Episode 240: On the Trail of the Jackalope with Michael Branch
Author and humorist Michael Branch joins us to talk about his new book, "On the Trail of the Jackalope: How a Legend Captured the World's Imagination and Helped Us Cure Cancer." He delves into the storied history of the mythological creature, often memorialized as a tongue-in-cheek hunting trophy, as well as its association with the American West, tall tales, and Wall Drug. He explains the phenomenon of the very real horned rabbits and how scientists, building on the work of virologist Richard Shope, used those cancerous growths on rabbits to develop the HPV vaccine. Mike also reports on his experience at a taxidermy workshop in, of all places, San Francisco. We muse about why people love the Jackalope, its importance in the historical and cultural landscape of the United States, and why things that fire up our imagination matter. Mike is a wonderful storyteller; you don't want to miss this episode.
Mike's website:
https://michaelbranchwriter.com/
The Okey Dokey Brothers' song that we discuss:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPLtMrGchfA
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