Fairly Interesting: Recent Episodes
Fairly Interesting
Sharing the goodness of agriculture and human ingenuity, one Fairly Interesting discussion at a time. Brought to you by Dr. Tommy Winders, Max Winders, & Jack Winders
The Race to the South Pole wasn’t won by luck — it was won by understanding one invisible killer: scurvy.
In this episode, we follow Roald Amundsen’s triumph and Robert Falcon Scott’s tragic death, revealing how Amundsen’s lessons from the Inuit — fresh seal meat, dogs, and skis — defeated the disease that destroyed Scott’s team.From medieval sailors bleeding from the gums to the horrors of being stranded in the Arctic for years, polar bear attacks, and the defeat of the Franco-Spanish armada, we trace scurvy’s bloody history. Discover Lind’s citrus trial, James Cook’s use of lemon juice, the discovery of Vitamin C, and why fresh meat (including eating sled dogs) prevented scurvy and opened the path to glory. A gripping tale of science, survival, and one crucial molecule.
Trillions of microbes live inside you. More than your own cells, rivaling the stars in our galaxy, and they’re quietly controlling your mood, anxiety, fear, boldness, and even your cravings. This episode reveals the microbiome’s hidden power: how it shapes digestion, immunity, and the gut-brain axis, why dysbiosis can trap you in anxiety and overeating, and the evolutionary “microbial wars” where certain bacteria manipulate you to eat the junk food that makes them thrive, turning your body into an ever-expanding apartment complex for themselves. From early-life seeding to simple diet shifts that restore calm, confidence, and balance, this is the episode that will forever change how you see yourself.
Uncover salt's epic history—from empire-building currency to Gandhi's revolution-sparking march. Explore its biological necessity, animal cravings, and the flawed "salt scare" that wrongly equates low salt with universal health. Science reveals extreme restriction activates stress hormones, triggers insulin resistance, raises heart rate, and may increase risks. Moderate intake often optimal; salt: essential, not enemy.
The flesh-eating screwworm that devours cattle and wildlife alive is threatening the US again. Once a major beef production issue has since been largely solved thanks to Knipling and Bushland inventing the Sterile Insect Technique in the 1930’s. New World Screwworm was eradicated from the US in 1966 by releasing sterile males into the wild, ultimately leading to population collapse. That same genius sterilizing blueprint later eradicated the tsetse fly, carrier of sleeping sickness, from Zanzibar in 1997 and other parts of Africa, slashing human cases by 97%. The story begins even earlier with Texas fever, when in 1893 Theo Smith proved ticks transmit Babesia—igniting the vector-borne revolution that made all these victories possible. Three parasites, three insects, three battles to improve humanity and reduce suffering
In this episode we discuss insulin and insulin resistance. This leads onto the profound health benefits of nutritional ketosis. From obesity Type 2 Diabetes and weight loss to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Cancer and even Malaria. “Keto” is a practical way of improving many health maladies. 73% of US population is overweight and obese. This is a health crisis that can be helped by simple nutritional life style changes. Join us for a fairly interesting chat.
- Fat: Why it Matters and What to Do About It with Ben Bikman | The Metabolic Link Ep. 35
- Keto versus Colon Cancer: Microbiome Makes the Difference
- How Ketones Take out the Trash: New Research on Diet and Brain Aging
- Cancer as a Mitochondrial Metabolic Disease: Thomas Seyfried
- Fat Cell Scientist: 99% People Lose Weight & Stop Disease Faster With This Insulin Trick
Sunflowers turn before dawn, vines mimic their neighbors, corn recruits wasps to kill caterpillars, and trees chat underground. What secrets are plants hiding, and are they smarter than we think? Join us on this episode as we explore the hidden and incredible life and communication of plants.
References:
- What a Plant Knows
- The Light Eaters
Should imported beef be labeled “Product of the USA” when it’s not born or raised here? We discuss the complex issue of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), which would ensure every package reveals its true origin, empowering you to choose authentic, U.S.-born beef over cheap imports. We dive into why this matters: a beef herd at its lowest in 73 years—down from 38 million in 1985 to 28 million today—shrinking consumption, and the bitter irony of “Beef, it’s what’s for dinner”. Join us to explore the what, why, and how of shaping U.S. beef’s future. Giddy’Up!
Donor organs are desperately needed. The waiting list for a heart. kidney, lung is long and uncertain. Enter the emerging world of Transgenic and Chimeric Pigs. What if pigs can grow a new heart, just for you? Even one with your own genetic material. Join us for this fascinating chat about growing custom organs, harvesting organs for Organ Tourism and the ethical and practical issues of this growing global industry.
In this podcast we clear up the misperceptions around Corporate Farming and explain how family farms are still the bedrock of American agriculture. The reality is far different than what you might think. We explore why there is such emotional resonance associated with the proverbial family farm. Why people feel so strongly about small farms, family farms, and where our food comes from.
In this episode we discuss irrigation; the manipulation of water for farming and human flourishing. From beaver dams to the Ogallala Aquifer, from the Indus valley to Petra, from (midget) water diviners to nuclear desalination plants, we look forward to a future “greening” of Africa and nourishing the world with unlimited sweetwater. We hope you enjoy this wide ranging chat.
RFK Jr. is driving a fresh national discussion on health through nutrition. While this is a welcome development, unfortunately, he and others like Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson are missing the last part of the story. The unintended consequences of so-called organic farming would be disastrous. We also discuss the disturbing recent paper published by the American Academy of Pediatrics warning about dangerous GMO foods for children. Not only is the paper terribly irresponsible and very flawed, but it also appears to have a dark motivation behind it. Knowledge is power and we hope this helps add to your understanding. Cheers!
References & Relevant Articles:
- Use of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)-Containing Food Products in Children | Pediatrics(this is the paper by American Academy of Pediatrics that we discuss in the episode)
- A Pediatrician's Letter to the AAP - by Nicole Keller
- Ignore Science, Advance an Agenda - THE FIREBREAK
- Dragging Trust in Science into the Sewer - by David Zaruk
- Posh nosh: With a gaping hole in the public finances, why are British taxpayers subsidising premium-priced organic food?
- Industrialisation of organic will seal its downfall
In this episode we revisit Fake Meat and explore why Beyond Beef stock crashed, why McDonald's discontinued their fake meat burger, and why the hype bubble is bursting. Hint, the cows won't even eat veggie burgers! We hope you enjoy it.
- Why Beyond Meat Is Crashing Today | Nasdaq
- BANKRUPT: The WEF agenda is FAILING! - by Peter Imanuelsen
- Fake Beef Craze Fizzles With Beyond Meat in the Crosshairs - Bloomberg
- Savor Successfully Develops Dairy & Plant-Free Butter From CO2 and Hydrogen - vegconomist - the vegan business magazine
- Opinion Where's the beef? Here's why the fake meat fad sizzled out.
- Fake Meat Was Supposed to Save the World. It Became Just Another Fad
Tune into our 2nd episode of Cruel To Be Kind, a continuation of our discussion about common farming animal husbandry practices. From Molting chickens, Trimming beaks, Dehorning cattle, and Shearing sheep, we delve into practices that are commonly used by farmers but are easily misunderstood by the public. Enjoy!
Farmers around the world utilize common practices which may appear to be cruel, but ultimately are rooted in kindness ultimately produce the best outcomes. Livestock producers implement such practices that may be a short term stressful event for the long term well being and performance of their animals. To an outsider, practices such as castration, tail docking, branding, and snipping eye teeth appear to be cruel, but there is a beneficial effect that most are unaware of. Join us as we explore some of these practices and explain the why and how behind them.
In this episode we revisit the saga of Golden Rice. 140 million poor children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, of which 500,000 go blind and 250,000 die each year. Golden Rice could save them, except Greenpeace continues to sabotage it's use. From "Save The Whales" to "Let The Children go Blind and Die", we review the antihuman trajectory of Greenpeace. How did it stray so far from its original mission and why Golden Rice should be approved immediately.
Resources & references:
PhilRice acknowledges Court of Appeals’ decision granting the Writ of Kalikasan against Golden Rice in the Philippines; takes advice on implications of decision
Children could die because of Greenpeace’s Golden Rice activism | The Spectator
Greenpeace Crusade Against Golden Rice Will Blind and Kill Children
Genetically modified golden rice may yet succeed in the Philippines | New Scientist
The Philippines bans some genetically modified foods
What a Philippine court ruling means for transgenic Golden Rice, once hailed as a dietary breakthrough | Science
How may the Philippines be affected by the Court of Appeals 2024 Writ of Kalikasan? - BusinessWorld Online
In this podcast we're joined by our agronomist friend, Seth Tuscherer, to bring the boots on the ground perspective as we discuss the demonization of glyphosate, monocrop agriculture and how the precautionary principle has gone haywire. From RFK Jr to Joe Rogan, glyphosate is painted as a deadly carcinogen, poisoning the world. How did such an incredible molecule, responsible for so much good, fall so far, and be so misunderstood? Join us for another (fairly) interesting ride as we take some of the fear out of the air.
Glyphosate ban will have economic impacts on European agriculture but effects are heterogenous and uncertain
A Human Biomonitoring Study Assessing Glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA) Exposures among Farm and Non-Farm Families
Glyphosate Use and Cancer Incidence in the Agricultural Health Study
Dangerous levels of glyphosate in urine? Junk science paper based upon a large-scale anti-GMO testing campaign - Genetic Literacy Project
Glyphosate | EFSA
Quantifying changes in the environmental impact of in-crop herbicide use in Saskatchewan, Canada | Weed Technology | Cambridge Core
Impact assessment of the loss of glyphosate within the EU: a literature review | Environmental Sciences Europe
Who's Afraid of Roundup?
Glyphosate toxicity and carcinogenicity: a review of the scientific basis of the European Union assessment and its differences with IARC
Meta-Analyses of Glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Expert Panel Conclusions and Recommendations
The contribution of glyphosate to agriculture and potential impact of restrictions on use at the global level
Glyphosate Technical Fact Sheet
In this chat we digest beef and it's nutritional components, such as protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fats. Join us on a far ranging discussion, from Ferdinand Magellan’s crew to Custer’s 7th Cavalry; from Gynecomastia (hint, Bill Gates) to Pellagra, it's quite the ride. We hope you'll enjoy.
Book References:
Napoleon's Buttons. How 17 Molecules Changed The World
Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity
The whole food beef matrix is more than the sum of its parts
Total Meat Intake is Associated with Life Expectancy: A Cross-Sectional Data Analysis of 175 Contemporary Populations
Myoprotective Whole Foods, Muscle Health and Sarcopenia
In this podcast we discuss the limitations of epidemiology, especially as it relates to nutrition and health studies in human populations. We dig into a recent study (2023) published by a group at Harvard that created sensational headlines about red meat causing Type II Diabetes. We chat about why this study and others like it are deeply flawed.
From Ancel Keys in 1960 to Harvard in 2023, meat and fat has been demonized for 80 years. Americans consume 38% less red meat yet Type II Diabetes (& Obesity) now affects around 90 million Americans. Something doesn't add up. Tune in to learn why.
- Harvard Study 2023
- Harvard is Anti-Meat. Teicolz Article
- Epidemiology Studies. Need to take with a grain of salt
In this podcast we discuss Thermoregulation. From the USS Jeanette Voyage to the artic to The San endurance hunters of the Kalahari we discuss thermoregulation of our bodies, how to keep our bodies in the Goldilocks zone. We also chat about what heat stress and cold stress means to animal agriculture, why farmers work hard to keep our animals comfortable, why it matters and various strategies employed. We take staying warm for granted, thanks to 3.5 million years of endothermic evolution, but we seldom think about how and why. Join us for this rambling exploration.
Books Referenced
- The Island of The Blue Foxes
- The Kingdom of Ice
- Why We Run
- Madhouse At The End of The Earth
- Benefits of Mitigating Heat Stress in Dairy Cows
In this podcast we chat about the crazy world of epigenetics. From Jean Baptiste Lamark's half-baked theory of evolution, through Darwin and Mendel to today where scientist are confronted with more and more evidence of the environment shaping our genetic code. It seems our genetic potential is not as "fixed at birth" as we once assumed. Epigenetics is a hidden universe of potential. From the Dutch Famine (Hunger Winter) to Trofirm Lysenko and mass starvation in Soviet Russia and Maoist China to chick embryo's and heat stressed cattle, we discuss how epigenetics shapes life.
- Epigenetics: How Environment Shapes Our Genes
- Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease and Inheritance
- Lysenko’s Ghost: Epigenetics and Russia
From Dwight Eisenhower's 7 heart attacks and Ancel Keys and the creation of the diet-food-pharma industrial complex. We discuss the low fat diet disaster (obesity epidemic) the cholesterol myth, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and why diets fail. A far ranging discussion that puts animal fat, butter and meat back on the menu! Join us for the ride.
Books referenced:
Big Fat Surprise, By Nina Teicholz
The Great Cholesterol Myth. By Bowden and Sinatra
The Clot Thickens. By Malcolm Kendrick
Why We Get Fat. By Gary Taubes
Catching Fire. By Richard Wrangham
Studies:
- Assessing the Link Between Statins and Insulin Intolerance: A Systematic Review
- Carbohydrate-based diet may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease: A pooled analysis of two prospective cohort studies
- Dyslipidemia paradox: Analysis from the veterans exercise testing study
- Unprocessed Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption: Dietary Guideline Recommendations From the Nutritional Recommendations (NutriRECS) Consortium | Annals of Internal Medicine
- Associations of unprocessed and processed meat intake with mortality and cardiovascular disease in 21 countries [Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study]: a prospective cohort study | The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | Oxford Academic
- Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies | The BMJ
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109720356874?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=7ea46fafbd03114b
- Associations of fats and carbohydrate intake with cardiovascular disease and mortality in 18 countries from five continents (PURE): a prospective cohort study
- LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review of the current literature
- Limited effect of dietary saturated fat on plasma saturated fat in the context of a low carbohydrate diet
- Effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on insulin-resistant dyslipoproteinemia-a randomized controlled feeding trial
- Total cholesterol and all-cause mortality by sex and age: a prospective cohort study among 12.8 million adults | Scientific Reports
In this episode we discuss parasites, our ancient and ubiquitous foes. Parasites have plagued us and every living organism since the dawn of time. This absolutely fascinating class of animals is supremely adapted to survival, in the most gross fashion (like eating your tongue to take its place in your mouth!) From the Panama Canal, mind control of cats and maggots devouring lambs, we cover the story of parasites and how we are in a Red Queen war, forever running to stay ahead of these relentless companions.
Books referenced:
- Parasite Rex by Karl Zimmer
- The Path Between The Seas by David McCollough
From immortal cell lines (hint, Henrietta) to Fetal Bovine Serum and Bioreactors, we discuss the development and outlook for cell cultured meat, aka, Lab Meat. Join us in our wide ranging chat about cellular meat hype, hope and reality. We pull back the covers on ethical, technical and practical implications of this emerging technology. It’s quite the ride!
Book reference:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
In this episode we chat about vaccines and how they have saved the lives of hundreds of millions of people and animals. We also discuss the curious and mysterious nature of viruses – they are part of us and every living organism, and yet they are our biggest killers. From the advent of agriculture, viruses co-evolved with us and our domesticated animals, ever changing, fascinating shape-shifters hiding from our immune system and our vaccines to fight them. Legends such as Koch, Jenner, Salk, Hilleman have saved the lives of countless billions (of people and animals) from death, untold misery and sickness - but we are in an eternal war, and cannot rest on past success.
Books referenced:
- Vaccinated: From Cowpox to mRNA, the Remarkable Story of Vaccines
- Invincible Microbe: Tuberculosis and the Never-Ending Search for a Cure
- Influenza: The Hundred-Year Hunt to Cure the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic
- Polio: An American Story
"Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” - Winston Churchill.
From sperm whales hunting giant squid to bumble bees talking to flowers, we explore animal and plant intelligence. What is natural, why we eat some animals and not others and what is our obligation and responsibility for the food-animals we eat? We explore the slippery (and emotional) slope of defining what is permissible to eat, as well as why and how our growing understanding of all life forms makes the distinction between plants and animals less clear.
Books Referenced:
- Animals in Translation - Temple Grandin
- Catching Fire - Richard Wrangham
- What a Plant Knows - Daniel Chamovitz
- Alaska's Wolf Man - Jim Rearden
- The Jungle - Upton Sinclair
In this episode we chatted about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. What was the world like before the miracle of antibiotics was discovered? The unfolding of an epic drama: microbe versus man. How antibiotics (used to treat people and food animals) has helped humanity flourish from 2 billion people to 8 billion and how our average life expectancy rose from 35 years to 80 years. We cover the threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the growing threat to human health and reason for optimism. From throwing virgins into volcanoes to AI machine learning, it’s a wide ranging chat!
Books referenced include:
- Demon Under The Microscope by Thomas Hager
- Justinian’s Flea by William Rosen
- The First Miracle Drugs by John E. Lesch
- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Have topics and/or guests you'd like to recommend? Send us an email at fairlyinterestingpod@gmail.com!
In this episode we discuss methane emissions form ruminants and why you shouldn’t be alarmed by 'cow farts'. We chat about methane emissions from cattle and put it into an historical perspective of the massive North American buffalo, elk and deer herds. In a wide ranging discussion we cover The Plains Indians, the clearing of the Great American Prairie, the great cattle drives from Texas to Montana, the Corporate cattle boom and bust epoch, The Great Die Up, the battle between the Railroad Barons versus the Meat Packer Tycoons and the establishment of the US Cattle industry as we know it today. You can enjoy your steaks without any guilt or concern about destroying the planet. Eat more beef.
Books referenced:
- Cattle Kingdom by Christopher Knowlton
- Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne
- Sitting Bull by Robert M. Utley
- The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
- Undaunted Courage by Steven Ambrose
Have topics and/or guests you'd like to recommend? Send us an email at fairlyinterestingpod@gmail.com!
In this podcast we discuss The Malthusian Catastrophe and why it never came true. Why the alarmists like Malthus, Erhlich, Club of Rome and Green Peace were wrong and how modern agriculture coupled with fossil fuels, synthetic nitrogen and the Green Revolution allowed humanity to escape "the trap" and feed 8 billion people. We also discuss the miracle of the rumen digestive physiology and converting inedible foodstuffs into steaks. We cover India and sacred cows, food waste, upcycling and the parsimony of the cattle beef industry. We wrap this episode up with how meat, fire and psychedelic mushrooms made us human! Hope you enjoy it & eat more beef.
Books referenced:
- The Population Bomb by Paul R. Ehrlich
- The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager
- Our Daily Bread, The Essential Norman Borlaug by Noel Vietmeyer
- Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human by Richard Wrangham
- Animals and Psychedelics by Giorgio Samorini
Have topics and/or guests you'd like to recommend? Send us an email at fairlyinterestingpod@gmail.com!
In this podcast we discuss a wide variety of topics: GMO’s and genetic engineering – from milking camels and pig domestication to insect-resistant crops and the Dust Bowl; double standards for organic farming and how regenerative farming ideology has “taken the torch” from organic; And questioning the novelty of regenerative practices and its impact if adopted at a large scale. This is a conversation about embracing technology to produce more food with fewer resources and a smaller environmental footprint.
Books referenced:
- Lesser Beasts – Mark Essig
- The Worst Hard Time – Timothy Egan
Welcome to our podcast! In this first episode we discuss topics including supporting the developing world through technology in ag, feeding 10 billion people, the myopic war on CO2, Trojan Horses, the critical need for Abundance Agriculture, the dangers of utopian pursuits, the implications of organic farming and much more.
Books referenced include:
- The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley
- More From Less by Matt McAfee
