Eye opening

Really interesting, well presented, we have a serious problem on this planet with the food industry that most of us are oblivious to. This is essential listening, we need to be aware of this.

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Everyone should listen to this

An amazing piece of journalism which really makes you think. And worry about the future of agricultural practices in California.

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Interesting topic

I wasn't sure what to expect from the title. I thought it might be mental health based but it was free so I downloaded it. Nut Jobs actually was a great listen. From nuts being stolen, Oscars disappearing, flawed freight systems in America, water problems in California, effective crime organisations and lots of other issues I hadn't considered, I'll never look at an almond again without thinking of this series.

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12 people found this helpful

Not exactly what it says it is...

I thought this was going to be the story of a strange and daring heist (which it is for about an episode and a half) but it is much more an examination of one branch of the global food industry. Was it interesting? Yes, to some degree. Would I have preferred a detailed examination of the original nut crime (similar in depth to other audible originals "Call me God", "West Cork" or "Evil has a name")? I think so.

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who knew?

A fascinating account of a whole aspect of the weird world of agriculture that I had no idea existed. read it. it's an eye opener.

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A surprisingly engaging story.

Well worth the time to listen to this amazing real life tale that affects all of us.

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I will never look at an almond the same way ever..

Bonkers story that makes you question everything and makes you want to eat something other than nuts!

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5 people found this helpful

So Well done!!!

Billiant investigative insightful unfolding of an amazing story. Mark has such a great aproach revealing so much about the interconected reality of global food processes with peoples lively hoods , the earth and our choises and morality in the balance ....

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2 people found this helpful

Misleading title. He doesn't "crack" the case

If you're expecting to hear how the presenter unravels the mystery of the missing almonds and puts the perpetrators behind bars, you're going to be disappointed. It doesn't happen. However, that's not to say that the podcast is boring or uninformative. It isn't. It's thoroughly researched, and Marc Fennell is an engaging host who talks to people at all levels -- from the farmers, to the police, all the way down to the people who pick the nuts and yes, even someone convicted of illegally trucking the nuts.

However, we are no closer to understanding who is behind all this at the end of the last episode. The only solid witness, Alex, the trucker who was jailed (for 2 weeks), is unable (or doesn't want) to shed light on the organisation, and neither Marc nor the police reveal any clues.

In talking to the police, it's clear that there are things they are not allowed to tell him. But whether this would help him (or us) get to the bottom of the whole thing, we'll never know.

The podcasts occasionally go off on tangents that aren't ultimately related to the story. For example, the truckload of missing Oscars. It has no place being there. The policeman's credentials are enough. We don't need this story.

But don't get the impression that this is disappointing to listen to. It's not. It's a multi-faceted tale that affects areas of life you would never consider, and I did enjoy listening to it (and passing on nuggets of information to friends --- did you know that 50% of "Italian" foods imported into the USA are fake? FIFTY PER CENT!!).

Marc Fennell is an enjoyable host and he comes across as warm and friendly. Those who he speaks to open up to him. One reviewer said he couldn't listen to this because Fennell is Australian and he doesn't like Australian accents. That absolutely wasn't a problem for me. He has a very pleasant accent to listen to.

My only slight niggle with this is the incidental music that is almost omnipresent. But it's a very small problem.

Would I listen to another podcast by Marc Fennell? Yes. Without reservation.

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a truely fascinating Story of Foods journey.

Insightful and thought-provoking this Book was enlightening. When we are witnessing fires ripping through California the mis-management of water to grow food is under serious debate. Twenty years ago I visited California, already beginning to show serious signs of a Land struggling to cope and many locals, especially at the Farmers Market, were already expressing concerns about this mass farming culture, the over-exploitation and mis-management of Water. Many small Farmers told of how they were suffering losses because of a few huge Farms thwarting the Land of natural water-flow. Amongst all the strands of story-telling Mark Fennell covers, Water perhaps and the mis-use of resources lies at the Heart of Nut Jobs. An excellent observational work.

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