About Umami
​Umami Podcast is conversations people who’ve created a life, a culture, a community around their passion. Our name comes from the unique and rich flavor, umami — and that is the essence of the show: we go deep with our guests. We get into the philosophical, political, and social impact of their work and what it means for our culture.
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This podcast insisted itself into existence through the passion of Elise Ballard in Seattle, where she's been fascinated by the city's cultural dynamic. Since the grunge era, she has wandered the city's streets,, engaged with its cultural institutions, supported its local restaurants and purveyors. This podcast is a way to share what she learns.
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The Umami Podcast is brought to you by TNE Network: producers of The Next Episode Podcast.
Elise Ballard
Creatrix & Host
Our host Elise Ballard is a writer and producer who works at the intersection of food, culture, and technology. For her, Umami is the culmination of a decade studying and writing about food.
Seattle is her home, where you can find her shopping at a farmers market, dining at an independent restaurant, picking fruit off a random tree in the neighborhood with her partner Jeff.
elise at umami seattle dot com
Chris Pfeifle
Co-host
Jared Britt
Jared is our show’s resident sound guy. He co-hosts The Next Episode Podcast with Chris and produces additional shows as TNE Network. Jared is a passionate rock musician and the best dad around. You can find him attending concerts and building things around his MCM home in Seattle.
Producer & Sound Engineer
Jeff Fernald
Collaborator
Jeff has been instrumental in bringing the concepts in Umami Podcast to fruition. He is partner of Elise Ballard and lives with her in Seattle, where Umami Podcast ideas are a constant source of conversation
