From our friends at Switched on Pop: Where were you when you learned that the McDonald's jingle "I'm lovin' it" was originally part of a full-fledged pop song by Justin Timberlake and Pharrell that flopped on the charts but found staying power as a slogan? For us, it was recording our live episode about sponsored content in pop back in March 2024, and we hav ... Show More
Aug 19
Tomatoes: A Love Story
The tomato is Gastropod’s favorite flavor of summer, and we’re not alone: today, it’s the most popular vegetable on the planet, despite the fact that it's technically a fruit. But, until a couple of hundred years ago, the tomato wasn't really anyone's favorite. In South America, ... Show More
50m 48s
Aug 5
The Most Dangerous Fruit in America
It's the epitome of summertime: there’s nothing like a cold, juicy slice of red watermelon on a swelteringly hot day. But, once upon a time, watermelons were neither red nor sweet—the wild watermelon has white flesh and a bitter taste. This episode, we scour Egyptian tombs, decay ... Show More
45m 20s
Jul 22
The Colorful Tale of Mexico's A-maize-ing Grain
This might sound corny, but the relationship between maize and humanity is essential. We rely on corn—globally, more maize is grown than wheat or rice—and, in turn, corn is utterly dependent on us, to the extent that it's lost the ability to reproduce without our help. But corn's ... Show More
50m 56s
Oct 2024
Why is fast food so expensive now?
There’s a growing shift in consumer sentiment about the fast-food industry. As inflation pushes menu prices steadily upward, more people are asking themselves if that weekly trip to Taco Bell, Wendy’s, or KFC is still worth the cost. ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Christopher Zara ... Show More
59m 13s
Oct 2024
Why the ‘expensive fast food’ era will never end
The burger, a staple of American fast food, is quickly becoming a big ticket item. Inflation along with many factors ailing the farming and ranching processes ar emaking your regular cheap fast food burger cost a lot more. So what will it take to get burger prices down, and will ... Show More
16m 4s
Jan 2025
BIG FACTS feat. Kawan “KP” Prather
Join KP on Big Facts as he delves into his pivotal role in shaping Atlanta’s music scene. From his early days with Parental Advisory to his executive decisions that influenced artists like T.I. and OutKast, KP shares untold stories, the evolution of trap music, and his vision beh ... Show More
51m 58s
May 12
McDonald’s Before McDonald’s
May 15, 1940. It’s opening day. San Bernardino, California is a city on the rise, and to meet this new demand for cheap, good food, two brothers have created a restaurant: McDonald’s Famous Barbecue. You can order a PB&J sandwich, barbecued pork, baked beans, and yes, a hamburger ... Show More
36m 23s
Aug 2024
Tinashe’s “Nasty” takes on Janet and Beyoncé + Are songs getting simpler?
If you've spent any time on the internet this summer, you may have encountered a certain refrain accompanying particularly fierce dance videos—"I've been a nasty girl. Nasty, nasty, nasty." This track, "Nasty" by the R&B singer and songwriter Tinashe, is a jam in its own right. F ... Show More
46m 15s
Aug 2024
Gaby Dalkin: On Running a Multi-Faceted Food Company, and Why Frozen Butter Makes the Best Homemade Burgers of Your Life
Katie talks with Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking? about running her food brand while being a mom. Gaby is pregnant with her second child and reveals all of her funny pregnancy foods, including pineapple and soda. She explains how she keeps up with her successful culinary busin ... Show More
30m 6s