Podcast Summary: Cabinet of Curiosities – "Deadly Delicious"

Host: Aaron Mahnke
Production: iHeartRadio & Grim & Mild
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Episode Length (content): ~12 minutes

Overview

In this episode, "Deadly Delicious," Aaron Mahnke takes listeners on a tour through two curious historical tales:

1. The occupation of Alcatraz Island by Native American activists in 1969–71, a pivotal protest that reshaped U.S. Indian policy.
2. How an early financial crisis at Springfield Creamery led to a legendary Grateful Dead benefit concert, ultimately saving the business behind the now-iconic Nancy’s Yogurt.

The episode explores themes of resistance, community, cultural change, and the unexpectedly sweet outcomes that can follow moments of desperation.

Tale 1: The Curious Occupation of Alcatraz Island

Segment Starts: 01:10

Key Discussion Points

• Background & Context:

  • Alcatraz Island, famously a maximum-security prison, was sitting empty in 1969 ([01:10]).
  • Richard Oakes, an Akwesasne Mohawk and student activist, organized a coalition of Native Americans (the Indians of All Tribes) ([01:28]).

• The Protest:

  • The group invoked a 19th-century treaty promising that unused federal land be returned to Native people. Since Alcatraz was vacant, they claimed it.
  • The group "declared the island native land, saying that they were buying it from President Nixon for $24, the same price that early European settlers paid for the island of Manhattan" ([02:30]).

• Community Support & Self-Governance:

  • San Franciscans quickly supported the occupiers with food and supplies ([02:50]).
  • The community established roles for teaching, security, cooking, and more ([03:07]).
  • "Everyone did their part. They wanted the deed to the island and ... to establish a safe place for Native Americans" ([03:13]).

• Internal and External Challenges:

  • Tragedy struck when Richard Oakes’ 12-year-old child died in an accident on the island, leading to Oakes’ departure and leadership struggles ([03:30]).
  • Non-Indian hippies joined, bringing drugs and undermining discipline ([03:46]).
  • Federal authorities cut power and water, and a suspicious fire occurred ([04:02]).

• Federal Response and Aftermath:

  • Citing a nearby ship accident, federal authorities removed the final occupiers in June 1971 without incident ([04:34]).
  • Though the protest ended, it spurred change: "President Nixon gave a speech in full support of Native American sovereignty. And soon, many tribes’ names and lands were restored" ([05:10]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Motivation and Method:

  • "In a mission to force the US government to actually honor a treaty for once, 89 members of the Indians of All Tribes chartered a boat from San Francisco to Alcatraz" ([02:20]).

• On Lasting Impact:

  • "By showing that they were willing to fight for what was right, the Indians of all tribes had finally forced the US Government to honor its word" ([05:37]).

Tale 2: A Sweet Rescue – Grateful Dead, Nancy’s Yogurt & the Power of Community

Segment Starts: 07:30

Key Discussion Points

• The Creamery Crisis:

  • "In August of 1972 ... Chuck and Su Kesey ... owners of Springfield Creamery in Springfield, Oregon ... were sidled with so much debt that the creamery was in threat of closing" ([07:41]).
  • Their solution: pivot from milk to probiotic-rich yogurt, inspired by bookkeeper Nancy’s recipe, giving rise to "Nancy’s Yogurt" ([08:27]).
  • Despite the success of the yogurt, mounting debt threatened the business with closure ([08:41]).

• Counterculture Connections:

  • Chuck’s brother, Ken Kesey (author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and leader of the "Acid Tests"), was well-connected with the emerging Grateful Dead ([09:01]).
  • The Grateful Dead, originally named the Warlocks, became cult heroes among "Deadheads" through their association with Kesey ([09:23]).

• A Legendary Benefit Concert:

  • Chuck, via Ken, asked the Grateful Dead to play a benefit concert to save the creamery—and they accepted ([09:53]).
  • "They turned Nancy’s yogurt labels into concert tickets. And they charged $3 a head" ([10:09]).
  • Over 20,000 Deadheads attended the show, raising $15,000 (about $115,000 today) ([10:22]).

• Aftermath and Legacy:

  • The money saved Springfield Creamery; Nancy’s Yogurt became a national product, now a leader in dairy sales ([10:41]).
  • "If you ask them, the Kesey family will be the first to tell you that none of this would have been possible without the help from the Dead. And for that, they are forever grateful" ([11:49]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Community Support:
  • "They rented a field in Veneta, Oregon, outside of Springfield. And they turned Nancy’s yogurt labels into concert tickets" ([10:09]).
• On Legacy:
  • "Nancy’s Yogurt took off and began selling in stores nationwide. Today the company is a leader ... with annual sales exceeding $20 million" ([11:16]).

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• The purchase offer for Alcatraz:
  "[They were] buying it from President Nixon for $24, the same price that early European settlers paid for the island of Manhattan" (02:30).
• Turning yogurt labels into concert tickets:
  "They turned Nancy’s yogurt labels into concert tickets. And they charged $3 a head" (10:09).
• The impact of protest:
  "President Nixon gave a speech in full support of Native American sovereignty" (05:10).

Tone and Language

Aaron Mahnke delivers each story with his signature mix of wonder and empathy. He highlights the strangeness and serendipity in history while keeping the narrative brisk and engaging, making complex historical movements accessible with warmth and curiosity.

Final Thoughts

"Deadly Delicious" walks a line between the deadly serious and the unexpectedly uplifting. With stories of occupation, protest, and a dairy company’s salvation by rock legends, Mahnke reminds us that the arc of history is often both bizarre and deliciously unpredictable.

Recommendation:
If you enjoy "Lore" or have a taste for lesser-known but impactful moments in history, this episode serves up two stories sure to satisfy your curiosity.