Snackpocalypse Now: The Global Takeover of Ultra-Processed Food

Welcome to the global buffet of bad decisions, where fast food is king, ingredient labels are novels, and ultra-processed garbage makes up over half of what the U.S. and U.K. eat. In this episode, Max Bennett and Lisa Vega serve up a scathing breakdown of how we let Big Food hijack our guts, brains, and economies. From America’s 58% ultra-processed death spiral to Italy’s resistance via pasta and pride, we chew on the geopolitical, cultural, and corporate dimensions of this silent epidemic.Expect zero sugarcoating (but plenty of sarcastic sodium). We’re not here to judge your nuggets—but we are here to expose who made them addictive in the first place.Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.