Not From Concentrate

Епизоде

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  Big Flavor and Bold Living with Claudette Zepeda 15.09.2026 41мин

  What makes dinner taste like it’s been cooking all day when you absolutely do not have all day? Chef Claudette Zepeda has a pantry full of answers—and zero shame about canned beans. This week, Catherine welcomes the chef and author of Cooking the Borderlands for a conversation about big flavor, creative freedom, and feeding a family when you’re stretched thin. Claudette shares how growing up between San Diego, Tijuana, and Guadalajara shaped her food, from the Asian pantry staples woven into her Mexican cooking to the smoke and community of carne asada. We talk about using miso, kombu, chicken bouillon, and chili oil to build flavor; the comfort of her mom’s albóndigas; and why a great meal can start with a few cans from the pantry. Claudette also opens up about her late AuDHD diagnosis, pursuing a creative life as a single mother, and honoring the generations of women who came before her. Plus: a refrigerator rearrangement that helps keep vegetables out of the “sludge of shame,” why music gets her cooking again, and how getting outside helps her calm the chaos. Not From Concentrate is produced and distributed by Catherine Smart, with audio and video production by Kevin O’Connell and Asia Garcia. Our associate producer is Allie Miller, and our theme music is by Kylie Daly.
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  Overcome Garden Overwhelm with Jess Zander of You Can Do It Gardening 08.09.2026 51мин

  Feeling overwhelmed by your garden? Garden coach Jess Zander of You Can Do It Gardening joins Catherine to make the whole thing feel more manageable—and much more fun. Jess explains how to prioritize garden projects, tackle invasive plants before they spread, choose native plants without becoming dogmatic, and make smart decisions about where and what to plant. She also shares why buying small plants can save money, how to divide perennials without being too precious, and why fall is one of the best times to plant. Plus, Jess offers a refreshingly low-effort approach to fall cleanup, explains her delightfully simple method for planting bulbs by the shovelful, and talks about how gardening can calm a busy brain, spark creativity, and connect us to our communities and the people we love. Find Jess, her virtual garden coaching, classes, guides, and newsletter at You Can Do It Gardening. Not From Concentrate is distributed by PRX and produced by Catherine Smart, with audio and video production by Kevin O’Connell and Asia Garcia. Our associate producer is Allie Miller, and our theme music is by Kylie Daley.
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  Grill Time and Letting Go of the Perfect Family Dinner with Noah Galuten 01.09.2026 49мин

  What if the best thing you could bring to family dinner wasn’t a perfectly cooked meal, but a better mood? Chef, cookbook author, and TV host Noah Galuten joins Catherine to talk about his new cookbook, Grill Time!, and why the grill deserves a place in your weeknight cooking routine. They discuss shopping according to what’s on sale, salting chicken or steak now and figuring out dinner later, and setting up groceries so they’re easier to use when your busy brain needs them. Noah also gets honest about cooking through creative ruts, feeding young children, and the impossible pressure to make a nutritious family dinner without making everyone miserable in the process. Plus, he shares how he balances books, television, and his Substack—and how a YouTube project that didn’t take off ultimately helped lead to Barbecue: Smoke Out on Netflix. It’s a funny, candid conversation about grilling, parenting, creative work, and letting go of perfection in the kitchen. Find Noah on Instagram at @galuten and subscribe to his Substack, I’m Legally Required to Feed You. You can watch Barbecue: Smoke Out on Netflix. Not From Concentrate is distributed by PRX and produced by Catherine Smart, with audio and video editing by Kevin O’Connell and Asia Garcia. Our associate producer is Allie Miller, and our theme music is by Kylie Daley.
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  Back-to-School Lunches, Sheet-Pan Dinners, and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Hillary Dixler Canavan 25.08.2026 41мин

  Back-to-School Lunches, Sheet-Pan Dinners, and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Hillary Dixler Canavan Hillary Dixler Canavan returns to Not From Concentrate as the show’s first repeat guest! Nearly one year after her first appearance, Hillary joins Catherine for a timely conversation about feeding our families, and ourselves, during the back-to-school rush. They talk about letting go of picture-perfect lunchboxes, choosing foods children will reliably eat at school, and adding joy without adding much work. Hillary shares her genuinely life-changing trick for assembling and freezing sandwiches in advance, plus easy ways to bring protein and variety into packed lunches. The conversation also ventures into cooking with kids, why project-based kitchen activities may be more manageable than everyday “help,” and the value of teaching practical cooking skills when children are ready. Then Hillary previews Sheet Pan Month in her newsletter, What Are We Having? She and Catherine even develop a Green Goddess chicken, gnocchi, and broccoli dinner in real time. Finally, they discuss finding creativity through constraints, clearing physical clutter, and using audiobooks to make cooking feel restorative. In this episode Why a successful lunch is one your child can actually eat within the school’s allotted time Letting go of elaborate, photo-ready lunchboxes The difference between “school foods” and foods children will eat at home Easy protein ideas, including mini Chomps, cheese, hummus, and beans Low-effort ways to make lunch feel special with food picks, stickers, and notes Finding genuine points of connection based on the interests you share with your child Why cooking with kids can be easier as a planned project Teaching age-appropriate kitchen skills without rushing the process Establishing helpful structure around meals and snacks Hillary’s forthcoming Sheet Pan Month Developing a Green Goddess chicken, gnocchi, and broccoli sheet-pan dinner Why a delicious sauce can make a simple meal feel restaurant-worthy Making and freezing school-lunch sandwiches in advance Using themes, limitations, and what you already have to spark creativity Decluttering the kitchen before the school year begins How audiobooks can transform dinner preparation into something worth anticipating Hillary’s freezer-sandwich method Assemble sandwiches in batches, return them to their original packaging or place them in a freezer-safe reusable bag, and freeze. In the morning, put a frozen sandwich directly into an insulated lunch bag. It should thaw by lunchtime while helping keep the rest of the lunch cool. Freezer-friendly combinations include: Ham and cheese Turkey and cheese Bagel with cream cheese Cream cheese and jelly, with optional chia seeds Peanut butter and jelly, where permitted Audiobooks mentioned Yesteryear The Compound by Aisling Rawle Ruth Ware’s mysteries and thrillers The Searcher by Tana French Find Hillary Subscribe to What Are We Having? at whatarewehaving.substack.com. Follow Hillary on Instagram at @hillarydixlercanavan.
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  Building a Better Local Food System with Erin Baumgartner 18.08.2026 41мин

  What does it actually take to make local food more accessible, sustainable, and financially viable for the people who produce it? Catherine talks with Erin Baumgartner, founder of Family Dinner, a farmers market delivery service that grew from bringing groceries to seven friends out of Erin’s Somerville apartment to serving 120 Massachusetts communities. Erin explains how Family Dinner uses data and predictive analytics to help farmers plan what to grow, reduce food waste, and reach more customers—and why buying local can have such a meaningful impact on the communities where we live. They also talk about balancing our food ideals with real-life budgets and limited time, building a mission-driven business without outside investors, resisting shiny objects, and breaking intimidating goals into manageable steps. Plus: feeding kids without expecting perfection, making dinner from whatever is languishing in the fridge, and why creativity sometimes requires doing absolutely nothing. Not From Concentrate is distributed by PRX and produced by Catherine Smart, with audio and video production by Kevin O’Connell and Asia Garcia. Our associate producer is Allie Miller, and our theme music is by Kylie Dailey.
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  The Radical Act Of Cooking at Home with Trinity Mouzon Wofford 11.08.2026 54мин

  What if the answer to feeling too busy isn’t making everything faster, but choosing one place to slow down? Trinity Mouzon Wofford, founder of Golde and author of Eating at Home, joins Catherine to make the case for protecting mealtime in a culture built around convenience. They talk about taking a real lunch break, shopping at the farmers market and why it's work soaking your own beans.  Trinity also shares what she learned from building a wellness company during a period of explosive growth, separating her identity from her business and writing her first cookbook while becoming a mother. Plus, she explains “component cooking,” her practical alternative to traditional meal prep, and how a pot of beans, rice, pickles or a simple herb sauce can make home-cooked meals possible on even the busiest weeknights. It’s a candid conversation about convenience, all-or-nothing thinking and why making time for food might be more radical—and more necessary—than ever.
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  How to Turn a Busy Brain Into a Creative Advantage with Chef Will Gilson 04.08.2026 40мин

  What happens when the brain that fuels your ambition and creativity is also the one constantly pulling you in twelve directions? Chef and restaurateur Will Gilson, whose Cambridge Street Hospitality Group now includes eight concepts, talks with Catherine about thriving under pressure, self-sabotaging deadlines, and why the chaos of a restaurant kitchen can feel strangely comfortable to an ADHD brain. He shares how seasonal depression led him to seek out projects with a clear beginning, middle, and end—and why learning to delegate was essential as his business grew. Will gets practical about assessing his bandwidth, deciding what truly needs his attention, building a team he trusts, and using technology to keep multiple restaurants connected without having to be everywhere at once. He and Catherine also talk about unfinished projects, the temptation to say yes to everything, the dangerous ways restaurant workers have traditionally tried to “turn off,” and why sometimes you need to physically leave your environment to rest. They also dig into what failure can teach you, how Will transformed the debt and emotional baggage of his first restaurant into lessons for the next one, and why travel is still essential to his creativity. If you’re trying to build an ambitious life without letting your busy brain run the entire show, this episode is for you.
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  How Cooking Builds Executive Functions with Sophie Mortner 28.07.2026 38мин

  What if learning to cook could help us get better at starting tasks, managing time, working through frustration, and asking for help? Sophie Mortner is an educator, learning designer, executive functioning coach, and the creator of Nibblings, a collection of recipes designed to help kids cook independently. She joins Catherine to explain why the kitchen is such a powerful place to build skills that extend far beyond cooking. They talk about breaking intimidating tasks into manageable first steps, developing time awareness, helping kids become more independent in the kitchen, and why parents may need to step back and let things get a little messy. Sophie also shares practical strategies that can help adults with ADHD navigate task avoidance and calm kitchen chaos. Find Sophie’s recipes at nibblingscooking.com 
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  ADHD, Masking, and Letting Your Guard Down 21.07.2026 9мин

  In this solo episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart shares a personal essay about ADHD masking, embarrassment, and the effort of trying to seem easygoing, capable, and “normal.” She reflects on how sensitivity, people-pleasing, and a strong social radar can be exhausting—but can also make us thoughtful friends, generous hosts, and deeply caring people. This is a personal reflection on understanding old patterns with more compassion and learning when it might be okay to let your guard down. Read the essay at catherinesmart.substack.com. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains about ADHD creativity, cooking, and finding more joy in and out of the kitchen.
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  Ham El-Waylly on Home Cooking, 90s Nostalgia, and Harnessing ADHD Powers in the Kitchen 14.07.2026 49мин

  On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with chef and cookbook author Ham El-Waylly about the surprising journey that led him from fine dining back to the food that first shaped him. Raised between Egyptian, Bolivian, and Qatari cultures before building a career in New York restaurants, Ham shares how the sudden loss of his mother caused him to distance himself from the recipes he grew up with—and how reopening her handwritten recipe notebook during the pandemic helped him reconnect with his family, his creativity, and himself. They talk about: How home cooking became part of healing after grief 90s Nostalgia and how it shaped this book Making global flavors feel approachable for everyday cooks Balancing restaurant life, parenthood, and feeding a family ADHD, creativity, routines, and learning to work with a busy brain Why comfort food is about memory as much as ingredients Ham also shares recipes from Hello, Home Cooking, including his Cinnamon Pita Crunch, cheesy tapioca garlic buns, and toasted spaghetti with black beans.
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  Courtney E. Smith on Ravenous and the Future of Independent Food Media 07.07.2026 44мин

  Courtney E. Smith joins Catherine Smart to talk about Ravenous, the new worker-owned food and culture publication founded by former Eater writers after a layoff. Courtney shares how the team built an independent media company from scratch, why they’re choosing subscriber support over VC money and branded content, and what it means to cover food, labor, restaurants, and culture with stronger ethics and sharper opinions. She and Catherine also talk about what’s missing from today’s food media landscape, the challenge of writing about local restaurants for a national audience, the business learning curve for creatives, and why shared values matter when you’re building something with other people. For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation digs into the messy, energizing process of making something new with limited resources, strong opinions, and a lot of moving parts. And because Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains, Catherine and Courtney also explore how food media shapes the way we think about restaurants, cooking, labor, and culture. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Bow Market, Small Business, and Building Community with Zachary Baum 30.06.2026 41мин

  On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Zachary Baum, co-owner of Bow Market in Somerville, about what it takes to build a place where small businesses can take root. They discuss how Bow Market transformed from an old carport into a vibrant courtyard of independent food, retail, art, and service businesses; why a true sense of place cannot simply be scaled or replicated; and how small restaurants and makers navigate the realities of rent, regulation, labor, and limited capacity. Catherine and Zachary also talk about the importance of proximity, flexibility, and human relationships in building sustainable businesses, plus why consumers have a role to play in supporting the local places they want to exist. Not From Concentrate is distributed by PRX and produced by Catherine Smart, with audio and video production by Kevin O’Connell and Asia Garcia. Our associate producer is Allie Miller. We'd love your feedback! Take the NFC community poll HERE Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Wedding Cakes and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Freelance Baker Mackenzie Innis 23.06.2026 37мин

  This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with freelance baker Mackenzie Innis about the artistry, logistics, and emotional weight behind her beautiful seasonal cakes. Mackenzie shares how she moved from fine dining pastry kitchens to building Ceres, a freelance baking business rooted in local ingredients, florals, seasonality, and deeply personal celebrations. She talks about translating clients’ food memories into wedding cakes, sourcing from New England farms, growing flowers in Somerville, and finding inspiration in bakeries, gardens, mythology, and community. Catherine and Mackenzie also get into the less-glamorous but essential parts of creative solopreneurship: email, bookkeeping, client communication, systems, structure, and managing a busy brain while running a business. For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is about what it really takes to turn beauty, skill, and intuition into a sustainable creative practice. And because Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains, they also talk about ADHD cooking, calming kitchen chaos, slowing down, edible flowers, Boston-area bakeries, wedding cake etiquette, and why cake can still matter in complicated times. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  SingleThread, Food Waste, and the Future of Farm to Table 16.06.2026 51мин

  This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Alex Fuentes, Head Chef of Special Projects at SingleThread Farm–Restaurant–Inn in Healdsburg, California. SingleThread is known for its three-Michelin-starred restaurant, five-room inn, and deeply integrated farm led by Kyle and Katina Connaughton. But this conversation goes beyond the fantasy of wine country fine dining. Catherine and Alex talk about what it means to cook at the highest level without recreating the toxic kitchen culture that has shaped so much of fine dining’s past. They also dig into the practical lessons home cooks can take from SingleThread’s philosophy: reducing food waste, preserving seasonal produce, cooking with what is local and abundant, and using Japanese ideas like kaizen — continual improvement — to build more confidence in the kitchen. For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a calmer, more flexible way to think about high-level technique: less perfection, more awareness, repetition, and creative problem-solving. Alex also shares what inspires his work, why collaboration matters, and how to calm kitchen chaos when your brain is moving faster than your hands. This food podcast conversation explores creativity, sustainability, seasonality, and the idea of a more compassionate kitchen — from Michelin-level restaurants to everyday home cooking. In this episode: What makes SingleThread’s farm, restaurant, and inn so unique How fine dining can move forward from toxic kitchen culture The idea of a “compassionate kitchen” Food waste, preservation, and creative constraints What home cooks can learn from Michelin-level kitchens Why seasonality and locality still matter Japanese influences at SingleThread, including kaizen and ichigo ichie ADHD creativity, collaboration, and calming chaos in the kitchen Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD.  Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Jerrelle Guy on Burnout, Creativity, and Finding Magic in Everyday Meals 09.06.2026 43мин

  This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with cookbook author, photographer, and artist Jerrelle Guy to talk about her beautiful new cookbook, We Fancy. Jerrelle first burst onto the food scene with her acclaimed debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, but success came with a cost. In this conversation, she shares how burnout, creative pressure, and the constant pursuit of “more” led her to rethink not just the way she cooked, but the way she lived. Catherine and Jerrelle talk about slowing down, making everyday meals feel special, and using food as a form of artistic expression. They also get into the reality of writing cookbooks, the philosophy behind We Fancy, motherhood, intuition, and the lesson that “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is a reminder that creativity does not always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from paying attention, simplifying, and giving yourself room to notice what is already in front of you. They also dive into Jerrelle’s favorite recipes, including her famous Wednesday Sauce, tiramisu cheesecake, and the simple garnishes that helped inspire an entire cookbook. This food podcast episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, creatively drained, or disconnected from the joy of cooking. It offers a gentler way to think about ADHD cooking, creativity, abundance, and finding beauty in the small rituals of everyday meals. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Food Budgeting for Busy Brains with Meghan Splawn 02.06.2026 50мин

  Food writer, recipe developer, and longtime meal-planning expert Meghan Splawn joins Catherine Smart to talk about the emotional, practical, and very real work of getting a food budget under control. After realizing her family had spent more than $32,000 in a year on groceries, dining out, coffee, Costco runs, and food in general, Meghan began publicly documenting her effort to cut that spending in half. In this conversation, she shares why tracking is the first step, how food spending can get tangled up with shame and identity, and why budgeting does not have to mean giving up good food. Catherine and Meghan talk about impulse grocery buys, ADHD-friendly systems, low- and no-spend weeks, freezer meals, and meal planning without perfectionism. They also get into the joy of using up what you already have, the “sludge of shame,” unidentified frozen objects, pantry roulette, and why a plate of frozen dumplings and edamame can sometimes save the whole week. For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a calmer, more realistic way to think about food spending, meal planning, and feeding yourself or your family without shame. It is also a conversation about ADHD creativity: how constraints, leftovers, freezer finds, and imperfect systems can become the starting point for better meals. This food podcast episode is for anyone who loves food, feels overwhelmed by food spending, or wants a more sustainable way to cook at home. In this episode: Why tracking your food spending comes before setting a budget How money and food shame show up in the kitchen Meghan’s food budget diary and weekly tracking system Low-spend and no-spend week strategies Meal planning for people who hate meal planning ADHD-friendly fridge, freezer, and pantry systems Budget-friendly emergency meals to keep on hand How to spend less without taking the joy out of food Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  You Can Cook Indian Food at Home with Heartland Masala 26.05.2026 45мин

  When Indian food is on the menu at Catherine Smart’s house, it usually means ordering dosa, saag paneer, and cauliflower Manchurian from a favorite local spot. But why do so many of us love eating Indian food while feeling intimidated to cook it at home? This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine is joined by Auyon and Jyoti Mukharji, the son-mother duo behind Heartland Masala, for a warm, funny, and practical conversation about bringing Indian cooking into your own kitchen. They talk about building confidence with spices, techniques, and pantry staples; the role of family recipes, tradition, and adaptation across generations; and what American home cooks often misunderstand about Indian food. Auyon and Jyoti also share how Heartland Masala is making this rich culinary tradition feel more accessible, especially for people who want to cook with more flavor but do not know where to start. For listeners interested in ADHD cooking, this episode offers a generous reminder that unfamiliar cuisines do not have to feel overwhelming. With a few foundational ingredients, a little guidance, and permission to begin imperfectly, cooking can become more intuitive, creative, and joyful. This food podcast conversation is also about ADHD creativity: learning through doing, finding your own way into a tradition, and letting curiosity lead you toward deeper flavor. In this episode: *Why Indian home cooking does not have to feel overwhelming *How to build confidence with spices, techniques, and pantry staples *Family recipes, tradition, and adaptation across generations *What American home cooks often misunderstand about Indian food *How Heartland Masala makes Indian cooking more accessible *ADHD cooking, creativity, and finding more ease in the kitchen Whether you have always wanted to dust off your spice grinder or you are simply curious to learn more about the depth and diversity of Indian cuisine, this episode is a delicious place to start. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Veg Forward Local Hawai'i Food with Alana Kysar 19.05.2026 41мин

  This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with cookbook author, photographer, and recipe developer Alana Kysar about the rich, comforting world of local Hawaii food — and how she transformed some of Hawaii’s most beloved flavors into vegetable-forward recipes in her new cookbook, Aloha Veggies. Catherine and Alana dive into the cultural influences that shape Hawaii’s culinary identity, and why dishes like katsu, laulau, poke, and plate lunches are about so much more than vacation food. Alana also shares what it is like to photograph her own cookbooks, navigate the modern food media landscape, and build a creative career that spans blogging, writing, recipe development, and photography. For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation explores how personal history, place, memory, and experimentation can shape a creative life in food. Alana talks about the freedom of writing a second cookbook, the challenge of “vegifying” traditional dishes, and how California changed the way she thinks about vegetables. This food podcast episode also gets into ADHD cooking, including pantry staples, building confidence with unfamiliar flavors, and why cleaning can sometimes be a strategy for calming a busy brain. In this episode: Why Hawaii cuisine is far cozier and more comforting than people expect The surprising challenge of making traditional dishes more vegetable-forward What Alana always keeps in her pantry The creative freedom of writing a second cookbook How California changed the way she thinks about vegetables Cleaning as a strategy for calming a busy brain ADHD cooking, creativity, cookbooks, and thoughtful conversations about food and culture If you love food, Hawaii, cookbooks, creativity, or thoughtful conversations about cooking and culture, this episode is for you. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Chef Spencer Horovitz on ADHD, Finding Calm in the Kitchen & California-Jewish Cuisine 12.05.2026 1ч

  This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine sits down with chef Spencer Horovitz , a 2025 James Beard semifinalist and the founder of Hadeem, a beloved California-Jewish Cuisine concept that's been popping up in San Francisco.  But this episode goes far beyond food. Spencer speaks candidly about living and working with ADHD in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens: the burnout, shame, impulsivity, time blindness, and sensory overload — but also the creativity, resilience, and self-awareness that ultimately helped him build a career that actually works with his brain instead of against it. Catherine and Spencer talk about:  Why fine dining kitchens can be especially difficult for ADHD brains   The accommodations and systems that genuinely help in restaurant life   Hyper-focus, multitasking, and “boy dinner”   Why labels, handwriting, and putting things away can feel impossible   ADHD-friendly cooking strategies that actually work   The emotional side of feeding yourself when your brain is overwhelmed   Culinary school, restaurant culture, and redefining success   Spencer’s California-Jewish cuisine philosophy and the story behind Hadeem  This is one of the most vulnerable and practical “busy brain” conversations the show has had yet — packed with insight for anyone navigating ADHD, creativity, burnout, or simply trying to make dinner without spiraling. Find Spencer and Hadeem:  Instagram: @wearehadeem  Website: wearehadeemsf.com  Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack
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  Food, Bravery, and Hope in Ukraine, with Felicity Spector 05.05.2026 42мин

  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 Power If this episode moved you, share it with a friend. It’s one small way to help these stories travel further. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack