Part-Time Genius

Copyright: 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

Does Pizza Bring Out the Worst In People? Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Everyone says money is the root of all evil... but are you 100% certain it isn’t pizza? Will and Mango take a deep dive into a shallow dish (more of a pan, really) to discuss pizza wars, mafia ties, and why the proper term for a pizza rat in Australia is a Charlie Cheese. Featuring Scott Weiner from Scott’s Pizza Tours.

This episode originally aired on August 30, 2017.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Photo by Sylwia Pietruszka via Unsplash. Thanks, Sylwia!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the Worst Mascot of All Time? (And Who Invented Mascots, Anyway?) Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Today Will and Mango are tipping their hats to the true MVPs of competitive sports: mascots! Find out how these costumed characters became a fixture of modern ballgames, and take a trip back to antiquity to meet the avian mascots of ancient Greece and Rome. Plus: the Muppet-y pedigree of the Philly Phanatic, the wacky world of Japanese civic mascots, and the tragic tale of the most maligned mascot in MLB history (RIP Crazy Crab).

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Photo by Chris Chow via Unsplash. Thanks, Chris!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are There Benefits to Procrastinating? Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Why do so many smart people procrastinate? Is there a link between extreme achievement and putting off your work? And should you behead a roadside statue of St. Expedite if you miss a deadline? Will and Mango chat with author Andrew Santella about his book SOON: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to You and Me, to discuss why taking a lazy approach to your responsibilities may not be the worst thing. Plus: Why to-do lists might be the ultimate vehicle for procrastination!

This episode originally aired on April 13, 2018.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev via Unsplash. Thanks, Vitaly!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Hungry Fungus and the Epic Quest to Save Wet Books! Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

It’s the grand finale! Our last four greatest science ideas of the past 25 years include a very hungry super fungus, a chemical-free (but not dubstep-free) insect repellent, a poignant story of agricultural polymers and wet books, and a cure for sleep apnea that may require some negotiations with your neighbors.

Check out the Zorbix website and YouTube channel!

This episode originally aired on March 7, 2025.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dancing Molecules and a Plywood Miracle! Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

It’s the home stretch! Buckle up for ideas 8 through 5, which include some magical molecules, a sea creature that helped reinvent plywood, a medical treatment with terrifying origins, and a discovery that practically upended the world of classical music.

This episode originally aired on March 6, 2025.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caffeinated Concrete and a Song About Particle Physics! Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

Today we’re covering ideas 13 through 9! These include a fascinating discovery about NASCAR and psychology, a clock that’s so accurate it’s reshaping our understanding of time, a tasty way to make concrete stronger (and more environmentally friendly), and some truly delightful revelations about dinosaurs. Plus: We explain particle physics through song.

Check out musician David Nagler’s website and his band, As For the Future!

This episode originally aired on March 5, 2025.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-Healing Glass and Virtual Dolphins! Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

The countdown continues with ideas 19 through 14, and today we’re talking virtual dolphins, a bike helmet you’ll actually want to wear, glass that un-breaks itself, unusual diet tips from the Amazon, personal germ clouds, and a high-tech approach to eating lobster.

Check out Shucks Maine Lobster here!

This episode originally aired on March 4, 2025.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jetlagged Hamsters and the Smell of Space! Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

While we take a short break this week, we're revisiting our countdown of the 25 greatest science ideas of the past 25 years! It all kicks off right here with a breakthrough for jetlagged hamsters, a hot tub that’ll take you on a journey, a better ketchup bottle, a solution for one of the world’s most common tech annoyances, and some very bad news: chickens are definitely judging you. Plus, we meet the man who brought the smell of outer space to earth.

Learn more about Steve Pearce’s work with fragrances and flavors here!

This episode originally aired on March 3, 2025.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Does Rocking Put Babies to Sleep? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Babies! We’ve all been one, and some of us have them. But did you know that baby talk serves an important purpose? Or that babies can fake tears to get attention? Today Mango and producer Gabe dig into some big science about tiny humans. Plus: What are zusers and bofels? Only a well-rested baby can answer that!

Check out Candy Is Dandy: The Candy Review Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Photo by Minnie Zhou via Unsplash. Thanks, Minnie!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Are the Greatest Things We Didn't Know About Brazil? Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

When's the best time to surf the Amazon? Can Brazilian termites help you make a better pizza? And did you pay too much for that venomous snake? (Spoiler alert: You probably did.) Today Will and Mango are uncovering some little-known facts about the big, beautiful country of Brazil!

This episode originally aired on March 1, 2019.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Photo of Rio de Janeiro street art by Milos Hajder via Unsplash. Obrigado, Milos!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected