You're Dead to Me Kellogg Brothers (Radio Edit)
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Nov 21, 2025 Join historian Vanessa Heggie, an associate professor specializing in the history of science and medicine, and comedian Ed Byrne for a humorous dive into the rivalry of the Kellogg brothers. They discuss John Kellogg's bizarre health practices, from enemas to vegetarian diets, and his influence from Seventh-day Adventism. Vanessa reveals the contrasting origin stories of cornflakes and Will's journey to start his own cereal company, while Ed keeps the banter lively. The feud has never been tastier!
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Troubled Childhood Shaped Two Brothers
- John Harvey and Will Kellogg grew up in a large, often sickly family in Battle Creek, Michigan, with John bullying his younger brother relentlessly.
- Will was practical, good at sales and numbers, while John was charismatic, medical-minded, and domineering in the household.
Religion Drove Their Health Reform
- The Kellogg family were deeply influenced by Seventh-day Adventist principles promoting vegetarianism and strict moral living.
- Those religious health rules strongly shaped John Harvey Kellogg's medical and dietary practices at the Sanatorium.
Sanatorium Became A Food Laboratory
- After medical training, John Harvey Kellogg returned to Battle Creek to run and reinvent the Western Health Reform Institute as the Battle Creek Sanatorium.
- He emphasized diet, hydrotherapy and an experimental kitchen that later produced cereal innovations.
