Stuff You Should Know

Latest Episodes:

The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How X-Rays Work Jun 19, 2026

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Like many huge discoveries, X-rays were accidentally stumbled upon. That serendipity led to a medical breakthrough still in use today. Learn about how X-rays are created and why they make such delightful images of our bones.

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The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Elastics: Where God and Science Smooch Jun 19, 2026

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You could be forgiven for thinking the story behind elastics was boring. You’d still be wrong, though. The story of what’s holding up your underwear is a global drama, replete with war, industrial espionage, colonialism, destitute inventors – everything!

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The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Can Nuclear Fusion Reactors Save The World? Jun 19, 2026

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The world's energy consumption is ruining the planet but for decades physicists have been working on what could solve the world's energy and climate change woes for centuries to come - nuclear fusion. Learn about building stars on Earth in this episode.

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The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Legs! Legs! Legs! (The Periodic Table) Jun 19, 2026

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If you’ve ever wanted to listen to two totally untrained, non-chemists who are fully unqualified to explain how the periodic table works nervously explain how the periodic table works, then this episode is for you. Chemistry majors, be warned.

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M*A*S*H: The Story of the 4077th Jun 18, 2026

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Chuck loved M*A*S*H. Josh didn't. Listen in as they fight to the death.

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Short Stuff: Does singing make you happy? Jun 17, 2026

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Does singing make you happy? Yes, yes it does.

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Did 24-Hour Cable News Kill America? Jun 16, 2026

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You can make a pretty good case that the rise of opinion “news” and filter bubbles on cable tv created the current cultural and political schism that plagues American society. How did it start? Where did it come from? And what the heck can we do about it?

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Selects: How the Fairness Doctrine Worked Jun 13, 2026

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Back in the day, broadcasters were bound by law to provide contrasting opinions on political matters. Why? Because of the Fairness Doctrine. What happened to it? Listen to this classic episode and find out.

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The NY Subway Vigilante Jun 11, 2026

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Today we dive into the unremorseful life of NYC Subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz.

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Short Stuff: Rain Barrels! Jun 10, 2026

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Harvesting rainwater has tons of upsides and not many downsides – you just need to take a few precautions first. Don’t miss this episode, which features some Josh Math™.

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