Best Incan Podcasts (2025)

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Is Your Cinnamon Fake? Where Does Kefir Come From? Plus: Why Is Citric Acid In Everything? Ask Gastropod! 42:33

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11d ago42:33

42:33

The season for holiday baking is upon us, and before you spice up your cookies and pies, you’ll probably want to know: is most of the cinnamon on grocery store shelves actually fake? That’s one question we’re investigating this week on behalf of you, dear listeners, in the latest installment of our popular Ask Gastropod series! This episode, we've …

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Forget Plain Vanilla: You'll Never See The World's Favorite Flavor the Same Way Again 50:45

25d ago50:45

50:45

Today, 'vanilla' often means boring, and yet the edible seedpod of this Central American orchid is one of the most expensive spices in the world, not to mention one of the most popular flavors globally. So how did this coveted bean get such a ho-hum reputation? Listen in this episode as Gastropod travels to vanilla's homeland in the highlands of Ve…

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From Fountain of Youth to Fruit on the Bottom: How Yoghurt Finally Made it Big in America 50:45

1M ago50:45

50:45

Yoghurt is the most diverse section of the dairy case: from Icelandic skyr to creamy Australian, and fruity French Yoplait to full-fat Greek. With something to suit every palate, plus a dose of microbes to support healthy digestion, yoghurt is a staple food in the US, hero of a million smoothies, berry bowls, and snack breaks every day. Which is wh…

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Yes, You Really Can Make Food From Thin Air—And We Tried It 48:19

2M ago48:19

48:19

Every second of every day, plants on earth do something miraculous: they take the carbon dioxide from air and turn it into food. With very few exceptions, everything we eat starts out that way. But what if we wanted to cut out the middlemen, re-wild all those fields full of wheat and corn, and manufacture dinner directly from the atmosphere ourselv…

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Series 2 - The Greek Gods - Zeus - Rise of Monsters 4:28

2M ago4:28

4:28

When the Titans fell, the gods believed their reign unshakable. But deep within the wounded earth, Gaia mourned—and her grief became fury. From her sorrow rose Echidna, mother of monsters, and Typhon, the storm that would challenge Olympus itself. As fire and fury climb toward the heavens, Zeus faces his most terrifying foe yet. The skies split, th…

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Series 2 - The Greek Gods - Zeus - Divide and Rule 5:10

2M ago5:10

5:10

When the war between the Olympians and Titans ended, the world itself had to be divided. In this episode, we explore how Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades drew lots to claim the sky, sea, and underworld—and how this fateful division shaped the balance of power among the gods. From Olympus to the depths of Tartarus, discover how the realms of the divine wer…

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Series 2 - The Greek Gods - Zeus - War of the Immortals: The Titanomachy 7:18

2M ago7:18

7:18

Before Olympus rose above the clouds… before Zeus claimed the throne of the heavens… there was war. A war that shook creation itself. The Titanomachy—an age when gods battled their own kin, when thunder clashed against stone, and the world trembled beneath their fury. This is the story of betrayal and vengeance, of courage and chaos. The dawn of Ol…

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Series 2 - The Greek Gods - Zeus - The Birth of Zeus: Rise of the Thunder King 2:37

2M ago2:37

2:37

Before he ruled Olympus, Zeus was just a child hidden in a cave—destined to overthrow a tyrant. In this episode, discover how the youngest son of Cronus escaped being devoured, rose against the Titans, and claimed his place as the king of the gods. A tale of prophecy, rebellion, and divine destiny begins here.…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - The Cosmic Egg: Birth of the Hindu Universe 7:41

2M ago7:41

7:41

Before the gods, before time itself—there was only the endless ocean of nothingness. From its depths, a golden egg emerged, birthing Brahma, the Creator. In this episode of History, Myth, and Legend, we unravel the mesmerizing Hindu story of creation—where divine breath gives rise to worlds, gods awaken from dreams, and the universe itself pulses i…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Atum and the First Light: Egypt’s Story of Creation 5:54

2M ago5:54

5:54

In this episode of History, Myth, and Legend, journey into the heart of Egypt’s cosmic dawn—a story of divine creation, separation, and eternal renewal. Discover how the ancient Egyptians saw the universe as a living cycle of chaos and harmony, life and death, and why every sunrise was not just a new day, but the rebirth of creation itself. Listen …

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Pizza Pizza! 46:10

2M ago46:10

46:10

At last, an episode on pizza! But that raises a tricky question: what exactly is pizza? As it turns out, the original pizzas from eighteenth-century Naples looked nothing like a standard slice—they were more like a focaccia, topped with oil, herbs, anchovies, or whatever else was on hand. Even after these first pizzas met the tomato, the dish was a…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - “Be, and It Is”: The Islamic Story of Creation 6:54

2M ago6:54

6:54

Journey into the heart of Islamic cosmology as we explore how the universe, the earth, and humankind came to be—according to the Qur’an and Hadith. In this episode, we trace the divine act of creation by Allah, from the formation of the heavens and the earth to the shaping of Adam from clay and the breath that gave him life. Discover how angels, ji…

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Everything You Know About Metabolism Is Wrong 48:00

3M ago48:00

48:00

By Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Born of Spirit and Sea: The Creole & Voodoo Creation Story 5:38

3M ago5:38

5:38

Before time had a name, the sky cracked open and spirits spilled into the sea. From their dance rose land, life, and the first heartbeat of humanity. In this episode, journey beyond the veil into the Creole and Voodoo legend of creation — a story where mighty lwa shape the earth with their power, where ancestors whisper on the wind, and where the b…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Before Time Began: A Journey Through Christian and Jewish Origins 7:03

3M ago7:03

7:03

Step back to the dawn of time as we explore the shared roots and unique perspectives of the Christian and Jewish creation stories. From the opening verses of Genesis to centuries of interpretation and symbolism, this episode dives into how both faiths understand the birth of the universe, the shaping of the earth, and humanity’s place within it. Di…

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Durian Delight and Feijoa Fun: Adventures in Banned, Forgotten, and Unusual Fruit 50:46

3M ago50:46

50:46

This week on Gastropod, a feast of fruits! Specifically, feijoa and durian—and, if you haven’t heard of either, you’re not alone. Unlike the ubiquitous strawberry or banana, durian and feijoa are only popular in a handful of countries and almost unknown in the US, and we wanted to know why—especially because the people who love them really love the…

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S7E10: It Is All Your Fault. Sort Of. 1:21:33

3M ago1:21:33

1:21:33

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 10 It Is All Your Fault. Sort Of. On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we look at all the reasons you are stuck -- a kite held down with a rock, a heavy heart teathered to a boulder. Everything is energy. Everything has a resonance. Everything is a reflection of y…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - From Lake Titicaca to the Sun: The Incan Creation of the World 5:40

3M ago5:40

5:40

Long before the Spanish arrived, the Inca told a story of cosmic beginnings rooted in the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca. From the darkness emerged the god Viracocha, creator of earth, sky, sun, moon, and humankind. In this episode, we journey through the Incan vision of creation—how gods shaped mountains and valleys, brought order to chaos, and se…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Waves of Chaos: The Carthaginian & Phoenician Birth of the World! 5:59

3M ago5:59

5:59

Before there was land or sky, only endless waters rolled in darkness. From these depths stirred the first powers of the Carthaginians and Phoenicians—primal deities who would spark creation itself. Listen as the sea-born chaos gives way to cosmic order, as Baal Hammon raises the heavens, Tanit breathes life into earth, and the gods shape the sun, s…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Roots of Life: The Bantu Myth of Creation 6:21

4M ago6:21

6:21

In this episode, we journey into the heart of Bantu mythology to explore their vision of the world’s beginning. Discover how the first man and woman came to life, the role of Kalunga—the great god of creation—and the connection between the living, the ancestors, and the spirit world. This story reveals not only the origins of humanity but also the …

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Talking Taco 43:01

4M ago43:01

43:01

Whether or not it's Tuesday, tacos pretty much always hit the spot—and not just in their homeland in Mexico. These days, the taco can be found all over the world, although it's acquired some strange new fillings along the way, from French fries to canned corn. It's hard to imagine something so universal having to be invented—but, in fact, the taco …

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S7E9: Just Say Yes And The Momentum Will Follow 1:23:41

4M ago1:23:41

1:23:41

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Season 9 Just Say Yes And The Momentum Will Follow In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, WE SAY YES and dive a bit into the topic of spiritual retreats, adventure trips, sacred journeys and pilgrimages. Whether you are interested in participating in a retreat, just a littl…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - The Birth of Rome’s Gods and the World 5:57

4M ago5:57

5:57

Step into the origins of Roman mythology, where chaos gives way to cosmos, and primordial gods shape the foundations of the universe. In this episode, we unravel Rome’s take on creation—how the heavens, earth, and seas came to be, and how divine beings like Saturn and Jupiter rose to power. Discover the myths that set the stage for Rome’s legendary…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Origins of the Sands: The Berber Tribes Creation Myth 6:22

4M ago6:22

6:22

Journey into the ancient world of the Berber tribes of North Africa as we explore their unique creation story. From the sacred role of the natural elements to the origins of humanity and the cosmos, this episode delves into the myths, symbols, and cultural wisdom that have shaped Berber identity for centuries. Discover how these stories reveal not …

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - The Celtic Dawn: Creation of the World 6:40

4M ago6:40

6:40

Step into the mists of time and uncover how the ancient Celts imagined the birth of the world. In this episode, we journey through myth and legend to explore the Celtic vision of creation—a cosmos born from chaos, shaped by primal forces, and woven with the mysteries of gods, spirits, and the Otherworld. From the swirling void to the emergence of l…

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Tomatoes: A Love Story 50:48

4M ago50:48

50:48

The tomato is Gastropod’s favorite flavor of summer, and we’re not alone: today, it’s the most popular vegetable on the planet, despite the fact that it's technically a fruit. But, until a couple of hundred years ago, the tomato wasn't really anyone's favorite. In South America, where the tomato originates, no one even bothered to domesticate it; i…

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S7E8: Keeping Up With the Joneses or Being Authentic? 1:10:04

4M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 8 In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we explore the possibilities of living life like our peers or living our own truth. In this crazy world, can we be truly ourselves? Is being authentic a danger zone? Do you live your life trying to fit in, or do you run solo …

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - World Creation on the Back of a Turtle From the Northern Iroquois Tribes of North America 5:35

4M ago5:35

5:35

Discover the Iroquois creation myth where Sky Woman falls from the heavens, animals shape a new world on Turtle Island, and twin brothers—Good Mind and Bad Mind—battle to define the balance of life.By plpowers16

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68. Negro Motorist Green Book, 1936

5M ago

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Road trip! Let's just pack up and go - but where should we go, stay, eat? Easy decisions for some, perilous for others, until a mailman lent his name to a little book that made the journey a whole lot safer, less humiliating and more enjoyable to generations of travelers setting out on the open road to a better future…

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The Most Dangerous Fruit in America 45:20

5M ago45:20

45:20

It's the epitome of summertime: there’s nothing like a cold, juicy slice of red watermelon on a swelteringly hot day. But, once upon a time, watermelons were neither red nor sweet—the wild watermelon has white flesh and a bitter taste. This episode, we scour Egyptian tombs, decaying DNA, and ancient literature in search of watermelon's origins. The…

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67. Guinness Book of Records, 1955

5M ago

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A compendium of fastests and highests and mosts in a book that nobody needs but millions have enjoyed - documenting the boundaries of human capability; just don't call it trivial, and please, stop eating the bicycles. Golden plover for the win! (or not) (researched by Brooks Scheibler)

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The Colorful Tale of Mexico's A-maize-ing Grain 50:56

5M ago50:56

50:56

This might sound corny, but the relationship between maize and humanity is essential. We rely on corn—globally, more maize is grown than wheat or rice—and, in turn, corn is utterly dependent on us, to the extent that it's lost the ability to reproduce without our help. But corn's wild ancestor is such an unappetizing weed that, for decades, archaeo…

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S7E7: Nataline Talks Solo 55:52

5M ago55:52

55:52

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 7 In this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, Nataline talks solo in her desire to bring more clarity while she contemplates spirituality, cosmic investigation, your purpose in life, how not to suffer unnecessarily, and so much more. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast l…

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Should You Be Eating Poison Oak? 31:22

6M ago31:22

31:22

Probably not. But Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz decided to try it anyway, putting his body — and specifically his butt — on the line to answer a seemingly straightforward question: Is it possible to build up a tolerance to poison oak by eating it? (Guest episode) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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66. First Motion Picture Camera Patent, 1888

6M ago

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Edison invented the movie camera, right? Nope - and therein lies a Hollywood story that doesn't take place anywhere near Hollywood, with guest appearances by Greer Garson, Spencer Tracy, Jack the Ripper, and Louis Le Prince, the real inventor, and his real life mystery (researched/written by Ellianna Thayne)…

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Ask Gastropod: Bubblegum, Meal Kits, and the Real Truth About Rooibos 46:13

6M ago46:13

46:13

What do bubblegum, rooibos tea, and meal kits have in common? They’re all topics that puzzle and fascinate you, dear Gastropod listeners. This episode, we're getting to the bottom of your most pressing culinary questions! Such as: Are meal kits really better for the planet than buying and cooking dinner from scratch? Can all the rooibos tea in the …

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Feasting With Montezuma: Food and Farming in a Floating City 52:26

7M ago52:26

52:26

Five centuries ago, before Spanish conquistadors arrived, what's now Mexico City was the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan—and it took the European invaders' breath away. It was built on an island threaded with canals; it was one of the largest cities in the world; and the Spanish could hardly believe the sheer volume of food sold in the city's main ma…

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S7E6: Shifting Paradigms 1:40:21

7M ago1:40:21

1:40:21

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 6 Shifting Paradigms On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast we travel from lemonhead to jarhead, from lightslave to lightworker, from soldiers to warriors, our special guests Charessa and Alex Benavidez are living proof of what a path of enlightenment and spiritual a…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - How the World Was Created: The Dreamtime According to Australian Aboriginal Mythology 6:13

7M ago6:13

6:13

The Australian Aboriginal creation story, known as the Dreamtime or Dreaming, is a rich spiritual and cultural tradition that explains the origins of the land, animals, and people. According to Aboriginal belief, ancestral beings emerged from the earth during the Dreamtime, shaping the landscape and establishing laws for living. These stories, pass…

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Bananageddon! Say Goodbye to the Banana, and Hello to the Weird and Wonderful World of Bananas, Plural 54:13

7M ago54:13

54:13

Yes, it's true: the banana we know and love is going the way of the dodo bird. An incurable strain of the fungal Panama disease known as TR4 is currently wiping out tens of thousands of acres of banana plantations, from Malaysia to Australia and Mozambique to El Salvador. But what's bananas is that this has all happened before! Is history doomed to…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - When Chaos Gave Birth: The Wild Origin Story of the World in Chinese Mythology 6:21

7M ago6:21

6:21

How the world was created, forged by a giant, fixed by a goddess, and alive with creatures born from chaos.By plpowers16

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - Ice, Fire, and a Cow Named Audhumla: How the Norse Gods Created the World 4:39

7M ago4:39

4:39

This is the creation myth from Norse Mythology. Listen to how the ancient seafarers believed the world came to be. Full of front giants, magical cows, and gods, it's a story that is bound to be entertaining.By plpowers16

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S7E5: Invite Yourself To Mind Your Being 1:12:37

7M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 5 Invite Yourself To Mind Your Being The need to be seen, to be wanted, and to belong is a constant and deep need for many people. When this need is not fulfilled, it is the energy of lack that sits at the root of this wound. In this episode, we analyze the energy of emot…

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Series 1 - Creation Beliefs - The Greek Creation Story: Where Chaos Birthed the Cosmos 5:09

7M ago5:09

5:09

This podcast tells the story of how the world was created according to Greek mythology.By plpowers16

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Going Bananas: How a Tropical Treat Became the World's Favorite Fruit 46:11

8M ago46:11

46:11

In 1870, a strange fruit arrived on the docks in New Jersey, starting an industry that would change the world. That fruit was a banana, and, although it was a staple food in tropical regions, most Americans had never tried one. Today, a century and a half later, even the most depressing gas station, corner store, or hotel breakfast buffet in the la…

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S7E4: Convo With The Galactic Beings 1:08:03

8M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 4 On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we journey just a little deeper into the realm of "channeling."" Spiritual channeling is a practice where individuals act as conduits or receivers of information from non-physical entities, such as spirits, guided, or higher …

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Do We Really Have Beer to Thank for the First Writing and Cities? 55:58

8M ago55:58

55:58

Humanity's love affair with beer goes *way* back: 5,000 years ago, the civilization that arose in Mesopotamia invented writing, and one of the very first things they wrote about was... beer! But where was beer itself invented? This episode, we've got the story of beer's origins, the debate over whether humanity domesticated grains for brewing or fo…

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S7E3: Is That A Stone In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? 56:01

8M ago56:01

56:01

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 3 Is That A Stone In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we dive into understanding why so many medicine people carry items such as stones, crystals, amulets and what not on their person. Is it superstition or science?…

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Seed Oil Scare: The Curious Case of Canola 47:46

9M ago47:46

47:46

If you've been hearing that canola is a killer, you're not alone. It's one of the so-called "hateful eight" seed oils: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. says it's among the most deadly things you can eat, and Joe Rogan agrees. But is it true? This episode, we get to the bottom of the debate over the plant formerly (and still, in some places) known as rapeseed…

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S7E2: You Cry Over A Little Ol' Lemon? 1:15:26

9M ago1:15:26

1:15:26

Send us a Text Message! Don't forgot to tell us who you are. Season 7 Episode 2 You Cry Over A Little Ol' Lemon? On this episode of The Sacred Donut Podcast, we look at the importance of the four manifestations -- mental, physical, emotional and spiritual -- and how to bring them into balance. Are you taking care of yourself or taking yourself out …