Savoring Family Stories and Recipes: An Interview with the Sisters Behind Hey Sis, Eat This

Sisters Whitney Walder and Courtney Harrow, creators of the podcast Hey Sis, Eat This, have transformed their love for family, food, and storytelling into a journey that celebrates both heritage and sisterhood. In this conversation with SEAM founder Amy Cohen Epstein, Whitney and Courtney share how their mom’s resilient spirit and lifelong passion for cooking inspired them to start their podcast. Together, they discuss the healing power of food, the joy of creating lasting family traditions, and the unique bond between sisters. Dive into this heartwarming interview to explore the stories, recipes, and family ties that define Hey Sis, Eat This.

Amy Cohen Epstein:
I am so excited. This is my second interview with sisters, and the last one was really fun, so you two have a lot to live up to! I’m here with Whitney Walder and Courtney Harrow, and you both work together, which is kind of amazing to me. I sort of work with my sisters, but I don’t think I could actually do it every day. And you have a podcast called Hey Sis, Eat This. So let’s start by talking about why you started it and what motivated you.

Courtney Harrow:
Well, Amy, thank you for having us. We’re very excited, and I think we can work together because we live in separate states, so that helps! Whitney, do you want to share how it all began?

Whitney Walder:
Sure. It actually goes back 20 years to when we first lived together in Los Angeles. We’re six years apart, so we didn’t really get close until I was in college. We decided to live together, and at the same time, our parents went through a divorce after 33 years of marriage. It was really tough on our family, especially on our mom, who was 55 and didn’t have a career. She’d been an amazing homemaker and found herself needing to build something for herself. She started her own catering company, which was so inspiring to us.

Amy:
It sounds like she really had to reinvent herself.

Courtney:
Yes, and she did it with such bravery. She just went out on a limb and started making brownies, which led to more catering jobs. She became the primary caterer for several churches, and we admired her so much for creating a successful business later in life. Living together, Whitney and I started cooking and entertaining, trying her recipes, and joking that we needed our own show. The idea kind of sat with us, and then during the pandemic, we began cooking together over FaceTime. Eventually, my husband suggested we do a podcast, and Hey Sis, Eat This was born.

Amy:
I love that. What are some of those family recipes that take you back to your childhood?

Courtney:
We just celebrated our dad’s 75th birthday and made a few of our mom’s classics. The one that stands out is her beef tenderloin. She cuts slits in it, stuffs it with garlic, rubs it with kosher salt and pepper, wraps it in bacon, and then grills and bakes it. It’s delicious, served with horseradish sauce.

Whitney:
Yes, and we do variations—sometimes with chimichurri or a demi-glace. It’s a staple at family gatherings.

Amy:
That sounds amazing! So, when did you two start taking such an active role in cooking?

Courtney:
We didn’t really cook much with her growing up, but in our twenties, we started helping her with catering when we were home for holidays. We’d help her in these big industrial kitchens, making sandwiches for luncheons or preparing for large events. We learned to cook for a crowd, which definitely carried over into how we entertain today.

Whitney:
Yes, back then, we’d pack 75 people into our apartment for parties, making dishes like mom’s chili grits and tenderloin. We were probably a little chaotic then, but we loved every minute of it.

Amy:
And now, Whitney, you’re in Dallas close to your mom, right?

Whitney:
Yes, I live just three houses down from her, so she still calls me over to taste-test things. She’ll ask if the pesto is too spicy or if the seasoning needs adjusting.

Amy:
That’s wonderful. And I’m curious—how has this journey impacted your family’s bond?

Courtney:
It’s been very healing for our family. My dad will call us up asking for mom’s recipes instead of calling her directly, so in a way, we’re the gatekeepers of her legacy.

Amy:
Whitney, you mentioned a health journey related to IVF. Do you mind sharing a bit about how that impacted your life?

Whitney:
Of course. My husband and I tried to have kids for three years and went through IVF, which is emotionally and physically exhausting. When our last embryo transfer didn’t work, we took a step back and decided we were happy with just the two of us. Focusing on cooking and creativity with Courtney, especially during that time, was really healing.

Amy:
It sounds like food was a grounding force for you. And Courtney, you had your own wellness journey too, right?

Courtney:
Yes. During the pandemic, I started meditating, which transformed my mental and physical health. I even went on a breathwork retreat recently, which was life-changing. It’s helped me be more present and intentional, both in my personal life and with the podcast.

Amy:
Thank you both for sharing that. I love hearing about your journey, and it’s clear that Hey Sis, Eat This is about so much more than food. It’s about family, resilience, and connection.

Whitney:
Thank you, Amy. It’s been wonderful to talk about it all with you.

Courtney:
Yes, thank you. We’re so grateful for this opportunity.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.