Discovery

The podcast dives into the global chicken industry, highlighting its role in food security versus its ethical and environmental challenges. It explores Brazil's agribusiness impact on indigenous communities and discusses the complexities of soybean production. There's a stark look at antibiotic use in farming and its consequences for public health, alongside efforts for sustainable alternatives in Africa. The conversation prompts listeners to reflect on their own responsibilities as consumers amid these pressing issues.

The podcast dives into the perplexing love-hate relationship many have with fast food, especially chicken. It explores the culinary journey from raising backyard chickens to grappling with the ethical dilemmas of food choices. The rise of Chicken McNuggets reshapes our perception of flavor versus nutrition. Heartfelt stories from personal experiences highlight the deep connections we form with our food. Additionally, the discussion uncovers the harsh realities of how fast food disproportionately affects lower-income communities, challenging notions of personal choice.

Claudia Hammond, an expert in health and psychology, delves into the strange science of salt taste, its crucial role in our bodies, and the optimal amount for consumption. The podcast explores the history of salt consumption, the importance of salt in the body and cooking, the connection between chemistry, electricity, and taste, and the controversies surrounding salt intake. It also discusses the interconnected roles of sodium and potassium, and the impact of different types of salt solutions on palate perception and health implications.

Food enthusiast Dr. Chris van Tulleken explores the complexities of making good food choices, including the importance of understanding food labels and certifications. The podcast dives into the evolving food safety laws, the significance of transparent production standards, and the challenges of tracing the sources and production methods of chicken in processed foods.

Dr. Chris van Tulleken investigates eco-friendly chicken meat production, highlighting the dilemma between welfare and environmental impact. He questions if he should eat the happiest birds or the kindest to the planet, causing conflict on his poultry quest. The podcast delves into balancing animal welfare and sustainability, ethical food choices, and the challenges in the food industry.

Dr. Chris van Tulleken questions the ethics of chicken farming for meat consumption. Topics include chicken welfare, training possibilities, modern farming concerns, and the Better Chicken Commitment for industry improvements.

From a scrawny egg-laying bird to the most consumed protein, the podcast explores the history and consequences of chicken meat production. It delves into the evolution of farming practices, rise in consumption, and impact of antibiotics on the industry. Reflections on chicken slaughtering and welfare highlight the emotional challenges faced by farmers in the process.

Dr. Chris van Tulleken, a food researcher dedicated to uncovering dietary truths, dives into the fascinating history of chicken as a food source. He reveals how chickens evolved from revered animals to mass-produced commodities, raising questions about our food choices. The podcast explores the Chicken of Tomorrow contest and its impact on modern poultry breeding. Ethical dilemmas surrounding the treatment of chickens are discussed, spotlighting the tension between food security and animal welfare. It's a revealing journey into what’s on our plates.

Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber both have a love of science, but it turns out there’s a lot they don’t know about some of the leading women at the front of the inventing game. In Unstoppable, Dr Julia and Dr Ella tell each other the hidden, world-shaping stories of the engineers, innovators and inventors they wish they’d known about when they were starting out as scientists. This week, the inventor whose incredible capacity to solve problems inspired today’s most popular period products. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner – known as Beatrice – grew up in a family of inventors, creating her first invention at just six years old. And she didn’t stop there – she continued to invent throughout her adult life, including a new and improved sanitary pad in a time when there was still a big taboo around periods. However, as an African American woman during a time of racial segregation, Beatrice faced injustice and discrimination when trying to get her inventions patented. But if anything, this spurred Beatrice on, and at one point in time she held the most patents of any African American woman. Dr Julia and Dr Ella are joined by Professor Sharra Vostral and Ashleigh Coren as they tell Beatrice’s remarkable story. Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston Production co-ordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy Editor: Holly Squire

In her last year of high school, Olga González-Sanabria went on a field trip to the University of Puerto Rico’s school of engineering – and immediately knew that was what she wanted to do. She followed her passion and after university was recruited by Nasa, where she carried out instrumental work, without which we would not have the International Space Station.As the very first Latina woman working in engineering at Nasa, Olga’s career has not always been an easy ride, but is filled with remarkable achievements. Dr Ella and Dr Julia tell her story, and Olga herself gives us a first-hand account of her life so far.Presenters: Dr Ella Hubber and Dr Julia Ravey Producers: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston Production co-ordinator: Elisabeth Tuohy Editor: Holly Squire (Photo: Olga González-Sanabria. Credit: Nasa Glenn Research Center)