Your Mama’s Kitchen

British actor Lashana Lynch takes us back to the tight-knit West London community where she grew up and to her grandparents' record shop, which was the soundtrack to her childhood. She talks about the importance of bringing her Jamaican heritage to the red carpet and how she channels her mother's strength and discipline to prepare for certain roles. She also share her love for her mama's saltfish dish and why she craves Jamaican comfort food when she's on set. Your Mama’s Kitchen is a production of Higher Ground. Produced by Sonia Htoon. Associate Producers are Camila Thur de Koos and Jenna Levin. Sound design and engineering from Andrew Eapen, Ryan Kozlowski and Roy Baum. Executive producers for Higher Ground are Mukta Mohan, Dan Fierman and Michele Norris. The show’s closing song is 504 by The Soul Rebels. Editorial and web support from Melissa Bear and Say What Media. Talent booker is Angela Peluso. Copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC / Sound Recording copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Queen Diva herself, Big Freedia, joins to talk about all things New Orleans. From making his aunt’s Mardi Gras popcorn balls to coming out on his 13th birthday, Big Freedia shares what it was like to grow up on Josephine Street and Music Street. He’ll also share what it was like to get that call from Beyoncé and how he brought bounce back to New Orleans after Katrina. Plus he shares how to make his mom's cornbread dressing. Your Mama’s Kitchen is a production of Higher Ground. Produced by Sonia Htoon Associate Producers are Camila Thur de Koos and Jenna Levin. Sound design and engineering from Andrew Eapen, Ryan Kozlowski and Roy Baum. Executive producers for Higher Ground are Mukta Mohan, Dan Fierman and Michele Norris. The show’s closing song is 504 by The Soul Rebels. Editorial and web support from Melissa Bear and Say What Media. Our talent booker is Angela Peluso Copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC / Sound Recording copyright 2024 by Higher Ground Audio, LLC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Restauranteur and cookbook author Bricia Lopez takes us back to where her career in food really began -- the kitchen of the renowned, LA-based Oaxacan restaurant Guelaguetza, which her father opened in the 90's. Bricia and her siblings grew up washing dishes, bussing tables and helping their parents foster a sense of community for the Oaxacan diaspora in Los Angeles; something Bricia continues to do as one of the co-owners of the restaurant today. This conversation was recorded when record-breaking wildfires scorched LA earlier this year -- Bricia talks about how she was able to help through calling on her community. Plus, we hear how to make her mama's classic Huevo en Frijoles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. dishes on his Birmingham roots and how his radio personality dad and law school student mom navigated meal times with their opposing schedules. He shares the simple but delicious meals that limited his palette before he ultimately became the foodie we know and love today. Plus, we learn about the biscuits that had his cousins fighting over who gets the last one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America's favorite kitchen icon Ina Garten opens up about the tumultuous relationship she had with her mama's kitchen when she was a child. She walks us through how her relationship with food evolved in later years, thanks to her husband Jeffrey and a summer spent camping across Europe on a shoestring budget. Plus, we learn how to make the one dish Ina enjoyed from childhood: Chicken Parmesan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Multiple Grammy and Platinum Record winning artist John Legend takes us back to his roots in Springfield, Ohio, where he was an academic overachiever and a musical prodigy. John opens up about his early rocky relationship with his mother and how, over time, they came together to nurture one beautiful family. Plus, we learn how to make his mama's special mac & cheese. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Late Show host Stephen Colbert and his wife Evie reminisce on their romcom-worthy meet cute, which somehow happened years after they left their shared hometown of Charleston, North Carolina. We learn about what kind of food they ate while growing up in the coastal Lowcountry (hint: lots of seafood) and some of the cooking hiccups they faced as a new couple in their first shared kitchen. Plus, Stephen teaches us how to make his version of his mama’s fudge – a recipe that none of his siblings can agree on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Your Mama's Kitchen, where we bring you life changing stories from the childhood kitchens of chefs, musicians, TV personalities and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your Mama's Kitchen will officially be back next year starting January 28th! In the meantime, join Michele for a walk down memory lane in a very special episode of Your Mama's Kitchen. We'll revisit cherished holiday memories and beloved family recipes from some of our favorite past guests. You'll also get an exclusive sneak peek at some very special new voices to be featured in our upcoming run. Whether you're cooking up a feast or cozying up by the fire, this special is sure to add a dash of joy to your holidays. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special solo episode, Hoda opens up about life at 60. She celebrates the decade ahead in this love letter to her personal journey. Hoda reflects on her life’s path, overcoming hardship and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey Higher Ground listeners! We're sharing a preview of a new podcast called The Wonder of Stevie, from Higher Ground. You might think you know Stevie Wonder. You might think you know his music. But you’ve never heard it like this. Host Wesley Morris is taking you on a deep-dive through Stevie's Classic Period: five legendary albums back-to-back in just four years. Hear about the record deal that started it all, the technology Stevie adopted to create never-before-heard sounds, and his influence on our culture. There will be appearances from legends like Barack and Michelle Obama, Questlove, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Babyface, Janelle Monae and more. In this episode, Wesley details how, years after signing his first recording deal with Motown Records, Stevie decides to renegotiate his contract. One of the things on the table? Complete creative freedom. What follows is the beginning of one of the greatest streak of albums in American popular music: Music of My Mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dreamgirl, American Idol finalist and EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson joins us for the last episode of the season. She takes us back to her early years in the Southside of Chicago where she and her siblings grew up in a kitchen filled with song and where she spent precious late nights with her grandma in front of the TV. Plus, we hear about the poundcake recipe of her childhood. Jennifer Hudson is a renowned singer and actress. She’s won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony, earning her an EGOT status. She currently hosts her own self-titled show where she invites celebrities, community heroes and viral sensations to bring empowering conversations to light. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Pete Holmes shares the small ways his mom infused her Lithuanian heritage through food, even if she wouldn’t talk much about the home she knew before having to flee the country and become a refugee. He’ll open up about his journey confronting some dark parts of his past that helped him make better comedy. Plus, we’ll get the recipe for his mom’s apple pie that might look more like a cobbler. Pete Holmes is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer and podcaster. He gained recognition as the creator and lead actor of the HBO series "Crashing," a semi-autobiographical show centered around the world of stand-up comedy. Holmes has also worked as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and lent his voice to characters in the animated series "Animals." His stand-up specials, including "Nice Try, The Devil" and "Faces and Sounds," have received praise for their observational humor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian and TikTok sensation Zarna Garg shares her incredible journey of creating the American life she imagined growing up and finding marriage on her own terms. She also reveals how she transitioned from the elaborate meals her mom cooked to simpler dishes that suit her family’s needs today. Plus, she offers some great tips for transforming steamed broccoli into something special. Zarna Garg is a stand-up comedian who pokes fun at her experiences as an Indian immigrant mom. She was named Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2023 and performs in comedy clubs all across the country. Her comedy special, “One in a Billion,” is available now on Amazon Prime Video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef, restaurateur and online food person Sohla El-Waylly shares some of her impressive food wisdom with us, taking us back to where it all began – her mother’s kitchen in the diverse suburbs of Van Nuys, California. We hear about how she was shaped by her mother’s knack for fusion and experimentation and her aunt’s love for classic, American dishes. Plus, she walks us through how to make her mother’s deliciously flaky parathas. Sohla El-Waylly is a chef and online food personality known for her appearances on shows like Netflix’s The Big Brunch, the New York Times’ Youtube channel and the Binging with Babish Youtube channel. Her book, Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook, is a New York Times BestSeller and a James Beard Foundation Book Award Nominee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michele Norris’ family has 30+ years of precious memories driving throughout the East Coast. From celebrating birthdays on the go to weathering natural disasters, when it comes to road trips, they’ve been through. Join Michele and her nephew Carlos Fenwick as they journey down memory lane with a lot of laughs along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning screenwriter and funny person Lena Waithe takes us back to her fast-food filled childhood in the Southside of Chicago. We’ll hear about what it was like to live in a house with three generations of women and about her grandmother’s dining table, which plays a big part in an award-winning episode that Lena wrote for Master of None. Plus, we hear why Chicken and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort meal. Lena Waithe is a comedian, actor, writer and screenwriter. She was the first black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her Thanksgiving episode on Netflix’s Master of None. She created The Chi, which she currently produces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned American ballet dancer Misty Copeland opens up about the instability she faced in her childhood and how her natural athleticism and incredible discipline led her to shine as a dance prodigy in her teens. She talks about the evolution of her relationship to food and nutrition from growing up in various different kitchens to eating like an athlete. Plus, you’ll hear how to make one of her healthy, go-to recipes: Baked tilapia with veggies. Misty Copeland is a Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. She made history in 2015, becoming the first African-American woman to ever be promoted to that position. She’s written several New York Times bestselling books and launched her own foundation in 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist and Emmy award-winning TV host Tamron Hall talks about how her upbringing in the small, rural town of Luling, Texas paved the way for her to follow her dreams of being on TV. She praises the many mother figures she had in her life growing up and opens up about what Mother’s Day really means to her. Plus, we learn how to make her twist on a Southern classic – a Sock-it-to-Them cake. Tamron Hall is a two-time Emmy award-winning TV host of her self-titled show, which was recently renewed for its sixth season. Before this, she was the first black woman to host the Today Show in 2014. She’s the author of her own cookbook A Confident Cook, set to publish this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cookbook author and baker extraordinaire, Dorie Greenspan, joins Michele to discuss the long, winding and unforeseen journey to Dorie’s great baking career. Dorie grew up in a household that did not cook home-cooked meals, and as a young adult, she first pursued an academic PHD. Cooking was not on her radar. But when Dorie’s perceptive husband witnessed how much Dorie loved baking, he encouraged her to pursue it; and Dorie did — with enthusiasm. Today, in addition to having been mentored by food-world icon, Julia Child, Dorie has written 14 cookbooks, won five James Beard awards, and has her very own, prized kitchen in Paris. In this episode, find out how Dorie’s story begins by mistakenly burning down her mother’s kitchen, and ends with Dorie being one of the best bakers in the business – and stay tuned for a lovely soft-shell crab recipe that Dorie loved to share with her mother, on the back steps of her childhood Brooklyn home. Dorie Greenspan was born in Brooklyn and pursued a PHD in gerontology before becoming an internationally recognized cookbook author and baker. Dorie has been a columnist for New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post. She’s written 14 cookbooks and won five James Beard awards as well as the Cookbook of the Year award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Dorie was awarded the Mérite d’Agricole – the Order of Agricultural Merit – by the French Consulate for her writings about France’s food. Today, she lives with her husband Michael in New York City, Westbrook, CT and Paris, France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.