Stuff You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

SYSK Selects: How Cult Deprogramming Works Feb 22, 2020

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The fear of cults in the 1970s drove Americans to look the other way on kidnappings, abuse and torture of cult members by deprogrammers – but did it even work? Find out in this classic episode.

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Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the Devil Feb 20, 2020

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It’s a pretty safe assumption that people have been born with birthmarks since humanity began, and between then and now we’ve come up with some wacky, even dangerous, explanations for them – even a few that survive still today.

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Short Stuff: Mexican Jumping Beans Feb 19, 2020

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Mexican jumping beans are a real thing and they really do move around. It’s not magic, it’s nature!

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The Unsolved Indiana Dunes Disappearances Feb 18, 2020

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In July 1966, three women out for a day at the beach waded into the water of Lake Michigan, got onto a boat and were never heard from again. To this day, not a trace of them has ever turned up and theories of what became of them abound.

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SYSK Selects: A Podcast on Zoot Suits? Yes Feb 15, 2020

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Few riots can be attributed to passing fashions, but zoot suits are top among them. After originating among the Harlem Renaissance crowd, the zoot suit came to symbolize political defiance. Find out why it's still illegal to wear a zoot suit in L.A. in this classic episode.

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911 Is Not a Joke Feb 13, 2020

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Josh and Chuck delve into the world of 911 in today's episode.

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Short Stuff: Body Under The Bed Feb 12, 2020

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A couple unknowingly spending the night above a dead body stuffed under their bed is a longstanding urban legend. And a true one.

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Optogenetics: Controlling Your Genes with Light Feb 11, 2020

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What if a genetic brain disease could be turned off simply by flashing a light in your eyes? What if your depression could be cured that way? Sounds amazingly wonderful, true, but what if your behavior could be controlled that way too?

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SYSK Selects: How Bonsai Works Feb 08, 2020

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For thousands of years people have been taking normal trees and forcing them into miniature. Learn all about the history and art of this strangely engrossing pastime in this classic episode.

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Why are Pentecostals growing so rapidly? Feb 06, 2020

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Pentecostals are seemingly taking over the world. Or at least they're making up a larger section of Christianity than every before. Why? We'll dig in on that in today's episode.

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