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, 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.

Join Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber, co-hosts of Gastropod, alongside culinary historian Maricel Presilla and chili researcher Denise Kuhn. They explore why we crave spicy foods despite the heat. Discover chili peppers’ fascinating origins and their evolutionary journey. Find out about the unique flavors of various chili species and the science behind their burn. Learn how peppers traveled the globe, influencing cuisines, and hear about the rise of super hot varieties and their cultural impact.