• Episode 227: Nicole Qualtieri on Hunting, Wild Food, and Breaking Cultural Meat Taboos

  • Mar 18 2025
  • Length: 1 hr and 38 mins
  • Podcast

Episode 227: Nicole Qualtieri on Hunting, Wild Food, and Breaking Cultural Meat Taboos

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  • Summary: In this episode, Justin Townsend welcomes Nicole Qualtieri, an award-winning outdoor writer, to discuss her journey into the world of hunting, outdoor writing, and the culinary arts. They explore the importance of wild food, the influence of her upbringing, and the creation of her Substack, The Western, which aims to provide a fresh perspective on outdoor culture and food. The conversation highlights the intersection of personal experiences, food, and the outdoors, emphasizing the need for authentic storytelling in the hunting community. She reflects on the soul of writing and the need for deeper connections in the narratives surrounding hunting and food culture. The discussion also explores unconventional food sources, the complexities of eating wild game, and the inherent violence in hunting, leading to a deeper understanding of sarcophagy and zoophagy. In this conversation, Nicole Qualtieri, Adam, and Justin Townsend explore the complexities of food identity, the ethics of hunting, and the cultural taboos surrounding various meats. They discuss the issues of seafood mislabelling, the concepts of sarcophagy and zoophagy, and the importance of storytelling in connecting people to their food sources. The conversation also touches on the role of hunting in conservation and the need for better public engagement in discussions about food and hunting practices. - Leave a Review of the Podcast - Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices Guest: The Incredible Edible Animal Hierarchy The Westrn Instagram Takeaways: The Wild Kitchen series aims to explore the versatility of wild game and foraged foods. Nicole Qualtieri's background includes a unique childhood experience that shaped her love for the outdoors. The Western was born out of a desire to share authentic stories about hunting and food culture. Nicole emphasizes the importance of community and sharing in the hunting world. Her journey into hunting was sparked by a transformative experience in the wilderness. The focus is on long-form storytelling that resonates with readers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of narrative in outdoor writing. Exploring the discomfort in storytelling can lead to more authentic narratives. Seafood mislabelling is a significant issue. Many people have unknowingly eaten mislabeled fish. Hunting connects us to our food in a meaningful way. Cultural taboos influence our food choices significantly. The ethics of eating horses raises important questions. Conservation efforts can be supported through a food-centric approach. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Wild Kitchen Series 03:07 Personal Updates and Outdoor Adventures 06:01 Introducing Nicole Qualtieri and Her Background 08:54 Nicole's Journey into Outdoor Writing and Hunting 12:12 The Influence of Food and Cooking in Nicole's Life 15:03 The Birth of The Western and Its Mission 31:42 Building a Collaborative Writing Community 34:33 The Shift Towards Long-Form Storytelling 39:24 The Importance of Soul in Writing 45:12 Exploring Unconventional Food Sources 52:47 The Complexity of Eating Wild Game 01:01:17 Understanding the Violence of Hunting 01:06:24 Defining Sarcophagy and Zoophagy 01:09:00 The Truth Behind Seafood Mislabelling 01:11:58 Understanding Sarcophagy and Zoophagy 01:14:56 The Connection Between Hunting and Food Identity 01:17:59 Engaging the Public in Hunting Conversations 01:21:05 Cultural Taboos and Food Choices 01:25:11 The Role of Storytelling in Food and Hunting 01:29:51 Exploring the Ethics of Eating Horses 01:34:01 The Future of Food and Conservation Keywords: Wild kitchen, outdoor writing, hunting, wild food, Nicole Qualtieri, MeatEater, food culture, outdoor adventures, cooking, conservation, hunting, storytelling, long-form writing, food culture, wild game, sarcophagy, zoophagy, collaboration, narrative journalism, seafood mislabelling, hunting, food identity, cultural taboos, storytelling, ethics of eating, conservation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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