Best Alex Vasquez Podcasts (2026)

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771: Holiday Cookbooks 2022 50:09

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8m ago50:09

50:09

We’ve got the most exciting cookbooks to gift this holiday season. Chef Chris Scott talks to us about his latest, Amish Soul Food and pays homage to the food of his Pennsylvanian German ancestors, and talks us through traditional recipes like chow chow, biscuits, and scrapple. He leaves us with his recipe for Okra Chow-Chow. Cynthia Shanmugalingam …

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817: Holidays with Lisa Kyung Gross and Helen Rosner 50:01

4d ago50:01

50:01

This week, we’re all about community and coming together for the holidays. First, we talk to Lisa Kyung Gross, founder of The League of Kitchens, a unique cooking school where women from all over the world, welcome you into their homes and teach you how to make one of their family recipes. She talks about the delicious recipes she has collected in …

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NHRL Finals Recap with 3lb World Champion Alex Wang! 1:30:08

2d ago1:30:08

1:30:08

Alex has been steadily honing Pinevictus all year. Though Pinevictus has been around since November 2021 during his days at UMD as a Leatherback, 2025 is the year where the robot has been on a meteoric rise. It started the year strong by reaching the Semifinals at February NHRL with a Judges Decision loss to Silent Spring followed by solid runs at …

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840: Holiday Traditions Around the World with Hetty Lui McKinnon and Yasmin Khan 49:25

16d ago49:25

49:25

This week, we’re celebrating the holidays by looking beyond, into global stories that shape the season. First, we talk with Hetty Lui McKinnon about her new book, Linger: Salads, Sweets and Stories to Savor, and what the holidays look like in Australia, where Christmas is hot and the seafood markets buzz at midnight. Hetty reflects on the vegetable…

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816: Crumbs with Ben Mims and Wild Chocolate with Rowan Jacobsen 49:24

23d ago49:24

49:24

It’s the holiday season, and we’re kicking it off this week with some sweet treats. First, food editor and recipe developer Ben Mims joins us with his latest project, covering over 300 cookie recipes from Asia to the Levant to Scandinavia to the Caribbean. The varieties are astonishing. We get into cookie styles, the fascinating ingredients in regi…

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839: A Journey Through Southern Food with Michael W. Twitty and Deb Freeman 49:28

1M ago49:28

49:28

This week, we’re taking a trip through the South and its food – how it tells the story of a region shaped by migration, memory, and culture. First, we talk with scholar and writer Michael W. Twitty about his new book, Recipes from the American South, a sweeping look at the many communities – Black, white, Indigenous, immigrant – whose traditions bu…

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November NHRL Recap and Finals Preview with Golden Dumpster Winner Liam King! 1:32:12

21d ago1:32:12

1:32:12

Liam has been on a tear this year with Buzzzz-kill recently capturing the 12lb crown at November NHRL! Now the overall 2nd seed behind only Slam Plan, Liam looks poised for a deep run at Finals. Outside of 12lbs, Liam and the rest of Leatherbacks have been racking up wins in the insectweights at events like Water's Edge, MACRO and had a close fight…

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Bonus Episode: Do Holidays Leave You Exhausted, Not Restored? Priya Parker, Francis Lam & Kate Bowler on Celebration 36:23

1M ago36:23

36:23

Today we have a bonus episode for you from Happier with Gretchen Rubin, featuring our very own Francis Lam. Gretchen Rubin is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good hab…

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796: Soup Season with Mariana Velásquez, Gregory Gourdet, and Jing Gao 49:38

1M ago49:38

49:38

This week, we welcome the cold with delicious soup! Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez Villegas, author of Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia talks us through Colombia's biodiversity and regional identity and the unique foods it inspires like Sancocho. This hearty stew brings people together in a communal dining …

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Turkey Confidential 2025 1:55:57

28d ago1:55:57

1:55:57

Join us for Turkey Confidential, our must-listen-to annual Thanksgiving Day broadcast! This year’s guests are Samin Nosrat, author of bestseller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and Good Things; Brooklyn-based recipe developer Yossy Arefi, author of Snacking Bakes and Snacking Cakes; Vivian Howard, author, TV personality, and chef, known for This Will Make It…

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Interview with Turbofiend Driver and Announcer Dima Papasian! 2:04:21

1M ago2:04:21

2:04:21

Dima has launched onto the scene over the past year with her brother Julian as one of the most dynamic siblings at NHRL! First piloting the very kindly Turbofriend before helming the lethal TurboFIEND to a golden dumpster in October 2024, Dima has proven a very capable robot driver whose quick reactions and skills remain on display throughout the n…

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815: Your Thanksgiving meal with Deb Perelman and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt & Desi Bakes with Hetal Vasavada 49:09

1M ago49:09

49:09

We are a week away from Thanksgiving, and this week, Award-winning authors J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and Deb Perelman give us the best advice on making the perfect Thanksgiving spread. From gravy hot takes to best brining practices and the ideal way to cook a perfect turkey we have you covered. J. Kenji López-Alt and Deb Perelman are co-hosts of "The Reci…

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838: Our All-American Thanksgiving with Padma Lakshmi and Dorie Greenspan 49:23

1M ago49:23

49:23

This week, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving and looking at the way this American holiday and its food tell our stories. First, we talk with Padma Lakshmi about her new cookbook, Padma’s All American, a celebration of the immigrant dishes and regional traditions that make up our country’s culinary landscape. Padma talks about what she’s learned from y…

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814: Ottolenghi Comfort with Yotam Ottolenghi and Classic German Cooking with Luisa Weiss 49:48

2M ago49:48

49:48

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon Music | YouTube This week, we talk about comfort food around the world. First, Yotam Ottolenghi tells us about his latest book, which is filled with recipes for his favorite comfort foods. He talks about what it is about specific dishes that evoke emotional reactions, from taste to texture to m…

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Comedian Steven Marshall (Ep. 71) 45:33

2M ago45:33

45:33

Comedian Paul Farahvar interviews other creatives and comedians who stay up lateBy Paul Farahvar

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837: The Universal Language of Bread with Tony Shalhoub and Maureen Abood 49:51

2M ago49:51

49:51

This week, we’re breaking bread in every sense of the phrase. First, beloved actor Tony Shalhoub joins us to talk about his new CNN series, Breaking Bread, where he travels the world to explore the meaning of bread and how it connects us across cultures and tables. Growing up in a large Lebanese American family in Wisconsin, Tony shares memories of…

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Bonus Episode: How We Survive's The Uncanny Valley of Meat 32:15

2M ago32:15

32:15

Today we have a bonus episode for you, featuring our very own Francis Lam. How We Survive is an award-winning podcast from Marketplace about the messy business of climate solutions. From the glitz and glam of Miami, to the punishing Arizona desert, to a sinking island that our national security depends on, every season takes listeners on an adventu…

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813: Fall Cookbook Favorites with authors Carolina Gelen, Sonoko Sakai, and Jody Eddy 49:22

2M ago49:22

49:22

Cookbook season is back, and we talk to the authors of some of our favorite picks. We're joined by Carolina Gelen, who talks to us about learning how to cook, her favorite Romanian dishes, and how she comes up with her signature recipes like Butter Beans alla Vodka, a fast, one-pot dish inspired by the famous vodka pasta sauce. Carolina is the auth…

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836: Italian Two Ways with Chefs Joshua McFadden and Christian Petroni 50:09

3M ago50:09

50:09

This week, we’re diving into Italian cooking, from the Pacific Northwest to the Bronx. First, chef and author Joshua McFadden joins us to talk about Six Seasons of Pasta, his love letter to everyone’s favorite food. Known for his hit cookbook Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables, Joshua brings that same seasonal sensibility to pasta, pairing loca…

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812: Bread with Richard Hart and Our South, Black Food Through My Lens with Ashleigh Shanti 49:49

3M ago49:49

49:49

This week, we sit down with two chefs at the top of their craft. First, we talk to legendary baker Richard Hart about the inspiration behind his new book, Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking. He fills us in on why he thinks that humble bakers are the best bakers, how he really is just a simple “yeast farmer” and he shares his realistic t…

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Comedian Jake Snell (Ep. 70) 40:37

3M ago40:37

40:37

Comedian Paul Farahvar interviews Comedian Jake Snell about comedy and being a night owlBy Paul Farahvar

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Interview with End Game Co-Captain Jack Barker! 1:19:50

3M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

Jack has been known for years as the driver and co-captain of End Game, winner of Battlebots World Championship V and the Golden Bolt! End Game not only brought the top trophy of robot combat with them to New Zealand, but the whole sport with them in the form of Robot Rumble! Give it a listen!By Behind the Bots

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835: Fall Cookbooks with Aleksandra Crapanzano, Anna Ansari, and Cassie Yeung 50:19

3M ago50:19

50:19

This week, we’re celebrating new fall cookbooks that belong on your kitchen counter. First, Aleksandra Crapanzano, author of Chocolat: Parisian Desserts and Other Delights, takes us from Marie Antoinette’s early “truffle” to the French art of baking at home. She leaves us with her Chocolate Ganache Tart with Raspberries. Then, Anna Ansari explores …

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Comedian Sam Rocha (Ep. 69) 44:04

3M ago44:04

44:04

Comedian Paul Farahvar (former host of Singles Only) talks to other night owls on the new podcast WHY ARE YOU AWAKE!This week: Comedian Sam RochaFollow her at @samhandleyrocha everywhereSign up for my mailing list here: https://bit.ly/PaulsignupWatch MY Dry Bar special "Always a Groomsman" at @DryBarComedy and my latest special "Middlewestern, Midd…

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811: Does This Taste Funny with Stephen and Evie McGee Colbert and Taste in Music with Alex Bleeker and Luke Pyenson 49:55

3M ago49:55

49:55

This week, we sit down with Evie McGee Colbert to talk about her latest book, co-authored with her husband, Stephen Colbert. She tells us about the dynamics in her family’s kitchen, the joys and challenges of cooking together during the pandemic, Charleston food traditions, and we take a listener question from one special caller! Evie’s latest book…

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Comedian Vince Carone (Ep. 68) 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

Comedian Paul Farahvar (former host of Singles Only) talks to other night owls on the new podcast WHY ARE YOU AWAKE!This week: Comedian Vince CaroneFollow him at @vincecarone everywhere and check out his website www.vincecarone.com for info on his specials and tour datesSign up for my mailing list here: https://bit.ly/PaulsignupWatch MY Dry Bar spe…

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834: Fall Cooking and Bitter Flavors with Genevieve Ko and Alexina Anatole 50:16

4M ago50:16

50:16

This week, we’re diving into fall cooking and the beauty of bitter flavors. First, Genevieve Ko, deputy editor at New York Times Cooking, joins Francis to take your fall cooking questions. From freezing smart to cabbage makeovers, Genevieve shares practical advice for making the most of fresh produce and tackling leftovers. She also shares the NYT …

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810: Đặc Biệt with Nini Nguyen and The Authentic Ukrainian Kitchen with Yevhen Klopotenko 50:16

4M ago50:16

50:16

This week, we talk with two incredible chefs about their culinary connections to their homes. First, chef Nini Nguyen talks about growing up in New Orleans and her connection to her tight-knit Vietnamese community. She shares the delicious Vietnamese foods she grew up eating and talks about how that upbringing shapes her cooking today, Nini is the …

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833: Salsa, Sauces & Sides with Rick Martínez and Sunny Lee 49:22

4M ago49:22

49:22

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora | Amazon Music This week, we’re turning peak-season produce into bold, flavorful dishes. First, we talk with Rick Martínez, author of Salsa Daddy: Dip Your Way into Mexican Cooking, about transforming simple ingredients – think tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilis – into salsas that sing. Rick explains …

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Comedian Alex Dragicevich (Ep. 67) 49:07

4M ago49:07

49:07

Comedian Alex Dragicevich (Ep. 67) by Paul FarahvarBy Paul Farahvar

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736: Summer Cooking with Carla Lalli Music 50:15

4M ago50:15

50:15

This week, we're talking about summer cooking and how to stay cool in the heat. Carla Lalli Music joins us to talk about her favorite indoor cooking tips for ribs and takes your cooking questions. Carla is the host of Carla's Cooking Show on Patreon, and her most recent book is Where Cooking Begins. Then, we check in with Khushbu Shah, Food & Wine'…

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Interview with Team Whiplash Captain Matt Vasquez! 1:13:23

4M ago1:13:23

1:13:23

Behind the Bots 234 Interview with Team Whiplash Captain Matt Vasquez! Matt has been building and competing in combat robots all his life with machines like Whomper, Lil Lash and Whiplash! Known as one of the best drivers in the sport, he’s qualified for NHRL Finals, won the Robot Combat Championship and mostly recently took part in Open Sauce! Let…

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832: Back-to-School Cooking with Peter J. Kim and David Nayfeld 50:19

5M ago50:19

50:19

This week, we’re taking the stress out of back-to-school cooking with food that’s fast, fun, and full of flavor. First, we talk with Peter J. Kim, author of Instant Ramen Kitchen, about transforming those humble packets you associate with college kids into surprisingly elegant meals. Peter shares why instant ramen deserves a spot in your pantry and…

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809: SalviSoul with Karla T. Vasquez and The Food of Southern Thailand with Austin Bush 50:19

5M ago50:19

50:19

This week, we talk about cuisines from opposite ends of the world. We start by diving into the first, traditionally-published cookbook about Salvadorian cuisine with Karla T. Vasquez. She collected traditional recipes and techniques while documenting stories from the hands that made the dishes. Karla is the author of The SalviSoul Cookbook: Salvado…

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Interview with Team Honey Cracked Captain Zoe Lambert! 1:23:15

5M ago1:23:15

1:23:15

Zoe and Team Honey Cracked have been perennial competitors at NHRL with entries like Minun & Plusle, BeeForce, HoneyBombers, and many more! Honey Cracked recently hosted the 2nd Hive Hysteria event on July 26th where 3lb & 12lb bots from near and far competed! Today we ask her about the team, the event, and her goals for the future! To watch the po…

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Comedian Drew Frees 43:14

4M ago43:14

43:14

Comedian Paul Farahvar talks to Comedian Drew Frees on this week's episode of Why Are You Awake!By Paul Farahvar

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831: Summer Baking with Nicole Rucker and Eileen Gannon 50:02

5M ago50:02

50:02

This week, we turn up the ovens and test our baking skills with two incredible bakers. First, we talk to LA-based cookbook author and star baker, Nicole Rucker, on why summer is peak pie season, the fruit and flavor combinations that elevate her pies (imagine toasted fig leaves!) and making the best out of her leftover cookies for pie crusts. Nicol…

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808: Garden to Plate: Delicious Summer Recipes and Cooking Ideas with Jess Damuck and Ashley Christensen 50:14

5M ago50:14

50:14

This week, we’ve got delicious cooking ideas to brighten your summer. First, author Jess Damuck talks to us about her vegetable-forward food inspired by the 1970s health-food culture. She talks about revamping 1970’s health-food classics and re-working recipes with a modern eye to make them taste great. She leaves us with her recipe for Lentil Loaf…

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Check Out: This Old House Radio Hour 51:57

5M ago51:57

51:57

This week we’re sharing an episode from our friends at This Old House Radio: Episode 19: Make Your Home Allergy Free + Fix Squeaky Wood Floors This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re talking about something you can’t see but definitely feel: the air inside your home. Kenneth Mendez, president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, s…

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830: Summer Entertaining with Casey Elsass and Peter Som 50:07

5M ago50:07

50:07

This week, we've got a show full of great ideas and terrific recipes for guesting…and hosting! First, Casey Elsass sits down with us to talk about how to guest like a pro, from tips on arriving prepared to great recipe ideas for sides, salads, appetizers, and desserts like his Mosaic Jell-O. Casey is the author of What Can I Bring: Recipes to Help …

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807: Off the Beaten Path – Exploring Southern France with authors Steve Hoffman and Rebekah Peppler 50:15

6M ago50:15

50:15

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora This week, we talk about life and food in Southern France. First, we sit down with Steve Hoffman to talk about his latest memoir, A Season for That, about his journey from Minnesota to the South of France with his entire family to live a romanticized French life. It turned o…

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Comedian Patti Vasquez (Ep. 65) 41:22

5M ago41:22

41:22

Comedian Patti Vasquez (Ep. 65) by Paul FarahvarBy Paul Farahvar

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829: Summer Cooking with Abra Berens and Chef Jiho Kim 49:40

6M ago49:40

49:40

This week, it's all about keeping cool and carrying on in the kitchen. First up , chef, farmer, and cookbook author Abra Berens joins Francis to take your calls about how to best use our summer produce. She’s full of ideas for all that zucchini, btw! Abra is the author of three wonderful cookbooks, Ruffage, Grist, and Pulp, and you can find the rec…

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Interview with GSCRL EO and Floor Letter Word Builder Alex Curtis! 1:24:36

6M ago1:24:36

1:24:36

Alex has been a perennial competitor at NHRL with Floor Letter Word and a member of the Brett Breakers! He's also well known for event organizing GSCRL whose season championship will be coming up on August 2nd! Let us know what questions you have for Alex! To watch the podcast live check out https://www.youtube.com/@jakemaximizer/streams on Tuesday…

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806: Thank You, Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South with Kate Medley and cookout ideas from the chefs behind LA’s vegetable-forward Kismet 49:53

6M ago49:53

49:53

This week, we're all about two summer traditions. First, we meet photojournalist and documentarian Kate Medley to talk about her decade-long project documenting gas stations all across the South. She has stories about the amazing cast of characters, their diverse selection of foods, and their impact on their communities across the South. Kate Medle…

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828: Celebrating 30 Years: Live from Tampa! 49:22

6M ago49:22

49:22

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora This week, we make our 30th anniversary tour stop in Tampa in partnership with WUSF, where we learn about what makes the food of South Florida so unique. First up, Dalia Colón, host of The Zest podcast and author of The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook, gives us an overview of th…

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June NHRL Recap with 3lb Golden Dumpster Winner Glenn Boxell! 1:19:02

6M ago1:19:02

1:19:02

This week on the podcast we will be Glenn Boxell, member of team 2 Hot 2 Handle builder of Caldera 12 and recent 3lb Golden Dumpster winner Caldera ! Let us know what questions you have for Glenn! To watch the podcast live check out https://www.youtube.com/@jakemaximizer/streams! Otherwise, it should be available on all the podcast places later in …

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Comedian Jeanie Doogan (Ep. 64) 44:20

6M ago44:20

44:20

Comedian Paul Farahvar talks to fellow creatives, comedians and nightowls about being up lateBy Paul Farahvar

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805: Amrikan with Khushbu Shah and Koreaworld with Matt Rodbard and Deuki Hong 49:41

7M ago49:41

49:41

This week, we look at modern food and culture from two popular cuisines. First, we sit down with acclaimed food writer Khushbu Shah to talk about her debut cookbook, which is all about Indian home-cooked dishes. She shares ingenious hacks and delicious Indian-inspired recipes that can come together in a pinch using everyday pantry items, and teache…

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Comedian Ali Clayton (Ep. 63) 38:16

6M ago38:16

38:16

Comedian Paul Farahvar talks to other comedians and night owlsBy Paul Farahvar