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iHeartPodcasts · Education

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Episodes

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Plant-Based Diets

13 May 2025
52m
AI processed

This episode explores plant-based diets, contrasting them with meat-based diets and examining their historical prevalence and global distribution. The hosts, Josh and Chuck, begin by defining various dietary terms like vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian, noting the increasing popularity of plant-based eating. Against t...

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Selects: How Ice Cream Works

10 May 2025
42m
AI processed

This episode explores the history, science, and cultural significance of ice cream. The hosts, Chuck and Josh, begin by sharing their personal preferences for ice cream flavors and brands, setting a lighthearted tone. Against the backdrop of personal anecdotes, the discussion transitions to the origins of ice cream, tr...

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We Got to Sesame Street

08 May 2025
51m
AI processed

This episode explores the history, impact, and global reach of Sesame Street, the long-running children's educational television program. Against the backdrop of President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society and emerging awareness of early childhood development, the show's origins are traced to a dinner party conversatio...

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Short Stuff: Drop Bears

07 May 2025
11m
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This episode explores the Australian myth of drop bears, a prank played on tourists and newcomers involving a fictitious koala-like creature that drops from trees to attack. The hosts, Josh and Chuck, begin by jokingly describing the drop bear's deadly attributes, including its size and predatory behavior, before revea...

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Fentanyl: Actually As Dangerous As They Say

06 May 2025
49m
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This episode explores the rise of fentanyl as the deadliest street drug in the United States, examining its origins, impact, and potential solutions. The discussion begins with the introduction of fentanyl as a synthetic opioid, highlighting its potency compared to morphine and heroin, and its initial development as an...

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Selects: Muzak: Easy Listening Goodness

03 May 2025
51m
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This episode explores the history and evolution of Muzak, a brand of background music once ubiquitous in public spaces. Against the backdrop of its inventor, George Squire's, multifaceted career in telecommunications, the podcast traces Muzak's journey from a wired-wireless music subscription service to its dominance i...

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What we know about MI6

01 May 2025
49m
AI processed

This episode explores the history and inner workings of MI6, the United Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Service. Against the backdrop of its secretive nature and popular portrayals in fiction, the hosts delve into MI6's origins, tracing its evolution from a small bureau to a globally recognized intelligence agency. More...

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Short Stuff: Trovants

30 Apr 2025
11m
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This episode explores the geological mystery of Trovants, unusual rock formations found in the Carpathian region of Romania. Against the backdrop of initial speculation about their origins—ranging from dinosaur eggs to alien artifacts—the hosts delve into the scientific understanding of Trovants as concretions. More ...

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Chinese Food: Best Food?

29 Apr 2025
50m
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This episode explores the evolution and cultural impact of Chinese food in the United States. Against the backdrop of historical immigration patterns and discriminatory laws, the hosts discuss how American Chinese cuisine diverged from its regional counterparts in China. More significantly, they delve into the fascina...

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Selects: How Jim Henson Worked

26 Apr 2025
42m
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This episode explores the life and career of Jim Henson, focusing on his contributions to puppetry and television. Against the backdrop of Henson's early career in experimental film and commercials, the hosts delve into his pivotal role in creating Sesame Street and the Muppets, highlighting his innovative puppetry tec...

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Give My Regards to the Broadway Episode!

24 Apr 2025
47m
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This episode explores the history and evolution of Broadway, the iconic American theater district. Against the backdrop of its origins on an old Lenape trail, the podcast traces Broadway's development, highlighting key figures like Oscar Hammerstein I and the impact of the Interboro Rapid Transit System. More signific...

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Short Stuff: Alternative Libraries

23 Apr 2025
12m
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This episode explores the concept of alternative libraries, focusing on two distinct examples: Little Free Libraries and Human Libraries. Against the backdrop of Andrew Carnegie's significant contribution to public libraries, the podcast details the origin and rapid growth of Little Free Libraries, starting with Todd ...

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Richard III: Good Guy or Evil Putz?

22 Apr 2025
44m
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This episode explores the historical figure of Richard III, examining the conflicting narratives surrounding his life and reign. Against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, the hosts delve into Richard's rise to power, highlighting the political maneuvering and accusations of regicide. More significantly, the discus...

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Selects: Adidas v. Puma: A Sibling Rivalry

19 Apr 2025
42m
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This episode explores the history of Adidas and Puma, two iconic sportswear brands founded by brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler. Against the backdrop of post-World War I Germany, the Dassler brothers initially collaborated, creating a successful shoe company. More significantly, their relationship fractured during Worl...

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What Makes Disaster Films Great

17 Apr 2025
54m
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This episode explores the characteristics and history of disaster movies. The hosts, Josh and Chuck, begin by debating the genre's definition, highlighting the ambiguity in classifying films like Speed and The Birds. Against this backdrop, they delve into defining characteristics, such as the scale of the disaster, t...

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Short Stuff: Tick tock goes the Doomsday Clock

16 Apr 2025
13m
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This episode explores the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock and its recent advancement to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the associated nuclear risks, the hosts discuss the factors contributing to this alarming proximity to a hypo...

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Kim Philby: Greatest Liar of All Time?

15 Apr 2025
49m
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This episode explores the life and career of Harold Adrian Russell Philby, a British spy who worked as a double agent for the Soviet Union. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the rise of fascism, Philby, a Cambridge graduate, became a committed communist and was recruited by a Soviet spymaster. More sign...

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Selects: Cake: So Great. So, So Great

12 Apr 2025
1h 10m
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This episode explores the science and art of cake baking, delving into the chemical reactions involved in creating a successful cake. Against the backdrop of a light-hearted and conversational tone between two co-hosts, the discussion covers the history of cake, from ancient Egyptian recipes to modern cake mixes. More ...

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Behavioral Priming: Buy, Robot Human!

10 Apr 2025
49m
AI processed

This episode explores the concept of priming in psychology, examining its cognitive and social applications and ultimately its questionable research practices. The hosts begin by defining priming as a psychological phenomenon where individuals are subtly influenced to respond or behave in specific ways without conscio...

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Short Stuff: Colorful Noises

09 Apr 2025
13m
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This episode explores the characteristics and applications of different types of ambient noise, specifically focusing on white, pink, and brown noise. The hosts discuss the origins of brown noise, tracing it back to the work of Robert Brown and his observations of pollen grain movement, a phenomenon later explained by...

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