My guest today, Lana Citron, is an Irish author, scriptwriter, poet, teacher (and sometimes stand-up comic!). Her most recent book was just released, “Edible Pleasures: a Textbook of Aphrodisiacs,” so what better time to talk with her than on the eve of Valentine’s Day?

We begin by talking about the fascinating universal experience of aphrodisiacs, which appears in every society worldwide, “The relationship between food and sexual desire goes back to time immemorial,” she says. (Although kissing is not universal! She explains that). She also talks about the correlation between eating and kissing.

We also talk about the varied experiences she has had throughout her less-than-traditional career path, and the day-to-day of her life as an author. Lana follows her curiosity to delve into each new project and we chat about what she has learned about humanity and sensuality in the process. Regarding the importance of stories in life, she says, “We have a thirst for it as humans. We want stories. Everything we do is in story mode. Songs, books…”

There are many powerful and honest moments in our chat — I hope you enjoy this episode!

–Lana Citron —

Instagram // @365aphrodisiacs

Website // www.lanacitron.com

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@qkatie – katie quinn on instagram & twitter

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#36 - Let Your Curiosity Lead You, with Lana Citron, author of “Edible Pleasures”

Dane Hopkins is the Dairy Director at Lynher Dairies, the lauded cheese producer in West England, Cornwall. Lynher Dairies makes the cheese that was Supreme Champion at the World Cheese Awards in 2017, an alpine-style cheese called Kern. Another cheese they make is Cornish Yarg (wrapped in nettle leaves!!), which is also a multiple award-winning product and is a beloved representation of their special corner of the world. They also make a fantastic cheese called Stithians.

Lynher Dairies is a farmhouse cheese and their Supreme Champion Kern is a ‘nutty and savory farmhouse cheese with sweet endnotes’ (quoting my Food52 article that accompanies the video I hosted for them, linked below)…so what IS farmhouse cheese, anyway?! I set out to answer that question for you in this Keep It Quirky mini episode, with the help of not only Dane Hopkins, but also Gareth Hewer, who works in the maturation team at London’s preeminent cheese shop, Neal’s Yard Dairy.

Dane and I also talk about how he develops recipes for new cheeses, what it’s like being a specialist cheesemaker making handmade cheeses, and the entrepreneur spirit behind his work. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Show notes:

Here’s the video I did for Food52 at Lynher Dairies — https://food52.com/blog/23506-worlds-best-cheese-british-cornish-kern

— Lynher Dairies  —

Twitter // @cornishyarg

Website // www.lynherdairies.co.uk

— Neal’s Yard Dairy —

Instagram // @neals_yard_dairy

Twitter // @nealsyarddairy

Website // www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk

–Keep It Quirky–

Instagram // @keepitquirkypodcast

Katie Quinn on Insta & Twitter // @qkatie

www.youtube.com/TheQKatie

www.facebook.com/TheQKatie

Don’t forget to sign up for my e-newsletter! Go here: http://eepurl.com/dNtAx2

#37 - The World’s Best Cheese + Farmhouse Cheese 101 with Dane Hopkins

Today’s guest is Pippa Murray who, 5 years ago, founded Pip & Nut, which is “arguably the brand that kicked off the nut butter revolution” in the UK [The Independent].

Pippa began her career in the creative arts! In her early twenties, she was working as a theater producer when she started her nut butter side hustle — making various peanut and almond butters at home and selling them at a local market.

Pippa shares how rewarding it was to start this business and also how her brand has developed over the years. “The power of design and creativity should never be underestimated,” she says. We also talk about carving out time and space for creativity, even/especially as a sole entrepreneur.

Something that is increasingly important to me in the products I buy is the sustainability factor as well as social responsibility, and Pippa and I talk about how Pip & Nut puts efforts toward doing good as a business. Pip & Nut not only has a range of nut butter flavors, they also produce nut milk, they published a cookbook, and they put on events — all of which contribute to bringing the brand to life.

I’m amazed by what Pippa has created, and I so enjoyed talking with her. I hope you enjoy our conversation, too!

— Pip & Nut —

Instagram // @pipandnut

Twitter // @pipandnut

–Keep It Quirky–

Instagram // @keepitquirkypodcast

Katie Quinn on Insta & Twitter // @qkatie

www.youtube.com/TheQKatie

www.facebook.com/TheQKatie

Don’t forget to sign up for my e-newsletter! Go here: http://eepurl.com/dNtAx2

#38 - The Importance of Creativity in Building a Brand, with Pippa Murray

My guests in this episode roam the world for their careers; sharing stories around the globe with their audiences. They have “the dream job,” but there are also some challenges. We dig into the pros and the cons, all of it.

Rachel Rudwall is an Emmy-nominated storyteller and adventurer, having living in 3 countries and travelled to over 70 nations.

Collette and Scott Stohler are a husband and wife team, not just in their travels but in their business, Roamaroo, which shares stories of fun and wellness everywhere on earth.

— Rachel Rudwall —

Instagram & Twitter // @rachelroams

Website // www.rachelroams.com

— Scott & Collette, aka Roamaroo —

Instagram & Twitter // @roamaroo

Website // www.roamaroo.com

–Keep It Quirky–

Instagram // @keepitquirkypodcast

Katie Quinn on Insta & Twitter // @qkatie

#39 - Storytelling Around the World, with Rachel Rudwall and Roamaroo

In the Keep It Quirky podcast, Katie Quinn talks to creators living their dreams and navigating success and failure along the way. Katie Q is a food & travel video creator, popular YouTuber and cookbook author. Passion begets passion, so let's do this!