I speak with chef and author Paola Velez, who, in her debut cookbook, "Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store," revisits the bodegas of her Bronx upbringing—places that were much more than mere shopping destinations; they were the heart of her community.

Bodegas serve purposes beyond quick stops for snacks or soda; they're where life's little moments unfold, where you catch up with neighbors, find that elusive recipe ingredient, or spot Paola herself, gathering inspiration from the aisles. I'm excited to share this love letter with these important third spaces in this episode and much more.