Okra's Family: This episode is centered around okra. That may sound a little crazy given this is a podcast all about okra, but we really wanted an opportunity to get to know okra on okra’s own terms. We hear from Jordan Collins, who shares some botanical origins and agronomic potential of okra. We're honored that Roy Blount Jr. shares his Song to Okra and some slippery stories. And two talented 'Botanists in the Kitchen' share botanical and culinary insights which may leave you hungering for a plate of fried okra and mole! We hope this episode leaves you knowing okra just a little bit better! 

Meet our Guests

Jordan Collins: Jordan is a biology student at Arizona State University and a verified okra devotee. Follow his impressive research and okra explorations via Instagram.

Roy Blount Jr: Not only the author of a Song to Okra, but writer and radio personality who’s numerous achievements and contributions have made him a larger than life figure. Roy Blount Jr. is an American writer and author of 24 books, his latest book is titled, “Save room for Pie”. He’s a humorist, a reporter, a panelist on NPR’s, “Wait, wait don’t tell me” and so much more, but most importantly, he is an Okravore who does not turn away when things get slimy.

 The Botanist(s) in the Kitchen:  Both Katherine Preston and Jeanne Osnas are PhD plant ecologists and evolutionary biologists who love to cook.  They are plant nerds with knives.  Between them they have been teaching college courses in basic botany, taxonomy, ecology and evolution for nearly 30 years. They are self-taught cooks with pretty different diets.  Katherine is a long-time vegetarian who could eat her weight in broccoli any given day, especially with an excellent baguette.  Jeanne is an omnivore, especially fond of wild-caught foods and garden-grown veggies. Follow them on Twitter.

We hope you enjoyed the music outtakes from, The Okra Song, courtesy of Hot Tamale.

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Your Co-hosts

Chris Smith is a seed saver and permaculturist who loves to write. He is executive director of the Utopian Seed Project, a crop-trialing non-profit working to celebrate food and farming. His book, The Whole Okra, won a James Beard Foundation Award in 2020. More info at blueandyellowmakes.com and utopianseed.org or on Instagram.

Rebekka White is an okrapreneur, artist, and lifelong learner. She believes in planting seeds and growing visions. Her work is committed to building a village that respects and values the contributions of all its inhabitants. Contact her on Instagram at the_wildokra_projects.