Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

The Volcanoes That Still Threaten New Zealand's Safety Oct 22, 2018

Show notes

Ever since the deadly eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, New Zealand has invested heavily in a sophisticated warning system - all in an effort to prevent another major tragedy.

Do Naked Mole Rats Have Hair? Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

All mammals have hair--but is the naked mole rat an exception to the rule? A caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo gives us a closer look. #ZooQs

Rare Vintage Footage Captures Innocence of Pre-War Hawaii Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

In a remarkable series of color films capturing pre-war Hawaii, an idyllic paradise is revealed. A few short years later, that illusion of paradise would be shattered by the attack on Pearl Harbor.

This Badly Damaged German U-Boat Can't Dive for Cover Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

It's November 1943 and a German U-boat has been brutally damaged in a fight with British warships and is limping its way to port. But the sub's onboard batteries are impaired - which means it can't dive to evade enemy ships.

The Trick to Finding a Partner as a Peacock Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

Ever wonder why only male peacocks have such extravagant plumage? We ask a caretaker at Smithsonian's National Zoo to explain. #ZooQs

How Napalm Bombs Intensified U.S. Attacks During WWII Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Bombing ground targets from the air is tricky and not always accurate. But a new type of bomb creates an unimaginable level of destruction - and strengthens U.S. attacks in the Pacific.

The Most Powerful Tornado Recorded on Earth Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

For Oklahoma City and its surrounding suburbs, May 3, 1999 began like any other spring day. By the evening, a deadly tornado of unprecedented ferocity had wreaked havoc, claiming a total of 36 lives.

Why Los Angeles Is One of the Best Places to Film Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

The San Gabriel Mountains lure lots of Angelenos looking for some quiet seclusion. One of the more famous was Leonard Cohen who spent five years there, searching for peace of mind.

Two Cheetah Clans Fight to the Death Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

Two rival cheetah clans battle under the cover of night. The outcome is fatal and will alter the lives of the warriors forever.

Why the U.S. Military Pushed $10 Million Worth of Helicopters Overboard Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

It's 1975, and a small Vietnamese civilian aircraft is desperate to land on the flight deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier. It becomes a dramatic race against time to clear the deck before the plane runs out of fuel.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected