444. “United not by blood, but by story.” | Rewriting Identity & Finding Connection Through Food with John T. Edge

Writer, historian, and Emmy Award–winning host John T. Edge joins us for a powerful conversation about identity, inherited stories, and the emotional resonance of food. Best known for True South and his acclaimed books—including House of Smoke, the focus of our discussion—John T. shares how growing up in a home steeped in Confederate mythology shaped his early worldview, and how his adult life became an intentional act of rewriting those narratives.

As John T. explains, food is never just food—it’s memory, migration, and the emotional weight of history. He helps us understand how Southern cuisine is deeply rooted in West African traditions, why food becomes a meeting place for shared humanity, and how acknowledging its origins allows us to approach it with honesty and connection. He also opens up about grief, loss, and how emotional reckoning transformed his relationships and his trajectory as a writer and cultural leader. 

John T. discusses the rise and collapse of his work with the Southern Foodways Alliance, sharing the humbling lesson of recognizing one’s own power, the pitfalls of hubris, and how accountability and reinvention shaped who he is today. His reflections on resilience—including two life-altering car wrecks—offer a grounded reminder that what matters most is how we choose to act on the other side of adversity.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway
“Don’t save the word love for the people who are your blood kin. Tell your friends you love them—and why. And mean it.”

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• John T. Edge’s Website
• House of Smoke
  
  

Produced by NOVA