Explore every episode of the podcast Baking Therapy

John Kanell was a middle school math and science teacher before he turned his love of food into Preppy Kitchen, one of the most popular baking channels online. He's now a two-time New York Times bestselling author, and his third cookbook, Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking: Because It's Always Time for Dessert, is out October 13, 2026. In this episode, John talks about leaving the classroom to build a food business from home, why he turned down his first book deal, and how he learned to let go of doing everything himself so he could still have a life outside his work.

In this episode we cover:

• How John's husband encouraged him to combine his two passions, food and teaching, and why starting on Instagram with video first gave him an early edge
• Why "nobody can taste your food online" changed how he styles and photographs his bakes, and how his fine arts background helped
• Why you should start before things are perfect, and how failing teaches you the fastest
• Avoiding burnout by focusing on "the things only you can do" and getting help with the rest, plus how hard it is for artists and bakers to let go of control
• Why he turned down an early cookbook deal, and how moving from L.A. to a Connecticut farm inspired his first book
• Favorite recipes from the new book, including a Meyer lemon biscuit roll and ultra-buttery brioche conchas
• Bringing kids into the kitchen and why hands-on baking is such a powerful way to learn (fractions, anyone?)
• His closing advice: baking doesn't have to be a business to be a priority in your life

To learn more about John, visit preppykitchen.com, follow him on Instagram at @preppykitchen, and subscribe on YouTube. Order Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking at Simon & Schuster, Bookshop.org, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your favorite bookstore.

Christin Marvin started as a line cook at 15 and became a managing partner by 30 — over the past two decades she's helped open 13 restaurants and scaled an independent hospitality group from 6 to 48 locations, and now runs Columbine Hospitality, coaching food and beverage business owners on leadership, systems, hiring, and culture. In this episode, she joins us to talk honestly about hustle culture, burnout, and how to build a business that scales without burning you out in the process.

In this episode we cover:

• What "hustle culture" looks like in the restaurant and food industry, and how it can quietly turn toxic
• The physical, mental, and emotional signs of burnout — and how Christin worked through her own using tools like positive intelligence to quiet her inner critic
• How to build systems that create more freedom instead of stifling creativity
• Why letting go of control and learning to delegate is one of the hardest (and most important) parts of scaling
• A favorite client success story about growing leaders from within a team

To learn more about Christin, visit irfbook.com

Guest: Sara Cann — co‑founder of Birdie's Batch. (birdiesbatch.com)

Topics we cover in this episode:

• Sara's transition out of the restaurant industry and why the pandemic created the opportunity to start a cottage‑food business.
• The practical and emotional challenges of launching and scaling a home‑based food business.
• How a cancer diagnosis changed Sara's priorities, influenced her business decisions, and shaped her outlook on life (personal reflections and lessons learned).
• The role of family, community markets, and ingredient sourcing in building a brand people trust.
• Advice for other food entrepreneurs about resilience, keeping product quality consistent, and finding balance.

This episode marks our exciting first interview as Ben & Nicole welcome Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos from CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness)!

• Jasmin shares the mission of CHOW and the inspiring story behind its founding.
• She discusses her personal CHOW success story and its impact on her life and career.
• The conversation highlights the importance of CHOW's movement to break old patterns and stigma in the culinary and hospitality industries.
• She shares the variety of free resources CHOW offers for culinary and hospitality workers at all levels, encouraging listeners to seek help and support.
• For more information about CHOW and their initiatives, visit chowco.org

Episode 9: Therapy in the Oven: Keeping Yourself From Getting Burnt

In this insightful episode of the Baking Therapy podcast, hosts Ben and Nicole take a unique approach as they engage in a candid conversation about work-life balance. Here are the highlights:

• This episode follows up on their previous discussion about burnout but feels more like an authentic therapy session.
• Nicole shares her personal struggle with over-committing and the exhaustion that follows.
• Ben conducts a deep dive into the root causes of Nicole's tendency to over-schedule herself.
• Together, they explore practical strategies that bakers can implement to avoid falling into the same traps.
• Tune in to catch a teaser about an upcoming interview episode featuring a representative from the non-profit organization Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness (chowco.org), who focuses on mental health in the culinary/hospitality industry.

Join us for this honest exploration and practical advice on maintaining a healthier work-life balance in the demanding world of baking & pastry.

In this episode of Baking Therapy, hosts Benjamin and Nicole unravel the essentials of marketing for bakers. They define what marketing is and explore the various types that can elevate your baking business.

The hosts share their personal favorite marketing strategies that have proven effective in attracting and retaining clients. They also go through a curated list of actionable marketing techniques tailored specifically for baking professionals.

From social media engagement to local event participation, discover the winning ingredients that can help your business flourish and achieve sweet success in the competitive baking landscape!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

In this insightful episode of Baking Therapy, hosts Benjamin and Nicole explore the internal obstacles that bakers and pastry professionals often face. From shying away from the business aspects of baking to avoiding certain techniques out of fear, we discuss how self-doubt can hold us back from reaching our full potential.

The hosts share real-life examples from their own journeys of overcoming these barriers and the impact it has had on their craft and careers. Tune in for valuable "Do's" and "Don'ts" that will empower you to move past self-imposed limitations and embrace your full capabilities as a baker.

Join us as we encourage you to rise to the occasion, recognize your worth, and confidently pursue your baking dreams!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to Baking Therapy! In this episode, we shift our focus from educating ourselves to educating our clients. Hosts Benjamin and Nicole discuss the importance of clearly communicating your processes, timelines, boundaries, and what sets your work apart.

Understanding that not every customer is the right fit is crucial—and that's perfectly okay! They explore how educating potential clients can help you land the "YES" on ideal orders while also recognizing when to say "NO."

Nicole emphasizes the need to bridge the gap, especially with customers used to buying mass-produced desserts who may not grasp the value of custom creations. Tune in to learn how to kindly educate your clients, empowering them to make informed decisions that lead to meaningful connections and successful orders in your baking business!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

In this exciting episode of Baking Therapy, hosts Benjamin and Nicole explore the transformative power of collaboration and networking within the baking and pastry community.

They break down the pros and cons of collaborating with fellow bakers and pastry professionals, sharing real-life examples of partnerships they've formed in the past—and how these experiences have influenced their journeys. From joint projects to shared events, they highlight the ways collaboration can elevate your craft and expand your reach.

Not to mention, they discuss the collaboration that brought this very podcast to life! Tune in to discover how working together can lead to inspiration, growth, and sweet success in the baking world.

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

Have you ever dreamed of being featured on TV or in the media, showcasing your sweet creations to the world? In this episode of Baking Therapy, Nicole and Ben share their personal experiences with the spotlight.

Nicole recounts her journey competing on Food Network, revealing what it's really like behind the scenes. Ben shares details about his upcoming show on Eat This TV, exploring what it's really like for a baker stepping into the national spotlight.

They discuss the pros and cons of being in the limelight—balancing opportunity with pressure, exposure with authenticity. Tune in for honest stories, valuable insights—and to see what it truly takes to shine in the baking world!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

Do you find yourself scrolling social media and feeling like everyone else's work is better, more successful, or just… more? You're not alone. In this episode of Baking Therapy, Nicole and Benjamin explore the dangers of "comparison-itis" among bakers and pastry professionals.

They discuss how constantly comparing your work to others can hurt your confidence and self-esteem—especially with social media showcasing only curated highlights. But it's not just you; even experienced bakers and industry icons fall into this trap.

The hosts share practical ways to flip the script—from transforming jealousy into inspiration to focusing on your personal growth and talents. Remember, everyone does it, and gratitude for what you bring to the table is the real key to feeling fulfilled and confident in your baking journey.

Tune in to learn how to break free from comparison-itis and embrace your unique baking path!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

Feeling overwhelmed or exhausted in your baking journey? You're not alone. In this episode of Baking Therapy, hosts Benjamin and Nicole open up about the reality of burnout in the baking and pastry industry.

Ben shares his personal experience with burnout and how it impacted his passion. Nicole discusses her own moments of feeling overwhelmed. Together, they identify common warning signs and offer practical tips to prevent burnout before it takes over.

Remember, burnout is a shared challenge for many in the industry—but there are ways to recover, recharge, and keep your love for baking alive. Tune in for honest advice, relatable stories, and encouragement—you're not in this alone!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!

In the debut episode of Baking Therapy, hosts Benjamin and Nicole dive into a question many aspiring bakers and pastry chefs ask themselves: Is going to pastry or culinary school necessary for success in the baking industry?

Ben shares his experience attending pastry school and how it shaped his skills and career. Nicole, on the other hand, chose a self-taught path and has built a thriving baking business without formal training.

Together, they explore the pros and cons of each route, offering insights to help you determine what works best for your goals. Whether you're considering formal education or learning through hands-on experience, this episode provides valuable perspectives to guide your journey.

Tune in to learn how to make an informed decision about your baking education—and realize that success can come from many different paths!

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? We'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, feedback, or new episode ideas to bakingtherapypodcast@gmail.com. Your input helps shape future episodes and supports our baking community. Thanks for listening!