Not From Concentrate – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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

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Milk Street's Rose Hattabaugh Is The Mom Friend You Need This Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 • Duration 36:42

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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Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Hosting the Perfect Party with Colu Henry and Alexis deBoschnek

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 33:10

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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Double Take

Colu Cooks

Side Dish

Not From Concentrate team:

Vivian Howard on Food Media, Building Kitchen Curious, and Working with ADHD

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 • Duration 37:29

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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Connect with Vivian Howard:

vivianhoward.com

kitchencurioustv.com

vivsfridge.com

Science-Backed Nutrition for Food Lovers: Blood Sugar, Fiber, and Protein Explained

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • Duration 47:43

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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newburystreetnutrition.com

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Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Turning ADHD Overwhelm into Daily Wins with Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez Mendoza

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 • Duration 41:00

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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Connect with Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez Mendoza:

The ADHD Weasel

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Food for Busy Brains: A Community for Food Lovers with ADHD

Monday, December 22, 2025 • Duration 15:54

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

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Gorgeous Galettes and Chic Budget Meals with Rebecca Firkser

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • Duration 46:20

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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www.rebeccafirkser.com

Nickel & Dine

“Galette!”

Not From Concentrate team:

Holiday Gifts for Food Lovers with Ariel Kanter

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 • Duration 47:49

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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