Norma Listman and Saqib Keval are the chefs and co-owners of Masala y Maíiz, a Mexico City restaurant rooted in a mestizaje exploration of culinary traditions from India, East Africa, and Mexico. It was great to have them in the studio to talk about creating a more equitable restaurant that puts their workers first, expanding into a new location, shooting an episode of Chef’s Table, and their favorite spots in Mexico City. Also on the show, Aliza shares her first visit to Houston! What a town. Stops included: Tacos Tierra Caliente, Nam Giao, Truth BBQ, Ninfa’s on Navigation, Tiny Champions, Basket Books, and the Eldorado Ballroom. Subscribe to This Is TASTE: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube

617: Masala y Maíz Is Rooting Deep in Mexico City

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Your favorite musicians, filmmakers, and other creative minds one-on-one. No moderator, no script, no typical questions. The Talkhouse Podcast offers unique insights into creative work from all genres and generations. <a href="https://pod.link/Talkhouse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Subscribe now</a>, and explore more illuminating shows on the <a href="https://talkhouse.com/category/podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Talkhouse Podcast Network.</a>

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Sondre Lerche is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter and film score composer from Norway. His album Patience is out now. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/SondreLerche">here</a>.
(photo credit: Marius Hauge)

Sondre Lerche

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Hailed as a “self-styled poetess, folk goddess, and country waif” by the BBC, Pieta Brown first came to international prominence with the release of her self-titled debut in 2002. Since then she has released multiple highly critically acclaimed albums, EPs and singles, with much attention being paid not only to her distinct sound and style, but also the power of her singing and songwriting, including fan favorite, Paradise Outlaw, which Bon Iver mastermind Justin Vernon has called his “favorite recording made at our studio.” 
Her latest record, Dreamin’ Of, co-produced with Bon Iver’s S. Carey and Mike Lewis, is out August 21, 2026 via Righteous Babe.

Pieta Brown

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Alison Star Locke earned a B.F.A. in Filmic Writing from USC, where she won the Jack Nicholson Screenwriting Award. She began her career as a reality TV Story Producer and writing, directing and producing numerous shorts. After staying home to advocate and care for her daughter, who has autism, she returned to work to write and direct The Apology, her first feature, a psychological thriller starring Anna Gunn, Linus Roache and Janeane Garofalo and is available on Shudder, AMC+, Blu-Ray and VOD. Her comedy horror short, Pick Up Time, was laureled up at fests, including Nightmares, Renegade, etc. She recently produced the zombie horror/relationship drama short, Until the End. She lives with her husband and daughter in the LA area. Her work focuses mainly on motherhood, gender disparity, disability and having fun getting your rage out. You can find her on socials at @alisonstarlocke.

Alison Star Locke

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Feeding the Babadook in the Basement

Ben McKenzie is an actor (The O.C., Southland, Gotham) who has become a prominent critic of cryptocurrency through his book Easy Money (2023), and his recent documentary Everyone Is Lying to You for Money (2026).

Ben McKenzie

Is Not Music was founded by Xander Duell as a way to create the artistic infrastructure he couldn’t find in the industry. Is Not Music cultivates projects at the intersection of music, performance, and design. Grounded in collaboration and process, we champion artistic autonomy and ownership.

Is Not Music

Merrill Garbus is the frontperson of Tune-Yards, and a composer whose work includes scores for director Boots Riley’s film projects, most recently I Love Boosters.

Merrill Garbus

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617: Masala y Maíz Is Rooting Deep in Mexico City

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