
Regenerative Baking #26: Jim Franks on "Existential Bread"
From Regenerative Baking by Dressler Parsons
January 13, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 26
About this episode
Jim Franks discusses his unique approach to bread-making through poetry and philosophy.
Jim Franks has traveled the world studying whole grain sourdough bread and local food infrastructure centered around ethical and regenerative ingredients. He's also a poet, and last year he released his book Existential Bread, which is completely unlike any cookbook I’ve ever read before, for two reasons. First, it’s written as a long poem. Second, it’s completely non-prescriptive. Instead of telling you exactly how to make bread or giving you a precise recipe, he explains the different factors behind bread-making and invites you to experiment and trust yourself. Tune in for a philosophical discussion of alternative economies, breaking the rules of bread, and why bread could save the world.
People in this episode
Host: Dressler Parsons
Guest: Jim Franks
Topics covered
- sourdough bread
- regenerative ingredients
- poetry
- alternative economies
- bread-making
Keywords
- sourdough
- whole grain
- ethical ingredients
- regenerative baking
- philosophy
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Existential Bread
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