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
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.
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.
