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Cindy sits down with Lauren Maloney, director of merchandising at Hestan, for an honest and lively conversation about quality cookware and building kitchen confidence.

From growing up in entertaining families to careers at Williams Sonoma and beyond, Cindy and Lauren share stories of learning curves, favorite kitchen memories, and the passions that drive their work. Discover the innovation behind Hestan’s cookware, the story of its family founders, and why investing in the right tools can transform everyday cooking.

Plus, get inspired by pro tips — for everything from flipping eggs in stainless steel to caring for your pans — and learn why the things we choose for our kitchens matter, now more than ever.

Whether you’re an aspiring chef, a seasoned home cook, or just love a good story, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and ready to embrace the joy of cooking with confidence.

Products featured in this episode:

Hestan products at Berry & Basil

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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What do you get when two small-town independent kitchen owners sit down to talk shop? A wonderful, heartfelt conversation with some truly excellent stories!

Join Cindy Peterson, co-founder of Berry and Basil, as she sits down with Nate Whited, co-owner of The Brick Kitchen in Independence, Iowa. In this lively conversation, they dive into the unique journey of building a family-run kitchen store in a small Midwestern town, the importance of quality tools in everyday life, and the special sense of community that comes from serving rural customers.

From renovating a historic opera house into a bustling retail space to creating meaningful connections with customers and industry friends, Nate and his wife Shelly prove that small-town businesses can offer just as much — if not more — than the big-box stores.

Tune in for stories about kitchen gadgets, lessons learned from retail, creative marketing strategies (like sponsoring a college marching band’s mellophone section!), and plenty of laughs along the way.

Stay tuned for bloopers at the end of this episode!

Products featured in this episode:

Dreamfarm Flapple slicer

Messermeister Chef’s Knife

Jura coffee products

Follow The Brick Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram.

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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One of the most frequent questions that Cindy Peterson, co-founder of Berry and Basil, gets is how to choose the right knife. So she sat down with Ed Bartush, an industry veteran from Cangshan Cutlery with nearly four decades of cutlery experience, to explore the surprisingly complex world of kitchen knives.

From the basics of stamped vs. forged blades, to the allure of layered Damascus steel, we’ll break down what actually matters when shopping for a knife.

• Which steel should you look for?
• Why does handle design matter?
• Is a block set really better than customizing your own collection?
• What will help you make your decision?

Ed demystifies these questions and offers practical, confidence-boosting advice for every home cook — reminding us all that the best knife is the one that feels right in your hand and fits the way you cook. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out, get ready to rethink how you choose the most essential tool in your kitchen.

Products featured in this episode:

Cangshan collection

*Note: Items will be restocked soon, plus new items will be added!

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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Cindy Peterson sits down with Molly Hauge from Talisman Designs to explore the story behind one of the kitchen industry’s most joyful and innovative brands.

Together, they discuss how Talisman Designs has spent the last 25 years bringing happiness into the kitchen through colorful, practical, and thoughtfully crafted tools — many inspired by everyday family moments.

From crowd-favorite gadgets like Butter Boy and the adjustable pie shield, to creative solutions for bacon lovers and apple spiralizers, you’ll hear how these products are designed not just to make life easier, but to encourage families to cook, laugh, and create memories around the table.

Tune in for heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and a celebration of the small things that bring us joy in the kitchen.

Products featured in this episode:

Talisman Designs collection

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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Host Cindy Peterson and Darian Tomas, co-founder of a unique knife-sharpening solution, dig into the real-life frustrations home cooks face with their kitchen tools — and learn some new vocabulary while they're at it!

From the dilemma of never using prized chef’s knives out of fear of ruining them, to common mistakes we make when storing and sharpening knives, Darian shares his journey from a small Canadian town to developing an accessible product designed for busy families.

Together, they cover everything from the science of blade angles and the pitfalls of glass and stainless steel cutting boards, to the “relationship” we each have with our favorite kitchen knives.

Whether you’re a pro or just trying to slice a tomato without frustration, this episode is full of practical tips to help you feel more confident — and a little more joyful — in the kitchen.

Products featured in this episode:

CINQ Rolling Knife Sharpener

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil.

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast and make sure and subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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In this episode, host Cindy Peterson is joined by Ashley Mccord, a longtime expert and advocate for the Ankarsrum mixer — a Swedish heritage kitchen appliance with a rich history dating back to 1940, and so versatile that it’s been called “the assistant” for decades.

From its unique bottom-motor design and versatile attachments to its reputation as an heirloom-quality appliance, they discuss why investing in quality tools transforms both your confidence and creativity in the kitchen. Whether you're baking bread, making (smoked!) butter, or tackling monster cookies, a quality stand mixer is truly is an assistant for real life — empowering you to take control of your ingredients and enjoy the process.

Together, they discuss the roots of the machine, its enduring quality and design, the evolution of its use in kitchens across the world, and how thoughtful choices and the right tools can empower creativity, wellness, and convenience at home.

Products featured in this episode:

Ankarsrum Assistant mixer

Ankarsrum attachments

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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Cindy shares her first solo adventure at the Inspired Home Show (IHA) in Chicago, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how this event stands apart from typical markets — and why it’s such a big deal for kitchen store owners. You’ll hear about her favorite discoveries, chats with the actual makers behind beloved kitchen brands, and some exciting product trends coming soon to Berry + Basil.

But the true gold in this episode is just how relatable Cindy’s dream is and her response. Who hasn’t had a vivid dream where your partner did something terribly wrong (and so often out of character) and experienced the visceral emotions that follow?

Lucky for you — and her husband — she found the perfect apology gifts. From gorgeous knives and kitchen shears to brownie bowl pans, candles, and tickets to a wine glass tasting, she offers plenty of thoughtful ideas for just-because gestures — or to get ahead of terrible dream actions, because that never hurts.

Whether you’re curious about the latest in kitchenware or simply need a laugh and a bit of encouragement for everyday life, tune in and share with someone else who relates!

Products featured in this episode:

Helena Cangshun knives

Kitchen shear set of 4

Brownie bowl pan

Billionaire Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Rewined Market Candle Collection

Riedel Wine Glass Seminar Tickets

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.

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There is a fascinating intersection of independent kitchen stores and the whirlwind of viral product trends shaping what we use in our kitchens every day. Cindy’s joined by Robert McGinnis, COO of the HTI Buying Group and the popular face behind @robhomecook on TikTok and Instagram — a guest who truly sees both sides of the kitchen product world, from industry insiders to online sensation.

In this episode, Cindy and Robert open up about the realities of curating products for independent stores — why quality, utility and customer trust always come before following every online craze.

Robert shares candid stories from his years in the industry, including his accidental rise to TikTok fame with tinned fish reviews and what that experience revealed about the power and pitfalls of viral trends.

They dig into why independent retailers have a unique advantage: the freedom to thoughtfully test products, educate their community, and build real relationships — not just follow what’s hot on TikTok.

You’ll get insights into the behind-the-scenes process of vetting products, avoiding the trap of fear-driven marketing, and balancing value with longevity in what ends up on store shelves. The episode also touches on how social media can distort perceptions of quality, the risks of buying unvetted products online, and how trusted kitchen stores navigate these challenges.

Check out Rob’s videos and food reviews by following him on TikTok and Instagram at @robhomecooks

For more thoughtfully curated joy, check out berryandbasil.com and follow the store for all the latest products, events and sales at @theberrybasil

Follow the show at @joycuratedpodcast (Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) and make sure to subscribe to us on the podcast app of your choice. It helps us grow and share the story of all the brands we love.