What's Eating You?: Recent Episodes
BRB
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, like most people, I was staying at home. To pass the time, I'm having conversations with friends old and new, to hear what they're cooking, eating, or anything else that quarantine, or the new normal, has brought to the forefront of their minds. Listen in for good conversations, new recipes, and a wide range of perspectives on our changing world.
This week, we welcome a fellow Bucks County native, Duane, to the show. In a timely post-election episode, we trace this man and his wife's story from a South African honeymoon, to NYC in the throes of pandemic, to his adoption of a puppy and impending fatherhood. The whirlwind happenings of the past summer also gave him some insight into the resilience of people, and hope for the future. Here's hoping that we can share it with you.
This episode is dedicated to all the Brian O'Conners out there - who used to live their lives a quarter-mile at a time.
(11/6/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This week sees us chasing the leaves south, winding up with a conversation with Meghin, living just off the Tobacco Road in North Carolina. Meghin's pandemic has been marked with change, and we talk about how this time forced her to pause the work wheel, the journey to the hyphen, and lets us know just how good her cinnamon rolls have become. Join us for a special 20th episode of "What's Eating You."
(10/22/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This week, I catch up with Roxy, who holds the title for "coolest job experience" from among my entire stable of friends. In our conversation, she recounts her time out on deepwater oil rigs, takes us through a year of travel and exploration, and finally, developing roots in the Pacific northwest, while developing a new outlet for exploration - as "skipper" of her own ship.
(9/30/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
As the summer of COVID turned to fall, I found time to chat with Jackson. In a conversation that ranged from Mulan to Moviepass, home ownership to home gyms, we also talked about how to manage being honest with yourself about where you are, and where you want to be, and opening up to those around you to make it through these times.
This conversation made possible by boiled steak. Jackson's favorite recipe can be found here: https://www.livestrong.com/article/550046-how-to-cook-a-boiled-steak/
(9/23/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
On Labor Day, I snuck away from a barbeque long enough to reach out to Jackie, a former student-athlete and vibrant personality, to wrap up her summer. Our conversation picks up with her recent return from the latest stop on her lifelong quest: for the perfect "lobstah roll" (she's something of an aficionado), but soon transitions to a more grounding topic for most of us during the months of pandemic - navigating these unfamiliar spaces while maintaining ourselves, and our mental health. [Note: there were some one time audio quality issues recording my vocal track. Please bear with us this week.]
Jackie's Lobster Roll ratings can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEsM9qjBdIU/
@kennakaycreative campaign highlight can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEAhfsShqbN/
This conversation was made possible by all the establishments that served us great food, drink, and memories.
(9/7/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
We join up with Leaps in this conversation. A pacific northwest transplant, he found the transition to quarantine's "work-from-home" directive in stride as well as he did the shift from NYC's suit and tie law firm dynamic to researching case law in Birkenstocks. From the short-lived Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, to the hope for truth and reconciliation among our national history, our far-reaching conversation takes us through the labor of love of being a citizen in modern America.
This episode marks the shift to our new schedule for the foreseeable future - once every two weeks. Savor those old eps in the meantime! Make sure you get caught up...
This episode brought to you by the National Gardening Association.
(8/13/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This week's episode features another visit to our coastal cousins in California, where we meet up with Nate, who has been "Doing Big Things," since his grade school days. A DMV kid who tasted global promise during his four years in Miami, Nate takes us behind the scenes of his quarantine, spent buying a 100 year-old fixer-upper with no previous know-how, pushing forward an event production company in a landscape with no events, and reminding himself just how Rich we all are.
Learn more about DBT Nation at www.dbtnation.com and follow him @dbtnation on IG.
This episode was made possible by the American Camp Association, which has been helping seven-year olds manage their homesickness for over 100 years.
(8/11/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
Following a week-long hiatus, we return to "What's Eating You." In this phased restart, I welcome Anyssa (@chebbzzz) to the pod. She's the creator of One Minute Graphics, an Instagram account that transforms podcasts, articles, and books into educational illustrations for quick consumption of new information. In addition to hearing how she self-started her journey into the fine arts, we also chat about pandemic mindset, and how building confidence and community can help us weather these strange times.This episode made possible by Hatfield Dollar Dog Night at Citizen's Bank Park.
@oneminutegraphics: https://instagram.com/oneminutegraphics?igshid=dx9kh8tmsftg
(8/6/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
In this episode, I speak with a friend from my days in the city that never sleeps: NYC. While we've both since found greener pastures, Les spent 8 years there before getting engaged and relocating to VA. Our convo reflects on her pandemic experience of putting a wedding on hold, getting back to her gardening roots, and having (mis)adventures on (one)wheeled transportation. This episode sponsored by Orlando's Walt Disney Resorts - home of the world's best cookie dough pie!
Portuguese Egg Tart Recipe: https://youtu.be/lWLCxui1Mw8
(7/22/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
Today's episode calls on my friend Robert, International Player Hater, to talk about his observations, experiences, and "planning" done during COVID. We explore the disruptions of pandemic to work and family life, the social media choice of remediation or cancellation, and staying humble through it all. Bonus content includes a story about his young son's heartfelt thanks for a day at the pool.
A link to the Bomani Jones podcast (showcasing potential partnership with ESPN right here - call me Disney!) that is referenced in the pod can be found here: http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=29319195
(7/16/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This episode introduces my podcasting audience to the benefactor of my quarantine bread baking - Blaise. We meet the man who blessed me with the gift of knowledge (and a 7qt dutch oven). We also circle back to his Covid experience (spoiler alert: nose goes), and revisit the streets of NYC to hear how the summer of social distancing '20 is going.
Interested parties can find the text referenced in this pod here: https://kensartisan.com/flour-water-salt-yeast
(7/4/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This episode features a frank conversation on race in America. Today, I share my conversation with Ariel - athlete, artist, actress, and activist. She is characteristically unfiltered in telling her story, and we touch upon the current moment, think about how long this revolution for justice has been coming, and talk about her hopes that when this train leaves the station, all those on the right side of history will be aboard. [Contains strong language.]
The unabridged Toni Morrison quote referenced in the interview is from an interview available via this link: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a28621535/toni-morrison-white-supremacy-charlie-rose-interview-racism/
(Check out @doyourumble)
(7/2/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
The COVID-19 episode - in this convo, we speak with Rose, who has recovered from a late spring case of Coronavirus. This timely chat reminds us just how serious this disease is, even for those not in an "at-risk" category Sponsored by Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup - even as the summer stretches on, please stay home where possible, practice social distancing, and wear a mask!
(As promised, here's her Easy Chicken Marinade Recipe: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/34973334595121538/sent/)
(6/24/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
The DoubleMint gum episode - in a daring act of technical know-nothingness, I attempt to pull off a three-way conversation with two of my friends AT THE SAME TIME. Topics include an exploration of how they formed their musical tastes, recreating restaurant favorites in quarantine, and a visit to the "Married with Children" fountain. Featuring Mary Alexander and Kristin Cass. Sponsored by Monster Kabinet, Berlin (it's highly recommended).
(6/14/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
The "Liquid Bread," Episode, featuring Justin Frick. With the former 7'0" high jumper turned beer connoisseur, we explore the collision of community, causes, and culture, in this week's introspective and informative episode. Guest appearances by Susu the cat. Sponsored by the Air Fryer mafia.
(6/11/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
This episode finds us with Minnesota native Ali ("Prich" to her friends). This episode, recorded the week after the murder, or modern-day lynching of George Floyd, finds her on a roadtrip landing her in Washington, DC - the second epicenter of some of the nation's largest protests of police brutality, and racial inequality. From peaceful protest to meal prep, and pandemic to pan pizza, here's this week's "What's Eating You." Sponsored by Patagonia snapbacks - "That's my hat!" (6/5/2020)
Music: www.purple-planet.com
The third episode of 'What's Eating You' takes place on PST, featuring guest Dan Ross-Li. Topics include an authentic Nuka Cola recipe, hot real estate leads, and a child’s unadulterated love of noodles. This podcast ep is sponsored by the I-95 corridor, connecting Norwalk and Norfolk since 1956. Dedicated to wives turned restaurant critics across America. (5/21/20) Music: www.purple-planet.com
The debut episode of ‘What’s Eating You’. Special guest Marianna Bogucki. Topics include her forthcoming Andy Williams crime drama, Irish Soda Bread, and what to do with all those hoarded toaster waffles. (4/29/20) Music: www.purple-planet.com
The fifth episode of 'What's Eating You' puts Meltdown May in the rear view by welcoming “JRP (Esq.)” an infamous character form my youth. We talk about the secret to Popeye’s, his reliance on QVC appliances, and just how to balance freedom and health within this pandemic (hint: Pilates). This episode dedicated to Shopping Local. Shoutout to Shomari and Eric. McDonough stand up! (6/3/20) Music: www.purple-planet.com
The fourth episode of 'What's Eating You' features published NYT Opinion writer, comedy writer, and all-around good guy Ali-Asghar. Topics include diet discipline, national economic issues, and chaat. This podcast ep is sponsored by Dominoes Pizza, soon to hold an 80% market share in NYC. Ali-Asghar NYT Opinion piece available here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/17/opinion/ramadan-coronavirus-quarantine.html?referringSource=articleShare
(E.d.: this episode was recorded two days before Eid). (5/31/20) Music: www.purple-planet.com
The second episode of 'What's Eating You' picks up with special guest, and temporary Michigander, Alison "Nabs" Nabatoff. Topics include content creation, cookie creation, and LaCroix. This podcast sponsored by Millennials, and dedicated to Sir Dempsey Charles, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge. (5/4/20) Music: www.purple-planet.com