The Land of Desire: French History and Culture

71. Marie Bonaparte, Part I

  Welcome back! After a long break to buy new soundproofing equipment – which may or may not have been successful – we’re back with a new miniseries. I’m excited, as I think we’re covering one of the most interesting subjects this show has ever covered: the heiress, philanthropist and pioneering psychoanalyst Marie Bonaparte. Naturally, The post 71. Marie Bonaparte, Part I appeared first on The Land of Desire.

70. Fifth Anniversary! Listener Q&A

Aloha from Hawaii! Your host is celebrating a lot of things right now: Bastille Day, the ability to travel responsibly, the birthday of a certain overworked and abused producer-intern, and oh yeah, the fifth anniversary of The Land of Desire!!! I’m celebrating by answering some excellent questions from you, dear listeners. Merci beaucoup. Episode 70: The post 70. Fifth Anniversary! Listener Q&A appeared first on The Land of Desire.

69. The Boy Who Solved Vanilla

We’re back! After a big move, which required the dismantling and relocation of the trusty recording studio (a.k.a. Diana’s closet), I’m excited to record in my new space!  Next month is the show’s sixth anniversary – I know, right?!! – and I’m asking YOU to submit questions for a special listener Q&A episode. You can The post 69. The Boy Who Solved Vanilla appeared first on The Land of Desire.

68. Antoine Parmentier & The History of the Potato

April showers bring May flowers – unless they bring floods, famine, and fear. This month, I’m looking at the moment in French history when farmers turned their nose up at the foods of the New World – until they realized what the potato had to offer. Antoine Parmentier, one of the great hype men of The post 68. Antoine Parmentier & The History of the Potato appeared first on The Land of Desire.

67. Marcel & Celeste, Part II

What better way to “celebrate” a year of sheltering in place than a closer look at France’s most famous social distancer? This week, I’m looking at the curious relationship between the eccentric, reclusive writer, Marcel Proust, and his beloved housekeeper-confidant, Céleste Albaret. Together, the two hunkered down into a mostly nocturnal life of writing, collaborating, The post 67. Marcel & Celeste, Part II appeared first on The Land of Desire.