Take a look at the list of ingredients on the back of almost any ultra-processed packaged food and you are likely to find palm oil or its derivatives as an ingredient. Its presence is just as ubiquitous in cosmetics and personal care products. 

The consequences of the excessive use of palm oil are far-reaching and impact more than just our health. In this episode, my co-host James Connolly is talking with Jocelyn Zuckerman, author of Planet Palm:  How Palm Oil Ended Up in Everything - and Endangered the World.

Jocelyn and James dive deep into the history of the palm oil industry and how it came to be in everything, exploring the devastation of natural habitats, corporate corruption, and how many of these practices continue today.

Join them in this enlightening conversation as they discuss:

-Jocelyn’s connection to Nina Teicholz and her inspiration for the book

-The effect of land grabs in Africa in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis

-How Liberia was founded and the palm oil industry there

-The brief summary of Unilever’s violent past from Sunlight Soap to enslaving native populations 

-How the palm oil trade replaced the slave trade after it was outlawed in 1807

-How growing palm oil trees started as a way to alleviate poverty

-The processing oil palm and stats on palm oil usage

-Major brands that use a lot of palm oil

-The perspective of poachers

-The connection between what’s happening in the palm oil industry with other commodity industries

-Tragic stories of modern-day slavery in the agriculture industry

-The current practice of using prisoners as farmworkers and the effect it has on prison sentences 

While topics like this can seem overwhelming and discouraging, I encourage my listeners to see the links below for ways you can find out more and take action.

Resources:

Books & Articles:

The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz

Selections of Jocelyn’s articles in Gourmet Magazine here, here, & here

Selections of Jocelyn’s articles in On Earth Magazine here, here, & here

Lord Leverhulme's Ghosts: Colonial Exploitation in the Congo by Jules Marchal

The World for Sale by Javier Blas & Jack Farchy

Merchants of Grain by Dan Morgan

The Secret Life of Groceries: The Darkside of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGee

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

Black Boy and The Man Who Lived Underground by Richard Wright

Articles on prisoners used as farm labor here and here

Websites for Info & Action:

National Resources Defence Council

Chain Reaction Research

Mighty Earth

 

Rainforest Action Network

No White Saviors

 

Other Resources:

Natural Habitats Palm Oil

James’s podcast with Benjamin Lorr: Sustainable Dish Episode 127

Behind the Bastards Podcast

 

Connect with [Guest]:

Website: Jocelyn Zuckerman

Instagram: @jocelynzuck

LinkedIn: Jocelyn Zuckerman

Twitter: @jocelynzuck

***

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers, Lauren Manning, and James Connelly. Our producer is Meg Chatham, and our editor is Emily Soape. And of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Patreon supporters, and listeners.

In a world where we are increasingly removed from our food, hunting is a way for us to connect with what we are eating. Meet Danielle Prewett, founder of Wild + Whole, Wild Foods contributing editor for MeatEater, and proud hunter. In 2014 Danielle and her husband pledged to only cook meat that they hunt and fish themselves, allowing her the privilege of having a deeper connection with her food. 

In my conversation with Danielle we discuss:

-Danielle’s story of how she got into wild game and her first experience with eating mindfully

-The way she eats and the privilege of hunting that may not be accessible to everyone

-The inaccurate stereotypes of hunters

-The responsibility of killing an animal is on you

-How hunters are conservationists

-The overpopulation of deer and how hunting is a solution

-Danielle’s best hunting experience

-How to get started hunting

-The misconception of a natural death 

Resources:

The Meateater &  Steve Rinella

Deer in Molokai

Deutsch-Drahthaar

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Sacred Cow 

Nature is Metal (@natureismetal)

The Flavor Bible

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers

The Pittman Robertson Act

Connect with [Guest]:

Website: Wild + Whole

Instagram: @danielleprewett or @wildandwhole

LinkedIn: Danielle Prewett

Facebook: @wildandwhole

Twitter: @Danielleprewett

YouTube: MeatEater

***

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers, Lauren Manning, and James Connelly. Our producer is Meg Chatham, and our editor is Emily Soape. And of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Patreon supporters, and listeners.

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, one of my favorite “better broth” companies. Their broths and elixirs are not only well-sourced, but they are delicious. Visit their website here and enter the code SUSTAINABLEDISH for 20% off your first order.

It's also sponsored by Paleovalley, my go-to, grab-and-go source for products that prioritize nutrient density in an industry that prioritizes everything else. Their epic lineup of products includes Organic Supergreens, 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks, Grass-Fed Organ Complex, 100% Grass-Fed Bone Broth Protein, and low-sugar snack bars. Visit their website here and enter the code SUSTAINABLEDISH for 15% off your first order.

In this episode, I welcome back to the show, Will Harris, fourth-generation farmer, and owner of White Oak Pastures. You can listen to our first episode here. 

In 1995, Will made the bold decision to stop using industrialized farming methods at White Oak Pastures and instead return his operation to the traditional farming techniques used by his forefathers.

Today, White Oak Pastures operates as a living ecosystem that is holistically managed and proudly zero-waste - all while employing 155+ people and helping to revitalize the small town of Bluffton, GA.  

Listen in as Will and I discuss the big plans for our upcoming event October 21-24.  We also chat about: 

The office at White Oak Pastures and the interesting construction of his driveway

How Spider Lilies indicate the changing of the seasons

-The size and scope of White Oak Pastures

-What is raised at White Oak Pastures

-The unique lodging at White Oak Pastures

-How the end of small and medium-sized farms have changed rural America

-How Will’s family is involved in their family-owned farm

-Center for Agricultural Resilience (CFAR)

Resources:

Savory Hubs

Gabe Brown

Jason Rowntree

Ranching for Profit

Regenerative Farming and Nutrition workshop October 21-24

Sacred Cow

Jules Horn - Website & Podcast with Jules 

Samantha Garwin 

Connect with Will:

Website: White Oak Pastures

Instagram: @whiteoakpastures

LinkedIn: Will Harris

Facebook: @whiteoakpastures

Twitter: @whiteoakpasture

YouTube: White Oak Pastures Farms

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers, Lauren Manning, and James Connelly. Our producer is Meg Chatham, and our editor is Emily Soape. And of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Patreon supporters, and listeners.

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, one of my favorite “better broth” companies. Their broths and elixirs are not only well-sourced, but they are delicious. Visit their website here and enter the code SUSTAINABLEDISH for 20% off your first order.

Meet Jules Horn, a German fashion model, wellness, health, fitness & breath coach, and former vegan. Jules is an encouraging soul, driven to serve and help others discover their best selves.

In my conversation with Jules we discuss:

• His journey into modeling
• How he became vegan
• Why he transitioned away from veganism
• Tools he used to find the best way to eat, move, and breathe for his optimal health and wellbeing
• His self-discovery during lockdown
• His wellness, fitness, and breath coaching passion
• Rediscovering ourselves through journaling
• His upcoming breathwork sessions at the White Oak Pastures’ Regenerative Farming, Nutrition and Wellness, and Butchering Workshop with Diana, Jules, Will Harris, and Sam Garwin - Join Us!
• And More!

Resources:

• My Gene Food
• Work with Jules at Oxygen Advantage Breath Coaching
• Work with Jules at Primal Health Coach
• Oura Ring
• Ede Fox aka Black Carnivore
• White Oak Pastures Event
• Will Harris of White Oak Pastures

Connect with Jules:

Website: Oxygen Advantage

Website: Primal Health Coach

Instagram: @jules_horn

Facebook: @juleshorn1190

***

Episode Credits:

Thank you to all who’ve made this show possible. Our hosts are Diana Rodgers, Lauren Manning, and James Connelly. Our producer is Meg Chatham, and our editor is Emily Soape. And of course, we are grateful for our sponsors, Patreon supporters, and listeners.

This episode is sponsored by FOND Bone Broth, one of my favorite “better broth” companies. Their broths and elixirs are not only well-sourced, but they are delicious. Visit their website here and enter the code SUSTAINABLEDISH for 20% off your first order.