Cynthia Graber welcomes Michael Pollan, a best-selling author renowned for his exploration of food and agriculture. They dive into the misconceptions surrounding the Paleo diet, with Pollan asserting that its followers are misguided about ancient eating habits. The conversation spans the science of cooking, the crucial role of microbes in our diets, and the fascinating intelligence of plants. They also touch on a new physics book and the essential function of sleep in clearing brain waste, linking these topics to broader health and science themes.

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, co-hosts of Gastropod, join Anthony Mangiello, the inventor of stuffed crust pizza, for a deliciously intriguing conversation. They dive into the wild world of food patents, especially the epic legal battle that shaped stuffed crust pizza. From its humorous origin story to the complexities of protecting culinary inventions, they dissect the challenges of intellectual property rights in the food industry. The discussion reveals how legal tussles can spice up a dish’s legacy, making pizza far more thrilling than it seems!

Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, the dynamic duo behind Gastropod, bring their passion for the history and science of food to the table. They tackle listener-submitted questions about hush puppies, exploring their cultural roots and transformation over the years. The conversation shifts to the lavish world of wedding cakes, revealing their evolution and the socio-economic implications behind them. Lastly, the duo dives into the A1 vs. A2 milk debate, discussing new findings about A2 milk’s digestive benefits for lactose-intolerant individuals.