Stuff You Should Know

The Fascinating History of Dandelions

What's Permaculture All About?

How Sneezing Works

Wetlands! Wetlands! Wetlands!

Composting: Nature's Most Interesting Process

Squirrels, Ahoy!

Honey: Nature's Wonder Sugar

Contortionism: Bend It Like Gumby

This episode explores the history, techniques, and cultural significance of contortionism. The discussion traces contortionism from ancient depictions in Syria and Egypt to its spiritual connections in Indian yoga and its modern presence in circuses. Mongolia is highlighted as the epicenter of contortionism, with its s...

Short Stuff: Jeddah Tower

The podcast delves into the ambitious Jeddah Tower project in Saudi Arabia, poised to become the world's tallest building. It explores Prince Alawid bin Talal's vision to surpass Dubai with the Jeddah Economic City, highlighting the tower's design by Adrian Smith, who opted for a Y-shaped structure for wind resistance,...

Ruth Lyons: TV Pioneer

The podcast explores the life and career of Ruth Lyons, a pioneer in both radio and television broadcasting, particularly in the Cincinnati area. Lyons is credited with essentially inventing the TV talk show format and was a dominant force in daytime programming from the 1930s through the 1960s. Despite facing challeng...

Selects: Mangroves: Nature's Best Tree?

Mangroves, a unique collection of trees and shrubs, are explored for their remarkable adaptations to salty, oxygen-poor environments. The discussion highlights the distinction between red, black, and white mangroves, focusing on their varying locations from the shoreline inland and their unique methods for dealing with...

How the Kowloon Walled City Worked

The podcast explores the history and characteristics of the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, once the most densely populated place on Earth. It details how the city originated from a Chinese military installation and evolved into an ungoverned enclave following the Opium Wars and the 99-year lease of Hong Kong to the ...

Short Stuff: In-Flight Entertainment

In-flight movies and their evolution are examined, from single-screen showings to on-demand entertainment. Airlines spend millions on licensing and equipment, yet an economics professor suggests significant savings by eliminating in-flight entertainment. Licensing fees can reach $90,000 per movie for a limited time. Th...

The Fyre Festival Fiasco

The Fyre Festival, a hyped music event that never truly materialized, serves as the central topic. The discussion begins with Billy McFarland, the festival's organizer, and his history of entrepreneurial ventures, including the questionable Magnus credit card and the Fyre Media app intended to book talent. The hosts de...

Selects: How Spiritualism Works

The podcast explores the spiritualism movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Northeastern United States. It examines the factors contributing to its rise, including the frontier mentality, religious fervor, and the growing interest in science and unexplained phenomena like electromagnetism. ...

Let's All Go to the World's Fair

World's Fairs, also known as international or universal expositions, served as a vital platform for nations to showcase technological advancements and promote commerce before the widespread availability of modern media. Originating from national fairs in England and France during the 1700s, these events evolved into gr...

Short Stuff: Johnny Ringo

The podcast explores the life and death of Johnny Ringo, a lesser-known outlaw of the Old West. Ringo's early life was marked by the traumatic accidental death of his father, which shaped his later years as a gunslinger. He became involved in the Mason County War, escalating tensions by killing two men suspected of mur...

The Gold Standard: When Money Meant Something

The podcast explores the history, theory, and impact of the gold standard, contrasting it with fiat currency. It traces the gold standard from its origins through its adoption by countries worldwide, highlighting its role in stabilizing currency values and international trade. The discussion covers the abandonment of t...

Selects: How Dopamine Works

The podcast explores the neurochemical dopamine, challenging the common misconception that it's solely a pleasure-inducing chemical. It is clarified that dopamine functions as a neurotransmitter that signals behaviors and facilitates communication between neurons. The discussion covers the neurotransmitter cycle, highl...

The Battle of the Sexes

The podcast examines the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, framing it within the broader context of the women's rights movement and the growing popularity of tennis. It highlights the wage disparity in professional tennis at the time, where men earned significantly more t...