Best Lee Tran Lam Podcasts (2025)

1
Soy: Traditional craft, miracle crop, male threat? 31:38

13h ago31:38

31:38

Is soy “the most dangerous food for men?” This question was posed by a viral Men’s Health article and, like the #soyboy insult, it plays into modern fears that soybeans emasculate bodies. But is there any scientific validity to this online panic? And does it tell the full story about this crop known as ‘green gold’ – and how it’s shaped cuisines ac…

1
MUSHROOMS 33:02

13h ago33:02

33:02

Onion stalk, parasol, bleeding fairy helmet, lawyer's wig, chicken of the woods, native bread and velvet shank are some of the mushrooms you'll find in Australia. Some taste a lot better than others and have been championed as a sustainable alternative to meat. Across the world, growing mushrooms has helped disenfranchised people gain economic inde…

1
Chocolate: Food of the gods, romantic gesture, dog poison 23:12

8d ago23:12

23:12

In 18th-century France, the royal pharmacist treated Marie-Antoinette’s headaches with chocolate. This sweet even appeared in European hospital prescriptions! Medicinal use of chocolate goes back thousands of years: its main ingredient, cacao, was used to treat snake bites by ancient Mesoamerican societies, for instance. Today, we see headlines abo…

1
HONEY 32:32

8d ago32:32

32:32

Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest honey cultures. For thousands of years, Indigenous people have harvested honey from sugarbag bees and honey ants which inspired kids TV and Japanese comic books. Australia’s native sweeteners probably predate the honey found in Egyptian tombs, which still proved edible 3000 years after it was buried. C…

1
Season two trailer: Should You Really Eat That? 3:47

14d ago3:47

3:47

It can be tricky trying to consume the ‘right things’, and the forces that shape our diets go far beyond what’s supposedly ‘good for us’. On the second season of Should You Really Eat That?, Lee Tran Lam continues to untangle the cultural, social and nutritional confusion around the staples in our diet – with the help of chefs, dietitians and other…

1
EEL 30:44

15d ago30:44

30:44

There's an eel known as a living fossil because it resembles its dinosaur-era ancestors. And the Budj Bim eel traps, at least 6600 years old, confirmed that First Nations people have been catching eels for millennia. In medieval England, these fish were used to pay the rent and today, Australians have even turned them into musical instruments and g…

1
MILK 30:49

22d ago30:49

30:49

Australia's dairy industry began with a few cows brought in on the First Fleet in 1788, which escaped for a while and were later depicted in Dharawal cave drawings. Today, increased awareness of the environmental impact of cattle methane emissions is driving a shift toward more sustainable dietary choices, while Australia’s multicultural diet has l…

1
CULINARY ARCHIVE PODCAST, SEASON 2 TRAILER 0:30

22d ago0:30

0:30

Join food journalist Lee Tran Lam to explore Australia’s foodways. Leading Australian food producers, creatives and innovators reveal the complex stories behind ingredients found in contemporary kitchens across Australia – Milk, Eel, Honey, Mushrooms, Wine and Seaweed. New episodes released weekly. Listen to season 1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Sou…

1
Seafood: Cooking inspiration, mercury magnet, cultural storyteller 33:18

1+ y ago33:18

33:18

Our taste for seafood goes back a long time. We’ve been snacking on shellfish for more than 100,000 years. And the foods we gather from the ocean (whether it’s mussels or seaweed) are typically loaded with nutrients. But today, people might reconsider these staples because of environmental, ethical or health concerns – so should you limit your cons…

1
Cheese: Calcium source, place marker, vegan inspiration 26:52

1+ y ago26:52

26:52

Our love of cheese is so vast, it can be plotted across the planet. From Gorgonzola in Italy to Oaxaca in Mexico, many places are famous for their wedges and wheels. But can you go overboard with a cheese board? And what if you don’t eat dairy at all? Lee Tran Lam wheys it all up with cheesemaker Giuseppe Minoia, chef Shannon Martinez and dietitian…

1
Coffee: Caffeine hit, productivity booster, wedding custom 30:09

1+ y ago30:09

30:09

Around the world, people drink coffee – whether it’s sweetened with condensed milk in Vietnam or spiced with cinnamon in Mexico. It powers us through our workdays, deadlines and boring office meetings. Maybe that’s why it’s the most socially acceptable drug we consume – but is there a limit to how much we should have or what it can really do?…

1
Tea: Scandal water, life saver, yum cha essential 25:20

1+ y ago25:20

25:20

Tea is the most-consumed drink on the planet, second only to water. Originally consumed for medicinal reasons, a well-brewed pot also helps with break-ups and bad news. But are there certain instances where we should put our teacups away?

1
Bread: Historic staple, riot-starter, loneliness cure 28:50

1+ y ago28:50

28:50

The oldest bread that still exists today was baked 14,500 years ago in Jordan. We’ve eaten this staple for a long time, but rejecting bread because it’s ‘bad’ for you has become a modern trend. Should we be saying no to loaves and toast?

1
Rice: Dietary staple, daily greeting, and nutritional villain? 24:07

1+ y ago24:07

24:07

When dietitian Susie Burrell named white rice as something she’d never put in her shopping trolley, food writer Lee Tran Lam was intrigued... and a little confused. Rice is the star of so many national dishes and it feeds half the planet! "Have you eaten rice yet?” is even a greeting in many parts of Asia. So should we really be avoiding these grai…

1
Introducing Should You Really Eat That? A new podcast that makes sense of food confusion 3:05

1+ y ago3:05

3:05

It can be extraordinarily confusing keeping up with what foods are ‘good’ for you. Should you actually put olive oil or salt in your coffee as recent food trends suggest? Is white rice a no go? And which seafoods are actually sustainable? In Should You Really Eat That? host Lee Tran Lam explores the cultural, social, and nutritional confusion over …

1
SOYBEANS 34:38

2+ y ago34:38

34:38

In 1770, naturalists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander reportedly saw wild soybeans in Botany Bay. The following century, the Japanese government sent soybeans to Australia as a gift. Thanks to Chinese miners in the 1800s, tofu was most probably part of gold rush diets, but it wasn’t until just a few decades ago – with the growing vegetarian movemen…

1
TOMATOES 31:42

2+ y ago31:42

31:42

The tomato was dismissed as poison for 200 years in Italy, though it’s now celebrated as a staple of its cuisine. Italian migration to Australia helped make the tomato a mainstream ingredient here. Learn about the people who grow it, preserve it or cook it — whether it’s Italian Australians bottling passata in their ‘second kitchen’ (garage) in Syd…

1
COFFEE 30:41

2+ y ago30:41

30:41

Australia is famous for its coffee culture, but it didn’t begin with Italian post-war migration. There was the rise of coffee palaces during the 19th century temperance movement and the influential Depression-era coffee shops run by Russian migrant Ivan Repin (who offered fresh-roasted beans when stale, day-old coffee was standard). The impact of I…

1
BEER + VEGEMITE 39:48

2+ y ago39:48

39:48

Australian colonial history begins with beer: the Endeavour left England with 250 barrels on board. The drink reflects the changing fortunes of women, from Australia’s first female licensee to the 1960s feminist fight to allow women into public bars. Beer has always bubbled over into politics, with Reschs’ owner, Edmund Resch, thrown into a local i…

1
GRAINS 39:57

2+ y ago39:57

39:57

Long before local authorities tried to ban sliced bread, Australia was home to the world’s first bakers. Grindstones, some 65,000 years old, suggest Indigenous communities have been baking for millennia and there’s an amazing effort to bring back this cultural knowledge and revive Indigenous grains. While Australia has had a fraught relationship wi…

1
OYSTERS 30:58

2+ y ago30:58

30:58

The history of Australia can be told in an oyster shell. For thousands of years, First Nations communities feasted on these mollusks and collected them in middens – a millennia old example of sustainability. Sydney was literally constructed from oysters. Our roads were paved with them because the shellfish was so abundant, and the crushed-up shells…

1
CULINARY ARCHIVE PODCAST TRAILER 0:29

2+ y ago0:29

0:29

Ever wonder how a by-product of beer gave us Vegemite, an Australian icon? Have you heard about the bakers producing pide, damper or Johnny cakes from ancient Middle Eastern or Indigenous grains? Did you know our roads and buildings used to be constructed from oysters? Or that soybeans can be transformed into plastic and cars? To find out about all…

1
Kerby Craig – Ume 53:38

2+ y ago53:38

53:38

In memory of Kerby Craig, here's the podcast I recorded with him in 2014. I listened back to this episode after I heard about Kerby being gone and it made me re-remember all these great things from that day, so I thought I should share these stories again, in tribute to Kerby and his enthusiasm for cooking, Japanese food culture and hospitality … A…

1
Billy Wong – Golden Century, XOPP 47:31

3y ago47:31

47:31

The best dish in the world, according to chef David Chang, could be found at Golden Century – the Sydney institution that Billy Wong's family ran in Chinatown for more than three decades. There was more to Golden Century than the XO pipis, though (despite Chang's major endorsement of the dish). The restaurant's fan base included shift workers takin…

1
Paul Carmichael – Momofuku Seiobo 1:17:08

4y ago1:17:08

1:17:08

“I literally got here and the first two weeks, everybody quit." Despite this challenging start to becoming Momofuku Seiobo's executive chef, Paul Carmichael has since scored many awards (both Gourmet Traveller and Time Out named him Chef of the Year) and he's been called one of the world's greatest chefs by his boss, David Chang. The restaurant has…

1
S01: Epilogue 6:41

4y ago6:41

6:41

That's a wrap for season 1 of One Bite. Thanks to Jaimee, Vanessa, Kylie, Costa, Sinead, Gabrielle, Alice, Tammi, Jen, Amy, Liz, Jess, Lee Tran and Tyson for your time, story, knowledge and expertise. Thanks to my academic advisors Alana Mann and Michelle St Anne from the Sydney Environment Institute. Thank you for listening, following, engaging, s…

1
S01 E13: Tyson Yunkaporta, author & academic 47:47

4y ago47:47

47:47

In this episode we hear from Dr Tyson Yunkaporta, author of Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World. He is an academic, arts critic, and researcher who belongs to the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland. Tyson carves traditional tools and weapons and works as a senior lecturer in Indigenous Knowledges at Deakin University, Melbourne.…

1
S01 E12: Lee Tran Lam, Diversity in Food Media 47:11

4y ago47:11

47:11

In this episode we hear from Lee Tran Lam, a freelance journalist and editor of New Voices on Food. Lee Tran has written about food for various publications, including Good Food, Gourmet Traveller, SBS Food, The Sun-Herald and The Guardian. She runs The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry podcast, Diversity in Food Media and presents Local Fidelit…

1
S01 E11: Councillor Jess Miller, City of Sydney 32:31

4y ago32:31

32:31

In this episode we hear from Councillor Jess Miller from the City of Sydney (CoS). Jess has worked with a broad range of organisations to design, lead and implement change for over a decade. She was elected to Council in 2016 and is an advocate for a slow city with lots of active and public transport, character, community, sport, colour and creativ…

1
S01 E10: Amy Lawton & Liz Millen, Australia’s Right to Food Coalition 46:26

4y ago46:26

46:26

In this episode we hear from Amy Lawon and Liz Millen, founding members of Australia’s Right to Food Coalition. The Coalition started in 2014 and exists to advocate for the human right to nutritious food for all Australians. Amy is a social researcher who has focused on a number of food related issues and Liz worked for 20 years in a Sydney Health …

1
THE FAT #29 LEE TRAN LAM - New Voices on Food 1:21:34

4y ago1:21:34

1:21:34

The definition of LOW-KEY BOSS, Lee Tran Lam is one of the most important voices in the wonderful world of Food. Lee Tran is a food writer, critic, podcaster and commentator, and is one of our favourite people. Her latest project, "New Voices on Food" & "Diversity in Food Media" is profound, important and inspiring. BUY IT NOW! VIVA LA DIVERSITE!! …

1
S01 E09: Jen Sheridan, Open Food Network 42:40

4y ago42:40

42:40

In this episode we hear from Jen Sheridan, a Director of Open Food Network Australia (OFN). Jen worked on the Know Your Foodbowl and Foodprint Melbourne projects and currently leads a number of federally funded food system development projects in Victoria. We talk about the what OFN is, the impacts of COVID, connecting stranded produce, dignity in …

1
THE FAT #28 - WE SMOKED A TOAD 33:28

4+ y ago33:28

33:28

WHHHOOOOAAAAAAA MOTHERFUCKERSSSSSSS WE SMOKED THE TOAD!!!!! Widely acknowledged as the most powerful Hallucinogenic experience in the world, 5MEO DMT is the dried venom of the Sonoran Desert Toad. We sit in our semi-circle of trust and discuss our interaction with this, the most powerful of the Teacher Animals! Grazie Mr. Toad!!! (Be Careful Fucker…

1
S01 E08: Tammi Jonas, Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance 40:37

4+ y ago40:37

40:37

In this episode we hear from Tammi Jonas, an 'ethicurian' farmer of heritage-breed pigs and cattle, and president of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA). Tammi is very active in the global fight for food sovereignty, advocating in numerous UN governing bodies. She is undertaking a PhD on the biodiverse and decolonising practices of agro…

1
THE FAT #27 MIKE RODRIGUES - COVID & THE FUTURE OF CULTURE 1:20:00

4+ y ago1:20:00

1:20:00

Mike Rodrigues is the Owner and Publisher of TimeOut Australia, founding member of the Nighttime Industries Alliance (NTIA). Timeout Australia were recently awarded "Publishing Company of the Year", and Mike was awarded "Publish Leader of the Year" at the mUmbrella Publish Awards. In addition to the above, Mike is our dear friend and ally in the Sy…

1
S01 E07: Alice Zaslavsky, food literacy advocate 39:30

4+ y ago39:30

39:30

In this episode we hear from Alice Zaslavsky, a food literacy advocate, resident Culinary Correspondent for ABC News Breakfast and ABC Radio, author of In Praise of Veg, Alice's Food A-Z, and creator of Phenomenom! We talk about food literacy and education, the cultural disconnect from food, aspirational food media, ‘othering’ of veg, how we label …

1
THE FAT #26 SHANNON MARTINEZ - KICKING CANCER & COVID SQUARE IN THE CUNT 1:18:05

4+ y ago1:18:05

1:18:05

Shannon Martinez is the owner and operator of the iconic Smith and Daughters in Fitzroy, Melbourne. She is also one of the baddest motherfuckers on Planet Earth. Whilst fighting cancer, Shannon has also been navigating a restaurant through COVID, writing a cookbook for Chemo patients, co-writing a comic and still finding the time and energy to fill…

1
THE FAT # 25 DWAYNE BANNON-HARRISON 1:22:52

4+ y ago1:22:52

1:22:52

Dwayne is a Powerful man with a Powerful story, both historic and forward looking. At once humbling and inspiring, this was a rare gift to speak with a human of such depth, clarity, passion and vision. A Yuin- Ngarrugu Descendant with connections to the Yorta-Yorta, Dja Dja Warrup, Watchabolic & Gunai language groups, Dwaynes "Bring Back The Warrio…

1
S01 E06: Gabrielle Chan, The Guardian Aus 52:45

4+ y ago52:45

52:45

In this episode we hear from Gabrielle Chan, a journalist and author who has lived on a farm for 25 years. She began covering the NSW parliament in the 90s and moved to the Canberra press gallery in 1995. Gabrielle has worked at The Australian, ABC radio, The Daily Telegraph, in local newspapers and politics and has been a political correspondent f…

1
S01 E05: Sinead Boylan, University of Sydney 46:41

4+ y ago46:41

46:41

In this episode we hear from Dr Sinead Boylan, a nutritional epidemiologist and inter-disciplinary researcher at the intersection of food systems, health and the environment. Sinead is the Executive Officer for the Climate Change, Human Health and Social Impacts Node at the University of Sydney, Executive Director of the Sydney Food and Nutrition N…

1
THE FAT #24 GEN FRICKER 1:51:56

4+ y ago1:51:56

1:51:56

Gen Fricker is a stand-up comic, radio presenter, and sabotaged TV Host ( thank Jake...lol). She is also a very good friend of Mary's. Our chat is long and wide-ranging and takes some surprising turns. From the role of vulnerability in comedy to the long-lasting effects of trauma in the body, we go deep and traverse some important issues that affec…

1
THE FAT #23 STRUTHLESS 1:22:45

4+ y ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Campbell Walker aka Struthless, is an old friend, with whom we have collaborated on merch, garage doors, kids colouring books, and now a podcast! We wax lyrical about living in small town Australia, the emergence of straight-bashing slurs on Tik-Tok, the deeper meanings of Rick and Morty and what it takes to succeed in the art and media world. ENJO…

1
S01 E04: Costa Georgiadis, Gardening Australia 59:49

4+ y ago59:49

59:49

In this episode we hear from Costa Georgiadis, host and presenter of Gardening Australia, landscape architect, environmental educator, garden gnome and lover of the planet. We talk about pandemic gardening, complex systems, resilience, local food, education, regeneration and get philosophical about the power of gardening. You can find Costa on Inst…

1
S01 E03: Kylie Newberry, Our Food System 46:06

4+ y ago46:06

46:06

In this episode we hear from Kylie Newberry, a writer, speaker, advocate and founder of Our Food System. Kylie has over 15 years experience as a Public Health Nutritionist, holds a MSc in Food Policy and is part of the Brisbane Fair Food Alliance. We talk about food system resilience to shock, why food is so complex, power and influence in food sys…

1
Joanna Hunkin – Gourmet Traveller 1:01:08

4+ y ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Reporting from murder scenes and interviewing Lorde live at the Grammys – that's what Joanna Hunkin did before she became editor at Gourmet Traveller. Enduring these high-pressure situations meant she wasn't too shaken by her first year at the magazine – which has been incredibly eventful and challenging, and involved her relocating from Auckland t…

1
S01 E02: Vanessa, independent supermarket 33:11

4+ y ago33:11

33:11

In this episode we hear from Vanessa, a food lover, avid gardener, fellow Master of Sustainability student and employee at an independent food retailer. Vanessa is part of their graduate program working on sustainability, responsible supply chains, and product development. Her professional interest is how we can make fair, sustainable, and nutritio…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Lee Tran Lam Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide

zproxy.org