Podcast Summary: Stuff You Missed in History Class

Episode: Behind the Scenes Minis: Odd Baby Train

Hosts: Tracy B. Wilson & Holly Fry
Date: January 30, 2026

Overview

In this Behind the Scenes Minis episode, Tracy and Holly have a lighthearted yet thoughtful conversation reflecting on their two recent main episodes: one about the historical medical condition rickets (with a detour into baby illustrations in ancient medical texts), and another about engineer and “Father of Railways” George Stephenson. The hosts chat about quirky historical tidbits, their own experiences with modern medicine, and share personal takes on the evolution of public transport. The tone is friendly, warmly nerdy, and occasionally comedic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on the Rickets Episode

Timestamps: 02:26–16:51

Why Another Vitamin Deficiency Episode?

• Tracy explains her interest in vitamin deficiency diseases but didn't want to do rickets immediately after scurvy and pellagra to avoid overdoing the theme.

  “People might get tired of hearing about my fixation with vitamin deficiency diseases.” – Tracy (02:34)

Ceranus of Ephesus and Hilariously Bizarre Baby Anatomy Illustrations

• The hosts share a tangent about Ceranus of Ephesus’ ancient gynecology book, particularly its unintentionally comical anatomical illustrations of fetuses:

  “Why am I looking at a fully grown man in the devil's water bottle?” – Tracy's friend, recounted by Tracy (04:23)
  “If people looked like tiny adults when they were born, I might be less weirded out by it...” – Holly (04:53)

• They riff on how some old art depicts babies as miniature adults, to unintentionally humorous effect (05:09–05:29).

The Trend of Routine Vitamin D Testing

• Tracy mentions a period when doctors regularly tested her vitamin D and recommended supplements due to her working underground and limited sun exposure.
• She notes the medical consensus shifted, finding universal vitamin D screening and supplementation isn’t always beneficial:

  “It doesn’t seem like there is a net benefit to across the board testing people's vitamin D levels and giving most people supplementation.” – Tracy (06:13)

How Art History Can Mislead Medical Interpretation

• Holly wonders if mannerist art—with its surreal, elongated limbs—could be mistaken for depictions of rickets rather than artistic style (07:25–07:58).

Rickets, Wealth, and the Medici Family

• Tracy references how several Medici children’s bones show signs of rickets, possibly due to wealthy practices of sheltering infants from the sun:

  “That had led to some speculation that the Medici were all keeping their babies inside and out of the sun…not getting enough vitamin D.” – Tracy (10:50)

• Both hosts clarify: breastfeeding is good, but sometimes supplemental vitamin D is recommended for breastfed babies.

Ethics in Medical Research

• The hosts discuss how many historical vitamin studies would be considered unethical today, particularly withholding known treatments from control groups, and how these ethics influence modern vaccine trials (12:06–13:10).

Notable Women in Rickets Research

• Tracy regrets not being able to include more about Harriet Chick, a pioneering but historically overlooked researcher on rickets (13:10–13:34).

Cod Liver Oil in Popular Culture

• Holly shares nostalgia about cod liver oil’s constant appearance in old literature and cartoons, laughingly recalling Iceland’s tradition of providing cod liver oil at breakfast:

  “One of the hotels…just a bottle of cod liver oil on the breakfast buffet with…shot glasses.” – Tracy (14:15)

• The discussion meanders to Omega-3s, sardine consumption, and the enduring ‘fish burps’ from modern supplements, with relatable anecdotes (15:54–16:49).

2. Reflections on the George Stephenson Episode

Timestamps: 19:26–32:09

George Stephenson’s Overlooked Personal Quirks

• Holly points out that many engineering histories leave out Stephenson’s odd and endearing qualities:
  • His pet blackbird that slept with him.
  • Sewing skills, including making his son’s suit and teaching embroidery to girls:

    “He says to them, ‘When I was a brakesman at Killingworth, I learned the art of embroidery while working the pitman's buttonholes by the engine fire at night.’” – Holly (24:07)

Stories from Stephenson’s Life

• Holly recounts his only fistfight (against a famously bigger bully) and childhood anecdotes of hiding during mine inspections. (21:07–22:14)
• Tracy laughs at the tale of Stephenson inventing a way to grow straight cucumbers (19:57–20:02).

Engineering Intuition and Tinkering

• Stephenson’s intuition as a mechanic is highlighted, especially his bold decision to “overclock” a Newcomen engine, pushing it beyond labeled specs successfully—a risky move that could have had explosive consequences (22:17–23:05).

Stephenson’s Humility and Generosity

• He regretted not learning to read earlier, thinking it would have saved time and mistakes in his inventions.
• Stephenson’s generosity is praised: he often supported families of miners killed on his watch and kept in touch with people from humble backgrounds:

  “He would often just, like, make it his business to take care of that family for...the rest of his life.” – Holly (26:30) “Stand up guy, that George Stephenson. I'm going to be very sad if I find out he was secretly a monster, but it doesn't seem like he was.” – Holly (27:00)

3. Modern Reflections on Trains and Public Transit

Timestamps: 27:36–32:09

• Tracy advocates for better rail infrastructure in the U.S.:

  “We should have more trains than we have, and they should be better than they are. That's my opinion.” – Tracy (28:20)

• Both bemoan the inefficiency of current U.S. transit systems and cite Japan as a shining example of effective high-speed rail.
• Holly admits she enjoys car commutes for the solitude, but both wish trains were a more practical option in the U.S.
• Shared nostalgia for functional public transit systems in European cities (Paris, London).
• Concludes with wishes for kindness and a smooth ride for weekend train travelers:

  “Any eek out we can make of kindness feels like a little bit of a win.” – Holly (32:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Why am I looking at a fully grown man in the devil’s water bottle?” – Tracy (via her friend), on old fetal diagrams (04:23)
• “If people looked like tiny adults when they were born, I might be less weirded out by it.” – Holly (04:53)
• “Did that model have rickets or was this just like how the artist was depicting baby? We don't know.” – Tracy (08:40)
• “The original indoor children.” – Holly, joking about the Medici babies (10:50)
• “He says to them, ‘When I was a brakesman at Killingworth, I learned the art of embroidery while working the pitman's buttonholes by the engine fire at night.’” – Holly, quoting Stephenson (24:07)
• “We should have more trains than we have, and they should be better than they are.” – Tracy (28:20)
• “Any eek out we can make of kindness feels like a little bit of a win.” – Holly (32:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro & Vitamin Deficiency Theme: 02:26–03:28
• Ceranus of Ephesus and Baby Art: 03:28–05:29
• Vitamin D Testing Trend: 05:48–07:25
• Art History & Depictions of Rickets: 07:25–08:40
• Medici Rickets & Breastfeeding: 09:36–11:19
• Ethics in Medical Research: 12:06–13:10
• Cod Liver Oil Nostalgia: 13:34–16:49
• George Stephenson’s Quirks & Stories: 19:26–27:36
• Rail Infrastructure Discussion: 27:36–32:09
• Positive Closing & Wishes for Listeners: 32:09–32:58

Tone & Delivery

• Light, nerdy, humorous; personal anecdotes and friendly critiques; good-hearted encouragement toward listener kindness and self-care.

This episode provides playful yet insightful commentary on both the oddities of medical history and the quirks of a famous engineer, ending with thoughtful reflections (and a gentle rant) on the importance of better trains. Ideal for listeners who enjoy history with a side of personal connection and a dash of laughs.