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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks,…

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Stuff You Should Know

About 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.

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Episodes

New episodes come out several times a week.Latest 200 episodes in the feed
  1. Oct 29, 2026 · 51 min

    The SYSK Annual Halloween Freaky Spooktacular 2026!

    Get yourself ready to freak out with this year’s extra-freak Halloween freak-fest, starring the voice acting talents of Chuck and Josh. This year we feature stories from WW Jacobs and WF Harvey, both of whom, if they were alive, would love this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Oct 28, 2026 · 13 min

    Short Stuff: The Enfield Monster

    Did a strange cryptid show up in Enfield, Illinois in 1973? Some people think so. DO YOU? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Oct 27, 2026 · 48 min

    (Don't Fear) The (Grim) Reaper

    Cultures have come up with lots of personifications of death: Young and attractive? Yes. Riding a black buffalo? Check. Covered in tongues and eyeballs? Uh-huh. But in the West there’s only been one go-to soul taker for hundreds of years: The Grim Reaper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Oct 24, 2026 · 43 min

    Selects: John Lennon and the FBI

    Did you know that Richard Nixon had a FBI case file open on Beatle John Lennon? Well he did! Why? Listen to this classic episode to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Oct 22, 2026 · 46 min

    The Twilight Zone Episode

    Today, Chuck and Josh unlock a door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier episodes (195)
  1. Oct 21, 2026 Short Stuff: Spooky Recommendations
    This week Josh and Chuck are trying something a little different, some recomemdations for the spooky season. For Josh, it's some movies, for Chuck, it's some books. Check it out and let us know what you think! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  2. Oct 20, 2026 Winnie the Pooh: Silly Old Bear
    On Dec 24, 1925, the world got a Christmas gift from a little-known writer named A.A. Milne when the first Winnie the Pooh story was published. Milne was inspired by the imaginative woodland strolls he shared with his son, the real-life Christopher Robin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  3. Oct 17, 2026 Selects: Sacagawea: Impressive Teen
    Sacagawea was only 16 when she joined the Corps of Discovery. That is one seriously impressive teenager. Find out all about her in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  4. Oct 15, 2026 The Disappearance of Dorothy Arnold
    When socialite Dorothy Arnold disappeared in 1910, no one imagined the case would remain forever unsolved. Today we tell her story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  5. Oct 14, 2026 Short Stuff: Currency Symbols
    In today's shorty, Josh and Chuck go over the stories behind some of the world's currency symbols. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  6. Oct 13, 2026 Asteroooooid De-FENSE!
    There’s no question that millions of asteroids are circling the Earth at incredible speed and every one of them is just dying to get a chance to smoosh our planet and wipe out life in the universe once and for all. But Earth has an ace up its sleeve: Us! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  7. Oct 10, 2026 Selects: What's the deal with swing states?
    Swing states are all the rage once again this election season, but the makeup has changed a bit. In this classic episode, learn all about what makes a swing state a swing state right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  8. Oct 8, 2026 Stand-Up Pt II
    The SYSK boys continue the episode on stand-up comedy in part two, placing it in the rarefied company of other two-parters like Evel Knievel, the Hoover Dam, and the Trail of Tears. In this ep: should anything be off limits for stand-up? Consensus: no. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  9. Oct 7, 2026 Short Stuff: The Style Cycle
    Why do clothing styles get stale and then come back into fashion? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  10. Oct 6, 2026 Stand-Up Comedy Pt I
    Chuck and Josh do their best to tackle “the craft,” which most normal people call stand-up comedy. Stand-up dates back to the vaudeville days but it really started to take off in the 60s when comics stopped wearing suits and started getting edgy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  11. Oct 3, 2026 Selects: How Bras Work
    Bras are loved and hated, sometimes at the same time. But as difficult and restrictive as they can be, they rescued women from a much cruel contraption: corsets. The question remains, though, do women need bras at all? Listen to this classic episode to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  12. Oct 1, 2026 Let's Thank Universal Pictures for Monster Movies!
    Basically everything you think of when you think of vampires, mummies, werewolves, and Frankenstein all come from a spate of films made in the 1930s, and every one of them by Universal Pictures. Amazingly, they are still among the best films ever made. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  13. Sep 30, 2026 Short Stuff: The Retirement Curse
    Is retirement bad for your health? Well it certainly can be if you don't take steps to prevent it. Listen in to learn more about the "retirement curse." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  14. Sep 29, 2026 A Good Walk Ruined: The History of Golf
    The history of golf is a bit muddled, but once it was truly born in Scotland, it started the beginning of lifelong obsessions for people dumb enough to pick up a club and give it a try. Learn all about the early history of the most frustrating game ever invented. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  15. Sep 26, 2026 Selects: Wetlands! Wetlands! Wetlands!
    It’s time to get jazzed up for some Earth science of the waterlogged variety. Join Chuck and Josh in this classic episode as they tour some of the most interesting ecosystems on the planet and learn why we need to stop destroying them post haste. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  16. Sep 26, 2026 Introducing 3 Putt Bogey
    3 Putt Bogey is a golf podcast hosted by Chuck Bryant and Adam Pranica, two mid handicappers who are just good enough to know exactly how bad they still are. The name says it all: one great shot, followed immediately by the kind of self-inflicted disaster only a mid-handicap golfer can produce. That's the whole sport, really, and this show lives in that gap. Every week, Chuck and Adam break down their most recent…
  17. Sep 24, 2026 Emily Post: Ettiquette Queen
    In today's episode, we detail the life and times of ettiquette queen Emily Post. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  18. Sep 23, 2026 Short Stuff: Mabon
    Mabon is often called the Pagan Thanksgiving  but though it seems like it’s as ancient as Halloween, it’s actually only around 50 years old. But, pagan or not, it’s a great chance to really feel the fall and thank Mother Earth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  19. Sep 22, 2026 Our Big Fat Dream Episode
    No you’re no dreaming – go ahead, pinch yourself – we’ve finally made an episode on dreams! We’ve done episodes on lucid dreaming, night terrors, sleepwalking, sleep paralysis – basically everything but dreams themselves. Well, at long last here it is! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  20. Sep 19, 2026 Selects: Fallout Shelters: Probably Useless (Let’s Never Find Out)
    The advent of nuclear weapons and the Cold War kicked off a craze in the US for building rec rooms with foot-thick reinforced walls and outfitted with survival rations and board games. Would they work? Probably not. Find out (but not really) in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  21. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: What is Collective Hysteria?
    Throughout the history of the world, there have been many cases of what is known as collective hysteria - groups of people, usually young women, who all exhibit the same physical symptoms of non-existent conditions. Is it psychosomatic? Is it group think? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  22. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: What was the Philadelphia Experiment?
    The Philadelphia Experiment is a bad movie from the 1980s, and also the conspiracy theory that refuses to die, despite virtually zero evidence of its occurrence. Learn all about this strange non-event in today's show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  23. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: Mermaids: Not a real thing
    Mermaids aren't real. That much we know. But the history and lore of these magical and sometimes menacing creatures of the sea is pretty interesting stuff. Learn all about these half women/half fish today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  24. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: Will We Find Evidence of Aliens by Their Engineering Projects?
    In 1960 physicist Freeman Dyson suggested that in the hunt for alien life, we should search for evidence of massive engineering projects that encapsulate stars with solar arrays to harness their energy. Could we humans ever make one ourselves? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  25. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: The Mystery of the Mary Celeste
    When the Mary Celeste was discovered floating and abandoned in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean one day in 1872, the legend of the ghost ship was born. Why did the Mary Celeste’s crew disappear? Was it pirates? Mutiny? UFOs? Well, probably not that last one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  26. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: The Max Headroom Incident
    In 1987, a very strange broadcast intrusion occurred in the city of Chicago. For just a couple of minutes, the odd TV character Max Headroom appeared onscreen in the middle of an episode of Dr. Who. He spoke in garbled tones, brandished a marital aid, and was spanked on the rear with a fly swatter by a person dressed in Annie Oakley garb. If this sounds weird, it is. It's the Max Headroom Incident. See…
  27. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: Dragons: As Real as Mermaids
    Dragons are like mermaids in that they're not real. And that's about where the comparison ends. Learn all about dragons today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  28. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: The Creepy Legacy of the Hotel Cecil
    The Hotel Cecil in downtown Los Angeles has had no less than 16 unnatural deaths, from suicides to murders and everything in between. Listen in to the history of this decidedly creepy hotel.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  29. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: What's the deal with blue people?
    The famous blue people of Kentucky are no longer blue. But why were they like that in the first place? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  30. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: Doppelgängers: Hey you, you're me!
    Seeing your near twin is probably pretty weird. But could there be a genetic commonality as well? You bet  there could!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  31. Sep 18, 2026 SYSK Gets Weird Playlist: The Story of the Nuclear Boy Scout
    David Hahn was a kid who was really into science. So much that he built a nuclear reactor in his mother's potting shed. And it worked.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  32. Sep 17, 2026 The Cancer Episode
    Cancer is a terrible word in any language for at least two reasons: It’s incredibly difficult to get rid of once it grows in the body, and there’s a very good chance that you or someone close to you will be diagnosed with it. But hope is growing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  33. Sep 16, 2026 Short Stuff: Leisure Suits
    You know the leisure suit, perhaps the tackiest suit to ever be invented. It was so huge in the 70s and spread as wide the lapels of the shirts worn with them. Then, as fast as they hit the scene they disappeared in shame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  34. Sep 15, 2026 How Boredom Works
    Are there benefits to boredom? Or is it all negative? Why do we get bored? What can we do to break free from boredom? The answers to those questions and more are coming your way today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  35. Sep 12, 2026 Selects: Wasps: Not as cute as bees
    Wasps have a bad rap. Because their sting really hurts and they don't make honey like their cousins. But they are super cool and you shouldn't kill them. Listen to this classic episode and learn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  36. Sep 10, 2026 The Odyssey Episode
    Why does the story of The Odyssey endure this many years after it was first spoken? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  37. Sep 9, 2026 Short Stuff: Flappers
    In the 1920s, a certain set of women wanted to loosen up and have a good time. Today, we get into it with the flappers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  38. Sep 8, 2026 Nickelodeon:The Best of Slimes
    Today we tell the story of the kids TV network that changed it all, Nickelodeon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  39. Sep 5, 2026 Selects: Blacksmiths? You got that right!
    Blacksmiths? You got that right. Learn all about this age old occupation in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  40. Sep 3, 2026 Social Identity Theory: Your Group Rules, Others Drool
    In the 80s, a pair of psychologists theorized why being part of a group can change people’s thoughts and feelings, both about themselves and other people. It sounds dry, but SIT explains everything from how people justify genocide to football rivalries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  41. Sep 2, 2026 Short Stuff: Hisashi Ouchi
    Japanese nuclear worker Hisashi Ouchi is often called on the internet “the world’s most radioactive man.” That’s not exactly true, but it gets the point across about how severe the fatal dose of radiation he received was. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  42. Sep 1, 2026 Terry Fox: Greatest Canadian Hero
    It is to the great nation of Canada’s lasting credit that it has prized Terry Fox as one of the most beloved and admired citizens for nearly 50 years now. It’s difficult to get across how much he means to Canada. Lucky for us, his story speaks for itself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  43. Aug 29, 2026 Selects: Flagpole Sitting: A Real Fad
    The 1920s were just absolutely nuts. People got into weird fads really intensely and one of the strangest of all was flagpole sitting. It’s just what it sounds like – sitting on top of a flagpole for as long as you can. One man sat above them all. Learn all about him and many of these wild fads in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  44. Aug 27, 2026 The Fall of the USSR, Pt II
    The break-up of the USSR was a tough one for Russia, being the jilted republic. For the entire decade after, the country plunged into a type of controlled chaos, with a rampantly corrupt kleptocracy taking the place of the toppled socialist society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  45. Aug 26, 2026 SYSK Tribute: Why does everyone love Dolly Parton?
    Today we dive in to celebrate the international treasure that is Dolly Parton. Why is she nearly universally loved? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  46. Aug 26, 2026 Short Stuff: Cyclospora
    The US has an unusual number of outbreaks of food-borne illness going on in the summer of 2026, and the star of the show is cyclospora. How does this parasite make people sick, where does it come from? You may not want to know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  47. Aug 25, 2026 The Fall of the USSR, Pt I
    It’s rare that the downfall of an empire can be chalked up to the decisions of just one person. It’s even rarer, when the empire falls over the course of a year. That’s pretty much what happened with the Soviet Union when Mikhail Gorbachev dissolved it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  48. Aug 22, 2026 Selects: How Narcolepsy Works
    Narcolepsy is one of those amazing rare disorders that everyone thinks they understand – people just fall asleep at random times, even in the middle of doing something. But there’s a lot more to it and – even better – we actually may be able to explain it. Josh and Chuck run it down in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  49. Aug 20, 2026 Rope, yeah ROPE!
    Rope is one of the unsung heroes of the world of inventions. Think about it. Then let us tell you about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  50. Aug 19, 2026 Short Stuff: Did a shipwreck double the size of the United States?
    Did a shipwreck double the size of the United States? Sort of. Listen in to find out what the heck that means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  51. Aug 18, 2026 Isn't It Ironic, Dontcha Think?
    Irony is one of those things that you know when you see it, but it’s almost impossible to define. Well, that’s not quite right – there are a ton of definitions for irony but none of them quite capture it fully. Want to know what irony is? So do we! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  52. Aug 15, 2026 Selects: The Manhattan Grid
    Ever wanted to know more about how the Manhattan grid was made? Well this is your chance. Find out all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  53. Aug 13, 2026 Who was Robert Maxwell?
    Robert Maxwell was a lot of things, publisher, mogul, spy, politician, crook. But was he murdered when he fell from his yacht? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  54. Aug 12, 2026 Short Stuff: Nero and His Fiddle
    Did Nero play his fiddle while Rome burned during the Great Fire of 64 CE? Absolutely not. Find out how we know when Chuck and Josh bust a two thousand year-old myth.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  55. Aug 11, 2026 Bonnie and Clyde
    You've probably seen the movie, but what else do you know about this legendary crime couple? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  56. Aug 8, 2026 Selects: Iran-Contra Affair: Shady in the 80s, Part 2
    As the operation expands it also begins to unravel. Word starts to leak out of the illegal stuff the Reagan administration was up to, Congress and the press investigate and people start to point fingers. Spoiler alert – they all got off scot free. Find out how it all wraps up in part 2 of this classic story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  57. Aug 8, 2026 Selects: Iran-Contra Affair: Shady in the 80s, Part 1
    When Ronald Reagan was president, America got involved in some deeply shady stuff, not the least of which was the Iran-Contra scandal – a convoluted operation that managed to combine an illegal covert war in Nicaragua with secretly selling arms to Iran. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  58. Aug 6, 2026 Reggae: Kingston’s Gift to the World
    Although it was built atop some musical styles that came before, reggae is mostly its own thing. It evolved as local music in the Trenchtown neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica but after Bob Marley and the Wailers came along, it became a global phenomenon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  59. Aug 5, 2026 Short Stuff: Phone Books
    Once upon a time there were these things called phone books. Inside you could find the phone number and address of just about everyone in your town. Can you imagine? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  60. Aug 4, 2026 Beans and Rice Feeds the World
    To call beans and rice a staple is to undersell the importance of beans and rice. Today we break down the ubiquity of this beloved food combo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  61. Aug 1, 2026 Selects: How Peanut Butter Works
    No food is more all-American than peanut butter – 80 percent of homes in the country have a jar of it in the pantry right now. And while the rest of the world might find peanut butter peculiar, maybe even gross, the rest of the world is wrong. Enjoy a smooth ride through one of our top condiments in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  62. Jul 30, 2026 How Russia Shapes What the World Thinks
    Operation Doppelganger was a Russian propaganda project discovered in 2022, a minor part of the enormous, ongoing disinformation and chaos-sewing campaign Russia spreads across the world through social media. And some of your views may have come from it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  63. Jul 29, 2026 Short Stuff: Shark Arm Murders
    Get yer info on one of Australia’s great true crime cases he-re!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  64. Jul 28, 2026 The Beloved Judy Blume
    Judy Blume is more than an author. She's a legend in teen literature for her frank and honest portrayals of adolescence. Today we pay tribute to her. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  65. Jul 25, 2026 Selects: Plant Migration
    Climate change is having sweeping effects on our climate and this is changing the world, not just for humans and other animals, but plants too. Will the Earth’s flora manage to find safe refuge in time? Josh and Chuck run down the odds in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  66. Jul 23, 2026 What's the deal with Swiss neutrality?
    We all know Switzerland is neutral. But why? Listen in and you might learn something. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  67. Jul 22, 2026 Short Stuff: Sardines!
    Josh implored Chuck to try sardines. Did he? Listen in to find out.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  68. Jul 21, 2026 The Tobacco Master Settlement: That Time We Got Em
    By the 1990s, cigarette makers had been hooking and killing off their customers for about a century. And they’d gotten good at both as well as covering up their harms. In 1994 they were still denying cigarettes were addictive. Then, the 50 Attorneys General of the US rode into town to take them on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  69. Jul 18, 2026 Selects: The Soul Train Episode
    In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the funky, cool world of the classic TV show, Sooooooooul Train. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  70. Jul 16, 2026 White Boy Rick
    Would you believe that Detroit’s crack epidemic in the mid-80s was overseen by one 16 year-old white kid who supplied all the coke? No? Well, that’s not quite true, so okay. The actual story is even more nutso than that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  71. Jul 15, 2026 Short Stuff: The Voice of God
    Today we salute the great Don LaFontaine, aka The Voice of God in movie and TV trailers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  72. Jul 14, 2026 You Are Not Alone With Postpartum Depression
    Most new moms get the baby blues soon after giving birth. Postpartum depression is something much different - the symptoms are similar, but their intensity can have sweeping effects on mom, baby, and the whole family. Fortunately, it’s highly treatable but the catch is moms usually have to ask for help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  73. Jul 11, 2026 Selects: The First Road Trip
    Back when cars were a brand new thing, before people even knew they'd stick around, two men and a dog drove from San Francisco to New York. This classic episode has their story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  74. Jul 9, 2026 Eleanor Roosevelt: Best First Lady
    Eleanor Roosevelt was something else. We can't get into it here, but just wait until you listen to this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  75. Jul 8, 2026 Short Stuff: Great Britain
    Now that it’s been 250 years since America split from England, we figure enough time has passed that we can finally learn the difference between the UK, Great Britain, and  the British Isles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  76. Jul 7, 2026 Kola: The World’s Deepest Hole
    During the Cold War all eyes were on the Space Race between the US and USSR. But there was another, overlooked race too and it went in the opposite direction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  77. Jul 4, 2026 Selects: Chopsticks > Forks
    In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh sit and converse on the simple, elegant chopstick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  78. Jul 2, 2026 Alaska Earthquake of 1964
    When a 9.2 quake shoook Alaska in 1964 it was the 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded. This is that story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  79. Jul 1, 2026 Short Stuff: Toronto Clown Riot
    Those are three words you probably never thought you’d see together. And the true story is just as interesting as it sounds. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  80. Jun 30, 2026 The Hillsborough Disaster
    When a crush of football fans killed 97 people in England in 1989, police and officials engaged in a massive cover-up to blame it on drunken fans. Today we tell that story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  81. Jun 27, 2026 Selects: How Enron Fooled the World
    Until 2007, the largest single corporate bankruptcy was Enron, a $67 billion energy trading company. Its decline was breathtaking, and while it’s a fascinating story of corporate malfeasance and greed, it’s also about the lives of ruined workers. Learn all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  82. Jun 25, 2026 Freetown Christiania
    The sort of commune of Freetown Christiania in Denmark may not be what it used to be, but it's still true to many of its original values. Learn all about this unique neighborhood today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  83. Jun 24, 2026 Short Stuff: Why does it feel good to be scared?
    Fear is different than being scared, most notably because fear is generally a negative thing and being scared can cause an enjoyable thrill. We'll get into the difference in today's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  84. Jun 23, 2026 Some Interesting Curses
    Even though curses aren’t real – and we go to great pains to make that clear – they are pretty interesting, especially ones you haven’t heard of before. So we dug deep and found some of the curses that don’t always hog the spotlight for this fun episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  85. Jun 20, 2026 Selects: Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the Devil
    It’s a pretty safe assumption that people have been born with birthmarks since humanity began, and between then and now we’ve come up with some wacky, even dangerous, explanations for them – even a few that survive still today. Learn all about them in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  86. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe
    Since the age of Descartes, science has put all of its eggs in the basket of determinism, the idea that with accurate enough measurements any aspect of the universe could be predicted. But the universe, it turns out, is not so tidy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  87. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Global Warming Works
    It's a confusing part of climate change when it seems winter is as cold as ever, but as global temperatures creep ever so slightly higher, a cascade of catastrophic events will almost surely follow. The ball is in humanity's court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  88. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How X-Rays Work
    Like many huge discoveries, X-rays were accidentally stumbled upon. That serendipity led to a medical breakthrough still in use today. Learn about how X-rays are created and why they make such delightful images of our bones. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  89. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Elastics: Where God and Science Smooch
    You could be forgiven for thinking the story behind elastics was boring. You’d still be wrong, though. The story of what’s holding up your underwear is a global drama, replete with war, industrial espionage, colonialism, destitute inventors – everything! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  90. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Can Nuclear Fusion Reactors Save The World?
    The world's energy consumption is ruining the planet but for decades physicists have been working on what could solve the world's energy and climate change woes for centuries to come - nuclear fusion. Learn about building stars on Earth in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  91. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Occam's Razor Works
    You know the rule that says the simplest explanation is probably the correct one? That’s called a razor and it’s meant to guide logic. But over time it’s become a broadsword used to disprove opposing arguments. Learn how to spot a faux skeptic in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  92. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Things We Believed Before the Scientific Method
    It’s easy to think of people in the distant past as kinda dumb for believing things like that mice could spontaneously generate from old grain. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll find there was a sensibility to the odd beliefs that came before science. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  93. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Big Bang Theory Works, with Neil deGrasse Tyson
    There are a number of theories for how the universe evolved but none are more widely accepted than the Big Bang theory. Learn about the mind-boggling details of the early universe and hear Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson talk about what it will take for us to know its origins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  94. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How the Scientific Method Works
    It evolved over centuries to become the gold standard for conducting scientific inquiry. Yet many people - including some scientists - don't fully understand it. Learn about the basis of how we explore our world in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  95. Jun 19, 2026 The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Legs! Legs! Legs! (The Periodic Table)
    If you’ve ever wanted to listen to two totally untrained, non-chemists who are fully unqualified to explain how the periodic table works nervously explain how the periodic table works, then this episode is for you. Chemistry majors, be warned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  96. Jun 18, 2026 M*A*S*H: The Story of the 4077th
    Chuck loved M*A*S*H. Josh didn't. Listen in as they fight to the death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  97. Jun 17, 2026 Short Stuff: Does singing make you happy?
    Does singing make you happy? Yes, yes it does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  98. Jun 16, 2026 Did 24-Hour Cable News Kill America?
    You can make a pretty good case that the rise of opinion “news” and filter bubbles on cable tv created the current cultural and political schism that plagues American society. How did it start? Where did it come from? And what the heck can we do about it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  99. Jun 13, 2026 Selects: How the Fairness Doctrine Worked
    Back in the day, broadcasters were bound by law to provide contrasting opinions on political matters. Why? Because of the Fairness Doctrine. What happened to it? Listen to this classic episode and find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  100. Jun 11, 2026 The NY Subway Vigilante
    Today we dive into the unremorseful life of NYC Subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  101. Jun 10, 2026 Short Stuff: Rain Barrels!
    Harvesting rainwater has tons of upsides and not many downsides – you just need to take a few precautions first. Don’t miss this episode, which features some Josh Math™. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  102. Jun 9, 2026 Smile
    They say that smiling requires fewer muscles than frowning, so why not smile? That doesn’t seem to be true, or at least unproven, and there is lots more about smiling that will keep you glued to your earbuds in this fun episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  103. Jun 6, 2026 Selects: 911 Is Not a Joke
    Josh and Chuck delve into the world of 911 in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  104. Jun 4, 2026 Three Mile Island
    The disaster at Three Mile Island thankfully did not cost any lives directly, but the notion that it didn't harm people is very much up in the air. Learn all about the worst nuclear disaster in the history of the United States today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  105. Jun 3, 2026 Short Stuff: 1955 Le Mans Disaster
    In 1955, the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance motor race took a very dark turn when a terrible accident on the track continued into the crowd. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  106. Jun 2, 2026 The Tragic Life of Vincent Van Gogh
    Van Gogh lived a troubled life and did not garner attention as a painter until after his death by suicide. Today we dive into this complicated journey as an artist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  107. May 30, 2026 Selects: Did Shakespeare really write all that stuff?
    The question of Shakespeare's authorship has been around since at least the mid-1800s. Is there anything to it? In this classic episode, we dig in to this dense topic to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  108. May 28, 2026 Howard Hughes in Las Vegas
    From 1968 to 1972 Howard Hughes holed up in a suite in the Desert Inn casino in Las Vegas. Addicted to morphine and living on candy bars and milk, he was in bad shape. When he was told to leave, he bought the hotel and stayed. Soon he owned half of Vegas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  109. May 27, 2026 Short Stuff: Knuckle Cracking
    Does knuckle cracking give you arthritis? It doesn't appear to. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  110. May 26, 2026 The Story of Starvation Heights
    There are quacks and then there is Linda Hazzard. Not only did she starve her patients to death, but she took their family fortunes as she did it. This is the story of Starvation Heights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  111. May 23, 2026 Selects: How Flight Attendants Work
    Flight attendants have come a long way. From having to put up with rampant sexism, to the current incarnation as your first line of defense in case of an incident, they are valued airline employees. Learn all about this cool job in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  112. May 21, 2026 The 1993 Waco Siege
    One of the darkest days in the history of American law enforcement came on April 19, 1993, when the FBI’s 51-day siege of the Branch Davidian religious sect’s compound in Waco, Texas ended with a fire and 75 men, women, and children dead inside. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  113. May 20, 2026 Short Stuff: All about BPAs
    Are BPAs safe? Of course not. Does the FDA care? Of course not. Learn all about what and why today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  114. May 19, 2026 Eels Alive!
    Eels are pretty much objectively unsettling. They’re not quite fish (although they are) and if they’re snakes, they’re messed up snakes (they aren’t). But they’re fascinating too! There are even little cute eels. It’s time you got acquainted with eels! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  115. May 16, 2026 Selects: Did Mallory Make it to the Top of Everest First?
    George Mallory was a member of the first three European expeditions to Everest, world’s tallest mountain. He wanted to summit it so badly, he gave his life trying. Since that fateful day in 1924, climbers have wondered – was Mallory the first to summit? Listen as Josh and Chuck explore that question and lots more in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  116. May 14, 2026 The Hindenburg Disaster
    Hard to believe we haven't covered this one yet, but here we are. Why did the Hindenburg crash and burn? We still don't really know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  117. May 13, 2026 Short Stuff: Did Tippi Hedron start the Vietnamese manicure industry?
    Strange but true, actor Tippi Hedron kickstsarted the Vietnamese manicure industry in the United States in the 1970s. This is that story.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  118. May 12, 2026 Humanists, the Happy Heathens
    If you don’t believe in any kind of god or afterlife - or even that there’s a meaning to life – does that mean you’re doomed to a life of gloom and doom? Heck no!, say humanists. Their philosophical movement says you can make your own meaningful life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  119. May 9, 2026 Selects: Can movies be cursed?
    First of all, movies can't be cursed because curses aren't real. However, that can't stop Josh and Chuck from taking a look at some movies throughout history that have had a disturbing number of bad things surrounding their production and release. Dive into the world of cursed movies in this very fun classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  120. May 7, 2026 Let's Go to Camp... David!
    Camp David is awesome. But not all presidents have liked it. We'll dig into this historic property in today's episiode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  121. May 6, 2026 Short Stuff: Why do kangaroos hop?
    Kangaroos are the only marsupial to hop, which is pretty weird. We'll investigate why.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  122. May 5, 2026 Boeing's Nosedive: The 737-MAX
    Boeing used to be one of the most respected engineering firms in the world. Then it changed its focus from making great airplanes to increasing its stock value. The result was the 737-MAX, a plane that took the lives of 346 people in two avoidable crashes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  123. May 2, 2026 Selects: Thrill to the Stunning Bicameral Mind Hypothesis
    Psychologist Julian Jaynes came up with a stunning hypothesis in 1976, that human consciousness only developed in the last 3000 years. And he seemed to have proof in ancient texts. Scholars have been picking it apart ever since and in this classic episode we join the club. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  124. Apr 30, 2026 How to Drink a Tree's Blood
    Of course we're talking all about maple syrup today - the tapping, the processing, the eating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  125. Apr 29, 2026 Short Stuff: Wisdom Teeth
    By all rights there should be three sets of molars in your mouth. But it turns out that our skulls aren’t really set up to accommodate that many anymore. Exactly why depends on who you ask. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  126. Apr 28, 2026 Save the Whales!
    In the 1970s, conservation groups around the world rose up to protect dwindling whale populations, some on the verge of extinction. They all worked under the same banner: Save the Whales! It turned out to be one of the most successful campaigns ever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  127. Apr 25, 2026 Selects: How Fever Dreams Work
    Fever dreams can be unsettling experiences. These ramped up nightmares are vivid, detailed and only happen when the human body experiences a fever. What is it about the combination of fevers and dreams that make these night terrors so hellish? Learn all that and more in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  128. Apr 23, 2026 UNESCO World Heritage: Preserving the Best of Humanity
    Humanity’s created a lot of neat things over the eons and starting in the 1940s, the UN created an agency focused on preserving those things for the whole world and future people. But that mission is in danger of becoming only about branding and money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  129. Apr 22, 2026 Short Stuff: Brown-Headed Cowbird
    There’s a kind of bird that lots of people think is a real jerk. And it kind of is. But in the brown-headed cowbird’s defense, it’s just evolved that way. Find out why it has such a bad reputation among bird lovers in this Short Stuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  130. Apr 21, 2026 Some Silly Inventions That Became Wildly Popular
    Once in a while someone comes up with a solution for a problem we didn’t know we had, and maybe even a problem that didn’t even exist. Even more rarely, the stars align just right so that some crackpot invention captures everyone’s imagination. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  131. Apr 18, 2026 Selects: Sammy Davis Jr: National Treasure
    In this classic episode Josh and Chuck sit down and detail the complicated life of the late, great Sammy Davis Jr. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  132. Apr 16, 2026 The Sewol Ferry Disaster
    In 2014 a ferry carrying hundreds of South Korean high school students on a field trip sunk, killing almost everyone on board. Hauntingly, their deaths were fully avoidable: everyone from the dock inspector to the Coast Guard to the president failed them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  133. Apr 15, 2026 Short Stuff: Cherry Blossoms
    The Japanese Cherry Blossom is a sight to behold. But how did they get to Washington D.C.? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  134. Apr 14, 2026 Are Generations Even a Thing?
    We all love to tour our generation's superiority, but who decides where the split occurs and what to name it? And is this even a thing or just an arbitrary division? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  135. Apr 11, 2026 Selects: What is a Numbers Station?
    If you think secretly coded messages sent via short wave radio is Cold War relic, think again. In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh are here to dispel that myth, along with many others relating to numbers stations, including why they might still be operational. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  136. Apr 9, 2026 How Worker Co-ops Work
    The worker co-op has a rich tradition and can work a variety of ways. Join us as we dig into the nuts and bolts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  137. Apr 8, 2026 Short Stuff: History of Spring Break
    If you think Spring Break started with northern college kids heading to Florida to party, you'd be correct. But there's slightly more to it than that.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  138. Apr 7, 2026 Roar: The Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made?
    Jump in today to hear all about the disaster that was the movie ROAR. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  139. Apr 4, 2026 Selects: The Skinny on Lyme Disease
    If you live in the Northeastern U.S. then you may know someone who has had Lyme disease. But it's spreading all over the country and parts of the world. Learn all about this tick-borne disease in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  140. Apr 2, 2026 The Colorado River Compact
    Deciding how to share water is pretty important stuff when there isn't much of it around. Today we dive into the Colorado River Compact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  141. Apr 1, 2026 Short Stuff: Simple Spelling Movement
    Pretty much everyone agrees that English is a chaotic language. There are nutso rules of grammar and spelling other languages don’t have. More than once, movements have emerged to simplify English and each time they were beaten back with a vengeance.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  142. Mar 31, 2026 The Middle Class: Canary in the Gold Mine
    Lots of nations gauge the health of their country by how the middle class is doing. There’s just one issue with that – no one can say exactly what defines the middle class. But even when you take a guess, it seems like the health isn’t so good these days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  143. Mar 28, 2026 Selects: The Disappearance of Lars Mittank
    In 2014, a young German man walked into an airport in Bulgaria with a flight booked, then suddenly ran out leaving all his posessions behind, never to be heard from again. This classic episode tells the story of Lars Mittank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  144. Mar 26, 2026 Malcom X
    Malcolm X was one of the most revered, feared leaders of the civil rights movement. In contrast to Martin Luther King, Jr., X advocated black self-reliance and separateness in American society and that equal rights should obtained by any means necessary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  145. Mar 25, 2026 Short Stuff: Kentucky Meat Shower
    In 1876 it rained meat out of the clear blue sky on a homestead in Bath County, Kentucky. While the mystery of what happened will never be solved, the best explanation makes the story even weirder than it seems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  146. Mar 24, 2026 The History of Fire
    The first fires came from lightning strikes. After that, no one is super sure when we started controlling it and then later, starting our own. But it's sure fun to speculate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  147. Mar 21, 2026 Selects: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gin
    If there's one thing we've learned about Chuck over the years it's that he loves his gin. And he loves it even more now that understands it. Pour yourself a martini and cozy up to the classic gin-cast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  148. Mar 20, 2026 Caterpillars: Nature's Magicians
    Caterpillars are simply the best. Don't think so? Well listen in and you'll soon agree. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  149. Mar 20, 2026 Butterflies: Caterpillars with Wings!
    If you thought caterpillars were awesome, just wait until you see them with colorful, iridescent wings! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  150. Mar 20, 2026 How Snails Work
    They seem gross and bothersome at first, but once you get down to ground level and get to know snails, we’ll bet you’ll grow quite fond of them. They are living in a whole world we’re largely unaware of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  151. Mar 20, 2026 The Fascinating History of Dandelions
    Dandelions are way more interesting than you think. Trust us and click play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  152. Mar 20, 2026 What's Permaculture All About?
    Permaculture is a growing trend in the world of farming and home landscaping. It's basically a design principle that emphasizes sustainability and the would-be, natural ecosystem of an area. Simple concepts like planting downhill from a pond and using gravity to feed plants to planting native plants and vegetation that work well together are hallmarks of permaculture. Learn all about this eco-friendly trend today.…
  153. Mar 20, 2026 How Sneezing Works
    Unless you have an arcane disorder from a lesion on a very specific spot on our medulla, the chances are you sneeze. Turns out most animals do it, even lizards! Learn the whys and hows of this most interesting involuntary reflex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  154. Mar 20, 2026 Wetlands! Wetlands! Wetlands!
    It’s time to get jazzed up for some Earth science of the waterlogged variety. Join Chuck and Josh as they tour some of the most interesting ecosystems on the planet and learn why we need to stop destroying them post haste. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  155. Mar 20, 2026 Composting: Nature's Most Interesting Process
    You may think composting is just a bunch of old banana peels rotting away into dirt but, friend, you're not looking closely enough. Inside that compost pile is a microcosmic universe doing some magical stuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  156. Mar 20, 2026 Squirrels, Ahoy!
    Squirrels are rodents, sure, but they’re rodents with personalities the size of Las Vegas and Detroit put together. Get to know your bushy-tailed (and sometimes not so bushy) neighbors who live interesting hidden lives right out in the open. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  157. Mar 20, 2026 Honey: Nature's Wonder Sugar
    Honey is an amazing thing. Just ask any bee. They make a ton of it. So much that humans get what bees can't use and that's a lot of honey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  158. Mar 19, 2026 Contortionism: Bend It Like Gumby
    If you could put your leg behind your head, would you? Of course you would! You might even make a career out of it, amazing people around the world with your flexibility. That’d make you a contortionist! But first you’d better get started with stretching. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  159. Mar 18, 2026 Short Stuff: Jeddah Tower
    The Jeddah Tower is set to be the tallest building in the world. If it ever gets finished.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  160. Mar 17, 2026 Ruth Lyons: TV Pioneer
    Ruth Lyons basically invented the daytime talk show, yet she doesn't get the credit. Why is that? Probably because she was a woman in a man's industry. Today we tell her story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  161. Mar 14, 2026 Selects: Mangroves: Nature's Best Tree?
    Mangroves are incredible survivors and adapters. They're also amazing at lessening the impact of tropical storms and climate change. And heck, they're cool looking. So jump into the brackish waters and have a listen to this classic episode all about these beauts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  162. Mar 12, 2026 How the Kowloon Walled City Worked
    From the 1970s to the early 1990s a patch of land in Hong Kong the size of just a few football fields was the most densely-populated area in the world – and by a longshot. Even more remarkable, it was an outlaw land that somehow formed a tight community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  163. Mar 11, 2026 Short Stuff: In-Flight Entertainment
    Movies on planes have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Today, we'll go over how this stuff works.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  164. Mar 10, 2026 The Fyre Festival Fiasco
    What happens when a career grifter tries to throw a "luxury" music festival in only six months? Not much it turns out.This was the Fyre Festival. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  165. Mar 7, 2026 Selects: How Spiritualism Works
    Something spooky was born on the American frontier in the mid-19th century: the idea that people’s personalities survive death and that some gifted individuals can communicate with them. It developed into a religion that some still practice today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  166. Mar 5, 2026 Let's All Go to the World's Fair
    Before the internet could show you anything in the universe - including stuff it made up - people had few opportunities to have their minds blown. But every few years, somewhere in the world nations would gather and show off the cool stuff they invented. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  167. Mar 4, 2026 Short Stuff: Johnny Ringo
    You might be familiar with the outlaw Johnny Ringo from the movie Tombstone. He was indeed a real-life black hat gunslinger, and a tragic figure at that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  168. Mar 3, 2026 The Gold Standard: When Money Meant Something
    There was a time less than 100 years ago when you could exchange your paper currency at the bank for actual gold. Gave folks a sense of stability, it did. Depending on your view, we either ruined or built our economies when money became just paper. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  169. Feb 28, 2026 Selects: How Dopamine Works
    Dopamine is perhaps the most talked-about, most misunderstood biochemical in our bodies. It’s linked to not only addiction and depravity, but also focus, motivation, and living a productive life. How can one molecule be so many things to so many people? Find out all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  170. Feb 26, 2026 The Battle of the Sexes
    Back in 1973 a male chauvinist played tennis against champion Billie Jean King. This is that story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  171. Feb 25, 2026 Short Stuff: MacGuffins
    What’s a MacGuffin? We don’t know. No one knows. But it has to do with movies and that’s fun to talk about. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  172. Feb 24, 2026 The Murder of Jane Stanford
    Stanford University was co-founded by Jane Stanford. Not long after she was murdered and it was covered up. We'll probably never know what really happened. Listen in today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  173. Feb 21, 2026 Selects: How Free Range Parenting Works
    Free range parenting is all about giving your child the freedom to play and explore life on their own. Are there benefits? Sure. Do some people hate the concept? Yes! Listen to this classic episode and learn right here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  174. Feb 19, 2026 How the Flexner Report Changed Medicine
    The Flexner Report shook up medicine in the United States when it was released in 1910 and it's never been the same since. For better or worse. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  175. Feb 18, 2026 Short Stuff: Safety Coffins
    Back in the 1800s, people had an outsized fear of being buried alive. Enter... THE SAFETY COFFIN! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  176. Feb 17, 2026 How Crowds Work
    If you’ve ever been out of your house you’ve probably been in a crowd before. They can be as mundane as an elevator full of people or as consequential as a mass of protesters. But did you know there’s psychology to crowds? And they follow fluid dynamics? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  177. Feb 14, 2026 Selects: How Charles Darwin Worked
    Charles Darwin wasn't the first or only scientist to grasp the theory of evolution through natural selection, but he became its father and icon. In this classic episode, learn about the man who reluctantly but bravely became the source of the divide between religion and science. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  178. Feb 12, 2026 How Lasers Work
    It turns out that lasers are even cooler than they look. And as far as acronyms go, they’re pretty solid in that respect too. There’s way too much cool stuff about lasers to tease here so listen to this old school SYSK episode and let lasers blow away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  179. Feb 11, 2026 Short Stuff: Aztec Death Whistle
    In the late 90s, a strange musical instrument was excavated under the streets of CDMX. Listen in to learn all about the Aztec Death Whistle.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  180. Feb 10, 2026 How Cognitive Biases Work
    Humans have all sorts of weird quirks that cause us to do silly things and make bad decisions. It’s not our fault though. Our brains are wired that way. Learn about the psychology of cognitive biases in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  181. Feb 7, 2026 Selects: Why Do Great Flood Myths Seem To Be Universal?
    If look into the mythology of just about any culture in the world, you will find a myth about a great flood that destroyed humanity and submerged the Earth in the distant past. Does this mean that a great flood actually happened? Listen to this classic episode to explore the possibilities with Josh and Chuck. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  182. Feb 5, 2026 The Cajun Navy: Heroes or Liability?
    The Cajun Navy was formed after Hurricane Katrina and really got its legs after the Louisiana flood of 2016.  They save a lot of lives, but some fear the pitfalls of "vigilante heroism." Learn all about this group of do-gooders today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  183. Feb 4, 2026 Short Stuff: Color Psychology
    Have you ever cried way longer than usual when you were in a yellow room? You’ve been smacked by color psychology my friend and it’s got your number. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  184. Feb 3, 2026 Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan: Miracle is Right
    Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan were one of the most amazing non-magical duos in history. Imagine living trapped in your own mind – unable to see or hear – and then imagine learning to read, traveling the world, and becoming an ambassador of peace.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  185. Jan 31, 2026 Selects: Operation Mincemeat: How A Corpse Fooled the Nazis
    In World War II, a secret department of British 'corkscrew thinkers' hatched a plan to use the cadaver of an unclaimed homeless man to turn the tide of the war in the Allies' favor. It worked. Listen to this classic episode as Josh and Chuck take you through the real life tale. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  186. Jan 29, 2026 The Magnificent Golden Gate Bridge
    If you think the Golden Gate Bridge is named because of its color then you are wrong. That name proceeds the bridge by a long time. But that’s just one interesting fact about this amazing structure. Tune in today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  187. Jan 28, 2026 Short Stuff: Magic 8 Ball
    The Magic 8 Ball, the mystical fortune telling pool ball started out as a piece of customer swag for the Brunswick Billiard Company.  Since then, it has changed the course of history and shaped nations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  188. Jan 27, 2026 The Charge of the Light Brigade
    The Charge of the Light Brigade is a famous poem about a lesser famous military action during the Crimean War. Tune in today for a rare SYSK walk through wartime history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  189. Jan 24, 2026 Selects: The Truth Behind Cage-Free and Free-Range
    You’d think terms like cage-free and free-range means the chickens we eat are frolicking happily in the fresh air under the shining sun, but you’d be so, so wrong. Cage-free is a huge improvement but free-range is lacking and both have a long way to go. Find out all about both in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  190. Jan 22, 2026 The Ballad of Biggie and Tupac
    Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur had a famous beef with one another in the mid-90s. It was so intense, it sparked an even wider rivalry between the East and West Coasts. In just a few years, both men had been murdered and the music world was changed forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  191. Jan 21, 2026 Short Stuff: The S7VEN Deadly Sins
    The Seven Deadly Sins are tied to religion, but not really in the Bible. So where did this naughty list come from? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  192. Jan 20, 2026 Keeping Time
    Today, Chuck and Josh walk you through the history of keeping time, from sticks in the sun to atomic clocks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  193. Jan 17, 2026 Selects: BPD: The Worst Disorder or Not a Disorder at All?
    Borderline Personality Disorder has been described as emotional “third degree burns over ninety percent of your body.” It’s as close to a curse as a personality disorder can be: deep fear of being abandoned creates behaviors that end up driving people off. Learn all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
  194. Jan 15, 2026 Data Centers: Can't Live With Em, Can't Live Without Em
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  195. Jan 14, 2026 Short Stuff: Did a vampire legend help win the Cold War?
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Page updated October 30, 2026.