In this riveting conversation with novelist, screenwriter, and father Jonathan Lee, we discuss the dynamics of family dinners and how “branding” matters to kids, storytelling, and the surprising lessons from Taco Night. From the “perils of precedent” (why kids love Tuesday Tacos, not Monday) to writing about real-life tragedy in High Dive and The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Jonathan shares insights on parenting, trauma, and the role of food in stories. Plus, a hilarious dinner table game you’ll want to try at home.

Episode Highlights:

• Why “branding” dinner matters for kids
• Jonathan Lee’s journey to becoming a full-time writer
• The realities of writing about trauma and self-care
• How food shapes storytelling in moments of crisis and connection
• Talking to children about difficult topics
• Behind the scenes of The Bombing of Pan Am 103
• A playful dinner table storytelling game

🎁 Giveaway + Listener Discount:

Jonathan is giving away a signed hardcover copy of his best-selling novels, The Great Mistake and High Dive. Eligible entrants must be over 18 and based in the U.S. To enter to win, click here.

Episode Links:

• Jonathan’s website and books: www.jonathanleewriter.com
• We mention Episode 09 with his wife, Amy Lee
• Television Show: The Bombing of Pan Am 103

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Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

In this episode of Dinner Last Night, we sit down with Jana Blankenship—mother, entrepreneur, herbalist, educator, and founder of the pioneering green beauty brand Captain Blankenship.

Jana’s work is rooted in the powerful connection between plants, scent, memory, and family traditions. We start where every episode does, with dinner last night, and hear about the first meal Jana’s family shared around the table after a long stretch of home renovation.

From there, we explore the Serbian food traditions passed down by her beloved grandmother, Baka Milka, how childhood perfume “potions” led Jana to develop a sensitivity to synthetic fragrances, and how that journey ultimately inspired her path into natural perfume, herbalism, and clean beauty.

We also talk about foraging, DIY herbal care, and honoring the plants and places where we live, along with practical ways to cook for a busy family schedule.

Jana is the author of Wild Beauty and the co-author (with Emma) of Seasonal Family Almanac. This conversation is full of warmth, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone who loves food, nature, and learning by doing.

Episode Highlights:

• The influence of Jana’s grandmother and aunt in passing down Serbian traditions around food and herbalism
• Jana’s personal experience developing a childhood sensitivity to synthetic fragrances and how this inspired her journey with natural scents
• The power of scent (the first sense to develop in the womb) to anchor us in memories
• How Jana founded and developed Captain Blankenship, an early clean beauty brand
• DIY herbal beauty and why making things yourself is such a powerful experience
• Raising tweens with a healthy relationship to beauty and self-care
• Practical meal strategies for busy families juggling sports, school, and chaotic evenings
• How working with your hands and connecting to plants can reduce stress
• Foraging and harvesting plants responsibly, and how to work with evergreens

Giveaway + Listener Discount:

One lucky listener will win an incredible giveaway, including a copy of Jana’s books Seasonal

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Giveaways

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• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

In this episode of Dinner Last Night, we talk to Ayurvedic wellness coach Nandini Austin, whose fresh perspective on ancient practices helps modern families feel healthier, more energized, and more connected at the table. Raised in London with Mauritian roots and a lifelong exposure to Ayurveda, Nandini explains why digestion is the foundation of well-being, how to understand your unique dosha, and simple daily rituals that support balance for both parents and children. Best of all, she makes Ayurvedic living feel accessible and joyful.

We also explore her path from global hospitality to launching The Cocktail Architect and leading retreats that blend Ayurvedic cooking, traditional Indian dance, and community.

Episode Highlights

• Growing up in a Mauritian household in London and learning about food as medicine
• Wisdom from Nandini’s grandmother, who practiced Ayurveda for 96 years
• “You are what you digest” — why digestion is central to health
• Understanding basic concepts of Ayurveda, including doshas and personal daily rituals (dinacharya)
• Demystifying curry and the value of spices
• Raising adventurous eaters and shaping lifelong food habits in children
• Food as a pathway to connection, energy, and emotional balance
• Blending Ayurvedic cooking and traditional Indian dance in Nandini’s Temple Goddess retreats
• Spice-infused syrups and soda alternatives from The Cocktail Architect, founded by Nandini Austin and her husband

Giveaway

One lucky DLN listener will win a 30-minute introductory, one-on-one session with Nandini, designed for those new to Ayurveda! You’ll discover your unique mind–body (dosha) blueprint and walk away with rituals to support it.

Learn More About Nandini:

• For Ayurveda offerings: NandiniAustin.com
• For delicious, handcrafted syrups: The Cocktail Architect
• Follow Nandini on Instagram, Facebook, an

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Follow Us

• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
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• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

On this episode, we’re talking with Eliza Blank—mom, entrepreneur, founder of The Sill, and CEO of Farmlink—about feeding families thoughtfully in a world where nearly 40% of food is wasted. Eliza shares how growing up in a Filipino and Jewish household shaped her approach to food, why her husband oversees the kitchen, and how parenthood changed the way she thinks about meals.

We also dive into Eliza’s current work, rescuing millions of pounds of surplus farm produce for communities in need, and chat about practical ways families can reduce waste, talk to kids about food access and inequality, and honor the time, labor, and natural resources that go into every meal. This episode is honest, funny, and full of ideas you can actually use at home.

Episode Highlights:

• What happens when dinner doesn’t go as planned (and why that’s okay)
• Why Eliza’s husband oversees the kitchen and cooking at home
• How Filipino and Jewish food traditions shape meals at home
• Behind-the-scenes insight into building The Sill—one of the first direct-to-consumer houseplant brands—launched by Eliza in her 20s
• Eliza’s current work as CEO of FarmLink to bridge the gap between excess food waste and food inequality in the U.S.
• How to help children understand food access issues and inequality
• Practical tools for introducing food waste reduction at home
• Appreciating the earth’s gifts, and the time and labor behind every meal

Giveaway + Listener Discount:

One lucky listener will get to choose a Farmlink hoodie and proudly represent the organization’s message! CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway.

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Never miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛

Giveaways

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Follow Us

• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
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• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

We’re kicking off Season 2 of Dinner Last Night with fashion entrepreneur, mom, and all-around creative force, Catherine Carnevale, founder of the sustainable knitwear brand Eleven Six.

In this episode, Catherine shares how she balances building a slow-fashion brand, raising two kids, and getting dinner on the table, without chasing the myth of perfect “work-life balance.” We talk about her Mediterranean-inspired approach to food, why flexibility matters more than rigid routines, how community support shaped her business, and why music and dance breaks count as real self-care.

Plus, Catherine reveals her mantra for staying energized through it all: “You have to eat super to be super.”

Episode Highlights:

• Why flexibility beats strict balance for working parents
• How Mediterranean roots influence Catherine’s cooking style
• What slow fashion really means behind the scenes
• Building a brand through community and artisan partnerships
• Dance breaks as essential self-care

🎁 Giveaway + Listener Discount:

• Catherine is giving away a bundle of wardrobe-essential 5 Eleven Six socks: click here to enter to win.
• Catherine is also offering Dinner Last Night listeners 15% off in her online store, Eleven Six, with code DINNERLASTNIGHT15 (valid for two weeks)

Send us a message!

Support the show

Subscribe

Never miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛

Giveaways

CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!

Follow Us

• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
• Instagram: @dinnerlastnightpod
• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

Season 2 of Dinner Last Night launches January 29th, and this season is really close to our hearts.

After taking you around the world in Season 1, we’re staying close to home and pulling up a chair with parents from one of our beloved communities (where Dimity lives!): the Hudson Valley. A place shaped by food, family, creativity, and deep local roots, and filled with people we admire.

This season, you’ll hear:

• Honest, unfiltered conversations inspired by one simple question: What did you have for dinner last night?
• Practical tips for making family dinners easier
• Stories about how food reflects our values, rhythms, cultures, and work
• Conversations that leave you feeling inspired and connected

Thank you, always, for being here with us. We can’t wait to share Season 2!

With love,
Emma & Dimity 👯‍♀️

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Never miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛

Giveaways

CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!

Follow Us

• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
• Instagram: @dinnerlastnightpod
• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

To close out Season 1, we’re turning the microphones on ourselves. In this episode, we interview each other for the very first time and dive into all the things we usually ask our guests: our favorite holiday food traditions, the strangest things we ate growing up, and the rituals that make our families…well, ours.

We also test our twin telepathy with some rapid-fire questions, and yes—we are fully aware of how many times we say “amazing.” Feel free to make a drinking game out of it. 😅

Thank you for supporting us this season! We can't wait to share conversations with our amazing (😉) season 2 guests.

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Never miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛

Giveaways

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• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
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• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)

In this episode, we sit down with our hilarious, big-hearted Scottish cousin, Reuben Beck, and our first-ever non-parent guest. Dimity’s youngest, Kai, kicks things off with the cutest intro, and then we dive into all things Scotland: Beltane and witchy vibes, Gaelic roots, traditional breakfasts (yes, haggis!), The Selkirk Grace, and Reuben’s family history of crofting and living close to the land. We talk about how food is medicine, why ingredients in the U.S. can feel so different from Europe, and how herbalism and local food show up in both Scotland and Upstate NY. We also shout out Wildfire Delicatessen, the best little sandwich shop and bakery in Gourock. And to cap it off in time for the New Year, we sing the Robert Burns classic, Old Lang Syne!

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Never miss an episode: Follow Dinner Last Night and subscribe to our newsletter. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛

Giveaways

CLICK HERE to enter the giveaway for any episode!

Follow Us

• Substack: subscribe to our newsletter
• YouTube: @DinnerLastNightPod
• Instagram: @dinnerlastnightpod
• Website: dinnerlastnightpod.com

Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)