Current Episode
Episode 52: Curtis Duffy: One of the Best Chefs “Ever” (Rebroadcast)
What happens when one of America’s most celebrated chefs meets one of television’s biggest hits?
At Ever, the worlds of fine dining and ‘The Bear’ collide. As the inspiration and filming location for the series’ acclaimed restaurant, Chef Curtis Duffy’s two-Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant helped bring some of the show’s most memorable moments to life, including the iconic “Forks” episode.
This month, as ‘The Bear’ closes out its 5-year run, we re-broadcast an episode from 2022 where Roberta as she sat down with Curtis to hear the riveting story of a tumultuous childhood and the drive that made him into a world-renowned Michelin-starred chef.
Episode 52: Curtis Duffy: One of the Best Chefs “Ever” (Rebroadcast)
What happens when one of America’s most celebrated chefs meets one of television’s biggest hits?
At Ever, the worlds of fine dining and ‘The Bear’ collide. As the inspiration and filming location for the series’ acclaimed restaurant, Chef Curtis Duffy’s two-Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant helped bring some of the show’s most memorable moments to life, including the iconic “Forks” episode.
This month, as ‘The Bear’ closes out its 5-year run, we re-broadcast an episode from 2022 where Roberta as she sat down with Curtis to hear the riveting story of a tumultuous childhood and the drive that made him into a world-renowned Michelin-starred chef.
Past Episodes
Episode 45: Author Gretchen Rubin: Get Happy (Rebroadcast)
Yale graduate Gretchen Rubin had quite the pivot when she went from clerking for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to founding the Happiness Project. How that came to be and what her surprising path to a life of more energy, creativity, luck, and love entails (hint: tune in to the five senses) is the focus of this month’s episode. An acclaimed communicator, known for her ability to distill and convey complex ideas with humor and clarity, Gretchen’s books have sold millions of copies and been translated into over thirty languages, she has an award-winning podcast, and she also has an app. Join Roberta as she sits down with Gretchen to discuss this lifelong exploration into happiness, how we respond to expectations and her daily trips to the Met Museum.
Episode 44: Writer John Seabrook: From Fields of Ambition to a Fallen Empire
This month, Roberta sits down with The New Yorker writer John Seabrook to talk about his new book The Spinach King, a chronicle of the rise and fall of his family’s empire: Seabrook Farms. Recently selected as one of the 100 Most Notable Books of 2025 by the New York Times, it tells a story of ambition, innovation, and betrayal that built, and ultimately destroyed, one of America’s largest agricultural empires.
Episode 43: Dispatch & Duty: The Human Side of the Call with Lt. Mark Panjwani & 911 Dispatcher Ricardo Martinez
First responders are there for the community, continually caring and respond to the needs of others, but rarely do they take care of their own. This month, Roberta talks with Lt. Mark Panjwani and 9-1-1 Dispatcher Ricardo Martinez about the mental health issues and stigmas they face as well as the initiatives they are creating to support the heroes who keep us safe every day. A vital conversation about those who serve and protect us, often in silence.
Episode 42: Author Susan Shapiro Barash
Can even our closest friendships fall apart? This month Roberta Panjwani talks with Susan Shapiro Barash about her new book Estranged: How Toxic Female Friendships can be Mended or Ended which explores the hidden reality of female friendship—when bonds break, and what comes next.
Episode 41: Author and Austen Expert Brenda Cox
We continue our celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with Brenda S. Cox: Austen expert, scientist, and author of the new book Fashionable Goodness, which explores how Austen wove deep moral truths into her characters’ lives, shedding light on the faith and values that shaped her work. Join us for an insightful discussion on Austen’s enduring moral lessons, her faith, and the timeless wisdom embedded in her novels plus a special introduction from Breckyn Wood, host of the official JASNA podcast: Austen Chat!
Episode 40: Author and Rare Book Dealer Rebecca Romney: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf … and Beyond
Jane Austen inspired millions… but who inspired her? That is the question rare books dealer and author Rebecca Romney set out to explore in her new book Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. Join Roberta Panjwani as she sits down to talk with Rebecca about the lives and works of the women writers Austen admired, the fascinating world of rare books, and the stories they still have to tell.
Past Episodes
Episode 41: Author and Austen Expert Brenda Cox
We continue our celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with Brenda S. Cox: Austen expert, scientist, and author of the new book Fashionable Goodness, which explores how Austen wove deep moral truths into her characters’ lives, shedding light on the faith and values that shaped her work. Join us for
Episode 40: Author and Rare Book Dealer Rebecca Romney: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf … and Beyond
Jane Austen inspired millions… but who inspired her? That is the question rare books dealer and author Rebecca Romney set out to explore in her new book Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. Join Roberta Panjwani as she sits down to talk with Rebecca about the lives and works of the women writers
Episode 39: Jeannette Cooperman and Lorri Steinbacher: “What’s in a Name?”
Roberta sits down with RPL director Lorri Steinbacher and “What’s in a Name?” journalist and essayist Jeannette Cooperman for a lively and thought-provoking conversation about the power of names. From given names and nicknames to hyphenation and reinvention, the trio explores how names shape identity, carry meaning, and spark emotion.
Episode 38: Musician Gary Solomon: Dylan, The Band & Me
Singer/songwriter Gary Solomon was just 19 when he found himself in the crowd at The Last Waltz—The Band’s iconic 1976 farewell concert. Filmed by Martin Scorsese and widely considered the best concert film of all time, it was stacked with legends like Robbie Roberston, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell,
Episode 37: Sue Rodin: The Great Connector
1993, when Sue Rodin saw gender inequality in her workplace, she didn’t just get frustrated—she took action. Tapping into her network, she founded Women in Sports and Events (WISE), an organization built to support and elevate professional women in the sports industry. More than 30 years later, WISE is still
Episodes 36a & 36b: Pádraig Ó Tuama: In the Shelter of Each Other & Saying Hello to the Questions
This is a rebroadcast of episodes 6 & 7 from October 19, 2022. What power does poetry have to help us navigate the challenges of life? How do we approach art and how does it approach us? Join our guest host Diane Sims for a journey through these questions, and
Episode 35: Ellen Jovin & Brandt Johnson: Rebel(s) with a Clause
In their new film Rebel with a Clause, grammar guru Ellen Jovin and director Brandt Johnson head off on a road trip to all 50 states to show how comma fights, rather than divide, can bring us closer together. Join Roberta as they talk about the power of language, taking a
Episode 34: Ted Opderbeck: Empathy into Action
Have you ever had a teacher who completely changed the way you see the world? Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of those incredible educators—Ted Opderbeck! With 30 years of award-winning teaching under his belt, Ted has dedicated his career to putting empathy and global awareness at the heart
Episode 33: Melissa Davey: Filmmaker on a Mission
How did a fateful meeting with filmmaker M Night Shyamalan, ignite Melissa Davey’s own career of becoming a director herself. At age 65? Roberta talks with the documentarian and activist about taking risks, shining a light on the value of women over 65, and the importance of living each day
Episode 32: Joni Mitchell @ the Hollywood Bowl
Take a trip to the Hollywood Bowl with Roberta and her sister Andrea and experience two once-in-a-lifetime shows with the legendary Joni Mitchell, alongside all-star guests like Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Marcus Mumford, Elton John, Meryl Streep, and her Joni Jam band, performing deep cuts and classics like “Cherokee Louise,”
