Shows
The Peanut PodcastClass Is in Session: Peanuts in College DiningIn the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams explore how colleges across the country are embracing peanuts—not just as a flavorful staple, but as a key part of thoughtful, modern allergen-management programs. This episode brings together the voices of chefs, nutrition directors, industry experts and a student ambassador to show how peanuts can stay on the menu safely, confidently and creatively.At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Executive Sous Chef Caleb Pham oversees dining halls that serve tens of thousands of meals every day. For her, peanuts are inseparable fr...
2025-12-0518 min
The Peanut Podcast10 Years of LEAP: Bold Progress in Peanut Allergy PreventionThe Peanut Podcast’s latest episode, “10 Years of LEAP: Bold Progress in Peanut Allergy Prevention,” hosted by Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams, marks a milestone in food allergy history. Listeners are taken back to the origins of the groundbreaking LEAP study with lead researcher Dr. Gideon Lack, whose work proved that introducing peanut foods early and often in infancy could reduce the risk of developing peanut allergy by up to 80%. “The cause of the disease and the trigger of symptoms aren’t the same,” Dr. Lack explains, underscoring the shift from avoidance to proactive prevention. His insights remind us that scie...
2025-08-1257 minThe Peanut PodcastHow Peanut Butter is Made: The Science, The Process, and The LoveIn a flavorful new episode of The Peanut Podcast, NPB co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom take listeners on a delicious deep dive into one of America’s most beloved pantry staples: peanut butter. With this being the first-ever episode available in both video and audio formats, fans can now see the peanut passion in action. The hosts are joined by four leading voices in peanut butter: Lee Zalben, founder of Peanut Butter & Co.; Sarah Johnson of Skippy; Dr. Lisa Dean from USDA; and Dr. Gabrielle Harris from NC State.Lee Zalben kicks things off with a...
2025-05-0211 minThe Peanut PodcastSharing the Farm StoryIn “Sharing the Farm Story”, National Peanut Board co-hosts Lauren Highfill Williams and Ashton Pellom takes listeners on a thrilling ride into the realities of farming, debunking food myths, discussing sustainability, and exploring what keeps farmers passionate about their work. Featuring insights from Tara Vander Dussen, Randy the Peanut Farmer, and Abram Martens, this episode is a powerful reminder that the food we enjoy every day comes from hardworking individuals who care deeply about their land, crops, and communities. Social media has made food trends more accessible than ever, but with that accessibility comes a wave o...
2025-02-1314 minThe Peanut PodcastHow AI is Revolutionizing Farming: Insights from The Peanut PodcastIn this enlightening episode of the National Peanut Board’s The Peanut Podcast, hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams explore the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and agriculture, with a particular focus on how AI could impact the peanut industry. Joining them are two experts in the field: Alina Piddubna, Delivery Director at Intellis, and Dr. Simer Virk, Associate Professor at Auburn University, who share real-world insights into AI's potential to effect farming practices.Alina sets the stage by demystifying AI, emphasizing its practical applications over the "magic" many associate with it. “AI is about empo...
2024-12-1118 minThe Peanut PodcastFrom Soil to Snack: The Epic Journey of Peanut ResearchIn the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, co-hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams whisk listeners away on a globetrotting adventure through the captivating history and future of peanuts—think of it as an epic odyssey starring a humble legume! From their South American origins to their North American fame, peanuts have traveled far and wide, fueled by pioneers like Dr. Charles Simpson, who embarked on 28 expeditions to uncover wild peanut species that are now the backbone of drought-resistant crops. Along the way, we meet Dr. Steve Brown, who shares the inside scoop on the...
2024-10-2328 min