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Built Different with Ian Schwartzman

Built Different with Ian Schwartzman

Andrew Zimmern: Overcoming addiction to build a TV empire

Aug 28, 2026 · 30 min · 14 segments

Famed culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern opens up about his 35-year sobriety journey, the lucky Jay Leno break that saved *Bizarre Foods*, and the genius contract negotiation that built his television…

Famed culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern opens up about his 35-year sobriety journey, the lucky Jay Leno break that saved *Bizarre Foods*, and the genius contract negotiation that built his television empire.

Famed culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern opens up about his 35-year sobriety journey, the lucky Jay Leno break that saved *Bizarre Foods*, and the genius contract negotiation that built his television…

Spotify Website

Speakers: Andrew ZimmernGuestIan SchwartzmanHost

Top entities: Andrew Zimmern×37 Travel Channel×12 Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern×9 Jay Leno×8 Ian Schwartzman×11

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈1 followers

Travel as Transformation4:19 – 6:25

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:19

So that has to be the

Ian SchwartzmanHost

4:20

inspiration for the travel side, but I'll let you finish.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

4:22

Oh,

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:22

100%.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:22

I saw what happens when you actually are in a culture, not observing one, not being performative, not doing touristic cosplay, which is the horror show that most people – I think I wrote my first book, you know, be a traveler, not a tourist.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:41

You know, there's a big difference.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:42

Being a traveler means being open to the transformation that will take place.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:46

Right.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:47

When you put the things out there that travel offers.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:49

When I am traveling, I am the best version of me.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:53

I'm asking more questions.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:54

I'm more patient with other people.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:57

Right.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:57

I mean, the minute there's a hiccup here, I can't get a cab.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:03

You know, I'm exploding on the inside.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:05

I'm crawling out of my skin.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:06

I'm in a foreign city.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:07

I don't speak the language.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:08

I'm like, well, I'm going to ask someone for help.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:10

I'm going to see if there's public, like this is the

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:12

adventure.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:12

Right.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:13

It turns you into a different person.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:15

100%.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:16

You're able to.

Andrew ZimmernPersonAmerican chef and restaurateur
99%37 mentions
Travel ChannelOrganizationTelevision channel
96%12 mentions
Bizarre Foods with Andrew ZimmernTV SeriesTelevision show
93%9 mentions
Jay LenoPersonAmerican television host and comedian
90%8 mentions
Ian SchwartzmanPerson
87%11 mentions
New YorkCityCity in New York State
84%5 mentions
The Tonight ShowTV SeriesTalk show
81%6 mentions
David ZaslavPersonCEO of Warner Bros. Discovery
78%2 mentions
Pat YoungPerson
75%2 mentions
GodEntitySupreme being
72%3 mentions
Food NetworkCompanyCable channel
69%4 mentions
Studio 54Bar or PubTheater in New York
66%3 mentions
LuckEntity
63%1 mention
Anthony BourdainPersonAmerican chef and author
60%6 mentions
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoTV SeriesAmerican television show
57%1 mention
Emmy AwardsEntityAward
54%1 mention
West VillagePlaceNeighborhood in New York
51%1 mention
DiscoveryCompanyMass media company
49%1 mention
Emeril LagassePersonAmerican chef and restaurateur
46%2 mentions
Scottish HighlandsTourist AttractionRegion in the United Kingdom
43%1 mention
Monday Night FootballTV SeriesAmerican television series
40%2 mentions
EcuadorCountryCountry in South America
37%3 mentions
Adam RichmanPersonAmerican actor and television host
34%1 mention
Emeril LiveTV SeriesAmerican television program
31%1 mention
PBSCompanyBroadcasting television network
28%1 mention
No ReservationsEntity
25%1 mention
MinneapolisCityCity in Minnesota
22%1 mention
Malcolm GladwellPersonBritish-Canadian journalist and author
19%1 mention
Samantha BrownPersonAmerican television host
16%1 mention
Warner Bros. DiscoveryCompanyCompany
13%1 mention
Sara MoultonPersonAmerican author and TV personality
10%1 mention
Dhani JonesPersonAmerican former American football player
7%1 mention
ChicagoCityCity in Illinois
4%1 mention
EarthPlacePlanet
1%1 mention

Self-ReflectionPsychology > Personal Development > Emotional Health > Trauma Recovery
Food ExperiencesFood > Culinary Arts > Cooking > Food Culture
Travel EducationTravel > Cultural Travel > Travel Experiences
Global ExplorationTravel > Cultural Travel > Travel Experiences > Travel Education
Celebrity ChefsEntertainment > Television > Food Shows > Culinary Television
Cultural TravelTravel
Personal DevelopmentPsychology
Travel ExperiencesTravel > Cultural Travel
Emotional HealthPsychology > Personal Development
Culinary ArtsFood
Trauma RecoveryPsychology > Personal Development > Emotional Health
Family DynamicsFamily > Parenting > Influence of Parents
Food CultureFood > Culinary Arts > Cooking
Childhood ExperiencesFamily > Parenting > Influence of Parents > Family Dynamics
CookingFood > Culinary Arts
Influence of ParentsFamily > Parenting
Culinary TelevisionEntertainment > Television > Food Shows
Entertainment
Psychology
Family
ParentingFamily
Food
TelevisionEntertainment
Travel
Food ShowsEntertainment > Television

Travel as Transformation4:19 – 6:25

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:19

So that has to be the

Ian SchwartzmanHost

4:20

inspiration for the travel side, but I'll let you finish.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

4:22

Oh,

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:22

100%.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:22

I saw what happens when you actually are in a culture, not observing one, not being performative, not doing touristic cosplay, which is the horror show that most people – I think I wrote my first book, you know, be a traveler, not a tourist.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:41

You know, there's a big difference.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:42

Being a traveler means being open to the transformation that will take place.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:46

Right.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:47

When you put the things out there that travel offers.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:49

When I am traveling, I am the best version of me.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:53

I'm asking more questions.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:54

I'm more patient with other people.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:57

Right.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

4:57

I mean, the minute there's a hiccup here, I can't get a cab.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:03

You know, I'm exploding on the inside.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:05

I'm crawling out of my skin.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:06

I'm in a foreign city.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:07

I don't speak the language.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:08

I'm like, well, I'm going to ask someone for help.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:10

I'm going to see if there's public, like this is the

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:12

adventure.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:12

Right.

Ian SchwartzmanHost

5:13

It turns you into a different person.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:15

100%.

Andrew ZimmernGuest

5:16

You're able to.

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