Barbara Brosher is usually the one doing the interviewing, but for Earth Eats this week, she's on the other side of the conversation. "I understand now why people are nervous when we put microphones in front of their faces," she says.

She invited me over to her house to bake her Best Banana Cookies.

In addition to serving as the senior news editor at WFIU/WTIU News, she also writes the blog The Broadcasting Baker. And, perhaps most importantly for her colleagues (myself included), Barbara is the person in our office who brings in delicious treats. "I think it's great to tell your colleagues and team members, tell them thank you sometimes," she says.

She thrives in a deadline-driven environment, and even her down time can feel hectic. It's been this way since journalism school, where she was also involved in the student TV station and newspaper. "I was great about doing my homework, but once that was done, I just can't sit idle, and so I think I just turned to baking," she says.

There was a time when she dreamed of writing for Cooking Light or perhaps attending culinary school, but for now, she's satisfied with a career in the newsroom. But, she hasn't completely written off baking as a pie-in-the-sky career change. Slinging these banana cookies at the farmers' market sounds pretty good to her some days.

Listen to more with Barbara Brosher in this week's podcast.

Banana-Based Recipes:

• The Best Banana Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Banana Blondies With Nutella Glaze
• Tahini Chocolate Banana Bread
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
• Banana Date Tahini Smoothie
• Go Green With These Banana Hemp Pancakes

Stories On This Episode

Fairness Rule Divides Cattle Country On Role Of Government

Ranchers worry that a Trump Administration move to delay federal rules that would make it easier for them lodge complaints about unfair treatment may spell the end of the new rules altogether.

Sustainable Agriculture Research Center Survives Cut, Barely

The Iowa Legislature decided to defund the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, leaving it to rely on money from its existing endowment and grants.

The Best Banana Cookies

These cookies are among my most-requested recipes. It's the perfect way to use up any overripe bananas you have sitting around your kitchen.

Rural Areas Still Lag Behind In Digital Technology Adoption

Rural residents are still 10 percent less likely to have broadband access at home than people in cities, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

As Organic Industry Grows, It Edges Toward Mainstream

The counter-culture movement that once agitated the food industry from the periphery has grown much closer to conventional.