Steven Rinella talks with journalist and author Burkhard Bilger about: the lone star tick; alpha gal syndrome; Lyme disease; treatments; cockfighting; and more! Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network Steve on Instagram and Twitter MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube Connect with Steve and The MeatEater Podcast Network: https://www.youtube.com/@MeatEaterPodcastNetwork Steve on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenrinella/?hl=en Check out the gear the MeatEater Crew uses in the field here: https://store.themeateater.com Follow us: Web: https://www.themeateater.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/meateater Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater Chapters: 0:00 – Intro: Burkhard Bilger's Career 6:52 – Chasing the Alpha Gal Story 17:04 – Anatomy of a Tick: Life Cycle & Bite 28:35 – The Lyme Disease Question 37:29 – The Global Spread of Alpha Gal Syndrome 46:39 – Is Big Meat-Alternative Money Behind This? 54:14 – Treatments, Vaccines & Acupuncture 59:35 – Turkey Hunting & Bilger's Writing Process 65:37 – The Cockfighting Piece That Made His Name 74:38 – Noodling for Flatheads & Southern Subcultures 82:32 – What's Next & Homemade Moonshine Stories