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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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)