By Episodes

Ep. 851: The Promise and Controversy of American Prairie

March 23, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with Alison Fox, CEO of American Prairie.  Topics discussed: The history of American Prairie and its aim to create one of the largest land preserves in the country; plains for...
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2 books
654. The Ku Klux Klan: The Rise of Evil (Part 1)

March 23, 2026

How did the three iterations of the Ku Klux Klan come into being in 1866, 1915, and the late 1940s? What was the impact of the American Civil War and the Abolition of slavery in 1863 on the rise...
1 book
653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4)

March 19, 2026

Who did Samuel Johnson fall in love with towards the end of his life, and why did it break his heart? How did it enrage his old friend James Boswell? And, why did he fear imprisonment in an...
2 books
Ep. 849: Fur Bans, Gonad Jerky, and Connor “Bass Head” Hellebuyck

March 17, 2026

Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew discuss: Mark Kenyon’s upcoming new podcast; Kimi Werner’s cookbook: Kimi's Kitchen; clarifying what a porterhouse cut is; an interview with Olympic Gold...
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1 book
Ep. 848: How America Almost Lost Its Birds

March 16, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with writer James McCommons. Topics discussed: McCommon's new book, The Feather Wars and the Great Crusade to Save America's Birds; who did and didn't want The Migratory Bird...
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4 books
652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3)

March 16, 2026

What adventures occurred during Samuel Johnson and James Boswell’s journey into the heart of Scotland? How was their trip a gateway to the history of Scotland’s union with England in 1707? And,...
2 books
Ep. 847: Neanderthal Love, Mule Deer Eradication, and Mink Eyelashes

March 12, 2026

Steven Rinella and the MeatEater crew discuss: How Jani hasn't gotten a mountain lion this year, Brody's new tattoo and whether the tattoo industry faces a bleak future, Spencer's 2026 America The...
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2 books
651. London’s Golden Age: Sex and Scandal in Georgian Britain (Part 2)

March 12, 2026

Why was London such a cauldron of sexual scandal and political tumult in the 18th century? What licentious escapades did the infamous Scottish nobleman, James Boswell, get up to there? And, how...
2 books
Ep. 845: Can Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Be Saved?

March 09, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with Karl Malcolm of the Ruffed Grouse and American Woodcock Society and Brody Henderson. Topics discussed: Forest health issues; less and less access to good ruffed grouse...
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2 books
650. London’s Golden Age: The Mad Life of Dr Johnson (Part 1)

March 09, 2026

Who was Samuel Johnson, the dominant literary celebrity of 18th century London and the man who wrote the Dictionary? Why did his friendship with James Boswell, a sex and celebrity obsessed, but...
4 books
649. The Fall of the Incas: The Last Emperor (Part 6)

March 05, 2026

With the Incan emperor on the run, and the Spanish divided, what atrocities would unfold in the final phase of this brutal conquest? Who would triumph, Francisco Pizarro or his brutal former...
5 books
Ep. 842: "12 in '26" - Jani's Hunt for a Manitoba Giant

March 03, 2026

Janis Putelis answers your questions and breaks down his archery Manitoba black bear hunt captured in MeatEater's brand new "12 in '26" film series. He hunts over bait for the very first time to...
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1 book
Ep. 842: Jani's Hunt for a Manitoba Giant | 12 in '26

March 03, 2026

Janis Putelis answers your questions and breaks down his archery Manitoba black bear hunt captured in MeatEater's brand new "12 in '26" film series. He hunts over bait for the very first time to...
Read more here
0 books
Ep. 841: Theodore Roosevelt on Love, Ladies, and Conservation

March 02, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with author of The Loves Of Theodore Roosevelt and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Ed O'Keefe. Joined by Randall Williams, Phil Taylor, and Corinne...
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4 books
648. The Fall of the Incas: Battle for the Sacred City (Part 5)

March 02, 2026

Three years into the conquest of the Incas, how did the Spaniards respond to the Incan uprising, lead by their puppet emperor Manco? How did the despicable behaviour of Pizarro and his men spark...
1 book
647. The Fall of the Incas: The King in the North (Part 4)

February 26, 2026

How did the Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro take advantage of the Incan civil War? Were they able to discover the glorious city of Cusco, with all of its riches? And, what terrible...
2 books
Greatest Paintings: The French Revolution - Millet's Angelus

February 25, 2026

Why was Jean-François Millet’s The Angelus considered highly controversial and politically divisive in pre-industrial 19th-century France? What do we know about his personal background, his...
0 books
Ep. 838: How To Translate Animal Language

February 23, 2026

Steven Rinella talks with naturalist, writer, and sculptor George Bumann, Brody Henderson, Phil Taylore, and Corinne Schneider.  Topics discussed: George's book, Eavesdropping On Animals; Animal...
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8 books
646. The Fall of the Incas: Death to the Emperor (Part 3)

February 23, 2026

What happened to the emperor of the Incas after he was taken prisoner by the Spanish conquistadors? Did the formidable buccaneer, Francisco Pizarro, and his men succeed in discovering the treasure...
3 books
The Book Club: Wuthering Heights

February 20, 2026

Why does Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights, have such an enduring romantic association? Is Heathcliff a romantic lead, or an abusive antihero? Are the characters aspirational in any way, or...
12 books