Best Penny Section Podcasts (2026)

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Drew Nieporent (legendary restaurateur & author of "I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult") on Critics, Chefs, and HIs Long-Awaited Memoir 1:20:39

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28d ago1:20:39

1:20:39

Legendary restaurateur Drew Nieporent (Nobu, Montrachet, Tribeca Grill, et. al) discusses his memoir I'm Not Trying to Be Difficult and opines on the state of the industry in a no-holds-barred and free-ranging conversation recorded over lunch at Nobu in Lower Manhattan. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe oper…

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Jeremy Fox (Chef and Author of "On Meat") on His New Book, California Chef Culture, and the "What You Have" Approach to Cooking 1:05:02

29d ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Chef Jeremy Fox, of Rustic Canyon and Birdie G's, discusses his career, and his recently published second book, On Meat. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to Chefs podcast as part of the meez Network, featuring a breadth of food and …

1
Kyle Knall (Birch - Milwaukee) on Mentorship, Chef-Farmer Synergies, and his Upcoming Cassis Restaurant 1:09:41

2M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Chef Kyle Knall shares about his formative years in New York City, and how and why he relocated to Milwaukee, where he's found success with Birch restaurant, and plans to open his second venture, Cassis, this winter. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers…

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Joshua Pinsky (Claud & Penny, NYC) on Influences, Concepting Restaurants, & Defining One's Culinary Style 1:17:48

2M ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Longtime listeners know that Claud restaurant is one of Andrew's favorite places in New York City. And that Penny, the same group's seafood-counter restaurant, has also been a rousing success. In a rare interview, chef of both restaurants, Joshua Pinsky, sits down with Andrew to discuss his personal and professional background, and related subjects…

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Chris Shepherd (Southern Smoke Foundation) on Finding the Kitchen, Cooking Instinctually, and Answering the Call 1:24:15

4M ago1:24:15

1:24:15

As the Southern Smoke Foundation's big fall fundraiser approaches on October 4, 2025, Chris Shepherd--who co-founded the foundation with Lindsey Brown (also his wife)--sits down with Andrew to discuss the crucial, grant-based work the organization does for hospitality professionals. He also shares his own personal story and how cooking became its p…

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Trailers! Season 5 Episode 2 34:31

5M ago34:31

34:31

Trailers!! Sara and Andy B get back to the their roots and have chill rundown of some new trailers. Predator Badlands, Red Sonya, Avatar 3, and Good Fortune.

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Super Sized Season 5 Premier: Superman 2025 (S5E1) 1:27:40

5M ago1:27:40

1:27:40

Season five kicks off with a super sized premier as Sara and Andy B welcome their new co-host Alejandro. to review one of the biggest movies this summer Superman.

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When It's Time to Say Goodbye to the Industry: A Special Conversation with Chef Andrew Turner, Proprietor of Valley Wine Merchants (Newberg, OR) 46:00

5M ago46:00

46:00

Chef Andrew Turner came up cooking for legends like Alain Ducasse, Hubert Keller, and Joachim Splichal, and became a chef in his own right for several years. Then, he decided that having the personal life he craved would mean leaving the industry into which he'd poured so much of himself. In this short conversation, Andrew shares from both sides of…

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Adam McFarland & Tom Rogers LIVE! at their Hit Chicago Restaurant John's Food & Wine (Recorded Before an Industry Audience During the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards Weekend) 55:10

5M ago55:10

55:10

This spring, amidst the frenzy of James Beard Foundation Awards weekend in Chicago, chef-proprietors Adam McFarland & Tom Rogers welcomed Andrew to their hit restaurant John's Food & Wine for a LIVE! podcast session before an industry audience. In a tight 42 minutes, the chefs shared their respective backstories, discussed the restaurant's innovati…

1
Maria Rodriguez (Head Bartender, Cantina Rosa--Chicago) on Mixologists versus Bartenders, What Makes a Great Drink, & Military-Restaurant Industry Parallels 51:41

5M ago51:41

51:41

For the first time, we welcome a bartender to the pod: Maria Rodriguez of Cantina Rosa in Chicago, Illinois. The bar is part of friend of the pod Erick Williams' restaurant group, and is focused on Mexican spirits, especially agave-based ones such as mezcal and tequila. In this conversation, recorded on site at Cantina Rosa, Maria shares her path t…

1
Jackie Carnesi (Kellogg's Diner--Brooklyn) on Learning to Love New York, Preserving Landmark Restaurants, and the Push-Pull of Fine Dining 1:09:27

5M ago1:09:27

1:09:27

Jackie Carnesi has reinvigorated Brooklyn's Kellogg's Diner, a 24-hour destination diner (if there is such a thing) that serves traditional diner food alongside killer Tex-Mex, culled from Jackie's memories of her Texas childhood. In this conversation, recorded on-site at the diner, she recounts her slow discovery of the pro kitchen, initially relu…

1
Yara Herrera (Hellbender restaurant--Queens, NY) on Standing Out, Fitting in, and Honing Your Culinary Voice 1:25:42

5M ago1:25:42

1:25:42

Chef Yara Herrera, a native of Los Angeles, worked in some of LA's most demanding kitchens (Spago, Providence, Majordomo) before moving to New York City and Momofuko Ko. During the pandemic, after gaining attention for her own food in pop-up form, she was approached by the owners of Rolo's--the hit restaurant in Ridgewood, Queens--about partnering …

1
Douglas Keane (Chef-Owner, Cyrus; Author, Culinary Leverage) on Kitchen Culture, the Cost of Ego, and the Pace of Change 1:02:53

6M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Douglas Keane has enjoyed tremendous success at his Cyrus restaurant in Geyserville, CA. At the same time, he's observed the need for change on many fronts in the hospitality industry, and instituted some of those changes himself. in his first book, Culinary Leverage: A Journey Through the Heat, he divides his attentions between relating his own st…

1
Anne McBride (Vice President of Impact, James Beard Foundation) Discusses the Foundation's 2025 Independent Restaurant Industry Report 1:22:56

6M ago1:22:56

1:22:56

The James Beard Foundation's Independent Restaurant Industry Report 2025 (which we highly recommend all listeners read), offers insights and possible solutions to a wide range of challenges and opportunities for American restaurants. Produced in collaboration with Deloitte, the survey is based on interviews with 50 independent restaurateurs and sur…

1
John Birdsall (author, What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution) on Community, Culture, and Quiche 41:10

6M ago41:10

41:10

Author John Birdsall makes his return to the pod to discuss his new book What Is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution—a deeply personal and sweeping look at the intersection of queer life in the United States, and food culture here. Zooming in from his home in Tucson, John reflects on the stories, people, and moments that shaped the book, and why…

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Nidal Barake (One of Each podcast) on Infiltrating the Chef World, Global Travel, and Adapting to the Moment 58:04

6M ago58:04

58:04

As longtime fans of the pod know, there's nothing we love more than a crossover episode with a show we're friendly with. It reminds us of when we were kids and Saturday morning cartoons did the same thing, with characters from one show appearing on another, and vice versa. (That's why the animated episode image today.) So we're thrilled to welcome …

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Ari Miller (Philadelphia) on Shifting from Journalism to Cooking, Breakout Dishes, and the Meaning of "Relationship Cuisine" 1:08:08

6M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Ari Miller’s evolution from journalist to chef was anything but traditional. In this revealing conversation, he shares how food became both his creative outlet and medium for making sense of a dark and complicated world. From growing up in a dysfunctional household consumed with historical atrocities, to finding meaning in kitchens in Tel Aviv and …

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David Nayfeld (Che Fico, et. al. -- Northern California) on His First Cookbook, Dad, What's for Dinner? 42:26

7M ago42:26

42:26

Friend of the pod David Nayfeld, of Che Fico and other Bay Area restaurants, discusses his inaugural cookbook, Dad, What's for DInner--an outstanding first effort, and a perfect Father's Day gift. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez powers the Andrew Talks to…

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Besha Rodell (author, Hunger Like a Thirst) on Restaurant Criticism, Nomadic Living, and Writing Her First Memoir 54:51

7M ago54:51

54:51

Besha Rodell has written about food and/or reviewed restaurants for Creative Loafing, LA Weekly, The New York Times, Food & Wine, and other outlets, and is currently the restaurant critic for The Age. Today, she joins us to discuss her moving and entertaining new memoir Hunger Like a Thirst. The book tells the story of Besha's nomadic child- and ad…

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EXCLUSIVE! RETURN OF THE LA CHEF CONFERENCE: A Special Announcement by Conference Founder Brad Metzger & Host Chef Neal Fraser 45:11

8M ago45:11

45:11

For nearly a decade, the LA Chef Conference has been the gathering of Los Angeles chefs and industry professionals. After a one-year hiatus, the conference returns this October 6 in its new home at Redbird and Vibiana in Downtown LA. On this episode, conference founder Brad Metzger and host chef Neal Fraser join Andrew to discuss some featured topi…

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Emily Yuen (Lingo restaurant, Brooklyn) on Moving on from French Cuisine, Finding Her Culinary Voice, and Why She Never Says Never 1:04:58

8M ago1:04:58

1:04:58

Before launching her hit modern-Japanese restaurant Lingo in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, chef Emily Yuen worked in some hardcore French kitchens in London and Singapore, then found her way to New York City. In this conversation, Emily shares her evolution from French to Japanese cuisine, how she developed her management chops, and the disparate influence…

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Calvin Eng (Bonnie's restaurant, Brooklyn, & author of Salt Sugar MSG) on the Value of Unconventional Training, Generations of Cantonese-American Food, and Whether There's Such a Thing as NYC Cuisine 1:16:52

8M ago1:16:52

1:16:52

Calvin Eng has had a busy and successful few years. His restaurant Bonnie's in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has become a hub of modern Cantonese-American cuisine, and now he's out with his first cookbook, Salt Sugar MSG: Recipes and Stories from a Cantonese American Home. Andrew caught up with Calvin at his home in Williamsburg to discuss his path to hi…

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Inside the Chefs ❤️ LA Benefit! (featuring Nyesha Arrington, Ellen Marie Bennett, Billy Harris, Sherry Yard, and others) 1:03:08

9M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

A few weeks ago, in record time, the good folks behind the LA Chef Conference, organized a benefit for victims of the recent, devastating LA wildfires. Dubbed Chefs ❤️ LA, the event raised more than$800,000, with all proceeds going to World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care to support their work on behalf of those who lost their homes in the con…

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Remembering André Soltner (previously unaired 2016 interview) 1:15:00

9M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

Earlier this year, we lost one of the greatest and most influential chefs ever to ply his trade in the United States, when André Soltner passed away at age 92. On the day the culinary community pay their respects at a celebration of his life in New York City, we wanted to share this previously unaired conversation with Chef Soltner, recorded in 201…

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Laurie Woolever (author, Care and Feeding) on Life Lessons, Navigating Memoirs, and Reckoning with Bad Men 42:14

9M ago42:14

42:14

Come for the industry insidership, stay for the great writing and unvarnished personal honesty. Author Laurie Woolever's new memoir Care and Feeding will attract many readers because of its promise of tales from her days as assistant to Mario Batali and then Anthony Bourdain. And it delivers on that front, for sure. But Care and Feeding is also, an…

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Alex Kemp (My Loup, Philly) on Figuring Out What Kind of Chef You Are, the Lures of Philadelphia, and Being Persistent 1:03:54

10M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

At last year's Hot Luck festival in Austin, Andrew sat down with chef Alex Kemp, co-owner and chef of Philadelphia’s acclaimed restaurant My Loup for an honest and entertaining conversation. Alex shares his journey from his French-Canadian roots in Montreal to the vibrant culinary scene of Philadelphia. He discusses his diverse culinary experiences…

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Rasika Venkatesa (Mythily) on Progressive South Indian Cuisine, Finding the Right Kitchens, and Plotting Her First Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant 1:31:40

11M ago1:31:40

1:31:40

At just 27 years of age, Rasika Venkatesa has already put herself in position to plan her first restaurant. Currently serving a tasting menu in her residency at Fulgrances Laundromat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, (though March 1, 2025), Rasika attended hotel management school in India, worked her way up from commis to chef de partie at The French Laundr…

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LIVE! from the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Forum in NYC, featuring Valerie Chang, Curtis Duffy, Aisha Ibrahim, Ayesha Nurdjaja, and Junghyun Park 56:46

11M ago56:46

56:46

Recorded LIVE before an audience at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition US regional finals in New York City. Five influential American chefs (the competition's jurors), Valerie Chang, Curtis Duffy, Aisha Ibrahim, Ayesha Nurdjaja, and Junghyun Park discuss how to shape the future of the industry, in a conversation divided into three part…

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Tomer Blechman (Miss Ada, Theodora, Thea Bakery - Brooklyn) on the Healing Power of Food & Hospitality and Why He Doesn't Look Too Far Ahead 1:09:37

1y ago1:09:37

1:09:37

Tomer Blechman's life has taken him from his native Israel to Los Angeles, the Far East, and finally to New York City. He also naturally progressed from a life of healing to cooking and hospitality, which are for him intertwined. This path has led him to founding three successful Brooklyn ventures: Miss Ada, Theodora, and Thea Bakery. In this deepl…

1
Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo (Esmé, Chicago) – Part 2, in which our heroes work and learn at MK and Next in Chicago, and decide to launch a restaurant (Esmé) together 42:18

1y ago42:18

42:18

In this this second installment of our conversation with Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, the couple behind Chicago's Esmé, the pair discuss their time at MK and Next in Chicago, the process of concepting Esmé, and their working relationship.. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinar…

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Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo (Esmé, Chicago) - Part 1, in which our heroes discover the pleasures of food and cooking and find their way to Chicago 49:36

1y ago49:36

49:36

Two guests demand two episodes! In this first installment, Jenner Tomaska and Katrina Bravo, the couple behind Chicago's Esmé, talk about their childhoods in, respectively, Illinois and Florida, and the relationship with food and cooking that led Jenner to become a chef and Katrina to become a creative director. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs…

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Adam Leonti (Cucina Alba, NYC) on Taking a Historical View of Food, Protecting Yourself in Business, and How His Restaurant Reflects His Life 1:13:04

1y ago1:13:04

1:13:04

Adam Leonti discusses his New England upbringing, time cooking in Philly and living overseas, and the series of New York City projects that have led to his current success at Cucina Alba in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for culinary professionals. Meez power…

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Paul Bertolli (Fra'Mani Handcrafted Foods) on Thinking Musically in the Kitchen, Discovering Italy, and Multi-Faceted Careers 1:01:13

1y ago1:01:13

1:01:13

While he was in NYC for the Fancy Food Show in June, Chef Paul Bertolli made time to sit down with Andrew to discuss his varied and textured culinary career, which has included time as chef of Chez Panisse and then Oliveto, authoring or co-authoring books such as Chez Panisse Cooking and Cooking By Hand, and founding the salumi and charcuterie comp…

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Jeremy Salamon (Agi's Counter, Brooklyn) on Hungarian Food, Making it in NYC, and his First Cookbook (Second Generation) 1:10:51

1y ago1:10:51

1:10:51

It's been a busy year for Jeremy Salamon. The chef and owner of Brooklyn's Agi's Counter came out with his first cookbook, Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table, and is readying his next restaurant, Pitt's, for its imminent launch. Earlier this fall, Andrew dropped into Agi's Counter and chatted with Jerem…

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Nick Tamburo (Smithereens, NYC) on Band-Kitchen Parallels, European vs. US Training, and the Quantum Leap from Chef to Chef-Owner 59:00

1y ago59:00

59:00

Following a college-age shift from music to cooking, Nick Tamburo trained in some notable kitchens in the US and Europe, and served in chef positions within the Momofuku group and Claud. In late August, he launched his first restaurant of his own, Smithereens, in downtown Manhattan. The restaurant serves Nick's take on coastal New England cuisine a…

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Lisa Dahl (Dahl Restaurant Group; Sedona, Arizona) on Restaurant Sanctuaries, Live-Fire Cooking, and Growing as a Chef and Restaurateur 1:16:37

1y ago1:16:37

1:16:37

While in New York City this September, Lisa Dahl--the prolific Sedona, Arizona chef and restaurateur--made time to visit with Andrew for a very personal conversation about her unique life and career path. Lisa wasn't always bound for the pro kitchen. She harbored dreams of singing, and worked for a time in fashion. But once she found her way to Sed…

1
Farmer Lee Jones (The Chef's Garden; Milan, Ohio) on Soil Health, Vegetables as Preventative Medicine, and Building Longterm Relationships 45:48

1y ago45:48

45:48

This fall, at the Roots Conference held at The Chef's Garden's Culinary Vegetable Institute in Milan, Ohio, Farmer Lee Jones (he of the signature denim overalls and red bowtie) sat down with Andrew to discuss a few key issues covered at the conference--regenerative farming, vegetables as preventative medicine, and the future of the industry. Huge t…

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Tyler Akin (Bastia, Philly) on the Role of Perfectionism, Gamifying Technique, and Getting Ready for His Close Up 1:14:37

1y ago1:14:37

1:14:37

Chef Tyler Akin has a bona fide hit on his hand with Philly's newish Bastia restaurant, where he presents his spin on Mediterranean cuisine. Back in the spring, before the restaurant launched, Tyler sat down with Andrew for a conversation about his career so far, and about the restaurant as it was being developed. Along the way, they get into the n…

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Jon Templin (Butternut Sustainable Farm; Sturgis, Michigan) on Chef-Farmer Relationships & How to Get the Most from Them 49:47

1y ago49:47

49:47

While visiting New York City recently, Jon Templin, of Butternut Sustainable Farm, sat down with Andrew to discuss the importance of chef-farmer relationships, why they're worth nurturing, and how both parties can get the most out of them. (Jon is one of the farmers profiled in Andrew's most recent book, The Dish, which is how they know each other.…

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Alexander Smalls (author, The Contemporary African Kitchen) on His Creative Life, Loving New York City, and His Thoughtful New Book 1:27:41

1y ago1:27:41

1:27:41

Chef, author, and legendary raconteur Alexander Smalls makes his long-delayed debut on the pod. The occasion of the interview is his newest book The Contemporary African Kitchen: Home Cooking Recipes from the Leading Chefs of Africa. With that as a starting point, during a visit at Alexander’s home in Harlem, Alexander shares the story of his young…

1
Nok Suntaranon (author, Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen) on the Momentous Occasion of a First Book, and Leaving a Culinary Legacy 49:45

1y ago49:45

49:45

One of our favorite guests, and one of Andrew's favorite people in the industry, the singular Nok Suntaranon, proprietor and chef of Philly's excellent Kalaya restaurant, returns to the pod to discuss her new cookbook, Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen. Huge thanks to Andrew Talks to Chefs’ presenting sponsor, meez, the recipe operating software for c…

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Daniel Turtel (Peter Luger Steakhouse) on Iconic Dining, the Origin Stories of Landmark Menu Items, and Andrew’s First Visit to Peter Luger (recorded LIVE! in the Peter Luger dining room) 1:08:07

1y ago1:08:07

1:08:07

In this special episode, Andrew makes his first-ever visit to the legendary Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he sits down with Peter Luger VP Daniel Turtel, a key officer and voice for the iconic establishment. Over a classic Luger’s lunch, they discuss the history and enduring allure of this quintessential New York instituti…

1
Strive for Excellence, Not Perfection - Jennifer Dorian's Journey 25:00

1y ago25:00

25:00

In this episode of Journeys to Leadership, we explore the journey of Jennifer Dorian, President and CEO of WABE, Atlanta’s NPR and PBS affiliate. From her early beginnings at Pizza Hut and Coca-Cola to her dynamic leadership at Turner Broadcasting, where she launched the award-winning streaming platform, Filmstruck, Jennifer reflects on her path to…

1
Clarice Lam (author, Breaking Bao) on Parisian Epiphanies, Training Days, and Her New Book 1:05:43

1y ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Pastry chef Clarice Lam is out with a new cookbook this fall--Breaking Bao; 88 Bakes and Snacks from Asia and Beyond. The book is a fun and energetic mingling of sweet and savory offerings that reflects her own background and travels, and the breadth of what a pastry chef might prepare in a restaurant. She recently sat down with Andrew in Brooklyn,…

1
Edgar Rico (Nixta Taqueria, Austin) on Questing for Knowledge, Tacos, and the Allure of Austin (from Hot Luck 2024!) 1:18:10

1y ago1:18:10

1:18:10

We've all heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas, but this is ridiculous: We're dropping an episode every weekday between now and December 25, as we try to share all the interviews Andrew has banked in 2024 before the year draws to an end. This Andrew Talks to Chefs December Marathon is brought to you by The Dish, Andrew's most recent book, which ju…

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There is Light in the Darkness- Tina Chang's Journey 24:23

1y ago24:23

24:23

In this deeply moving episode of Journeys to Leadership, acclaimed poet Tina Chang opens up about the heartbreak of losing her father at a young age and how that profound loss became the foundation of her first poetry collection. With raw honesty, Tina recounts her struggles with language, being separated from her mother, and navigating life as an …

1
See the Opportunity and Grab It- Mary Pat Matheson's Journey 28:12

1y ago28:12

28:12

In this captivating episode of Journeys to Leadership, Mary Pat Matheson, CEO of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, shares her incredible journey from her adventurous childhood to leading one of the nation's top botanical gardens. Discover how serendipity, resilience, and calculated risks led her to transform the Atlanta Botanical Garden into a world-cl…

1
Michael Mina (The Mina Group) on his Egyptian Heritage, the Spirit of 90s NYC, and Growing a Restaurant Group 1:13:10

1y ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Michael Mina, whose hospitality group boasts about two dozen restaurants across the United States (and one in the UAE), trained in New York City. But he hadn't opened a restaurant in Manhattan ... until this summer when he and his team launched Bourbon Steak on Central Park South. On the occasion of the opening, Michael sat down with Andrew for a c…

1
Lead with Curiosity & Empathy - Jennifer Grant Warner's Journey 24:27

1y ago24:27

24:27

On this episode of Journeys to Leadership, join President Zak as she delves into the remarkable leadership journey of Jennifer Grant Warner, the President and CEO of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Jennifer shares her unique path from a small-town upbringing to leading one of Atlanta's premier science institutions. Learn how she has transfo…

1
Never Stop Learning - Penny Rogers Collins' Journey 19:55

1y ago19:55

19:55

In this episode of Journeys to Leadership, Agnes Scott College president Leocadia Zak interviews Penny Rogers Collins, a trailblazing IT executive and advocate for women in STEAM. Penny reflects on her unlikely path from a single mother struggling to make ends meet to becoming a highly respected leader in technology. Her story is one of resilience,…