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Radiolab

A Little Pompeiian Fish Sauce Goes a Long Way

Sep 20, 2024
In this discussion, classicist Steven Tuck unravels the enigma of survival following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Tuck challenges the myth that all Pompeiians perished, diving into archaeological evidence and personal accounts. He raises intriguing questions about potential survivors and their fates in the aftermath. Culinary expert Chef Samin Nosrat joins in, introducing the forgotten flavors of Roman fish sauce, garum, making the historical narrative deliciously relatable. Together, they paint a vivid picture of life, loss, and resilience in ancient times.
39:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Classicist Steven Tuck challenges the conventional narrative of total destruction by exploring possible survival stories and migration patterns post-eruption.
  • The episode emphasizes the cultural significance of garum, revealing how culinary traditions link the past with the identities of modern descendants.

Deep dives

The Financial Struggles of Radiolab

The episode begins with a discussion about the financial challenges faced by the production team behind the show. They highlight the recent layoffs at their parent station and the reduced resources available for story creation. Despite these difficulties, the team emphasizes their commitment to delivering rich, immersive tales that captivate listeners. In urging support from the audience, they introduce a membership initiative that offers ad-free content and bonus materials, aiming to sustain their operations amid tight budgets.

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