Regenerative Baking #26: Jim Franks on "Existential Bread"

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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