Best Thomas Funke Podcasts (2025)

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Palm Springs' culinary coming-of-age, featuring MY WIFE (!!!). Plus, Elon Musk's Tesla Diner opens, In-N-Out's owner steps in it, and LA Chef Con returns. 1:17:15

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1d ago1:17:15

1:17:15

On today’s episode of The LA Food Podcast, we’re diving into the culinary comeback of Palm Springs. Once dismissed as a “culinary wasteland,” the desert is now attracting big-name chefs like Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, and Richard Blais — and perhaps no opening captures that momentum better than The Thompson Palm Springs. We explore how this …

1
Blues Reflections 59:04

2d ago59:04

59:04

In this episode, Afropop dives into a celebration of the blues--for some, the essence of the American experience and for others a link back into a lost history in Africa. For our program, we also went back through a number of key interviews we've done over the years where the subject of blues came up, particularly in reference to the genre's Africa…

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Million Steps: M28 roadwalk begins 14:06

3d ago14:06

14:06

Sidnaw to Parent Lake, more weirdos, saw a Merlin.By Thomas Funke

1
50 UP Hikes: Clark Lake Trail 14:10

6d ago14:10

14:10

Sylvania Wilderness loop trailBy Thomas Funke

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Inside the Closure of Cole’s French Dip with Owner Cedd Moses and IHC's Eddie Navarrete. Plus, the Trends Defining LA Dining in 2025 1:22:07

9d ago1:22:07

1:22:07

Downtown LA just lost a legend. This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Cole’s French Dip owner Cedd Moses and Independent Hospitality Coalition’s Eddie Navarrete to unpack why this 117-year-old icon is closing—and what it reveals about the crisis facing LA restaurants. Eddie also shares what fixes at the city and state level could provid…

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Chimurenga Legacy - Thomas Mapfumo and Mary Anibal 59:04

9d ago59:04

59:04

Afropop’s Banning Eyre published his prize-winning biography of Thomas Mapfumo, Lion Songs, in 2015. In this episode, he visits the Lion of Zimbabwe at his home in Eugene, Oregon, to discuss new music, the current state of Zimbabwe and more. We hear from Mapfumo’s latest album, Ndikutambire, and sneak previews of works in progress. We also meet 24-…

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Million Steps: Sturgeon Gorge ”Zero” Day 10:29

10d ago10:29

10:29

Hike up to the gorge & wait for my friend Michelle to arrive.By Thomas Funke

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Portages, Paddles & Pathways: Bay De Noc / Grand Island Portage 11:41

13d ago11:41

11:41

A little Geology, history, hiking & paddlingBy Thomas Funke

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Santa Monica legend Raphael Lunetta on food, friendship, and feeding Larry David. Plus, RIP Cole's, goodbye to The Angel, and apologies to Evan Funke. 1:13:48

16d ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Santa Monica’s dining scene wouldn’t be what it is without Chef Raphael Lunetta. This week on The LA Food Podcast, host Luca Servodio sits down with the legendary chef behind Lunetta, Marelle, and the iconic JiRaffe to reflect on nearly 40 years in the kitchen. From pioneering California cuisine alongside Josiah Citrin to becoming a regular haunt f…

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Nollywood - Nigeria's Mirror 59:04

16d ago59:04

59:04

"Nollywood - Nigeria's Mirror" takes us to Lagos, the third largest film industry in the world. Scholars Jonathan Haynes and Onookome Okome serve as guides as we negotiate the intricacies and eccentricities of Nollyood's past and digital future. Nollywood films dramatize key tensions in contemporary Nigerian life, such as the relationship between t…

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50 UP hikes: Summit Peak 8:55

17d ago8:55

8:55

If you only have time for one hime in the Porkies, this is it.By Thomas Funke

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Planet Afropop - The Other Sound of Kinshasa 45:29

19d ago45:29

45:29

The rumba and soukous of Congo-Zaire has infatuated listeners across the world for more than half a century. However, today in the neighborhoods of the capital, Kinshasa, there is a movement of musicians creating a new music that is at once more folkloric and rootsy as well as more innovative and cosmopolitan. Producer Nathaniel Braddock shares mus…

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Million Steps: Silver Mountain & Sturgeon River 24:24

20d ago24:24

24:24

Last rendezvous with Julie & camp on the Sturgeon RiverBy Thomas Funke

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Has Michelin rewired LA fine dining… for good? Plus, Chef Daniel Patterson’s Jaca Social Club, Tejal Rao’s first review as NYT critic, and a taste of Let It Rip, our companion pod for FX’s The Bear. 1:27:54

23d ago1:27:54

1:27:54

🎆 Happy Fourth from The LA Food Podcast! This week, we go stars over stripes as Michelin unveils its 2025 California Guide — and LA finally joins the 3-star club (shout out Somni and Providence). Father Sal joins Luca to break down the historic wins for Somni and Providence, and ask: has the Michelin Guide fundamentally changed LA dining since its …

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Roots Reinvented in Mali and Egypt 59:04

23d ago59:04

59:04

Grammy nominated ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and his 8 piece band Ngoni Ba wowed the crowd at Lincoln Center in 2011. Ngoni Ba re-wired the ancient ngoni to create a dense, 21st century sound. We'll hear the concert and talk with Bassekou about hunters, his precocious son, and his future plans. We hear a very different take on the ngoni from Si…

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50 UP Hikes: Overlook Trail 9:24

24d ago9:24

9:24

Roots & Rocks....but thats what you get in the Porkies.By Thomas Funke

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Bill Addison on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants in California. Plus, Top Chef Season 22 recap, a trailer for our new podcast, and flowers for LA’s 3 Michelin-starred restaurants. 1:50:29

30d ago1:50:29

1:50:29

On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we welcome LA Times critic Bill Addison to go deep on his freshly dropped list of the 101 Best Restaurants in California. After years of dissecting his LA-only lists, we finally get to ask: what makes a spot one of the best in the state? Bill takes us behind the scenes of how the guide came together, shares t…

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Off The Beaten Track in Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Beyond 59:04

1M ago59:04

59:04

This program ventures into corners of Africa we rarely hear from, guided by adventurous field recordists and crate diggers. The Zomba Prison Project is a set of recordings by inmates at a maximum security prison in Malawi, one of the poorest nations on earth. The project’s debut CD was nominated for a Grammy Award. Here, we speak with the producer,…

1
Million Steps: On to Bob Lake 20:18

1M ago20:18

20:18

Bob Lake & some dude that looks like an old college roomateBy Thomas Funke

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Planet Afropop - Breaking into Afrobeats: Homegrown, Selfmade 56:27

1M ago56:27

56:27

Host FayFay sits with two emerging Nigerian artists whose paths are as bold as their sound: Looking for Avala and Inima. Avala opens up about her journey from sneaking into open mics in New York to navigating motherhood and music in Lagos. She reflects on her identity, independence, and the power of trusting her own voice literally and figuratively…

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Portages, Pathways, Paddles: Portaging between the Manistique & Tahquamenon 13:35

1M ago13:35

13:35

1/2 mile portage between the twoBy Thomas Funke

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Unsolicited James Beard takes and an interview with Evan Algorri and Andrew Lawson of Etra and Cafe Telegrama 1:28:02

1M ago1:28:02

1:28:02

🎧 Today on The LA Food Podcast, we break down the biggest moments and key takeaways from this week’s James Beard Awards — with a spotlight on Los Angeles’ own Jon Yao of Kato, who took home the coveted Best Chef: California award. What does his win mean for LA’s dining scene, and where does Kato fit into the larger conversation about California cui…

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Cuts from the Crypt 4: Zona Libre 59:04

1M ago59:04

59:04

DJ Crew Zona Libre take a break from throwing genre-defying parties and producing their own live events and podcasts to team up with Afropop for another edition of Cuts from the Crypt. Frequent Afropop producer Morgan Greenstreet (modrums) and Brooklyn-based Puerto Rican DJ Ricardo Luiggi (tres dos) dig through Afropop's extensive vinyl archives, s…

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50 Hikes on the NCT #7: Boardman River Headwaters 13:45

1M ago13:45

13:45

Pickeral Lake, through Kalkaska, to Guernsey LakeBy Thomas Funke

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Hiking Journal: NCT from Petoskey South 11:13

1M ago11:13

11:13

Suspected as a vagrant, cow patties, and made a new friendBy Thomas Funke

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50 UP Hikes: Tip Trail 8:42

1M ago8:42

8:42

The angst of Lake Superior & the peninsula effect.By Thomas Funke

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The gourmand’s guide to San Diego, featuring Addison, Tribute Pizza, The Lafayette Hotel and more. 1:16:28

1M ago1:16:28

1:16:28

On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we're heading south to explore San Diego’s rising food scene. Known for craft beer and beaches, San Diego is now a serious player in the California fine dining landscape. From creative tasting menus to casual neighborhood gems, we spent 48 hours eating our way through the city—and we're sharing every bite. Hi…

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Barbados - From Spouge to Soca 59:04

1M ago59:04

59:04

We look into the rise and mysterious fall of the funky Bajan spouge beat which ruled the island in the ’70s, and discover a few underground musicians who are trying to keep it alive. Calypsonians Mighty Grynner and Red Plastic Bag detail their contributions to the lyrically potent kaiso scene. Soca stars Alison Hinds and Edwin Yearwood talk about t…

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Planet Afropop - Madalitso! From Banjo Boys to Men and Acoustic Salif 52:58

2M ago52:58

52:58

The two-man acoustic juggernaut from Malawi, Madalitso Band, is on the move in 2025. With their fourth album, Ma Gitala (The Guitars), just released and a global tour, including Glastonbury, just starting, these rootsy, spirited street musicians from Lilongwe are winning hearts everywhere. In this episode, Mukwae meets the band in Malawi as they be…

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50 UP Hikes: Oren Krumm Trail 5:21

2M ago5:21

5:21

Michigan Audubon Brockway Mountain Sanctuary in the Keweenaw.By Thomas Funke

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How AI is infiltrating fine dining. Plus, Evan Funke’s back at it, Jonathan Gold under fire, and Father Sal tries the Erewhon Hailey Bieber smoothie. 1:07:43

2M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into Pete Wells’ provocative New York Times piece on how some of the world’s top chefs are using artificial intelligence to reinvent fine dining. From crafting the perfect sausage to generating entire tasting menus, is AI the secret sauce of the future—or the recipe for a soulless, flavorless culinary dysto…

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Cooking with Georges Revisited 59:04

2M ago59:04

59:04

One of the glories of Afropop’s more than 30-year run has been joining our host Georges Collinet in the kitchen as he creates delicious concoctions, while grooving to his favorite tunes. This episode looks back on two classic “Cooking with Georges” episodes: Yassa Chicken from Senegal, and Yoruba soul food with guest chef Baba John Mason—all accomp…

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Million Steps: July 28, 1998: a Zero Day 9:04

2M ago9:04

9:04

Courtney Lake NFC taking a break from hiking.By Thomas Funke

1
Michigan Trails Report - June 2025 26:53

2M ago26:53

26:53

Ice, Tornados, bugs oh my! Don't get trippy.By Thomas Funke

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Could “entertainment zones” save LA restaurants? Plus, Matu’s Scott Linder and Ryan Gianola on expanding their wagyu beef empire. 1:14:02

2M ago1:14:02

1:14:02

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we're diving into a bold new plan to revive Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade: open-container entertainment zones. Think Bourbon Street meets beachside retail. LA Food Editor Karen Palmer of SFGate joins us to unpack the potential impact on local restaurants and bars, drawing on reporting from other California …

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Afro-Dominicana: Music from the Other Dominican Republic 59:04

2M ago59:04

59:04

In the 1930s, infamous Dominican dictator Rafael Truillo ordered the burning of the country’s palos drums, hoping to erase the powerful vestiges of African culture in the Dominican Republic. Luckily for us, the breakneck, trance-inducing sound of palos still reverberates at Afro-syncretic religious parties across the Caribbean nation almost a centu…

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Planet Afropop - Steel Pans and New Trends 46:31

2M ago46:31

46:31

Veteran Afropop producer Marika Partridge takes us to the island of St Lucia for a “beginners” steel pan (steel drum) work shop with maestro Andy Narell. It’s a complete sensory experience, with ambiance, cuisine, and deep history on the only instrument invented in the 20th century. Plus Marika’s journey to steel pan bliss. Then Mukwae catches us u…

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Fora desse mundo! 4:24:03

2M ago4:24:03

4:24:03

Música de outros mundos para distender os tímpanos!By Paulo Futura

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Is Thomas Keller losing it? Plus, Found Oyster's Ari Kolender on cooking the finest things in the sea and Queen’s savvy rebrand. 1:45:19

2M ago1:45:19

1:45:19

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into one of the wildest chef vs. critic stories in recent memory: Thomas Keller of The French Laundry allegedly asked SF Chronicle critic Mackenzie Chung Fegan to leave the restaurant. Was it a momentary lapse or a sign of a chef in crisis? Then: Chef Ari Kolender of LA seafood hotspot Found Oyster and Eagl…

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Atlantic R&B 1947-1974 4:54:50

2M ago4:54:50

4:54:50

Atlantic R&B 1947-1974By Paulo Futura

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Ten Tunes That Shook Kingston 59:04

2M ago59:04

59:04

The development of the popular Jamaican style is audible in this fun-packed, loosely chronological selection of tunes, moving from a US-style shuffle to ska to rock steady, toasting, dub, and Rastafarian reggae. Programmed by and using the record collection of reggae connoisseur and KPFK radio host Chuck Foster. Produced by Ned Sublette. Consulting…

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Condiment Claire, the LA-raised content creator taking over the world. Plus, burger love/hate, oyster economics, and Nobody Wants This bagels. 43:24

2M ago43:24

43:24

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Claire Dinhut—aka Condiment Claire—cookbook author, flavor scientist, and social media sensation. Born and raised in Los Angeles but now based in Europe, Claire has taken TikTok by storm with her inventive approach to sauces, spreads, and the science of taste. Recorded at Venice’s iconic Roosterfish…

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Afro-Lisbon and the Lusophone Atlantic 59:04

2M ago59:04

59:04

A small network of DJs in the suburbs of Lisbon, Portugal has been consistently producing some of the world’s best dance music. The children of African immigrants, these young musicians have combined a hemisphere of musical influences and distilled them down into a single astonishing style. But how did Lisbon start to make such great African music?…

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Planet Afropop - African Beat-Makers Part 2: Dami TNT 44:20

2M ago44:20

44:20

Behind every Afropop YouTube megahit and dancefloor sensation, there is a producer, a beat-maker striving to imagine the next big thing, basically inventing the future. In part 2 this two-part podcast, we meet Dami TNT, a rising producer in Lagos, Nigeria. And we hear a discussion between Zimbabwean producer Kooldrink, Pierre Kwenders of the Moonsh…

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Michigan Trails Report- Memorial Day 2025 23:02

3M ago23:02

23:02

Hiker Trash, Trail of the month, what the hell is going on at REI?By Thomas Funke

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Cassiano 2:29:21

3M ago2:29:21

2:29:21

Lucas Brêda RIO DE JANEIRO Eram os primeiros meses de 1970, e Cassiano desfilava seu "black power" reluzente por São Paulo quando conheceu outro cabeludo chamado Paulo Ricardo Botafogo, de aspecto e ideologia hippie, fã de Marvin Gaye como ele. Nos alto-falantes de uma lanchonete, o locutor da rádio anunciava a nova música de Tim Maia, que deixou s…

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Are LA diners too hard to please? Survey results from The Angel, Top Chef progress report & big news from Bill Esparza 1:10:47

3M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

This week on The LA Food Podcast, we dive into the results of a new survey from Substack favorite The Angel that asked Angelenos what they really want from restaurants. Hosts Luca and Father Sal break down what LA diners say matters most—vibe vs. food, great service, price, and originality—and reveal the surprising (and kind of maddening) contradic…

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Seize the Dance: The BaAka of Central African Republic 59:04

3M ago59:04

59:04

This Hip Deep episode features a remarkable journey among the forest people of the Central African Republic. The polyphonic, hocketing vocal style of this region's forest peoples ("pygmies") is one of the most singularly beautiful musical expressions in Africa, one that has entranced outsiders since the time of the pharaohs. Ethnomusicologist Miche…

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Meteora Rising: Is Jordan Kahn's Melrose restaurant ready for 2 Michelin Stars? Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 4, AKA the ins and outs of designing a menu. 1:36:45

3M ago1:36:45

1:36:45

Is Jordan Kahn's Meteora on track for a second Michelin star? On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, we dive deep into LA’s most ambitious fine-dining jungle—Meteora. After falling for Chef Jordan Kahn’s futuristic tasting menu at Vespertine, we head to his Melrose Avenue follow-up to see if the hype (and the hefty price tag) is justified. Is this…

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Hip Deep in Northern Nigeria 59:04

3M ago59:04

59:04

Kano State in northwest Nigeria is a land of paradox. The ancient home of the Hausa people, it has ties back to the oldest civilizations in West Africa. Muslim since around the 12th century, the region remained largely self-administered during the era of British colonialism, and never significantly adopted Christianity or Western culture and values…