Our common nature is a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma and me, Ana Gonzalez, through this complicated country.

We go into caves, onto boats, and up mountain trails to meet people, hear their stories, their poetry, and of course, play some music, all to reconnect to nature and get closer to the things we're missing.

Listen to Our Common Nature from WNYC, wherever you get podcasts.

It's the splendid table from APM, American Public Media.

I'm Lynn Rosetta, Casper. Put down that juicer and the

kale smoothie for a moment and consider this from primatologist Richard Rangham. He's author of

Catching Fire, How Cooking Made Us Human. What it struck me is that nobody has paid attention

to this amazingly important system of food processing, of cooking.

And the reason it seems so fantastically important is that we all know that you are what you eat.

And we all know that for animals, the search for food is absolutely critical.

And what people are not paid attention to is the fact that there's

tremendous amount of evidence that when we cook, we get much more energy out of our food

than if we eat it raw. Could be a controversial hour. Lots more coming your way this hour

on the splendid table.

Hi, it's Lynn Rosetta, Casper.

Spring brings wonderful new tastes.

And during our Splendid Table fundraiser,

I've assembled four of my favorite spring recipes,

especially for you.

It's a free bonus gift when you make a contribution in any amount

to keep the Splendid Table strong.

Your support really helps and can make your spring a little more delicious.

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