In the first episode of Red Meat Nation, Julie and Alex dig into one of Idaho’s most iconic—and controversial—foods: beef. Joined by University of Idaho expert Dr. Philip Bass, a butcher, researcher, and author of It’s Not a Cow, the conversation explores why beef matters so much to Idaho’s economy, how cattle turn grass into high-quality protein, and what challenges the industry is facing today—from drought and rising costs to environmental and health concerns. With listener questions, honest reflection, and a little humor, this episode asks a simple question with a complicated answer: what’s the beef, really?

Red Meat Nation is a podcast about beef—but not the way you’ve been taught to think about it.From ranching families and food writers to activists, chefs, and policymakers, Red Meat Nation digs into America’s most charged protein to ask bigger questions:Who benefits from our food system? Who bears the cost? And why does beef sit at the center of our politics, culture, and identity?Hosted by Alexander Milles, this season of Table Rock Podcast explores the labor behind the label, the myths we’re sold at the meat case, and the deeply human stories often erased from the conversation. This isn’t a call to cancel beef—or to defend it blindly—but to slow down, listen, and reckon with the systems we participate in every day.Food is never just food.Welcome to Red Meat Nation.

Red Meat Nation is a podcast about beef—but not the way you’ve been taught to think about it.From ranching families and food writers to activists, chefs, and policymakers, Red Meat Nation digs into America’s most charged protein to ask bigger questions:Who benefits from our food system? Who bears the cost? And why does beef sit at the center of our politics, culture, and identity?Hosted by Alexander Milles, this season of Table Rock Podcast explores the labor behind the label, the myths we’re sold at the meat case, and the deeply human stories often erased from the conversation. This isn’t a call to cancel beef—or to defend it blindly—but to slow down, listen, and reckon with the systems we participate in every day.Food is never just food.Welcome to Red Meat Nation.

The Tablerock duo, Alex and Julie wrap-up by chatting about people they have met and foods they have shared over three seasons of the podcast.  Season 1 was the State of Food, Season 2 focused on Neighborhoods and in Season 3, the duo interviewed Influencers.  The podcast endsas Alex heads to Massachusetts. Listeners can join Julie on her new podcast, Dame Julie, playing on all podcast platforms.  Thank you for your time. We’ve loved having you listen in.

Recorded and produced by TMA Studios

The Table Rock duo Alex and Julie meet with Alex's new cleaner. We talk about women owned businesses and mess free food.

Recorded and Produced by TMA Studios

The Table Rock duo (TR) chat about what’s been on their plate lately. Tune in to hear about Alex applying to Love is Blind on Netflix and more!

In this episode, the Tablerock duo, Alex and Julie, rock the table with Royd Carlson, The Teff Company Marketing and Agriculture Manager.  Alex also works with Teff as the marketing coordinator.  Teff is the national food of Ethiopia and one of the earliest domesticated plants.  Teff seeds were found in a pyramid in 3350 B.C. Teff planting and distribution was started in Idaho by Royd’s father in Caldwell. Today, Royd and his brother Gareth, who is CEO, mill the seeds and distribute Teff flour as well as grain across all fifty states.  Join us as the Tablerock duo talks about Teff, a super-food. Where to sample it and buy it in Idaho.  Learn how to start a business with just a vision and a Washington D.C. phone book.  Why would Royd like Idaho to become known as one of the largest Teff distributors in the country. Teffric!

Table Rock Podcast talks with Alex’s private chef Clean Cuisine by Gina. They go over her influences as a chef while sampling a salad. Eating the rainbow is discussed. Boiseans will want to tune in to hear about the Treasure Valleys most sustainable meal service (Boise, Meridian, Eagle). It’s all about crudités darling. Her cooking is healthy and soulful and so is her story. The duo as usual stirs up the pot to see what’s cooking.

Table Rock Podcast looks at the nature of influencers. Everyone has some impact or influence on another but only a very few make money as influencers.  Alex and Julie discuss influence from their individual perspectives. What does it mean to be an influencer?   The answer seems to be some combination of changing the behavior, attitudes, of values of another person.  With influence comes power and morality.  Social Media has greatly expanded the platform for influencers to make money for themselves and the products they push. The duo also discuss their personal influencers and power influencers in Boise focusing on food and the social safety net.  Join the Tablet Rock duo as they shake up a glass of marbles to see what ideas fall out on the topic of influencers.  While munching on lettuce wraps from Clean Cuisine by Gina.

Newbie foodies, professional content creators, career influencers and the current Idaho Statesman food contributor chat about their purpose in focusing their time on highlighting local food. They also discuss how the lack of understanding of the importance of social media marketing is limiting local brands and restaurants.

This episode is released in collaboration with the “The Table RockLocal food influencers are effecting real change in the current food culture. Recorded live at Treefort, seven of these such foodies discuss their thoughts on Idaho food, restaurant marketing and hopes for the growing Treasure Valley food scene.

” Podcast

Host - Julie Robinson of Table Rock Podcast

Guests:

Alex Milles - Food blogger/ Table Rock Podcast

Natalie Plummer of The Boise Bubble Podcast and Hello Meridian

Tyler Grant - Tastefully Tyler Instagram

Mike Wallace - Boise Food Critic Instagram

Lauren Henry - Treasure Valley Treats and Eats

Scott Wink - Boise’s Best Bites