

If This Food Could Talk
Claudia Hanna
Everything we eat has a story to tell. What does our food say about who we are, where we come from, and about the way we live? How does it help us connect with neighbors and understand foreign cultures? Aside from being delicious, why do we care so much about food? We take a look into the world’s pantry and come back with incredible stories. In each episode, Mediterranean lifestyle expert Claudia Hanna travels the globe to offer savory (and sound-rich) stories of how much food means and has meant to all of us.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2025 • 46min
Grounds for Change: Coffee, Justice, and the Planet with Etelle Higonnet
What if your morning coffee could tell the story of our planet?
In this episode, Claudia sits down with human rights advocate and lawyer, Etelle Higonnet, to uncover the hidden journey behind each cup — from the farmers tending fragile landscapes to the forests at risk of disappearing. Through Etelle’s lens, coffee becomes more than a daily ritual; it’s a reflection of justice, climate, and care. This is a conversation about waking up — not just to coffee, but to the choices that shape our world.
Coffee Watch Website : https://coffeewatch.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etelle-higonnet-a600675/
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Sep 25, 2025 • 56min
Crushing Myths & Olives: How 8-Time Author Emily Lycopolus and Food Consultant Giuliana Mackler Teach Us to Taste, Choose, Cook with and Celebrate Olive Oil
Ever wondered what extra virgin really means? Olive oil experts Emily Lycopolus and Giuliana Mackler join Claudia to reveal what makes great olive oil truly great — from grove to mill, label to table. Learn how to taste, store, and love olive oil every day.
Emily:
Instagram.com/oliveoilcritic
https://www.facebook.com/OliveOilCritic/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-lycopolus/
Giuliana: linkedin.com/in/giuliana-mackler/
Website
Emily: https://oliveoilcritic.com/
Giuliana: giulianamackler.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 2025 • 18min
Heritage in a Cone: Scooping Up Tradition with Chrys Kefalas
What if ice cream could carry the soul of a culture? In this episode, Claudia sits down with Chrys Kefalas, founder of Yala Greek Ice Cream, to talk about how one family recipe became a modern celebration of heritage and hospitality. From the creamy richness of Greek yogurt to the joy of gathering around the table, Chrys shares how Yala is more than dessert — it’s a love letter to memory, tradition, and togetherness.
Website: https://www.yalagreekicecream.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalagreekicecream/
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Jul 31, 2025 • 26min
Olive Oil, Family, and Flavor: Inside Chef Fadi’s Kitchen
Raised with the scent of sumac and slow-simmered stews, Chef Fadi opens up about his roots, his favorite dishes, and why cooking is his love language.
Learn more about him and his works:https://www.fadikattan.com/https://www.instagram.com/fadi.f.kattan/https://www.facebook.com/cheffadikattan/
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Jul 17, 2025 • 34min
What the Grove Taught Her: How Beatrice Karp Turned an Olive Season Into a Calling
A season on a Tuscan farm became a lesson in food systems, integrity, and soul work. Hear how Beatrice turned hard labor into a company with purpose.
Follow her storyin her socials: @beaoliveoil @beatricexkarp
Get to know more about her purpose: www.beaoliveoil.com
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Jul 3, 2025 • 57min
The Science of Flavor: Dr. Simon Poole on the Medicine of Mediterranean Food
From olive groves to operating rooms, Dr. Poole shares how ancient eating habits are backed by modern science — and why food is our first and most powerful medicine.
Learn more about him at: www.drsimonpoole.com
Make sure to follow him as well on IG and LinkedIn: @drsimonpoole
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Jun 19, 2025 • 17min
From Dutch Potatoes to Portuguese Roots: Marije Passos' Culinary Bridge Between Portugal and the Netherlands
Raised on boiled potatoes and butter sauce, Marije Passos never imagined she'd fall in love — with a man, a culture, and a way of cooking. In this episode, she shares the story of how one unforgettable Portuguese dish changed her life, why chestnuts belong in your pantry, and what it means to truly root yourself in food, land, and legacy.
Catch her and her work at:
https://www.passeite.com/@marijepassos
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Jun 5, 2025 • 24min
More Than a Meal: Dr. Sonda Laroussi on Food as Health, Generational Wisdom, and turning Passion into Mission
From kitchen rituals to cultural memory, Dr. Sonda Laroussi is a badass Tunisian scientist turned olive grower turned world wide olive oil judge. Dr. Sonda shares how food nourishes not just the body, but the spirit — and why recipes are often acts of survival and love. Join us as we discuss her mission to turn the humble Tunisian olive - often a commodity to European brands, into a powerhouse elevated Tunisian cuisine
Get to know her and her works at:
www.aromgourmet.com
https://www.instagram.com/laroussimezghani/
https://www.facebook.com/sonda.laroussimezghani
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May 22, 2025 • 24min
Dimitra's Table: Where Memory Meets Olive Oil
Join us for a soulful chat with Dimitra,Mathiopoulou, founder of The Olive Routes in Kalamata, Greece. Dimitra's life is woven with the rhythm of the land. From pressing olives with her family to reviving old traditions, Dimitra reminds us that food isn’t just sustenance — it’s the keeper of memory, identity, and deep connection.
Check out her website 👉https://theoliveroutes.com/and IG @theoliveroutes
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May 21, 2025 • 1min
If This Food Could Talk Season 2 Trailer
🍷 New stories. ✈️ New flavors. 💚 Same soul.Season 2 of If This Food Could Talk is ready to pour.
Tap the link & get ready taste the first episode on May 22nd! 🎧
#NewPodcastAlert #IfThisFoodCouldTalk #Season2Vibes #ClaudiaTravels #FoodCulturePodcast #mediterreneandiet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices