In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I enjoy a rich conversation with author Lore Wilbert about her latest book, 'The Understory.' The discussion delves into themes of nature, grief, and presence, as Lore shares her personal journey of finding comfort and healing in the forest. She elucidates how the forest's regenerative processes paralleled her own experiences with faith and personal hardship. The conversation highlights the importance of being present, even in moments of pain, and how moving forward in life doesn't always mean solving everything at once. Lore also reflects on the significance of community and the role of the table in fostering honest and deep conversations. The episode concludes with insights into Lore's upcoming move and looking forward to an unknown future with hope rooted in faith.

Lore has written three books, the award winning Handle With Care, as well as A Curious Faith and The Understory. She has a Masters in Theology, Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University and a Bachelors in English from Lee University. Her work has been published in many national publications as well as in several anthologies. She and her husband live on the edge of a river flowing from the Adirondacks in upstate New York with their two pups, Harper and Rilke. When she’s not writing, she likes to kayak, be in the forest, make art with paper, and garden.

Connect with Lore:

• lorewilbert.com
• Instagram: @lorewilbert

This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.

Also, join me at Theology Beer Camp October 17-19 in Denver, CO. Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together of theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun. And because I am one of the Godpods at the conference, you as a listener can receive $50 off your ticket by using the code BIGGESTTABLE4CAMP (all caps, no spaces). I hope to see you there.

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp welcomes longtime friends from Park City, Utah, Nyesha, Tanisha, and Sharon, who run 11 Hauz, a Jamaican restaurant. They discuss their journey from Brooklyn to Utah, their Jamaican roots, and the rich confluence of cultures that define Jamaican cuisine. The conversation also delves into the family’s deep faith, the humble and resourceful upbringing led by their grandmother, and their mission to bring authentic, non-processed, soulful Jamaican food to Park City while spreading love and the teachings of Jesus. They share stories of their vibrant cultural heritage, the significance of hospitality, and their desire to foster open, authentic connections within their community.

11Hauz in Park City, UT: https://11hauz.com/
Follow 11Hauz on Social Media:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/11hauzjamaicanfood/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/11Hauzjamaicanfood

This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' hosted by Andrew Camp, culinary historian Michael Twitty shares insights into how food serves as a medium for exploring cultural identity, heritage, and spirituality. Twitty, the creator of the blog Afroculinaria and author of award-winning books like 'The Cooking Gene' and 'Kosher Soul,' delves into his journey of connecting African American and Jewish food traditions. He discusses profound themes around the biblical narrative of Exodus, the legacy of slavery, and the importance of storytelling and memory in food. The episode also touches on the significance of Juneteenth, addressing intergenerational trauma and resilience, and the sacredness of food in cultural practices, offering listeners a rich, multifaceted conversation about identity, history, and liberation.

Michael Twitty is a culinary historian, living history interpreter, and Judaics teacher. He is the creator of Afroculinaria, the first blog devoted to African American historic foodways and their legacy. In 2018, his book The Cooking Gene won both the James Beard Foundation Book of the Year Award and Best Writing Award. He is the first Revolutionary in Residence at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a TED Fellow, and was named to The Forward’s list of influential Jews in 2020 and a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2021. He is also the author of Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew, which was released in 2022. He lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Follow Michael Twitty on Instagram: @thecookinggene

This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.