It is spring in Minnesota! For Episode 9 (recorded 4/16/26), I crawled into my closet for better sound quality at the suggestion of UMD’s Jennifer Moore. I was happy and nervous to have Cody Cook-Parrott, writer, quilter, podcaster, teacher, dancer, and also avid eater of french toast join us. They discussed kitchens, sustenance, and: 

• The rituals of returning
• A daily commitment to tend to your body
• Finding the right dose of pleasure in food and celebrating that you care for yourself in this way
• Delight in seasonality
• Gathering, talking, plantain chips
• Prioritizing serenity, simplicity, and chillness in the kitchen and in life

Dear Cody: Thank you for being my guest. Dear listeners: Hope you have the chance to experiment with all or some of the above.  

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Suggested podcast pairings:

Baked french toast with sliced strawberries in sauce, toasted cornflakes, whipped cream, syrup, and butter. Maybe saffron, maybe cinnamon, maybe not. 

A side of bacon

Coffee with half and half

The song Return by Javi Lobe

The light fragrance of purple crocuses

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If you’d like to connect more with Cody, visit their website, pick up a copy of their new book, The Practice of Attention, or subscribe to their newsletter, Monday Monday. 

Episode artwork by Nico Sakiki. You can subscribe to their Substack “Unfinished Alchemy” here.