Stay ConnectedA lot of food, a little bit all over the place. A food podcast for busy brains from cook/writer/ADHDer Catherine Smart.
Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and neurodivergent food lovers. We talk personal and professional journeys, sparking creativity, and calming chaos to find joy in (and out) of the kitchen.
Copyright: © 2026 Not From Concentrate
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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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 queer and nonbinary pastry chef Justin Burke, who discusses his book “Potluck Desserts,” which aims to celebrate the queer and trans community through the lens of food. The discussion explores the significance of potlucks in queer history, personal stories of community building, and the intersection of food, identity, and classism. Justin shares his journey of reclaiming nostalgic recipes and the importance of creating safe spaces for all individuals, regardless of their background. In this engaging conversation, Justin discusses his philosophy on premade versus homemade ingredients, emphasizing the importance of accessibility in recipes and the role of food media in empowering home cooks.
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Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride
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 Kamaal Jarrett, founder of Hillside Harvest island-inspired sauces, who shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship in the food industry. He discusses the challenges and joys of launching a Caribbean-inspired sauce brand, the importance of representing diverse Caribbean flavors, and the personal experiences that shaped his culinary passion. Kamaal also reflects on the resilience required in business and the lessons learned along the way. Additionally, Kamaal shares insights on balancing family life with entrepreneurship and some tips on what to order at a Caribbean restaurant.
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@hillsideharvestsauce on Instagram
Hillside Harvest Sauce on Amazon
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 Vivian Howard, who discusses her journey in the food media industry, as well as how her new show “Kitchen Curious” came to be. She shares her struggles with relaxation, the innovative concept of one of her newest projects Viv’s Fridge, and her vision for the future of food media. In this engaging conversation, Vivian shares her experiences with ADHD, her love for sauerkraut, and always writing up to the deadline. Vivian also offers valuable advice for aspiring food media creatives and shares her strategies for calming chaos in the kitchen.
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vivianhoward.com/deep-run-roots
vivianhoward.com/thiswillmakeittastegood
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 Registered Dietician Skylar Griggs, to discuss nutrition, diet, and health. They explore the challenges of maintaining a balanced diet amidst food noise and social media trends, focusing on practical tips for those with ADHD and busy lifestyles. Skylar shares tips on how those with ADHD can navigate nutrition, emphasizing the importance of sustainable eating habits and the role of fiber and protein in managing health. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on dietary choices and the significance of personalized nutrition advice.
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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 Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez Mendoza, the co-founders of The ADHD Weasel, who discuss their journey creating a platform that addresses food overwhelm for individuals with ADHD. They share insights on the challenges faced by the ADHD community in meal planning and cooking, emphasizing the importance of flexible meal planning and task initiation strategies. The discussion also highlights the need for creativity and joy in cooking, as well as practical solutions to make meal preparation less overwhelming. They explore the creative process behind their content, the importance of speaking with ADHDers about their experiences, and how they incorporate personal experiences into their advice.
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Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
This episode introduces Not From Concentrate: a community for food lovers with ADHD. Creator Catherine Smart shares her journey as a chef, writer, and entrepreneur living with ADHD. She discusses her new project, Not From Concentrate, which includes a podcast, Substack newsletter, and a cookbook aimed at helping food lovers with busy brains. Catherine reflects on her experiences with ADHD, the challenges she faced growing up, and how she has learned to embrace her unique mind. She emphasizes the importance of creating a community for those with ADHD and making cooking accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their neurodivergence.
catherinesmart.com
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Rebecca Firkser, editor, writer, recipe tester, author of the Substack newsletter “Nickel & Dine,” and of the cookbook “Galette!” Rebecca takes listeners on her “food media origin story,” explaining how she entered food media and became a galette expert. She goes on a deep dive into the world of galettes and tips on how to be successful when baking with them. They explore metrics vs. volume in baking, and what it takes to make budget-balanced recipes and meals.
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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 gift guide creator and food lover Ariel Kanter. Ariel shares how her Substack “Rel’s Recs” got started, and how it evolved into a platform for sharing thoughtful gift recommendations and gift guides, particularly in the realm of food. The discussion also goes into the challenges of navigating overwhelming gift guides, tips for budget-friendly gifting, and recommendations for kitchen gear that can be swapped to practice sustainability in the kitchen. Ariel also shares insight into her research process for crafting gift guides, which includes supporting small businesses and creators.
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124 food gifts for food people
31 ideas to reduce plastic, single-use items, and food waste in your kitchen
Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
On the third episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews cookbook authors Colu Henry and Alexis deBoschnek, where they discuss the art of the dinner party, and what it takes to host an enjoyable and delicious gathering. Their conversation delves into how to overcome the fear of hosting, the benefits of delegating cooking tasks, and the significance of knowing what brings your guests joy when it comes to food. Colu and Alexis also discuss their newest collaboration together called “Double Take” on Substack, where they both curate their own unique recipe using the same ingredients.
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Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
On the second episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Hillary Dixler Canavan, who shares her journey from working in some of NYC’s biggest restaurants to becoming a national editor Eater to launching her own Substack newsletter called “What Are We Having?”. They discuss the challenges of balancing family meals and the importance of a ritual she call calls “Adult Dinner” Hillary shares her insights on the intersection of restaurant cooking and home cooking and how she overcomes perfectionism in her home cooking journey. Additionally, she highlights how condiments can spark creativity in the kitchen and shares tips on how parents and work Adult Dinner into their own hectic dinner time routines.
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Connect with Catherine:
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Hillary’s Substack: “What Are We Having?”
Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
On the first episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Rose Hattabaugh, a recipe developer and tester at Christopher Kimball's Milk Street. They discuss Rose's journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a culinary professional, sharing insights on balancing motherhood with a career in food media. The conversation delves into Thanksgiving preparations, tips for cooking, and the challenges of recipe development. Rose emphasizes the importance of simplicity in cooking, the joy of family traditions, and the value of life experience in the culinary world. They also touch on the significance of creativity in the kitchen and how to calm the chaos of daily life.
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Connect with Catherine:
The Not From Concentrate Podcast Instagram
The Not from Concentrate Tiktok
Not From Concentrate team:
Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production
Allie Miller, Associate Producer
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