In this episode, Anna Posbergh interviews Professors Samantha King and Gavin Weedon about their groundbreaking book Protein: The Making of a Nutritional Superstar on protein, exploring its cultural, scientific, and political dimensions. They explore the history, marketing, environmental impact, and social implications of protein as a nutritional superstar. Samantha King is the Director of the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University and Professor in Sociocultural Studies. She is an interdisciplinary scholar of the body, health, and sport, and works with feminist, queer, and critical race theories to research a broad variety of topics ranging from drugs to food. Gavin Weedon is Associate Professor in Sociology of Sport, Health, and the Body at Nottingham Trent University and Head of the Sport and Society Research Group in the Department of Sport Science. His research explores how embodied practices are implicated in social, political, and ecological issues, from youth labor migration to elite sport to survivalist physical cultures. Keywords: protein, nutrition, culture, environment, social justice, food politics, whey protein, protein industry, health, climate change Chapters 01:15 Why protein is a cultural and scientific phenomenon 03:07 The history and social underpinnings of protein 04:55 What is protein? Exploring its multiplicity 09:08 The rise of protein as an uber nutrient 17:46 Key episodes in the narrative of protein 23:37 Colonial roots and racial logics of protein 37:29 Health, aging, and the construction of bodies 47:24 Whey protein: From environmental waste to supplement 56:09 Protein and the climate crisis 01:16:47 Protein in the current political environment 01:26:20 Reflections on the authors' relationship with protein Hosts in this episode: Anna ________________________________________ Support & Follow The End of Sport Patreon: patreon.com/Theendofsport (Support the show!) Bluesky: @endofsportpod.bsky.social Instagram: @endofsportpod Twitter/X: @EndofSportPod YouTube: The End of Sport Listen, share, and support The End of Sport, a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network, a community of over sixty leftist podcasts at harbingermedianetwork.com.
