Not From Concentrate

Catherine Smart
  • 4.5 (41)
  • FOOD

A lot of food, a little bit all over the place.  A food podcast for busy brains from cook/writer/mom/ADHD-er Catherine Smart. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and neurodivergent food lovers. We talk personal and professional journeys, sparking creativity, calming chaos, and putting our attention where it matters most. Together, we find joy in (and out of) the kitchen.

  1. 2D AGO

    Food, Bravery, and Hope in Ukraine, with Felicity Spector

    In this episode, Catherine sits down with journalist and author of Bread and War Felicity Spector to talk about the role of food in one of the most difficult places on earth right now: war-torn Ukraine. Since 2022, Felicity has been traveling to Ukraine to support grassroots food initiatives—from mobile bakeries feeding frontline communities to chefs creating restaurant-quality meals for soldiers. Her work captures something often missing from headlines: the resilience, ingenuity, and humanity that keep people going. They talk about:  How mobile bakeries are feeding communities without electricity  The surprising logistics behind getting bread to the front lines  Why small food businesses are the backbone of society  Ukrainian food culture—and why bread is so deeply symbolic  The emotional reality of telling these stories in an overwhelming news cycle  Simple ways you can help This conversation is honest, emotional, and unexpectedly hopeful. Links & Resources  Buy Bread and War by Felicity Spector  Donate to https://bakeforukraine.org/ Substack: Flour PowerIf this episode moved you, share it with a friend. It’s one small way to help these stories travel further.

    43 min

  2. APR 28

    Following the Silk Roads: Anna Ansari on Identity, Trade, and the Flavors That Connect Us

    This week, Catherine chats with cookbook author and food writer Anna Ansari, whose new book Silk Roads explores the rich, interconnected cuisines stretching from East Asia to the Middle East. Anna’s path to food writing wasn’t exactly linear—she started as an international trade and customs attorney in New York before moving to the UK and finding her way into recipe testing, food writing, and ultimately cookbook authorship. In this conversation, she shares how her background in law, her Iranian-American identity, and her global perspective all shaped the book. Together, Catherine and Anna unpack the idea of the “Silk Roads”—not as one single route, but as a vast network of trade, migration, and cultural exchange that still influences how we cook and eat today. They also get into:  What the Silk Roads actually are (and why the plural matters)  Growing up between cultures—and how that shows up in the kitchen  Why curiosity matters more than getting it “right” when exploring new cuisines  The unexpected entry points into Central Asian and Middle Eastern cooking  How markets can unlock a deeper understanding of food and culture  The recipes to start with (including a simple, crowd-pleasing Uzbek plov) Plus, Anna shares her go-to strategies for sparking creativity in the kitchen—and calming the chaos when life (or dinner) feels overwhelming. Whether you’re a cookbook collector, a curious home cook, or someone who’s ever felt intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients, this episode is an invitation to dig in with curiosity, playfulness, and zero pressure to be perfect. Catherinesmart.com Tune in to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    50 min

  3. APR 21

    Building a Creative Career with Food Photographer Nina Gallant

    In this episode, Nina Gallant pulls back the curtain on the world of food photography: what actually goes into building a shot, how creative careers evolve, and what it takes to turn artistic work into a sustainable business. balancing creativity with the demands of running a business, building community, and making work that people actually want to pay you for. We also talk about:  What a food photographer actually does (beyond taking beautiful pictures)  How lighting shapes emotion—and why “photography is light”  The art of building a visual world around food  How trends (Instagram, digital media) have changed food photography  The reality of creative careers—and how Nina made hers financially sustainable  Practical advice for creatives trying to make the leap Plus, Nina shares how she sparks creativity (in and out of the kitchen) and the small rituals that help her calm the chaos. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into the images in cookbooks and magazines—or how to build a creative life that actually works—this one’s for you. Sign up for the Not From Concentrate newsletter. Follow the Not From Concentrate podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Connect with Nina Gallant: Nina Gallant’s website Nina’s Instagram Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    41 min

  4. APR 14

    Ashley Moore on ADHD, Food Styling & Thriving at America’s Test Kitchen

    In this week’s episode, Catherine chats with Ashley Moore, food stylist and senior editor at America’s Test Kitchen, about building a creative career with ADHD—and why the way your brain works might actually be your biggest advantage. Ashley takes us behind the scenes of life at ATK, from fast-paced photo shoots to the precision and organization required to make every recipe (and image) just right. She shares how she found her way into food media, including early experiences working alongside chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay, and what it really takes to stay in the industry long-term. They also get into the realities of home cooking—what dinner actually looks like with kids, why weeknight meals can feel so hard (even for professionals), and the small, practical tricks that make it easier. Plus, Ashley opens up about living and working with ADHD: the challenges, the unexpected strengths, and the moments when it becomes a true superpower. In this episode, we cover:  What it’s really like working at America’s Test Kitchen Food styling tips you can use at home  Career paths in food media (and how to find your lane)  ADHD in creative work and the kitchen  The reality of feeding a family during the week👉 Sign up for the Not From Concentrate newsletter: HERE 👉 Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen Connect with Ashley Moore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleypwmoore/  America’s Test Kitchen: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/ Not From Concentrate team Catherine Smart — Host / Executive Producer  Kevin O’Connell — Audio & Video Production  Allie Miller — Associate Producer

    48 min

  5. APR 7

    How to Bake Bread + Build a Creative Career | Martin Sorge (Great American Baking Show Winner)

    Want to learn how to bake bread—and build a creative career that actually works? Catherine sits down with Martin Sorge, winner of The Great American Baking Show, author of the Great Bakes Substack, and upcoming cookbook author, to talk about baking, business, and making a smart career pivot. Martin shares how he went from working in public policy and economic development to becoming a nationally recognized baker, and why baking became his creative outlet (and sanity saver) along the way. In this episode:  How to start baking bread (even if you’re a total beginner)  The easiest bread recipe to try first (no-knead, minimal equipment)  Why a kitchen scale is the only tool you really need  How to overcome fear of baking (yes, including yeast)  What “Midwestern baking” actually means  The real financials of food writing, Substack, and cookbooks  How to treat a creative pursuit like a business This is a practical, honest conversation about building something meaningful—whether that’s a loaf of bread or a second career. Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    38 min

  6. MAR 28

    Learn to Be a Better Home Cook + Writer with Sheryl Julian

    Everyone should have a Sheryl. In this episode, Catherine sits down with Sheryl Julian, former food editor at The Boston Globe, legendary teacher, and the mentor who helped shape her career in food writing. Sheryl shares what it was like to transform food media over her 30-year career—and why writing, home cooking, and mentorship still matter more than ever. In this episode:  How to become a better writer (and why most people don’t practice enough)  What great editing actually looks like  How to mentor (and give feedback) without shutting people down  The evolution of food media—and what’s been lost  Why fewer people are cooking at home  How to cook smarter: batch cooking, leftovers, and real-life dinners  Sheryl’s philosophy on recipes: simple, practical, and repeatable You’ll also hear:  Writing exercises to help you find your voice  Practical kitchen organization tips  Hosting advice (including why you should repeat the same dishes)  Stories about working alongside Julia ChildThis is a conversation about getting better—at writing, at cooking, and at paying attention to the world around you. Sign up for the Not From Concentrate newsletter. Follow the Not From Concentrate podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    50 min

  7. MAR 24

    How to Build the Perfect Cheese Board + Find Your Cheese Personality with Tenaya Darlington (Madame Fromage)

    Intimidated by the cheese counter? You’re not alone. Catherine sits down with Tenaya Darlington—aka Madame Fromage, cheese expert, author, and educator—to break down how to shop for, serve, and actually enjoy great cheese (without overthinking it). From building a better cheese board to pairing cheese with everything from martinis to tea, this episode is your crash course in becoming a confident, curious cheese eater. In this episode:  How to build a simple, impressive cheese board (without rules overwhelm)  What to ask a cheesemonger (and how to shop with confidence)  The 3-cheese formula: comfort, conversation, and something local  A beginner’s guide to different milks (cow, sheep, goat)  Why some people think they “don’t like” goat or blue cheese  How to find your personal “cheese style” You’ll also learn:  Unexpected cheese pairings (dirty martinis, tea, prosecco)  How to explore cheese through travel and local farms  Why cheese is one of the easiest ways to spark creativity in the kitchen  And yes, why cheese can absolutely be dinner Whether you’re a full-on curd nerd or just trying to level up your next dinner party, this episode will leave you inspired (and probably craving cheese). Follow Tenaya Darlington:  Instagram: @mmefromage  Website: madamefromage.net  Book: Adventures in CheeseSubscribe for recipes, essays, and more: catherinesmart.com If you loved this episode, share it with a cheese-loving, busy-brained friend. Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    49 min

  8. MAR 17

    Small-Batch Bread for Busy Brains: Rebecca Eisenberg on Baking + ADHD-Proofing the Kitchen

    Terrified of baking? Overwhelmed in the kitchen? Same. Catherine sits down with Rebecca Eisenberg, creator of The Practical Kitchen and author of the forthcoming  forthcoming “Small-Batch Breads” cookbook to talk about baking, ADHD, and building systems that actually work for your brain.  Rebecca shares how she went from digital media to running a full-time food platform, and how learning the foundations of baking (not just recipes) completely changed her confidence in the kitchen. In this episode:  How to start baking bread (even if you’re intimidated)  The 3 core baking methods that unlock most recipes  Why baking feels chaotic—and how to make it predictable  ADHD-friendly kitchen organization tips that actually work  How to prioritize when everything feels important  The “one thing at a time” mindset that reduces overwhelm You’ll also learn:  How Rebecca built The Practical Kitchen into a full-time business  Her system for consistent social media without burnout  Why small-batch baking is a game-changer for real life  What it’s actually like to write a cookbook This is a conversation about confidence, systems, and making the kitchen work for you—not against you. Follow Rebecca Eisenberg:  Instagram: @the.practical.kitchen  Website: thepracticalkitchen.com  Cookbook: Small-Batch Breads (out August 2026) Subscribe for recipes, essays, and more: catherinesmart.com If you loved this episode, share it with a fellow busy-brained cook. Not From Concentrate team: Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production Allie Miller, Associate Producer

    46 min
See All (25)

4.5
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

A lot of food, a little bit all over the place.  A food podcast for busy brains from cook/writer/mom/ADHD-er Catherine Smart. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and neurodivergent food lovers. We talk personal and professional journeys, sparking creativity, calming chaos, and putting our attention where it matters most. Together, we find joy in (and out of) the kitchen.

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Smart
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Not From Concentrate
  • Show Website
    Not From Concentrate

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