Stuff You Should Know

SYSK Selects: How Acne Works

25 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Over the course of our lives, 80 percent of us will experience acne. Ultimately, acne comes down to one thing, a blockage in the sebaceous gland. Lear...

What was Tin Pan Alley?

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tin Pan Alley was an area of New York around the beginning of the 20th Century that served as ground zero for the earliest iterations of the music pub...

Short Stuff: James Polk, Disinterred

22 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that former president James Polk had his final resting place moved twice? It's true! And almost a third time even. Let's go listen to som...

How Crystals Work

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a new age shop or on display at the Smithsonian, there are varying interpretations of what crystals can be used for. But at their base, they are a ...

SYSK Selects: How Dying Works

18 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck and Josh have covered just about every aspect of death except dying itself. Here, they fulfill the death suite of podcasts with an in-depth look...

10ish Cases of Really Bad Luck

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Some guys have all the luck, some guys have all the pain. So said Rod Stewart. And if this list is any indication, “guys” is gender neutral. Liste...

Short Stuff: Honorary Degrees

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Honorary degrees are not real degrees. They are marketing opportunities for universities. They make us mad, but we want one. Learn all about them in t...

How Trampolines Work

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The world’s loved trampolines since they were invented by a pair of acrobats in Iowa in the 30s – so much so, trampolining is now an Olympic event...

SYSK Selects: How Lie Detectors Work

11 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Instead of actually detecting lies, polygraph machines sense physiological variations, ostensibly brought on by guilt. The results are subject to inte...

Do Dietary Supplements Work?

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The world takes $40 billion of dietary supplements – from vitamin A to yohimbe bark – every year. Yet, the jury is still out on whether most of th...

Short Stuff: Nicknames

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's in a nickname? Sometimes they make sense, sometimes they don't. Let's get our shorty on and find out the deal.  Learn more about your ad-choi...

Remembering Live Aid

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Live Aid was a revolutionary concert event in two countries in 1985 that spanned the world via satellite. The brainchild of musician Bob Geldof, it re...

SYSK Selects: How Does a Diving Bell Work?

04 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

About 2,400 years ago Aristotle mentions the use of diving bells, apparatuses that convey divers to the bottom of the sea -- or at least below the sur...

What Happens When the Government Thinks You're Dead?

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s bad enough when the government knows you’re alive – there are taxes to pay, laws to be followed, all sorts of boring and unpleasant things....

Short Stuff: The Number 23

01 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There are people out there who believe that there’s something special about the number 23. Exactly what? Who knows. Exactly why? Because it pops up ...

Michael Dillon: Trans Pioneer

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Dillon was a lot of things - author, doctor, and most importantly, trans pioneer. Learn all about his story in today's episode.  Learn more ...

SYSK Selects: How Zero Works

27 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Few numbers have as storied a past as zero. Even fewer have had as great an impact on our ability to understand our universe. Yet zero is a relatively...

What Were Human Zoos?

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One of the off-putting byproducts of 19th century European colonialism were human zoos, living dioramas of people from far-away places made to be gawk...

Short Stuff: Fear of Public Speaking

24 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Speaking in public is frequently cited as people’s number one fear, even more fearful than death. Most people go through life avoiding public speaki...

Is birth order important?

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There have been a lot of studies over the years regarding birth order. Some conclude that it's a big deal, while others more or less discount its impo...

SYSK Selects: How Marijuana Works

20 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For millennia people used marijuana for fun and medicine. Not until the 20th century that was it vilified, unfairly say many. Weed has done lots of go...

How the Hoover Dam Works, Part II

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And now for something completely different. Just kidding – tune in to hear the thrilling conclusion of America’s most amazing public works project...

Short Stuff: Emu Wars

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did Australians really wage war on a group of emus? YES. Learn all about it in today's short stuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www...

How the Hoover Dam Works, Part I

16 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s one of America’s biggest accomplishments in the 20th century, a slab of concrete holding back one of the country’s most finicky rivers, pro...

SYSK Selects: How Yo-Yos Work

13 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You may have played with a yo-yo before -- perhaps you've even walked the dog -- but do you know about the physics behind what makes a yo-yo sleep and...

How the Electric Chair Works

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The electric chair is an all-American invention. It spread almost nowhere else in the world as a capital punishment but worked overtime in the States....

Short Stuff: Lake Peigneur

10 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In 1980 something catastrophic happened to the quiet town of New Iberia, Louisiana. Their wide, shallow lake grew much deeper after it underwent an ap...

How Free Range Parenting Works

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

SYSK Selects: How Pollen Works

06 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For about 375 million years, plants have been using pollen (aka plant sperm) to propagate their species. And the technique has stuck around because it...

Were Nazis Drug-Fueled Crankheads?

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nazis were bad people. And it turns out a lot of them were high as kites on speed. Was this a recipe for disaster? Yes it was.  Learn more about you...

Short Stuff: Unspent Campaign Money

03 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what happens to all those campaign donations when a political campaign goes belly up? Or, even worse, is in debt! Wonder no mor...

How Rape Kits Work

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rape kits are simple forensic evidence collection kits used when someone is sexually assaulted. But the story is deeper than this. Learn all about rap...

SYSK Selects: How Immigration Works

30 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Immigration systems regulate the flow of foreign immigrants into any given country. But why is immigration such a controversial topic, especially in t...

Etch A Sketch!

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Etch A Sketch is yet another classic toy that Josh and Chuck love and respect. Learn all about this Hall of Fame entry today.  Learn more about ...

Short Stuff: When Elvis Met Nixon

27 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Elvis really did meet with Richard Nixon. Because Elvis wanted to help fight the drug trade. True story. Hear about it in today's short stuff.  Lear...

How Druids Worked

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone who likes Led Zeppelin, plays Dungeons & Dragons, or worships the rising sun at Stonehenge on the vernal equinox can tell you druids are co...

SYSK Selects: How Sign Language Works

23 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It wasn't until the was developed and despite its co-existence alongside English, a user would be hard-pressed to sign with a British person. Find out...

How Disgust Works

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Disgust is an odd thing. It makes sense that we would feel a sense of revulsion at the thought of putting rotten meat in our mouths – that’s pure ...

Short Stuff: The Sandman

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream! But who is the sandman? We'll tell you in today's edition of short stuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https:...

Desert Survival: Josh and Chuck Save Your Tookus

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The chances are pretty low that you’ll find yourself lost in the desert, but on the off chance you do you’ll thank yourself that you listened to t...

SYSK Selects: Was Atlantis A Real Place?

16 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

While the search for Atlantis has been pushed to the fringes since the 19th century, archaeologists have quietly pursued cities that may have inspired...

The Great Stink: The Stench So Bad They Gave It A Name

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the summer of 1858, a heatwave dried up the Thames River to a trickle in London. As centuries’ worth of human waste, animal carcasses and other n...

Short Stuff: Bedbugs

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We eradicated bedbugs so thoroughly in the 50s that generations who came later suspected they weren’t anymore real than jackalopes and snipes. But s...

The Case of Sacco and Vanzetti

12 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, two anarchists accused of murder, was one of the first "crimes of the century." But did they do it? To this day there...

SYSK Selects: How Wildfires Work

09 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Wildfires consume an annual average of 5 million acres in the US. But what causes wildfires? How do they become so powerful? More importantly, how do ...

How Dyslexia Works

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For a learning disability that everyone seems to know about, dyslexia is maybe the most commonly misunderstood and controversial cognitive difficulty ...

Short Stuff: Wigs in English Court

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's the deal with the wigs in the English court system? Learn all about it in today's short stuff.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://w...

What's the deal with ASMR?

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

ASMR is soothing to some, maddening to others. Learn all about these whisper tones in today's episode.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://...

SYSK Selects: How the Panama Canal Works

02 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's on more than one list of the Seven Wonders of the World and for good reason - the Panama Canal is one of the great feats of engineering ever unde...

Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Tuskegee Airmen braved racism and brutally tough training in order to secure their spot in American history as the first African-American military...

Short Stuff: Black Loyalists

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Black Loyalists were a group of Colonial slaves who fought for their freedom alongside the British. Learn all about this nearly forgotten group in...

The Science of Break-Ups

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Breaking up is hard to do. Your brain might even think you're getting over a cocaine addiction. Learn all about the science behind break-ups today! L...

SYSK Selects: How Lewis and Clark Worked

23 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

They may be the most famous explorers in U.S. history, but there are plenty of interesting details to the Lewis and Clark expedition that history has ...

How Galaxies Work

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the universe things tend to cluster. This means there’s a coherent structure to the universe and learning about clusters of stars – galaxies - ...

Short Stuff: Turbulence

20 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever had a bumpy airplane ride, you know it’s nothing fun. But have you ever noticed that the pilots sometimes tell you ahead of time to...

Yeti: The Asian Bigfoot

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've covered Nessie and Bigfoot, so why not tackle the Yeti? Listen in today and Josh and Chuck cover what used to be known as the Abominable Snowman...

SYSK Selects: Interpol: World Police

16 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Interpol is an international police agency that helps other law-enforcement agencies track criminals who operate across national borders -- but how do...

Elephants: The Best Animals?

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Elephants are pretty much the best. Why? Josh and Chuck will let you know in great detail in today's episode.  Learn more about your ad-choices at h...

Short Stuff: War of Jenkins' Ear

13 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the 18th century, Spain and England fought each other in the colonies of Georgia and Florida, a war kicked off by an English sea captain who was ma...

Could There Be A Loch Ness Monster?

12 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

People have believed something strange lives in Loch Ness for at least 3500 years. Thousands of people have sighted the Loch Ness Monster and dozens o...

SYSK Selects: How Coral Reefs Work

09 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Coral reefs are the largest organic structures on Earth, yet they're created through a symbiotic relationship between creatures about 3 millimeters lo...

The True Story of BlacKkKlansman

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In 2018, director Spike Lee brought the story of Ron Stallworth to the big screen to great effect. Today, Josh and Chuck discuss the true story behind...

Short Stuff: Ellen Richards

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Who is Ellen Richards? One of the most unsung scientists of all time, that's who. Her contribution? Bringing real science into the household and forci...

The Insidious Abuse of Stalking

05 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stalking has only recently been recognized for what it is – a profound form of psychological abuse where the victim’s life is “infected” by th...

SYSK Selects: Saunas: More Interesting Than You Think!

02 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Although they seem pretty mundane, saunas are surprisingly fascinating inventions. Josh and Chuck break out all sorts of sweaty, sauna-related trivia,...

How Central Park Works

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Central Park in Manhattan was America’s first landscaped public park, built at a time when New Yorkers’ only option for getting some fresh air was...

Short Stuff: Johnny Appleseed

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Johnny Appleseed was real! And he was about as amazing as the legend paints him. He really did plant apple trees all over America and if the feds hadn...

How Ping Pong Works

29 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

While Asia is well-known for being cuckoo for Ping Pong, the game was actually invented by bored British Victorian aristocrats. Go back and forth abou...

SYSK Selects: Bioluminescence: A Bright and Shiny Fish

26 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Science has a handle on fireflies and glowworms, but most bioluminescent animals live in the ocean and are tough to study. Today, researchers are stil...

The Legend of Betsy Ross

24 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Betsy Ross is an American icon to many, the seamstress who sewed the first U.S. flag because of a personal commission from George Washington. But is i...

Short Stuff: Thread Count

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is thread count all it's cracked up to be? Listen in and find out in today's edition of Short Stuff! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www....

SYSK Live: The Kellogg Brothers’ Wacky World of Health

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There’s no way you haven’t had one of their breakfast cereals, but we bet you don’t know the story behind the two brothers who brought the world...

SYSK Selects: How Lobotomies Work

19 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lobotomies -- brain surgeries to relieve psychiatric problems -- are rarely performed today, but they were once fairly common. Tune in to learn more a...

The July 20th Plot to Assassinate Hitler

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people in Hitler's inner circle wanted him dead toward the end of the war. But he proved impossible to kill from within. Listen in today as J...

Short Stuff: Olestra

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the 90s a fat free miracle food came out that promised we could eat all we wanted and not gain weight. But there was a caveat: it could also make y...

How Airbags Work

15 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out that the inflatable bag of air that shoots out of your steering wheel or dashboard is the result of a controlled explosion of solid fuel,...

SYSK Selects: How Schizophrenia Works

12 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Up to 24 million people worldwide have schizophrenia. Despite the vast amounts of research, the disorder remains mysterious. In this episode, Josh and...

The Great Finger in the Wendy’s Chili Caper

10 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In 2005 a woman named Anna Alaya discovered a length of human finger – nail and all – in her Wendy’s chili. Her cries of disgust would set off a...

Short Stuff: How Often Do You Need To Change Your Oil?

09 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

First things, first: Take that oil change reminder sticker off your windshield and throw it away forever and never look back!  Learn more about your...

How the Spanish Flu Worked

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Spanish Flu killed anywhere from 20-100 million or more people over 1918/1919. All of this played out with World War I in the foreground, one big ...

SYSK Selects: How Munchausen Syndrome Works

05 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why would someone fake an illness? Here's an even better question: Why would someone repeatedly make themselves sick? Join Josh and Chuck as they sepa...

What was the Tunguska event?

03 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In 1908, the most powerful meteoroid explosion in recorded history happened over a remote area of Siberia. But the weird thing is there was no impact ...

Short Stuff: Khipu

02 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Listen in to learn all about the fascinating "language" of the Incan khipu knotted ropes.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod...

Rockettes: Still Kicking After All These Years

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in today to learn all about the legendary NYC Rockettes, who actually got their start in Missouri.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/...

SYSK Selects: How Fossils Work

29 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A fossil is a piece of once-living organic material that has undergone a transition from an organic state to an inorganic state. But what exactly is f...

Dr. Seuss: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Seuss is loose in this episode about legendary children's book author Ted Geisel. The funny thing is, he didn't ever want children of his own, and...

Short Stuff: The Brain-Bladder Connection

26 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How much do you know about the brain-bladder connection? In about 15 minutes, it'll be a lot more.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www....

SYSK Live Christmas Spectacular!

25 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This year, Josh and Chuck go live for their annual Christmas Spectacular. Recorded from the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, pour up some eggnog, ligh...

SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978

22 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 ...

E.T.: Is It Really the Worst Video Game of All Time?

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

If you play video games you probably have an easy answer to worst game of all time: ET. But it turns out there are no easy answers, especially when yo...

Short Stuff: Unique Snowflakes

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Amazingly, it turns out that every snowflake truly is unique. Math backs it up.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor...

Geodesic Domes: The Wave of the Future That Wasn't

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes a good idea doesn’t pan out in real life. Take Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome: It requires less energy to heat and cool, it’s chea...

SYSK Selects: How Igloos Work

15 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Igloos were traditionally used by Inuit Indians as temporary shelter while on hunting and fishing trips. In this episode, Josh and Chuck look at the d...

Are good samaritan laws effective?

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Good samaritan laws have been around for many years, helping to provide legal protections for people who try to help other people. But do they work? D...

Short Stuff: Laughing Buddha

12 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that the friendly, smiling Buddha we all know from bars and restaurants isn't really Buddha? Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/...

How Ayahuasca Works

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One day in the Amazon Basin, a shaman put together a plant containing DMT with a vine that allows the body to absorb DMT. The combination, a foul-tast...

SYSK Selects: That Dang-old Goat Fell Over

08 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Due to a condition known as Thomsen's disease, the muscles of fainting goats tense up whenever the animal is startled. In this episode, Josh and Chuck...

Was the PMRC censorship in disguise?

06 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Parents Music Resource Center in the 1980s was really just censorship in disguise. But it kind of backfired. Learn all about Tipper Gore's crusade...

Short Stuff: Dolphin Detectors

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

They don’t actually disarm mines, but navies around the world use dolphins to find and tag sea mines so humans can disarm the mines themselves. But ...

How Search and Rescue Dogs Work

04 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

All dogs are great, but some dogs work harder than others. Or play harder, depending on your view. Learn all about the good boys and girls who find lo...