Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

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Society & Culture
**Secretly Incredibly Fascinating**

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Latest Episodes:

"Yakety Sax" Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the song "Yakety Sax" is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Chopsticks Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why chopsticks are secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Pumpkins Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pumpkins are secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Bonus Show: "The Mohawk Skywalkers Who Build New York City -- And The Former Mohawk Neighborhood In Brooklyn" Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

We make a special bonus show EVERY WEEK for Maximum Fun members. Get them all by supporting the podcast at https://maximumfun.org/join/. And please enjoy this special public release of the bonus show for Episode 267 ("Lunch Atop A Skyscraper").

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of Mohawk ironworkers who build (and rebuild) New York City, the Montreal bridge project that sparked their community's ironwork traditions, and the little-known recent past of Boerum Hill.

RESEARCH SOURCES:

How Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ Helped Build New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers (History.com)
A Wigwam in Brooklyn (WNYC Public Radio)
Little Caughnawaga (The Brooklyn Rail)
Skywalkers: A Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center (9/11 Memorial & Museum)
10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ (Mental Floss) -- this is one source repeating the claim Peter Rice might be in the photo. It's possible and not certain.
Victoria Bridge (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering)
When Little Italy Was Big (PBS Channel Thirteen New York City)
Exhibitions: Native New York (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

"Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the photograph "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Speed Bumps Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why speed bumps are secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Flamingos Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why flamingos are secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Bluetooth Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Bluetooth is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Lint! Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why lint is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

(Alex’s old podcast hosting service required a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, and he's keeping that going for fun. So that’s why this episode’s title has an exclamation point)

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Neapolitan Ice Cream Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Neapolitan ice cream is secretly incredibly fascinating.

NOTE: there's a past episode of SIF about ice cream in general. You don't need to hear it to enjoy this. Also you'll give yourself a fun double feature if you do listen to it: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/secretly-incredibly-fascinating/secretly-incredibly-fascinating-ice-cream/

Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod