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The Artful Gourmet Podcast

The Artful Gourmet Podcast

By: Kristen Hess
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About this listen

Food is more than something we eat — it's art, culture, creativity, and joy.

Host Kristen Hess, Food Stylist / Photographer and Creator of The Artful Gourmet, takes you behind the scenes of the culinary world with inspiring recipes, food styling and photography tips, travel and culinary adventures, business and creative advice, and conversations with chefs, creators, and tastemakers.

Join Kristen as she explores the art of food, photography, and the life that surrounds it... whether you're here to cook, create, learn something new, get inspired, or simply to savor, you'll discover fresh ideas and delicious stories that celebrate food and cooking, as well as living artfully — one bite at a time.

Subscribe now to The Artful Gourmet — and let's celebrate the art of food, together.

PORTFOLIO: ⁠https://www.kristen-hess.com⁠

BLOG ⁠https://www.theartfulgourmet.com ⁠

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klhinnyc ⁠

SOCIAL: @artfulgourmet⁠

YouTube: @theartfulgourmet

TikTok: @foodiegirl87

Copyright 2026 by Kristen Hess Art Cooking Economics Food & Wine
Episodes
  • #UNFILTERED Ep2 | Maria Costanzo Palmer on Truth, Healing & Writing “On the Rocks”

    #UNFILTERED Ep2 | Maria Costanzo Palmer on Truth, Healing & Writing “On the Rocks”
    Apr 17 2026
    What does it really mean to tell the truth—especially when it's your own story? In this episode of #UNFILTERED, Host Kristen Hess sits down with Maria Costanzo Palmer—author, journalist, and speaker whose work lives at the intersection of vulnerability, identity, and transformation. They dive into her memoir "On the Rocks", unpacking the emotional layers behind major unexpected life changes, family dynamics, and personal healing. Maria shares what it took to write something so deeply personal, how storytelling can become a powerful tool for growth, and why owning your voice matters more than ever. They also explore her work in media, her local cooking class events, and what's next—including a new book and documentary currently in the works. This conversation is honest, raw, #unfiltered and deeply human—just the way we like it. This episode dares you to confront your past, embrace your true voice, and find healing through the raw power of storytelling—because what we hide can ultimately make us whole. Key Takeaways Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healingThe journey from journalist to author to filmmakerThe emotional reality behind writing a memoirHow addiction and family dynamics shape identityThe courage it takes to share your truth publiclyThe connection between food, memory, and personal historyWhat it really means to live “unfiltered”How Maria is expanding her story into a second book, a new TV documentary + next steps in her career Sound Bites "Gratitude for everything that happened to me" "Our roots and family stories shape who we are" "Storytelling is a powerful form of healing" Chapters/Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Kristen Hess and Maria Palmer 01:21 Maria Palmer's Background and Journey into Writing 03:36 Family Roots and the Restaurant in McKees Rocks 04:56 Life-Changing Moments and Moving to Los Angeles 06:39 Documenting Family History and Confronting the Past 09:10 Healing Through Storytelling and Family Connections 11:37 Reuniting Family Through Food and Shared Memories 13:48 The Book Project: Writing in Multiple Voices 18:46 The Documentary Series: Production and Future Plans 26:00 Writing Challenges and Lessons Learned 32:40 Balancing Control and Collaboration in Creative Projects 45:16 Final Thoughts and Unfiltered Life Lessons Tune In Listen now on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, Substack & iHeartRadio Watch the full episode on YouTube Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Q+A: What's one truth you've learned the hard way? We'd love to hear your comments about this episode below! Guest Links (Maria C. Palmer) Website Linktree Contact Maria Facebook Twitter Instagram Maria Palmer's Book ‘On the Rocks' Venture Road Pictures Follow The Artful Gourmet/ Kristen Hess LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/theartfulgourmet Portfolio: www.kristen-hess.com Blog: www.theartfulgourmet.com Substack: https://artfulgourmet.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klhinnyc TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodiegirl87 Maria Costanzo Palmer, On the Rocks book, recovery stories, memoir interview podcast, storytelling healing, author interviews 2026, food culture storytelling, UNFILTERED podcast, Kristen Hess podcast, personal growth stories, women authors podcast, documentary storytelling, creative entrepreneurs podcast
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    51 mins
  • Episode 21 | Finding Your Tribe: The Food Writer’s Retreat Weekend That Changed Everything

    Episode 21 | Finding Your Tribe: The Food Writer’s Retreat Weekend That Changed Everything
    Mar 30 2026
    What happens when a group of strangers—connected only through writing, food, and creativity—come together in one place? In this deeply personal episode of The Artful Gourmet Podcast, Kristen shares the story of a magical weekend retreat in the Pocono Mountains, where food writers, chefs, photographers, and storytellers gathered… and left as something much more than strangers. Through shared meals, late-night conversations, and collaborative cooking, this experience became a powerful reminder of what it truly means to find your tribe—and how connection fuels creativity in ways nothing else can. From an unforgettable Indian street food feast to spontaneous moments of laughter, music, and creative breakthroughs, this episode explores how food creates space for deeper connection—and why building a creative life you love starts with the people you surround yourself with. If you've ever felt disconnected, creatively stuck, or like something was missing… this one will hit home. ✨ In this episode, you'll learn: What “finding your tribe” really meansHow to connect with like-minded creativesWhy alignment creates momentum in life and businessThe power of collaboration over competitionHow one weekend can shift your entire perspective Plus: a behind-the-scenes story of the Indian feast she co-created—including her Mini Curried Spinach & Queso Pot Pies. Listen now and get inspired to find your people—and your path. Key Takeaways Why food is one of the fastest ways to build connection and trustHow shared creative spaces dissolve isolation and spark inspirationThe difference between networking vs. true creative communityWhy finding your “tribe” is essential for building a creative lifeHow stepping outside your comfort zone leads to unexpected breakthroughsThe power of in-person connection in a digital worldWhy the right people don't just support your work—they transform i Timestamps 00:00 – A moment that changes everything: the magic of connection 00:00:29 – Welcome to The Artful Gourmet Podcast 00:00:39 – Today's theme: finding your tribe 00:01:00 – The Pocono Mountains retreat experience begins 00:01:28 – How food turns strangers into friends 00:02:05 – Meeting online friends in real life 00:02:36 – Skipping the awkward phase: instant connection 00:02:41 – The kitchen becomes the heart of the house 00:03:08 – The magic of unplanned kitchen moments 00:03:39 – Why shared meals are about more than food 00:03:48 – Cooking in teams: the retreat structure 00:04:22 – What cooking reveals about people 00:05:05 – Communal dining + sharing dishes 00:05:28 – The Indian street food feast (highlight moment) 00:06:18 – Kristen's mini curried spinach & queso pot pies 00:07:03 – Forming real friendships + creative bonds 00:07:16 – The inspiration behind the featured recipe 00:08:21 – Reflection: why this experience worked 00:09:01 – Why food creates deeper conversations 00:09:23 – The unexpected professional impact 00:10:03 – Creative validation and shared purpose 00:10:14 – Why you can't build a creative life alone 00:10:39 – Moments that shifted Kristen's perspective 00:11:10 – Rediscovering a lost part of herself 00:12:00 – The pull back to New York + creative energy 00:12:20 – The core message: find your people 00:13:07 – Shoutouts + gratitude to the group 00:13:35 – Where to find the blog, recipe & Substack 00:14:21 – Final thoughts + listener reflection question 00:14:47 – Outro Key Topics Fusion cuisine and street food theme Building bonds through shared cooking experiences Recipe development: mini curried spinach and queso pot pies Sound Bites "We skipped straight to the good part." "Built bonds for life, friends, new friends." "The unexpected hug of queso cheese." Closing Q+A I'd love to know in the comments below: Have you found your tribe yet? What does it look like for you? Want the full story and photos and recipe from this episode? ⁠Read the companion Substack essay⁠ ⁠Download the Mini Curried Spinach & Queso Pot Pies recipe⁠ If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, give us a rating, and subscribe - that just helps the show grow! And A Shoutout to my new 'Tribe' and amazing Host of this event - Jenn Sharp, make sure to follow them on Substack and get inspired by this talented group of food writer, chefs, photographers and storytellers! Debbie Dale Blackwell, Mindy Crosato, Anne-Marie Pietersma, Betty Williams, Kerry Faber, CulinUrsa — Elizabeth Baer, Annada D. Rathi (& her husband Dinesh), Lori Olson White, Janet Mary Cobb, Elizabeth Pizzinato, Rebecca Blackwell, Kristen Hess, Marjory Pilley, Sarah Pilley, Emily Pilley, Anne Blackwell, Alex_Sharp, Dianne Jacob, Colton Sharp Keywords #FindingYourTribe #CreativeCommunity #FoodStorytelling #ArtfulGourmet #CreativeLife #FoodPodcast #WomenInBusiness #ContentCreatorLife #SubstackWriters #FoodPhotography #CreativeEntrepreneur #PodcastLife #FoodCulture #...
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    15 mins
  • #UNFILTERED | Ep1 Following Your Creative Calling — Music, Intuition & Reinvention with Claudette Scirri

    #UNFILTERED | Ep1 Following Your Creative Calling — Music, Intuition & Reinvention with Claudette Scirri
    Mar 10 2026
    What happens when you trust your intuition, follow your creative passions, and refuse to live inside a single box? In the very first episode of #UNFILTERED — Real Conversations with Creators, Tastemakers, Movers & Shakers, host Kristen Hess (The Artful Gourmet) sits down with Claudette Scirri — a singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, jewelry designer, and spiritual practitioner whose life blends music, creativity, and intuitive living. From performing with her band Gypsy Souls and opening for the legendary Commodores, to launching her jewelry brand Stack Attack, to helping others through Reiki and spiritual work, Claudette shares the powerful story of how she built a life that honors both creativity and purpose. This episode explores what it means to follow your passions, reinvent yourself, trust your intuition, and create a life that reflects who you truly are. You'll hear about: The journey of becoming a working musician and songwriterHow creativity shows up in unexpected places — from jewelry design to perfumeThe role of spirituality and intuition in life and businessBalancing multiple careers while staying authenticWhy real human connection matters more than ever in the age of social mediaAnd the courage it takes to pursue a life driven by passion If you're a creative entrepreneur, artist, musician, or anyone navigating career reinvention, this conversation will leave you inspired to trust your path. Key Takeaways ✨ Follow Your Creative Calling Your passions are often your compass. The more you listen to them, the clearer your path becomes. ✨ Creativity Has Many Forms Music, jewelry, fragrance, writing — creative expression can show up in unexpected ways. ✨ Trust Your Intuition Claudette shares how listening to inner guidance has shaped both her spiritual work and business decisions. ✨ Reinvention Is Possible at Any Stage Your career doesn't have to follow a single track — it can evolve as you do. ✨ Authenticity Creates Connection In a world full of digital noise, authenticity and human connection stand out more than ever. Timestamps/Chapters (00:00) Introduction — Meet Claudette Scirri (01:14) Snowbird life: Florida, New York & the freedom of travel (04:36) College memories that planted the seeds of a creative career (10:15) Serendipity, purpose & finding meaning in life's unexpected turns (12:35) Navigating multiple careers while fully embracing your creative passions (16:22) Gypsy Souls, live music & opening for The Commodores (22:44) Songwriting from dreams, poetry & spontaneous intuition (27:00) Social media, digital noise & why real human connection matters more (36:14) How music influences her C Relax Reiki business, jewelry line Stack Attack and her C beauty and fragrance collections (50:05) Living the freelance life, creativity and not giving up (52:01) Final wisdom: live your truth and pursue what you love (56:02) Musical collaborations, karaoke stories & what's next (58:00) Closing Thoughts (59:19) Outro/Stay Tuned for more #UNFILTERED episodes About Claudette Scirri Claudette Scirri is a Buffalo NY-based artist, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, Reiki practitioner, and jewelry designer who has built a life unapologetically devoted to creativity. As the front woman of the band Gypsy Souls, Claudette has shared stages with iconic acts and continues to write music drawn from her dreams, poetry, and spiritual life. Her C Beauty line, and jewelry brand Stack Attack fuses musical energy with wearable artistry, while her Reiki spiritual practice helps others access their own intuitive gifts. Claudette's story is proof that you can be everything you are, love what you do — and thrive. Instagram: @Claudette333 Facebook: Claudette Scirri Facebook Page: C Beauty Stack Attack Jewelry: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CRiQQ2L7X/? Relax C Reiki: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HSaRvDcrJ/? Gypsy Souls on ReverbNation About #UNFILTERED with Kristen Hess #UNFILTERED is a candid interview podcast series from The Artful Gourmet Podcast where host Kristen Hess sits down with creators, entrepreneurs, tastemakers, chefs, and innovators for relaxed, real conversations about creativity, business, inspiration, and the lessons behind building a meaningful career. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, creative insights, entrepreneurial advice, and honest conversations about success, reinvention, and pursuing your passion. Pull up a chair and join the conversation. Listen & Subscribe New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation. ✦ Spotify — Search '#UNFILTERED by Kristen Hess' ✦ Apple Podcasts — Search 'The Artful Gourmet #UNFILTERED' ✦ Amazon Music ✦ iHeartRadio ✦ YouTube — Watch full video episodes Thanks for listening to #UNFILTERED. If this episode moved you, please share it, leave a review, and tag us — it means the world. Keep embracing your creative spirit and living your passions fully. ✨ #UNFILTERED #...
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    1 hr
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