Best Capricious Podcasts (2025)

1
Alice Waters eats with her fingers and so should you 40:04

6d ago40:04

40:04

The legendary founder of Chez Panisse and the Edible Schoolyard Project talks to José about beauty, our senses and the trip that changed everything — for her and for American cuisine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By José Andrés

1
246: Bare Butts and Flubber 1:22:14

12d ago1:22:14

1:22:14

Zip up your vest and look out for dinosaurs—Random Pursuit is back with some silly questions and some very dark ones. At one point, Steven asks “What is wrong with Trivial Pursuit!?” Related: content warning for harm to a pet. Random Pursuit XXXX Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Brian Warren, Glenn Fleishman, Kirsten Goruk, Sage Young and Sh…

1
Episode swap! Samantha Bee's Choice Words 44:37

21d ago44:37

44:37

This week we’re introducing you to one of the shows we love: Choice Words with Samantha Bee. We make a lot of choices, every single day. Some explode, some implode, most we barely remember. Each week on Choice Words, Samantha Bee sits down with people she admires to examine the biggest choices they’ve made in their lives and the ripple effects thos…

1
245: A Mind Meld Tenmas 1:12:51

27d ago1:12:51

1:12:51

The tenth edition of Mind Meld is a Christmas special! Listen as our contestants try to match their knowledge of what they think they should know, or if they’ll do better at matching what they shouldn’t know. Mind Meld 10 Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Annette Wierstra, Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman, Jason Snell and Mikah Sargent Support this s…

1
Holiday 911! 31:52

1M ago31:52

31:52

This week, José answers listener questions about how to do Christmas right. Plus: tales of Mexico’s Wonka-esque chiles en nogada, and José’s brief but intense relationship with a Oaxacan turkey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By José Andrés

1
244: Dark Christmas 54:23

1M ago54:23

54:23

Some Christmases are white, some are merry and bright, and some are darker than you expect from a silly game show. Brace yourself for some history — and also plenty of fun and hijinks — it’s still an Incomparable Game Show, after all! Christmas Trivia 3 Kathy Campbell and Erika Ensign with Glenn Fleishman, Lex Friedman, Monty Ashley and Shelly Bris…

1
Don't burn down Mount Vernon (and other rules from the White House chef) 36:16

2M ago36:16

36:16

After almost three decades as White House chef, Cristeta Comerford is hanging up the presidential spatula. She chats with José about cooking for a queen, growing up in a huge Filipino family and ending up in a famously tiny kitchen. Elect to listen! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
243: Bad News about Zeus 57:40

2M ago57:40

57:40

Welcome back to “Inconceivable!”, the show that tests two teams’ knowledge of the nerdy, the useless, and the obscure. It’s on once again as we ask our panelists to figure out tricky categories, decipher punny clues about animals, and identify Disney movies with missing letters. Mikah Sargent, Shelly Brisbin, and Tony Sindelar take on Kelly Guimont…

1
Chilling with Nicola Twilley 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

This week, the New Yorker contributor, "Gastropod" co-host and all-around wonderful storyteller talks with Jane Black about her fascinating — fascinating! — new book on refrigeration. Frostbite tells the remarkable story of how the invention of, well, cold transformed food, our planet and ourselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…

1
242: Opportunity Crocks 1:04:50

2M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

It’s the return of Careers, a fun and popular board game from the 1950s! Will anyone choose to become a uranium prospector? Who will get wrecked at sea? And how many opportunities are too many opportunities? Careers 4 Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Mikah Sargent, Kathy Campbell and Sebastian Runnings Support this show and other shows like …

1
The election jitters episode, with Richard Wolffe 32:18

3M ago32:18

32:18

Home stretch, people. Process your election anxieties this week with José, who’s joined by his old friend Richard Wolffe — also his longtime co-writer and managing director of José Andrés Media. The two discuss Kamala Harris’s culinary prowess and take questions from listeners on everything from Thanksgiving turkey prep to rising restaurant prices.…

1
241: Pittsburgh 1:34:07

3M ago1:34:07

1:34:07

This time on Random Pursuit, we learn who’s a loss leader, whose gut is death, and who you should toss your questions to. Random Pursuit XXXIX Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Dan Moren, Heather Berberet, Jay Miller, Kathy Campbell and Mikah Sargent Show Notes & Links Dan Moren - The Armageddon Protocol Heather Berberet - Free the Squee Jay …

1
The capriciously spicy Pati Jinich 50:33

3M ago50:33

50:33

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, José swaps stories with the brilliant host of Pati's Mexican Table. Among the topics discussed: Narnia, the dual life of the immigrant, a border town full of dentists and the most Mexican dish you've never tried. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
240: Remember, I Am Capricious 1:03:49

3M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

Friendly Competition is back! Will this be the episode where Silent Carl finally finds the winners podium? Or will Silent Carl fail to find favor with the host (who is also Silent Carl)? Friendly Competition 11 Lex Friedman and Dan Moren with Glenn Fleishman, Jean MacDonald, Shelly Brisbin and Tony Sindelar Support this show and other shows like it…

1
Samantha Bee wasn't expecting this 35:20

4M ago35:20

35:20

Not her career, not the state of the world since she and José last spoke, nothing. The beloved comedian, host, social critic, author, lifelong cookbook lover and longest-serving regular Daily Show correspondent ever talks with José -- her fellow immigrant -- about all of it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
239: The Hamptons Children's Edition 1:31:18

4M ago1:31:18

1:31:18

It’s Random Pursuit time again! In this edition: Star Treks, children’s golfing habits, a first-time player, very few ghost points, and more! Random Pursuit XXXVIII Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Antony Johnston, Brian Warren, Shelly Brisbin, Scott Ensign and Sarah Murphy Show Notes & Links Everyone - Relay St. Jude’s Campaign Antony Johns…

1
Introducing: About the Journey, A Food Tour of Mexico City 23:53

4M ago23:53

23:53

If you like Longer Tables' exploration of food and culture, we know you'll like About the Journey, a travel show about connecting more deeply to the places we visit -- and, in turn, to ourselves. On this episode, host Oneika Raymond visits three culinary spots in Mexico City that serve up a taste of the city's layered flavors and history: a sunrise…

1
Grilling him softly: José interviews the great Wyclef Jean 31:46

4M ago31:46

31:46

Ready or not, here he eats. The legendary rapper, producer and Fugee talks with José about food, music and his misunderstood native country. Recorded live at the Nassau Paradise Island Wine and Food Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By José Andrés

1
238: Liverpool River Otters 1:16:17

4M ago1:16:17

1:16:17

It’s the ninth edition of Mind Meld, where contestants try to match each other’s answers while simultaneously going off the rails. Will there be sports? Yes, and nobody seems happy about it. Mind Meld 9 Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Jason Snell, Moisés Chiullán, Brian Hamilton, Glenn Fleishman and Annette Wierstra Support this show and othe…

1
Skating to Belize: Michelle Kwan's triple Axel pivot to diplomacy 30:14

4M ago30:14

30:14

In 2022, the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history landed a remarkable new role, as Ambassador to Belize. In her conversation with José, she describes her transformed life, growing up in a Chinese restaurant -- and what she's discovered about food since arriving in Central America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
237: In A Row 1:09:48

5M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

It’s the 37th (consecutive) edition of Random Pursuit, and it’s also time for our annual Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter crossover! Join us as our wonderful donors try to guess answers to questions mostly about things that happened in different countries than theirs. Random Pursuit XXXVII Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Seb Pollard, Lynne M. T…

1
Checking in with Marriott CEO Tony Capuano 20:39

5M ago20:39

20:39

How do you become president and CEO of the world's largest hotel company? Tony Capuano recalls his earliest lessons in hospitality, amidst countless quasi relatives at his family's sprawling Sunday dinners in Little Italy, Baltimore. Before a live audience in Cannes, Tony and José discuss travel, parenthood -- and a major announcement from Marriott…

1
236: Not For Export 1:17:50

5M ago1:17:50

1:17:50

It’s a special edition of Random Pursuit! This week, your host and scorekeeper join in on the fun, trying to answer questions from two editions of Trivial Pursuit sold only in Canada! How many Canada-specific questions will they get? Random Pursuit XXXVI Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Annette Wierstra and Kirsten Goruk Support this show an…

1
The Panic over Ultra-Processed Foods; What You Need to Know About the Latest Dietary Devil 49:25

5M ago49:25

49:25

Headlines about the dangers of “ultra-processed” foods – a category that includes Doritos and Twinkies but also protein bars, plant-based milks, and maybe your favorite yogurt or sandwich bread – are suddenly everywhere. But what makes a food ultra-processed, and what’s driving the concern about their role in the diets of both children and adults? …

1
Padma Lakshmi on Supertasting, Imposter Syndrome and What’s Sexy 45:07

6M ago45:07

45:07

From new in the nation to “Taste the Nation,” the no-nonsense author, host and activist has learned a bit about herself while teaching the rest of us about food. Plus: The secret to incredible romesco sauce. (This episode initially ran in September 2023.) Recipe: Asparagus with Romesco Sales and distribution by Lemonada Media. See omnystudio.com/li…

1
Tamar Adler Rethinking meals with the leftover queen 48:32

6M ago48:32

48:32

José talks with the James Beard-winning cook and writer about cooking more creatively and economically. Her latest book, An Everlasting Meal Cookbook, is an encyclopedia of leftovers, from banana peels to Dorito dust. (This episode initially ran in July 2023.) Sales and distribution by Lemonada Media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa…

1
235: Triceratops on a Bicycle 1:20:49

6M ago1:20:49

1:20:49

Two first-timers, a second-timer, a third-timer, and an old pro walk into a game show. It’s not a joke, it’s the 35th edition of Random Pursuit! And we put a new-to-Erika edition of Trivial Pursuit, the 25th Anniversary Edition, thoroughly through its paces. Thank you Listener Matthew! Random Pursuit XXXV Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Ann…

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