Hey, listeners! Somewhere in my notes app is a list of people I’d like to interview for the podcast, and today I get to cross off one of those names–Youngmi Mayer. I’ve wanted to talk to Youngmi ever since I read her memoir, “I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying,” which I picked up after seeing her perform a stand-up routine at the Bell House in Brooklyn earlier this year as part of an abortion rights fundraiser hosted by Padma Lakshmi. Youngmi’s set was heavy on audience participation and she somehow got three white guys to join her onstage for a bit about DEI. (Yes, Youngmi somehow made DEI funny.) I left thinking she was as subversive as she was brilliant.

Fast forward to the book. This was a story about family, generational trauma, racial identity, and one very complicated restaurant business. (Youngmi was a key player in the history of Mission Chinese Food.) The book title starts to make sense early on.

Youngmi joins me to talk about all of this. We also chat about the Slutty Cheff, “The Bear,” her one-woman show at Joe’s Pub, and lots more. Thanks in advance for listening to the show and obviously, pick up Youngmi’s book. Let me know what you think.

–Host Kerry Diamond

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Hi, listeners! Host Kerry Diamond here. Welcome to the show notes, and thank you for listening. If no one has told you lately, you clearly have great taste in podcasts. Today’s guest is Substack queen, bestselling author & boy mom Caroline Chambers recorded live at Jubilee NYC, Cherry Bombe’s annual conference. (Curious about Jubilee? Join us at the upcoming Jubilee in L.A.)

My favorite thing about Caroline? She doesn’t gatekeep. I’ve interviewed her a few times now, and she is always happy to spill all the details regarding her Substack and how she wound up with the NUMBER ONE SUBSTACK IN FOOD AND DRINK. Amazing. Here’s the leaderboard if you need proof. (For Caroline’s Substack success step-by-step, check out our pod from last year.) She also talks about being rejected by all the cookbook editors when shopping the proposal for “What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking,” which, of course, went on to be a major hit. That must have felt nice when the book made The New York Times bestseller list. (Cue the “Pretty Woman” big mistake scene.)

Few more things. Thanks to Michelladonna of “Shop Cats” (happy belated birthday, M!) and Alice Ma of Mad Realities for introducing Caroline at Jubilee. Big thanks to Square for supporting our show and taking care of so many small businesses. Check out what they’re up to at square.com/big. And go visit Este Restaurant if you’re in Austin.

Lastly, congrats to Caroline and her hubby on their new baby–their fourth boy! So many boys.

If you have a Substack, I want to know about it. Email us at info@cherrybombe.com and put something funny in the subject line so we have no choice but to open your email.

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Feminist icon Gloria Steinem was the keynote speaker at our Jubilee conference held in New York City this past April. An inspiration to millions of women around the world for her trailblazing work, writings, and protesting, Gloria was interviewed by her longtime collaborator Amy Richards. They discussed everything from the need for community to the current President to Gloria’s goal of living past 100. While Gloria is not a foodie, as Amy pointed out, she did contribute to the food world during her time supporting farmworker activist Cesar Chavez and through her work to end gender discrimination in prominent restaurants. Gloria and Amy were introduced by author and activist Padma Lakshmi and her daughter, Krishna Lakshmi-Dell.

Thank you to Square for their support. Learn more at square.com/big

Tickets for Jubilee L.A.

Join the waitlist for our Summer Tastemaker Tour

Subscribe to Cherry Bombe’s print magazine

More on Gloria: Instagram, Gloria’s Foundation, “Dear Ms.” on HBO Max
More on Amy: Books
More on Padma: Instagram, website
More on Kerry: Instagram

Past episodes and transcripts