Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities

Episode Title: Royal Inspiration
Release Date: November 6, 2025
Producer: iHeartPodcasts & Grim & Mild
Host: Aaron Mahnke

Episode Overview

In this episode, Aaron Mahnke explores two captivating tales woven from myth, culture, and history. The first story delves into the legendary origins of tea, blending Chinese myth and Buddhist folklore to examine how legends shape our understanding of everyday rituals. The second tale shifts to Hawaii in the late 19th century, shining a light on the spirited and tragic story of Princess Kaʻiulani – the "Peacock Princess" and a champion of Hawaiian independence. Both stories examine how individual legacies and myth-making inspire cultures and preserve identity through turbulent times.

Segment 1: The Mythic Origins of Tea

[01:10 – 05:38]

Main Discussion Points

• Ubiquity and Origins of Tea

  • Tea, much like bread or alcohol, is so deeply embedded in culture that its beginnings are shrouded in myth.
  • “It's easy to picture what it was like to not have cars or cell phones or email, but...the origins of alcohol, bread, and more. We've known these things for so long. The original incidents that led to their invention are the stuff of myth.” (Aaron Mahnke, 01:14)

• Legend of Emperor Shen Nong (Chinese Myth)

  • Shen Nong, a revered figure in Chinese folklore, was said to be born from the breath of a dragon.
  • On his travels to ensure the wisdom and health of China, Shen Nong’s servants boiled water, and as fate would have it, leaves from the Camellia bush floated in.
  • Shen Nong tasted the infused water, found it “healthy and refreshing,” and decreed it must be remembered.
  • “He experimentally sipped the leaf infused water and was delighted by the taste as well... This plant, according to legend, was the Camellia bush.” (Aaron Mahnke, 02:36)

• The Buddhist Tale of Bodhidharma

  • Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who introduced Buddhism to China, was said to meditate so intensely that he cut off his own eyelids to stay awake. Where they fell, the first tea plant grew.
  • “In order to keep himself awake, the monk tore off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. Where they had fallen, a strange plant began to grow. A tea plant.” (Aaron Mahnke, 04:45)

• Fusion of Myth and Culture

  • Contradictions in these origin myths highlight the role of cultural storytelling rather than historical accuracy.
  • “If you think about them as culture, the stories seem not just possible, but inevitable. Tea is such a humble drink that it only makes sense to attach its discovery to great figures of myth and legend.” (Aaron Mahnke, 05:22)

Notable Quote

• “If a cultural practice becomes common enough, it inevitably becomes a legend. All it needs is the right amount of time to steep.” (Aaron Mahnke, 05:34)

Segment 2: Princess Kaʻiulani – The Peacock Princess

[06:30 – 10:59]

Main Discussion Points

• Royalty Amidst Turmoil in Hawaii

  • Late 19th century Hawaii: The kingdom faces overthrow by business conglomerates, notably the Dole Pineapple Company.
  • Despite tragic circumstances, figures like Princess Kaʻiulani emerge as beacons of cultural resilience.

• Life and Character of Princess Kaʻiulani

  • Daughter of Princess Likelike and Scottish businessman Archibald Scott Cleghorn.
  • Known for her love of painting and surfing (the latter considered “uncivilized” by conservative Christian settlers).
  • Nicknamed “the Peacock Princess” due to her affinity with peacocks at the Royal Hawaiian estate.
  • “She would earn the nickname the...Peacock Princess due to the time she spent among these colorful birds.” (Aaron Mahnke, 07:41)

• Education and Global Diplomacy

  • Sent to England to study; became multilingual (English, Hawaiian, German, French).
  • At 15, named Crown Princess of Hawaii.
  • Possibly the first woman to surf in the British Isles.
  • “Even while studying abroad, there's some evidence that she still found time to surf, possibly becoming the first woman to ride a surfboard in the British Isles.” (Aaron Mahnke, 08:16)

• Political Advocacy

  • On the overthrow of Hawaii, Kaʻiulani and Queen Liliʻuokalani advocate for independence, traveling to Washington D.C. to address Congress and President Cleveland.
  • Unsuccessful in preventing annexation, the princess returns to join her family in protesting the loss.
  • “She and the queen protested the annexation ceremony by wearing black funeral dresses and refusing to attend.” (Aaron Mahnke, 09:26)

• Legacy and Mythmaking

  • Kaʻiulani regarded as a symbol of Hawaiian identity and dignity, her spirit associated with the “undiluted” island nature.
  • Famous for her resilience, cultural advocacy, and royal bearing.

• Memorable Encounter: Robert Louis Stevenson

  • The author befriended Kaʻiulani and wrote a poem celebrating her spirit.
  • “He had made friends with the Hawaiian royal family and Kaʻiulani was quite fond of him...he wrote a poem for her, referencing her travels and indomitable spirit.” (Aaron Mahnke, 10:33)

Notable Quote

• “As for Kaʻiulani herself, well, she's a figurehead of the spirit, the surfing painting princess who traveled the world and then came home to fight for the dignity of her people.” (Aaron Mahnke, 10:13)

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On the Creation of Legends:
  “Characters that represent curiosity, discovery and thoughtfulness. All the qualities one would hope to cultivate while having a peaceful cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.” (Aaron Mahnke, 05:21)

• The Poem for Kaʻiulani by Stevenson: “Forth from her land to mine she goes, the island maid, the island rose, but our Scots islands far away shall glitter with unwonted day and cast for once their tempest by to smile in Kaʻiulani’s eye.” (Aaron Mahnke quoting Stevenson, 10:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:10] – Introduction to the origins of tea; Shen Nong legend
• [03:50] – The Bodhidharma Buddhist legend
• [05:22] – Reflection on myth and cultural storytelling
• [06:30] – Beginning of Princess Kaʻiulani’s story
• [07:41] – Kaʻiulani’s upbringing and “Peacock Princess” nickname
• [08:16] – Her time in England and as a pioneering surfer
• [09:15] – Political activism against annexation
• [10:33] – Robert Louis Stevenson’s friendship and poem
• [10:59] – End of content segment

Tone and Style

This episode maintains Aaron Mahnke’s warm, reflective, and faintly wistful storytelling style. He blends folklore with historical fact and underlines the power of myth and individual agency in preserving culture through adversity.

Summary

This episode of Cabinet of Curiosities masterfully intertwines two stories – one mythical, one historical – to reveal how inspiration, legend, and individual spirit help cultures withstand the tides of change. Whether through the humble tea leaf or the indomitable Kaʻiulani, Mahnke’s tales invite listeners to ponder what myths we create – and who inspires them – in our own time.