Food is more than sustenance; it's a powerful tool for diplomacy, identity, and even conflict. In this episode of The Dark Side of Dining, host Kenny Mears sits down with acclaimed author, food scholar, and founding editor of Gastronomica, Darra Goldstein, to explore the profound social and political meaning embedded in our meals.

Goldstein delves into the concept of a "companion"—a word rooted in the Latin cum pane, meaning "with bread"—and the ancient, unifying power of breaking bread with others, even a sworn enemy.

Discover Goldstein's experiences with culinary diplomacy, including her work with the Council of Europe to promote diversity and tolerance through food. She shares both the triumphs of community-level unification and the challenges, such as:

• Israel and Palestine: The difficulty of b ...