Of Blooms and Bookworms

In this episode, Jethro explores Tulip Mania, the 17th-century Dutch financial disaster that saw people selling their homes for tulip bulbs. Yes, actual tulips. Because nothing screams economic stability like mortgaging the farm for a flower. Meanwhile, Kat saddles up for the story of the Pack Horse Libraries—badass Depression-era librarians who braved mountains, rivers, and wild animals just to make sure rural America had something to read besides old seed catalogs. From botanical bubbles to literary cowboys, it’s another journey into the gloriously bizarre. Because if history teaches us anything, it's that humans will do anything—whether it’s trading goats for petals or delivering Mark Twain via muleback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices