The British are determined to secure control over the spice-rich island of Run in the Banda Islands. To do so, they need a strong, capable leader, and they find this in East India Company officer Nathaniel Courthope.

As the Dutch intensify their efforts to seize Run, Courthope confronts formidable obstacles, from building defenses to managing dwindling food supplies and the loss of British ships. Amid fierce battles, grueling conditions for British prisoners, and Courthope’s desperate attempts to hold out as supplies run low, the struggle escalates.

From assassinations to shifting alliances, the political fallout of the spice trade wars are immense. How will Britain respond when Run is lost to the Dutch? What events led to the brutal Massacre of Amboyna? And how did the English ultimately break the Dutch monopoly on nutmeg?

Join John and special guest Giles Milton for the gripping conclusion of this tale of adventure, betrayal, and the fight for control over one of the world's most coveted spices.

Order the special 25th anniversary copy of Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton here.

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"Nutmeg, the seed of the tree, was the most coveted luxury in seventeenth-century Europe, a spice held to have such powerful medicinal properties that men would risk their lives to acquire it." - Giles Milton, Nathaniel's Nutmeg

In the seventeenth century, a fierce rivalry emerged between the British and the Dutch in the East Indies over the lucrative spice trade. Nutmeg, a rare and highly prized spice native to the Banda Islands, fueled the establishment and rapid expansion of both the British and Dutch East India Companies, each determined to control the trade.

Reaching these distant islands was perilous, with expeditions facing violent storms, outbreaks of disease, unfamiliar cultures, and the constant threat of piracy. Despite these challenges, both powers were relentless in their pursuit of nutmeg.

With the Dutch securing an early foothold in the region and equipped with a more formidable fleet, they were intent on eliminating British influence to establish a global monopoly on nutmeg. But could they achieve their goal? Or would the British hold on against the odds—and at what cost?

Join John and special guest Giles Milton in the first episode of our two-part series on the spice trade wars as they delve into how a single spice from a group of remote Pacific islands would shape the course of world history.

Order the special 25th anniversary copy of Nathaniel's Nutmeg by Giles Milton here.

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In this episode, we delve into the complex tapestry of Salem's early years, exploring how agricultural life intertwined with rising tensions that ultimately led to the infamous witch trials.

Join John and Patrick as they recount the arrival of Puritan settlers in 1626 and the ensuing rivalry between the wealthy Porter and conservative Putnam families. Discover how economic disparities, religious fervor, and environmental factors—including the role of contaminated crops—created a fertile ground for hysteria.

As we uncover the darker implications of daily life in Salem, we reveal how fresh produce not only sustained the community but also became a symbol of fear and division.

Tune in for a deep dive into one of America’s most haunting historical episodes, where food and fear were inextricably linked.

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"Coca-Cola is Atlanta, and Atlanta is Coca-Cola." - Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young

In our first ever, live in-person event, John and Patrick dive deep into the intriguing history of Coca-Cola, exploring its unexpected ties to fresh produce.

Discover how John Pemberton, a pharmacist with a penchant for herbal remedies, transformed his initial concoction of coca-infused wine into the iconic soft drink we know today. Our hosts trace the origins of coca leaves and kola nuts, and their roles in Coca-Cola’s formulation, alongside the societal shifts that shaped its recipe over the years.

From the Civil War to the temperance movement, and the complex legacy of caffeine and cocaine, join John and Patrick as they unravel the fascinating journey of Coca-Cola, revealing how fresh produce and historical events intertwined to create a global phenomenon.

This episode was sponsored by the International Fresh Produce Association for the 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta, Georgia.

In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

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Join John and Patrick as they embark on a captivating journey through the rich history and cultural significance of one of the world's most adored fruits—the mango.

From its ancient roots in North-East India and its spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism to its role in diplomacy and myth, the mango’s story is as sweet and complex as the fruit itself.

Discover how the mango spread globally, from India to Europe and the Americas, shaping cultures and palates across centuries. Along the way, you'll hear tales of Mughal emperors, explorers, and farmers who helped the mango flourish in new lands.

Join us for a vibrant exploration of how the mango has transcended borders and time, becoming a beloved fruit around the world.

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Each year millions of Americans spend their autumn days picking apples from the many orchards that dot the country. But why? And when did this tradition start?

In this livestream episode, we explore the fascinating history of apple picking in America, tracing its journey from the introduction of apples by early European settlers to the rise of today’s popular you-pick orchards.

Join Patrick and John as they delve into the apple’s transformation from a colonial staple used primarily for cider to a symbol of American autumn traditions.

Learn how industrialization, agritourism, and the birth of you-pick farms shaped the modern apple-picking experience, and uncover the hidden costs behind the labor that brings apples from the orchard to your hands.

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In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the life and legacy of Henry Flagler, focusing on his transformative role in shaping Florida’s fresh produce industry. Following up on part one, which explored Flagler's rise from grain merchant to Standard Oil powerhouse, we now turn our attention to his ambitious projects in Florida.

Join John and Patrick as they uncover the stories behind the founding of towns like Pompano Beach and Hastings, the rise of Florida’s fresh produce industry, and Flagler’s ambitious railway extension to Key West. From devastating freezes that shifted the state’s citrus belt to Flagler’s innovative farming ventures, this episode paints a vivid picture of how one man’s vision helped shape modern Florida.

Don’t miss the fascinating history of Flagler’s railroads and their lasting impact on Florida’s agriculture.

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“I did not form a very favorable first impression, I must admit. I came here from Jacksonville by way of the river and the Tocoi railway and got here just at night. The accommodation was very bad and most of the visitors here were consumptives. I didn’t like it, and took the first train back to Jacksonville.”

While Henry Flagler’s initial impression of St. Augustine, Florida, was far from glowing, he would go on to be the driving force behind transforming the state into the agricultural and economic powerhouse it is today.

In part one of this new series, John and Patrick dive into the remarkable story of Henry Flagler, the man whose vision and investments helped transform Florida into the state we know today. Discover Flagler’s humble beginnings, his rise to prominence with Standard Oil, and his first encounters with Florida’s untapped potential. As our hosts take you through Flagler’s journey, they also explore the rich agricultural history of 19th-century Florida, including the booming citrus industry that laid the groundwork for his transformative work.

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