The Magic of Bread with Dan Leader
EPISODE 17 / 03.25.2025
Ever wondered why baking bread feels so therapeutic? This week on DANG!, Todd and Bettijo sit down with master baker Daniel Leader to uncover the magic of mixing, kneading, and—most importantly—waiting for the perfect loaf. Turns out, the secret ingredient in great bread isn’t just flour, it’s patience.
Podcast Player
Show Notes
In this episode of DANG!, Todd and Bettijo sit down with Dan Leader, founder of Bread Alone bakery in New York and a pioneer in the artisanal bread movement. Dan shares his journey from philosophy major to master baker, exploring why baking has become such a universal source of comfort. Dan also explains why great bread isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about time, patience, and embracing imperfection.
We dive into Dan’s latest book, A Slow Rise, which explores the craft, culture, and science of bread-making, featuring stories from bakers around the world. From the meditative process of kneading dough to the deeper life lessons found in fermentation, Dan makes a compelling case for why slowing down in the kitchen—and in life—matters now more than ever.
Plus, Todd, Bettijo, and Dan swap baking mishaps and discuss why bread became the ultimate comfort food during the pandemic, and reveal what makes the perfect loaf. Whether you’re a seasoned bread baker or someone who still manages to burn toast, this episode will leave you both entertained and maybe even inspired to get your hands a little floury.
Highlights
- How Dan Leader went from majoring in philosophy to founding a bakery.
- The philosophy behind A Slow Rise and why patience makes better bread (and better people).
- The science of fermentation and why slow bread is worth the wait.
- How slowing down in the kitchen can help you slow down in everyday life.
- The unexpected life lessons hidden in a simple loaf of bread.
- Todd’s thoughts on patience—both in baking and in life.
- Todd’s attempts at bread-making—let’s just say, not all loaves were successful.
LISTEN to learn
- Why baking is basically free therapy (but with better-smelling results).
- Why slow fermentation changes everything about bread.
- The secret to achieving bakery-quality bread at home.
- What A Slow Rise teaches us about food, time, and resilience.
Ready to rise to the occasion? (We kneaded to say it—LOL!) Hit play now and join us for a delicious conversation on bread, patience, and life!
NOW STREAMING
