Cooking as a Way to Connect: An Interview with Amy Nesbitt

About this episode

In this episode, Janine Halloran interviews Amy Nesbitt about the benefits of cooking together as a family and how it fosters connection and cultural understanding.

Food is magic! Cooking together as a family has lots of benefits. As well as being a time to learn and teach such a key life skill, it presents an opportunity to share family recipes, whether they are cultural recipes or family recipes passed down through the generations. In this episode they discuss: How Amy’s work got started How to learn about your family background through cooking Why to have your children in the kitchen with you The power of hospitality Food memories When your kids starting cooking How Amy likes to rest and relax And remember, do not forget about yourself, take a few minutes for you and have a little fun! Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/@thisjalife About The Guest - Amy Nesbit Amy Nesbitt is a full time, corporate world working mama to two boys who has spent large amounts of time in Silicon Valley and San Diego. She shares her passion for wellness, travel, books, and eats as “WholeWellnessMamas” on her blog as well as Instagram and TikTok. She empowers women to thrive in motherhood by making time to find joy in their life through her courses and summits. You can also find her spreading the love for her other passions like Japanese…

People in this episode

Hosts: Janine Halloran, Janine

Guest: Amy Nesbitt

Topics covered

• cooking
• family bonding
• cultural recipes
• hospitality
• food memories
• parenting

Keywords

• wellness
• motherhood
• joy
• travel
• cooking culture

Mentioned in this episode

Products: the Coping Skills for Kids Workbook

Books & works: This Japanese American Life, Encourage Play

Places: Silicon Valley, San Diego

More episodes of Calm and Connected Podcast

• Episode #188: Helpful Equations To Connect with and Support Kids: An interview with Sonali Vongchusiri · December 11, 2025 · 34 min
• Supporting teen emotional regulation while staying connected: An interview with Ronnie Vehemente · November 20, 2025 · 26 min
• Exploring and Understanding a Child’s Sensory Systems with Sarah Collins · October 9, 2025 · 28 min
• Helping kids understand how their brain works: An Interview with Dr. Crystal Collier · September 11, 2025 · 35 min
• Coping Skills Practice: Processing · August 21, 2025 · 4 min
• Coping Skills Practice: Movement · August 7, 2025 · 4 min