Welcome to the final episode of 2025! And to “round out” the year, we are telling the tale of pumpkins, North America’s favorite native gourd/squash! While most know for its use in pies and lattes, pumpkin has a long and diverse history! It is likely one of the oldest domesticated foods in the Americas. So join us in celebrating the end of autumn with a deep dive on these famous gourds!

Discussion Includes:

• Scientific Biology Overview

• Agricultural Overview

• Ancient History of Pumpkins

• Colonization of Pumpkins

• Pumpkin Fun Facts!

© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

After last month’s episode: Salt Overview, we delve further into specific examples of the history, science, medicinal, and religious uses of salt! Learn about the links between salt production & the harnessing of natural gas, salt and Christian monasteries, how molten salt nuclear reactors powered planes in the Cold War, and more!

©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Salt is one of the most important and influential minerals in human history. From flavoring food, to being used as a form of payment, to its impact on science, the effects cannot be overstated. There are many kinds of salts, and they all have different chemical signatures. Throughout this episode, learn about table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and other edible sea salts from ancient times as well as salts we find in agriculture and other scientific areas. This episode is an overview of the history, science, and uses of salts, with more in-depth analysis coming in August!

©️ Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Listen along as Kara and Josh learn more about the iconic holiday fruit, native to North America; from it's growing process to how canned cranberry sauce became a staple food at the winter holidays!

©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2024

Image Credit:

https://www.oncranberry.com/Cranberries.html