Stuff You Should Know

How Alumin(i)um Works

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans made it through the Bronze Age and Iron Age, then we dabbled in steel, and now we are living in the Aluminum Age. The metal is so ubiquitous it...

Short Stuff: Suicide Forest

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The suicide forest in Japan is a beautiful place with a checkered reputation. Trigger Warning: This episode features a discussion of suicide. If you o...

The Stinky History of Human Hygiene

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered when and why people started caring about body odors and cleanliness? Well look no further than today's episode. See omnystudio.com/list...

Selects: How Audience Testing Works

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know some of our most beloved movies originally had different, sometimes better, endings? That is until they were tested in front of focus gro...

Is Reality Real?

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Philosophers have been wondering whether we experience reality as it is for millennia now. They’ve pretty much settled on no, no we don’t. Now sci...

Short Stuff: DNA Data Storage

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more futuristic things around right now on Earth is research into encoding data into strings of genetic code.See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Why Manners?

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keeping your elbows off the table, keeping your fingers out of the gravy boat – at some point these became very important rules of etiquette. But wh...

Selects: Pterosaurs: Not Flying Dinosaurs

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost everything you know about pterosaurs is wrong. They weren't birds, they weren't flying dinosaurs and they weren't all pterodactyls. Which makes...

What's the deal with intermittent fasting?

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Could eating at only certain times of the day lead to weight loss? Possibly! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Rube Goldberg

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows what a Rube Goldberg machine is, but what do you know about the cartoonist who they're named after?See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

The Saga of Milli Vanilli

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For a moment Milli Vanilli was the hottest musical act in the world. Then came the news that it was just that, an act, and the fall came swiftly and h...

Selects: How Color Works

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Science doesn't have a good explanation for why we sense color, yet it is everywhere and affecting us all the time. But why should minutely different ...

The Semi-Recent History of Exercise

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans exercising for better health has not been around that long. Today we dive into this fun history as we cover why and when we started this now co...

Short Stuff: Pollen Count

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you watch the news and hear the pollen count is high for some particular type of plant then it’s high time you learned how they do that.See omnys...

What is the Bechdel Test?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Bechdel Test is a is a measure of the representation of women in film. You'd be surprised how many movies fail. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Selects: How Dog Shows Work

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know those shows where people wearing sensible shoes jog dogs around in circles? They actually represent the pinnacle of a long and complex path t...

How Juries Work

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s totally bonkers that in the US and other countries, the job of determining the guilt or innocence of an accused criminal – whose life may be ...

Short Stuff: Mood Rings

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mood Rings were all the rage in the 1970s. Then they went away, and fast. What's your color today?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inflammation Theory of Disease

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not too long ago we thought that germs were the cause of most diseases, leading to germ theory. But when we look at maladies from heart disease to Alz...

Selects: How Slinky Works

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It has been called a "glorified spring", but Slinky is one of the best selling toys of all time. From accidental origins to an unlikely resurrection, ...

How TV Weathercasters Work

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TV weather people can seem corny and maybe a little nerdy, but beneath that toothsome exterior lies the heart of a lonely warrior of science, one who ...

Short Stuff: Frances Kelsey: Hero of the FDA

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Who is Frances Kelsey? Well, she's a semi-unsung hero of the FDA whose work helped save a lot of kids from congenital disorders and even death. Listen...

The Colosseum

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's funny how similar The Colosseum in Rome is to modern day arenas. They really had it figured out. Tune in today to learn all about this early ente...

Selects: Does the body replace itself?

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does the human body really replace itself every few years? The answer is yes, but different parts of the body do so at different rates. Learn all abou...

Introducing Smell-O-Vision!

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Smell-O-Vision was a post-war movie theater gimmick that delivered well-timed scents to the noses of audiences to align with the movie. Did it work? S...

Short Stuff: Dunbar's Number

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a theory that all of us have a maximum number of friendships that we can maintain – 150, to be exact. Suspiciously exact, really, if you t...

Nerf!

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another classic toys edition is at your collective feet. Today, we dive into the soft, padded world of NERF!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Selects: How Manhunts Work

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When a suspect or prisoner goes on the lam there are plenty of ways to hide: in plain sight, in the mountains, in another country. There are as many t...

Carbon Monoxide: Please Just Listen Anyway

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It might not be the sexiest topic we’ve ever covered (and by “might”, we mean “definitely”), but there are some things you just need to lear...

Short Stuff: Botox Brain

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Botox can chase away the lines on your face, apparently it can chase away your depression, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety too.See omnyst...

Why does everyone love Dolly Parton?

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 omnyst...

Selects: Was There A Real Robin Hood?

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that Robin Hood hung out in Sherwood Forest and stole from the rich to give to the poor? No. No, it’s not. Find out the real story in thi...

METI: Existential Threat? Probably Yes

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've wanted to contact extraterrestrials for as long as we've suspected they're out there. But as we get better and locating potentially inhabited pl...

Short Stuff: Routines

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Routines are a key part of a successful life. Ask anybody about theirs and they'll be happy to share!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

Should Rich Countries Cancel Poor Countries’ Debt?

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It sounds controversial, but there are persuasive arguments for the wealthy Global North to write off the debts lower-income nations have accrued. Som...

Selects: How Coffins Work

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, you've probably laid in one at the store or a funeral home, but how much do you know about receptacles used to bury the dead? We'll bet you'll l...

John Brinkley: The Quackiest Quack in History?

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Brinkley was perhaps the biggest quack who ever claimed to be practicing medicine. Learn all about this not so good guy today!See omnystudio.com/...

Short Stuff: Red Snow

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thanks to green algae, there's such a thing as red snow. And we've recently found it can accelerate global warming. Look out!See omnystudio.com/listen...

How Skydiving Works

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At 13,000 feet the ground is nothing but far-away squares of land, and you can even see some clouds below you. All of a sudden you find yourself plumm...

Selects: Some Nutso Fan Theories

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out that the characters in your favorite TV shows and the like are actually dead, dreaming, dying or don't exist. Explore some strange fan th...

Playing Cards? You Got That Right!

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wanted to learn more about playing cards, now is your big chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Beethoven’s DNA

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been all over the news, Beethoven's DNA has revealed some interesting things about his health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

What Caused the Late Bronze Age Collapse?

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans’ first attempt at civilization went pretty well for the first thousand years. Important stuff like the wheel, writing, math, art, and diploma...

Selects: How Jet Lag Works

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was only since 1958 that the Jet Age began, and jet lag became a real condition. Also known as desynchronosis, jet lag can lead to all manner of ai...

What's the deal with dowsing?

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dowsing, aka water-witching has been around a long time. And you might be surprised that's still a thing. We get into all the nitty gritty of this pse...

Short Stuff: Theme Park Cremations

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a little-discussed trend you might run into at your favorite theme park – people scattering the ashes of a loved one on rides. Here's hopi...

The First Road Trip

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 is th...

Selects: Is The Uncanny Valley Real?

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori wrote an essay that said the closer robots come to lifelike, the more they unsettle humans. His theory became the Un...

An Interesting, Vastly Incomplete Look at Baseball Cards

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the all-stars of the hobby world is collecting baseball cards. Over time it’s gone from a kids’ hobby to a major investment vehicle, comple...

Short Stuff: Semantic Satiation

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You know when you read a word over and over it starts to lose its meaning? There’s a term for that and why it happens is fascinating.See omnystudio....

The Tragic Tale of Floyd Collins

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Floyd Collins was a natural-born caver who met a terrible fate, becoming stuck underground where no one could get him loose. His unlucky, slowly unfol...

Selects: Do People Really Run Off to Join the French Foreign Legion?

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone who knows anything about Jean-Claude Van Damme knows he played a French legionnaire in the movies. He was just one of many actors to star in fi...

Arcades: Nostalgia Abounds

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck and Josh were around during the Golden Age of the arcade. And look how they turned out! Join them on a trip down memory lane. See omnystudio.co...

Short Stuff: John Cage's 639 Year Concert

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Cage was a unique artist to say the least. Learn all about this avant-garde composer today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's Amaro!

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amaro is a delicious traditional liqueur, usually from Italy, that has delighted diners and drinkers for centuries. Tune in to learn all about this wo...

Selects: The Time Nazis Invaded Florida

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During World War II, Nazis invaded the United States with saboteurs bent on fomenting chaos. Three times. Learn all about it in this classic episode.S...

Woodstock: The Festival for Stardust, Golden Hippies

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard your parents or – gasp – grandparents prattle on about how amazing the original 1969 Woodstock Festival was. It turns out that,...

Short Stuff: Paprika

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paprika is more than a smoky Hungarian spice. Actually, that's not true, that's exactly what it is. But it sure is delicious!See omnystudio.com/listen...

Noncompete Agreements, Come On

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A noncompete agreement, a pledge not to work for a competitor for a set amount of time, makes sense – when the worker is well compensated and privy ...

Selects: Live From San Francisco: How Malls Work

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic show recorded live on January 5, 2017 at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, Josh and Chuck delve into the history and the heyday of the...

Crosswords episode, perhaps?

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Crossword puzzles have an interesting history and are a lot of fun to do. Dive in today to learn about Chuck's latest obsession.See omnystudio.com/lis...

Short Stuff: La Pascualita

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico a mannequin has been standing in the window since the 1930s that’s so lifelike some say it’s actually a corp...

The Awe-Inspiring, Absolutely Crucial Amazon

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve ever thought, “What’s the Amazon rainforest ever done for me? Nothin, that’s what,” then you’re dead wrong, friend. It covers 1 ...

Selects: Who Committed the 1912 Villisca Ax Murders?

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a small town in Iowa in 1912 eight people were murdered in the grisliest of ways while they slept. Local reputations were ruined when accusations f...

Naps: Chuck's Secret Talent

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Naps are great if you can manage to find the space to take them. The trick is to do it for the right amount of time. We get into all in the ins and ou...

Short Stuff: Sleeping On It

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s pretty well known that if you wait to make a big decision until after you get some sleep, you’re likelier to make a good one. But why should ...

The Mystery of the Lost Amber Room

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck and Josh turn into the Hardy Boys for one of the great unsolved mysteries of WWII, a work of art worth a king’s ransom that went missing in 19...

Selects: The Max Headroom Affair

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club was not in Los Angeles, but Kentucky. Which happened to be Las Vegas before Vegas was Vegas. Confused? Liste...

Short Stuff: Beulah Mae Donald

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In 1981 a Mobile mother of six was forced into the role of civil rights activist when the Klan murdered her son and she was moved to fight back.See om...

The Glorious Flamingo

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Flamingos are much more than just pretty pink birds. They are in fact, quite remarkable! Listen and learn…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Selects: Cave Diving: Totally Nuts

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are extreme sports and then there is cave diving, the most extreme activity a person can engage in without leaving Earth. Cave divers stay under...

How (O)possums Work

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Chuck take a listener’s suggestion – many, many suggestions – and learn that possums are pretty great and very much misunderstood. By t...

Short Stuff: No Shirt, No Shoes, WTF

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You can thank your parents and grandparents for the longstanding ban against dining shirtless and shoeless. While the concept was around, it mushroome...

Honey: Nature's Wonder Sugar

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 omnystud...

Selects: How Easy Bake Ovens Work

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Easy Bake Ovens are as iconic as a toy can get, as American as apple pie or baseball. Learn all about these light bulb cooking, working ovens that end...

The Largely Equine History of Veterinary Medicine

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Vets have been around for a long time, but mainly to care for horses. When horse travel went away, guess who saved the profession? Dogs!See omnystudio...

Short Stuff: Bird Migration

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where are all those birds flying anyway? How do they decide? When do they do it? All of these questions, and more, are answered in this week's ep.See ...

Must We Suffer Emotional Pain?

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s part of the human condition, to feel the pain of sorrow, loss, embarrassment. But isn’t it kind of weird that an overwhelming emotion can cau...

Selects: Elephants: The Best Animals?

28 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Elephants are pretty much the best. Why? Josh and Chuck will let you know in great detail in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

How Attachment Theory Works

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A theory in the field of psychology has become so pervasive, it’s generally taken on faith that it’s true. It says that how your parents respond t...

Short Stuff: Adam's Apples and Throat Lumps

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week's short stuff is all about throat lumps and Adam's apples.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's Talk About John DeLorean

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John DeLorean: visionary, car maker extraordinaire, buyer of large amounts of cocaine, provider of time machine chassis. There is a lot to understand ...

Selects: How Game Shows Work

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join Josh and Chuck and a whole bunch of great people at the Gothic Theatre in Denver for this live show on game shows and their place in cultures aro...

Toast: As in browned bread

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Toast is bread that has been browned by heat. It's delicious. This is our ode to toast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Women Pirates

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Golden Age of Pirates didn’t have just men floating on the high seas. Some women became very successful pirates and today you’ll learn about t...

The Louisiana Purchase: Not a Purchase

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Turns out the Louisiana Purchase was not so much a purchase, but the right to (steal) purchase it from indigenous peoples. But it did transform the Un...

Selects: How Therapeutic Hypothermia Works

14 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Physicians noticed centuries ago that people exposed to cold temperatures often have amazing recoveries from serious medical emergencies. Now medicine...

How Tarot Works?

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is not a hit piece! Tarot helps plenty of people navigate their lives and reflect on their feelings – plus the art is unbelievable. We cover th...

Short Stuff: Forest Lawn Memorial Park

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Forest Lawn is no ordinary cemetery. Why? Listen in and find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Enron Fooled the World

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Until the 2007, the largest single corporate bankruptcy was Enron, a $67 billion energy trading company. Its decline was breathtaking, and while it’...

Selects: How Perfume Works

07 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Women consistently rate scent as the most important factor in a man's attractiveness and men have been manipulating that for centuries with scents of ...

When Mount St. Helens Blew Its Top

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mount St. Helen's is a lovely sight to behold, but was a pretty scary thing to be around in the Spring of 1980. Listen in to the harrowing story today...

Short Stuff: Dangers of Nose Picking

04 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t have to lie - everybody picks their nose. But did you know it can be life-threatening? It’s true and you can learn how in this episode.S...

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (not the song)

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Josh and Chuck delve into the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Not the song, but the maritime accident. Though the song makes an appearance.See o...

Selects: Could There Be A Loch Ness Monster?

31 Dec 2022

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...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Podcast Episode

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This one goes out to the SYSK Army as a special request. Let's do the time warp again!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Mesas: Flat

28 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mesas, buttes and plateaus are all very similar. We'll break down the differences in each one just to be sure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...

Juicy: The Fried Chicken Story

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fried chicken is Chuck’s favorite food, and Josh sure doesn’t dislike it. It is with this appreciation that SYSK plunges into the hot grease of fr...

Selects: Star Wars Holiday Spectacular

24 Dec 2022

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 ...