Dinner Last Night (with Emma & Dimity)

When Stefan Merrill Block was nine, his mother concluded that his teachers were stifling his creativity and pulled him out of public school. He wouldn't return until ninth grade. Those five years in between shaped everything that came after, including, eventually, his relationship with food and cooking.Stefan is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Homeschooled, which traces a fiercely loved boy through the years he spent learning at home with a mother whose ideas grew more inventive (and more unsteady) as the months went on. In this episode, we follow the food: his mother's recipe-less cooking, the Dallas chicken tortilla soup that tasted like friendship and a bigger world, and the long road that led Stefan at 30, alone on 250 acres of Texas land, to fall in love with cooking on his own terms. We also talk about writing a memoir with a novelist's instincts, feeling anger for your younger self for the first time, and the homeschool reform conversations the book has sparked in three states.In this episode:Why Stefan's mother pulled him from school at nine, and how that impacted his later yearsHis mother's recipe-less cooking, and the meals that felt like something to endureThe Dallas chicken tortilla soup that tasted like friendship and a bigger worldFalling in love with cooking at 30, alone on 250 acres of Texas landCooking three separate dinners as the main cook in his householdWriting a memoir with a novelist's instincts, and feeling anger for your younger selfCo-owning Skate Time 209, the beloved roller rink in Accord, NYMentioned in this episode:Stefan's WebsiteFollow Stefan on InstagramGet a copy of Stefan's memoir, HomeschooledThe Coalition for Responsible Home EducationSkate Time 209SubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Virginia Craddock is the founder of Inside Out Agency, a multi-brand showroom working to shift the way we think about what we wear, how we consume, and what it all means.Virginia grew up eating Brazilian moqueca in two different households — her parents had both spent time in the Peace Corps in Brazil — and now she makes the dish her own way. We talk about scruffy hospitality and why clarity in how you invite people into your home changes everything about the experience. And in one of the most moving moments of the season, Virginia shares how blending her and her partner's families is her biggest triumph, and why. The phrase her business teacher gave her — “clarity is connection” — turns out to be the thread running through it all.In this episode:A Brazilian moqueca passed down from Peace Corps parents, adapted and made her ownBuilding Inside Out Agency to shift how we think about clothing and consumptionScruffy hospitality, and the freeing power of low-stakes gatheringHow knowing where your clothes come from changes how much you love themThe Art of Gathering, and hosting with intention instead of effortBlending three boys, two households, and years of hard conversations into one family“Clarity is connection” — her business teacher's mantra that became her life'sMentioned in the episode:Virginia on InstagramInside Out AgencyThe Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerMeditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Cookbook author and former competitive powerlifter Julia Turshen sits down for a warm, wide-ranging conversation about healing a lifelong eating disorder, the daily labor of home cooking, and how food can heal the people you love.From her grandparents' Brooklyn bread bakery to her 81-year-old mom's illustrated cooking class notes, Julia shares the threads that have shaped her relationship with food, family, and feeding others. It's a thoughtful, moving episode about the rituals that anchor us — and the people we cook for along the way.In this episode:The concept of “the everlasting meal”Growing up in a workaholic household, and the Brooklyn bread bakery her Jewish grandparents ranHer mother's illustrated cooking class notes, and their evolving relationshipNavigating disordered eating and finding healing through powerliftingHow food works in her home with spouse Grace, a therapist with Type 1 diabetesWhy investing in neighbors and community is the most important thing any of us can doMentioned in this episode:Julia's website and books: www.juliaturshen.comJulia's Substack newsletter Keep Calm and Cook OnFollow Julia on InstagramReem Kassis, Palestinian cookbook author mentioned by JuliaAn Everlasting Meal by Tamar AdlerSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Novelist, screenwriter, and father Jonathan Lee joins us for a riveting conversation about family dinners, storytelling, and the surprising parenting lessons hidden in Taco Night.From the “perils of precedent” — why kids love Tuesday Tacos but not Monday Tacos — to writing about real-life tragedy in High Dive and The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Jonathan shares insights on parenting, trauma, and the role of food in stories. Plus, a hilarious dinner-table storytelling game you'll want to try at home.In this episode:Why “branding” dinner matters for kidsJonathan's journey to becoming a full-time writerThe realities of writing about trauma, and the self-care it requiresHow food shapes storytelling even in moments of crisis and connectionTalking to children about difficult topicsBehind the scenes of The Bombing of Pan Am 103A playful dinner table storytelling gameMentioned in this episode:Jonathan’s website and books: www.jonathanleewriter.comEpisode 09 of Dinner Last Night with his wife, Amy LeeTelevision Show: The Bombing of Pan Am 103SubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Mother, entrepreneur, herbalist, and founder of pioneering green beauty brand Captain Blankenship, Jana Blankenship joins us for a conversation rooted in the powerful connection between plants, scent, memory, and family tradition.We start where every episode does — with dinner last night — and hear about the first meal Jana's family shared after a long stretch of home renovation. From there, we explore the Serbian food traditions passed down by her grandmother, Baka Milka, how childhood perfume “potions” led her to develop a sensitivity to synthetic fragrances, and how that journey inspired her path into natural perfume, herbalism, and clean beauty. Jana is the author of Wild Beauty and co-author (with Emma) of Seasonal Family Almanac.In this episode:Serbian food and herbalism traditions passed down by Jana's grandmother and auntDeveloping a childhood sensitivity to synthetic fragrances, and how it inspired her work with natural scentThe power of scent — the first sense to develop in the womb — to anchor us in memoryFounding and growing Captain Blankenship as an early clean beauty brandDIY herbal beauty, and why making things yourself is so powerfulPractical meal strategies for busy families juggling sports, school, and chaotic eveningsForaging and harvesting responsibly, including how to work with evergreensMentioned in this episode:Jana's websiteCaptain BlankenshipWitch Way by Jana Blankenship on SubstackWild Beauty by Jana BlankenshipSeasonal Family Almanac, co-authored by Jana and Emma FrischSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Ayurvedic wellness coach Nandini Austin joins us with a fresh, accessible take on ancient practices, helping modern families feel healthier, more energized, and more connected at the table.Raised in London with Mauritian roots and a lifelong exposure to Ayurveda, Nandini explains why digestion is the foundation of well-being, how to understand your unique dosha, and which simple daily rituals support balance for both parents and kids. We also follow her path from global hospitality to launching The Cocktail Architect, and leading retreats that blend Ayurvedic cooking, traditional Indian dance, and community.In this episode:Growing up in a Mauritian household in London, learning about food as medicine“You are what you digest” — why digestion is central to healthUnderstanding doshas and daily rituals (dinacharya)Demystifying curry and the value of spicesRaising adventurous eaters and shaping lifelong food habitsFood as a pathway to connection, energy, and emotional balanceSpice-infused syrups and soda alternatives from The Cocktail ArchitectMentioned in this episode:For Ayurveda offerings: NandiniAustin.com For delicious, handcrafted syrups: The Cocktail ArchitectFollow Nandini on Instagram, Facebook, and SubstackSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Mom, entrepreneur, founder of The Sill, and CEO of Farmlink, Eliza Blank joins us to talk about feeding families thoughtfully in a world where nearly 40% of food is wasted.Eliza shares how growing up in a Filipino and Jewish household shaped her approach to food, why her husband oversees the kitchen, and how parenthood changed the way she thinks about meals. We dig into her current work rescuing millions of pounds of surplus farm produce for communities in need, and chat about practical ways families can reduce waste, talk to kids about food access and inequality, and honor the time, labor, and natural resources that go into every meal. Honest, funny, and full of ideas you can use at home.On this episode, we’re talking with Eliza Blank—mom, entrepreneur, founder of The Sill, and CEO of Farmlink—about feeding families thoughtfully in a world where nearly 40% of food is wasted. Eliza shares how growing up in a Filipino and Jewish household shaped her approach to food, why her husband oversees the kitchen, and how parenthood changed the way she thinks about meals.We also dive into Eliza’s current work, rescuing millions of pounds of surplus farm produce for communities in need, and chat about practical ways families can reduce waste, talk to kids about food access and inequality, and honor the time, labor, and natural resources that go into every meal. This episode is honest, funny, and full of ideas you can actually use at home.Episode Highlights:What happens when dinner doesn’t go as planned (and why that’s okay)Why Eliza’s husband oversees the kitchen and cooking at homeHow Filipino and Jewish food traditions shape meals at homeBuilding The Sill in her 20's—one of the first direct-to-consumer houseplant brandsEliza’s current work as CEO of Farmlink, bridging the gap between excess food waste and food inequality in the U.S.Helping children understand food access issues and inequalityPractical tools for introducing food waste reduction at home Mentioned in this episode:The Farmlink ProjectThe SillThe Mill food recyclerSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Fashion entrepreneur, mom, and founder of sustainable knitwear brand Eleven Six, Catherine Carnevale, joins us to kick off Season 2 of Dinner Last Night.Catherine shares how she balances building a slow-fashion brand, raising two kids, and getting dinner on the table without chasing the myth of perfect “work-life balance.” We talk about her Mediterranean-inspired approach to food, why flexibility matters more than rigid routines, how community support shaped her business, and why music and dance breaks count as real self-care. Plus, Catherine reveals her mantra for staying energized: “You have to eat super to be super.”In this episode:Why flexibility beats strict balance for working parentsHow Mediterranean roots influence Catherine’s cooking styleWhat slow fashion really means behind the scenesBuilding a brand through community and artisan partnershipsDance breaks as essential self-careMentioned in this episode:Catherine's knitwear brand, Eleven SixOllie's Pizza in High Falls, NY, Catherine's go-to family dinner spotSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Season 2 of Dinner Last Night launches January 29th, and this season is really close to our hearts.After taking you around the world in Season 1, we’re staying close to home and pulling up a chair with parents from one of our beloved communities (where Dimity lives!): the Hudson Valley. A place shaped by food, family, creativity, and deep local roots, and filled with people we admire.This season, you’ll hear:Honest, unfiltered conversations inspired by one simple question: What did you have for dinner last night?Practical tips for making family dinners easierStories about how food reflects our values, rhythms, cultures, and workConversations that leave you feeling inspired and connectedThank you, always, for being here with us. We can’t wait to share Season 2!With love,Emma & Dimity 👯‍♀️Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

To close out Season 1, we’re turning the microphones on ourselves. In this episode, we interview each other for the very first time and dive into all the things we usually ask our guests: our favorite holiday food traditions, the strangest things we ate growing up, and the rituals that make our families…well, ours.We also test our twin telepathy with some rapid-fire questions, and yes—we are fully aware of how many times we say “amazing.” Feel free to make a drinking game out of it. 😅Thank you for supporting us this season! We can't wait to share conversations with our amazing (😉) season 2 guests.Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

In this episode, we sit down with our hilarious, big-hearted Scottish cousin, Reuben Beck, and our first-ever non-parent guest. Dimity’s youngest, Kai, kicks things off with the cutest intro, and then we dive into all things Scotland: Beltane and witchy vibes, Gaelic roots, traditional breakfasts (yes, haggis!), The Selkirk Grace, and Reuben’s family history of crofting and living close to the land. We talk about how food is medicine, why ingredients in the U.S. can feel so different from Europe, and how herbalism and local food show up in both Scotland and Upstate NY. We also shout out Wildfire Delicatessen, the best little sandwich shop and bakery in Gourock. And to cap it off in time for the New Year, we sing the Robert Burns classic, Old Lang Syne! Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Laura Arteaga is the creator behind Six Hungry Feet, a blog she started during COVID to document and share her family’s vegetarian and vegan recipes. Hailing from the island of Mallorca, Laura grew up in a traditional Spanish family and switched to vegetarianism after meeting her Irish husband, who grew up in a vegetarian family. In this episode, Laura talks about feeling aligned in her career and lifestyle after leaving her job as a financial controller to be a full-time blogger and vegan nutritionist. We also dive into the challenges of making sure her family gets enough protein and how to navigate gestational diabetes. She also tells us about their family’s time living abroad in Malaysia. This one is for the veggies out there!We cover:Plant-based eating with kidsGestational diabetes and how a vegetarian diet can helpHow to choose tofu at the store, and go-to methods for cooking tofu that tastes goodDebunking the myth around estrogen and soyHow the COVID shutdown allowed Laura to step into an aligned career and lifestyleWhat the Spanish culture and daily schedule actually looks like (hint: there’s no siesta, really)Balancing life in a Spanish-Irish familyMoving and living abroad with kidsSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

On this week’s episode, we talk with Davinia Tomlinson, the powerhouse behind Rainchq, a platform that helps women around the world build long-term wealth. Born in England to a Caribbean family from St. Kitts, Davinia grew up surrounded by family, bold flavors, and the belief that love and confidence can carry you anywhere. A former high-flying financial advisor turned entrepreneur and mom of two, Davinia brings warmth, wisdom, and joy to everything she does. We talk about what it means to build a business (and a life) rooted in purpose, how to raise kids who feel confident about money, and the deep connections between food, culture, and self-worth.We cover:Iconic Caribbean foods and Saturday soupFood as community, and herbal traditions passed down through eldersA child-centered Caribbean cultureDavinia’s story of building her business and financial confidence from the ground upTips for giving kids allowance and defining money-related rolesThoughts on chores as household help vs. paid work, and fostering our children's independenceSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

This week, we sit down with multi-hyphenate Hudson Valley mama Amy Lee— artist, writer, and creator of Catskill Culture Club, a Substack that celebrates local artists and gives you a glimpse into Amy's brilliant mind. A social impact strategist (by day) and self-taught painter, Amy brings warmth, wit, honesty, and joy to everything she touches. In this conversation, we explore what it means to rewrite our own definitions of beauty and success, raise confident daughters in a world that profits from insecurity, and what it’s really like to juggle work, creativity, and dinner on the table. We  cover:Those impossible ’90s beauty standards (and how we’re still unlearning them)Helping our daughters build confidence in a world that profits from insecurityWhy we tell our kids our secrets (so they, hopefully, don’t repeat our mistakes)What dinner looks like for full-time working parents in the Lee householdThe ego, self-belief, and how they can both drive and derail usUnraveling our capitalist conditioning around successAnd, of course, our favorite British foods and candiesSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

This week on Dinner Last Night, we sit down with radiant mama Cat Seixas, author of The Wild Craft, bioregionalist, folk herbalist, photographer, gardener, forager, and mother. Cat lives in a hand-built stone cottage in the hills of Western Iberia, Portugal. Cat’s life and work are rooted in a deep connection to the land. She weaves together food, medicine, and craft using ingredients and elements she grows, harvests, and collects from her own sheep. In this conversation, she invites us to slow down, reconnect to our surroundings, and remember that the most meaningful creations—whether a home, a meal, or a life—take time.We cover:How Cat and her partner built their home from scratch (and went ten years without a fridge)Cat’s simple, grounding ritual for making dinnerThe difference between a decoction and an infusion when it comes to teaHow to connect deeply with a place, wherever you areFood and language in a multicultural homeRedefining “success” through nourishment, creativity, and presenceCat’s story is a gentle, inspiring reminder that there is another way to live. One that prioritizes integrity, creativity, and care for the rhythms of the natural world.Giveaway:We’re giving away a copy of Cat’s The Wild Craft and Emma’s Seasonal Family Almanac! For a chance to win, enter your email in this form.Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

This week on Dinner Last Night, we’re chatting with the incredible Sarah Copeland—chef, food blogger, photographer, best-selling cookbook author, gardener, and all-around powerhouse. In this episode, we talk about our families' cultural traditions and roots, what it's like to live abroad with kids, and how to make a simple meal restaurant-worthy. From her Hudson Valley kitchen to her family’s Hungarian roots, Sarah shares her passion for food, family, and living a life full of flavor. We cover:Sarah’s “low lift, high impact” cooking philosophyPeer influence as a way to get kids to try new foodsThe beauty of cucina povera and how Sarah weaves it into her kitchenHer family’s Hungarian roots and her semester abroad with her kidsFavorite recipes from her books Instant Family Meals and Everyday is Saturday (both staples in our homes!)Emma's nut and seed bread recipe (a must-try!)Plus, get a sneak peek into Sarah’s philosophy on parenting, cooking for kids, and building family connection around food.Giveaway:One lucky listener will win a copy of Instant Family Meals: Delicious Dishes from your Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Multicooker, and Instant Pot! To enter, leave a comment on this post with your thoughts, what you had for dinner last night, or just say hi!Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

This week on Dinner Last Night, we welcome a very special guest—our big sister, Rony Duncan, all the way from Melbourne, Australia!Rony’s our big sister from the same mister, but a different mom (shout-out to our Australian matriarch, Nonna Susi!). What makes our relationship even wilder? Rony grew up knowing all about her American family, but we didn’t learn about her until we were 10. When we finally met as teens, it was instant love, connection, and endless laughter (plus discovering we all share the same sausage toes 🥖👣).Though we live oceans apart, that distance has only deepened our bond. Rony brings so much wisdom to our lives—not just as a sister, but also as a seasoned psychologist and mother of two incredible boys.This conversation is full of gems about parenting, family rhythms, and ditching guilt at the dinner table (and in life).We also talk about:Supporting ADHD kids at the table (and beyond)How to make parenting more playful and effectiveDesigning your weekly flow (including meal planning) to keep sanity in a busy householdDivision of labor at home + leaning into your partner’s strengths (we reference the Fair Play card game)Helping moms release guilt and focus on repairThe 1-degree turn mindset shift that changes everythingSubscribe below for a chance to win a signed copy of Eve Rodsky's book, Fair Play, and the card game.This one is close to our hearts, and we’re SO excited to share it with you.Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

We sit down with Anand Wilder—musician, songwriter, former Yeasayer frontman, and devoted dad—to explore how his bicultural Indian-American upbringing, family life, and passion for music intertwine in the kitchen, at home, and in his community. Anand talks about being joyfully unconcerned with “authenticity” in cuisine, raising kids who are proud of their heritage (and skilled at counting the chili peppers in their meal), and the influence of his mother, a former culinary instructor who shaped his love for cooking. He reflects on how his approach to food mirrors his eclectic musical career and shares what it’s like to juggle life as the primary parent while rebuilding his artistry. He offers a perspective that’s unpretentious, upbeat, and refreshingly candid.We also talk about:Anand’s NEW Solo Album: Psychic LessonsMasala Lab by Krish Ashok - Anand’s recommended primer on learning to cook Indian food at homeDelicate Steve – the genre-bending guitarist Anand first “discovered”Dosa My Honey – Zazie’s track (Anand’s daughter): listen here!Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

What happens when a homeschool mom and curriculum creator hands over the kitchen—and the classroom—to her husband? In this episode, Rachel Tidd of Wild Learning shares how she restructured family life to grow her business, let go of doing it all, and embraced a new kind of balance. We talk about the mental load of motherhood, “default parenting,” outdoor education, the bedtime carrot, and raising older (hungrier!) kids—with a dash of herbalism on the side.Subscribe to our newsletter at www.dinnerlastnightpodcom where you’ll be entered to win a copy of Rachel’s book Wild Learning: Practical Ideas to Bring Teaching Outdoors, a gem for parents and educators!📚 Learn More About Rachel:Rachel Tidd is a former special education teacher, homeschooling mom, and the creator of Wild Learning, including the Wild Math® and Wild Reading® curricula. With a dual master’s from Bank Street College of Education and a background in environmental science, Rachel is passionate about helping children learn through outdoor, nature-based experiences. She’s also currently pursuing her doctorate in educational sustainability.Wild Learning CurriculumInstagram: @discoverwildlearning🔗 Resources & Mentions:The Fair Play Deck: A Couples Conversation Deck for Prioritizing What’s Important, by Eve Rodsky (on rebalancing domestic labor)Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

From Navy chef to farmer, food justice educator and advocate, TEDx speaker, and health-at-every-size nutritionist, Liesha McKinley brings a powerful, multifaceted lens to how we feed our families and ourselves. In this episode, she talks with Emma and Dimity about raising kids with autonomy in the kitchen, navigating “picky” eating with empathy, and the deep impact of food access—especially in communities affected by food apartheid.Liesha shares stories from the garden, classroom, and her own experience raising and feeding her children, reminding us that food can be a joyful tool for connection, healing, and justice. We cover her work with programs like The Edible Schoolyard Project, after-school snacks, growing your own food, and why “yucky” isn’t a fair word at the table. You’ll walk away inspired to rethink how food connects us all.Learn more about Liesha:TikTok: @ChefLieshaInstagram: @theoaklandgirlSubstack: The Oakland GirlSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

What does it look like to raise kids with radical love and cultural curiosity? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Danielle of Openly Committed about parenting abroad, navigating food traditions across continents, and raising children who think critically about the world around them–which in this case, led her son to choosing a vegetarian diet. From trying to find ingredients in the UK for a classic Southern American cornbread, to rethinking what love and commitment look like in her 15-year ethically non-monogamous marriage, Danielle shares stories full of humor, honesty, and insight. We explore the logistics and emotional work of co-parenting, the impact of travel and re-urbanization on kids’ eating habits, and what it means to hold multiple truths in family life and relationships.📚 Learn more about Danielle:TikTok: @OpenlyCommittedInstagram: @OpenlyCommittedSubstack: Beyond BoundariesSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

What does an Italian mom and cookbook author really make for dinner? Tuscan chef and food writer, Giulia Scarpaleggia, joins us from her countryside home to talk about seasonal cooking, her refreshing approach to “picky” eating, frozen veggie hacks, and family food rituals. We chat about her upbringing, debunk Italian food myths, and learn how she balances motherhood, business, and tradition—one simple dinner at a time.Subscribe to our newsletter at emmafrisch.substack.com/subscribe where you’ll be entered to win a copy of Giulia’s cookbook, Cucina Povera, and a paid subscription to her newsletter, Letters From Tuscany! Learn more about Giulia:Cookbooks: Cucina Povera and From the Markets of Tuscany // View all on AmazonFood blog: Jul’s Kitchen has over 700 recipes and information about her hands-on cooking classes in her home in Tuscany Substack newsletter: Letters From Tuscany includes delicious, authentic recipes that work and beautiful storiesInstagram: @julskitchen  Send us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Dinner Last Night Theme SongWritten by Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett, lyricist/songwriter/philosophizerProduced by REP StudioSend us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

We’re Emma & Dimity—identical twins, mamas, and co-hosts of Dinner Last Night.When we became parents, figuring out what to make for dinner—and how to get our families to eat it—was hard. One minute, we were serving up a home-cooked meal; the next, we were in high-stakes negotiations over one bite of broccoli. Between finding time to shop and cook, dodging tantrums, balancing nutrition, and honoring traditions, we often felt like we were facing the daily dinner struggle alone.So we started asking other parents, “what did you have for dinner last night?” We quickly learned we’re all connected by this daily ritual—but also discovered a world of game-changing mealtime tricks and recipes.That’s why we started Dinner Last Night, a podcast where we swap unfiltered stories with parents around the world, diving into how culture, family dynamics, and daily rhythms shape mealtime. Whether it’s pasta from scratch or cereal in a pinch, every meal has a story—one that proves we’re all in this delicious mess together.Don’t forget to subscribe for even more deliciousness! https://emmafrisch.substack.com/Credits:🎧 Produced by: Dinner Last Night✂️ Edited by: REP Studio🎵 Music by: Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett, lyricist/songwriter/philosophizerFollow the Show:Instagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: www.dinnerlastnightpod.comEmail: [email protected] us a message!Support the showSubscribeNever miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛GiveawaysCLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!Follow UsSubstack: subscribe to our newsletterYouTube: @DinnerLastNightPodInstagram: @dinnerlastnightpodWebsite: dinnerlastnightpod.comCreditsProduced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart HetzlerEditing: REP Studio and Stuart HetzlerMusic by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)