Stuff You Should Know
Episodes
Are contrails actually chemtrails?
17 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
You know those trails that jets leave in the sky? While science has explained why they happen, plenty of conspiracy theorists believe there's more to ...
What's the deal with the Bermuda Triangle?
12 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
There's roughly 500,000 squares miles encompassed in a triangle with points in Miami, Bermuda and San Juan. There shouldn't be anything different abou...
Can you vacation in Antarctica?
10 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The answer is yes, but there's a lot more to traveling to the southernmost continent. Learn why emperor penguins don't make eye contact with humans, w...
Was there a curse on King Tut's tomb?
05 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
When Howard Carter opened Tutankhamen's tomb, some believe he unleashed a curse on everyone associated with his expedition. But there's no such thing ...
How Yo-Yos Work
03 Jan 2012
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...
Coffee: The World's Drug of Choice
29 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There's a 98 percent chance you're drinking coffee right now. Maybe not, sure, but coffee is ubiquitous - about 80 percent of Americans consume coffee...
What happens in the brain during an orgasm?
27 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Chuck and Josh test the limits of their decorum as they explore the physiology of an orgasm. Learn all about this inexplicably taboo subject (includin...
Josh and Chuck's Christmas Extravaganza
22 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why the poinsettia is the official plant of Christmas or why we hang stockings by the chimney with care? Join Chuck and Josh fo...
How Pepper Spray Works
20 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Lt. John Pike of the Davis, Calif., police department brought the wrath of the Internet on himself when he casually doused peaceful protestors with pe...
How Earthworms Work
15 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Earthworms come in a wide range of sizes: The average U.S. earthworm is 6 to 11 inches long, and the giant worms of Australia and South America can gr...
How the Digestive System Works
08 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The digestive system uses mechanical and chemical processes to absorb and transport all the nutrients your body needs to survive -- but how does it wo...
How Daylight Saving Time Works
06 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Franklin first came up with daylight saving time in 1748, and people still practice it today. But how does it work? What are the pros and con...
What made the donkey and the elephant political?
01 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Sure we take it for granted the elephant represents the Republican party and the donkey Democrats, but have you ever wondered why? Josh and Chuck expl...
Cash Debit or Credit: Which is best?
29 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Chuck and Josh take a stab at answering the age old question of whether cash or plastic is the best choice for paying your way through life. Join them...
How Thoroughbred Horses Work
24 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's been just 300 years since the Thoroughbred breed has been around, but it has produced some of the most storied animals humans have ever loved. Ch...
Crossbows: They Look Cool
22 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, they look cool. It's as if someone put a bow and a rifle together, but in fact crossbows predate firearms by a few thousand years. Learn all abo...
How Air Force One Works
17 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
As you might imagine, the President of the United States doesn't fly coach. But what exactly does he use when traveling from point A to point B, and h...
How Alcatraz Works
15 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, you've heard stories about Alcatraz. From high-profile escape attempts to tales of notorious inmates, the Rock is unique in American history. Bu...
How Presidential Debates Work
10 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The first televised Presidential debate had some odd results: The radio audience tended to believe Nixon won, while television viewers supported Kenne...
How Gene Patents Work
08 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Should a company be able to own the rights to something found inside your own body? In this episode, Chuck and Josh delve into the complicated, contro...
What Saved the American Bison
03 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The pre-colonial range of the American bison stretched from Canada to Mexico. From 1820 to 1880, the population dwindled from 30 million to just over ...
How the Autobahn Works
01 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The autobahn has an international reputation, and people around the world love the notion of driving on a road with no speed limits -- but how true is...
Berenice
27 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's Halloween again, and this year Chuck and Josh are ringing in the holiday with a special reading of the short story "Berenice," by Edgar Allan Poe...
How Anti-matter Spacecraft Will Work
25 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There may be a Bizarro World in our universe. Every particle has a mirror image with a reverse electrical charge, and when these opposites meet an ene...
Do you lose the right to privacy when you die?
20 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
If you live in a place where privacy is protected, the legal system keeps prying eyes from your personal information. But does that privacy extend bey...
The Nile IS Just a River in Egypt
18 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The Nile River has been flowing south to north for about 30 million years, and the human race's cradle may have been along the Blue Nile stemming from...
The Wind Cries Typhoid Mary
13 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In the 19th century, typhoid was considered a disease of the lower classes. When an outbreak occurred in wealthy Oyster Bay, New York, a mystery was a...
A Podcast on Zoot Suits? Yes
11 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Few riots can be attributed to passing fashions, but zoot suits are top among them. After originating among the Harlem Renaissance crowd, the zoot sui...
How the Peace Corps Works
06 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Since its inception, the Peace Corps has sent 200,000 members to 193 countries to deliver aid and good will through know-how rather than direct fundin...
How Silly Putty Works
04 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When the Japanese invaded Southeast Asia in World War II, they cut off America's rubber supply. Luckily, American can-do created a synthetic rubber an...
How U.S. Marshals Work
29 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Thought Chuck and Josh had already covered every law enforcement agency? Think again. The Marshals Service is the oldest law enforcement branch in the...
How Sword Swallowing Works
27 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Houdini suggested that sword swallowing was merely a trick. But there's no sleight of hand or throat to this ancient practice. Practitioners really do...
How Family Crests Work
22 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
After 800 years of creating coats and crests, some meaning has been lost to history, but much has been retained and is still in use. Find out what a m...
How Acne Works
20 Sep 2011
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...
How the Moon Works
15 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that science still doesn't know the exact origin of the moon? Do you know how the moon creates high and low tides? Do you know the differ...
How Casinos Work
13 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Gambling predates the written word; dice made of bones have been discovered at prehistoric sites. Today, the concept of amassing a fortune in moments ...
How the World Trade Center Memorial Works
08 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The World Trade Center was once a global symbol of progress. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, the area has undergone a massive rebuilding process. Chuck...
10 Scientists Who Were Their Own Guinea Pigs
06 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Over the centuries, some scientists have concluded that the best test subject is looking at them in the mirror. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore 10...
How Lie Detectors Work
01 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Instead of actually detecting lies, polygraph machines sense physiological variations, ostensibly brought on by guilt. The results are subject to inte...
Cryonics: Hi, Frozen Body!
30 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In 1964 The Prospect of Immortality laid out a plan for placing humans in suspended animation. The first person was placed in cryonic suspension three...
How Schizophrenia Works
23 Aug 2011
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...
How to Land on a Government Watch List
18 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Government's Consolidated Terrorist Watch List keeps track of people who are known or suspected terrorists. But what how do people end up on ...
How Murphy's Law Works, the Redux
16 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Years back, Josh recorded this show without Chuck, and the old version's omitted facts bugged him. In this new version, the pair delve into the people...
Laughter: What's so funny about that?
11 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The response to humor starts with electrical activity, potentially translating to physical responses that make up laughter. Science still can't pin do...
What's the future of the internet?
09 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's tough to predict the future. Instead, the future looks a lot like it does now: Faster data transfer rates, more social networking, ubiquitous mob...
Ethnobotany: How to Get Drugs from Plants
04 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In 1820, most of the drugs listed in the American Pharmacopoeia were plant-based; by 1960, it was a mere 5 percent. Yet in the late 20th century this ...
Can you sweat colors?
02 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A condition known as chromhidrosis can be jarring: The sufferer excretes colored sweat from the eccrine or the apocrine sweat glands. Join Josh and Ch...
How SPAM Works
28 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
SPAM is a canned meat product made from pork shoulder and ham. First introduced in 1937, this iconic food has spread to stores across the world. But w...
How Wildfires Work
26 Jul 2011
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 Karma Works
21 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
While it's kind of perverted in the West, the concept of karma is a central tenet of several Eastern religions. Karma isn't just good or bad -- it's a...
Does smiling make you happy?
19 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
You smile because you're happy, yet happiness research suggests the opposite can also hold true. Smiling may actually improve your mood. Open interpre...
Stuff You Should Know July 4th Extravaganza, Part 2: Baseball and Apple Pie
14 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What makes America unique? In the second segment of this special two-part episode, Josh and Chuck join up with guests from The Daily Show and The Onio...
Stuff You Should Know July 4th Extravaganza, Part 1: Mom
12 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What makes America unique? In the first segment of this special two-part episode, Josh and Chuck join up with guests from The Daily Show and The Onion...
How Human Cannonballs Work
07 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There's no question that human cannonballs are daredevils. They pack themselves into the confines of huge cannons, which shoot them into the air. But ...
How Hate Works
05 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Hate is generally defined as an extreme hostility to something or someone, usually stemming from fear, anger or a sense of injury. But how does it wor...
Who was America's first murderer?
30 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
John Billington didn't just sign the Mayflower Compact -- he was also the colony's first criminal, and had the dubious honor of being the first Europe...
How Asteroid Mining Could Work
28 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There may be trillions of dollars' worth of resources in asteroids, and some scientists believe we could mine nearby asteroids. Join Josh and Chuck as...
How Suicide Bombers Work
21 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It 1981 the first modern suicide bomber blew himself up. But this was by no means the first suicide bombing. Israeli psychologists evaluated the motiv...
How Curiosity Works
16 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Alternately hailed a crucial part of the human condition or accused of killing cats, curiosity remains a subject of debate among researchers. Where do...
How Military Snipers Work
14 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Military snipers always work in pairs, and they're called force multipliers because of the profound effect a two-man team can have on a rival military...
Was Malthus right about carrying capacity?
09 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Thomas Malthus concluded that humanity is bound to outgrow Earth's carrying capacity. The prediction was based on humanity's exponential growth and th...
How the Underground Railroad Worked
07 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
As early as 1786, groups assembled to help slaves escape lives of bondage. And, as the 19th century progressed, the emergent Underground Railroad grew...
How Fear Works
02 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Fear results from your brain's reaction to a stressful stimulus, and -- though it may be unpleasant -- it plays a crucial role in the life of every hu...
How Nicotine Works
31 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Sure, nicotine doesn't cause cancer, but it does rearrange the brain's reward system. Humans have been ingesting this plant for more than 6,000 years,...
How do I start my own country?
26 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Whether through revolution, colonization or other means, every country has its start somewhere. But how does the process work? Join Josh and Chuck as ...
What is terror management theory?
24 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Terror management theory isn't about mid-level bureaucrats in Al-Qaeda -- so what exactly is it, and what does it say about human culture and our perc...
What is parallel evolution?
19 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In the process of parallel evolution, two seemingly unrelated species living in isolation can evolve surprisingly similar traits -- but how does it wo...
Can the sun kill you?
17 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Could the sun, typically known for providing light and warmth, kill us? The Apollo 17 mission almost resulted in tragedy due to a mega-flare -- and as...
How Con Artists Work
12 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
They say you can't con an honest man, and that's key to thwarting cons; if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Learn how to avoid everythin...
What is mountaintop removal mining?
10 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Mountaintop removal mining is (to say the least) a controversial practice. But what exactly is it, how does it work and -- most importantly -- why sho...
A Podcast to Remember (How Memory Works)
05 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
How does memory work? How is internet access changing the function of the human brain? In this podcast, Josh and Chuck take a closer look at the scien...
How Parkour Works
03 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The art of parkour is an astonishing combination of agility and physical strength pursued across the world -- but how does it work? Join Josh and Chuc...
How Rollercoasters Work, Minus the Fun
28 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're a rollercoaster fan or avoid them like the plague, there's no denying that these contraptions are striking examples of physics at work....
How Wills Work
21 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's oral, scrawled in blood or signed on a deathbed everyone should have a will. But how do they actually work? Join Chuck and Josh as they e...
Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me
19 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Flies: They're disgusting, disease-spreading flying machines. They're also really fascinating. Flies taste with their feet, smell with their antennae ...
How Molecular Gastronomy Works
12 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
After botching a particularly tricky dish, molecular chemist Herve This decided to figure out why his recipe didn't work. He ended up creating a new f...
Does oil speculation increase gas prices?
07 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In an uncertain economy, investors often flock to commodities like oil, trading oil futures in a derivative market. Some believe this creates an artif...
Sherpas: Warm, Friendly Living
05 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Pop quiz: What word denotes a nation of people, a last name and an occupation? If you guessed 'Sherpa,' then congratulations: You're correct. But what...
SYSK Live from SXSW: How UFOs Work
31 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Josh and Chuck ditch the studio and head west -- south by southwest, in fact -- to record a live podcast in Austin, Texas. Tune in an...
How Igloos Work
29 Mar 2011
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...
That Dang-old Goat Fell Over
24 Mar 2011
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...
How a Nuclear Meltdown Works
22 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The recent disaster in Japan has caused massive damage and killed thousands -- but that's not all: The Fukushima nuclear plant may possibly be on the ...
Why's that dude in that dumpster?
17 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Freegans prefer scavenging, volunteering and squatting to the more mainstream consumer practices of buying, working and renting a home. But how does t...
How Mummies Work
15 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A mummy is a human being whose soft tissue has been preserved after death, and there are mummies around the world -- including natural mummies, as wel...
Is it legal to sterilize addicts?
10 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's a controversial idea, to say the least: If evidence shows that addicts tend to be irresponsible, abusive parents, then why should they have child...
Cults: Who is this "The Leader?"
08 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Cults are conventionally understood to be unestablished, non-mainstream religious groups that follow a single leader. So what does it take to be the l...
How Fossils Work
03 Mar 2011
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...
Were U.S. citizens in Japanese internment camps?
01 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
During World War II, the U.S. interned more than 100,000 Japanese and Japanese-American citizens. In this episode, Chuck and Josh recount the events t...
What is stagflation?
24 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When high inflation, slow growth and high employment combine, they result in an unfortunate economic situation known as stagflation. But what exactly ...
How Tickling Works
22 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What's the deal with tickling? Why does it make people laugh, and what's the science behind the reaction? Join Chuck and Josh and listen in as they de...
How Crime Scene Photography Works
17 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Crime scene photography is a crucial aspect of forensic investigation, but it's by no means a new part of detective work. In this episode, Chuck and J...
How Blood Pattern Analysis Works
15 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Numerous television shows feature blood pattern analysis -- but how do these fictional portrayals measure up to the real thing? Tune in as Chuck and J...
How the Black Death Worked
10 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The Black Death was gruesome: Symptoms included tumors, purple splotches, fevers and vomiting. But how did this disease manage to spread from the Gobi...
How Bartering Works
08 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Bartering is an ancient practice. With the emergence of money-based transactions, it's no wonder that people might think bartering is a thing of the p...
How Munchausen Syndrome Works
01 Feb 2011
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...
How to Control a Riot
27 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's no secret that people in crowds will behave differently than they would if they were alone. In a riot, individuals may exhibit a drastic change i...
What has the world's deadliest venom?
25 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Venom isn't unique to snakes -- animals like scorpions, spiders, jellyfish and even platypuses can all use venom. Join Chuck and Josh as they explore ...
Can oceans power the world?
20 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Oceans cover more than 70 percent of Earth's surface. But could the kinetic power of the tides or the oceans' thermal energy become the world's future...
How the Mafia Works
18 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Many people are familiar with depictions of the Mafia in film, but what's the real story? Join Chuck and Josh as they break the infamous code of silen...
Does acupuncture work?
13 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the precepts of Taoism, and for thousands of years it has been used to treat a range of ailments....