Podcasts about ethnobiology

Join Peter Richon on Dash Town — highlighting local businesses making an impact in Fuquay! Today, we visit with Sarah Wills, who works in sales for Spray-Net, a home improvement company specializing in exterior painting and kitchen cabinet refinishing. She holds Bachelor's degrees in International Studies and Spanish with focus areas in Latin American Studies and Ethnobiology from Capital University. Her experience includes 18 years of leadership across multiple industries, 7 years of recruiting, and 5 years in sales, as well as time as a Scrum Master, where she helped teams improve collaboration and efficiency. She integrates her background in customer service and restaurant management to create meaningful connections and deliver standout experiences. At Spray-Net, Sarah uses her experience to help homeowners transform their spaces through customized exterior painting and kitchen cabinet refinishing, offering durable, factory-quality results with a personalized touch. To learn more or get an estimate, you can call (919) 759-6363

Join Dr. Quave in conversation with MacArthur Fellow and James Beard award-winning author of “Agave Spirits”, Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan as they discuss the incredible adaptations of desert plants, innovative water management techniques, and the sacred role of plants across various cultures. Dr. Nabhan is globally known for building cross-cultural teams for the collaborative conservation of biocultural landscapes and rare foods, medicines and sacred plants. An author or editor of over thirty books and 120 scientific articles published in the likes of Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, American Anthropologist, Ethnobiology, and the Ecology of Food and Nutrition, he has also written for the New York Times, LA Times, Smithsonian, Food Tank and Huffington Post. He is a pioneer in the Slow Food, Sustainable Agriculture, Plant/Pollinator Conservation and Ecological Restoration movements. In this episode, Dr. Nabhan shares his personal and professional journey, detailing his work in desert plant conservation, indigenous collaborations, and the Sacred Plant Biocultural Recovery Initiative. The discussion underscores the deep connection between plants, spirituality, and human culture, offering insights into how ancient practices can inform modern sustainability efforts. Learn more about his work at https://www.garynabhan.com/ #ethnobotany #desert #fragrance #conservation #agave 

Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 47. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be! Read the show notes and find the full episode here: https://www.armatusoceanic.com/podcast/047-baikal   Located in southern Siberia and covered in thick ice for almost half of the year, the colossal Lake Baikal reaches depths of 1600m making it the oldest, and deepest lake in the world. With hydrothermal vents, methane seeps and vast swathes of endemic species, this ancient lake was too tempting not to talk about.   We speak with Professor Marianne Moore, a Limnologist who has been working on the lake for over 2 decades. She guides us through its incredible ecosystems and species such as the world's only freshwater seal, deep water insects and foot-long flatworms!   We're really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here's a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us!   Thanks again for tuning in, we'll deep-see you next time!   Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan's beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...    Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: podcast@armatusoceanic.com We'd love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!   We are also on  Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic  Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke) Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley)  Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea)    Instagram:  Georgia - @geeinthesea Thom - @thom.linley    Read the show notes and find out more about us at: www.armatusoceanic.com FURTHER RESOURCES LAKE BAIKAL READING Intro to Lake Baikal and lakes: Mogolov, L.S. 2017. The Soul of Siberia at Risk. Wellesley Magazine. p.16-22. Moore, M.V., S.E. Hampton, L.R. Izmest'eva, E.A. Silow, E.V. Peshkova, and B. Pavlov. 2009. Climate change and the world's ‘Sacred Sea' – Lake Baikal, Siberia. BioScience 59:405-417 Thomson, P. 2007. Sacred Sea: A Journey to Lake Baikal, Oxford University Press. 320 p. Vincent, W.F. 2018. Lakes. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press. 146 p. Vents and seeps: Crane, K., Hecker, B. and Golubev, V., 1991. Hydrothermal vents in Lake Baikal. Nature, 350(6316), pp.281-281. Zemskaya, T.I., Sitnikova, T.Y., Kiyashko, S.I., Kalmychkov, G.V., Pogodaeva, T.V., Mekhanikova, I.V., Naumova, T.V., Shubenkova, O.V., Chernitsina, S.M., Kotsar, O.V. and Chernyaev, E.S., 2012. Faunal communities at sites of gas-and oil- bearing fluids in Lake Baikal. Geo-Marine Letters, 32, pp.437-451. Fish: Sideleva, V.G. 2003. The Endemic Fishes of Lake Baikal. Backhuys Publishers. Sideleva, V.G. 2004. Mysterious Fish of Lake Baikal. Science First Hand 3:N2. (Note: ‘black umber' and ‘white umber', mentioned in this article, are two endemic varieties of the Siberian grayling Thymallus arcticus.) Sideleva, V.G., 2016. Communities of the cottoid fish (Cottoidei) in the areas of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps of the abyssal zone of Baikal Lake. Journal of Ichthyology, 56, pp.694-701. Seal: Nomokonova, T., Losey, R.J., Iakunaeva, V.N., Emelianova, I.A., Baginova, E.A. and Pastukhov, M.V., 2013. People and seals at Siberia's Lake Baikal. Journal of Ethnobiology, 33(2), pp.259-280. Watanabe, Y.Y., Baranov, E.A. and Miyazaki, N., 2020. Ultrahigh foraging rates of Baikal seals make tiny endemic amphipods profitable in Lake Baikal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(49), pp.31242-31248. Environmental threats: Moore, M.V., S.E. Hampton, L.R. Izmest'eva, E.A. Silow, E.V. Peshkova, and B. Pavlov. 2009. Climate change and the world's ‘Sacred Sea' – Lake Baikal, Siberia. BioScience 59:405-417. Timoshkin, O.A. 2015. Ecological Crisis on Lake Baikal: Diagnosed by Scientists. Science First Hand 41:N2. Timoshkin, O.A., D.P. Samsonov, M. Yamamuro, M.V. Moore, O.I. Belykh, V.V. Malnik, M.V. Sakirko, A.A. Shirokaya, N.A. Bondarenko, V.M. Domysheva, G.A. Fedorova, A.I. Kochetkov, et al. 2016. Rapid ecological change in the coastal zone of Lake Baikal (East Siberia): Is the site of the world's greatest freshwater biodiversity in danger? Journal of Great Lakes Research 42:487-497. doi: 10.1016/j.jglr.2016.02.011   PEOPLE MENTIONED Professor Marianne Moore & Marianne's excellent paper on interdisciplinary work   CREDITS Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel Edited by - Georgia Wells

Located in southern Siberia and covered in thick ice for almost half of the year, the colossal Lake Baikal reaches depths of 1600m making it the oldest, and deepest lake in the world. With hydrothermal vents, methane seeps and vast swathes of endemic species, this ancient lake was too tempting not to talk about.   We speak with Professor Marianne Moore, a Limnologist who has been working on the lake for over 2 decades. She guides us through its incredible ecosystems and species such as the world's only freshwater seal, deep water insects and foot-long flatworms! Plus, we hear about the myths and mysteries of the lake: from scientifically testing whether the mafia can use amphipods to effectively dispose of bodies, to whether there really is 1600 tonnes of gold hiding at the bottom of the lake.    The Professor is back on land after a succession of crazy adventures which includes writing a paper on backwards swimming in deep sea fish, finding the worlds deepest nudibranch (possibly) plus discovering his friends live in the most metal place ever.  There's no Coffee with Andrew segment this month as he is taking a well deserved break (and is possibly touring the country looking for the strangest milks he can find), but we do hear from Kakani Kajita about the recent release of FathomVerse - the mobile game helping to contribute to deep sea citizen science. Kakani tells us about how it's doing in its first month of release, and how it's already making an impact in training deep sea AI models.   We're really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here's a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Elinor Wahl | Andrew Stewart | KJ Quintanilla | Thomas Brattheim Thanks again for tuning in, we'll deep-see you next time!   Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan's beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...    Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: podcast@armatusoceanic.com We'd love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!   We are also on  Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic  Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke) Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley)  Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea)    Instagram:  Georgia - @geeinthesea Thom - @thom.linley    Read the show notes and find out more about us at: www.armatusoceanic.com FURTHER RESOURCES Triton submarines are building a new submarine to visit the Titanic to show that deep sea exploration is safe Robotic Explorers Uncover Unexpected Ancient Origins of Strange Seafloor Formations  Deep-sea sponge's 'zero-energy' flow control could inspire new energy efficient designs    LAKE BAIKAL READING Intro to Lake Baikal and lakes: Mogolov, L.S. 2017. The Soul of Siberia at Risk. Wellesley Magazine. p.16-22. Moore, M.V., S.E. Hampton, L.R. Izmest'eva, E.A. Silow, E.V. Peshkova, and B. Pavlov. 2009. Climate change and the world's ‘Sacred Sea' – Lake Baikal, Siberia. BioScience 59:405-417 Thomson, P. 2007. Sacred Sea: A Journey to Lake Baikal, Oxford University Press. 320 p. Vincent, W.F. 2018. Lakes. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press. 146 p. Vents and seeps: Crane, K., Hecker, B. and Golubev, V., 1991. Hydrothermal vents in Lake Baikal. Nature, 350(6316), pp.281-281. Zemskaya, T.I., Sitnikova, T.Y., Kiyashko, S.I., Kalmychkov, G.V., Pogodaeva, T.V., Mekhanikova, I.V., Naumova, T.V., Shubenkova, O.V., Chernitsina, S.M., Kotsar, O.V. and Chernyaev, E.S., 2012. Faunal communities at sites of gas-and oil- bearing fluids in Lake Baikal. Geo-Marine Letters, 32, pp.437-451. Fish: Sideleva, V.G. 2003. The Endemic Fishes of Lake Baikal. Backhuys Publishers. Sideleva, V.G. 2004. Mysterious Fish of Lake Baikal. Science First Hand 3:N2. (Note: ‘black umber' and ‘white umber', mentioned in this article, are two endemic varieties of the Siberian grayling Thymallus arcticus.) Sideleva, V.G., 2016. Communities of the cottoid fish (Cottoidei) in the areas of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps of the abyssal zone of Baikal Lake. Journal of Ichthyology, 56, pp.694-701. Seal: Nomokonova, T., Losey, R.J., Iakunaeva, V.N., Emelianova, I.A., Baginova, E.A. and Pastukhov, M.V., 2013. People and seals at Siberia's Lake Baikal. Journal of Ethnobiology, 33(2), pp.259-280. Watanabe, Y.Y., Baranov, E.A. and Miyazaki, N., 2020. Ultrahigh foraging rates of Baikal seals make tiny endemic amphipods profitable in Lake Baikal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(49), pp.31242-31248. Environmental threats: Moore, M.V., S.E. Hampton, L.R. Izmest'eva, E.A. Silow, E.V. Peshkova, and B. Pavlov. 2009. Climate change and the world's ‘Sacred Sea' – Lake Baikal, Siberia. BioScience 59:405-417. Timoshkin, O.A. 2015. Ecological Crisis on Lake Baikal: Diagnosed by Scientists. Science First Hand 41:N2. Timoshkin, O.A., D.P. Samsonov, M. Yamamuro, M.V. Moore, O.I. Belykh, V.V. Malnik, M.V. Sakirko, A.A. Shirokaya, N.A. Bondarenko, V.M. Domysheva, G.A. Fedorova, A.I. Kochetkov, et al. 2016. Rapid ecological change in the coastal zone of Lake Baikal (East Siberia): Is the site of the world's greatest freshwater biodiversity in danger? Journal of Great Lakes Research 42:487-497. doi: 10.1016/j.jglr.2016.02.011   PEOPLE MENTIONED Professor Marianne Moore & Marianne's excellent paper on interdisciplinary work Kakani Kajita   SOUNDTRACK OF THE MONTH Frightening Fishes CREDITS Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel Logo image - Vereshchagina et al (2021), Sitnikova et al (2018), Teterina et al (2010) Edited by - Georgia Wells  

"I came up with the idea of ‘Eating the Landscape' because I was thinking about our Indigenous ancestral foodways. It's not just about food. It's not just about nutrition. ‘Eating the Landscape' is about this large, interconnected matrix of our relationship to place." In this episode, Enrique Salmón, Ph.D. guides us to see Indigenous foodways as parts of an interconnected matrix of our relationship to place. Introducing the concept of “kincentric ecology,” Enrique problematizes one-size-fits-all approaches to caring for the land. He also elaborates on why many Native peoples are opposed to memory banking as a way to preserve Indigenous knowledge. Having completed his dissertation on how the bioregion of his Rarámuri people of the Sierra Madres of Chihuahua, Mexico influences their language and thought, Enrique invites us to understand the layered meanings behind the phrase “Eating the Landscape”—looking at food not just as sources of nourishment but as avenues of growing one's kinship. Ultimately, as opposed to the doom and gloom perspectives prevalent in mainstream environmentalism in regards to the role of humankind, Enrique leaves us with a calling of recognizing humans as a keystone species—where creation is not only a matter of what came before but an act of relational responsibility. About the guest: Enrique Salmón is the author of Iwígara: The Kinship of Plants and People and Eating The Landscape, a book focused on small-scale Native farmers of the Greater Southwest and their role in maintaining biocultural diversity. With a PhD. in anthropology from Arizona State University, he has been a Scholar in Residence at the Heard Museum and on the Board of Directors of the Society of Ethnobiology. Enrique has published several articles and chapters on Indigenous ethnobotany, agriculture, nutrition, and traditional ecological knowledge, and he teaches American Indian Studies in the Department of Ethnic Studies at Cal State University East Bay. also serving as their Tribal Liaison. The musical offering featured in this episode is Flute Dance by Enrique Salmón. The episode-inspired artwork is by Cherie Kwok. Green Dreamer is a community-supported podcast. Join our Patreon and contribute a gift of any amount today to help keep our platform alive: greendreamer.com/support

Echinacea is one of the most beloved of medicinal plants in North America, long used in folk medicine for its immune-boosting effects. But did you know that echinacea also has a microbiome—a community of microbes living in and on it—that influences its chemistry and medicinal properties? I speak with plant chemistry expert, Dr. Nadja Cech, about plant microbiomes, chemical signatures of plants, and how the thousands of  molecules found in a single plant work together in synergy. You can follow Dr. Cech's work on Twitter at @nadjacech. Join us this June at the Joint Conference of the Society for Economic Botany and Society of Ethnobiology meeting. Lock in the best rates with early registration by April 15th! #echinacea #medicinalplants #plantchemistry #synergy #podcast #microbiome #nadjicech #CassandraQuave

Hey all you Nature Nerds! This week Megan shares some not really new-new science news on walking sharks. Then Jen starts off with the story of the life of Elizabeth Blackwell (thanks to listener and Patron, Val Webb, for this suggestion!), and finishes with info on the top 10 most poisonous plants! Enjoy! Organization to Support: Society of Ethnobiology https://ethnobiology.org/ The Society of Ethnobiology is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of the relationships of plants and animals with human cultures worldwide, including past and present relationships between peoples and the environment. They are committed to scholarly research and to inclusive relationships with communities with whom they work and with colleagues around the world.

Need to catch up on cutting edge botanical research? We can help with that. This week, we're joined by ethnobotanist and professor of dermatology Dr. Cassandra Quave. She'll dive into the impact of biodiversity in botanical research, botanical impacts on the microbiome and skin disease, and just how unique plants really can be. Each Thursday, join Dr. Raja and Dr. Hadar, board certified dermatologists, as they share the latest evidence based research in integrative dermatology. For access to CE/CME courses, become a member at LearnSkin.com.   Cassandra L. Quave, PhD is Curator of the Herbarium and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory University, where she leads anti-infective drug discovery research initiatives and teaches courses on medicinal plants, natural products, microbiology, and pharmacology. As a medical ethnobotanist, her work focuses on the documentation and pharmacological evaluation of plants used in traditional medicine. Dr. Quave's research is supported by the National Institute of Health, industry contracts, and philanthropy. She is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a past President of the Society for Economic Botany, a recipient of the Emory Williams Teaching Award, Charles Heiser, Jr. Mentor Award, American Botanical Council James. A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award, and American Herbal Products Association Herbal Insight Award. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Investigative Dermatology and editorial boards for Natural Product Reports, Scientific Reports, and Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, and is an associate editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology. Beyond her academic research and teaching activities, Dr. Quave dedicates significant effort to scientific outreach and engagement with the public. She is the co-creator and host of “Foodie Pharmacology,” a podcast dedicated to exploring the links between food and medicine, now in its fourth season. She is the creator and host of the “Teach Ethnobotany” channel on YouTube, which is dedicated to sharing educational videos about botanicals, pharmacology, and natural products. Dr. Quave has authored more than 100 scientific publications, two edited books, twenty book chapters, and seven patents; her work has been cited in the scientific literature more than 5,000 times. Her research has been the subject of feature profiles in the New York Times Magazine, BBC Science Focus, National Geographic Magazine, NPR, PBS, and the National Geographic Channel. She has written opinion essays for The Wall Street Journal and The Conversation. She is author of an acclaimed science memoir The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines.   To learn more about botanicals and dermatology, attend Dr. Quave's lecture at the 2022 Integrative Dermatology Symposium.

Dr. Cassandra L. Quave is Curator of the Herbarium and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory University, where she leads anti-infective drug discovery research initiatives and teaches courses on medicinal plants, food, and health. She earned degrees in biology and anthropology (B.S.) from Emory University in 2000, and a Ph.D. in biology in 2008 from Florida International University under the direction of Dr. Brad Bennett. She completed postdoctoral fellowships in microbial pathogenesis at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences under the direction of Dr. Mark Smeltzer (2009-2011) and in human health at Emory University under the direction of Dr. Michelle Lampl (2011-2012). As a medical ethnobotanist, her work focuses on the documentation and pharmacological evaluation of plants used in traditional medicine. She has led field expeditions in the Amazon, Mediterranean and the Balkans. Dr. Quave's research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, industry contracts, and philanthropy. She is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, a past President of the Society for Economic Botany, a recipient of the Emory Williams Teaching Award, and Charles Heiser, Jr. Mentor Award. This year, Dr. Quave was honored with the American Botanical Council's James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award and the American Herbal Products Association Herbal Insight Award. She serves on the editorial boards for Natural Product Reports, Scientific Reports, and Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, and is an associate editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology.Beyond her academic research and teaching activities, Dr. Quave dedicates significant effort to scientific outreach and engagement with the public. She is the co-creator and host of “Foodie Pharmacology,” a podcast dedicated to exploring the links between food and medicine, now in its fourth season. She is the creator of the “Teach Ethnobotany” channel on YouTube, which is dedicated to sharing educational videos about botanicals, pharmacology, and natural products. Dr. Quave has authored more than 100 scientific publications, one popular science book, two edited books, twenty book chapters, and seven patents; her work has been cited in the scientific literature more than 5,000 times. Her research has been the subject of feature profiles in the New York Times Magazine, BBC Science Focus, National Geographic Magazine, NPR, PBS, and the National Geographic Channel. She has written opinion essays for The Wall Street Journal and The Conversation. Quave is author of an acclaimed science memoir, The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines (Viking, 2021), which was listed as one of the Best Nonfiction Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. To explore Dr. Quave's work please visit the following links:The Plant Hunter BookFoodie Pharmacology PodcastResearchDonate to Dr. Quave's Lab ResearchDr. Quave's Website This podcast is brought to you by Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness. To learn more about our work, please visithttps://bit.ly/EmoryLM

In this episode, we chat about the history of the Eastern Agricultural Complex, the collection of tribes that encapsulated the Adena, heterarchy, plant domestication, and bison.   Sources:   Mueller, N. G. (2018). The earliest occurrence of a newly described domesticate in Eastern North America: Adena/Hopewell communities and agricultural innovation. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 49, 39–50. doi:10.1016/j.jaa.2017.12.001 David W. Zeanah FORAGING MODELS AND EASTERN AGRICULTURAL COMPLEX EARLY WOODLAND PLANT USE AND GARDENING: EVIDENCE FROM AN ADENA HAMLET IN SOUTHEASTERN OHIO.January 2003. Midcontinental journal of archaeology, MCJA 28(2):175-194 DOI:10.2307/20708198 Dee Anne Wymer, Elliot Abrams Domestication, crop breeding, and genetic modifcation are fundamentally diferent processes: implications for seed sovereignty and agrobiodiversity Natalie G. Mueller1  · Andrew Flachs Experimental Cultivation of Eastern North America's Lost Crops: Insights into Agricultural Practice and Yield Potential Journal of Ethnobiology 39(4):549 DOI:10.2993/0278-0771-39.4.549 Natalie Mueller Bison, anthropogenic fire, and the origins of agriculture in eastern North America Natalie G Mueller,1 Robert N Spengler III,2 Ashley Glenn3 and Kunsang Lama Mueller, N. G. (2018). The earliest occurrence of a newly described domesticate in Eastern North America: Adena/Hopewell communities and agricultural innovation. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 49, 39–50. doi:10.1016/j.jaa.2017.12.001 Mapping the Adena-Hopewell Landscape in the Middle Ohio Valley, USA: Multi-Scalar Approaches to LiDAR-Derived Imagery from Central Kentucky Edward R. Henry1,2 & Carl R. Shields3 & Tristram R. Kidder4,5 Ritual dispositions, enclosures, and the passing of time: A biographical perspective on the Winchester Farm earthwork in Central Kentucky, USA Edward R. Henry a,b,* , Natalie G. Mueller c , Mica B. Jones c Exaptation Traits for Megafaunal Mutualisms as a Factor in Plant Domestication Robert N. Spengler 1 *, Michael Petraglia1,2,3, Patrick Roberts 1 , Kseniia Ashastina1 , Logan Kistler 2 , Natalie G. Mueller 4 and Nicole Boivin Food production in the Early Woodland: macrobotanical remains as evidence for farming along the riverbank in eastern Tennessee Jessie L. Johanson, Kandace D. Hollenbach & Howard J. Cyr : Elic M. Weitzel, Brian F. Codding, Stephen B. Carmody & David W. Zeanah (2020): Food Production and Domestication Produced Both Cooperative and Competitive Social Dynamics in Eastern North America, Environmental Archaeology, DOI: 10.1080/14614103.2020.1737394 The organization of dissonance in Adena-Hopewell societies of eastern North America January 2016 World Archaeology 48(1):87-109 DOI:10.1080/00438243.2015.1132175

Snakes can bite; and when venomous, these bites can cause serious harm. But how frequently do snakes actually deploy that venom? We look at a review breaking down current knowledge. We also check out a paper looking at local names for herpetofauna, and whether that is connected to the danger those species pose. Species of the Bi-week returns with another venomous beastie. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Farooq, H., Bero, C., Guilengue, Y., Elias, C., Massingue, Y., Mucopote, I., Nanvonamuquitxo, C., Marais, J., Antonelli, A., & Faurby, S. (2021). Species perceived to be dangerous are more likely to have distinctive local names. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 17(69), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-021-00493-6 Pucca, M. B., Knudsen, C., Oliveira, I. S., Rimbault, C., Cerni, F. A., Wen, F. H., Sachett, J., Sartim, M. A., Laustsen, A. H., & Monteiro, W. M. (2020). Current Knowledge on Snake Dry Bites. Toxins, 12(668). Species of the Bi-Week: Barbo, F. E., Grazziotin, F. G., Pereira-filho, G. A., Freitas, M. A., Abrantes, S. H. F., & Kokubum, M. N. D. C. (2022). Isolated by dry lands: integrative analyses unveil the existence of a new species and a previously unknown evolutionary lineage of Brazilian Lanceheads (Serpentes : Viperidae : Bothrops) from a Caatinga moist-forest enclave. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 159(January), 147–159. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Ward-Smith, H., Arbuckle, K., Naude, A., & Wüster, W. (2020). Fangs for the memories? A survey of pain in snakebite patients does not support a strong role for defense in the evolution of snake venom composition. Toxins, 12(3), 201. Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

From the ancient pages of the Old Norse Edda to the interwar pages of American adventure magazines, the depths of our oceans have, in imagination, been host to unspeakable monsters for many hundreds of years. In modern times, the phrase “Here Be Dragons” has been absorbed into popular culture as titles for books, films, TV shows, bands and video games, all this despite the fact that it only ever appeared on the unknown seas of a single 16th Century Globe. Far more common were the giant sea monsters that adorned maps for hundreds of years, existing only as illustrations and in the minds of those that viewed them. In the summer of 1817, just off the coast of Massachusetts, however, these illustrations became flesh and blood for several weeks when witnesses of a Giant Sea Serpent numbered into the hundreds, in what the 19th Century Harvard Professor Jacob Bigelow called “the most interesting problem in the science of natural history.”   SOURCES   France, Robert L. (2021) Ethnozoology of Egede's “Most Dreadful Monster,” The Foundational Sea Serpent. Society of Ethnobiology, Boston, MA, USA.   Egede, Hans (1818) A Description of Greenland. T & J Allman, London, UK.   Paxton, C. G. M. & Knatterud, E. (2005) Cetaceans, sex and sea serpents: an analysis of the Egede accounts of a “most dreadful monster” seen off the coast of Greenland in 1734. Archives of Natural History, London, UK.   Nickell, Joe (2019) Gloucester Sea-Serpent Mystery: Solved after Two Centuries. Skeptical Enquirer, Vol. 43, No. 5. https://skepticalinquirer.org/2019/09/gloucester-sea-serpent-mystery-solved-after-two-centuries/   Magnus, Olaus (1658) A compendious history of the Goths, Swedes, & Vandals, and other northern nations. J. Streater, London, UK.   Pontoppidan, Erik (1755) The Natural history of Norway. A. Linde, London, UK.   Linnæan Society of New England (1817) Report of a committee of the Linnæan society of New England, relative to a large marine animal, supposed to be a serpent, seen near Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August 1817. Cummings & Hilliard, Boston, USA   Brown, Chandos Michael (1990) A Natural History of the Gloucester Sea Serpent: Knowledge, Power, and the Culture of Science in Antebellum America. American Quarterly Vol. 42, No. 3 (Sep., 1990), pp. 402-436. The Johns Hopkins University Press, USA   The Long Island Star (1817) A Frightful Fish! The Long Island Star, 20 August, 1817, p.3. NY, USA.   Dublin Evening Mail (1842) The Missouri Leviathan. Monday 07 November, 1842, p.3. Dublin, ROI.   The Illustrated London News (1848) The Great Sea Serpent. The Illustrated London News, 28 October, 1848, p.8. London, UK.   ---------- For extended show notes, including maps, links and scripts, head over to darkhistories.com Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9 Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/ Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com or via voicemail on: (415) 286-5072 or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017 Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.

On this sponsored episode, Anna and Amber talk about the Nazca culture of coastal Peru. There's SO much more to talk about than the famous Nazca Lines. There's gorgeous ceramics, ingenious irrigation, trophy heads, cactus tripping, and much more! Links The Puquios of Nasca (Latin American Antiquity) Cahuachi: New Evidence for an Early Nasca Ceremonial Role (Current Anthropology, via ResearchGate) Ritual Uses of Trophy Heads in Ancient Nasca Society (Ritual Sacrifice in Ancient Peru,) Traditional Medicinal Plant Use in Northern Peru: Tracking Two Thousand Years of Healing Culture (Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine) Nasca Ceramics: Ancient Art from Peru's South Coast (Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology) Nazca Pottery (World History Encyclopedia) Nasca Ceramic Iconography: An Overview (The Studio Potter) 2,000-Year-Old Nazca Line Featuring Lounging Cat Found in Peru (Smithsonian) 2,000-Year-Old Cat Etching Found at Nazca Lines Site in Peru (New York Times) Peru's Nazca Line etchings depict bird species not native to the area (PBS) Identifying the bird figures of the Nasca pampas: An ornithological perspective (Journal of Archaeological Science) The Racism Behind Alien Mummy Hoaxes (The Atlantic) Ancient Nazca people of Peru created own demise (Seattle Times) Contact Email the Dirt Podcast: thedirtpodcast@gmail.com ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet Tee Public Store Affiliates Wildnote TeePublic Timeular

On this sponsored episode, Anna and Amber talk about the Nazca culture of coastal Peru. There's SO much more to talk about than the famous Nazca Lines. There's gorgeous ceramics, ingenious irrigation, trophy heads, cactus tripping, and much more! Links The Puquios of Nasca (Latin American Antiquity) Cahuachi: New Evidence for an Early Nasca Ceremonial Role (Current Anthropology, via ResearchGate) Ritual Uses of Trophy Heads in Ancient Nasca Society (Ritual Sacrifice in Ancient Peru,) Traditional Medicinal Plant Use in Northern Peru: Tracking Two Thousand Years of Healing Culture (Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine) Nasca Ceramics: Ancient Art from Peru's South Coast (Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology) Nazca Pottery (World History Encyclopedia) Nasca Ceramic Iconography: An Overview (The Studio Potter) 2,000-Year-Old Nazca Line Featuring Lounging Cat Found in Peru (Smithsonian) 2,000-Year-Old Cat Etching Found at Nazca Lines Site in Peru (New York Times) Peru's Nazca Line etchings depict bird species not native to the area (PBS) Identifying the bird figures of the Nasca pampas: An ornithological perspective (Journal of Archaeological Science) The Racism Behind Alien Mummy Hoaxes (The Atlantic) Ancient Nazca people of Peru created own demise (Seattle Times) Contact Email the Dirt Podcast: thedirtpodcast@gmail.com ArchPodNet APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet Tee Public Store Affiliates Wildnote TeePublic Timeular

Tune in to learn about all the benefits of this adaptogen; Maca! More than two centuries ago, Peruvians discovered that a tuberous vegetable growing high in the Andes mountain range had some noticeable benefits for their health and endurance. Men going into battle or performing other physical feats would take maca because they observed that it gave them stamina, strength, and virility. Meanwhile, women who consumed maca had better reproductive health, energy, and focus. Loads of benefits in this root!  What Is Maca?  Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable.  Nutrients Found in Maca  Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1].  Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.  Maca Is an Adaptogen  So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later).  Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid.  How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones  Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!).  Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance.  Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca.  Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again.    Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs.  In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2].  Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3].  Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men?  Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4].  8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca  #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance  A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5].  #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment  HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress).  Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind.  #3. Libido Booster  Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason.  Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant.  A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6].  #4. Cardiovascular Health  Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth.  #5. Anti-Cancer  A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9].  #6. Boosts Immunity  The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth.  #7. Liver Support  Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better.  Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10].  #8. Healthy Bones  Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2].  How to Take Maca  Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving.  A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca.  Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day.  It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again.  Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if:  you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS  you have an allergy to iodine  you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition  If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.      RESOURCES  Organixx’s E-Plexx  https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837    16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!)  https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/    Healthy Maca Cacao Pie  https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/  [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands  [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study  [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women  [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men  [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen  [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction  [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast  [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against  [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice  [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages   

Tune in to learn about all the benefits of this adaptogen; Maca! More than two centuries ago, Peruvians discovered that a tuberous vegetable growing high in the Andes mountain range had some noticeable benefits for their health and endurance. Men going into battle or performing other physical feats would take maca because they observed that it gave them stamina, strength, and virility. Meanwhile, women who consumed maca had better reproductive health, energy, and focus. Loads of benefits in this root!   What Is Maca? Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients Found in Maca Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1]. Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Maca Is an Adaptogen So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later). Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid. How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!). Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance. Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca. Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again. Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs. In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2]. Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3]. Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men? Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4]. 8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5]. #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress). Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind. #3. Libido Booster Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason. Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant. A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6]. #4. Cardiovascular Health Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth. #5. Anti-Cancer A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9]. #6. Boosts Immunity The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth. #7. Liver Support Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better. Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10]. #8. Healthy Bones Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2]. How to Take Maca Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving. A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca. Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day. It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again. Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if: you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS you have an allergy to iodine you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.     RESOURCES Organixx’s E-Plexx https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837   16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!) https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/   Healthy Maca Cacao Pie https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/ [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS

Ellen Kamhi talks with ethno-biologist Marc Williams, who teaches about plants, humans, other life forms and their interface. He has spent over 20 years working at various restaurants, farms, and travels throughout 30 countries in Central/North/South America, Europe and all 50 states in the USA. www.botanyeveryday.com

Tune in to learn about all the benefits of this adaptogen; Maca! More than two centuries ago, Peruvians discovered that a tuberous vegetable growing high in the Andes mountain range had some noticeable benefits for their health and endurance. Men going into battle or performing other physical feats would take maca because they observed that it gave them stamina, strength, and virility. Meanwhile, women who consumed maca had better reproductive health, energy, and focus. Loads of benefits in this root! What Is Maca? Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients Found in Maca Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1]. Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Maca Is an Adaptogen So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later). Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid. How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!). Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance. Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca. Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again. Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs. In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2]. Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3]. Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men? Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4]. 8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5]. #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress). Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind. #3. Libido Booster Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason. Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant. A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6]. #4. Cardiovascular Health Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth. #5. Anti-Cancer A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9]. #6. Boosts Immunity The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth. #7. Liver Support Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better. Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10]. #8. Healthy Bones Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2]. How to Take Maca Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving. A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca. Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day. It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again. Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if: you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS you have an allergy to iodine you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.     RESOURCES Organixx’s E-Plexx https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837   16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!) https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/   Healthy Maca Cacao Pie https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/ [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages

Tune in to learn about all the benefits of this adaptogen; Maca! More than two centuries ago, Peruvians discovered that a tuberous vegetable growing high in the Andes mountain range had some noticeable benefits for their health and endurance. Men going into battle or performing other physical feats would take maca because they observed that it gave them stamina, strength, and virility. Meanwhile, women who consumed maca had better reproductive health, energy, and focus. Loads of benefits in this root! What Is Maca? Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients Found in Maca Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1]. Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Maca Is an Adaptogen So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later). Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid. How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!). Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance. Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca. Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again. Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs. In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2]. Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3]. Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men? Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4]. 8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5]. #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress). Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind. #3. Libido Booster Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason. Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant. A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6]. #4. Cardiovascular Health Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth. #5. Anti-Cancer A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9]. #6. Boosts Immunity The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth. #7. Liver Support Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better. Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10]. #8. Healthy Bones Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2]. How to Take Maca Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving. A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca. Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day. It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again. Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if: you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS you have an allergy to iodine you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.     RESOURCES Organixx’s E-Plexx https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837   16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!) https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/   Healthy Maca Cacao Pie https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/ [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages

I met Lisa Fenton at the Alberta Bushcraft symposium and was able to pull her aside for an in-depth chat on primitive earth skills/bushcraft skills and life itself. Dr. Lisa Fenton is a lecturer in Outdoor studies at the University of Cumbria, UK. With a background in Ethnobotany, Anthropology and Ethnobiology she wrote her PhD thesis in Bushcraft and its relationship to Indigenous Knowledges. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I met Lisa Fenton at the Alberta Bushcraft symposium and was able to pull her aside for an in depth chat on primitive earth skills/bushcraft skills and life itself. Dr. Lisa Fenton. Is a lecturer in Outdoor studies at the University of Cumbria, UK. With a background in Ethnobotany, Anthropology and Ethnobiology she wrote her PhD thesis in Bushcraft and its relationship to Indigenous Knowledges. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this article, I discuss allegations that a case of bioterrorism lay behind the introduction of a fungus that kills cacao trees, which appeared in Brazil's northeast. I strongly dislike conspiracy theories. At the same time, sometimes there are real conspiracies. In this case, we don't have enough evidence to judge whether the allegations are true, even though one person confessed. So was this a horrible political crime? A conspiracy narrative concocted for political reasons? One thing is certain- the fungus was introduced into northeastern Brazil. One correction: in the podcast I said that the fungus was introduced into the heart of plantations, but I know realize that I probably misunderstood, and that the outbreak first appeared along a river and a road. As always, my thanks go to Paige Smallman for editing! Terms: Witches Broom: a fungus (Moniliophthora perniciosa; older name Crinipellis perniciosa) that infects cacao trees Theobroma cacao: the tree that produces the cacao pod. Each pod has seeds, from which chocolate can be made. Olmecs: the mother culture of MesoAmerica. Maya, an ancient cultural area in southern Mexico and northern Central America. Aztecs, a cultural group that dominated Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest Bahia, a major cacao producing state in northeastern Brazil CEPLAC: Brazilian government agency charged with promoting cacao- Comissão Executiva do Planejamento da Lavoura Cacaueira Jorge Amado, a Brazilian author whose novels were set in Bahia, in Brazil's northeast. Wade Davis, One River. A history of the Amazon, and the search for rubber trees resistant to disease. Fusarium Wilt: a disease of bananas; also known as Panama disease References: Andebrhan, T., Figueira, A., Yamada, M. M., Cascardo, J., & Furtek, D. B. (1999). Molecular fingerprinting suggests two primary outbreaks of witches' broom disease (Crinipellis perniciosa) of Theobroma cacao in Bahia, Brazil. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 105(2), 167-175. Note: if you really want to do a deep dive into the scientific literature on this fungus, this source has the references that you'll need. Araujo, Dilson. the Knot. Documentary. Portuguese language with subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mPiYocm-4#t=716&hd=1 Caldas, Marcellus M., and Stephen Perz. "Agro-terrorism? The causes and consequences of the appearance of witch's broom disease in cocoa plantations of southern Bahia, Brazil." Geoforum 47 (2013): 147-157. Note: If you are only going to read one scientific article on this possible case of bioterrorism, this is the one to choose. Brucher, Heinz. (1987). The Isthmus of Panama as a Crossroad for Prehistoric Migration of Domesticated Plants. GeoJournal, 14(1), 121-122. Note: if you want to learn more about the man behind an alleged plan to eliminate the coca plant, you can read his own work with this source. Gade, D. (2006). Converging ethnobiology and ethnobiography: cultivated plants, Heinz Brucher and Nazi ideology. Journal of Ethnobiology, 26(1), 82-106. Note: this article provides information regarding the man who sought to wipe out the coca plant. Youkee, Mat (January 25, 2018). "Who Killed the Nazi Scientist trying to Wipe out Cocaine," Ozy. https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/who-killed-the-nazi-botanist-trying-to-wipe-out-cocaine/83066/ Created and Recorded by Shawn Smallman Produced and Edited by Paige Smallman Music "Sun of Africa" by Robert Meunier

Groups adopt strikingly different attitudes and practices centered on how humans and other living beings relate to their environment. These bodies of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) have been the focus of extensive research in ethnobiology. Understanding TEK is important both theoretically and for advancing political projects such as ecological conservation and cooperative resource management. However, attempts to integrate insights from TEK with scientific biological thought often misconstrue its content and function. Ethnobiology frequently represents TEK as a cultural module that can be cleanly separated from religious, symbolic, or mythic beliefs, rites and practices, and material culture. Drawing on case studies of Indigenous botanical and zoological TEK, I argue that knowledge of the natural world does not constitute a cultural domain that can be carved off and represented in isolation. This claim is bolstered by psychological studies of belief in ritual efficacy and causal explanations of natural phenomena. In everyday cognition, natural and “supernatural” ontologies are thoroughly entwined. I propose some heuristics for advancing piecemeal ontological coordination among Indigenous stakeholders, ethnobiologists, and conservationists. These heuristics aim at facilitating cooperation while preserving difference across systems of knowledge and value.CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO RELATED PAPERS:  http://cmbc.emory.edu/events/lectures/index.html 

Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne joins Whistler's Mayor Jack Crompton on Episode 19 of the Whistler Podcast to discuss the shared experiences of their resort communities in this uncertain time.They discuss the strong link between tourism and the environment, the importance of deepening the visitor experience and what it means to be a Tofitian or Whistlerite. Tune in hear Josie explain how her master's thesis about clams relates to her work as Tofino's Mayor during COVID-19, and what it means to have 'permeable skin' in politics.Josie has been the Mayor of Tofino for over seven years, serving two terms. She has a marine biology background, with a Masters in Fisheries Management and has been actively served her community through roles with a variety of organizations including: Tourism Tofino Board, Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation and Raincoast Education Society and 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology.

70 - Dennis McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 40 years.  He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca.  He is the younger brother of Terence McKenna.  From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota.Dennis joins the show to discuss the groundbreaking research on psychedelic plant medicines, the shifting cultural paradigm, and how psychedelics can represent a new way forward for humanity.McKenna AcademyIf you like the show, leave us a Review :)Interact with The Fifth Dimension!InstagramYoutubeTikTokEvan McDermodLearn about The 30 Day Transformation & Consultations!Become a Patreon Subscriber!On Patreon, you will have access to exclusive guided meditations with Evan, Q&A's, an opportunity to interact with other subscribers, and early access to the featured guests coming on the podcast. Donate what you can, any amount is appreciated.Or a one time donation to help keep the show running! :)PayPal | VenmoSupport the show (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/evanmcdermod)

What Is Maca? Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients Found in Maca Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1]. Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Maca Is an Adaptogen So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later). Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid. How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!). Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance. Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca. Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again. Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs. In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2]. Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3]. Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men? Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4]. 8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5]. #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress). Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind. #3. Libido Booster Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason. Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant. A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6]. #4. Cardiovascular Health Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth. #5. Anti-Cancer A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9]. #6. Boosts Immunity The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth. #7. Liver Support Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better. Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10]. #8. Healthy Bones Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2]. How to Take Maca Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving. A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca. Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day. It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again. Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if: you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS you have an allergy to iodine you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.     RESOURCES Organixx’s E-Plexx https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837   16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!) https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/   Healthy Maca Cacao Pie https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/ [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS

What Is Maca? Growing at an elevation of 12-14,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru, maca grows in extreme weather conditions. Thriving in a habitat of intense sunlight, cold temperatures, and strong winds, this tuberous plant is a part of the brassica family. Just like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage, maca is a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients Found in Maca Maca contains plenty of healthy fatty acids, the most abundant being linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Maca contains vitamins A, C, B2, B6, and niacin, as well as minerals – zinc, iron, iodine, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Nine amino acids are considered essential for optimal health, and maca contains seven of them [1]. Maca is also a rich source of plant sterols, which are part of what makes it so beneficial for hormonal health. Plant sterols are (chemically speaking) structurally similar to the body’s own hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Maca Is an Adaptogen So how exactly does it work? Maca is an adaptogen, meaning that it works to strengthen, balance, and help the body respond to internal and external changes and stressors. It regulates the production of hormones to maintain healthy organ function. Maca feeds the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands, known as the Master Glands (more on that later). Maca’s plant sterols appear to stimulate changes in the action of the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands. Maca also seems to exert an influence on the ovaries, pineal gland, and thyroid. How Maca Can Aid Fluctuating Hormones Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is one of the most common complaints among women of reproductive age. When out of balance, estrogen – the hormone responsible for regulating the reproductive system – can cause a wide range of symptoms and annoyances for women (and their men!). Mood swings, water retention, fatigue, food cravings, irritability, headaches, irregular menstrual periods, painful cramping… all can be attributable to estrogen imbalance. Maca can help ease the rapid rise and fall of hormones in menstruating women due to its adaptogenic properties. Also, by improving the connection between the brain and the pituitary gland, maca’s ability to help balance levels of circulating hormones is further enhanced. Most PMS sufferers taking maca report a marked improvement in symptoms during their first menstrual period after commencement of maca. Other times when maca may be of benefit to women is after coming off birth control pills, and after having a baby and breastfeeding has ceased. At such times, endocrine system function can be depleted, and maca’s adaptogenic properties mean it can help the body right itself again. Maca can also ease many of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. For those harried by hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and lack of energy, maca can provide some much-needed relief. Maca does not appear to mimic estrogen in the body but it can help to increase the body’s production of estrogen if levels are too low. That’s the beauty of an adaptogenic herb: it adapts to what the body needs. In a 2006 clinical trial, 34 early-postmenopausal women were given a supplement containing either maca or a placebo twice per day for four months. Those receiving the maca had increased levels of estrogen, suppressed levels of FSH, T3 thyroid hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (the hormone secreted in response to stress). Body mass index also decreased. Iron levels increased, however, as did bone density markers, and maca relieved many of the symptoms of menopausal discomfort such as hot flashes and night sweats [2]. Another small 2014 clinical study found that maca reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women [3]. Can Maca Can Also Benefit Men? Maca can also be helpful for male health. Recent studies have indicated that maca may assist male health by helping to increase sperm count and motility, increasing sexual desire, protecting the prostate and reducing the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reducing stress and depression, boosting energy levels, and easing mild erectile dysfunction [1, 4]. 8 Additional Health Benefits of Maca #1. Boosts Energy and Endurance A 2009 study of male cyclists found that maca supplementation did indeed improve cycling time performance, as well as sexual desire (a perk for many) [5]. #2. Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal (HPA) Gland Nourishment HPA glands are called the “Master Glands” because they regulate other glands (you may also hear it termed the “HPA Axis”). When HPA is well nourished, other glands of the body benefit as well. When under stress, the adrenal gland takes a big hit, especially if the stress moves from acute (short-lasting stress) to chronic (long-lasting stress). Maca feeds all three glands by supporting the body’s production of hormones, either increasing or decreasing levels according to the need. As a result, maca may help prevent or repair adrenal exhaustion and all of the unhealthy follow-on effects this has on the body and mind. #3. Libido Booster Maca has been used traditionally by Peruvians to boost virility and libido. Science has not yet determined how maca does this, but it has been called “Nature’s Viagra” for good reason. Some health experts believe maca’s effects on libido may be caused by its long-chain fatty acids known as macaenes and macamides, which are unique and have not been found in any other plant. A 2008 clinical study followed women suffering from sexual dysfunction caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression. The study found that three grams of maca per day gave significant improvement in libido for the women taking it [6]. #4. Cardiovascular Health Maca’s phytosterols – campesteroland beta-sitosterol, act to interfere with the absorption of LDL cholesterol (the so-called “bad” cholesterol), making maca beneficial for the cardiovascular system [7]. Phytosterols have also been studied for their anti-inflammatory effects, which assist in balancing the immune system, and, as an added bonus, help to protect the body from abnormal cell growth. #5. Anti-Cancer A 2015 study found that phytosterols interfere with many different pathways in the carcinogenesis (cancer beginning) process [8]. In addition, an animal study found that beta-sitosterol decreased levels of circulating estrogen and inhibited the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer tumors [9]. #6. Boosts Immunity The phytosterols in maca stimulate the immune system and increased levels of interleukin-2 and natural killer cells [7] which the body needs to fight abnormal cell growth. #7. Liver Support Being a cruciferous vegetable, maca contains glucosinolates which, when chewed and digested, change into health-promoting chemicals that help protect against cancer. Sulfur-containing glucosinolates form bonds that help the body’s enzymes do their work better. Both sulfur and plant sterols are required in the production of a master antioxidant called glutathione which boosts liver function and helps the liver with detoxification [10]. #8. Healthy Bones Maca’s vitamins and minerals can help to build strong, healthy bones. A 2006 clinical trial found that maca increased bone density markers for the early-postmenopausal women taking it [2]. How to Take Maca Look for organic maca powder grown in Peru. Maca can be added to juices, oatmeal, inside sandwiches, sprinkled on salads, and added to raw food recipes. Just keep in mind that it is best not to heat maca powder to high temperatures which might diminish some of its nutrients. If you use it in recipes, add it after cooking, just before serving. A gentle approach is generally the best way to begin taking maca. Recommendations are to start with a small dose of 1 teaspoon per day. If that is well tolerated, gradually increase the dose to 1 tablespoon, or more. If you haven’t noticed any improvement, remember one trial had women taking 3 grams per day. It can take two or three weeks before you may notice the full benefits of maca. It is also recommended to only take maca daily for a few months and then take a break from it for a month or so before resuming consumption again. Some health experts recommend avoiding maca under the following conditions. Please consult with your own healthcare provider if: you are between the ages of 15 and 35, have a good, mainly plant-based diet, and don’t have mood swings, fluid retention, or any of the symptoms of PMS you have an allergy to iodine you have Hashimoto’s disease or hyperthyroid condition If hormonal fluctuations are creating havoc in your life, consult your natural health practitioner to see if maca might be right for you.     RESOURCES Organixx’s E-Plexx https://shop.organixx.com/collections/all-products/products/e-plexx?gl=5d88ed1102e26b6546380837   16 Signs & Symptoms of Menopause Every Woman Needs to Know (& What to Do About Them!) https://organixx.com/signs-symptoms-menopause/   Healthy Maca Cacao Pie https://organixx.com/maca-cacao-pie-recipe/ [1] Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands [2] Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical Responses of Early-postmenopausal Women to Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Crossover Configuration, Outpatient Study [3] Maca Reduces Blood Pressure and Depression, in a Pilot Study in Postmenopausal Women [4] Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) Improved Semen Parameters in Adult Men [5] A Pilot Investigation into the Effect of Maca Supplementation on Physical Activity and Sexual Desire in Sportsmen [6] A Double-blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-induced Sexual Dysfunction [7] Plant Sterols as Anticancer Nutrients: Evidence for Their Role in Breast [8] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against [9] Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, and a Mixture of Beta-Sitosterol and Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside Modulate the Growth of Estrogen- Responsive Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and in Ovariectomized Athymic Mice [10] Beta-sitosterol Modulates Antioxidant Enzyme Response in Raw 264.7 Macrophages Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS

  Dr. Janelle Marie Baker is Assistant Professor in Anthropology at Athabasca University in northern Alberta, Canada. Her research is on sakâwiyiniwak (Northern Bush Cree) experiences with wild food contamination in Treaty No. 8 territory, which is currently an area of extreme extraction of oil sands (bitumen) and forests. In this context, Janelle is currently collaborating with Bigstone Cree Nation environmental monitors using community-based methods and traditional ecological knowledge to sample moose and water, and partnering with microbiologists using a metagenomics approach to study the composition of microbiomes to map the source of potential harmful contaminants and identify markers of aquatic system health. Janelle is also a co-PI with Metis anthropologist Zoe Todd on a project that is restor(y)ing land use governance and bull trout population health in a contested area of the Rocky Mountain foothills in Alberta, Canada. Janelle is currently the North Americas Representative on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Ethnobiology. She is the winner of the 2019 Canadian Association for Graduate Studies - ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences category.

A classic, back-to-basics, oldskool episode in which Daniel tells Jack all about a very nasty (and racist trivia-obsessed) specimen, Michael J. Thompson, who chooses to (sometimes) go by the online alias 'Paul Kersey', which is the name of Charles Bronson's character in Death Wish... y'know, the movie in which a middle-class architect becomes a serial killer, and murders loads of poor petty-criminals, and he's the hero. Content Warnings within Content Warnings for this one. Links/Notes: "Hiding in Plain Sight, the White Nationalist Who Toiled Inside a Right Wing Media Powerhouse." https://angrywhitemen.org/2020/02/03/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-white-nationalist-who-toiled-inside-a-right-wing-media-powerhouse/ "Hiding in Plain Sight, the White Nationalist Who Toiled Inside a Right Wing Media Powerhouse." (Right Wing Watch) https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/hiding-in-plain-sight-the-white-nationalist-who-toiled-inside-a-right-wing-media-powerhouse/ Jason Wilson, The Guardian, "Paul Kersey/Michael J. Thompson White Nationalist Report." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/03/paul-kersey-michael-j-thompson-white-nationalist-report "A new report has revealed that a prominent white nationalist author, activist and podcaster known as “Paul Kersey” has in fact worked for more than a decade at mainstream conservative institutions and media outlets under his real name. According to an investigation by the not-for-profit media outlet Right Wing Watch (RWW), the man who has worked under the Kersey pseudonym is in fact Michael J Thompson. The Guardian has uncovered additional material that supports reporting by RWW, and further indicates Thompson’s role in moulding rightwing activists from a position near the heart of America’s most influential conservative institutions. The RWW investigation, published on Monday, reveals the work of “Paul Kersey”, whom it calls a “barely underground member of the white nationalist movement” and a fixture on the roster of racist media outlets and campaign groups. But it also shows that Thompson worked under his own name at institutions like the Leadership Institute, its media arm Campus Reform, and WND, formerly World Net Daily, a once-popular conspiracy-minded conservative outlet, as late as November 2018. It also shows how his WND position allowed him to move in professional circles that included white nationalists, writers from Breitbart and the Daily Caller and prominent Donald Trump supporters including Steve Bannon and Jack Posobiec." Campus Reform Homepage: https://www.campusreform.org/ Current "Stuff Black People Don't Like" at Unz Review. https://www.unz.com/sbpdl/ Stuff Black People Don't Like, January 18, 2010 from the Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20100118112313/http://stuffblackpeopledontlike.blogspot.com/ "From a biological standpoint, Haitians who practice voodoo and the art of zombiism, have an ally in Wade Davis as he has done extensive research in Haitian voodoo and penned numerous volumes on the subject. In Passage of Darkness: the Ethnobiology of the Haitian Zombie and Serpent and the Rainbow, Davis discusses the uses of certain chemical compounds to create hallucinogens and neurotoxins capable of inducing the effects of death only to allow the “zombie” to awake later. The botanical secrets and the chemical compound formulas that create zombies are known only by the Haitian Voodoo priests, but the mysterious origins behind zombies haven’t dissuaded others from inventing their own. George Romero of “The Night of the Living Dead” fame is credited with inventing the modern-zombie in the United States, but he owes much to the 1930s film “White Zombie”, which was appropriately set in Haiti. We have discussed the historical nature of zombies, as the idea originated in Haiti and there, witch-doctors practiced (and still do) a form of Black magic that “can” reanimate corpses. In the United States however, zombies take on a much different connotation, for we view them as the true undead brought back to life, consuming as much live human flesh in the process, thereby spreading the zombie virus further. Zombies - in America - are a plague that must be eradicated." Romero, who has made a fine living directing zombie films, cast a Black person as the main protagonist in his first zombie film “Night of the Living Dead” and has since positively shown Black people in that films many sequels, most notably in the late 1970s “Dawn of the Dead.” It is obvious to all Black people, that Romero knows the true history of zombies, and thus, must do everything in his power to remove the mystical Black magic origins of voodoo/zombies from his films and showcase Black people operating in a highly functional manner. There is an unwritten rule in Hollywood that Romero deemed necessary when discussing zombies, for no mentioning of Haiti and Black people’s predilection and fascination with the undead can occur in film or video gam" Stuff Black People Don't Like, May 1, 2009 from the Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20110628224216/http://stuffblackpeopledontlike.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html #170: Losing Gold Teeth: "Black people are fascinated by gold, more so than the Spanish Conquistadors of old. Black people love gold so much, that they have it fashioned to put onto their teeth, known throughout the Black community as "grillz". A subculture has grown around this fascinating practice and has become a lucrative business for entrepreneur's hoping to affix their wares on the Black persons bicuspids. One practitioner of the art of "grillzing" writes, "Gold teeth are a product that has been increasingly growing over the past eight years, especially since the attention given to them from celebrities such as Nelly and Flavor Flav. Since that time, they've taken on several different names, such as gold fronts, gold caps, gold slugs, grills and grillz." The problem for "grillz" advocates remains maintaining the integrity of said gold piece in their mouths, while using the restroom. Recently at a Major League Baseball (MLB) game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, a woman lost one of her "grillz" in the latrine. While relieving herself, somehow her "grillz" become dislodged and ended up resting in the bowels of the commode." Google Search Results for "Michael Thompson" at www.campusreform.org. https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Awww.campusreform.org+michael%20thompson Michael Thompson, "Jokes Now Considered "Bias-Motivated Incidents" at Northern Colorado" https://web.archive.org/web/20150117082235/https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=1796 "The University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) has decided it’s time to prohibit "Bias Motivated Incidents." When you hear about a “bias motivated incident,” maybe you’re thinking about a cross burning, or something of that nature. But at UNCO the “bias motivated incident” could simply be an "inappropriate joke" that is motivated by some form of bias. The UNCO policy also says that “Any discriminatory act is a violation of the Housing & Residence Life Student Code of Conduct.” Well, what do they mean by “any discriminatory act”? According to the UNCO handbook this includes, but is not limited to, “racism, ageism, sexism, and/or homophobia.” And (get ready for this!) included in the definition is “intentionally, recklessly or negligently causing physical, emotional, or mental harm to any person." Paul Kersey, "Nobody Kill Anybody" Fails: During First Ceasefire Weekend in 70% Black Baltimore, 15 Shot, Four Dead. https://www.unz.com/sbpdl/nobody-kill-anybody-fails-during-first-ceasefire-weekend-in-70-black-baltimore-15-shot-four-dead/ "A surplus of blackness and a paucity of whiteness. Or, more appropriately, a city dominated by the black hegemony. Welcome to Baltimore in 2020, a 70 percent black city completely dominated by black elected/appointed officials in all aspects of the bureaucracy. Confederate memorials are all removed, streets and buildings once named in honor of dead white males have been erased, racially re-named to honor the new demographic dominating Baltimore life. If you’ve read The City that Bleeds: Race, History, and the Death of Baltimore (and if you haven’t, get it here now!), you know the truth about Baltimore our elite have spent more than half a century trying to explain away as the fault of pernicious white people and their insidious redlining, systemic racism, and racial criminal justice system." The Political Cesspool, "Paul Kersey, Author of "Stuff Black People Don't Like" Will Join Us Live This Satur March 5." https://www.thepoliticalcesspool.org/jamesedwards/paul-kersey-author-of-stuff-black-people-dont-like-will-join-us-live-this-saturday-march-5/ Michael Thompson Author Page at WND, https://www.wnd.com/author/mthompson/ WND Staff, "Black-on-black murders epidemic in this city" https://www.wnd.com/2013/08/milwaukees-racism-most-murders-black-on-black/ @MJTWND at the Internet Archive, July 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160714043056/https://twitter.com/MJTWND Angry White Men, "Daily Shoah" Hosts: Nazi Scientists and White People Should be Recognized For Space Exploration Work. https://angrywhitemen.org/2017/02/28/daily-shoah-co-hosts-nazi-scientists-and-white-people-should-be-recognized-for-space-exploration-work/ "Hidden Figures" at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Figures Eric Niiler, History.com, "Why Civil Rights Activists Protested the Moon Landing." https://www.history.com/news/apollo-11-moon-landing-launch-protests Katherine Johnson, The Human Computer Project. https://www.thehumancomputerproject.com/women/katherine-johnson "Along with engineer Ted Skopinski she coauthored the 1960 report Determination of Azimuth Angle at Burnout for Placing a Satellite Over a Selected Earth Position, the equations describing the trajectories for placing the manned Mercury capsule into low-Earth orbit and returning it safely to the planet's surface, making her the Flight Research Division's first credited female author." Skopinski and Johnson, "Determination of Azimuth Angle at Burnout for Placing a Satellite Over a Selected Earth Position" https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19980227091.pdf  

Some small, magical corner of your heart wants dragons to be real, right? Well... sorry. They’re not. But this week, we wanted to celebrate some science adjacent to dragons, from fruit and animals named after them to giant flying predators that probably terrified humans. So were there ever flying creatures that spread fire? Are sea dragons as majestic as they sound? And what’s up with this beetle that creates explosions in its butt?   If you want to learn more about any of our main topics, check out these links:   [Truth or Fail]   https://www.livescience.com/49861-new-sea-dragon-species.html http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150320-meet-two-new-dragon-millipede-species-first-described-in-laos http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses04/PapersCostaRicaArticles/TheFunctionalityandEvolut.html   [Fact Off]   Firehawks: https://bioone.org/journals/Journal-of-Ethnobiology/volume-37/issue-4/0278-0771-37.4.700/Intentional-Fire-Spreading-by-Firehawk-Raptors-in-Northern-Australia/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700.short https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/wildfires-birds-animals-australia/ http://wildlife.org/australian-firehawks-use-fire-to-catch-prey/   Haast’s eagles: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/legendary-human-eating-bird-was-real-probably-could-have-eaten-people-89257268/ https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-12/these-massive-extinct-eagles-could-have-carried-toddlers-dad http://www.academia.edu/606102/Rapid_somatic_expansion_causes_the_brain_to_lag_behind_the_case_of_the_brain_and_behavior_of_New_Zealands_Haasts_Eagle_Harpagornis_moorei_ https://pgl.soe.ucsc.edu/eagle_bunce05.pdf   [Ask the Science Couch]   Creating fire: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1726053?mag=bombardier-beetles-are-terrifying-nightmare-insects&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2015/04/30/how-this-beetle-creates-500-explosions-per-second-in-its-bum/ http://news.mit.edu/2015/how-bombardier-beetles-produce-defensive-spray-0430   [Butt One More Thing]   Dragonfly nymph: https://www.wired.com/2013/12/the-secret-underwater-world-of-dragons/    

Vipers, vipers everywhere. In this episode we muddle our way through some venom research, and learn about the methods employed working out how widespread bushmasters are. Species of the bi-week is a frankly outstanding forest dweller from Costa Rica.  If you enjoy our podcast please vote for us for Reader's Radio Show of the Year on the Reptile Report! http://awards.thereptilereport.com/radio-show-of-the-year-2017/  FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: González-Maya, José F., Fernando Castañeda, Rufino González, Jesús Pacheco, and Gerardo Ceballos. 2014. “Distribution, Range Extension, and Conservation of the Endemic Black-Headed Bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala) in Costa Rica and Panama.” Herpetological Conservation and Biology 9 (2):369–77. Roodt, Adolfo Rafael de, Leslie Victoria Boyer, Laura Cecilia Lanari, Lucia Irazu, Rodrigo Daniel Laskowicz, Paula Leticia Sabattini, and Carlos Fabián Damin. 2016. “Venom Yield and Its Relationship with Body Size and Fang Separation of Pit Vipers from Argentina.” Toxicon 121 (October):22–29. Species of the Bi-Week: Doan, Tiffany M., Andrew J. Mason, Todd A. Castoe, Mahmood Sasa, and Christopher L. Parkinson. 2016. “A Cryptic Palm-Pitviper Species (Squamata: Viperidae: Bothriechis) from the Costa Rican Highlands, with Notes on the Variation within B. Nigroviridis.” Zootaxa 4138 (2):271. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Dias, Lourdes, Mariana A.P. Rodrigues, André L. Rennó, Alessandra Stroka, Bruna R. Inoue, Patrícia C. Panunto, Anibal R. Melgarejo, and Stephen Hyslop. 2016. “Hemodynamic Responses to Lachesis Muta (South American Bushmaster) Snake Venom in Anesthetized Rats.” Toxicon 123 (December):1–14. Fenwick, A. M., Gutberlet, R. L., Evans, J. A., & Parkinson, C. L. (2009). Morphological and molecular evidence for phylogeny and classification of South American pitvipers, genera Bothrops, Bothriopsis, and Bothrocophias (Serpentes: Viperidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 156(3), 617-640. Maritz, Bryan, Johannes Penner, Marcio Martins, Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović, Stephen Spear, Laura R.V. Alencar, Jesús Sigala-Rodriguez, et al. 2016. “Identifying Global Priorities for the Conservation of Vipers.” Biological Conservation 204:94–102. Quillfeldt, Petra, Jan O. Engler, Janet R.D. Silk, and Richard A. Phillips. 2017. “Influence of Device Accuracy and Choice of Algorithm for Species Distribution Modelling of Seabirds: A Case Study Using Black-Browed Albatrosses.” Journal of Avian Biology 48 (12):1549–55. Rogalski, Aymeric, Christoffer Soerensen, Bianca op den Brouw, Callum Lister, Daniel Dashevsky, Kevin Arbuckle, Alexandra Gloria, et al. 2017. “Differential Procoagulant Effects of Saw-Scaled Viper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Echis ) Snake Venoms on Human Plasma and the Narrow Taxonomic Ranges of Antivenom Efficacies.” Toxicology Letters 280 (June):159–70. Other Links/Mentions: Birds deliberately spreading fire – Bonta, Mark, Robert Gosford, Dick Eussen, Nathan Ferguson, Erana Loveless, and Maxwell Witwer. 2017. “Intentional Fire-Spreading by ‘Firehawk’ Raptors in Northern Australia.” Journal of Ethnobiology 37 (4):700–718. https://doi.org/10.2993/0278-0771-37.4.700. Orca talking, The Guardian – https://youtu.be/hqB1jRVw7Bw Bushmaster video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hIERce2M30 King cobra vs reticulated python photo – https://www.facebook.com/TheReptileReport/posts/1469028556542349 Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Dr Alice Williamson joined Ruby this morning to talk fire starting birds and a machine the size of a pill that could change diagnostic medicine as we know it.

Why do some species flourish and others falter? Sometimes it just comes down to luck. A big thank-you to our supporters on https://www.patreon.com/MinuteEarth : - Today I Found Out - Maarten Bremer - Jeff Straathof - Mark Roth - Tony Fadell - Muhammad Shifaz - 靛蓝字幕组 - Alberto Bortoni - Valentin - Antoine Coeur ___________________________________________ FYI: We try to leave jargon out of our videos, but if you want to learn more about this topic, here are some handy keywords to get your googling started: - Bering land bridge: an ancient land bridge that connected Asia and North America at various times during the Quaternary glaciation, allowing Homo sapiens and other species migrations. - The Holocene extinction: (also referred to as the Sixth extinction or Anthropocene extinction) is the ongoing extinction event of species during the present Holocene epoch (since around 10,000 BCE) mainly due to human activity. The Holocene extinction includes the disappearance of large land animals known as megafauna, starting between 9,000 and 13,000 years ago, the end of the last Ice Age. - Atlatl (spear-thrower): is a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart-throwing. - Bile bears: sometimes called battery bears, are bears kept in captivity to harvest their bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which is used by some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, though there is no evidence that bear bile has any medicinal effect, and no plausible mechanism by which it might work. Species featured in this video: - American black bear (Ursus americanus) - Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) - Black-footed Ferret or American polecat (Mustela nigripes) - Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii) - Humans (Homo Sapiens) - Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) ___________________________________________ Credits (and Twitter handles): Script Writer: David Goldenberg (@dgoldenberg) Script Editor: Emily Elert (@eelert) Video Illustrator: Ever Salazar (@eversalazar) Video Director: Emily Elert (@eelert) Video Narrator: Henry Reich (@MinutePhysics) With Contributions From: Alex Reich, Kate Yoshida, Peter Reich and Rachel Becker Music by: Nathaniel Schroeder: http://www.soundcloud.com/drschroeder Image Credits: Mustela nigripes - USFWS Mountain Prairie https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/5244106245/ Mustela eversmanii - Andrei Kotkin (used with permission) Ursus americanus - Ryan E. Poplin http://flickr.com/photos/27446776@N00/668275432 Ursus thibetanus - Guérin Nicolas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ursus_thibetanus_3_(Wroclaw_zoo).JPG _________________________________________ Like our videos? Subscribe to MinuteEarth on YouTube: http://goo.gl/EpIDGd Get early, exclusive access to our videos on Vessel: https://goo.gl/hgD1iJ Support us on Patreon: https://goo.gl/ZVgLQZ Also, say hello on: Facebook: http://goo.gl/FpAvo6 Twitter: http://goo.gl/Y1aWVC And find us on itunes: https://goo.gl/sfwS6n ___________________________________________ References: Schieck, B., McCown, W. (2014). Geographic distribution of American black bears in North America. Ursus, 25-1(24-33). Retrieved from http://www.bearbiology.com/fileadmin/tpl/Downloads/URSUS/Vol_25_1_/Scheick_and_McCown_2014_Ursus.pdf Pappas, S. (2014).Humans Blamed for Extinction of Mammoths, Mastodons & Giant Sloths. LiveScience. Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/46081-humans-megafauna-extinction.html Feng, Y., Siu, K., Wang, N., Ng, K., Tsao, S., Nagamatsu, T., Tong, Y. (2009). Bear bile: dilemma of traditional medicinal use and animal protection. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 5:2. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2630947/ Biggins, D., Hanebury, L., Miller, B., Powell, R. (2011). Black-footed ferrets and Siberian polecats as ecological surrogates and ecological equivalents. Journal of Mammalogy, 92(4): 710-720. Retrieved from https://www.fort.usgs.gov/sites/default/files/products/publications/22786a/22786a.pdf

IN THIS EPISODE, the MonsterTalk crew interviews Dr. Tony Russell, a professor at the University of Calgary who studies evolutionary and functional morphology in geckos. Dr. Russell’s work includes ethnobiology — the utilization of folklore to guide his research. He discuss the uses and limitations of this mode of research, as well as the remarkable features of the lizards that he studies. READ full episode notes

Exploring Ethnobiology is a new series Deconstructing Dinner has been airing since June. Through a scientific lens, ethnobiology examines the relationships between humans and their surrounding plants, animals and ecosystems. With seemingly more and more people becoming interested in developing closer relationships with our surroundings (our food, the earth), there's much we can all learn from ethnobiologists, and in particular, from the symbiotic human-earth relationships that so many peoples around the world have long maintained. Food sovereignty is also a subject that permeates much of what airs on Deconstructing Dinner, and similarly permeates much of the dialogue among ethnobiologists. At the 2010 International Congress of Ethnobiology held in Tofino, B.C., a group of ethnobiologists gathered to discuss food sovereignty with a focus on the immaterial or intangible components of food sovereignty. In the first half of the episode, we listen in on some of that discussion and in the second half, we listen to Associate Professor at Cornell University's Department of Horticulture, Jane Mt. Pleasant, whose research has involved a fascinating comparative look into 17th/18th century cereal grain farming between the Iroquois people of what is now upstate New York and early European colonizers. Her research paints a telling picture of just how much our western food system is built upon a propensity to maintain the status quo instead of adapting to our surroundings and working in closer relationship with the land on which we grow our food. Voices Justin Nolan, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) - Justin's research interests are in Ethnobotany, Cherokee and Ozark foodways and medicine, ethnopharmacology, traditional health beliefs, biodiversity mapping, Native American culture, Native American language, cultural preservation Lewis Williams, Feasting for Change (Tsawout First Nation near Saanichton, B.C.) - The Tsawout First Nation is one of five bands that make up the Saanich Nation and is located north of Victoria, B.C. near the community of Saanichton. Lewis is involved in Feasting for Change - a project that looks to preserve traditional indigenous foodways on Vancouver Island. Nancy Turner, distinguished professor, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) - Born in Berkeley, California, Nancy moved to Victoria at the age of 5 and she lives there today as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She earned a PhD in Ethnobotany in 1974 from the University of British Columbia when she studied three contemporary indigenous groups of the Pacific Northwest (the Haida, Bella Coola and Lillooet). Nancy's major research has demonstrated the role of plant resources in past and present aboriginal cultures and languages as being an integral component of traditional knowledge systems. Nancy has also played an important role in helping demonstrate how traditional management of plant resources has shaped the landscapes and habitats of western Canada. In 1999 Nancy received the Order of British Columbia and in 2009 received the Order of Canada. She's authored numerous books including, among others, Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples, Food Plants of Interior First Peoples, Plants of Haida Gwaii and The Earth's Blanket - Traditional Teachings for Sustainable Living. Linda Different Cloud, ethnobotanist / restoration ecologist, Sitting Bull College (Standing Rock Lakota Nation, ND/SD) - Linda is an ethnobotanist and restoration ecologist of the Standing Rock Lakota Nation in what is now North and South Dakota. Jane Mt. Pleasant, associate professor, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) - In addition to serving as an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture, Jane is also director of the American Indian Program at Cornell University, with research and teaching responsibilities in both units. Her research focuses on indigenous cropping systems and plants and human well being. She lectures frequently on indigenous agriculture and its links to contemporary agricultural sustainability, and am considered a national expert in Iroquois agriculture.

Exploring Ethnobiology III In May 2010, Deconstructing Dinner travelled to Vancouver Island where two international conferences on ethnobiology were being hosted. Ethnobiology examines the relationships between humans and their surrounding plants, animals and ecosystems. Today, more and more people are expressing an interest to develop closer relationships with the earth. This leaves much to be learned from the research of ethnobiologists, and in particular, from the symbiotic human-earth relationships that so many peoples around the world have long maintained. On this part III of the series, we listen to two presentations that share research into the relationships between indigenous peoples and marine life in what is now called British Columbia and Alaska. Investigating Eggs Update Also on the show - an update from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to our September 2 investigative report on alleged local food fraud. Guests/Voices Severn Cullis-Suzuki, masters in ethnobotany, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Haida Gwaii, BC) - Similar to her father David Suzuki, Severn has devoted herself to increasing awareness on fundamental ecological concerns. Born and raised in Vancouver, at the age of 9, Severn founded the Environmental Childrens Organization. In 1992 at the age of 12, she attended the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro where she received praise for a speech she delivered. She went on to graduate from Yale Univeristy in 2002, hosted a television series on Discovery Channel, and was eventually led to study ethnobotany under Nancy Turner. Her focus of research led her to Northern Vancouver Island - home to the Kwakwaka-wakw people. It was there that Severn studied the keystone species Zostera marina - also known as eelgrass - or to the Kwakwaka-wakw (ts'ats'ayem). Josh Wisniewski, PhD candidate, Department of Anthropology, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Fairbanks, AK) - Josh received his BA and MA in anthropology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. His research explores the complex sets of relations between Iñupiaq and Yup'ik societies and marine mammals through time and the ontological premises shaping local and traditional ecological knowledge. Josh's research has recently been focused in Shishmaref, Alaska, where he has worked with Iñupiaq hunters and elders exploring and documenting ecological knowledge of bearded seals and historic and contemporary hunting practices. Nancy Turner, distinguished professor, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) - Born in Berkeley, California, Nancy moved to Victoria at the age of 5 and she lives there today as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She earned a PhD in Ethnobotany in 1974 from the University of British Columbia when she studied three contemporary indigenous groups of the Pacific Northwest (the Haida, Bella Coola and Lillooet). Nancy's major research has demonstrated the role of plant resources in past and present aboriginal cultures and languages as being an integral component of traditional knowledge systems. Nancy has also played an important role in helping demonstrate how traditional management of plant resources has shaped the landscapes and habitats of western Canada. In 1999 Nancy received the Order of British Columbia and in 2009 received the Order of Canada. She's authored numerous books including, among others, Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples, Food Plants of Interior First Peoples, Plants of Haida Gwaii and The Earth's Blanket - Traditional Teachings for Sustainable Living. James Rogowsky, specialist, egg products, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (Winnipeg, MB) - The CFIA is the arm of Health Canada in charge of safeguarding food, animals and plants.

In May 2010, Deconstructing Dinner travelled to Vancouver Island where two international conferences on ethnobiology were being hosted. Ethnobiology examines the relationships between humans and their surrounding plants, animals and ecosystems. Today, more and more people are expressing an interest to develop closer relationships with the earth. This leaves much to be learned from the research of ethnobiologists, and in particular, from the symbiotic human-earth relationships that so many peoples around the world have long maintained. On this part II of the series, we listen to segments from a one-on-one interview with Nancy Turner of the University of Victoria. Nancy is one of the most well-known ethnobiologists in Canada and Deconstructing Dinner's Jon Steinman sat down with her in the community of Tofino to learn more about what ethnobiology is, why the field is an increasingly important one to pay attention to, and what we all might learn from the many indigenous peoples who ethnobiologists work with. Also on the show - a recording of a presentation by Cheryl Bryce and Pamela Tudge who are examining how the indigenous peoples living in what is now the City of Victoria might reinstate traditional harvesting practices of an important traditional food - camus. Guests Nancy Turner, distinguished professor, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) - Born in Berkeley, California, Nancy moved to Victoria at the age of 5 and she lives there today as a Distinguished Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She earned a PhD in Ethnobotany in 1974 from the University of British Columbia when she studied three contemporary indigenous groups of the Pacific Northwest (the Haida, Bella Coola and Lillooet). Nancy's major research has demonstrated the role of plant resources in past and present aboriginal cultures and languages as being an integral component of traditional knowledge systems. Nancy has also played an important role in helping demonstrate how traditional management of plant resources has shaped the landscapes and habitats of western Canada. In 1999 Nancy received the Order of British Columbia and in 2009 received the Order of Canada. She's authored numerous books including, among others, Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples, Food Plants of Interior First Peoples, Plants of Haida Gwaii and The Earth's Blanket - Traditional Teachings for Sustainable Living. Cheryl Bryce, lands manager, Songhees Nation, (Victoria, BC) - The Songhees or Songish, also known as the Lekwungen or Lekungen, are an indigenous North American Coast Salish people who reside on southeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia in the Greater Victoria area. Pamela Tudge, former student, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria (Victoria, BC) - Pamela recently moved to the North Okanagan region of BC where she's now studying food systems and mapping for her master's research at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan.

As people throughout the Western world are increasingly seeking to reconnect with their food, there's a lot to be learned from the many peoples who have long maintained these dynamic relationships between their sustenance and the earth. Ethnobiologists research these very relationships through a scientific lens and it's a field of study bringing together many disciplines like anthropology, ecology and conservation to name just a few. Deconstructing Dinner believes ethnobiology is a subject deserving close attention for anyone interested in food security, food sovereignty and local food system conservation and development. In May 2010, Jon Steinman travelled to Vancouver Island to attend two gatherings on the subject in Victoria and Tofino. In this multi-part series, we'll explore what the Society of Ethnobiology describes is the "search for valid, reliable answers to two 'defining' questions: "How and in what ways do human societies use nature, and how and in what ways do human societies view nature?" Part I As is now commonly found among many indigenous communities worldwide, many youth have become significantly if not entirely disconnected from the traditional ways of their ancestors. One of the responses to this threat that some of those youth have employed is found among the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples whose territory stretches 300km along the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island. Nuu-chah-nulth (which translates to "all along the mountains and sea") are a family of 15 First Nations. Connecting some of their youth has been the Nashuk Youth Council - a project of Uu-a-thluk - the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council's Aquatic Management Board. The Youth Council has been seeking out stories and knowledge from their elders about their people's traditional foodways. Those stories and knowledge are in turn being shared digitally through short videos. The Nashuk Youth Council took to the podium at the 12th International Congress of Ethnobiology hosted in Tofino, B.C. Voices Nickie Watts, Keenan Jules, Waylon Andrews, John Rampanen, Belinda Lucas, Damon Vann-Tarrant Rampanen, Letitia Rampanen, James Dakota Smith, Tseeqwatin Rampanen, Leonita Jimmy, Maui Solomon