Podcast Summary
Importance of company culture for business growth and resilience: Chef Samin Nusrat emphasized the importance of community and shared experiences, Amica highlighted empathy and personalized service, and Insparity offered insights on aligning company culture with business goals to foster resilience and growth.
Building a strong company culture is essential for business growth and resilience. This was a common theme in the conversations shared on the How I Built This Resilience Edition podcast. For instance, Samin Nusrat, a renowned chef, spoke about how her home cooking experiences during the pandemic have highlighted the importance of community and shared experiences, which are key elements of a strong company culture. Similarly, Amica, an insurance company, emphasized the importance of empathy and personalized service in creating a human connection with their customers. Furthermore, Insparity, a leading HR provider, offered insights on how to build a company culture aligned with business goals, which can drive success. Overall, these conversations underscored the importance of prioritizing company culture as a means of fostering resilience and growth in businesses.
Cooking at home: A challenge and an opportunity: Despite the challenges of cooking at home during these times, it's an opportunity to get creative, be resourceful, and build community through sharing.
Cooking at home during these times is a challenge, but also an opportunity for creativity and resourcefulness. The speaker, a professional cook, shares her experience of feeling the weight of preparing all her meals herself, but also finding joy in making do with what she has on hand. She emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the recipe and making substitutions, as many people are facing shortages or difficulties getting certain ingredients. The speaker also shares her experience of sharing resources and cooked food with neighbors, and encourages creativity in using what's available. Overall, the takeaway is that while cooking at home during these times can be challenging, it's also an opportunity to get creative, be resourceful, and build community through sharing.
Adapting to scarcity in the kitchen: Be resourceful and flexible in the kitchen during times of scarcity or uncertainty. Consider alternative ingredients and explore new cooking methods to transform basic ingredients into delicious dishes.
Creativity and resourcefulness are key during times of scarcity or uncertainty. The speaker, known for her rich pantry and large appetite, has had to adapt to the current situation by focusing on long-lasting ingredients and finding new ways to use them. She encourages those struggling to find flour or yeast for baking to consider alternative options, such as whole wheat flour or starting a sourdough starter. For those with an abundance of cabbage and salmon, she suggests exploring new flavor combinations and cooking methods to transform these ingredients into delicious dishes. Overall, the speaker's experiences highlight the importance of being flexible and open to new possibilities in the kitchen.
Impact of cooking techniques and ingredients on dishes: Cooking techniques and ingredients significantly influence the taste and texture of dishes. Old spice mixes can still be used if they smell and taste good. Try diverse dishes from various cuisines for new flavor experiences. Charred chard stems can be used in sweet desserts. Choose butter or olive oil based on desired flavor profile.
Cooking techniques and ingredients can greatly impact the final flavor and texture of dishes. For instance, when cooking cabbage and salmon together, the temperature can vary depending on the desired outcome. While the cabbage may take longer to cook, the salmon will be done when it flakes apart easily. The speaker expressed her anticipation for trying diverse dishes from different cuisines once the crisis is over, as she often relies on Mediterranean flavors in her cooking. Regarding food safety, an old spice mix can still be used if it smells and tastes good. Lastly, charred chard stems can be used to make sweet desserts, and the choice between butter and olive oil depends on the desired flavor profile of the dish.
The Impact of Cooking Fat on Flavor: Consider the choice of cooking fat for optimal flavor in various dishes. Embrace constraints to enhance cooking skills and unexpected success.
The choice of cooking fat can significantly impact the flavor of dishes, and people should consider this when cooking at home. Usher Shanmugan, author of Salt Fat Acid Heat, emphasizes this point, sharing how he uses different fats for Indian and Korean food. This conversation comes at a time when many people are spending more time at home and cooking, leading to increased confidence in the kitchen and better cooking skills. Samin Nusrat believes that constraints, such as limited ingredients or time, can actually help us make better choices and become more skilled cooks. Atlassian, a software company, shares a similar perspective, believing that constraints can lead to innovation and improvement. So, in the kitchen or in business, embracing constraints can lead to unexpected success.
Technology and design tools enhance productivity and collaboration: AI-software like JIRA and Confluence automate tasks, Canva creates visually compelling content, C4 Smart Energy boosts focus, local businesses adapt with technology
Technology and design tools are playing crucial roles in enhancing productivity, collaboration, and focus during these challenging times. Atlassian Intelligence, with its AI-powered software like JIRA and Confluence, empowers teams to make informed decisions, automate mundane tasks, and work together more effectively. C4 Smart Energy provides an essential boost to mental focus, allowing individuals to stay productive and focused, even during long workdays. Canva, an easy-to-use design platform, enables the creation of visually compelling presentations, documents, and visual content, making a significant impact at work. In the food industry, local businesses like Chez Panisse, led by Alice Waters and her daughter Fanny Singer, are finding creative ways to adapt and keep local farmers in business by selling directly to consumers. These examples demonstrate how various sectors are leveraging technology, design, and innovation to navigate the current crisis and thrive.
Supporting staff and local farmers during COVID-19: Restaurant prioritizes staff pay, supports local farmers, and encourages urban gardening for community sustainability
During the COVID-19 crisis, Shape and Ease restaurant has prioritized paying its staff, even with the help of loans and unemployment, to ensure they can return to work once the restaurant reopens. Additionally, the restaurant is working to support local farmers by buying their produce and distributing it to the public school system. Alice, the restaurant owner, encourages individuals to grow their own food, even in small spaces, and shares stories of successful urban gardening. The crisis has highlighted the importance of community support and creative solutions to ensure the sustainability of local food systems.
Creating a victory garden makes a big difference: Small actions, like creating a victory garden, can inspire community support and help during uncertain times. Finding comfort in familiar recipes and making the most of available ingredients can also bring normalcy.
Even small, seemingly insignificant actions can make a big difference, as demonstrated by the woman's creation of a victory garden in her own backyard. This simple act has inspired her neighbors to do the same and has encouraged support for local farmers. In times of uncertainty, it's essential to come together as a community and help each other out. Whether it's through buying local produce or assisting small farmers, every little bit helps. Additionally, finding comfort in familiar recipes and making the most of the ingredients we have on hand can bring a sense of normalcy during challenging times. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of being present in our homes and finding ways to make the most of the space we have.
The Power of Small, Intentional Practices: Emphasizing sensory experiences and living in the present moment can create resilience and connection during challenging times.
Alice emphasized the significance of sensory experiences, such as cooking with fresh herbs, lighting candles, and preparing weekly chicken stock, in creating a sense of ritual and mindfulness. She also expressed a desire to live in the present moment and not take anything for granted. As Alice reflected on the future, she hoped that her focus on nature and gratitude would be a lasting lesson from this period in her life. Overall, the conversation highlighted the power of small, intentional practices in creating a sense of resilience and connection during challenging times.
The Cat in the Hat disrupts Fish's plans for a quiet podcast: Listen to The Cat in the Hatcast, a new podcast featuring Dr. Seuss characters, for interactive family fun with catchy songs, tongue twisters, and witty wordplay.
The Cat in the Hatcast is a new and exciting family-friendly podcast from Wondery. The series features the beloved Dr. Seuss characters, including the Cat in the Hat, as they embark on new adventures each week. In this podcast, Fish dreams of creating a quiet and polite podcast, but his plans are disrupted when the mischievous Cat in the Hat pays him a surprise visit. Instead of quiet, the Cat introduces loud and lively elements, such as catchy songs, tongue twisters, and witty wordplay. This podcast is an excellent opportunity for families to bond over shared experiences and enjoy the classic Dr. Seuss characters in a new and interactive way. Listeners can follow the Cat in the Hatcast on the Wondery app or wherever they get their podcasts, and can access it early and ad-free with a Wondery Plus subscription.
