Podcast
Hi all! Happy Sunday. For quite some time, I've been thinking of starting a podcast as a way to cover topics about food, history, and food history, that I don't get to talk about on the show. It would also be a way to talk to authors, chefs, and other creators.
As patrons, I wanted to get your input. Things you'd like to see/hear about. Guests you'd like to see. And format suggestions. It's really in its early stages so I'm excited to see what it could become.
Comments (95)
yes please! i would love this, i listen to podcasts frequently.
I consider the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe the gold standard for podcasts. Been going since 2006, just celebrated their 1000th episode. Always steal from the best, sez I!
B. Dylan Hollis, "Cooking Yesteryear"! It would be fun just to hear him reminisce over all his many shorts. Best dessert, weirdest result, favorite cake, whatever.
Oh, also the "Sorted" guys. Get them on for a longer discussion.
Ray Villaman is a lifelong BFF (since we a were children) and a well respected restauranteur and member of the restaurant owners community in California and the U.S. He owns 4 restaurants in Tahoe and is an enthusiastic, charismatic speaker. He lives part time in Northern California and part time in Barcelona. He might be an excellent interview for you. Here is some video of him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FREP6kXcAnA
I wonder if Kara Cooney, Egyptologist and Author based at UCLA has insights on Ancient Egyptian food, cooking, etc. She has her own well established public following and is a great speaker. I have read her books and seen her speak in person. I have also met her. She, like me, is from Houston, Texas originally and now lives in Los Angeles. Here are some links. I can direct message you her mail and contacts if you like. https://karacooney.squarespace.com/ https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Kara+Cooney&i=audible&ref=dp_byline_sr_audible_1
Have you heard/do you follow Greg Jenner (formerly from Horrible Histories) and his BBC podcast "You're Dead to Me" ? I've often thought you two should get together in some way. He recently covered Alexis Soyer. Perhaps you could collaborate on the 'celebrity chef' as I know celebrity is one of Greg's focuses.
I would love to listen. Talking to chefs or owners of historial resturants and taverns.
Well i don't really have a lot of time to listen to podcasts especially since starting my own (That is to say i do and i just forger) but i would definitely give it a listen.
Congrats on the podcast! What’s it called?
It would be fun to interview other chefs and ask them of their personal history with food. Also- there's a world of kitchen gadgets from other cultures and the past that would be fun to learn discuss.
Chef's of course, but perhaps people from your life who have inspired you on this path.
Somewhere along the line I heard that chef Jose Andres of World Kitchen fame was enamored of 18th century American cuisine, it would be wonderful to interview him!
Yes! maybe archaeologist and their insights on food prep and storage.
Anthrochef did a really good one already.
He did a great food history podcast. Mine would not be food history; already have a YouTube channel for that 😆
Early food allergies and how did they handle it?
A topic that would be interesting as well as the history of food would be the food that came and went. Example. I loved Grandma Brown's baked beans. An Upstate NY staple now gone. A wonderful story https://cnynews.com/new-york-state-grandma-browns-baked-beans/
It IS important to not overload yourself. That being said, though I am a listener of podcasts, I dont know what's involved in putting them together so, I cant speak to the time one would have to invest to produce one. I'm quite sure you'd get a positive response if you chose to start including that in your repertoire. I enjoyed watching you with Josh on Mythical Kitchen, and I am certain you would get some super-interesting guests, both from the world of cooking as well as historians. Whatever you decide, you can, I'm sure, count on all of our collective support!
Would love to hear more of you anytime, but agree with others that there is a limit to time spent on work. Doing what you do now must be very time consuming. Be careful about stretching yourself too thin. Doing a lot of things moderately well is not as good as doing a few things very well. Need to take time for yourself and your family! Work, life balance.. you know.
I used to do museum living history programs about 16th century food ways of the Florida Gulf Coast Indians and the Spanish conquistadors’ (hardtack, beans and salt pork were not the only thing they ate. Would love to share.
Would love to know more!
I agree with the folks in the comments urging you to pace yourself. That being said, I think that it would be awesome! Somebody else suggested that 20-ish minute episodes would be good, and I like that idea. I think keeping things light and conversational would be good. I also love the idea somebody else posted to explore foods from different cultures throughout history. My partner is in a medieval society and expresses a lot of frustration about the struggle to research things like clothing and food in non-european cultures.
Maybe Jon Townsend and Michael Twitty would be great to talk to. I wish you the best and looking forward to seeing you on YouTube and hearing you on your Podcast.
I think it’s a great idea. But do you have the time?
I already listen to “Tasting History” episodes in the car pretty often, so a podcast would be great!
I'd go for 20-min episodes. Whatever the topic and the format (lessons, dialogues, interviews - it does not need to be constant), I like the contents to be effective: no messing around and inconclusive chatting, just getting at it and keeping it interesting. All of which you are already a master at. Balanced humor is great, and you are perfect at it, too. You might even drop in some bonus singing to close the episodes :) Just don't strain yourself!
This is a lovely idea to expand on the channel. Food and drink as therapy is always fascinating eg. drinking spa waters, bizarre 18th-century cures for gout, the theories of Dr. Kellogg at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Also, what about a peek into historical eateries/restaurants eg The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Rules in London, The Russian Tea Room in New York or the oldest family-run diners in selected cities? Interviewees could maybe include Heston Blumenthal for his sometimes modern take on historical recipes or food historian Ivan Day. Good luck!
Some great ideas for subject matter!
As an avid podcast listener, I am super excited to hear about this! I’d love to learn about food cultures of other countries or regions, similar to Katie Parla and Danielle Caligari’s podcast “Gola.” Also, Jose as a permanent or occasional co-host????
Max, I concur with the chap that said pace yourself! I like the idea of a podcast, and I would love for you to interview historians from around the globe who have interesting food stories regarding their fields of expertise. I am also wondering if you have ever read any of historical novelist Thomas B. Costain's work. I have always loved his books, but he really gets into the feasting of wherever/whenever he's writing about. I suggest reading if you haven't already. Sending love and good wishes to you and Jose.
Food as a reflection of society - what rich v poor people ate through history and how that changed. E.g. rich fatty foods used to be for the upper classes while vegetables and leaner foods were for the less well to do. Also creativity of ‘poor people food’ to make it tasty through the ages, again contrasting with the culinary trends and luxuries of the time
I know it’s a giant pain in the butt, so make sure you’re pacing yourself - we need you!
Personally, I think there is an overabundance of podcasts. However, as a well established source of history and culinary delight, it may be well worth pursuing. I know you have plenty of content and the amount of research you go into each episode would be of interest. There's just so much to learn!
How did they Handle early food allergies.
Maybe at the beginning call it "Tasting History Leftovers" of something, and start with just tidying up stuff you couldn't cover in episodes. Less work, no additional research, more content, plus a topic people are already going to be familiar with. Then as you get a few months under your belt, start seeing what flows well naturally.
I'm so interested in food history and would love to be able to listen to a podcast where you take a deeper dive into some that a ~20 minute video doesn't allow. Maybe a typical menu a famous figure would have eaten, or the spread of a basic across the world? Whatever you choose to talk about, I'll be tuning in :)
I've enjoyed the episodes where you have chatted/cooked with other experts/creators. It seems, from the mostly outside, that there is an interesting community of food/social history experts that often enjoy sharing their passion. It seems that your generalist food history passion serves as a great connector, so maybe an interview show discussing other people's areas of expertise and passion? Do not know if there are enough folks to warrant a full series, but it would be interesting.
I am a fan of food history podcasts. Would love adding you to the library of ones I subscribe to. I particularly like The Delicious Legacy podcast for covering ancient food history with recipes. The enjoyment of meals are universal. Knowing more about how prepared and shared in context of what is happening at the time is always welcome.
I really only listen to podcasts in the car, specifically on long road trips, so I would prefer history lessons rather than guest talk show. The main reason is that your guests' mics could be poorer quality than yours, so when I adjust to hear you perfectly, the guest then doesn't sound good. If you're both in-person though, then I guess that doesn't matter! I know you said you can't do this, but I also second long-form deep dives because of when and where I listen to podcasts.
I’d love to hear you talk with other YT creators like John Kanell from Preppy Kitchen or Jamie Tracy from Anti-Chef about how you all came up with your channels!
I'd appreciate if it's still on YT. If you've ever seen the Simon Whistler channels, he does dual format programming that goes up both on YT and as a podcast elsewhere. If you've never seen him, I'll suggest his Decoding the Unknown episodes about the disappearance of Agatha Christie and the death of Edgar Allen Poe: youtube.com/watch?v=k75mOsbWSus and youtube.com/watch?v=pIlk5kUSx9E
Amaury Gauchin the chocolate guy to talk about history of chocolate!
Personally I don’t listen to podcasts, I need to see the speaker or I will zone out (the podcasts I listen to are those they record as well and post to youtube), but it sounds like a good idea for others. If you have the time, don’t burn out, and - above all - don’t stop my favorite food AND favorite history channel!🥰
The other people you have helping with research. Who are they? Where are they? How do they know there subject matter? How do you know them? Let's meet your friends.
That would be great! An idea for a show ( it would have to be a show, because it would take a while) is making salt rising bread. It smells like feet but tastes so good toasted. My son sent you a book on how to make it. I think.
Oh yes please. And we know the “hardtack” bit translates to sound well. And for the record I pledged on this Patreon specifically because of your “Vitameatavegemin” face with the Tang pie.
I have found that the podcasts that I continue to listen to are 15-20 minutes per episode, tell a good story and stay focused on one topic at a time. I also like the human element to be featured and to have prominence. History is messy and I appreciate someone who treats people as people... not as things.
Definitiely something like this ^ because - I understand that ppl are ppl and that when we talk to each other IN PERSON, we meander and interject and all that other stuff that makes conversation great. BUT, this doesn't translate so well to something that's just meant to be listened to. In fact, this is the biggest reason I and a lot of my friends don't bother listening to podcasts. It's not that we don't like them, it's that it feels like it takes the hosts forever to get to the point. So in other words, don't treat a podcost so much like a conversation - or alternatively, break it up into chunks like Mistress Zeneca said because they're right. Not everyone has the time for an hour long podcast. 15-30 minutes of something does seem to be the magic number. I always come back to your youtube channel after all ;)
I'd love for you to interview Townsends :) If you can cut the interview into 20 minute chunks on different subtopics of the interview that would be great. I don't have time for an hour long podcast. Also, make the transcripts available on Patreon cause I also love to read interviews. :D
I just want nice long form food history, not interested in guests too much...just lots and lots of food history...in audio format
That probably won’t be it because I don’t have time for that kind of research. Maybe someday when I finish with the YouTube channel.
The excellent History English Language Podcast has a few episodes on the evolution of culinary terms in the English language (and of course the Forme of Cury is heavily featured in the episodes). You should check it out for some inspiration. https://overcast.fm/+BmqosDZ0k
This may not be the vibe you're going for...but I'm sure there is lots of material in your research for the show that gets removed or is given just a quick nod in the videos. It could be fun to include some more information about that. But then if you're more interested in deviating from that I think that the idea of interviewing people from different cultures who serve their community through honoring the food of their people could be neat. I have much respect for the manner in which you recognize when you should and should not have a comment or speak to an issue as a white man (coming from a white woman) but instead use your platform to lift others who are from the community you are highlighting. I agree with the above comment about burn out. The idea that there could be someone else who managed the heavy lifting would be good. At least until it potentially brought in enough revenue to have a small staff. You would be bringing in pre-made audience after all.
Sounds great!
Maybe a podcast tracing the origins of various well-known dishes and all their influences, including the change in cooking techniques? Empire podcast did a two-parter on how curry came to be, including how Indian and British food at one point were very similar (no one had gotten chilis yet) - available here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/126-punch-chilli-the-east-india-company-at-the-table/id1639561921?i=1000647120993 - but maybe you can add in the experience of how cooking it changed over time and talk to people in the restaurant industry who have either dug "original" recipes out and/or added own flair?
I would like to hear about the interesting people you have met that also have an interest in cooking
I could listen to you talk about anything you are passionate about. Whether that's interesting tidbits you learned making episodes but couldn't fit in, or about your travels, or about the behind the scenes. If Jose is interested y'all could talk to each other. I like Ketchup but I think (if you have the time and patience) this hypothetical podcast would be best as a scripted show, or mostly scripted. :)
I'd love to listen to your travel stories and whatever else you want to share
I'd definitely listen to it!
More history, but in this podcast, be more academic than simpering niceness to the plebs. Serious history is serious, and I think you audience is sophisticated enough to enjoy some due diligence.
Yes yes yes!!! Love this idea! I had sent you some old railroad cookbooks about 2 or so years ago, would love to hear your take on Railroad dining. There is such an evolution there from what it used to be to the terrible microwave hot dogs at Amtrak serves now!
Ummm freakin yes Max! Dude I was actually gonna ask you if you’d ever consider allowing someone to scrub the audio from your TH and turning them into podcast eps, cause honestly (maybe you don’t want to do that because of the nods you mad to visual queues) I would be so down to edit/ find episodes in which the video is irrelevant to the topic at hand.
I've thought about that. I don't know how well it would do just as audio; I never just listen to it. Though I do listen to a lot of youtube video as only audio, so maybe.
Cooking gear. For instance. When I bought my induction stove I went through about 10 different skillets before I settled on one.
I love the idea, but do you have the time? Gastropod is my go-to, so I'd love if you did some crossover with those two. Definitely having a co-host who can fill in content with you (and have rapport) would be a good thing, imo. Single-host podcasts don't seem to "sing" as well. Maybe some convos with the The Rest Is History hosts as well?
It will definitely be co-hosted. Maybe once in a while just me, but mostly cohosted. And to the question, do I have time? Of course not, but I've never let that stop me : )
A collab/discussion about soul food with Cheyney McKnight and/or Michael W. Twitty (again 🤗) would be awesome!
You’ve talked so often about the things you wanted to do, where you couldn’t find enough information or whatever, this would be the perfect place for something like that. And maybe it doesn’t only need to be about food. Plenty of tangents to explore. Guests would definitely be fun. Maybe not just food topic creators, maybe other creators that have interests that interest you. And there’s no reason food can’t come up.
That's exactly my goal; to have it not just be food and history. That's where it's grounded, but I want to explore all the things that I find interesting.
Yes, I’d love a video and/podcast with Beryl Sherewsky or Sola El Wayly. Also would love to get from Sean Sherman and more on indigenous food.
Sounds great! I’d love to know how various cultures around the world and throughout history preserved their food for lean times/winter/while moving from place to place. Desert civilizations like Egypt and Persia. Jungle climates in Africa and South America. Huge cities like in ancient China and India. How did methods change according to what became available due to the movement of other peoples into and out of their areas. How long did you say these podcasts would be? 😆
I'm always looking for a new podcast. I really enjoyed this week's Drinking History with Brent Underwood, and I think that more like this would be wonderful. Although, I could also see a very Lucy Worsley-style deep-dive format being really interesting. Like, maybe not a weekly podcast, but more a quarterly one that's just super in-depth.
I have pretty much loved every video, but I'm often surprised at topics that were far more interesting than I expected. One area is food eaten by soldiers/sailors during wartimes. I find it particularly interesting when there's a thread connecting the foods over a long period of time (hardtack?). I'd sub to the podcast just because, but I think it would be more special if it allowed you to just go off on whatever tangent tickled your fancy. Let the format change with the topic, so that the storytelling is organic (even when the food isn't).
I'd listen of course, it might be good to have a permanent cohost as well as guests though, kind of as a proxy for the audience, to have a discussion with and ask questions. José would be great but I dont know how interested he is in the history stuff :) maybe your brother that you mentioned in another comment?
That's exactly what my brother wants to do!
It would be fascinating and you would meet even more amazing and interesting people. But the main thing is please don't burn yourself out!
Great idea. People enjoy Tasting History as much for your personality as for the history or the food, so I'd suggest making sure that is on display by keeping things casual.
Love when you meet up with other YouTubers like Sola Eli Waylly or Ken Albala.
I’d love to see you interview Townsend. And the sorted food guys.
Yes please.
On the one hand, I love the idea. But there are quite a few pods out there on food history (my favorite is Simon Majumdar's), so my only suggestion is to make it with your POV, and how that's different than others. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
I would LOVE to hear Brent Underwood as a guest. Your earlier collaboration with him blew my mind. I wanted more!
I’d love to hear more about your research process and the kinds of people you’ve been able to meet along your journey! It would also be cool to hear more behind-the-scenes info about how you interpret the recipes that don’t have a ton of info
I'd love more content about Asia. I've been enjoying OTR's coverage of Thai history, and I'd love more of that kind of thing for various places in Asia... or really anything outside of the US/Canada/Western Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
Welcome to podcasting! I would subscribe in a heartbeat! Don’t be afraid to mix and play with formats until you find what works for you. Do some reflection, some interviews…what about a “try it on the street” where you ask random people to sample a tasting history dish, ask them where and when they think it is from and then tell them some fun facts about the dish? Definitely I reviews with some of the folks you’ve teamed up with in the past for videos, like the guy who does the fast food knock offs, etc.
Ooh, collab with Townsend? I’m just spitballing! Personally, I’d love to do an interview with you about ancestral diet. Could also help you bring in some health and wellness crowd, too!
I am always in favor of more content! :)
If you can balance it along with everything else, including a personal life, and not burn yourself out, then go for it.
That's the big question. I'll have help on it though (from my brother!) so it should be considerably less work than the main channel.
I’d love to see a collaboration with Andrew Rea (Binging with Babish).
I’d love to hear about your research process
I’m a cook as well and I enjoy cooking
Hello
You know me! Hot sauce and hot peppers!