Stuff You Should Know

Squirrels, Ahoy!

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Squirrels are rodents, sure, but they’re rodents with personalities the size of Las Vegas and Detroit put together. Get to know your bushy-taile...

Selects: How Lizzie Borden Worked

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody knows how many whacks Lizzie Borden gave her mother and father with that axe, but there is plenty about the infamous double homicide that re...

Rhinoplasty, aka Nose Jobs

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nose jobs have been around a lot longer than you think. And the process is pretty interesting. Tune in for all things rhinoplasty. See omnystudio...

Short Stuff: Fainting At The Sight Of Blood

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As many as 15% of people faint when they see blood! And it’s not just blood that gets them. It can be an injury or even a needle. Learn about th...

What are land acknowledgments?

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Land acknowledgements are all the rage in some parts of the world. But they also open a can of worms if not done properly. Learn all about this increa...

Selects: How Champagne Works

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sure we can all agree that champagne is probably the greatest thing humans have or ever will invent, but how much do we understand how it's made? Lear...

Marcus Garvey: Black Moses

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the more controversial black leaders, Marcus Garvey divided black and white Americans with his assertion of black pride, and sowed division in ...

Short Stuff: Shar Pei

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we dive into the lovable folds of the Shar Pei.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mystery of Coal

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a mystery afoot! Almost all of the coal we use around the world was created in the same 60 million year period. Before or after that rel...

Selects: How Rodney Dangerfield Worked, Live From LA

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Other comedians cry on the inside, but Rodney Dangerfield built his entire act around his sad life. Get to know this legendary comic who was nearing 5...

Understudies: Hardest Workers on Broadway?

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Being an understudy is far more challenging than simply learning the lines of a lead actor in case of emergency. Learn all about these unsung stage he...

Short Stuff: Smelly Homes

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Does your house smell? No? What if we told you it’s impossible for you to know whether  it does or not?See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

“Postmodernism:”

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: The Baffling Case of the Body On Somerton Beach

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since his corpse was found in 1948, wearing a nice suit in summer on an Australian beach, an unidentified man has refused to fade into obscurity, grip...

Just Say No to... Bottled Water

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bottled water is huge business, and terrible for the environment. But where did this all start? Listen in and learn.See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Short Stuff: Salute the Grilled Cheese

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we pay tribute to the comfiest of comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christine Collins Story

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When Christine Collins' son disappeared in 1928, she thought that was the worst that could happen.  What followed was more upsetting than any par...

Selects: What happens to abandoned mines?

16 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know there are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the US, but the federal government knows where only 30,000 of them are? Learn about how t...

How Mensa Works

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us know Mensa’s a smart people club. And that Geena Davis is a member. But did you know it was originally intended as a rolodex when the...

Short Stuff: Animal Politicians

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Small towns around the world have a longstanding tradition of nominating – and voting for – animals in elected positions like mayor and so...

The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever been to Philadelphia then you've probably walked right by a Toynbee Tile embedded in the street. But what's the meaning on these myster...

Selects: A Partial History of Action Figures

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Action figures have a long and glorious history. From GI Joes to Star Wars figures, these offshoots of dolls came along at just the right time to capt...

The Delightful History of Pubs

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the wonderful history of the public house. So pull up a stool, grab a pint and have a listen.See omnystud...

Short Stuff: The Church Choir That Didn't Explode

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the most amazing coincidence ever documented took place when a church in a tiny town in Nebraska exploded in 1950.See omnystudio.com/listener ...

Watermelons: Nature's Gift to the World

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Turns out most people love watermelons. Why? Because they're delicious. And they also have a pretty interesting history. Check it out.See omnystudio.c...

Selects: How No-fly Zones Work

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They have become such a ubiquitous tool used by the UN and NATO to intervene in international crises, that it seems like no-fly zones have been around...

What’s NATO All About?

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

NATO formed at a time when Russia threatened Europe as a potential invader. Then the Soviet Union broke up and NATO lost its way for a bit. Now Russia...

Short Stuff: Greenbrier Bunker

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Greenbrier Bunker was a secret nuclear hideout for Congress, until it wasn't. Once it was exposed as a thing, it ceased to be a thing. Listen in t...

How Light Pollution Works

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Artificial light at night, aka light pollution, affects almost everyone on Earth. And not just people – trees, plants, animals, insects, and mar...

Selects: The Tylenol Murders, Part II

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The panic that began in Chicago spreads and begins to change the world. The investigation into the murders turns up leads and suspects, but still no o...

Selects: The Tylenol Murders, Part I

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On one terrible day in Chicago in 1982, seven people died suddenly and mysteriously. In just a matter of hours, it becomes clear, someone has poisoned...

The Truth Behind Cage-Free and Free-Range

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Short Stuff: Magnet Fishing

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Magnet fishing has nothing to do with fish. It's more like metal detecting in waterways. Please enjoy our take!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Why was Titicut Follies banned?

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Titicut Follies is a documentary made famous by its banning. But why was it banned? And what was it even about? Listen in to learn all you need to kno...

Selects: How Hate Works

19 Mar 2022

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...

How Rewilding Works

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A big new push toward nature conservation (and saving the planet) is based on a simple premise: remove humans from the equation and let nature take it...

Short Stuff: Nose Breathing

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nose breathing > mouth breathing for many reasons. Listen and learn!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Operation Northwoods: The False Flag Op That Never Was

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is presumably some very dark, very depressing stuff in the annals of America’s secret history. But perhaps the darkest classified document...

Selects: A Brief Overview of Punk Rock

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Punk rock really needs about 10 episodes to do it justice, but we'll try and tackle anyway. Learn all about this movement right now in this classic ep...

Aleister Crowley: Blowhard Narcissist?

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Aleister Crowley was known as the "wickedest man in the world." But was he really just a blowhard narcissist? You decide! Learn more about your ad-ch...

Short Stuff: Great Smog of London

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 1952 London was gripped by a acrid smog that settled throughout the city so thickly residents couldn’t see their own feet on the sidewalk. Learn...

Behold, National Parks!

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The National Park system is one of America's great achievements. We'll take you on a journey, from sea to shining sea, in today's episode.  Learn mo...

Selects: How Tabloids Work

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having started as an egalitarian answer to 19th-century newspapers, tabloids came to peddle shock and sleaze. They've cleaned up a bit, but they remai...

How Effective Altruism Works

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A branch of philanthropy led by philosophers is dedicated to finding the most impactful ways to help humans survive and thrive. Anyone can find that a...

Short Stuff: Friends of Dorothy

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The gay community had to use code not too many years ago and one way they identified was as “Friends of Dorothy.” So who was Dorothy? Learn more ...

What's the deal with phantom pain?

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Phantom pain is when you sense pain from a lost limb. We don't entirely know how why, but we have some ideas. Listen in to find out.  Learn more abo...

Selects: Is the Pied Piper About a Real Historic Tragedy?

26 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the German town of Hameln a tragedy that took place on a specific date in 1284 and befell specifically 130 children is commemorated every year. Asi...

How Mindfulness Works

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What has become a buzz word for corporate retreats and a way to get a discount on your health insurance is, at its core, a powerful, centuries-old Bud...

Short Stuff: Commensalism

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What's commensalism? Sort of nature's way of sponging off something, but that something doesn't mind. If that doesn't make sense, take 12 minutes to l...

The Improbable Story of Martin Guerre

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Like most 16th-century French peasants, Martin Guerre’s life seemed likely to be lost to history. But a strange series of events took place that wou...

Selects: How Moss Works

19 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Think you have moss figured out? You probably don't. Join Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they explore some of the surprising aspects of the...

The Ins and Outs of Albinism

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we dive into the science behind the genetic condition albinism, which is not pronounced how you think it is.  Learn more about your ad-choices...

Short Stuff: Cassowary

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Australia is home to a kind of bird that is the second largest in the world and can kill a human being, making it the closest living version of a velo...

Leeches: Oh Hell No!

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Leeches are pretty creepy. They feed on blood, they stick to you body. We get it. But they're also pretty fascinating and worthy of discussion.  Lea...

Selects: The Ins and Outs of Beekeeping

12 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Who wants fresh honey? We do! Learn all about the ancient art of beekeeping today in this classic episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:...

Littering: Not Cool

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The history of litter is in lock step with the history of disposable packaging. Learn all about this nasty habit today. Learn more about your ad-choi...

Short Stuff: Schmidt Stinging Pain Index

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to know how the pain from that yellowjacket sting on your arm compares to stings from other insects, you need look no further than the bod...

The Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The largest ever kidnapping case in the United States went down in the small town of Chowchilla, CA. Learn all about it today.  Learn more about you...

Selects: What's the Deal With Staring?

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gazing too long upon another person is almost universally viewed as anywhere from impolite to hostile, which is odd considering science isn't fully ce...

How the Nobel Peace Prize Works

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Nobel Peace Prize is perhaps the most prestigious award in the world, yet there are plenty of other similar awards. What is it about this one that...

Short Stuff: Firewalking

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s pretty amazing to see a human walk over a bed of hot coals – until you learn the physics beneath it. Then it’s just fairly impressive. Lea...

How Tacos Work

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Taco Tuesday! If you like eating tacos, you’re going to love learning all about them in this delectable episode. You’ll realize how much yo...

Selects: How Sloths Work

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows sloths are super slow, but do you know they’re slow because their bodies produce an astoundingly small amount of energy? And did you ...

How Forgiveness Works

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For most of history, forgiveness fell under the domain of religion. But in the 1980s science started investigating it and found that forgiving someone...

Short Stuff: Arctic Fox

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Arctic Fox is one of the cutest critters on the planet. It also has an amazing ability to survive the coldest temps on Earth. Dive into the snow a...

Tug of War

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tug of War is a simple display of strength, but is there more to it than that? Listen in to find out.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://w...

Selects: How SETI Works

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SETI stands for 'search for extraterrestrial intelligence,' and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in ...

How Classified Information Works

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The government loves to mark just about any information as secret, which wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t so contrary to running a healthy demo...

Short Stuff: Jaywalking

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jaywalking is a crime. Sort of. But why? Learn all about this weird law today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c...

Rock Paper Scissors: Decider of Things

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rock Paper Scissors is a child's game. But it's more than that if you can believe it, and it has a pretty cool history as well.  Learn more about yo...

Selects: Project Azorian: The CIA's Super 70s Mission To Steal A Sunken Soviet Sub

15 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 1974 the CIA undertook one of its most brazen operations – secretly raising a sunken Soviet submarine lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean rig...

What were the black codes?

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The black codes were proposed laws that basically tried to keep a form of slavery alive and well after the end of the Civil War. It didn't last long b...

Short Stuff: Fortune Cookies

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Everything you thought you knew about fortune cookies is wrong. Learn all the right stuff in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:...

The Circleville Poison Pen Letters Mystery

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For 20 years, a tiny town in Ohio was held enrapt by the prolific author of a series of unhinged letters. By the time they abruptly stopped, the lette...

Selects: Carl Sagan: American Hero

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Carl Sagan was the world's first mainstream media super scientist, capapble of breaking down complex ideas for the common folk. But what made him tick...

Ants! Part 2!

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The exciting conclusion of Ants Part 2! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Short Stuff: The Casket Racket

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

And you thought we were done with talking about funeral homes. Well guess again! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork...

Ants! Part 1!

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ants are pretty much amazing. So we're gonna spend two episodes talking all about them. Please enjoy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www...

Selects: Horoscopes: Written in the Stars?

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people read their daily horoscopes, but does anyone really take stock in them? Turns out the answer is yes, even though there is no evidence ...

Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

No, we didn’t find another international distress signal we forgot to mention in our Mayday! Short Stuff, we’re just that jazzed about our episode...

Short Stuff: Traffic Signals

29 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The history of traffic signals is way more interesting than you might think. Trust us.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas...

Unsung Heroes of the Court

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Attorneys and judges get all the press. What about bailiffs, court reporters and sketch artists? Yeah, let's give them their due.  Learn more about ...

Selects: How Tipping Works

25 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tipping is commonly expected in some places, such as U.S. restaurants. Yet this practice varies across cultures. Join trivia gurus (and former waiters...

SYSK’s 2021 Glad Tidings Bonanza Holiday Special

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Josh and Chuck’s holiday mojo has returned and they’re back in the saddle to rustle up some holiday cheer. So put on your comfiest sweater, ugly o...

Short Stuff: Christmas Cards

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You ever thought about where those cards you send out during the holidays came from? Prepare to do just that! Learn more about your ad-choices at htt...

How Snowmen (And Snowwomen) Work

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The details may vary but building snowmen is pretty much universal where there’s snow. Humans have probably been making them for tens of thousands o...

Selects: Star Wars Holiday Spectacular

18 Dec 2021

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 ...

Kidney Stones: No! Please, NO!

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kidney stones are widely considered the most painful affliction a person can endure, even worse than labor. And in rare cases they can even kill. Lear...

Short Stuff: Charity Tips

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's the end of the year so we thought we might give you some advice on how to better pick out a charity, Short Stuff style. Learn more about your ad...

Palm Trees: Technically, Giant Plants

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Palm trees. You see them all over the world and for good reason. There are more than 2,500 varieties. Learn all about these giant plants today.  Lea...

Selects: How the Terracotta Army Works

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In 1974, Chinese farmers discovered the first of what would number 7,000 terracotta soldiers meant to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife. ...

What's the deal with blue people?

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The famous blue people of Kentucky are no longer blue. But why were they like that in the first place?  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://...

Short Stuff: Funny Bone

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hitting your funny bone doesn’t just hurt, it feels really weird too. That’s because you’re not hitting a bone at all, but instead the most vuln...

Why Do Great Flood Myths Seem To Be Universal?

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Selects: What Is Collective Hysteria?

04 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Your Gut Is Also A Brain

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your gut – not your spare tire, but your digestive tract – is deceptively smart. Not only does it handle processing food and nutrients, but the hu...

Short Stuff: SINA

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the 1950s a group dedicated to clothing animals out of a sense or morality gained momentum. “A nude horse is a rude horse!” was their battle cr...

The Twisted History of Dentistry

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you think going to the dentist now is not fun, just wait until you hear about what they did in the Middle Ages.  Learn more about your ad-choices...

Selects: Why Do Lefties Exist?

27 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For at least the last 200,000 years, between 10-15% of the human population are left-handed and this fact has utterly left science baffled. In searchi...

Python-a-palooza!

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pythons are big snakes. Really big. But there's more to them than their size. Learn all about these big daddies in today's episode.  Learn more abou...