If This Food Could Talk

What if your morning coffee could tell the story of our planet? In this episode, Claudia sits down with human rights advocate and lawyer, Etelle Higonnet, to uncover the hidden journey behind each cup — from the farmers tending fragile landscapes to the forests at risk of disappearing. Through Etelle’s lens, coffee becomes more than a daily ritual; it’s a reflection of justice, climate, and care. This is a conversation about waking up — not just to coffee, but to the choices that shape our world. Coffee Watch Website : https://coffeewatch.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etelle-higonnet-a600675/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if ice cream could carry the soul of a culture? In this episode, Claudia sits down with Chrys Kefalas, founder of Yala Greek Ice Cream, to talk about how one family recipe became a modern celebration of heritage and hospitality. From the creamy richness of Greek yogurt to the joy of gathering around the table, Chrys shares how Yala is more than dessert — it’s a love letter to memory, tradition, and togetherness. Website: https://www.yalagreekicecream.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalagreekicecream/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A season on a Tuscan farm became a lesson in food systems, integrity, and soul work. Hear how Beatrice turned hard labor into a company with purpose. Follow her storyin her socials: @beaoliveoil @beatricexkarp Get to know more about her purpose: www.beaoliveoil.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raised on boiled potatoes and butter sauce, Marije Passos never imagined she'd fall in love — with a man, a culture, and a way of cooking. In this episode, she shares the story of how one unforgettable Portuguese dish changed her life, why chestnuts belong in your pantry, and what it means to truly root yourself in food, land, and legacy. Catch her and her work at: https://www.passeite.com/@marijepassos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a soulful chat with Dimitra,Mathiopoulou, founder of The Olive Routes in Kalamata, Greece. Dimitra's life is woven with the rhythm of the land. From pressing olives with her family to reviving old traditions, Dimitra reminds us that food isn’t just sustenance — it’s the keeper of memory, identity, and deep connection. Check out her website 👉https://theoliveroutes.com/and IG @theoliveroutes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Freda DeKnight began writing for Ebony Magazine in 1946, American publications that centered on Black cuisine were overwhelmingly written by white writers for white audiences, often using harmful caricatures and dangerous stereotypes. This week, we’ll discover how one Black American food writer changed the culinary narrative. Freda DeKnight’s food column and book - A Date With A Dish - helped revolutionize Black culinary coverage in post WWII America, breaking new ground for an entire generation of African American chefs and home cooks. Join veteran food writer Donna Battle Pierce as we follow Freda’s story from her home town of Topeka Kansas, all the way to the largest Black publishing company in the United States. And hear some of the stories and recipes she championed along the way. Hosted by Claudia Hanna Episode Guest: Food writer Donna Battle Pierce Site: https://www.skilletdiaries.com/ Blog: https://skilletdiaries.substack.com/ Recipe: Ebony’s Barbequed Spare Ribs To learn more: Look through the 1948 first printing of Freda DeKnight’s book, A Date With A Dish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank God for wine. No, really! Wine has always played a part in the culture of the church. It’s what Jesus drank at the last supper, priests bless it during Catholic mass, and if you drink enough of it you might start having visions of the divine. But in the early 20th century, this millenia-old church culture was under threat. The temperance movement ushered in an era of prohibition. Wine barrels were cracked open with axes. The streets and sewers ran red, white, and sparkling. And in Southern California, winery owners like Santo Cambianica were given little choice but to shut down. As an Italian immigrant and a Catholic, prohibition wasn’t just a response to the rise of alcoholism, it was an attack on his culture and religion. But a little known exemption in the prohibition laws was about to change that. Instead of shutting down, Santo’s winery boomed. In fact, he did better business during prohibition than before it. All thanks to the holy loophole. Hosted by Claudia Hanna Episode Guests: Santo Riboli (President, San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles, CA) Father Gregory Elder (Historian and Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palm Desert, CA) Recipe: Wine Pairings from Season One Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices