My First Popsicle: An Anthology of Food and Feelings

Edited by actress and writer Zosia Mamet, this anthology gathers an eclectic roster of artists, performers, and writers to explore one of the most universal human subjects: the way food encodes memory, identity, and emotion. Each essay approaches a specific dish or eating experience as a kind of autobiography, with contributors ranging from Tony Hale on his devotion to chain restaurant desserts to Gabourey Sidibe on the Senegalese meal that connects her to her father. The result is a mosaic of grief, nostalgia, joy, and self-discovery held together by the simple act of eating.

The full cast production transforms the anthology format into something genuinely alive. Recognizable voices like Ted Danson, Kaley Cuoco, Patti Smith, and Rosie Perez each bring their own essays to life in their own registers, making tonal shifts feel natural rather than jarring. At just over seven hours, the pacing is brisk enough to sustain momentum across pieces, and the audio format suits the intimate, confessional nature of personal essay writing particularly well.