusing stories about unique cooking techniques and cultural heritage, infusing humor with heartfelt memories. Batiste also delves into the significance of music during the holidays, reflecting on its role in creating joyful moments while teasing future culinary stories and traditions.
Oct 24, 2024 • 21min
Celebrating 60
In this very special solo episode, Hoda opens up about life at 60. She celebrates the decade ahead in this love letter to her personal journey. Hoda reflects on her life’s path, overcoming hardship and the lessons she’s learned along the way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 3, 2024 • 59min
Music of My Mind, from The Wonder of Stevie
Hey Higher Ground listeners! We're sharing a preview of a new podcast called The Wonder of Stevie, from Higher Ground. You might think you know Stevie Wonder. You might think you know his music. But you’ve never heard it like this. Host Wesley Morris is taking you on a deep-dive through Stevie's Classic Period: five legendary albums back-to-back in just four years. Hear about the record deal that started it all, the technology Stevie adopted to create never-before-heard sounds, and his influence on our culture. There will be appearances from legends like Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Babyface, Janelle Monae and more. In this episode, Wesley details how, years after signing his first recording deal with Motown Records, Stevie decides to renegotiate his contract. One of the things on the table? Complete creative freedom. What follows is the beginning of one of the greatest streak of albums in American popular music: Music of My Mind.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 3, 2024 • 40min
Jennifer Hudson
Dreamgirl, American Idol finalist and EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson joins us for the last episode of the season. She takes us back to her early years in the Southside of Chicago where she and her siblings grew up in a kitchen filled with song and where she spent precious late nights with her grandma in front of the TV. Plus, we hear about the poundcake recipe of her childhood.Jennifer Hudson is a renowned singer and actress. She’s won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony, earning her an EGOT status. She currently hosts her own self-titled show where she invites celebrities, community heroes and viral sensations to bring empowering conversations to light.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 26, 2024 • 46min
Pete Holmes
Comedian Pete Holmes shares the small ways his mom infused her Lithuanian heritage through food, even if she wouldn’t talk much about the home she knew before having to flee the country and become a refugee. He’ll open up about his journey confronting some dark parts of his past that helped him make better comedy. Plus, we’ll get the recipe for his mom’s apple pie that might look more like a cobbler.Pete Holmes is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer and podcaster. He gained recognition as the creator and lead actor of the HBO series "Crashing," a semi-autobiographical show centered around the world of stand-up comedy. Holmes has also worked as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and lent his voice to characters in the animated series "Animals." His stand-up specials, including "Nice Try, The Devil" and "Faces and Sounds," have received praise for their observational humor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 19, 2024 • 43min
Zarna Garg
Stand-up comedian Zarna Garg shares her journey from Indian immigrant mom to comedy star. She discusses arranged marriage, simplifying meals, and transforming broccoli dishes. Her humorous take on family life and cooking tips make this podcast a delightful listen.
Jun 12, 2024 • 36min
Sohla El-Waylly
Chef Sohla El-Waylly reflects on her culinary journey starting in her mother's kitchen, blending global flavors with traditional dishes. She shares insights on resilience, creativity, and the importance of balance. Learn how to make her mother's flaky parathas and explore the power of food as a gesture of love and hope.
Jun 6, 2024 • 25min
You Will be Timed (with Michele Norris and Carlos Fenwick)
Michele Norris’ family has 30+ years of precious memories driving throughout the East Coast. From celebrating birthdays on the go to weathering natural disasters, when it comes to road trips, they’ve been through. Join Michele and her nephew Carlos Fenwick as they journey down memory lane with a lot of laughs along the way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 5, 2024 • 45min
Lena Waithe
Award-winning screenwriter and funny person Lena Waithe takes us back to her fast-food filled childhood in the Southside of Chicago. We’ll hear about what it was like to live in a house with three generations of women and about her grandmother’s dining table, which plays a big part in an award-winning episode that Lena wrote for Master of None. Plus, we hear why Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort meal.Lena Waithe is a comedian, actor, writer and screenwriter. She was the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her Thanksgiving episode on Netflix’s Master of None. She created The Chi, which she currently produces.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
