If This Food Could Talk

She thought she was just discovering olive oil. She didn't know she was discovering a calling.

Chasity Pritchett's journey into olive oil started with a simple question: What exactly can you do with olive oil?

That curiosity eventually led her from HR into the olive oil world—and into a much bigger mission around health, community, faith, and access.

In this episode, Claudia and Chasity talk about building EMBLEM Olive Oil, bringing olive oil education into her community, the health conversations that inspired her work, and what it's like to build a business while staying true to your purpose.

And because Chasity is also a gospel singer and songwriter, there's plenty of conversation about creativity, faith, loss, and finding the strength to keep going when life gets hard.

Plus: Southern collard greens, olive oil dipping, spicy Cajun oil, and the very relatable problem of having a mother who apparently just collects bottles of olive oil. 😂

A conversation about food, faith, purpose, and what happens when you follow a curiosity a little further than expected.

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What if the most important thing you bring home from a journey isn't a souvenir—but a story?

To kick off Season 5 of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia sits down with longtime BBC travel presenter Rajan Datar for a conversation about a lifetime of exploring the world—and the food, people, and unexpected moments that made those journeys unforgettable.

From discovering cultures through food to reconnecting with identity and family roots, Rajan shares why some of our most meaningful travel memories happen around a table.

Because sometimes, you don't really understand a place until you taste it, share it, and hear the stories behind it.

Season 5 starts here. Pack your curiosity. 🌍

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Her skincare routine was expensive, consistent… and making things worse.
In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with Sarah D’Amelio, founder of Skin Can Do, to explore what happens when you start questioning what’s really inside the products you use every day.
From mixing ingredients in her kitchen to building a clean, ingredient-first skincare brand, Sarah shares how simplicity, tradition, and a food-based mindset can completely change the way we care for our skin.

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What do you do when grief hits… unexpectedly and all at once?
In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with comedian and author Gus Constantellis to talk about his cookbook My Greek Mom’s Recipes — a deeply personal project born just days after his mother’s sudden passing.
Blending humor, family stories, and traditional Greek cooking, Gus shares how food became a way to process loss, preserve memory, and hold onto the people we love — one recipe at a time.

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How does a journalist covering global revolutions become the creator of one of the most iconic food shows in America?

In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with Emmy-winning journalist and Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives creator David Page to shares his journey from international news to culinary storytelling — and how food became his lens for understanding culture, history, and human connection.

From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the evolution of American cuisine, this conversation reveals why food isn’t just what we eat — it’s how we tell our stories.

🎧 Listen to David's podcast:
https://culinarycharactersunlocked.com

📖 Explore his book, Food Americana:
https://www.amazon.com/Food-Americana-Remarkable-Incredible-Entertainment/dp/1642505862

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Is your olive oil actually what it claims to be?
In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with Jill Myers, founder of Women in Olive Oil, to uncover what’s really happening behind the bottle — from labeling confusion to the realities producers face around the world.
It’s a conversation about integrity, community, and why the future of food depends on connection, not just consumption.

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He didn’t just create a graphic novel — he built it through food.

In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Robert Apelian joins Claudia Hanna to talk about Fustuk, a visually rich story shaped by cooking, cultural memory, and an obsession with getting every detail right — right down to the recipes.

From eggplant dishes and yogurt soup to ancient culinary inspiration, this conversation explores how food can shape storytelling in the most unexpected ways. Get his book here!

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This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at the Real Organic Podcast, the award-winning “Best Sustainability, Environment & Climate Podcast” produced by the Real Organic Project. Recently named one of the "best climate podcasts" by Earth.org, the Real Organic Podcast uncovers the forces reshaping organic food – and our dinner plates. Hosted by Linley Dixon and Dave Chapman, each episode features deep conversations with farmers, scientists, chefs, and journalists fighting to keep organic food honest.

Like today’s special episode with filmmaker Deborah Koons Garcia. It’s been 20 years since the release of her influential documentary “The Future of Food,” and she reflects on how the food system has changed - and how it hasn’t. It’s a beautiful conversation where Deborah shares her thoughts about GMOs, corporate control, the rise of regenerative farming, and why she released “Symphony of the Soil,” a film celebrating the beauty and complexity of living earth.

For more episodes like this, make sure to follow Real Organic Podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And tell them we sent you.

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What is “real” cheese — and how has it changed over time?
In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna speaks with Bronwen and Francis Percival, authors of Reinventing the Wheel, about the history of cheese, the role of microbes in flavor, and the evolution of dairy farming from traditional practices to modern industrial production.
From artisanal cheesemaking and raw milk to sustainability and global food systems, this conversation explores how cheese is made, how it’s changed, and what it means for the future of food.

Grab a copy here!

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In celebration of World Cheese Day, this episode of If This Food Could Talk invites us to look beyond the plate — and into the land where it all begins.

Claudia Hanna sits down with writer, regenerative living advocate, and self-described MilkTrekker, Trevor Warmedahl, joining from the Sonoran Desert. Together, they explore the connection between soil, milk, and the foods we love — and how returning to more intentional, grounded practices can transform not just what we eat, but how we live.

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What happens when a psychologist follows her curiosity into the kitchen?

In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with celebrated pastry chef, author, and former psychologist Helen Goh to explore the unexpected path that led her from studying the human mind to creating some of the world’s most beloved desserts.

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What makes a cake unforgettable isn’t just the recipe — it’s the memory it carries.

In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with legendary baker and James Beard Award–winning author Dorie Greenspan to talk about the stories behind her beloved book Dorie’s Anytime Cakes. From a life-changing strawberry tart in Paris to honey cakes baked by her grandmother, Dorie shares how curiosity, simplicity, and memory shape the way she bakes — and the way she lives.

This is a conversation about cakes that sit on the counter, meant to be shared with coffee, conversation, and the people you love. About baking as architecture, recipes as storytelling, and why food has the power to keep us connected across generations.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful food isn’t made for a celebration — it becomes one.

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Some people make olive oil — Rose Bechara was raised by it.

In this intimate conversation, Rose invites Claudia into the world of her family’s Lebanese groves, where every tree carries a memory and every harvest is an act of devotion. She shares how preserving her family’s land became her purpose, how tradition shapes her craft, and why olive oil is more than a product — it’s a legacy you taste.

Follow Rose and her work:

https://darmmess.com/

https://lb.linkedin.com/in/rose-bechara-perini-706807b0

https://www.instagram.com/darmmess/?hl=en

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What if you knew the real story behind the olive oil on your table? In this heartfelt episode, Claudia sits down with Sarah Vachon, co-founder of Citizens of Soil, to talk about the farmers, families, and landscapes that shape every bottle she brings into the world. Sarah shares how honoring small producers, protecting biodiversity, and building trust through transparency became her life’s work.

Stay connected with Sarah and her mission:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahvachontour

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarahfulton

Citizens of Soil: https://www.citizensofsoil.com/

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Behind every cup of coffee and every bite we take, there’s a farmer whose story is rarely told. In this moving conversation, Claudia sits down with Saurin Nanavati to explore what it really means to grow food with care — for people, for land, and for the future. From cooperative farming to climate resilience, Saurin reminds us that sustainability begins with connection — and that every meal is a chance to honor the hands that feed us.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/saurin-nanavati-a2623a86
Ethos Agriculture LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ethos-agriculture/?viewAsMember=true
Website: www.ethosag.com
Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ex3IjzYE4I

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What if your morning coffee could tell the story of our planet?

In this episode, Claudia sits down with human rights advocate and lawyer, Etelle Higonnet, to uncover the hidden journey behind each cup — from the farmers tending fragile landscapes to the forests at risk of disappearing. Through Etelle’s lens, coffee becomes more than a daily ritual; it’s a reflection of justice, climate, and care. This is a conversation about waking up — not just to coffee, but to the choices that shape our world.

Coffee Watch Website : https://coffeewatch.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etelle-higonnet-a600675/

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Ever wondered what extra virgin really means? Olive oil experts Emily Lycopolus and Giuliana Mackler join Claudia to reveal what makes great olive oil truly great — from grove to mill, label to table. Learn how to taste, store, and love olive oil every day.

Emily:

Instagram.com/oliveoilcritic

https://www.facebook.com/OliveOilCritic/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-lycopolus/

Giuliana: linkedin.com/in/giuliana-mackler/

Website

Emily: https://oliveoilcritic.com/

Giuliana: giulianamackler.com/

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What if ice cream could carry the soul of a culture? In this episode, Claudia sits down with Chrys Kefalas, founder of Yala Greek Ice Cream, to talk about how one family recipe became a modern celebration of heritage and hospitality.
From the creamy richness of Greek yogurt to the joy of gathering around the table, Chrys shares how Yala is more than dessert — it’s a love letter to memory, tradition, and togetherness.

Website: https://www.yalagreekicecream.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yalagreekicecream/

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Raised with the scent of sumac and slow-simmered stews, Chef Fadi opens up about his roots, his favorite dishes, and why cooking is his love language. Learn more about him and his works:
https://www.fadikattan.com/https://www.instagram.com/fadi.f.kattan/
https://www.facebook.com/cheffadikattan/

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A season on a Tuscan farm became a lesson in food systems, integrity, and soul work. Hear how Beatrice turned hard labor into a company with purpose.

Follow her storyin her socials: @beaoliveoil @beatricexkarp
Get to know more about her purpose: www.beaoliveoil.com

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