Ep. 886: Who Was the Real Johnny Appleseed?

Ep. 886: Who Was the Real Johnny Appleseed?

June 8, 2026 · 1h 33m · Season 12

About this episode

Steven Rinella discusses the true story of Johnny Appleseed with author Isaac Fitzgerald, exploring themes of history, storytelling, and environmental impact.

Steven Rinella talks with author Isaac Fitzgerald. Topics discussed: Isaac's new book, American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed ; the true story of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) versus the mythologized version; land speculation, westward expansion, and environmental impact; Appleseed's religious influence; the role of storytelling in shaping national legends; the role of apples and cider in American history; John's role in the War of 1812; and more. Connect with  Steve  and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on  Instagram  and  Twitter MeatEater on  Instagram ,  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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