Garden wisdom, friendship, and life's little surprises bloom in this delightful conversation between Dom L'Amour and his dear friend Mattie Jo "MJ" Graham. What begins with a quirky gardening tip about lime pellets for award-winning eggplants quickly blossoms into a wide-ranging exploration of how we connect to our food, our heritage, and each other.
MJ, once known as "Big Booty Judy" during her Buffalo Wild Wings days, has transformed into "Gardening Judy" with an elaborate front yard garden that's become the talk of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Her raised beds, archways, and chicken coop represent more than just a hobby—they're a reclamation of heritage and a statement about sustainable living. Meanwhile, Dom shares how continuing his grandmother's garden after her passing became both a tribute and a personal revolution in how he thinks about food.
The pair trade gardening hacks and mishaps with equal enthusiasm—from MJ's ingenious in-garden vermicomposting system to hilariously failed attempts at deterring wildlife with various types of urine (yes, really). Their conversation reveals how gardening creates unexpected connections: between chickens and Japanese beetles, between seasonal growing and superior flavor, between past generations and present moments. When MJ confesses to crocheting a special gift inspired by Dom's wedding song, we witness how the seeds of friendship continue to flourish even as their lives take different paths.
Beyond the soil and seeds, this episode digs into deeper questions about modern convenience versus meaningful effort. Why does a sun-warmed tomato taste so much better than store-bought? What happens when we slow down to mill our own flour or make pasta by hand? Why are we so quick to accept convenience over quality? As Dom and MJ riff on everything from whale vomit in cologne to yoga benefits, their genuine affection and comfortable banter remind us that the best relationships, like the best gardens, thrive with a mixture of care, laughter, and occasional surprises.
Ready to plant some new ideas in your life? Hit subscribe and join the conversation about how reconnecting with our food might just help us reconnect with ourselves and each other.
Opening quote: Alice Morse Earle, 1851-1911, American historian and author of Old Time Gardens, Newly Set Forth
Opening and Closing Theme song: Produced by Dom L'Amour
Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys
and
from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team
Featured song: "This Guys in Love With You" Covered by Dom L'Amour and The Andrews at Lemon in Chicago.
Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99
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