In this episode of The David Ian Howe Show, I sit down with Donnie from @eatshistory. a wide-ranging conversation about ancient recipes, Roman cookbooks, and how he turned a passion for history into a career...as a highly successful social media chef.

We cover everything—from recreating Babylonian desserts and Roman legionary rations, to exploring Indigenous pemmican, Napoleon’s last meal, and Britain’s most diabolical pie. Donnie opens up about how The History of Rome and Hardcore History Podcasts inspired him, his journey from amateur cook to internet food historian, and the challenges of turning ancient texts into modern recipes people can actually try.

Along the way, we talk about editing styles borrowed from cooking channels, the power of food as cultural storytelling, why honey was the sweetener of the gods, and what it means to share meals across time. Whether you’re a history nerd, foodie, or aspiring creator, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and fascinating dishes you’ve never heard of.

Also, Donnie was a fantastic interviewee!

Topics include: - How Donnie Dodson started Eatshistory & his early inspirations - Roman recipes, cookbooks, and legionary diets - Ancient Mesopotamian & Babylonian food traditions - Ethiopian, Mongolian, and Indigenous North American dishes - Napoleon’s last meal & Chicken Marengo - The most “diabolical” dish in British history (Stargazy Pie) - Cooking for content: editing, YouTube, and storytelling - What food means to humanity across time

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Connect with Eatshistory:

Instagram: @eatshistory TikTok: Eatshistory

YouTube: Eatshistory

Website & Blog: eatshistory.com

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In this video:

Timecodes:

0:00 Teaser and Intro

2:00 How the Channel Started/ Cooking Meets History

4:30 Falling in Love with History

5:40 Influences: History of Rome & Hardcore History

17:20 Mersu – Babylonian Dessert of Dates & Nuts

19:37 Dulcia Domestica – Roman Stuffed Dates

22:43 Apicius – Rome’s First Cookbook 25:00 Cato the Elder’s Cheesecake (Libum)

30:38 Airag – Fermented Mare’s Milk

32:35 Bantan – Mongolian Hangover Soup

33:41 Papanași – Romanian Donuts

34:34 Napoleon’s Last Meal – Rustic French Breakfast

35:32 Doro Wat & Injera – Ethiopian Stew

38:01 Ancient Nettle Pudding – Prehistoric Britain

40:47 Pemmican – Indigenous Survival Food

43:33 America & Corn in Presidential Dishes

44:54 Thomas Jefferson, Archaeology & Macaroni

48:00 WWII Ice Cream Ship – The BRL Barge 51:26 Stargazy Pie & the Tom Bawcock Festival

57:11 Roman Colosseum & Hygiene

57:59 What Would You Not Try?

1:01:10 SOS Dish – “Sh*t on a Shingle”

1:02:04 Chicken Marengo – Napoleon’s Battlefield Meal

1:02:28 Persian Pomegranate Lamb Skewers

1:05:05 Roman Soldier Diet & Legionary Rations 1:08:46 Content Creation & Editing Style

1:12:30 Shoutouts: @anasofiafehn & @Jose.elCook

1:21:24 Closing Question – What Does Food Mean to You?

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The David Ian Howe Show is brought to you by Howe and Why Productions, LLC

Director: David Ian Howe

Video Editor: Emma Bonham and David Ian Howe

Music: KNOWMADIC

Intro Animations: Ilene German

In this episode of The David Ian Howe Show, I sit down (well, lay down, really) with Danny Riday — owner of Totemic Tattoo and a machine-free traditional tattoo artist.

Danny and I have been Instagram friends for years, often chatting about archaeology, dogs, and the lives of ancient people. When I first met him, he was living in New Zealand, and later he moved to France — so I never thought I’d get the chance to meet him in person. But, funny enough, he messaged me one day saying he’d be in Nashville visiting Aaron Deter-Wolf (author of Ancient Ink), and we finally got to connect.

At the time, I had just lost my dog, Strider. Danny designed an incredible memorial piece for him and tattooed it on my arm. While he worked, I set up a camera and mic and interviewed him about his life, tattooing, and what it means to be human. I have to say, this was one of the coolest experiences of my life. The tattoo was hand-poked with metal, then accented with deer bone and French flint.

Danny is a true artist, and it was surreal getting to know him over the course of this nearly 8-hour session. Please enjoy the interview — and feel free to leave comments or questions for Danny below!

Follow Danny: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/totemic_tat...⁠

Follow Aaron: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/archaeology...⁠

Check out Aaron's Book: ⁠https://a.co/d/a10W9WK⁠

In this episode of The David Ian Howe Show, I sit down with Kayleigh from History with Kayleigh for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about history, YouTube, and the grit it takes to turn passion into a career. We cover everything from growing up in the Netherlands without air conditioning, to navigating YouTube’s algorithms, to building a channel from scratch while overcoming serious health challenges.

Kayleigh opens up about her journey from high school dropout to full-time history creator, the realities of sponsorships, audience demographics, and the fine art of making thumbnails that actually get clicked.

Along the way, we talk about the male gaze in history media, the stubbornness of internet comment sections, why you should just start if you want to make videos, and how to keep going when your dream project flops. Whether you’re a history nerd, aspiring creator, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes life of a YouTuber, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and no-nonsense advice.

Topics include: Life in the Netherlands & cultural quirks How Kayleigh started History with Kayleigh Dealing with health challenges & disability The highs and lows of YouTube growth Algorithm tips, SEO, and sponsorships Representation of women in history media Staying authentic despite online criticism Advice for new creators

Connect with Kayleigh: YouTube: History with Kayleigh Instagram: @historywithkayleigh

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