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
May 29, 2024 • 48min
Misty Copeland
Renowned American ballet dancer Misty Copeland opens up about the instability she faced in her childhood and how her natural athleticism and incredible discipline led her to shine as a dance prodigy in her teens. She talks about the evolution of her relationship to food and nutrition from growing up in various different kitchens to eating like an athlete. Plus, you’ll hear how to make one of her healthy, go-to recipes: Baked tilapia with veggies.Misty Copeland is a Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. She made history in 2015, becoming the first African-American woman to ever be promoted to that position. She’s written several New York Times bestselling books and launched her own foundation in 2022.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
May 22, 2024 • 46min
Tamron Hall
Tamron Hall, an Emmy award-winning TV host and author of 'A Confident Cook,' shares her journey from a small Texas town to the television spotlight. She reflects on the influence of maternal figures, celebrating diverse expressions of motherhood. Tamron discusses the emotional ties in the kitchen, her family’s Southern cooking traditions, and the significance of her nostalgic 'Socket To Them' cake recipe. Her heartfelt anecdotes showcase resilience and empowerment, particularly as a Black woman in the media, encouraging listeners to cherish their own culinary memories.
May 15, 2024 • 39min
Dorie Greenspan
Dorie Greenspan, a celebrated cookbook author and baker, shares her enchanting journey from an unassuming Brooklyn childhood to culinary fame. She talks about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, like burning down her mother's kitchen during a cooking mishap. Dorie reflects on her mentorship under the legendary Julia Child and her passion for baking, sparked by her husband's encouragement. The conversation highlights the strong connections forged in kitchens and ends with a delightful soft-shell crab recipe that links her past and present.
May 8, 2024 • 41min
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, a Tony Award-winning actor famous for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family, shares his journey from a young theater enthusiast in Albuquerque to a proud father. He opens up about the emotional experience of coming out to his dad and reflects on the significance of family bonds. The conversation flows into the heart of Albuquerque's cuisine, where Jesse reveals a cherished recipe for green chili chicken stew, symbolizing the warmth and connection found in cooking for loved ones.
May 1, 2024 • 40min
Eric Kim
Eric Kim, a New York Times staff writer and author of the bestselling cookbook 'Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home,' reflects on his childhood in suburban Atlanta shaped by his mother Jean's cooking. He shares heartfelt stories of rediscovering family through food during the pandemic, the complex dynamics of cooking with his mom, and the nostalgia tied to their kitchen experiences. The talk also delves into the cultural significance of kimchi, its preparation, and the joy of culinary traditions that bind families together.
Apr 24, 2024 • 41min
Natalie Morales
Journalist Natalie Morales discusses her globetrotting childhood, sharing culinary influences from Taiwan and Spain. She talks about her diverse family's cooking styles and the challenges of military life. Morales also touches on her cookbook and the importance of food in shaping identities.
Apr 17, 2024 • 35min
Mark Bittman
Award-winning food writer and journalist Mark Bittman shares his culinary journey, influenced by family recipes and global politics. Reflecting on the transformative power of cooking and the impact of family on his passion for food. Exploring how household responsibilities led to a career in the culinary arts and the significance of cooking at home as a radical act.
Apr 10, 2024 • 42min
Dr. Sharon Malone
Nationally renowned women’s health advocate Dr. Sharon Malone takes us back to her childhood in Mobile, Alabama where she lived through a monumental moment in civil rights history led by her sister, Vivian Malone. Dr. Malone talks about how she views cooking together with family as an act of love, and what better way to show love than baking a decadent pound cake.Dr. Sharon Malone is an OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner who has been an active advocate for reproductive rights, women’s health and health education. She authored the book Grown Woman Talk for aging women whose healthcare needs are ignored or just less talked about. She is also the chief medical officer of Alloy Women’s Health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 3, 2024 • 34min
Nicole Avant
In this episode, Nicole Avant—daughter of legendary music mogul Clarence Avant—looks back at her bustling childhood kitchen, where prominent Black figures were always stopping by. She’ll tell us about her mother’s snow cookies recipe as well as reflect on the loss of her mother and share tips for consoling someone experiencing deep grief. Nicole Avant is a film producer, author, and former ambassador for the Bahamas. She wrote the critically acclaimed book Think You’ll be Happy: Moving Through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude. She also produced the documentary The Black Godfather about her father’s illustrious music career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mar 27, 2024 • 41min
Kristin Hannah
Best-selling author Kristin Hannah shares childhood memories of living in unique settings, her journey to historical fiction, and her mom's cooking on a wood fire stove. She discusses the importance of portraying women's stories in history through her novels and shares a recipe for her mama's buttermilk cornbread.
