Cooking Your Way Through Life

Be honest: do you actually have a budget or are you just hoping it works out? In this episode I sit down with Alyssa Garrett and we go all the way in on budgeting and finances, covering everything from the discipline it takes to the habits that actually help and what it really looks like when you are just winging it with your money. On the culinary side I talk about using the same protein multiple...

Routines keep us grounded. But do they also keep us from growing? In this episode I sit down with Jamal and Lexi, an Atlanta based married couple who bring a soccer coach's discipline and a graphic designer's creative eye to one of the most honest conversations we have had on this show. We dig into how routines support your mental health and structure your life, but also ask the harder question: a...

No guest today. Just me and a conversation I think a lot of us need to have. Stress is something we all carry but the Black community in particular has a long history of pushing through without ever really addressing it. In this solo episode I get honest about what causes me stress, what I actually do to manage it, and why I think understanding your stress is one of the most powerful things you ca...

Control is something we all wrestle with, and in this episode I sit back down with my longtime friend Spencer Jason to really dig into it. Spencer is a Bosun for Uncruise Adventures out of Alaska and this is his first time joining me since the podcast went visual on YouTube. We talk about the difference between giving up control and recognizing when you actually have it, and why understanding that...

Your tastes are supposed to change, and that includes more than just food. In this episode, Chef Hollywood explores how our preferences evolve over time: the careers we outgrow, the hobbies that no longer fit, the people we find ourselves drawn to now versus years ago. Change is not a crisis, it is a signal. And on the culinary side? There is actual science behind it. Your taste buds physically ch...

Some conversations need to be had in the kitchen — and this is one of them. Chef Hollywood sits down with Chef Patrick (@dahangrychef) to tackle one of the most nuanced topics in the culinary world: the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, and everything that lives in between. As two chefs of color, they bring a perspective that is rarely heard at the table — honest...

What does it mean to be THE host — and who takes care of you while you're taking care of everyone else? In this episode, Chef Hollywood sits down with longtime friend Warren Mullins to dig into the real world of hosting: the pressure, the joy, the grind, and the moments nobody talks about. Whether you're hosting a party, a show, or just holding it together for the room — this conversation is going...

In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life: 'Traveling,' I'm diving into something I'm genuinely passionate about—the joy of travel. But here's the thing: I also want to talk about something we don't discuss enough. The Pressure to Travel: For way too long, we've condemned people for not traveling. We've made it seem like if you're not constantly exploring the world, you're missing out on li...

Welcome to a special birthday week episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life!   This week, I'm reflecting on another year, celebrating with all of you, and sharing some exciting news about the podcast.   A Big Announcement: Starting last week, we launched a brand new format for Cooking Your Way Through Life—all episodes are now fully visual on YouTube! You can watch the podcast with video on YouTub...

Have you ever felt the weight of expectations—from your family, your community, or yourself? In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life: 'Pressure,' I'm sitting down with my Uncle, Command Sergeant Major Donald Robertson, to have a real, honest conversation about one of life's most challenging experiences. We're talking about what it means to be successful while carrying the silent expectati...

In this special episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life with Chef Hollywood, we’re stepping into a new era. The podcast is officially going visual. Starting next week, every episode will be available on YouTube in full video—while still streaming on all your favorite platforms. Chef Hollywood breaks down the new weekly schedule, what’s coming next, and how you can stay connected as the brand cont...

This week, we’re bringing back a familiar vibe - with a new question. In this bonus episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life with Chef Hollywood, we check in with this quarter’s co-hosts and ask one simple question: What does peace or happiness look like to you… and how do you protect it? No scripts. No overthinking. Just real answers from real people. Featuring: Warren, Brittany, Grant, Spencer,...

In this solo episode, we’re talking about something real, priorities. If someone doesn’t prioritize you, it’s not just about them… it’s about what you’re allowing. At some point, you have to stop accepting “just enough” and recognize when you’re being treated like an option instead of a priority. I break down how this shows up in relationships, situationships, and even in the workplace, where you...

In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I'm joined by my sister Shaconna Branch to explore one of life's most essential skills, how to truly communicate, not just talk.   We dive deep into some eye-opening topics: Why listening is the foundation of real communication (and why most people are great at talking but terrible at actually listening) The critical difference between transparency...

In this solo episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life with Chef Hollywood, we’re diving into the mindset of “Enough Is Never Enough.” Why does it feel like no matter what we achieve, earn, or experience, it’s still not enough?  From chasing more in money and relationships to constantly raising the bar on ourselves, this episode explores how the pursuit of “more” can quietly take away our ability t...

What's the difference between luck and blessings? In this St. Patrick's Day special episode, I sit down with Paul Ness, Head Sommelier in Utah, to discuss luck, coincidence, and whether we actually believe in it at all.   We share some of our luckiest and unluckiest stories, and the moments that changed our lives. Paul opens up about stepping away from social media and finding clarity in that deci...

Timing can change everything. In the kitchen, a few seconds can be the difference between perfectly cooked and completely ruined. The same can be true in life. In this episode, Chef Drake explores how timing influences our decisions, opportunities, and the paths we take. Sometimes things don’t work out not because they’re wrong, but because the timing isn’t right. From cooking techniques to life e...

Resilience is something we all talk about, but what does it really mean to live it? In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I sit down with special guest Matt Chapman, a Cyber Security professional focused on strengthening his mindset and learning how to withstand life’s vulnerabilities. Together we explore the power of resilience in our personal lives, professional careers, and everyday...

Cooking Your Way Through “Wanderlust” What does it really mean to feel called to the road? In this episode, Chef Drake dives into the idea of wanderlust, the deep desire to explore, move, and experience life beyond the familiar. From life on cruise ships to living out of suitcases, this conversation explores the beauty and challenges that come with constantly chasing new horizons. Through personal...

Burnout is real — especially in the culinary world — but it doesn’t have to define your journey. In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I’m joined by special guest co-host Chef Patrick (@dahangrychef), a powerhouse in the DC culinary scene known for opening some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants. Together, we dive into honest conversations about burnout from the perspective of...

Cooking Your Way Through “Love” arrives just in time as we get close to Valentine’s Day, but this conversation goes deeper than romance. In this episode I share my personal perspective on unconditional love, how I approach it in life, and the reality that sometimes what we love doesn’t always love us back. Whether it’s relationships, passions, or even our careers, love shapes the way we grow and m...

In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I sit down with Tinesha Tutt for an honest and thoughtful conversation about self-love — what it really means, how it shows up differently for everyone, and why it’s never a one-size-fits-all journey. We talk openly about how we each arrived at the place we’re in today, the challenges we faced along the way, and how growth often comes from uncomfor...

In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, we’re talking about Adaptability — in the kitchen and in life. I break down four key lessons adaptability has taught me through cooking: learning to adjust to your surroundings and the things you can’t control, why waiting for the “perfect time” only holds you back, how perseverance matters more than perfection, and why the ability to adapt is esse...

Friendships aren’t always easy — but the ones that last are always worth it. In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I’m joined by my longtime friend Ayla. We’ve been friends since first grade, and this conversation reflects what it truly looks like to grow with someone over time. Life changes, priorities shift, and friendships evolve — but real bonds adapt instead of breaking. We talk o...

Setbacks happen — in life, in business, and even in the kitchen. In this episode of Cooking Your Way Through Life, I talk honestly about navigating setbacks when things don’t go as planned. Whether a setback is personal, professional, or financial, we all eventually face the same decision: adapt, pivot, or let go and move forward. I share real-life perspective on how setbacks can cost more than ef...