What is the real cost of your Valentine's flowers?

This episode uncovers the environmental damage and worker exploitation linked to cut-flowers from Kenya and Ethiopia. We shine a light on the use of harmful pesticides, low wages, and sexual harassment in a crisis that stays out of sight. Learn why these symbols of love often come at the cost of human dignity and environmental health.

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*Royalty-free BGM "Clear Waters" Easy Lemon" ''Parting of Ways'' from incompetech.com

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What better way to start the new year with the flower that represents fresh starts? Today we're looking at the tulip-a sign of hope and renewal.

When you imagine a tulip, you likely think of the Netherlands, but its path to becoming a Dutch icon involves empires, continents, and a midnight robbery.

*Royalty-free BGM "Clear Waters" Easy Lemon" ''Parting of Ways'' from incompetech.com

**Royalty-free BGM from pixabay.com

***Podcast logo is designed by me

****Episode artwork by AI

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

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Note: This episode has been re-released with improved audio quality.

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In the chilly winter of 1604, in the Alsatian town of Strasbourg, snow blankets the rooftops and candlelight glows through frosted windows. Inside a home stands a fir tree adorned with paper roses, apples, and sweetmeats. This is the earliest recorded Christmas tree, a tradition destined to become a universal symbol of Christmas joy.

*Royalty-free BGM "Easy Lemon" from incompetech.com

**Royalty-free BGM from pixabay.com

***Podcast logo is designed by me

****Episode artwork by AI

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

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Visit the official website: rootsrevealed.org

Death was a constant shadow in the Victorian era. But faced with overflowing graveyards and rampant disease, the Victorians didn't just despair—they transformed grief into art.

They looked at the grim, crowded churchyards of their cities and asked a radical question: what if a cemetery wasn't just a place for the dead, but a beautiful, healing garden for the living?

*Royalty-free BGM "Clear Waters" and Easy Lemon" from incompetech.com

**Royalty-free BGM from pixabay.com

***Podcast logo is designed by me

****Episode artwork by AI

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

Love the unusual? Read strange and fascinating plant stories @ rootsrevealed.org/the-peculiar-herbarium

Visit the official website: rootsrevealed.org

Content warning: This episode contains detailed descriptions of poisoning, historical murders, and gruesome physical symptoms. Listener discretion is advised.

From ancient assassinations to modern crimes, poisonous plants have quietly shaped history. They've toppled rulers, settled scores, and ironically, become life-saving medicines.

In today’s episode, we will unearth the sinister plants that turned ordinary hands into instruments of death.

- Background music " Easy Lemon" sourced from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

- Royalty-free background music sourced from pixabay.com

**Episode artwork by AI
***Podcast logo is designed by me

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

Love the unusual? Read strange and fascinating plant stories @ rootsrevealed.org/the-peculiar-herbarium

Visit the official website: rootsrevealed.org

Vanilla is everywhere—in our ice cream, perfumes, and even candles. But where does it come from? And why is it so special?

The story of vanilla is anything but ordinary, and today we'll explore the surprising history of this extraordinary spice.

*Background music sourced from Kevin MacLeod

"Clear Waters, " " Easy Lemon," and "Pride" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Royalty-free background music sourced from pixabay.com

**Episode artwork by AI
***Podcast logo is designed by me

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

Love the unusual? Read strange and fascinating plant stories @ rootsrevealed.org/the-peculiar-herbarium

Visit the official website: rootsrevealed.org

Today, we're talking about a fruit that’s not just tasty, but also full of history—the mango.

Known as the "king of fruits," the mango is more than just a summer favourite. It has travelled through time, cultures, and countries.

In this episode, we’ll explore its origin, cultural symbolism, literary presence, and even its role in diplomacy.

*Background music sourced from Kevin MacLeod

"Clear Waters" and " Easy Lemon" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Royalty-free background music sourced from pixabay.com

**Episode artwork by AI
***Podcast logo is designed by me

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

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Today we're about to embark on a journey that spans millions of years and circles the globe—all following the delicate pink and white petals of cherry blossoms. These ephemeral flowers have inspired poetry, shaped mythology, symbolized peace, and even influenced our understanding of life itself.

From their ancient geological origins in Central Asia to their role in modern climate science, from Japanese Hanami celebrations to Berlin's memorial groves, these aren't just trees—they're living storytellers.

Join me as we uncover the remarkable saga of how the cherry blossom tree became one of humanity's most beloved natural wonders🌸

*Background music sourced from Kevin MacLeod

"Clear Waters" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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"Pride" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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"Parting of the Ways - Part 1" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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--

and from www.pixabay.com

**Episode artwork by Canva AI
***Podcast logo is designed by me

Got feedback or suggestions? I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a message at hello@rootsrevealed.org.

Explore more details on each episode here: rootsrevealed.org/episodes

Love the unusual? Read strange and fascinating plant stories @ rootsrevealed.org/the-peculiar-herbarium

Visit the official website: rootsrevealed.org