The Secret Life Of Cookies

Marissa welcomes Rachel Vindman back on the podcast for a heartfelt and funny conversation about everything that’s going on in the world, from climate change to why Lindsay Graham insists on being Trump’s bestie to Ron DeSantis’ special kind of fascism. Rachel also offers real ways we all can help democracy stick around a little longer in the United States--and her suggestions go far beyond just v...

In a special interview, Marissa is joined by former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff and the man once known as Anonymous who revealed publicly what Trump’s cabinet was saying privately. Miles shares special insights into his new book, Blowback: A Warning to Save Democracy from the Next Trump, and makes clear the threat to the country and our democracy if Trump is reelected. Being an...

Mimi Rocah joins Marissa this week to discuss her impactful decision to go from federal prosecutor to county district attorney and the many important changes she is enacting at the local level to help Westchester county residents. They discuss the personal reasons that drive the District Attorney’s campaign to educate police and legal advocates on how to deal with sexual assault victims, and Mimi'...

Professor Evan Mandery, author of the must-read Poison Ivy: How Elite Colleges Divide Us, is Marissa’s guest. He explains the origins of affirmative action, how it was co-opted and what the real impact of the Supreme Court’s decision will be. Mandery explains what elite colleges could and should be doing with their endowments to help create a more diverse student body, plus strategies students and...

NYU Law professor and frequent MSNBC analyst Melissa Murray brings her genius perspective to the podcast this week, and explains the whys and wherefores of this intense Supreme Court term that has just come to a close. Plus, she has positive suggestions for what We, the People can do to keep our own checks and balances on the Court and lawmaking in general. There is some hope, and Professor Murray...

On today’s episode Marissa’s guest is former federal prosecutor, co-host of the It’s Complicated podcast, real-life lawyer and man who knows how to explain legal issues so we all can understand, Renato Mariotti. Renato brings clarity to the many news stories this week had to offer. Should we believe Former Attorney General Bill Barr when he says Trump should be indicted? How many ways can Trump an...

Aaron Nemo, writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, took time off the Writer’s Guild of America strike line to join Marissa and offer his insights into why Chat GPT is a real threat to creatives, why unions matter and Mozart. To self-soothe, Marissa and Aaron make Ohio’s best-known confectionary, buckeyes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marissa’s guest is Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show, Air America, host of the Feminist Buzzkills podcast and one of the big brains behind the Abortion Access Front, which brings together comedians, activists, writers, and creators to ‘destigmatize abortion and expose the extremist anti-choice forces working to destroy access to reproductive rights in all 50 states.’ Lizz shares what we...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr, #sisters-in-law co-host, legal expert, Boston Globe opinion writer and pie-baking goddess, is Marissa’s guest this week. And what a week in the world of law. With Fox News and Dominion settling their lawsuits, women’s right to their own bodily autonomy on the line, E. Jean Carroll’s case set to begin and, oh yes, what exactly should happen if a Supreme Court justice forgets...

Wendell Potter, as a former executive at Cigna, has a lot to say on the state of health insurance in this country. His view, from the inside out, is part of a new must-see documentary about democracy and American healthcare. Anyone who has dealt with a health insurance company knows it’s enough to make you sick all over again. Along with some shocking insights, Wendell shares two very important th...

Marissa’s guest, Alison Riley, had an idea: Go out and talk to celebrities, artists and creators and ask them to name a low point in their life and the food memory they associate with it. The resulting book is an insightful, touching book of recipes and recollections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is this economy so different from all others? Ron Insana, CNBC senior analyst and commentator is Marissa’s guest this week and brings much needed clarity to the current financial climate, plus explains Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s testimony in Congress and President Biden’s plans for the budget. Recession questions? Worries about rising interest rates? Insana has the answers we all...

Ed Luce, U.S. National Editor of the Financial Times is Marissa’s guest this week and sets the record straight on the real legacy of President Jimmy Carter, offers a surprising insight into the biggest issue facing America and talks about how journalists should address the Fox/Dominion revelations. Ed and Marissa also go deep on the most classic of British dishes: beans on toast. Learn more about...

Anushay Hossain, best-selling author, women’s healthcare expert and host of the Spilling Chai podcast joins Marissa to discuss the latest politics, women’s health and race in the United States after the release of a study this week that shows childbirth is deadlier for Black women and babies, whether rich or poor. Hint: It’s about racism, not race. Also: Anushay and Marissa do a little therapeutic...

Tamron Hall, journalist, author and Emmy-winning host of The Tamron Hall show joins Marissa with genuinely nspiring and insightful conversation. While cooking up dinner, the two discuss just about everything, from the emotional challenges of reporting on breaking news, motherhood and mystery writing. Plus, why women should put themselves first without feeling guilty and live life “like it’s golden...

Marissa’s special guest this week is State Attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida, Dave Aronberg. Marissa and Dave discuss the latest legal and political news and play the first Indictment Derby…in which they try to predict which of the many possible Trump indictments will make it over the legal finish line first. All this while Dave and Marissa are stared at imploringly by their dogs as they bak...

Us humans often use January as a time to reset, dust off our barbells and finally clean the linen closet. Marissa’s guest has written a book that could help a lot of us reset something even more important: our personal and professional lives. Guest Marjorie Ingall has written a book along with Susan McCarthy called Sorry, Sorry, Sorry and it’s a brilliant, funny guide on how to apologize effective...

Marissa’s guest on the podcast is investigative journalist Marisa Kabas, who has recently dedicated herself to learning everything there is to know (and wonder at) about George Anthony DeVolder Santos Schwarzenegger, or whatever name he is going by today. Not surprisingly, the conversation turns to a discussion of shamelessness: the good kind and the bad kind, and why this is the year to embrace p...

The political year started off at a sprint with all the hijinx in the House of Representatives, and now with our gas stoves being threatened and a special investigator appointed to examine the oil stains on the floor of Joe Biden’s garage, there is no better guest to help take it all apart and put it back together than Dr. Allison Gill. She also dares to look forward and makes some interesting pro...

On this special, second anniversary episode of the podcast, Marissa is joined by the Queen of All Baked Goods herself, award-winning cookbook author, Rose Levy Beranbaum. And what better way to celebrate then to talk about Rose’s latest cookbook, The Cookie Bible (which just so happens to feature a recipe of Marissa’s) and answer all your cookie questions, from why your cookies sometimes turn out...

Marissa’s guest is the brilliant and marvelous Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent for Slate, host of the Amicus podcast and author of the must-read Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America. While making the famous Persian rice dish tahdig, the two discuss the most recent threats to democracy and yet still remain full of hope.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

On this special episode, Marissa and her guest, General Mark Hertling discuss what the future holds for war in Ukraine now that winter is here, the long history of trench warfare and how food for soldiers has (thankfully) improved. Plus, why good food is integral to America’s national security. It’s about much more than an army marching on its stomach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

On this week’s special Thanksgiving episode, Marissa's guest is Jill Wine-Banks (Watergate prosecutor! General Counsel for the U.S. Army! Brilliant Legal Mind and Owner of Many Pins!). Marissa teaches Jill air-frying techniques (including a wickedly simple recipe for air fryer stuffed mushrooms) and Jill gets Marissa up-to-speed with all the latest legal news, from The Supreme Court to whether Tru...

Marissa’s guest this week is award-winning TV food personality, chef and social justice advocate, Andrew Zimmern. While chopping, stirring and simmering a pan of Oyakokdon, Andrew and Marissa talk about how to deal with the often negative and angry feelings that arise in a country that feels so ideologically divided, how cooking can soothe our feelings, plus Andrew’s no-fail, must-have Thanksgivin...

Senator Barbara Boxer joins Marissa in a special midterm elections episode. Having served both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, she offers her unique perspective on how to resolve the divisions facing Congress and America. It’s a standout episode full of perspective, as well as a strong vision for how we can secure our future. Meanwhile, Marissa makes some nearly inedible sweet-and-...