John Ikerd, one of the leading experts in the world on the economics of sustainable agriculture, and environmental activist Mackenzie Feldman talk to Mark about how they learn from each other, despite—or perhaps because of—their age gap; why recreating local food systems is so important; and what people in their 20s are most concerned about when it comes to food and agriculture.

Food historian, thought-leader, and writer Julie Guthman talks to Mark and Kate about how so many of the tech “solutions” behind industrial animal production are narrow-minded; why the arguments around alternative meat don’t add up and what the entrepreneurs behind it don’t understand; and the real resource use comparison between pasture raised meat, factory farmed meat, fake meat, and cell meat.

The humanitarian leader and writer talks to Mark about the paradoxes of famine; what we should be thinking about when we talk about hunger and solutions and what we can do at the global and local levels to help; and how we can raise awareness—and, in turn, prompt action.

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet talks to Kate and Mark about how being superintendent of Denver Public Schools stoked his interest in food rights, what inspires him and why we should feel hopeful, his newfound interest in cooking, and why cast iron reigns supreme.

Writer and veteran TV producer Karen Katz talks to Mark and Kate about being PC on TV, how she learned to love cooking and to be brave in the kitchen, and being executive producer of Emeril Live during its heyday – including the hazing process.

The shining star of New Orleans talks to Kate and Mark about struggle meals, tourist food in her hometown, Cajun vs. Creole, and the power of tough love.

Michelle Horovitz, LaTasha Powell, and Princess Titus – the founders of Minneapolis-based Appetite for Change – talk to Mark and Kate about how to use the psychology of a community to create a food system that works for all; passing the torch of food justice to the next generation; teaching a community to cook; and what makes their new cookbook, Appetite for Change, so special.

Chef René Redzepi and journalist Matt Goulding talk to Mark and Kate about their new Apple TV+ show, Omnivore, and some of the shocking revelations that came from it with regards to how we feed ourselves; the evolution of Noma and what the way forward in fine dining looks like; the commonalities between chile eating, horror movie watching, and riding roller coasters; and why they’re optimistic when it comes to food in general.

Atlantic staff writer Annie Lowrey talks to Mark and Kate about her recent piece, “The Truth About Organic Milk,” which details how cows are suffering on even the most humane dairy farms; why raising cows in herds on pasture isn’t always enough; the pros and cons of being so strict about antibiotics; and yet, although organic farms aren’t perfect, they’re still way better than “conventional” (i.e. industrial) farms.

We revisit our episode with the lovely, lively baking genius — and recent James Beard Award winner — Abi Balingit, who talks to Holly and Mark about pork floss and ube, preconceptions about Filipino and American desserts, and fish on cookies.

The musician and avid cook talks to Mark and Kate about the learning processes of cooking and playing music, why Italians get so mad about Italian-American food, Italian food legends vs. history, and knowing your pasta.

The prolific food writer and cook talks to Mark and Kate about having one foot in two cultures; the auntie whisperer network – or, how Indians in America learned to make do without some of their beloved staples, and how they learned to make do with what was readily available; and why and how the term “fusion” got a dirty rep.

The chef and author talks to Mark and Kate about the dangers of simplifying reality; why we should recognize and champion origin, and how doing so is a lesson in humility; the effect the Israeli conflict has had, and continues to have, on agriculture; and his new book, which is a loving tribute to his home, Bethlehem. 

Ed and Ryan Mitchell, the dynamic father/son duo, talk to the father/daughter duo (Mark and Kate) about their respective paths to pitmaster, transforming the tradition of authentic barbecue into a pure labor of love, and why working together ended up being the best thing for both of them.

Kendal Chavez, Food and Hunger Advisor in the office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham; Curt Ellis, co-founder of FoodCorps; and Stephanie Lip, Senior School Food Operations Specialist at the Chef Ann Foundation talk to Mark about all things school food – “the biggest restaurant chain in the country.” Why what we feed our kids is fundamental to our democracy, why school food is a political football, who’s got the power to shape school food now, and all the great work that’s happening.

The author of The Year of Living Constitutionally talks to Mark and Kate about how he threw an 18th century dinner party and what we can all learn from it; the things that people in the 1700s got right when it came to elections; the reactions he got when he walked around Manhattan with a tricorne hat and carrying a musket; and his family’s reaction to his year of attempting to follow the original meaning of the Constitution.

The author and cook talks to Kate about what she remembers about fleeing her home in Cambodia at the age of nine, five years before the genocide; how the memory of her mother’s cooking saved her life; why, and how, she decided to reclaim her family’s recipes; and what brings her true happiness now.

Professor Ashley Gearhardt, of the University of Michigan Department of Psychology, talks to Mark and Kate about why she’s so addicted to studying the science behind ultra-processed food addiction, and how she got into it; how ultra-processed foods are different from beer or cigarettes (and how they’re not); what differentiates people who get addicted and people who don’t; and exactly how foods are designed to reel you in. PLUS: Food stylist Barrett Washburne talks to Kate about where the trends are heading.

The innovative chef talks to Kate about the importance of cultivating one’s own identity, notably when it comes to food; why he’s not in the business of nostalgia; his unique ability to read the taste of food; and his new memoir, Good Taste. PLUS: More from food stylist Barrett Washburne, who talks to Kate about wasted plate space, giving props to prop stylists, and how to style brown food.