The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman

The Art & Ethics of Eating Well, with Matthew Halteman

Author: BLISTER January 8, 2025 Duration: 1:22:03

Today, you are going to hear what is essentially an ongoing conversation that Jonathan has been having for about 30 years now with one of his best friends, Matthew Halteman, about food, food systems, sustainability, fine dining, and the ethics of what we eat.

Matt is a foodie, a father, a fellow in the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, and a philosophy professor at Calvin University (he received his PhD in philosophy at Notre Dame). Matt is also a brilliant writer, and among other things we’re talking about today is his new book, Hungry, Beautiful Animals.

Eating food is, of course, one of the most fundamental activities of human experience, yet many of us could probably stand to further examine our own principles and practices when it comes to food systems, what we eat, and the significance, ethics, and aesthetics of eating. So that is a bit of what Jonathan and Matt are going to be diving into here.

RELATED LINKS:

Read Hungry, Beautiful Animals

Listen to Hungry, Beautiful Animals on Spotify

For More re: Nutrition: nutritionfacts.org

TOPICS & TIMES:

What We’re Talking about Today & Why (0:00)

Food & Current Food Production (4:11)

Matt’s Background in Food Systems (12:41)

How Transformation Actually Happens (24:41)

Vegan Fine Dining? (41:28)

Excellence & Accessibility (51:47)

Jonathan’s Mom's Question about Nutrition (59:48)

Filtering Information & Disinformation (1:06:37)

Hungry Beautiful Animals (1:09:53)


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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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