Hey folks, it's Heather Cox Richardson and Joanne Freeman.

We're going to take a week off from now and then, but we wanted to share in its place

a relevant episode from our friend Cynthia Graber and Nikki Twilly over at Gastropod.

That's also a part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Gastropod explores the history and science behind everyday foods.

Past episodes have examined everything from the evolution of the cookie, to the surprising

impact the coffee bean has had on world history.

I have to say cookies and coffee I'm in.

I was going to say, really, you can find episodes of Gastropod at gastropod.com or by searching

for Gastropod in your favorite podcast app.

The episode we're highlighting today is The Milk of Life, which originally aired last

month.

In it, Cynthia and Nikki explore the fascinating history of baby formula with the recent shortage

as a backdrop.

It's one of the things you don't think a lot about and then you recognize just how incredibly

important it is.

In this episode, they look at wet nurses in 1700s Paris, the role of the company Nestle

in the rise and fall of American baby formula in the middle of last century, and the research

and sub-breastfeeding in recent decades.

We hope you'll enjoy this look at the economic and social pressures surrounding parenthood

and gender.

Without further ado, we present The Milk of Life.

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