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The United Steaks of America
Why does every summer holiday smell like meat on a grill? In this episode, we dive into the smoky, sacred world of the American backyard barbecue. From ritual timing t...
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The Magical Midnight of Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve at midnight feels magical, like you could just reach out and, like Adam in the Sistine Chapel, touch the finger of God. It's magical and meaning-fraught ...
Silent Night for Another Fortnight
Why does everyone lose their collective mind when Christmas music shows up “too early”? In this episode, we dig into the folk social control behind holiday soundtracks...
Trick, Treat, and Trade Places
Treat or treating isn't just a fun way to gather enough candy to make a child ill for three days. It's a ritual inversion: A deliberate role reversal, where the tiny b...
Aromatic Folklore: The Pumpkin Spice Effect
When the air still feels like July but the store shelves smell like October, you know it’s happened: the pumpkin spice has returned. But why does that scent and that f...