Rephonic
Artwork for Gastropod
Climate Change
Agriculture
Food Security
Rice
Klamath River
Shrimp
Dentistry
Corn
Vanilla
David Fairchild
Interstitium
Bagels
Salmon
French Fries
Pizza
Yogurt
Avocado
Food Culture
Jewish Cuisine
Yurok Tribe

Food with a side of science and history. Every other week, co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley serve up a brand new episode exploring the hidden history and surprising science behind a different food- or farming-related topic, from aquaculture to ancient feasts, from cutlery to chile peppers, and from microbes to Malbec. We interview experts, visit labs, fields, and archaeological digs, and... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes290Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsScienceFood

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Artwork for Gastropod

Latest Episodes

Consider the lobster roll: tender chunks of lobster bathed in butter or mayo, sandwiched between two slices of a squishy bread roll… Have we caught your attention yet? Lobster is a summertime staple in New England, a fixture on casino and cruise ship... more

In millions of homes, humans aren’t the only creatures sitting down to dinner. So what's on the menu for pets—and what impact does it have on their health, as well as the environment? This episode, we go back thousands of years to figure out what our... more

For those who like its earthy flavor, the humble beet can do a lot for a salad or a soup. But could it help end slavery? In the 1800s, one woman believed it could—and she wasn't just any old woman. This episode, meet Lydia Maria Child, who wrote the ... more

White or whole wheat: while today the question is most frequently asked at the sandwich counter, the debate over the correct answer goes back literally thousands of years. This episode, we dive into the world's longest-running, highest-stakes food fi... more

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Recent Guests

Trevor Corson
Author of The Secret Life of Lobsters
Author
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Rick Walley
Lobster scientist
University of Maine, Lobster Institute
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Raouf Kalada
Marine scientist
University of New Brunswick and Suez Canal University
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Alamgar Karim
Scientist studying lobster shells for materials
University of Houston
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Audrey Moores
Chemist focusing on chitosan/chitin applications
McGill University
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Tim (partner of host)
Mentioned as partner in research trips
Guest personal
Episode: What the Shell? Cracking the Lobster's Mysteries
Emily Anthes
Science reporter, The New York Times, Pet Theory columnist
The New York Times
Episode: A Dog's Dinner: What Should We Really Be Feeding Our Pets?
Michael Corrin
Columnist and writer
The Washington Post
Episode: A Dog's Dinner: What Should We Really Be Feeding Our Pets?
Rachel Kelly
Researcher on pet food history
University/academic journalist (as cited in episode)
Episode: A Dog's Dinner: What Should We Really Be Feeding Our Pets?

Hosts

Cynthia Graber
Co-host delivering historical and scientific storytelling around food, with a focus on rigorous context and engaging narration.
Nicola Twilley
Co-host known for exploring food culture through history and science with a clear, curious inquiry style.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.6k ratings
  • Well-researched and written

    I really enjoy Gastropod’s thoughtful blend of history, science, and social issues (such as including class, race, and colonialism in their discussions); I always learn a lot. I also appreciate how professional and polished each episode is. Many podcast hosts are unfortunately rather careless in their work. I wish others would take a cue from Gastropod.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LadyGrady
    United States18 days ago
  • Listener questioning ethics of endorsing certain ads

    I will start off by saying that I see no issue with podcasts endorsing brands as a way to financially support the show and its makers, we all live in capitalism and we all buy things. Listeners like to be recommended products by podcasters that they trust. I do take issue with this podcast recording bespoke brand endorsements and failing to share with its listeners any ethical framework for whose money they will or won’t take. Many listener supported shows do this. It builds trust and shows that... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mjmmzz
    Australiaa month ago
  • I love gastropod!

    Gastropod is an always interesting, engagingly presented podcast about the science and history of food and its role in human culture. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baby Bella Twinkie-Butt
    United Statesa month ago
  • Eating noises

    I just discovered this show and in general really like it. Was very interested in the seed oil episode except that when it got to the tasting I had to switch it off. I don’t need or want to hear the presenters’ eating noises. It’s unbearable. It gives me such an ick I just dive for the off-switch. Please. Just don’t.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ray de Oprow
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Brindled Congo

    I gave this show 5 stars because it delivers great content on the cultural background and science of food., which is of great interest to me as an avid cook, I’ve learned so much. I could do without the political commentary and interjections.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brindled congo
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans highlight engaging storytelling and high production quality across diverse topics.
Some critics mention political commentary; others appreciate the depth and guests.
Listeners praise the show's well-researched mix of history, science, and culture around food.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#50
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#52
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#17
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#39
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Q: Why did sushi become a cultural phenomenon in the United States in the 1980s?
A combination of global economic growth, increased interest in Japanese culture due to media and entertainment like Shogun, celebrities embracing sushi, and a rising disposable income that allowed dining out and trying new foods.
Sushi's Extraordinary Evolution: From Pickle to Primetime
Q: But how did sushi evolve from a year-long fermentation to something made with vinegar-seasoned rice?
It evolved through successive transformations in Japan, especially in Edo, where vinegar was added to rice and quicker, more convenient forms like nigiri were developed, making sushi faster to prepare and eat.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: Is there evidence that restricting what can be bought with SNAP improves health outcomes?
There is little to no robust evidence that restricting SNAP purchases leads to healthier overall choices; people tend to spend benefits on what they need, and incentives for buying healthier options, such as matching programs at farmers' markets, have shown more promise.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: What are the arguments for and against tying SNAP to the Farm Bill?
Tying SNAP to the Farm Bill helps preserve broad political support among agricultural states and retailers, ensuring ongoing nutrition assistance, but critics argue it creates a false dichotomy between welfare and farming policy and makes meaningful reform difficult; separating SNAP could threaten funding and political backing from rural stakeholders.
SNAP To It! Why Food Stamps Matter To All of Us—And Why They're Under Threat
Q: Why do you think SNAP hasn't solved hunger completely, even though it reduces food insecurity?
Because SNAP provides an income supplement specifically for food, but hunger is influenced by a broader set of factors including health, access to healthcare, housing stability, education, and regional disparities, so money for food alone can't fix all underlying causes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gastropod

What is Gastropod about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A historically rich exploration of food, science, and culture, with episodes spanning bread's white-versus-whole-wheat collision, government dietary guidance, sushi's global rise, SNAP policy, and what counts as a pancake. The show threads together industrial innovation, nutrition science, culinary history, and policy debates, often featuring expert guests, archival research, and fieldwork that reveal how food shapes society, identity, and everyday choices. Noteworthy is the breadth of topics—from kitchen accessibility to global culinary phenomena—delivered by two hosts who anchor each episode in clear storytelling, rigorous context, and a playful, inquisitive tone. Listeners who enjoy well-sourced history, science, and culture around what ... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers Gastropod has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Gastropod?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Gastropod:

1. The Sporkful
2. Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
3. The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
4. Good Food
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Gastropod are there?

Gastropod launched 12 years ago and published 290 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Gastropod?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Gastropod?

Recent guests on Gastropod include:

1. Trevor Corson
2. Rick Walley
3. Raouf Kalada
4. Alamgar Karim
5. Audrey Moores
6. Tim (partner of host)
7. Emily Anthes
8. Michael Corrin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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