The historian and author of “Picky” talks to Kate and Mark about the history of “children’s food,” how pickiness is positioned at the intersection of biology and culture, generating a set of standards to get us back to a more pleasurable relationship with food (and why it’ll feel counterintuitive), and the fear of parenting in “older ways” (and why people who are doing so tend to not talk about it).

The chefs, and owners of Philly’s much-loved Honeysuckle, talk to Kate and Mark about how they personally define a “Black” dish; the two very distinct formats behind the food that typically represents the US Black diaspora; why their original business model didn’t work and how they fixed it—and learned from it; and their big love story.

The Nashville-based chef talks to Kate and Mark about how and why he finally feels recognized, how his drag has served as both a crutch and a hindrance—in the food world and elsewhere, and the priceless support he grew up with from his hippie parents (and why so much of what he does comes from that).

The mother and son duo—co-authors of Heartland Masala—talk to Kate and Mark about what it was like to tour to more than 40 cities together (and, specifically, why it was so wonderful); “mock” authenticity and further thoughts on the authenticity conversation in general, especially as it relates to second-generation immigrants; and “fusion” versus “traditional.” Plus: deep thoughts about butter chicken. 

The chef and activist talks to Kate and Mark about why, for the first time in 25 years, he’s overhauling the menu at Craft; what makes a restaurant popular (even when it’s not good); where all the good cooks have gone; and why he dislikes sous vide so much. Plus: some great cooking tips.

Food policy expert Marion Nestle chats with Mark about their initial reactions to the new dietary guidelines: what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s disturbing. Plus: Is the current protein craze just a marketing scheme that’s done particularly well for the marketers, or should we all be jumping on the bandwagon?

In this revisiting of an excellent episode from 2022, the actor (and Tiktok’s favorite dad) talks to Kate and Mark about his least favorite body part, go-to meals, and making cappuccinos for the cast of Blue Velvet. Plus: the question Mark’s “been meaning to ask” him for 30 years.

The James Beard Award-winning writer talks to Kate and guest co-host Kathleen Finlay about how women are uniquely equipped to tackle and repair our broken food system; why cooperation over competition is so effective; the constant throughline when talking with only female producers; and how you can support efforts—both as a buyer and as an activist.

The Pulitzer finalist and James Beard award winning journalist talks to Kate and Mark about how restaurant critics have to “split themselves”; being “accidentally anonymous” and how she became comfortable with telling that story; chasing curiosity; and how she went from a born and bred New Yorker to loving Detroit.

Even if you don’t have kids, surely you can see, objectively, how interesting it is to study a human being’s…

Impact/Justice’s Leslie Soble, an internationally recognized voice on the carceral eating experience, talks to Kate and Mark about what eating in prison is really like. The three discuss food as an active form of punishment, the deep connection between the critical problems of hunger and food waste, creative things incarcerated people do to stay nourished, and the good work that select organizations are doing to bring better food to prisons.

The writer and food historian talks to Kate and Mark about the “secret” language that belongs to Southern people, the problem with fantasizing about your Bubby’s recipes, the two-sidedness of Southern cooking, and where to find the best food in the South.