Audio:

The Minimalists Podcast: This podcast has filled hours of my commutes over the last year. At the core of this podcast is the message of less is more. Check out this recent podcast with Amanda Montell, the author of "Cultish", it is an absolutely stellar episode.

Food with Mark Bittman: This show is relatively new and offers a wide spectrum of topics. It brings high-level interviews with well-known individuals (Jane Goodall, José Andrés, Raj Patel, Stephen Satterfield, and many others) and recipes together into a nuanced look at food.

The Splendid Table: This radio program has been a mainstay in my queue all year. Francis Lam, the host, is just delightful to listen to.

This particular episode (Life Profitability) of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast is absolutely fantastic. Definitely worth a listen if you are a creative.

And, one final audio bit, ODIE’s song “In My Head” is a gem.

Writing:

Alicia Kennedy’s newsletter, From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy, has been a great addition to my inbox. Kennedy’s tack-sharp observations are eloquent and insightful. Definitely worth subscribing to.

Deep Work: Cal Newport’s book was one that I picked up later in the year. I raced through the book in a few days. I am still unpacking the lessons and ideas, but it might be the most helpful piece of writing that I’ve read this year.

Orion Magazine: My friend, Joey, recommended this magazine a while back and after I read a couple of articles online I signed up for the print subscription. It is a quarterly magazine that focuses on nature, culture, and place. Bonus: I had an image in the most recent magazine.

Whetstone Magazine: Founded by Stephen Satterfield, this magazine & online journal weaves narratives that examine food origins, culture, and history.

Photography:

For this section, I want to shout-out to photographers or images that absolutely floored me.

—First, check out the phenomenal 2021 Year in Pictures from Women Photograph.
—Posted in late December, this image by Aj Mast is absolutely bonkers.
—Jenny Huang’s images of food and drink are gorgeous and inspiring.
—Calla Kessler’s fashion and portraits are a visual treat.
—This is a two-for-one. Rory Doyle’s images are constantly on another level. This particular image of Juan Diego in a cenote is so striking.