Don't Drink the Milk – The curious history of things

Dec 03 2024 25 ep. 29 mins 499
Don't Drink the Milk – The curious history of things Podcast artwork

We trace the unexpected backstories of everyday things – things that have traveled the world, by force, by chance, or by choice. How did this item or idea change as it moved through different cultures and eras on its way to you? And what surprising truths does its story reveal about our world today?

  History  Society & Culture
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Prisons: Why can’t we break free?

Dec 03 2024 44 mins  
Lock 'em up and throw away the key. Turns out that concept has been controversial from the beginning. There have always been cracks in the concept of incarceration, but have we let the system grow beyond our control? Journeying from prisons’ beginnings to now, and from the US to a small European country, we ask: who is prison actually serving?

Invisible Work: Women strike back

Nov 19 2024 45 mins  
Women around the world and across generations are connected by this familiar thing that you can't actually see: invisible labor. The mountain of tasks that go unseen and undervalued, and which fall mainly on the shoulders of women. From Icelandic grandmothers to Escape the Corset and 4B activists in South Korea, here's what happens when women push back.

Reality TV: Our ancient thirst for drama

Nov 05 2024 35 mins  
The gladiator's heart is beating hard as he dons his armor. The gates open and the crowd goes wild. He steps forward and finds himself in... the Bachelor Mansion?! Get ready for a trip from Ancient Rome to Laguna Beach as we track down the roots of reality TV and ask: Why are we so drawn to drama? Who really holds the power? And are we closer to the action than we realize?

The Missionary Position: Preaching, power and getting pregnant

Oct 23 2024 37 mins  
Weird name for a sex position, right? Well, the story behind it is just as strange - involving the Church, the full moon (or was it campfires?), and some mixed messages. But what can unravelling the mysterious backstory of this most rudimentary of sex positions tell us about sex, shame and evangelizing around the world - even today?

Introducing: The Secret Life of Canada | Was the plot to assassinate Lincoln hatched in Canada?

Oct 08 2024 26 mins  
The Secret Life of Canada from CBC Podcasts is a podcast about the country you know and the stories you don't. Join hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson as they reveal the beautiful, terrible and weird histories of this land. More episodes of The Secret Life of Canada are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/E8i4Tn2T?maca=en-podcast_dont_drink_the_milk-35517-xml-mrss

Lawns: Is yours giving sun king or pink flamingo?

Sep 24 2024 33 mins  
"Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are," said an English poet. What can a well-manicured lawn reveal about social status, our relationship to the Earth and the American Dream? A surprising amount. From fancy French palace gardens to suburban America, come along for the garden party as we mow over the history of the lawn – and ask if its time is up.

ZIP codes: Delivering more than you bargained for

Sep 10 2024 33 mins  
Psst, your ZIP code is telling all your secrets. In fact, so much is hidden in that short string of digits at the end of your address – we're talking pride, discrimination and marketing gold. Starting with a bulging wartime mail sack and ending with a cup of tea down an Irish country road – this is the winding journey of the postal code.

Opioids: Old high, new low

Aug 27 2024 35 mins  
The opioid crisis is unfolding around us in real time. But it isn’t just a problem in the US. Following the trail of a new outbreak in addiction leads us across continents and eventually full circle to where one of history’s most addictive drugs was first concocted. Pain relief, dependency and life-destroying consequences – this is how opioids entered the pharmaceutical marke

Witch hunts: The medieval conspiracy that just won't die

Aug 13 2024 42 mins  
When did you last hear the phrase "witch hunt"? Thanks to powerful figures like Donald Trump, chances are you see it in the headlines pretty often. Whispers of witchcraft go way back, but the conspiracy really took hold in medieval Europe — with deadly consequences. So how come it's still around, and how has the power shifted? Our adventure reveals why this chapter of history is

Don't Drink the Milk Season 2 is coming soon!

Jun 04 2024 1 mins  
Join us as we hit the road again to uncover the weird and wonderful backstories of familiar things and how they made their way around the world. This season we're delving into sex positions, drug epidemics, reality TV, mowing the lawn and much more. How do these things connect us to disparate cultures and eras and what do their stories reveal about our world today? You're in for an