Episodes

The Hidden History, Psychology, Power Struggle, and Cultural Story Behind America’s Most Ubiquitous Condiment. What if the most powerful lesson about patience, power, trust, and human behavior was sitting on your table your entire life? Would you want to know more? Well, you’ve probably stared at it in mild frustration. But no one ever told you why you felt that way! In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely crack the cap on the real story behind ketchup—not as ...

What makes a food brand iconic—and why do we trust it like family? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull back the curtain on the legendary food brands and characters that quietly shaped American kitchens, childhoods, and consumer trust for generations. From Betty Crocker, a fictional woman who became one of the most trusted voices in American homes, to Little Debbie, whose real face turned five-cent cakes into a Depression-era survival story, and more, ...

Natural Remedies, Healing Foods, and the Traditions Families Trust. As cold and flu season always seems to creep up on us soon after the New Year. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, the question we ask is: Can food be medicine? Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely as they merge family remedies with old and new science and unpack how everyday foods make us feel better. Learn how chicken soup, honey, ginger, garlic, cabbage, peanut butter, and whiskey have been standby home remedies used ...

Pizza wasn’t always welcome at the table— And it certainly wasn’t always American. So how did a seemingly simple immigrant street food become the most shared, argued-over, and emotionally loaded meal in the country? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely uncover some surprising facts about the history of pizza in America, tracing its journey from Italian and ancient Mediterranean roots to our neighborhood pizza parlors, family tables, and regional loyalties t...

New Year’s Leftovers: What to Toss, What to Transform, and Why It Matters What stays, what goes, and what gets reinvented with style and taste? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, your award-winning hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take on the post-holiday refrigerator—one container at a time, with how-to ideas and a recipe that will turn your holiday leftovers into a fancy homespun “gotta have.” This episode isn’t just about food—it’s a look at what leftovers say about the way we l...

Why do families leave cookies for Santa? What do people in other countries leave for Santa on Christmas Eve, and why have those foods become part of the holiday? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph step in for Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely to examine the origins of Christmas treats and food traditions around the world. How have history, economics, and cultural storytelling shaped what we now consider “traditional” holiday foods? Mrs. Claus and Rudolph share thei...

Best Christmas food gifts, explained and shared. What makes a Christmas food gift unforgettable? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia explore the best Christmas food gifts, sharing true stories behind fruitcake traditions, Hickory Farms boxes, homemade holiday drinks, and regional favorites that turn simple food into lasting memories. What regional holiday traditions, family favorites, and even strange corporate food gifts have become long-running stories? Have you e...

Bringing the holidays together: stories, shared recipes, and easy ideas for mixing Hanukkah, Christmas, and even Scandinavian Yuletide flavors at your family table. What happens when Jewish and Christian traditions come together in one kitchen? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May talks with Magdalena Dryberg, a Swedish-born Jewish mom who blends Hanukkah, Christmas, and Scandinavian winter traditions into one fun and meaningful holiday season. Magdalena shares easy ideas f...

Why do some manners survive for centuries while others disappear overnight? And which one still matters today? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely uncover the surprising truths behind the rules we follow, the ones we break, and the embarrassing moments we all secretly Google. From medieval knife etiquette and Victorian orange-cutting rules to restaurant dilemmas, awkward check battles, and the lesser-known rules of modern hosting, this episode reveals how...

Home for the Holidays: The Lost Art of Decorating with Food What if your next holiday centerpiece wasn’t from a store—but from your pantry? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely help you rediscover the forgotten art and easy ways to decorate with food. It’s been a long-standing, even ancient tradition that’s fun and everyone can join in and help. From hanging this year’s turkey wishbone and saving it for next year’s wish-making activities, to crafting apple-h...

Thanksgiving Traditions & The Stories That Feed Us What makes Thanksgiving more than a meal? There’s a lot more of the old and new traditions that, when combined, can make this celebration one you’ll remember for years to come. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore how food, family, and traditions shape our sense of gratitude and belonging across the generations, tables, and even time zones from how to make that traditional turkey better than ever, t...

How Cooking Mistakes, Burned Meals, and Starting Over Can Teach You More Than Any Recipe Book Why are so many people afraid to cook? It’s easier and more fun, even than you might think. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the big reasons and excuses behind avoiding cooking. Learn how even the most devout non-cook recently turned her “I don’t cook” mantra into a way to learn about her family history and a new level of confidence. From burnt pots a...

Oatmeal: The Comfort Food That Connects Generations & More! Oatmeal: it's a simple bowl with a story that spans continents, centuries, and countless family tables. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share the interesting history, folklore, forgotten traditions, and a few recipe ideas behind one of the world’s most comforting foods. From ancient Scottish porridge (yes hidden their Sporrans)to more traditional breakfasts, and eve oat milk and skincare, you...

Ever wonder what bone cookies, charcoal embers in a turnup, and candy corn have common? In this ghostly episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely stir up the history, humor, and hidden meaning behind Halloween’s more interesting and fun traditions. From ancient Celtic rituals to good luck brew, and a lover’s prediction, this episode shares how food, folklore, and superstition have come together over centuries to create the Halloween we know today. 👻 Did you know H...

The Hidden Power of Everyday Food Rituals to Connect Family, Friends, and Colleagues In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Sylvia Lovely turns interviewer and invites Nancy May to reflect on and share her experiences in going home to New York and Connecticut. The interview turns into a food story about going home and finding new friends, while creating new memories and connections Through treats (think chocolate) and meals shared with colleagues, long-time friends, and family, the conv...

How family traditions, food memories, and simple kitchen smarts can help us eat well, waste less, and reconnect around the table. In this Family Tree Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely celebrate World Food Day by diving into how food traditions, family stories, and old-fashioned kitchen wisdom can help us better manage our family’s budget today. From McDonald’s Happy Meals and Burger King crowns to World War II ration cookbooks, casseroles, and potluck suppers, they explore how ...

🌽 Did you know that Native American Foods Sill Influence What You Eat Today? How many of the foods you eat every day have roots in Native American foods and traditions? A lot more than you might realize, so start counting and testing your family and kids now! In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share a list of indigenous foods, along with their history, traditions, and, yes, even spiritual connections, that influence your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and holi...

Learn why your body—and heart—craves stew, pasta, and pancakes in the fall. Ever wonder why mac and cheese, beef stew, lasagna, or even a slice of fruitcake creates cravings in the fall? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely dive into the cozy world of comfort foods—and trust us, there’s a lot more to it than just wanting that warm brownie or an extra spoonful of mashed potatoes on your plate! Nancy and Sylvia aren’t just talking about our favorite go-to comf...

Let’s talk Mushrooms: from Shitake stories, and magic mushrooms, to the People’s “shrooms” and more. This week, we’re talking about foods you probably wouldn’t expect to get too excited about: mushrooms. However, those funky spongy fungi have stories, secrets, and flavors that will give you something different to talk about at your next dinner table conversation. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely become the Fungi Gals (ha, ha, seriously!) and share fall...

Fermented Nuts, Pickled Eggs & Appalachian Moonshine: How We Preserve More Than Just Food, and Why it's Important. Fall is more than a season—it's a reminder to preserve what matters, from seasonal foods to family recipes passed down through generations. In this richly layered episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share forgotten preservation techniques, Appalachian food lore, and hands-on kitchen wisdom from past generations. You'll also hear about Sylvia's ...

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? How did America come together in the days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks? And why did food—from cornbread to clam chowder—become a powerful symbol of comfort, resilience, and remembrance? In this special Family Tree Food & Stories episode, we reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and the extraordinary ways people found healing through food. From community kitchens in New York serving first responders, to small-town stories of...

🍴 Mystery, Murder & Meals: When Food Turns Deadly Could the food on your plate become a deadly weapon? In this week’s episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia stir up the darker, and questionably juicy side of food culture, history, and culinary revenge—where poisoned banquets, chef scandals, and real-life true-crime stories collide. If you’ve ever wondered about the powerful, sinister-looking side just placed on your plate, this episode is a feast you won’t want to miss. From p...

✍️ Ink, Ingredients & the Power of Food Writers Who do you think shapes the way we eat, cook, and talk about food today? Well, you'll find some of the answers in this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, as co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely reveal the history of food writers and critics—from the Mesopotamian food writers who carved their stories on clay tablets to the story behind how Michelin stars come about and are funded and can make or break a restaurant. Nancy and Sylvia also put th...

From our family's original alehouses (think medieval times) to modern gastropubs, hear how your favorite watering hole and social hangout has shaped society, from birth to passing. and why. In this episode about “Bars and Pubs,” your Family Tree Food & Stories Podcast hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, raise a frosty pint and share some of the most timeless traditions, history, colorful characters, and personal stories that make bars, pubs, and taverns the cornerstones of many small towns and ...