Feeding People

Amy reflects on the first season of Feeding People, plays messages recorded by listeners, shares some thoughts about season two, and gives all the details for the $50 restaurant gift card giveaway!

Lifestyle and brand photographer Jenn Gaudreau joins Amy for a laughter-filled conversation about the seasonality of food, Jenn’s unique perspective on the intentionality of food and gatherings, and how her recent spiritual journey has helped her discover the way food allows each of us to be more mindful of the present moment.

Writer, communicator and performer Caleb Johnson recounts how he reconstructed his life from the ground up after coming out to his pastor and losing his job at the church. Caleb shares with Amy how that experience led to greater bravery at the table and the kinds of people he seeks to sit at the table with each day.

Danielle Tubbs, CEO of Tubby’s Taste, joins Amy for a discussion about how her family, which she describes as “Jamaican cake ladies on one side and a host of African-American foodies on the other,” shaped her earliest memories of food and how even with that foundation, she finds herself surprised to be running a vegan dessert company. She also talks about the upcoming anniversary of her father’s death and the role it played in starting Tubby’s Taste.

Chef Brian Wolters sits down with Amy to discuss his journey through the culinary world of Chicago—restaurants, hotels and catering. He reflects on the amount of food wasted within the industry, and the way he currently feeds and leads people as Pastor Chef of Sunday Supper Church.

Amy shares a meal with Dominique Leach, owner and chef of Lexington Betty Smokehouse. Joined at the table by her wife Tanisha, Dominique discusses how she discovered—through tragedy and triumph—her life's purpose to gather people.

Host Amy Dolan and Co-Producer (and husband) Kelly Dolan reflect on what has been most meaningful to them in the first half of season 1, what has most surprised them, and what's in store for the future of the show. Amy and Kelly also provide a behind-the-scenes look at the creation, planning and production of Feeding People.

Chicago artist and advocate Darren Calhoun sits down with Amy to talk about food justice and the ways each of us can make space for the needs of others at the dinner tables, church tables and boards room tables in our lives. Darren describes how being given food choices during his childhood complicated his visits with extended family, but also shaped the way he thinks about the choices we give to others. Darren also makes is case against cilantro and for Giordano’s pizza.

In this very special episode, Amy’s Mom (Mari Ann) and Aunt (Myra) join her at the table to celebrate Hanukkah, and to discuss their Jewish culture of food and family. Having spent their childhood Friday nights at their grandparents’ table, they talk about the importance of now inviting people into their homes, how they’ve learned to host alongside their spouses, and they encourage listeners to worry less and simply enjoy the magic of the table.

Rosario Wolters, a former pastry chef, discusses how her mom’s generosity, while living on food stamps, inspired her love of food and belief in the abundance of the table. Rosario recounts her journey through culinary school and Chicago restaurants, including meeting her husband (also a chef) during her first internship. Rosario reminds listeners of the importance of inviting people to our homes, being present and enjoying the company rather than worrying about having the best food or the cleanest house.