Hotdish and Hot Takes

Kali and Jen
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship

Midwest roots, cozy comfort, and hot takes that say the quiet part out loud. Hotdish & Hot Takes is real conversations for people doing life and business differently. Come for the belly laughs and honest stories, stay for the kind of truth you’d only hear at a kitchen table and the permission to do it your way.

  1. 3d ago

    Batteries, Beans, and Common Sense

    If your feed is making you feel like you are one missed Amazon order away from disaster, come sit down. Kali and Jen are at the kitchen table talking storm prep and power outages in a way that is practical, calm, and actually doable. Kali shares her take as a longtime paramedic and a Midwest kid raised on canning, root cellars, and stocking up before winter. We cover how to start small without panic buying, why a family plan and meeting spot matter if communication goes down, and the FEMA basics like water, food, first aid, sanitation, comfort items, and pet supplies. Plus, a few real life tips like backup power for the freezer, heating one room instead of the whole house, and yes, cookies in the freezer if you are eating beans for three days. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @hotdishandhottakes Instagram TikTok

  2. 5d ago

    Welp. Here We Go.

    Ever done the classic “Welp, we should get going” and then stayed another 45 minutes? This week on Hot Dish and Hot Takes, Kali and Jen break down the Midwest goodbye, the sweet, chaotic, overly polite ritual of leaving a visit. They walk through the stages, from the big announcement and the hug rounds to the leftover push, the Tupperware you may or may not owe back, and the “one more thing” at the door. Plus the porch chat, driveway chat, window wave, and the “text me when you get home” check in. Along the way, they compare it to the Irish goodbye, talk about why some families can end a conversation instantly, and why kids and dogs can turn a 45 minute exit into 10. Press play, and try not to leave early. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @hotdishandhottakes Check us out on Instagram! Check us out on TikTok!

  3. Oct 28

    Gig Work for the Holidays: Real Pay, Real Costs

    Holiday spending will humble you. If your budget is already giving you side-eye, this episode is your no fluff guide to gig work that is actually worth it, and what is absolutely not worth the gas. Kali and Jen compare options like Amazon Flex, DoorDash, Instacart, and other delivery apps, plus what really changes the math: tips, mileage, vehicle costs, weather, and local demand. We also share how to spot a bad shift fast so you do not accidentally work for free. Find us on Instagram and TikTok @hotdishandhottakes Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

  4. Oct 26

    No Lettuce, No Shame

    Midwest potlucks have a special kind of logic, especially when it comes to salads. In this episode, Kali and Jen break down the Midwest classics that show up at every gathering, from Snicker salad and cookie salad to ramen noodle salad, Jello salads, and the creamy sweet sides that confuse everyone who did not grow up here. They get into why these dishes became such a thing, including church and community potlucks, feeding a crowd, travel friendly recipes, and the post war boom of packaged foods like Jello, pudding mixes, canned fruit, and Cool Whip. Plus, they debate the real Midwest rules, what counts as a salad, what belongs on the salad table versus the dessert table, and why you basically never show up empty handed. Hit the follow button to catch the latest episode! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @hotdishandhottakes Follow us on Instagram Follow us on TikTok

  5. Oct 21

    Hotdish Chili Roundtable

    Today we are spilling the beans with a chili roundtable on Hotdish and Hot Takes. Kali and Jen are talking chili rules, chili crimes, and the personal beliefs that will absolutely divide a room. This is a lighthearted conversation with friends, so expect laughter, opinions, and a little chaos. No one is right, everyone has a different take. Follow this podcast to stay up-to-date on the latest episode! You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok @hotdishandhottakek Instagram TikTok Check out today's roundtable guests here: Check out Tiffany Check out Katya

  6. Oct 19

    The Holiday Relay Race

    Holiday creep is out of control. In this episode of Hotdish & Hot Takes, Kali and Jen talk about the holiday relay race happening in every store aisle, from back to school to Halloween to Christmas to Valentines Day, all before you have even recovered from summer. They unpack why it keeps happening, what it does to our stress levels and budgets, and why the biggest loss is presence. If you have ever felt personally attacked by Christmas music before Halloween, hit follow, leave a quick rating, and share this with a friend who has opinions. Hit the follow button to get the latest episode! Follow us on Instagram We are on TikTok now!

  7. Oct 14

    Perimenopause, Histamine, and the Wellness Noise Part 2

    Part 2 is here, and we are picking up right where we left off with Geta Barbu. We start with the CDC seminar cliffhanger, and what she shares might make you look at your supplement cupboard a little differently. Then we get into the real life stuff. Mast cell issues and histamine, perimenopause and hormones, and why wellness is almost never black and white. We also talk the protein craze, diet culture, and what happens when you start chasing numbers instead of listening to your body. Geta breaks down her simple nutrient dense plate framework, protein, carb, fruit or vegetable, fat, and pizzazz, plus her best advice of the whole conversation. Be in tune with your body, but do not become hyperfixated on it. If you are tired of fear based marketing and cookie cutter health advice, this one will feel like a deep exhale. Follow Us on Instagram Here Check Out Geta on Instagram Geta's Podcast Learn More About Geta

  8. Oct 12

    The Messy Middle of Wellness Part 1

    Supplements are not the cure all. Pharmaceuticals are not the cure all. If you are tired of being told to just take this, buy that, or follow one perfect wellness plan, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Kali and Jen sit down with Geta Barbu, a gut brain and functional nutrition practitioner, to talk about the messy middle of wellness. We get real about supplement culture, pharmaceutical fearmongering, and social media misinformation, plus why research headlines rarely tell the full story. This episode ends on a cliffhanger with what Geta learned in a CDC seminar about supplements, and you are going to want to hear it. Come back for Part 2 where we get into mast cell issues, hormones and perimenopause, liver function, and Geta’s nutrient dense plate framework. Hit the follow button to catch the latest episode! Follow us on Instagram Check out Geta on Instagram Learn more about Geta Barbu Check out Geta's Podcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Midwest roots, cozy comfort, and hot takes that say the quiet part out loud. Hotdish & Hot Takes is real conversations for people doing life and business differently. Come for the belly laughs and honest stories, stay for the kind of truth you’d only hear at a kitchen table and the permission to do it your way.

Information

  • Creator
    Kali and Jen
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kali and Jen
  • Show Website
    Hotdish and Hot Takes