Not From Concentrate

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with baker, cookbook author, bread connoisseur, and Great American Baking Show winner Martin Sorge.

Growing up in the Midwest, Martin learned how to find the best sweet corn at farm stands from his mom: by peeling back the husk and taking a bite right from the ear. Even with a food-rich upbringing, his path did not lead straight to a culinary career. He studied English, then public policy and economic development, and spent years in community-based work while baking in the background.

Eventually, Martin auditioned for one of his favorite TV shows, The Great American Baking Show. He did not expect the show to take an interest in him — and then he won.

Catherine and Martin talk about baking, bread, creativity, career pivots, and what happens when a private passion becomes a public identity. For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is about the winding paths creative lives can take, and how the things we do “on the side” are often telling us something important.

This food podcast episode also touches on ADHD cooking, baking as a grounding practice, and the joy of following curiosity even when the path does not look linear.

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Connect with Martin Sorge:

Martin’s Instagram

Great Bakes on Substack

Martin Bakes

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

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

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with her longtime mentor Sheryl Julian — her former professor in Boston University’s Gastronomy Program and her editor at The Boston Globe.

Like any great editor, Sheryl is not shy with a red pen. She and Catherine talk about what it takes to give useful feedback, how writers actually get better, and why becoming a remarkable writer mostly requires doing the work again and again.

They also talk about cooking at home — the daily grind of it, the stretches when it can feel uninspiring, and the small ways busy brains can get their creative energy back in the kitchen. Sheryl shares practical tips for home cooks who want to feel more confident, less stuck, and more open to inspiration.

For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is about mentorship, discipline, feedback, and the unglamorous repetition behind creative work. And because Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains, Catherine and Sheryl also explore ADHD cooking, writing, editing, and finding your way back to joy when the work starts to feel like a grind.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

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

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Tenaya Darlington (aka Madame Fromage) shares her cheese journey — from working at a community newspaper in Wisconsin, teaching university English in Philadelphia, to becoming a cheese educator, blogger, and cookbook author. From Belgium to France to Switzerland, Tenaya discusses her cheese-centered travel and how they’ve formed her love and passion for cheese. As an expert, she imparts advice for the cheese curious to curd nerds for approaching cheese counters, expertly curating cheese boards, and how to chat it up with cheese mongers. They cover cheese and wine pairings, how different milks make different cheese, the art of cheese aging, and how cheese can bring people together. 

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

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

 Today we talk with Rebecca Eisenberg, content creator author of the Practical Kitchen blog, and the forthcoming “Small-Batch Breads” cookbook. In addition being a baker,  Rebecca  is an ADHDer and she shares strategies for thriving in the kitchen and managing her busy brain.

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

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Sally Ekus shares her journey from growing up in a culinary publicity household to becoming a successful literary agent herself, despite studying social work during college. Sally talks about how getting into improv comedy has helped to shape her professional life as a publisher, particularly in redefining her relationship with fear and failure. As a true pro, she offers helpful insights into finding an agent for those wanting to pitch a cookbook. Their honest discussion emphasizes the importance of community support, self-care, and staying true to one's creative vision amidst the chaos ensuing around us, and in our own kitchens and brains.

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

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Bake the cookies that make people ask for the recipe.

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with creator Mallory Oniki of The Palatable Life and author of The Cookie Club Cookbook to talk about the cookies that shaped our childhoods, the science behind better baking, and why homemade cookies have a way of bringing people together.

From nostalgic grocery store sugar cookies to the perfect chocolate chip cookie, Mallory shares practical baking tips, favorite techniques, and the inspiration behind her wildly popular Cookie Club. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for an excuse to soften a stick of butter, this conversation will leave you ready to preheat the oven.

This episode is also a sweet entry point into ADHD cooking: simple systems, sensory joy, creative momentum, and the satisfaction of making something people love. Catherine and Mallory talk about baking as both craft and comfort — and how ADHD creativity can show up in the kitchen one cookie at a time.

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.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

What if cooking felt less like a performance and more like play? In this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with chef, pop-up creator, and food writer Zoë Komarin to talk about finding more joy, curiosity, and ease in the kitchen.

Zoë shares how letting go of perfection can make cooking more creative, why mistakes often lead to the best meals, and the mindset shifts that help transform everyday cooking from a chore into a source of connection and delight. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or someone who feels stressed the moment you start chopping an onion, this conversation is an invitation to loosen up and have more fun.

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.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Building a community starts with being willing to make the ask.

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with Aaron Cohen, owner of Gracie’s Ice Cream, musician, event organizer, and longtime community builder, to talk about creativity, entrepreneurship, and why the strongest communities are built by people who show up.

Aaron shares lessons from launching businesses, organizing events, and creating opportunities for others, along with practical advice for anyone who struggles with self-promotion, networking, or asking for help. They also talk about small business marketing, building authentic relationships, and, of course, making really great ice cream.

For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is a reminder that creative work often grows through connection, momentum, experimentation, and asking before you feel fully ready. And because this is a food podcast for busy brains, Catherine and Aaron also dig into how food businesses become places where people gather, return, and feel part of something.

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

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Clare Langan about her wide-ranging career in food — from working as a private chef to producing culinary content behind the scenes.

Clare shares what it really takes to create beautiful, functional food experiences, whether she’s cooking for clients, producing a shoot, hosting a dinner party, or collaborating on a cookbook. She and Catherine talk about the balance between aesthetics and practicality in the kitchen, the value of good tools, and the small systems that make cooking and entertaining feel less chaotic — especially for anyone interested in ADHD cooking, organization, and making time in the kitchen feel more approachable.

They also get into ADHD creativity, finding your voice in food media, and how to stay inspired without getting overwhelmed. Clare offers practical advice for home cooks who want to feel more confident, prepared, and creative 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

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Georgia Freedman about her new cookbook, 'Snacking Dinners.' They discuss the evolution of cooking styles, the importance of pantry essentials, and the creative process behind developing recipes that cater to both personal and family needs. n this conversation, Georgia shares her insights on the evolving landscape of cooking and recipe creation, emphasizing the importance of personal connection to food. She discusses her approach to writing cookbooks that empower readers to make recipes their own, the challenges of maintaining a generalist career in a niche-focused industry, and the influence of California's diverse culinary landscape on her cooking. 

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Connect with Catherine:

Podcast website

Watch the episodes on YouTube

Follow Catherine on Instagram

The Not From Concentrate Podcast Instagram

Catherine's Tiktok

The Not from Concentrate Tiktok

Connect with Georgia Freedman:

Snacking Dinners Substack

“Snacking Dinners” cookbook

Georgia’s website

Georgia’s Instagram

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer