Stuff You Should Know - iHeartPodcasts

Selects: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five May 21, 2022

In 1978, five friends set out for home from a basketball game. The next day, their car was discovered in a lonely mountain road. The next spring, their bodies began to turn up. What happened that night remains a mystery to this day. Explore what we know with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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What's in a surname? May 19, 2022

Surnames are way more interesting that you think, trust us. Just hit play and prepare to be wowed.

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Short Stuff: Artificial Banana Flavor May 18, 2022

In the Watermelon episode, Chuck and Josh stumbled into a bit of little-known history about why artificial banana flavor doesn’t taste like bananas. Turns out it does; it just tastes like a banana you’ve probably never eaten.

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Squirrels, Ahoy! May 17, 2022

Squirrels are rodents, sure, but they’re rodents with personalities the size of Las Vegas and Detroit put together. Get to know your bushy-tailed (and sometimes not so bushy) neighbors who live interesting hidden lives right out in the open.

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Selects: How Lizzie Borden Worked May 14, 2022

Everybody knows how many whacks Lizzie Borden gave her mother and father with that axe, but there is plenty about the infamous double homicide that remains unresolved, like who actually did it. Travel into the mystery of Lizzie Borden in this classic episode.

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Rhinoplasty, aka Nose Jobs May 12, 2022

Nose jobs have been around a lot longer than you think. And the process is pretty interesting. Tune in for all things rhinoplasty.

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Short Stuff: Fainting At The Sight Of Blood May 11, 2022

As many as 15% of people faint when they see blood! And it’s not just blood that gets them. It can be an injury or even a needle. Learn about this fascinating phobia in this episode.

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What are land acknowledgments? May 10, 2022

Land acknowledgements are all the rage in some parts of the world. But they also open a can of worms if not done properly. Learn all about this increasingly common practice today.

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Selects: How Champagne Works May 07, 2022

Sure we can all agree that champagne is probably the greatest thing humans have or ever will invent, but how much do we understand how it's made? Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Marcus Garvey: Black Moses May 05, 2022

One of the more controversial black leaders, Marcus Garvey divided black and white Americans with his assertion of black pride, and sowed division in the black community as well. Yet, possibly no one has had more global impact on black lives than him.

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Short Stuff: Shar Pei May 04, 2022

Today we dive into the lovable folds of the Shar Pei.

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The Mystery of Coal May 03, 2022

There’s a mystery afoot! Almost all of the coal we use around the world was created in the same 60 million year period. Before or after that relatively short window of time, not so much. Just what exactly explains this geological mystery?

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Selects: How Rodney Dangerfield Worked, Live From LA Apr 30, 2022

Other comedians cry on the inside, but Rodney Dangerfield built his entire act around his sad life. Get to know this legendary comic who was nearing 50 when he got his break, in this classic episode recorded live in LA.

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Understudies: Hardest Workers on Broadway? Apr 28, 2022

Being an understudy is far more challenging than simply learning the lines of a lead actor in case of emergency. Learn all about these unsung stage heroes today.

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Short Stuff: Smelly Homes Apr 27, 2022

Does your house smell? No? What if we told you it’s impossible for you to know whether it does or not?

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“Postmodernism:” Apr 26, 2022

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Selects: The Baffling Case of the Body On Somerton Beach Apr 23, 2022

Since his corpse was found in 1948, wearing a nice suit in summer on an Australian beach, an unidentified man has refused to fade into obscurity, gripping the imagination of sleuths around the world. Learn all about the mystery in this classic episode.

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Just Say No to... Bottled Water Apr 21, 2022

Bottled water is huge business, and terrible for the environment. But where did this all start? Listen in and learn.

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Short Stuff: Salute the Grilled Cheese Apr 20, 2022

Today we pay tribute to the comfiest of comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich.

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The Christine Collins Story Apr 19, 2022

When Christine Collins' son disappeared in 1928, she thought that was the worst that could happen. What followed was more upsetting than any parent could imagine.

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Selects: What happens to abandoned mines? Apr 16, 2022

Did you know there are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the US, but the federal government knows where only 30,000 of them are? Learn about how these places go from money pit to death trap when mine companies simply walk away, in this classic episode.

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How Mensa Works Apr 14, 2022

Most of us know Mensa’s a smart people club. And that Geena Davis is a member. But did you know it was originally intended as a rolodex when the government needed the UK’s most intelligent minds? And that the Kansas City chapter staged a revolt in the 60s?

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Short Stuff: Animal Politicians Apr 13, 2022

Small towns around the world have a longstanding tradition of nominating – and voting for – animals in elected positions like mayor and some animals have made it to being nominated for president.

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The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles Apr 12, 2022

If you've ever been to Philadelphia then you've probably walked right by a Toynbee Tile embedded in the street. But what's the meaning on these mysterious installations, and who is doing it? Listen in to find out.

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Selects: A Partial History of Action Figures Apr 09, 2022

Action figures have a long and glorious history. From GI Joes to Star Wars figures, these offshoots of dolls came along at just the right time to capture the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Learn all about the partial history of action figures in this classic episode.

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The Delightful History of Pubs Apr 07, 2022

In today's episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the wonderful history of the public house. So pull up a stool, grab a pint and have a listen.

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Short Stuff: The Church Choir That Didn't Explode Apr 06, 2022

Perhaps the most amazing coincidence ever documented took place when a church in a tiny town in Nebraska exploded in 1950.

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Watermelons: Nature's Gift to the World Apr 05, 2022

Turns out most people love watermelons. Why? Because they're delicious. And they also have a pretty interesting history. Check it out.

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Selects: How No-fly Zones Work Apr 02, 2022

They have become such a ubiquitous tool used by the UN and NATO to intervene in international crises, that it seems like no-fly zones have been around forever. But it was only the 1990s that the first one was enacted and they've only be used twice more since then. Learn about this peculiar military tool with Chuck and Josh in this classic episode.

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What’s NATO All About? Mar 31, 2022

NATO formed at a time when Russia threatened Europe as a potential invader. Then the Soviet Union broke up and NATO lost its way for a bit. Now Russia’s back to business as usual and NATO has found its purpose again, protecting peace in Europe.

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Short Stuff: Greenbrier Bunker Mar 30, 2022

The Greenbrier Bunker was a secret nuclear hideout for Congress, until it wasn't. Once it was exposed as a thing, it ceased to be a thing. Listen in to a fascinating short stuff today!

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How Light Pollution Works Mar 29, 2022

Artificial light at night, aka light pollution, affects almost everyone on Earth. And not just people – trees, plants, animals, insects, and marine life are affected by our propensity to light up everything we can. Learn what you – YOU! – can do to help.

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Selects: The Tylenol Murders, Part II Mar 26, 2022

The panic that began in Chicago spreads and begins to change the world. The investigation into the murders turns up leads and suspects, but still no one has ever been charged with the murders. It remains unsolved to this day. Find out the extent of what we know in this classic episode.

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Selects: The Tylenol Murders, Part I Mar 26, 2022

On one terrible day in Chicago in 1982, seven people died suddenly and mysteriously. In just a matter of hours, it becomes clear, someone has poisoned bottles of Extra-Strength Tylenol, one of the most trusted and widely-used products in America. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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The Truth Behind Cage-Free and Free-Range Mar 25, 2022

You’d think terms like cage-free and free-range means the chickens we eat are frolicking happily in the fresh air under the shining sun, but you’d be so, so wrong. Cage-free is a huge improvement but free-range is lacking and both have a long way to go.

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Short Stuff: Magnet Fishing Mar 23, 2022

Magnet fishing has nothing to do with fish. It's more like metal detecting in waterways. Please enjoy our take!

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Why was Titicut Follies banned? Mar 22, 2022

Titicut Follies is a documentary made famous by its banning. But why was it banned? And what was it even about? Listen in to learn all you need to know about this infamous doc.

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Selects: How Hate Works Mar 19, 2022

Hate is generally defined as an extreme hostility to something or someone, usually stemming from fear, anger or a sense of injury. But how does it work? Join Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they dig into the nature of hate.

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How Rewilding Works Mar 17, 2022

A big new push toward nature conservation (and saving the planet) is based on a simple premise: remove humans from the equation and let nature take its own course.

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Short Stuff: Nose Breathing Mar 16, 2022

Nose breathing > mouth breathing for many reasons. Listen and learn!

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Operation Northwoods: The False Flag Op That Never Was Mar 15, 2022

There is presumably some very dark, very depressing stuff in the annals of America’s secret history. But perhaps the darkest classified document to see the light of day was the memo that called for faked attacks on the US to justify invading Cuba.

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Selects: A Brief Overview of Punk Rock Mar 12, 2022

Punk rock really needs about 10 episodes to do it justice, but we'll try and tackle anyway. Learn all about this movement right now in this classic episode.

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Aleister Crowley: Blowhard Narcissist? Mar 10, 2022

Aleister Crowley was known as the "wickedest man in the world." But was he really just a blowhard narcissist? You decide!

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Short Stuff: Great Smog of London Mar 09, 2022

In 1952 London was gripped by a acrid smog that settled throughout the city so thickly residents couldn’t see their own feet on the sidewalk.

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Behold, National Parks! Mar 08, 2022

The National Park system is one of America's great achievements. We'll take you on a journey, from sea to shining sea, in today's episode.

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Selects: How Tabloids Work Mar 05, 2022

Having started as an egalitarian answer to 19th-century newspapers, tabloids came to peddle shock and sleaze. They've cleaned up a bit, but they remain the world's guilty pleasure. Learn more about the fascinating history of tabloids with Chuck and Josh in this classic episode.

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How Effective Altruism Works Mar 03, 2022

A branch of philanthropy led by philosophers is dedicated to finding the most impactful ways to help humans survive and thrive. Anyone can find that agreeable, but it can be tough to hear it also means your donations to local charities are kind of a waste.

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Short Stuff: Friends of Dorothy Mar 02, 2022

The gay community had to use code not too many years ago and one way they identified was as “Friends of Dorothy.” So who was Dorothy?

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What's the deal with phantom pain? Mar 01, 2022

Phantom pain is when you sense pain from a lost limb. We don't entirely know how why, but we have some ideas. Listen in to find out.

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Selects: Is the Pied Piper About a Real Historic Tragedy? Feb 26, 2022

In the German town of Hameln a tragedy that took place on a specific date in 1284 and befell specifically 130 children is commemorated every year. Aside from those two details, the event is cloaked in mystery. What about the Pied Piper fairy tale is real? Find out in this classic episode.

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How Mindfulness Works Feb 24, 2022

What has become a buzz word for corporate retreats and a way to get a discount on your health insurance is, at its core, a powerful, centuries-old Buddhist method of moving through life and dealing with the suffering that inevitably comes along with it.

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Short Stuff: Commensalism Feb 23, 2022

What's commensalism? Sort of nature's way of sponging off something, but that something doesn't mind. If that doesn't make sense, take 12 minutes to listen and find out for yourself.

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The Improbable Story of Martin Guerre Feb 22, 2022

Like most 16th-century French peasants, Martin Guerre’s life seemed likely to be lost to history. But a strange series of events took place that would so cement the legend surrounding him that we’re talking about him still today, 450 years later.

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Selects: How Moss Works Feb 19, 2022

Think you have moss figured out? You probably don't. Join Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they explore some of the surprising aspects of these most ancient and important plants on the planet.

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The Ins and Outs of Albinism Feb 17, 2022

Today we dive into the science behind the genetic condition albinism, which is not pronounced how you think it is.

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Short Stuff: Cassowary Feb 16, 2022

Australia is home to a kind of bird that is the second largest in the world and can kill a human being, making it the closest living version of a velociraptor? Of course it is!

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Leeches: Oh Hell No! Feb 15, 2022

Leeches are pretty creepy. They feed on blood, they stick to you body. We get it. But they're also pretty fascinating and worthy of discussion.

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Selects: The Ins and Outs of Beekeeping Feb 12, 2022

Who wants fresh honey? We do! Learn all about the ancient art of beekeeping today in this classic episode.

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Littering: Not Cool Feb 10, 2022

The history of litter is in lock step with the history of disposable packaging. Learn all about this nasty habit today.

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Short Stuff: Schmidt Stinging Pain Index Feb 09, 2022

If you want to know how the pain from that yellowjacket sting on your arm compares to stings from other insects, you need look no further than the body of work of entomologist Justin O. Schmidt.

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The Chowchilla Bus Kidnapping Feb 08, 2022

The largest ever kidnapping case in the United States went down in the small town of Chowchilla, CA. Learn all about it today.

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Selects: What's the Deal With Staring? Feb 05, 2022

Gazing too long upon another person is almost universally viewed as anywhere from impolite to hostile, which is odd considering science isn't fully certain why we stare - and why we're so good at knowing when we're being stared at. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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How the Nobel Peace Prize Works Feb 03, 2022

The Nobel Peace Prize is perhaps the most prestigious award in the world, yet there are plenty of other similar awards. What is it about this one that makes it so honored? And how did the guy who invented dynamite end up creating a peace award?

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Short Stuff: Firewalking Feb 02, 2022

It’s pretty amazing to see a human walk over a bed of hot coals – until you learn the physics beneath it. Then it’s just fairly impressive.

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How Tacos Work Feb 01, 2022

It’s Taco Tuesday! If you like eating tacos, you’re going to love learning all about them in this delectable episode. You’ll realize how much you’ve taken tacos for granted and just what a debt we owe our friends in Mexico for inventing them.

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Selects: How Sloths Work Jan 29, 2022

Everyone knows sloths are super slow, but do you know they’re slow because their bodies produce an astoundingly small amount of energy? And did you know that might be an adaptation that protects them from predators? Sloths are awesome and we prove it in this classic episode.

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How Forgiveness Works Jan 27, 2022

For most of history, forgiveness fell under the domain of religion. But in the 1980s science started investigating it and found that forgiving someone is really, really good for you. Learn how anybody can be the better person in this really great episode.

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Short Stuff: Arctic Fox Jan 26, 2022

The Arctic Fox is one of the cutest critters on the planet. It also has an amazing ability to survive the coldest temps on Earth. Dive into the snow and listen today!

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Tug of War Jan 25, 2022

Tug of War is a simple display of strength, but is there more to it than that? Listen in to find out.

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Selects: How SETI Works Jan 22, 2022

SETI stands for 'search for extraterrestrial intelligence,' and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in general. In this classic spaced-out episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin, aims and challenges facing SETI.

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How Classified Information Works Jan 20, 2022

The government loves to mark just about any information as secret, which wouldn’t be a big deal if it wasn’t so contrary to running a healthy democracy.

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Short Stuff: Jaywalking Jan 19, 2022

Jaywalking is a crime. Sort of. But why? Learn all about this weird law today.

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Rock Paper Scissors: Decider of Things Jan 18, 2022

Rock Paper Scissors is a child's game. But it's more than that if you can believe it, and it has a pretty cool history as well.

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Selects: Project Azorian: The CIA's Super 70s Mission To Steal A Sunken Soviet Sub Jan 15, 2022

In 1974 the CIA undertook one of its most brazen operations – secretly raising a sunken Soviet submarine lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean right under the noses of the Russian Navy. With the help of billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, obviously. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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What were the black codes? Jan 13, 2022

The black codes were proposed laws that basically tried to keep a form of slavery alive and well after the end of the Civil War. It didn't last long but the shadow of those codes still exist today.

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Short Stuff: Fortune Cookies Jan 12, 2022

Everything you thought you knew about fortune cookies is wrong. Learn all the right stuff in this episode.

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The Circleville Poison Pen Letters Mystery Jan 11, 2022

For 20 years, a tiny town in Ohio was held enrapt by the prolific author of a series of unhinged letters. By the time they abruptly stopped, the letters – which revealed terrible secrets – had claimed a life and sent a possibly innocent man to prison.

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Selects: Carl Sagan: American Hero Jan 08, 2022

Carl Sagan was the world's first mainstream media super scientist, capapble of breaking down complex ideas for the common folk. But what made him tick? Billions and billions of great ideas. Explore his life and legacy with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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Ants! Part 2! Jan 06, 2022

The exciting conclusion of Ants Part 2!

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Short Stuff: The Casket Racket Jan 05, 2022

And you thought we were done with talking about funeral homes. Well guess again!

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Ants! Part 1! Jan 04, 2022

Ants are pretty much amazing. So we're gonna spend two episodes talking all about them. Please enjoy!

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Selects: Horoscopes: Written in the Stars? Jan 01, 2022

A lot of people read their daily horoscopes, but does anyone really take stock in them? Turns out the answer is yes, even though there is no evidence of their accuracy. Learn all about horoscopes today in this classic episode.

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Cookies! Cookies! Cookies! Dec 30, 2021

No, we didn’t find another international distress signal we forgot to mention in our Mayday! Short Stuff, we’re just that jazzed about our episode on cookies. Are they even better than cakes? It’s up to you to listen and decide!

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Short Stuff: Traffic Signals Dec 29, 2021

The history of traffic signals is way more interesting than you might think. Trust us.

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Unsung Heroes of the Court Dec 28, 2021

Attorneys and judges get all the press. What about bailiffs, court reporters and sketch artists? Yeah, let's give them their due.

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Selects: How Tipping Works Dec 25, 2021

Tipping is commonly expected in some places, such as U.S. restaurants. Yet this practice varies across cultures. Join trivia gurus (and former waiters) Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they take a closer look at the history, practice and controversy surrounding tipping.

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SYSK’s 2021 Glad Tidings Bonanza Holiday Special Dec 23, 2021

Josh and Chuck’s holiday mojo has returned and they’re back in the saddle to rustle up some holiday cheer. So put on your comfiest sweater, ugly or otherwise, grab a mug of whatever makes you happy, gather round with your favorite people, and listen in.

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Short Stuff: Christmas Cards Dec 22, 2021

You ever thought about where those cards you send out during the holidays came from? Prepare to do just that!

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How Snowmen (And Snowwomen) Work Dec 21, 2021

The details may vary but building snowmen is pretty much universal where there’s snow. Humans have probably been making them for tens of thousands of years. But it wasn’t until the last century or two that they have become the winter icon they are today.

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Selects: Star Wars Holiday Spectacular Dec 18, 2021

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in our annual special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.

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Kidney Stones: No! Please, NO! Dec 16, 2021

Kidney stones are widely considered the most painful affliction a person can endure, even worse than labor. And in rare cases they can even kill. Learn all about how these things you really, really don’t want form and pass in this faint-inducing episode.

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Short Stuff: Charity Tips Dec 15, 2021

It's the end of the year so we thought we might give you some advice on how to better pick out a charity, Short Stuff style.

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Palm Trees: Technically, Giant Plants Dec 14, 2021

Palm trees. You see them all over the world and for good reason. There are more than 2,500 varieties. Learn all about these giant plants today.

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Selects: How the Terracotta Army Works Dec 11, 2021

In 1974, Chinese farmers discovered the first of what would number 7,000 terracotta soldiers meant to protect China's first emperor in the afterlife. Learn all about them in this classic episode.

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What's the deal with blue people? Dec 09, 2021

The famous blue people of Kentucky are no longer blue. But why were they like that in the first place?

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Short Stuff: Funny Bone Dec 08, 2021

Hitting your funny bone doesn’t just hurt, it feels really weird too. That’s because you’re not hitting a bone at all, but instead the most vulnerable nerve in your body.

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Why Do Great Flood Myths Seem To Be Universal? Dec 07, 2021

If look into the mythology of just about any culture in the world, you will find a myth about a great flood that destroyed humanity and submerged the Earth in the distant past. Does this mean that a great flood actually happened?

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Selects: What Is Collective Hysteria? Dec 04, 2021

Throughout the history of the world, there have been many cases of what is known as collective hysteria - groups of people, usually young women, who all exhibit the same physical symptoms of non-existent conditions. Is it psychosomatic? Is it group think? Find out in this classic episode.

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Your Gut Is Also A Brain Dec 02, 2021

Your gut – not your spare tire, but your digestive tract – is deceptively smart. Not only does it handle processing food and nutrients, but the hundreds of trillions of bacteria that live in your gut may actually be telling your brain what to do too.

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Short Stuff: SINA Dec 01, 2021

In the 1950s a group dedicated to clothing animals out of a sense or morality gained momentum. “A nude horse is a rude horse!” was their battle cry.

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The Twisted History of Dentistry Nov 30, 2021

If you think going to the dentist now is not fun, just wait until you hear about what they did in the Middle Ages.

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Selects: Why Do Lefties Exist? Nov 27, 2021

For at least the last 200,000 years, between 10-15% of the human population are left-handed and this fact has utterly left science baffled. In searching to explain handedness, all sorts of contradictory evidence has emerged, creating a fascinating mystery. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Python-a-palooza! Nov 25, 2021

Pythons are big snakes. Really big. But there's more to them than their size. Learn all about these big daddies in today's episode.

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Short Stuff: Mayday! Nov 24, 2021

Say it three times and help may arrive. But where did "Mayday!" come from? Listen in to find out.

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The Apache Wars Nov 23, 2021

America’s longest-running war was between the US government and the loosely-confederated groups we know as the Apache. As their lands were encroached upon, the Apache pushed back with disastrous consequences, nearly becoming exterminated.

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Selects: How Hoarding Works Nov 20, 2021

You may be familiar with compulsive hoarding from TV, but something that’s often missing from those shows and the news is the deep and overwhelming shame that this disorder creates in its victims who are neurologically incapable of parting with their stuff. Find out all about it in this classic episode.

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Why Is DC Not A State? Nov 18, 2021

The residents of Washington, D.C., the capital of the oldest democracy in the world, are not allowed to pass their own laws without the federal government agreeing with them first. That’s because DC is not a state, something DC residents want to change.

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Short Stuff: The Paper Dress Fad Nov 17, 2021

There was a brief period when it was highly on trend to wear a super short dress made out of paper. Learn why right now!

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Hot Dog!(s) Nov 16, 2021

No, there aren’t snouts and anuses in your hot dogs, so go ahead and chow down. There are, however, plenty of other things that may give you pause so listen to this episode where we dissect the beloved hot dog and poke around inside.

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Selects: How Feng Shui Works Nov 13, 2021

Feng Shui is an Asian concept that strives to unlock your chi by how your home or office is arranged. Or at least that's the simplified "Western" version. It's a little more complicated than that in reality. We'll unlock your chi by explaining how feng shui works in this classic episode.

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The Flannan Isles Mystery Nov 11, 2021

In December 1900 three lighthouse keepers vanished without a trace from a deserted island in Scotland. To this day no one knows exactly what happened to them.

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Short Stuff: Your Dirty Bed Nov 10, 2021

Is your bed dirty? You bet it is. Are chimpanzee beds dirty? Not as dirty as yours!

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What are blue laws? Nov 09, 2021

Blue laws are laws that restrict certain activities on certain days. Are they antiquated? Yes! Are they still around? In some places, yes!

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Selects: The Stories Behind A Few Food Fads Nov 06, 2021

America loves to go nuts over new food trends and it turns out that the 20th century was a boon time for them. Revisit them with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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The Rock Ampersand Roll Hall of Fame Nov 04, 2021

Cleveland rocks! So said the city of Cleveland when they lobbied for the "Rock Hall" way back in 1985. Since then the museum has grown and evolved amidst great support and controversy.

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Short Stuff: Friendly Floatees Nov 03, 2021

In 1992 more than 28,000 rubber ducks got loose in the ocean and began a decades-long experiment in oceanography.

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How mRNA Vaccines Work Nov 02, 2021

The two mRNA Covid vaccines are the first vaccines to come out of a new field of immunology and represent such an amazing leap forward that they are taking us into a new era of medicine. Learn all about them so you can set your uncle straight.

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Selects: What is folklore? Oct 30, 2021

What is folklore? Turns out it's just about anything you can think of that's shared by more than two people. Art, literature, stories, dance, music, traditions, even those family heirlooms qualify. Turns out folklore is pretty neat. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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2021 Halloween Spooktacular! Oct 28, 2021

Dim the lights and join Josh and Chuck for their annual spooky Halloween story reading.

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Short Stuff: Most Haunted House in England Oct 27, 2021

In the 1930s paranormal investigator declared Borley Rectory the “most haunted house in England” – and with good cause!

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Salem Witchcraft Trials: More Bonkers Than You Know Oct 26, 2021

Looking back 300 years on, it’s easy to overgeneralize why the Salem Villagers decided to persecute (and execute) their neighbors. But as much as this story has become an American history chestnut, we still don’t understand why Salem lost its mind.

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Selects: Will We Find Evidence of Aliens by Their Engineering Projects? Oct 23, 2021

In 1960 physicist Freeman Dyson suggested that in the hunt for alien life, we should search for evidence of massive engineering projects that encapsulate stars with solar arrays to harness their energy. Could we humans ever make one ourselves? Find out in this classic episode.

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Harry Houdini: More than Magic Oct 21, 2021

Harry Houdini was a master magician. He was also a movie star. And an inventor. And an aviator. Listen and learn all about the late great illusionist.

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Short Stuff: Bloody Mary Oct 20, 2021

In this edition of Short Stuff we may accidentally conjure a deadly spirt, so look out!

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Heat Waves! Oct 19, 2021

Heat waves are one of the easiest natural disasters to overlook yet they kill more people in the US than any other natural disaster (and maybe all others combined). And if climate predictions prove correct, they’re going to get longer and hotter.

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Selects: Why is Venice so wet? Oct 16, 2021

Venice, Italy has a problem. It's sinking, and the water around it is rising. Thankfully, some engineers are working hard on the MOSE project - huge gates that keep high tide from happening. Learn all about Venice in this classic episode.

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Noise Pollution: Arrrgh! Oct 14, 2021

If you’ve ever found your blood pressure rising because some guy down the street doesn’t know how to keep the trigger on a leaf blower pulled all the way, then you’ve experienced noise pollution. Not only is it annoying, it turns out it’s deadly too!

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Short Stuff: Jack O'Lanterns and Sleepy Hollow Oct 13, 2021

We launch our spooky October episodes with a little bit on Jack O' Lanterns and Sleepy Hollow.

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Venus Flytraps: Plant or Monster? Oct 12, 2021

After looking into the Venus Flytrap, we quickly moved it to the top of our favorite plant list. Part plant, part monster? What's not to love?

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Selects: How X-Rays Work Oct 09, 2021

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, in this classic episode.

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The Tale of the Church of the SubGenius Oct 07, 2021

The Church of the SubGenius is a religion, but really a parody of religion. Learn all about this group of weirdo outsiders in today's episode.

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Short Stuff: Dingoes! Oct 06, 2021

Are dingoes dogs? Not really? Then what are they? Listen in to find out.

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Research Bias: Sort It Out, Science Oct 05, 2021

There’s a sticky issue scientists have to deal with – science is carried out by humans. We humans have flaws (and how) and they can end up in our work. Fortunately, science is waking up to research bias. In the meantime, here’s what to look out for.

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Selects: How Empathy Works Oct 02, 2021

Empathy can often be confused with sympathy and regular old compassion. But it's not exactly either one of those. Some say a lack of empathy can indicate sociopathic tendencies, but that's not always true either. So what is empathy and what makes someone prone to empathize? Listen in to this classic episode to find out.

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All About Alligators Sep 30, 2021

Here at SYSK, we love alligators? Why? Because they're basically living dinosaurs. Dive in (metaphorically) and swim with these beasts today!

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Short Stuff: Exploring Irish Monk Sep 29, 2021

There’s a long-standing legend that an Irish monk was the first European to sail to America - in 500 CE! Is there any evidence?

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How Numerology Works Sep 28, 2021

The premise of numerology - that numbers are responsible for our destinies and personalities - is plainly nuts, but the history and thinking behind it is too interesting to skip.

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Selects: Planned Obsolescence: Engine of the Consumer Economy Sep 25, 2021

If you’ve ever heard an old timer gripe that things aren’t built like they used to be, that old timer was right! In this classic episode, learn about the nefarious, possibly mythical, mechanism that’s responsible for the cruddy products and waste our consumer society is based on.

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The Statue of Liberty Sep 23, 2021

You've seen her there in NY Harbor, standing tall. But do you know the story of how she came to be? Learn all about the Statue of Liberty today.

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Short Stuff: Lake Erie's Rights Sep 22, 2021

The good people of Toledo, OH are leading the environmental pack by giving legal rights to Lake Erie to fight off polluters.

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How Mail Order Marriages Work Sep 21, 2021

Everybody knows mail order marriages are at best a last resort for jerks looking to boss a foreign spouse around or, at worst, a front for human trafficking. Or are they? Yes and no. Mail order marriage comes with nuance and a surprisingly long history.

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Selects: How Free Speech Works Sep 18, 2021

Freedom of speech and the press are values vital to American democracy. But the First Amendment doesn't really define free speech, and plenty of expressions are restricted. Learn all about the ins and outs of this cherished right in this classic episode.

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What's the deal with crash testing? Sep 16, 2021

Crash testing has been around since the 1930s, but only got serious in the 1970s. Today we dive in and learn all about why companies and the U.S. government purposefully wreck cars.

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Short Stuff: The Javelina Sep 15, 2021

Pigs, hogs, boars and javelinas. What's the difference? Tune in to find out.

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How Embalming Works Sep 14, 2021

The Death Suite continues! In this installment, Josh and Chuck go over what it takes to preserve a human body using chemicals and whether that’s such a good thing to do as far as the environment is concerned.

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Selects: Southerners Aren't Lazy and Dumb, They Just Had Hookworm Sep 11, 2021

There was a time when the lower classes of the American South were considered lazy and dimwitted, a stereotype that still somewhat survives today. But this stereotype was rooted in fact. Hookworms, it turns out, were sapping Southerners’ life force. Find out all about it in this classic episode.

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How the Magna Carta Worked Sep 09, 2021

In 1215 at Runnymede (doo dah, doo dah) the nobles and the king agreed to end a rebellion against the power of the English throne. While the treaty that emerged contained all sorts of arcane Medieval details, it also contained the seeds of Western liberty and civil rights.

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Short Stuff: Chameleons Sep 08, 2021

In today's short stuff, we bust a few myths about cute little chameleons.

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The Creepy Legacy of the Hotel Cecil Sep 07, 2021

The Hotel Cecil in downtown Los Angeles has had no less than 16 unnatural deaths, from suicides to murders and everything in between. Listen in to the history of this decidedly creepy hotel.

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Selects: How Temper Tantrums Work Sep 04, 2021

When your kid boils over in the grocery store, it can be tough to stay calm and ignore it, but that's precisely what experts prescribe parents do to deal with temper tantrums. Learn about the anatomy of a tantrum and the best way to deal in this classic episode.

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Criminal Records: No Thanks! Sep 02, 2021

And you thought our crime and punishment suite was finished. Not yet it isn't! Not before we cover criminal records.

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Short Stuff: Handwashing vs Dishwashers Sep 01, 2021

Josh and Chuck finally put to rest the age old debate over which is better – and learn a little about themselves along the way.

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How Trepanation Worked Aug 31, 2021

One of the oldest medical procedures in human history is also one of the riskiest. For thousands of years humans carried a type of proto brain surgery where a hole would be cut into the skull. And they were pretty good at it too.

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Selects: Composting: Nature's Most Interesting Process Aug 28, 2021

You may think composting is just a bunch of old banana peels rotting away into dirt but, friend, you're not looking closely enough. Inside that compost pile is a microcosmic universe doing some magical stuff. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Les Paul & Leo Fender Part II Aug 26, 2021

Today we continue the story of Les Paul and Leo Fender, inventors, innovators and rivals.

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Short Stuff: Jackalope Aug 25, 2021

Jackalopes aren’t real, right? Wouldn’t you like to know, city slicker.

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Les Paul & Leo Fender Part I Aug 24, 2021

The story of Les Paul and Leo Fender defines rock and roll music. Listen in to part one of the tale of these two musical rivals.

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Selects: How Pet Psychics Work Aug 21, 2021

In the early 21st century a trend of people who claim to be able to telepathically and clairvoyantly communicate with animals has grown. Today, the concept of visiting a pet psychic to find a lost pet, find out why a pet is behaving badly or even to learn if a pet is ready to be put to sleep is becoming more commonplace, but is there any basis to pet psychics' abilities? Join Josh and Chuck as they investigate the pet psychic phenomenon, in this classic episode.

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Y2K: Much Ado About Something Aug 19, 2021

Y2K was a special time when we all thought nothing bad would really happen at the stroke of midnight, but secretly worried the world would end. Turns out the mitigation efforts worked and we hardly noticed.

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Short Stuff: 5 Lazarus Species Aug 18, 2021

Lazarus species were thought to be gone, but had something else in mind. Today we talk about 5 of them.

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How MRI Works Aug 17, 2021

At long last Chuck and Josh dive into the nuts and bolts of what makes the Wonder Machine so wondrous and find it actually lives up to the years-long hype they’ve given it.

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Selects: How Animal Domestication Works Aug 14, 2021

It's strange to hear, but the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture, including the domestication of wild animals, is the single biggest thing to ever happen to humanity. You can thank it for everything from kingdoms to Ebola. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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How Fireflies and Lightning Bugs Work Aug 12, 2021

Whether called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glow worms, the tiny, bioluminescent bugs that light up the evening are universally beloved. Which makes their sudden and swift decline very distressing. Listen to find out how you – YOU – can save the firefly.

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Short Stuff: Humpty Dumpty Aug 11, 2021

Humpty Dumpty is not a good nursery rhyme. And what was Humpty anyway? Listen in to find out.

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Child Labor: Not Funny Aug 10, 2021

Child labor is no laughing matter. Even though we've taken care of it in the USA (mostly), it's still an issue around the globe. Listen and learn!

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Selects: How Landslides Work Aug 07, 2021

Landslides are a form of mass movement of the Earth, and with the amount of death and destruction they wreak on the people and towns they cover, their toll can be massive. Learn all about landslides with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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How Transcendentalism Works Aug 05, 2021

Every teenager in America knows the transcendentalists were a handful of goofy 19th century philosophers who were into walking in the woods, but they were also so much more. Anyone who focuses on the beauty and the good in the world can’t be too wrong.

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Short Stuff: Calamity Jane Aug 04, 2021

Calamity Jane is group with the legends of the Wild West. Who was she really? A tough woman who made her way in a tough world from the age of 12.

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The Three Christs of Ypsilanti Experiment Aug 03, 2021

In the early 1960s, one of the most unethical experiments in psychology’s history was quietly conducted in a state hospital in Michigan. It sought to upend the delusions of the three patients involved, but ultimately disabused the experimenter of his own.

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Selects: How Police Interrogation Works Jul 31, 2021

Every year, police across the U.S. get thousands of criminals to confess to their crimes. The trouble is, the procedure that almost all departments use is grounded in bad science and can produce false confessions. Learn about ways of making you talk in this classic episode.

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How Sarcasm Works Jul 29, 2021

In this episode, we get to the bottom of why people sometimes talk like jerks some and how sarcasm isn’t all bad. Stand back everybody, this one is just soooo great.

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Short Stuff: Space Hurricanes Jul 28, 2021

Space hurricanes are officially a thing. What does that mean for us here on Earth? Probably not much.

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Conservatorships: #freebritney Jul 27, 2021

Britney Spears has made a lot of noise lately in her bid to nullify her conservatorship. But what are they even? Listen in to find out!

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Selects: How Mars Works Jul 24, 2021

Sure today Mars would kill you with its thin, toxic atmosphere and cold desert temperature swings of 100 degrees,but early on it and Earth were practically twins. Find out how the two planets diverged and if there might be life on the Red Planet, in this classic episode.

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The Origins of Some Everyday Superstitions Jul 22, 2021

Why exactly do we avoid walking under a ladder? Why is stepping on a crack in the sidewalk such a big deal? What kind of monster carries a rabbit’s foot in their pocket? The answers to these questions and more lie in wait ahead in this episode. Look out!

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Short Stuff: RICO Act Jul 21, 2021

If you’re even passingly interested in mobsters you’ve heard of the RICO Act, but most people don’t know how it actually works. Make your Goodfellas fandom more well-rounded with this explainer episode.

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Stranger Danger! Jul 20, 2021

If you grew up in the 1980s, you thought you had a 50% chance of getting kidnapped every time you left your house. But like with the Satanic Panic and other 80s hysteria, it was much ado about (almost) nothing.

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Selects: How Ketchup Works Jul 17, 2021

Little-known fact: Ketchup, possibly the most all-American of condiments, evolved from fermented fish sauce people in Southeast Asia have been making for more than a thousand years. Learn more in this classic episode.

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How Reverse Osmosis Will Save the World Jul 15, 2021

Can we save the future of the human race with some thin membranes riddled with ultra-tiny holes? Science says yes! Thanks to reverse osmosis filtration, we can turn saltwater to fresh and finally say, Water, water everywhere so let’s all have a drink!

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Short Stuff: Hanged, Drawn and Quartered Jul 14, 2021

The words "hanged, drawn and quartered" are an accurate description of the grizzly execution process. They're just not in the right order.

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The Radium Girls Jul 13, 2021

The Radium Girls painted watched with glow-in-the-dark radium in the 1920s and '30s. Most got sick, many died. This is their story.

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Selects: How Historic Districts Work Jul 10, 2021

A fascinating thing about Americans is that we can disagree on anything. Such is the case with historic districts – areas of historic importance protected by local laws. Seems innocuous, but are they also to blame for the affordable housing crisis? Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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SYSK Live: Koko, the Gorilla Who Talked Jul 08, 2021

Recorded live before the pandemic in January 2020 at the Castro Theatre for San Francisco Sketchfest, Josh and Chuck explore the 70s movement that attempted to teach apes human language and the Ape Language Wars that erupted from it.

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Short Stuff: Sulfanilamide Disaster Jul 07, 2021

In the 1920s, before the era of consumer protection, a poison entered the medicine supply and killed more than 100 people before the pubic health disaster could be stopped.

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The Sad Story of William James Sidis Jul 06, 2021

Are geniuses made or born? Listen in today to the story of child prodigy William James Sidis.

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Selects: Are good samaritan laws effective? Jul 03, 2021

Good samaritan laws have been around for many years, helping to provide legal protections for people who try to help other people. But do they work? Listen to this classic episode and decide for yourself today!

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The Grand Ole Opry Cast Jul 01, 2021

Josh and Chuck take a virtual walk through country music's legendary music venue.

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Short Stuff: Beast of Gevaudan Jun 30, 2021

The first truly international news story covered a beast that terrorized the French countryside, eviscerating dozens of villagers for three years in the 1760s. How about that?

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Poison Control Centers: A Good Thing Jun 29, 2021

Poison control centers are one of those things you don’t think about until you need it. With all the poisons in our homes you very well may someday. When you do there is a cadre of toxicological specialists ready to oversee the process of saving your life.

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Selects: How Royalty Works Jun 26, 2021

In some nations royals are so ingrained in the national fabric they are considered part of the country. In this classic episode, Josh and Chuck take a look backward in time at the ancient tradition of despotism and unbridled privilege.

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How Faraday Cages Work Jun 24, 2021

Faraday cages are one of those peculiar miracles of nature that we can actually explain – not to mention, they save us from potentially fatal electrocutions and electronic eavesdropping which are bonuses. Learn about this amazing hidden technology here.

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Short Stuff: Chastity Belts Jun 23, 2021

Were chastity belts real? Sort of. But not in the way you might think. Tune in to hear the real story.

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The Mystery of Damascus Steel Jun 22, 2021

Damascus steel and the recipe behind it remained a mystery for many years. But it turns out the key was a bygone ingredient. Listen in to this medieval mystery to learn all about it.

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Selects: Operation Mincemeat: How A Corpse Fooled the Nazis Jun 19, 2021

In World War II, a secret department of British ‘corkscrew thinkers’ hatched a plan to use the cadaver of an unclaimed homeless man to turn the tide of the war in the Allies’ favor. It worked. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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How Venus Works Jun 17, 2021

Venus is so hot lead would melt on the planet’s surface. It spins backwards. Its year is shorter than its day. Venus is amazingly awesome.

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Short Stuff: Mojave Megaphone Jun 16, 2021

What is the Mojave Megaphone? Well, nobody really knows. Listen in today to learn about this desert mystery.

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Seven - No, Wait, Five - Mysteries of the Art World Jun 15, 2021

When you get a bunch of artistic types together into a community – aka, the art world – some intrigue and mystery are bound to arise. Listen in as Chuck and Josh cover strangeness around Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Raphael, and Vermeer – plus don’t miss Hilter!

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Selects: How Sea Monsters Work Jun 12, 2021

Legends of sea monsters are as old as humanity, and some ancient cultures even credited them with creating the universe. Learn more about humanity's attachment to seeing monsters in the deep in this classic episode.

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POGs: The 90s in a Bottle Cap Jun 10, 2021

Today, Chuck and Josh go down a 90s rabbit hole with another in their classic toy series. This time, they tackle the odd sensation that was POGs.

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Short Stuff: Chinatowns Jun 09, 2021

If you live in a major city in the USA, you probably have a Chinatown. Listen in and learn all about these unique cultural staples today.

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Slime Mold: 0% Mold, 100% Amazing Jun 08, 2021

If you’ve ever wandered past what looked like a pile of dog barf on a log during a hike in the woods, you’d just seen slime mold - one of the most perplexing organisms on Earth.

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Selects: Who was America's first murderer? Jun 05, 2021

John Billington didn't just sign the Mayflower Compact -- he was also the colony's first criminal, and had the dubious honor of being the first European to be convicted of murder in this new place. But how did it happen? Tune in to this classic episode to find out.

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John Muir: Outdoor Enthusiast Jun 03, 2021

John Muir loved being outside. So much so that he dedicated his life to helping preserve it, but not without some controversy. Listen in to this decidedly nature-centric episode today!

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Short Stuff: Runner's High Jun 02, 2021

Listen in to today's short stuff to learn if a runner's high is really a thing.

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What Causes Inflation? Jun 01, 2021

Inflation seems super boring, but if you know how it works (important point: no one really does) you can exist as a functioning human being in a modern economy.

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Selects: How Nitrous Oxide Works May 29, 2021

For about 175 years people have been huffing nitrous oxide for everything from vision quests to anesthetic to get plain old high. And after all that time we are only now beginning to understand how it works on our brains. Get the scoop in this classic episode.

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Night Trap: The Video Game Failure that Changed the Industry May 27, 2021

In the early 90s a video game was released that changed the industry, despite poor sales and bad game play. That game was Night Trap. This is that story.

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Short Stuff: Parachute Emergency! May 26, 2021

Your parachute won’t open – now what?! Listen up to Josh and Chuck and you may make it out of this in one piece.

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How Cleft Lips and Palates Work May 25, 2021

Cleft lips and palates are common birth defects, but for the kids who have them (and their parents), its no small matter: Years of surgeries, therapy, and possibly lifelong health issues, not to mention the teasing that comes along with looking different.

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Selects: How Hot Wheels Work May 22, 2021

If you're an American who had a childhood, you probably have some nostalgia for Hot Wheels. Get your engines revved for this trip down memory lane as we discuss these fun and iconic toys in this classic episode.

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Girl Scouts: More than cookie sellers May 20, 2021

We put our research to the test and it turns out the Girl Scouts is a great organization.

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Short Stuff: Speed Reading May 19, 2021

Back in the 60s and 70s, a speed reading craze broke out. Tough luck that speed reading is bunk.

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The Cleveland Torso Murders May 18, 2021

During the depths of the Great Depression, Cleveland’s most vulnerable and destitute residents were prey for one of history’s most horrific serial killers. The killer’s identity remains a mystery to this day.

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Selects: How Limousines Work May 15, 2021

The first limousines weren’t even cars! Learn all about the history of limousines, how they’re made and some of the most creative and expensive amenities you can find inside them in this classic episode with Josh and Chuck.

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How Monster Trucks Work May 13, 2021

If you’ve never seen a huge truck with gigantic tires do backflips or roll backward perched only on its two front tires, you haven’t lived yet. Chuck and Josh are here to ignite your interest.

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Short Stuff: Garter Snakes May 12, 2021

Garter snakes aren’t scary, they’re pretty great! Learn all the reasons why in this episode!

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The Ivy League May 11, 2021

The Ivy League is technically a sports conference, but it's much more than that. Enjoy this special 3D episode with your earbuds on and learn all about these revered, elite universities.

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Selects: How Snake Handlers Work May 08, 2021

Snake handling ranges from professional snake milkers for antivenin to religious handlers who tend to get bitten and sometimes die from it. Either way, it can be a dangerous business. Learn all about snake handling in this classic episode.

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How Uranium Mining Works May 06, 2021

Mining uranium is dangerous work. Not only does it involve mining, which is dangerous itself, uranium is also found alongside some very radioactive stuff. Learn the ins and outs of this thrilling endeavor in this episode of SYSK.

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Short Stuff: Squarer Than Wombat Poop May 05, 2021

One of the cutest animals on the planet is also the only one that squeezes out cube-shaped poop. Find out why today.

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The Appendix: No Respect May 04, 2021

The poor appendix. Despite findings that it serves a purpose, many people still cast it off as a second rate organ and the Rodney Dangerfield of organs. We aim to correct that notion.

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Selects: How Cave Dwellers Work May 01, 2021

You know the cavemen, a race of human cousins who lived exclusively in caves? They didn’t exist. Sure prehistoric hominids used caves sometimes but they lived in other places too. Luckily the time they spent in caves has given us a glance at their culture thanks to the protective environments of caves. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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How Corporate Taxes Work Apr 29, 2021

There are lots of reasons to tax corporations: as a check on their power, to help pay for infrastructure, as a wealth tax. But the biggest reason economists cite for why they've stuck around is that everyday people think companies should have to pay them too.

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Short Stuff: Ivar The Boneless Apr 28, 2021

Was Ivar the Boneless a real Viking warrior? Probably. Did he really have no bones? Probably not.

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Truffles: Underground Treasures Apr 27, 2021

Truffles are rare, expensive and apparently delicious. Learn all about these earthy fungi today.

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Selects: How Profiling Works Apr 24, 2021

At its base, criminal profiling is a legitimate investigatory tool. The Supreme Court has drawn a clear line that bans profiling when it includes race. So why do we still do it? Take a closer look with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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How Stamp Collecting Works Apr 22, 2021

Over the last two centuries philatelists – stamp collectors – have learned just about everything there is to know about every stamp ever printed. You won’t by the end of this episode, but you might be interested enough to start yourself.

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Short Stuff: Madam C.J. Walker Apr 21, 2021

Join us today as we dive into the story of the first female self-made millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker.

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Mechanical Bulls! Apr 20, 2021

Mechanical bulls are kind of weird, but they have certainly made a place in American pop culture over the years. Largely due to one movie, Urban Cowboy.

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Selects: How Tupperware Works Apr 17, 2021

Tupperware won immediate design acclaim when it was released in 1947, but it took a pioneering female executive to make a line of plastic food storage into an icon of the American postwar boom. Learn about the surprisingly intriguing history of Tupperware, in this classic episode.

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Hair Loss: The Pits Apr 15, 2021

Losing your hair is a situation that seems to be universally considered to absolutely stink. Unsurprisingly, humans have been trying all sorts of weird stuff to combat hair loss for millennia, but we’re only just now starting to get a handle on it.

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Short Stuff: Palindromes Apr 14, 2021

Chuck loves palindromes. So much that his very name is one. Oh wait...

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How the Electrical Grid Works Apr 13, 2021

The electrical grid that provides power to the US is one of those things you don’t give a second thought to until it stops working – then it’s tough to think about anything else. Learn why this engineering marvel is past its prime and how to update it.

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Selects: The Unsolved Mystery Disappearance of the Sodder Children Apr 10, 2021

In 1945 a house fire took the lives of five children - except that their bodies were never found. In this classic episode, dive into the longstanding mystery of the odd circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Sodder children.

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Muzak: Easy Listening Goodness Apr 08, 2021

Muzak got a bad reputation as bland garbage music. We aim to set the record straight.

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Short Stuff: Venus de Milo Apr 07, 2021

Step into today's short stuff to learn all about the armless wonder!

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Havana Syndrome: ¿Qué Diablos? Apr 06, 2021

In 2016, diplomats at the American embassy in Cuba began suffering weird neurological symptoms after hearing strange noises. Some say it was a sonic attack using a secret weapon, but the Havana Syndrome remains a baffling scientific mystery to this day.

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Selects: How Circus Families Work Apr 03, 2021

Don't be confused - this one is about actual circus acts made of family members, not the controversial comic strip. Step right up to this classic episode.

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How the Titanic Worked: Part Two Apr 01, 2021

After the Titanic sank recriminations and blame followed, sometimes ruining careers unjustifiably. As the decades wore on and she was found almost 2.5 miles down, history rehabilitated some people. The question still remains how to preserve the ship.

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Short Stuff: What's the oldest book? Mar 31, 2021

In order to figure out what the oldest book is, one has to define what a book actually is. Listen in as we discuss this debatable topic.

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How the Titanic Worked: Part One Mar 30, 2021

When the Titanic set sail on her maiden voyage in April 1912, the world was divided into two types of people: those who considered her unsinkable and those who weren’t so sure about that. Both types were aboard when she went down with 1500 souls.

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Selects: What was the Philadelphia Experiment? Mar 27, 2021

The Philadelphia Experiment is a bad movie from the 1980s, and also the conpiracy theory that refuses to die, despite virtually zero evidence of its occurance. Learn all about this strange non-event in this classic episode.

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Space Junk, Ahoy! Mar 25, 2021

The orbits hundreds to thousands of miles above Earth are littered with garbage. Space garbage, sure, but it’s still garbage. Littering in space is bad enough but it poses practical problems too – like space junk crashing into satellites or astronauts.

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Short Stuff: Cellphones on Airplanes Mar 24, 2021

Are we finally at the place where we can make cell phone calls on airplanes? PLEASE NO! Listen in to find out.

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What is biophilic design? Mar 23, 2021

Biophilic design is all about bringing the outside in. But it's also much more than that. Open your windows and have a listen!

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Selects: How Lighthouses Work Mar 20, 2021

People have been burning fires on cliffs as long as other people have used boats, but after the Age of Exploration, lighthouses took their unmistakable form and the great stories of the people who kept the lights around the world began. Learn all about them in this classic episode.

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The Texas City Disaster of 1947 Mar 18, 2021

In 1947 the port town of Texas City, Texas became the site of the largest industrial disaster in American history. An enormous explosion blew ships out of the water, created a tidal wave that flooded the town, and killed hundreds of people instantly.

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Short Stuff: Brazilian Jars Mar 17, 2021

In the 1970s big news was made when some underwater artifacts were found in a bay by Rio de Janeiro that would have rewritten history. Then it just kind of petered out.

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The Parrot Episode Mar 16, 2021

If you think parrots are simply mimics that fly, you're wrong. Tune in and learn about these colorful friends today.

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Selects: Please Listen to How Plasma Waste Convertors Work Mar 13, 2021

There is a way to not only sustainably get rid of our household waste, but also produce enough energy from it to power the process and even create electricity for the grid. The future is here. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Karaoke: Tuesday Night Fever Mar 11, 2021

Listen in and learn all about the fascinating history of everybody's favorite pastime... karaoke!

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Short Stuff: Tooth Fairy: Not Real Mar 10, 2021

Today we break down the history of everyone's favorite home invader, the tooth fairy.

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Dragons: As Real as Mermaids Mar 09, 2021

Dragons are like mermaids in that they're not real. And that's about where the comparison ends. Learn all about dragons today.

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Selects: Mermaids: Not a real thing Mar 06, 2021

Mermaids aren't real. That much we know. But the history and lore of these magical and sometimes menacing creatures of the sea is pretty interesting stuff. Learn all about these half women/half fish in this classic episode.

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Why is the Equal Rights Amendment still not ratified? Mar 04, 2021

The United States is one of only 28 countries in the world that doesn’t have equal protection for women under the law enshrined in its constitution. There was a moment in the 70s where it came very close, but then the conservative movement was born.

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Short Stuff: Dog Suicide Bridge Mar 03, 2021

A bridge at the town of Dumbarton in Scotland has a terrible reputation as a site where dogs inexplicably leap to their death on the rocks 50 feet below. There is no shortage of theories why, but none fully explain it.

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Is the Free Radical Theory of Aging Wrong? Mar 02, 2021

In the 1990s we thought we’d identified the root cause of aging: nasty molecules called free radicals that wreaked havoc on our cells. Even better, we’d figured out how to counteract them with loads of antioxidants. Then science started raising questions.

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Selects: Bridges: Nature Abhors Them Feb 27, 2021

From prehistoric logs across streams to the 102-mile Kunshan Grand Bridge, nature works ceaselessly to take down spans. In this classic episode, learn about the fascinating ins and outs of bridge design and building and the mind-boggling challenges structural engineers face.

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How Bruce Lee Worked Feb 25, 2021

Bruce Lee may have introduced more Westerners to Asian culture than any person in history. And, because he died young just as he became an international superstar, he’s become a legend. Josh and Chuck try to uncover the man underneath.

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Short Stuff: The Body in the Cylinder Feb 24, 2021

In 1945, residents of a Liverpool neighborhood found a desiccated body in a long cylinder they’d been using for years using as a bench. It launched a mystery that’s still alive today.

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What Will Farming 4.0 Look Like? Feb 23, 2021

The human population is expected to increase by a couple billion people in the next 30 years and those who are paying attention are wondering exactly how we’ll feed all those extra mouths. Will going high tech or getting back to nature save us?

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Selects: How Chili Peppers Work Feb 20, 2021

Born and raised in South America, chilis were the earliest crop domesticated in the continent and among the first items brought back to Europe by Columbus. Today people are really, really into them. Find out all about 'em in this classic episode.

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How Blue Holes Work Feb 18, 2021

Geologists and biologists have recently realized that the planet’s oceans and coasts are littered with a unique type of ecosystem called blue holes, submerged sinkholes that were once dry caves. They are turning out to be weird and amazing places.

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Short Stuff: Freedom House Ambulance Services Feb 17, 2021

As part of Black History Month, we wanted to share the little known story of the Freedom House Ambulance Service. Listen in to learn all about this seminal group of EMTs.

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The Disappearance of Lars Mittank Feb 16, 2021

In 2014, a young German man walked into an airport in Bulgaria with a flight booked, then suddenly ran out leaving all his posessions behind, never to be heard from again. This is the story of Lars Mittank.

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Selects: Why Are So Many Disembodied Feet Washing Ashore In British Columbia? Feb 13, 2021

Between 2007 and 2016, 17 disembodied feet - still wearing shoes - have washed ashore between Washington and British Columbia. What's behind the sudden influx of Vancouver's mystery feet? Find out in this classic episode.

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How Housing Discrimination Works Feb 11, 2021

Owning a home in the US is a way to pass wealth down from one generation to the next and lift families into a comfortable life down the road. But there have been barriers to buying homes that Black Americans have faced from the time of slavery to today.

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Short Stuff: How California Got Its Name Feb 10, 2021

California is a pretty cool name. And the story about where it came from is even cooler.

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Sacagawea: Impressive Teen Feb 09, 2021

Sacagawea was only 16 when she joined the Corps of Discovery. That is one seriously impressive teenager.

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Selects: Earwax: Live With It Feb 06, 2021

Despite tons of people using cotton swabs each day to clean the earwax from their ears, cerumen (as earwax is clinically known) is actually quite beneficial to the health of your ears - and even kind of ingenious as your body's defense goes. Learn more in this classic episode.

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The NAACP Feb 04, 2021

The NAACP has long been one of the most robust and effective non-profits in the USA. And while it has faded a bit from its glory days, it still remains a vital cog in the battle for equality.

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Short Stuff: Balloonfest Feb 03, 2021

In 1986 Cleveland released more than a million helium balloons at once! It didn’t go at all according to plan!

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How Groundhog Day Works Feb 02, 2021

You know Groundhog Day – the holiday on February 2 when you wake up and have to go through the same day over and over again. It turns out the holiday has deep roots in a pagan past, and has survived in a surprisingly similar form.

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Selects: Maggots: Good For Healing Wounds, Turns Out Jan 30, 2021

Cultures around the world over the years have been inspired by, then repulsed, then inspired by maggots' ability to heal persistent wounds. We are in an inspired-by phase right now. Learn more in this classic episode.

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How Hydropower Works Jan 28, 2021

Humans have been stealing energy from flowing water for at least two thousand years. It wasn’t until the advent of electricity that things really got cookin’. All we need to do now is to work out the harmful environmental impacts of this green energy.

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Short Stuff: Vantablack Jan 27, 2021

How black is vantablack? About as black as you could imagine.

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The KKK: Loathsome Cosplay Rednecks Jan 26, 2021

The history of the KKK is rooted in hatred and racism, and it still is today. Learn all about these loathsome rednecks today.

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Selects: How Blimps Work Jan 23, 2021

After newsreels captured the Hindenburg erupting in fire in 1937, the promising development of airship aviation was cut short. Today companies and militaries are taking another look at blimps and the unique qualities that may revive them. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Finding the Fenn Treasure Jan 21, 2021

In 2010 an eccentric art dealer hid a treasure chest with $2 million in valuables somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and published a poem with clues on where to find it. Hence began the most famous treasure hunt in modern times.

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Short Stuff: Necco Jan 20, 2021

If you think Necco Wafers are the most disgusting candy on the planet, you are not alone. But it turns out there’s a rich history behind those chalky discs that make them fascinating, if horrible.

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What does a tire company know about food? Jan 19, 2021

The Michelin Guide is an institution. But why does the famous tire manufacturer even put this restaurant guide out? Listen in to find out.

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Selects: What Was the Deal With the Hatfields and McCoys? Jan 16, 2021

It was America's most famous family feud, but the history of the Hatfields vs the McCoys is fraught with bias and inaccuracies. Dig into a disagreement in 19th-century Appalachia that became a very big deal around the world, in this classic episode.

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The Science of Cute Jan 14, 2021

If you took our advice and looked up baby beavers a few episodes back, you probably found them sooooo cute you couldn’t stand it. Or you just wanted to eat them up, which is weird if you think about it. Friend, prepare for the science on that!

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Short Stuff: Silverfish Jan 13, 2021

Should you be afraid of these creepy little creatures you find in your basement? Only one way to find out.

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Hell! Hell! Hell! Jan 12, 2021

What is Hell? It's complicated and depends on which religion you're talking about. We dive into this fiery mess and do our best to explain it.

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Selects: How Skateboarding Works Jan 09, 2021

Skateboarding started out as something bored surfers did when the waves weren't breaking, but after a few improvements to the design, it took off like a rocket to become its own cultural phenomenon. Come gleam the cube with Josh and Chuck as you ollie over this classic episode.

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The Wright Brothers Jan 07, 2021

Orville and Wilbur Wright were not trained professionals, but they were rigorous experimenters who ended up changing the world.

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Short Stuff: Is It Theater or Theatre? Jan 06, 2021

Have you ever noticed sometimes theaters – we mean, theatres – oh, forget it – places where you see movies or plays – are sometimes spelled two different ways? You can thank Noah Webster, author of the first American dictionary, for that.

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Space Weather - What's That?! Jan 05, 2021

Did you know space has weather? It’s true! In our solar system, tons – literal tons – of highly charged gas and magnetized particles spew from the surface constantly, causing all sorts of weird stuff here on Earth. So far, nothing too bad has happened.

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Selects: How Auto-Tune Works Jan 02, 2021

What began as a challenge to an oil engineer to make a terrible singer into a pitch-perfect one, Auto-Tune has become a ubiquitous (and, to many, obnoxious) part of the musical soundscape. Learn more in this classic episode.

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La Dame de Fer (Eiffel Tower) Dec 31, 2020

The Eiffel Tower is one of the top destinations on Planet Earth. It turns out to be a pretty cool feat of engineering as well.

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Short Stuff: Ig-pay Atin-lay (Sorry) Dec 30, 2020

Turns out we have little kids from the 19th century, the Three Stooges, and an odd musical composer named Arthur Fields to thank for pig latin.

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Theremins: World's First Electronic Music Dec 29, 2020

In 1919 a brilliant Russian scientist accidentally stumbled onto the first electronic musical instrument in history – the theremin – which you play not by strings, keys, or even percussion, but by moving your hand in the air around it. Prepare to science!

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SYSK Selects: Sugar: It Powers the Earth Dec 26, 2020

Since sugar spread from Polynesia a few thousand years ago, the world has been crazy for it. Insanely high prices, wars and even slavery couldn't undo world's need for a sugar fix. Today that fix is responsible for the obesity epidemic facing the West. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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The SYSK 2020 Holly Jolly Extravaganza! Dec 24, 2020

It's here again! Our annual ad-free holiday spectacular. So pour up a hot toddy, throw a log on the fire and listen with the whole family!

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Short Stuff: Chinese Food on Christmas Dec 23, 2020

What started out as a tradition among Jewish people on the Lower East Side at the turn of the last century has become a full-blown American holiday custom.

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How Buffets Work Dec 22, 2020

Buffets are every kid’s dream – until they grow up enough to realize how gross communal spreads of food shared with strangers actually are. Then the dream is dashed, for most of us at least. Learn about the golden age of buffets and more right here!

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SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978 Dec 19, 2020

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in our annual special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.

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Aspirin: The Wonder Drug Dec 17, 2020

Humans have been using a form of aspirin for pain relief since at least the Sumerians. But in recent years we’ve come to learn the wonder drug is indeed awe-inspiring, from preventing heart attacks to possibly protecting humans from cancer.

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Short Stuff: Modern Funerals Dec 16, 2020

The way we deal with our dead has changed a lot over the past 50 years. Learn all about it in 12-15 minutes right here.

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Joseph Merrick, aka "The Elephant Man" Dec 15, 2020

Joseph Merrick was known as The Elephant Man because of his suffering from what we now know was Proteus Synrome. Learn all about this brave man in today's episode.

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SYSK Selects: What is a hangover, really? Dec 12, 2020

After a night of heavy boozing, many partygoers find themselves the victim of a hangover. But what exactly is a hangover, and what causes it? Join Chuck and Josh as they break down the science behind hangovers -- and how to avoid them, in this classic episode.

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The Taliesin Massacre Dec 10, 2020

Everyone knows who Frank Lloyd Wright is, but did you know there was a grisly massacre at his home in 1914?

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Short Stuff: Cramming Dec 09, 2020

Cramming is no way to study. Learn why in today's short stuff.

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How Class Action Lawsuits Work Dec 08, 2020

Class action lawsuits seem a little odd – a bunch of people get together for a sue-fest against somebody – but in the legal world they’re a practical way of handing huge wrongs. And! They keep justice just in their way. Learn all about them today.

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SYSK Selects: How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe Dec 05, 2020

Since the age of Descartes, science has put all of its eggs in the basket of determinism, the idea that with accurate enough measurements any aspect of the universe could be predicted. But the universe, it turns out, is not so tidy. Explore the final frontier with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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John Lennon and the FBI Dec 03, 2020

Did you know that Richard Nixon had a FBI case file open on Beatle John Lennon? Well he did! Why? Listen in to find out.

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Short Stuff: Pimento Cheese! Dec 02, 2020

Pimento cheese was originally nothing like it is now: It was mass produced, it was made from cream cheese and it was conceived in New York. Today it’s something much better, thanks to the South!

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Cabbage Patch Kids: Must-Have Toy of the Century Dec 01, 2020

Surprisingly, Cabbage Patch Kids have turned up on SYSK almost as much as the Nazis or Seinfeld. It’s finally time to dive all the way into CPKs, from their controversial origins to the Christmas craze of ‘83 to their alter egos, Garbage Pail Kids.

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SYSK Selects: How Tea Works Nov 28, 2020

Legend has it that tea was discovered by a curious Chinese emperor after leaves blew into his boiled water. Now tea is the second only to water in popularity worldwide. And despite the varieties of tea, they all come from a single species of plant. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Gobble Gobble: Turkeys! Nov 26, 2020

Turkeys are a very interesting bird as it turns out. Which may be why many people are leaving it off their Thanksgiving table this year. Learn all about them right now!

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Short Stuff: How Eyes In a Painting Follow You Nov 25, 2020

Ever noticed how eyes in a painting sometimes follow you around the room? It’s weird! But it’s also fully explainable and Josh and Chuck do just that here.

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Patty Hearst: Brainwashed or Bandit? Nov 24, 2020

Patty Hearst was a young heiress living a quiet life studying art history at college when one Monday evening her home was invaded, she was kidnapped, and her life took a totally unforeseen turn that she would have trouble explaining for years to come.

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SYSK Selects: Whatever happened to acid rain? Nov 21, 2020

Along with the hole in the ozone layer, acid rain was one of the first international environmental threats. It's fallen to the wayside in the face of climate change, but we have yet to lick it. Join Chuck and Josh as they revive the 80s drumbeat in this classic episode.

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The Great War of the Worlds Panic Myth Nov 19, 2020

On Halloween 1938 young radio star Orson Welles scared the pants off of America with a fictional news bulletin claiming Martians had landed and were destroying the country. People across the nation ran wild with panic in the streets – or did they?

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Short Stuff: Squirrel Nuts Nov 18, 2020

We know squirrels hide nuts. But it's actually more complex a system than you think.

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How Pain Works Nov 17, 2020

In recent decades we’ve come to understand that there’s a lot more to pain than: touch hot stove/feel burning hand. Pain is a far more sophisticated experience and, unfortunately, a system that can often go haywire, with terrible effects.

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SYSK Selects: Who Gets to Name Continents? Nov 14, 2020

America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, right? Maybe not. And who named Australia? Find out the unusually uncertain origins of the continents and other interesting stuff in this classic episode.

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How Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Works Nov 12, 2020

For almost a century, Macy’s department store has kicked off the holidays in America with a grand parade. And when you march thousands of clowns, lip synching celebrities, bands, and giant balloons through New York things get remarkable.

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Short Stuff: Plastic Pink Flamingos Nov 11, 2020

Plastic flamingos started out as innocent yard art, transformed into folk art, and have become a (kind of mean) symbol of high campiness. There’s a lot to this particular plastic yard art.

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The Bay of Pigs Disaster Nov 10, 2020

The Bay of Pigs is one of the blackest of eyes on American foreign policy. Learn all about this dark spot of American history today.

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SYSK Selects: Geysers: Nature's Innuendo Nov 08, 2020

The spectacular eruptions of steam and water we call geysers are only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the result of thousands of years of specific natural conditions and physical processes. Learn the Stuff You Should Know about geysers in this classic episode.

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All the Gold In Fort Knox: Meh Nov 05, 2020

When Fort Knox was built in the 1930s to house America’s gold supply, it was billed as an impenetrable, impregnable, don’t-even-think-of-trying vault. But as the world has moved further away from gold, the stockpile’s lost a bit of its luster.

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Short Stuff: Fruit Flies, Why? Nov 04, 2020

Have you ever wondered why we do so much scientific testing on fruit flies? Turns out they make better models for humans than you’d think.

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The Amazing Roberto Clemente Nov 03, 2020

Roberto Clemente was what’s called a “complete” baseball player – he could hit, run and, man could he throw, so it’s no surprise he was made a Hall of Famer. But he was also a humanitarian, a civil rights icon, and a fiercely proud son of Puerto Rico.

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SYSK Selects: How Ghosts Work Oct 31, 2020

According to a 2009 poll, more Americans believe in ghosts than don't. But what are ghosts exactly? If they do exist, what are they made of and why are they hanging around? In this classic episode airing for Halloween, Josh and Chuck explore both sides of the divide between belief and skepticism on the topic of ghosts and look at some pretty cool explanations for hauntings.

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SYSK’s Scare Your Pants Off (and Back On) Halloween Spooktacular Oct 29, 2020

It’s that time of year again! So turn down the lights, pull the sheets over your eyes and prepare to be thrilled and frightened with two great Halloween stories from Philip K. Dick and M.R. James.

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Short Stuff: Poe Toaster Oct 28, 2020

For at least sixty years a mysterious person (or persons) showed up at Edgar Allen Poe’s grave to toast the master on his birthday. No one ever found out who this legendary figure was.

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A History of Nursing Homes Oct 27, 2020

In America, we've treated our senior citizens in very different ways over the years. Tune in to hear about how we've tackled compassionate care.

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Chuck Bryant On The Why I’m Voting Podcast Oct 25, 2020

Hey, SYSK listeners! We wanted to make sure you heard Chuck on iHeartRadio’s Why I’m Voting podcast. Check it out and don’t forget to vote on November 3rd!

If you want to change, preserve, or build a better America, there’s one easy way to make your voice heard: Vote. This year, iHeartRadio is teaming up with over 20 incredible celebrities (plus a handful of our most popular podcasters) to get the country excited to go vote, broadcasting the personal, emotional and heartfelt stories behind why showing up to the ballot box means so much-- not just as individuals, but for our entire nation.

Thank you to our partners AXE, Knorr® & Seventh Generation

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SYSK Selects: How Book Banning Works Oct 24, 2020

If you want to control the masses, control what they read. After all, books are seeds that germinate new points of view. As a result, the struggle against banning books is contentious and continual. Learn more about banning books in this classic episode.

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Beavers: Tail Slapping Fun Oct 22, 2020

Beavers are in fact, very busy. They're builders and solid family members, husbands and wives. Learn all about N America's largest rodent today.

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Short Stuff: Haunted Real Estate Oct 21, 2020

Do you have to disclose the notion that your house may be haunted upon sale? Listen in to find out.

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10 Voter Suppression Methods Oct 20, 2020

Voter suppression in the USA is as old as voting itself. Listen in to hear about 10 ways we stifle the vote.

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SYSK Selects: How Sushi Works Oct 17, 2020

Sushi grew out of a way to ferment fish a couple thousand years ago and in the late 20th century began to take the world by storm. What began as traditional, rigid food has come to evolve with new delicious innovations being added to the original canon. Learn all about it in this classic episode.

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Porcupines: Little Stabby Cutie Pies Oct 15, 2020

We love animals. A lot. Especially underrated ones like the darling porcupine. Listen in today to learn all about these stabby little boogers.

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Short Stuff: What is Latinx anyway? Oct 14, 2020

We love to keep up with the current terminology for groups of people. Learn about the origin of Latinx today.

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Wind Tunnels: More Important Than You Realize Oct 13, 2020

Without wind tunnels we may not have airplanes right now. Early aviationists built them to puzzle out how to get and stay airborne. But wind tunnels are used for so much more than flight – from microchips to wind turbines. Enjoy this breezy episode.

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SYSK Selects: How Bigfoot Works Oct 10, 2020

For centuries North American tribes have told stories of a hairy wild giant in the wilderness, and once Europeans arrived they claimed to see it, too. Chuck and Josh examine the claims of believers and the rebuttals of skeptics in this evenhanded episode from the SYSK archives.

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Printing press? Big deal! Oct 08, 2020

Was the printing press a big deal? You bet it was. One of the biggest. Learn all about the early history of printing today.

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Short Stuff: Lying in State Oct 07, 2020

After RBG passed away she had the honor of lying in state. Who decides this? Listen and you'll know.

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What's the deal with swing states? Oct 06, 2020

Swing states are all the rage once again this election season, but the makeup has changed a bit. Learn all about what makes a swing state a swing state right now.

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SYSK Selects: How the Electoral College Works Oct 03, 2020

When you vote in an American presidential election, you're not voting for your candidate - you're voting for a group of people you hope will in turn vote for your candidate. Listen in to learn more about the strange process for electing the president, in this classic episode.

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Fallout Shelters: Probably Useless (Let’s Never Find Out) Oct 01, 2020

The advent of nuclear weapons and the Cold War kicked off a craze in the US for building rec rooms with foot-thick reinforced walls and outfitted with survival rations and board games. Would they work? Probably not.

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Short Stuff: That's A Head Scratcher Sep 30, 2020

It’s actually really strange that scratching your head is a widely understood sign that you’re puzzling over something. No one’s exactly sure why we do that, so interesting theories abound!

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Conjugal Visits: Not exactly what you think Sep 29, 2020

After reaching their peak, conjugal prison visits are all but gone in the U.S. Learn all about these frisky visits in today's episode.

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SYSK Selects: How Rabies Works Sep 26, 2020

Rabies may have gotten a lot of attention in the U.S. in the 70s and 80s, but it's still an issue in developing countries. Learn all about this nasty virus in this classic episode. And stay away from raccoons and bats.

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At Long Last: Hawaiian Overthrow Episode Sep 24, 2020

By longstanding listener request, we look at how Hawaii was basically stolen by the United States in the 19th century. Rather than reverse this bit of geopolitical fraud, the US ended up making Hawaii a state instead.

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Short Stuff: Petticoat Rulers Sep 23, 2020

Petticoat rulers were women who ran the show long before anyone thought they could. We’re talking mayors and entire city councils comprised of women in the Old West. What happened since then? Listen to find out.

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How Sweepstakes Work Sep 22, 2020

Sweepstakes were invented as marketing tools to drum up interest for a product or sales. But winning them can be fun and as they’ve proliferated an entire subculture of people who enter hundreds of them a day. Enter the fascinating world of sweepstakes today!

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SYSK Selects: How White-collar Crime Works Sep 19, 2020

White-collar crime often involves fraud and other nonviolent acts. For most people, the term "white-collar crime" conjures up images of CEOs conniving their way to fortune. But what is it, really? Listen in as Josh and Chuck break down the facts in this classic episode.

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How Election Polling Works and Doesn't Work Sep 17, 2020

Election polling had a pretty good rep until 2016. But it turns out they weren't far off even then. It's really the media driving the narrative. Learn all about how election polling works today.

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Short Stuff: Black Cowboys Sep 16, 2020

Most people don't realize that around a quarter of the cowboys found in the Old West during the golden age cattle driving were African American. Let's meet some of them, shall we?

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Origami: Folding Goodness Sep 15, 2020

Origami is an amazing art that consists of making folds in paper to create something beautiful. Learn all about it today.

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SYSK Selects: How Porta-Potties Work Sep 12, 2020

Despite our lengthy history of evacuating our bowels and bladders, it wasn’t until the relatively recent 1940s that we began to construct portable, self-contained toilets to accept our waste. Dive into the world of porta-potties in this classic episode.

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Wetlands! Wetlands! Wetlands! Sep 10, 2020

It’s time to get jazzed up for some Earth science of the waterlogged variety. Join Chuck and Josh as they tour some of the most interesting ecosystems on the planet and learn why we need to stop destroying them post haste.

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Short Stuff: Streisand Effect Sep 09, 2020

What does Barbra Streisand have to do with the internet? Listen and learn!

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Frances Perkins: Influential and Unknown Sep 08, 2020

Frances Perkins was an incredibly influential American yet is virtually unknown. What did she do? A lot! For instance, Social Security was her brainchild. And that's just the tip of the old iceberg.

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SYSK Selects: How Police Chases Work Sep 05, 2020

Entire TV shows are dedicated to them and Americans love to watch a live one, but police chases aren't as routine as they seem. While police assert chases are important tools, critics say cops engage in chases too often and too easily. Learn all about the what, how, and why in this classic episode.

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The Disturbing Disappearance of Tara Calico Sep 03, 2020

When Tara Calico mysteriously vanished in 1988, suspected to be the victim of foul play, her case may have gotten lost with the countless other missing person cases in the US, were it not for the discovery of an alarming Polaroid photo in a parking lot 1500 miles away.

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Short Stuff: More Phrase Origins Sep 02, 2020

We're back with another handful of phrase origins.

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How the Escape from Alcatraz Worked Sep 01, 2020

In 1962, three ordinary criminals transcended into folk heroes when they crawled out of their cells in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary took to the water in a homemade raft and were never heard from again. Could they have possibly survived?

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SYSK Selects: Polyamory: When two just won't do Aug 29, 2020

In this classic episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck dive into the world of polyamory. Turns out polyamorists aren't aren't weirdos and deviants, they're just regular folks looking for love from more than one person. Learn all you ever needed to know about this unique, but not so modern arrangement.

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Blacksmiths? You got that right! Aug 27, 2020

Blacksmiths? You got that right. Learn all about this age old occupation in today's episode.

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Short Stuff: Carrots and Your Eyes Aug 26, 2020

Join Chuck and Josh as they learn that one of the great childhood truths – that carrots help you see better in the dark was totally made up!

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How Sneezing Works Aug 25, 2020

Unless you have an arcane disorder from a lesion on a very specific spot on our medulla, the chances are you sneeze. Turns out most animals do it, even lizards! Learn the whys and hows of this most interesting involuntary reflex.

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SYSK Selects: How Panic Attacks Work Aug 22, 2020

Almost three percent of Americans suffer from a debilitating disorder that causes them to suffer intense fear seemingly without reason and science hasn’t yet figured out what causes it. Join Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they get to the bottom of panic attacks.

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1-800-PODCAST Aug 20, 2020

Chuck and Josh dive into the wacky world of 800 and 900 phone numbers.

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Short Stuff: The Great American Coin Shortage of 2020 Aug 19, 2020

In addition to all the lousy things that’s come out of the Coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. is also experiencing a coin shortage thanks to a stalled-out economic system that normally circulates coins.

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How Anti-Dieting Works Aug 18, 2020

There’s a movement afoot that says we should all stop thinking about our weight and just enjoy food. No, it doesn’t help you lose weight…No, it’s not a diet…No, - just listen to the episode, okay?

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SYSK Selects: How The Human Microbiome Project Works Aug 15, 2020

If it was possible to take a full scan of all of the DNA of every cell in and on your body the results would be startling: Only 1 percent would be human. The other 99 percent comprises all of the bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes you literally cannot live without. Learn more in this classic episode.

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Olympic Torches: Remember Those? Aug 13, 2020

Back in the pre-pandemic days we had a sporting event called The Olympic Games. And at those games there was an opening ceremony that featured the lighting of a cauldron from a torch. Let's chat about that, eh?

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Short Stuff: The Return of Bill Gates! Aug 12, 2020

Our old pal Bill Gates is back for a very special short stuff where we talk all about Covid vaccines and therapeutics.

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Pirate Radio: Mavericks on the High Seas Aug 11, 2020

Pirate radio started out in England as a way to sidestep the regulations of Big Radio. While outlawed, it still exists today in the UK and America. Learn all about it today.

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SYSK Selects: How The Moonwalk Works Aug 08, 2020

When Michael Jackson debuted the moonwalk in 1983 the world was enrapt. The dance goes back farther, to the 1930s, and pops up again in the 50s, before reappearing via mimes and West Coast poppers in the 70s. Follow the circuitous route of an iconic move in this classic episode.

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How Miniature Golf Works Aug 06, 2020

Playing miniature golf is a very fun thing to do and, you’re about to find, learning about its origin and history is very fun as well. Join Josh and Chuck as they tee off on the mini golf story!

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Short Stuff: Jigsaw Puzzles Aug 05, 2020

Who doesn't love a good puzzle? Tune in to learn a few facts and figures about jigsaw puzzles right now.

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Wasps: Not as cute as bees Aug 04, 2020

Wasps have a bad rap. Because their sting really hurts and they don't make honey like their cousins. But they are super cool and you shouldn't kill them. Listen and learn!

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SYSK Selects: How the Rosetta Stone Works Aug 01, 2020

Sometimes providence smiles on historians. Thus is the case with the Rosetta stone, an ancient Egyptian tablet that served as the key for unlocking hieroglyphics, lost to time for a millennia. In this classic episode, learn about the international intrigue, rivalry to translate it and the luck that led to the founding of Egyptology.

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How Soap Works Jul 30, 2020

Soap is a miraculous substance – and mysterious too: we have no idea how humans first figured out to make it. We lived with soap for millennia before we thought to use it to wash ourselves with it, but once we did a love affair with cleanliness was born.

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Short Stuff: Habsburg Jaw Jul 29, 2020

The Habsburg Jaw is the result of inbreeding. But what is it? Click play and learn!

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How Hurricanes Work Jul 28, 2020

Hurricanes are perhaps the most destructive force of nature we have to deal with here on Earth. When a mind-boggling number of factors all fall into place just right, the outcome can be an enormous system of storms that is as awesome as it is powerful.

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SYSK Selects: How Lobbying Works Jul 25, 2020

Lobbying is an entrenched part of American politics and one that many people think is breaking government. But petitioning the government is protected in the Constitution. How can this system be fixed? join Josh and Chuck as they explore the topic in this classic episode.

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Mobile Phones Jul 23, 2020

Today we deep dive on mobile phones, wonders of the modern world!

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Short Stuff: The Death of Billy the Kid Jul 22, 2020

Sure, together Young Guns and Young Guns II form an exhaustive biography of Billy the Kid’s life. But did you know they also contain misleading information? Billy the Kid may not have lived to 100 under an alias after all!

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How We Almost Got Rid of Polio Jul 21, 2020

For more than half of the 20th century parents in the industrialized world were freaked out by an unseen waster of youth, the poliovirus. It spread easily and could paralyze children for life or even kill them. Its effects were so horrible that humanity set about ridding if from the Earth.

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SYSK Selects: How a Flea Circus Works Jul 18, 2020

If you've ever seen a flea circus, then count yourself among the few. It's a dying art, but back in the day they thrilled and delighted young and old alike. Learn all about the tiny big tops in this classic episode.

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Robber Barons! Jul 16, 2020

The robber barons were not a group of evil super villains. OR WERE THEY? Learn all about these titans of industry from the Gilded Age in today's episode.

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Short Stuff: Centralia Coal Fire Jul 15, 2020

An old coal mine in Pennsylvania caught fire one day in the 60s and it’s been burning ever since. What’s crazy is this happens all the time.

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Flagpole Sitting: A Real Fad Jul 14, 2020

The 1920s were just absolutely nuts. People got into weird fads really intensely and one of the strangest of all was flagpole sitting. It’s just what it sounds like – sitting on top of a flagpole for as long as you can. One man sat above them all.

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SYSK Selects: How Landfills Work Jul 11, 2020

Well-planned landfills have only recently come into widespread use. Recently, waste managers have found that they work a little too well and now the landfill is being reinvented.

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Essential Oils: Nature's Cure? Jul 09, 2020

Essential oils are from plants and they can help the human body in a lot of ways. There are also many false medical claims. Learn all the ins and outs today.

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Short Stuff: The @ Symbol Jul 08, 2020

You know the at symbol? This thing: @? There’s a name for it, just not in English. We just call it the at symbol. But other countries – stand back!

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What was the KGB? Jul 07, 2020

The KGB was the notorious strong arm of the Kremlin. Run afoul and you died. Learn all about them today.

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SYSK Selects: All We Know About Guessing Jul 04, 2020

Guessing is a weird thing. For millennia, it could have meant the difference between life and death. Now it's not as vital, but we still do it every day, whether behind the wheel of a car, or judging what another person might be feeling. In this classic episode, learn everything we know about the brain and how it manages this odd, very human act.

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Oh Yes, How Soil Works Jul 02, 2020

There is maybe nothing that sounds more boring than hearing two people talk about soil, but friend, prepare to be amazed at the details of what makes this amazing substance the life blood of Earth itself!

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Short Stuff: The Science of Funny Words Jul 01, 2020

Why are some words funnier than others? Well, one man has sought to figure that out. We'll tell you all about him and his project in today's episode.

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Bruxism: Grinding Your Teeth Is the Pits Jun 30, 2020

Researchers have noticed that as incidence of anger increases so too has teeth grinding, known clinically as bruxism. That’s a problem because when people grind their teeth, especially when they’re sleeping, they can wear them down to nubs.

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SYSK Selects: Juggling: What the Heck Jun 27, 2020

There is a lot – A LOT – to juggling and Chuck and Josh go over the lion’s share of it in this classic episode. Delve into the deep history, physics, how-tos and different types of juggling in this surprisingly sweeping look at a putatively innocuous pastime.

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Matcha: That Ain't Just Tea Jun 25, 2020

Matcha is something else, healthy and delicious and all the rage. Learn all about this trendy beverage today.

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Short Stuff: Nouns of assemblage... assemble! Jun 24, 2020

A gaggle of geese. A murder of crows. Nouns of assemblage are awesome and we talk about them for about 12 minutes in today's Short Stuff installment.

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How Ultrasound Works Jun 23, 2020

Sure you know all about ultrasound. You can see pictures of little babies right there cozy in the womb just by waving a magic plastic stick over the mom’s tummy. And magic is basically right. Believe us.

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SYSK Selects: Research tips from SYSK Jun 20, 2020

People often ask us how we do our research. We're not going to disclose all of our secrets, but we'll give you some tips on how to root out the bad studies from the good ones. Learn all about shady studies and reporting in this classic episode!

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The Manhattan Grid Jun 18, 2020

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Short Stuff: Haint Blue Jun 17, 2020

Haint Blue is a kind of robin's egg color that you might commonly find on porches of the low country of the Southeastern United States. But what does it have to do with ghouls and ghosts? Listen and learn!

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The War on Fat: The Seven Countries Study Jun 16, 2020

The Seven Countries Study was a fairly impressive, long-term study on the effects of fat in our diet, among other things. But it was very flawed and launched the misguided "War on fat." Learn all about today, then make up your own mind.

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SYSK Selects: How Flamethrowers Work Jun 13, 2020

Who first decided that it would be a great idea to shoot flame at other people from a distance? Josh and Chuck talk about the (very) early origins, history and technology of the flamethrower in this classic episode.

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Can You Eat A Tapeworm To Lose Weight? Jun 11, 2020

There’s a persistent insistence that you can ingest a tapeworm and as the parasite hijacks a lot of the calories you eat, the pounds will fall right off. In theory this could be true, but it’s also extremely dangerous. And has anyone ever really done it?

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Short Stuff: Foie Gras Jun 10, 2020

Foie gras means “fatty liver” in French, which makes sense because it’s made from the overripe livers of force-fed ducks and geese.

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How Project Star Gate Worked Jun 09, 2020

In yet another testament to how amazingly great the 70s were, in 1975 the US started a program that tried to harness the powers of clairvoyance to remotely spy on the Soviet Union. Since clairvoyance doesn’t seem to exist, it wasn’t super successful.

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SYSK Selects: How The Black Panther Party Worked Jun 06, 2020

The Black Panther Party was a complex political movement that was unfairly painted as a militant group who hated white people. Far from it, they were actually men and women trying to affect change in their community. Their history is one of the more interesting American stories, from the early stages of policing the police to their community service efforts to their inevitable fall. Learn all about the Black Panther Party in this classic episode.

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The Massacre at Tiananmen Square Jun 04, 2020

Tank Man. An indelible image burned in our brains. But what led to this extraordinary event? Chuck and Josh walk you through the days and weeks leading up to the massacre at Tiananmen Square, which is more of a cautionary tale than we realized.

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Short Stuff: Disappearing Dirty Dancing Lake Jun 03, 2020

The lake from one of the all-time great movies (search your feelings, you’ll find that it’s true) is turning into a dried up mudhole. Turns out it has some unusual features.

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Heroin: The Drug Jun 02, 2020

We've covered a lot of drugs in our history, and today we tackle heroin, one of the most dangerous of all.

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SYSK Selects: How Jackhammers Work May 30, 2020

It’s likely that without the invention of the pneumatic jackhammer, the Industrial Revolution wouldn’t have hummed along quite so smoothly. Certainly a lot more trains would go around mountains than through them. Learn about this essential tool in this classic episode.

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How Narcolepsy Works May 28, 2020

Narcolepsy is one of those amazing rare disorders that everyone thinks they understand – people just fall asleep at random times, even in the middle of doing something. But there’s a lot more to it and – even better – we actually may be able to explain it.

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Short Stuff: Lawn Darts May 27, 2020

There was a time when kids had to look out for flying darts that could pierce their skulls when they played in the backyard.

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Hummingbirds: Ornery Helicopters of the Animal Kingdom May 26, 2020

If you didn’t already know how amazing hummingbirds are, prepare to learn. Not only do they count among their numbers the smallest bird species, they are also lightning fast and have the endurance of a marathoner and a telethoner put together.

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SYSK Selects: How The Enlightenment Works May 23, 2020

The Enlightenment stands as the moment the West withdrew from superstition and found its faith in reason. Did it shift too far? In this classic episode, learn about this massive shift in thinking which we are still sorting through and coming to understand today.

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Josh Clark's Speech from Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020 May 22, 2020

Hi listeners, in case you haven't heard already, iHeartRadio just released a brand new podcast called Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020, where we collected speeches from notable folks all over and asked them to give their best advice, thoughts and words of wisdom to graduating seniors.

In this episode of Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020, Josh Clark, co-host of the Stuff You Should Know podcast, divulges secrets to graduates that their parents and teachers may have neglected to tell them.

If you'd like to hear the other speeches, including ones from John Legend, Bill & Melinda Gates, Tim Cook, Katie Couric, Ryan Seacrest, Abby Wambach, and more, just search "Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020" in your podcasting app of choice!

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How Bras Work May 21, 2020

Bras are loved and hated, sometimes at the same time. But as difficult and restrictive as they can be, they rescued women from a much cruel contraption: corsets. The question remains, though, do women need bras at all?

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Short Stuff: Mary Had A Little Lamb May 20, 2020

Did you know the little nursery rhyme is controversial? It’s true: Two towns in New England can barely stand to see one another on the map (kind of).

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How Spiritualism Works May 19, 2020

Something spooky was born on the American frontier in the mid-19th century: the idea that people’s personalities survive death and that some gifted individuals can communicate with them. It developed into a religion that some still practice today.

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Chuck Bryant's Speech from Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020 May 18, 2020

Hi listeners, in case you haven't heard already, iHeartRadio just released a brand new podcast called Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020, where we collected speeches from notable folks all over and asked them to give their best advice, thoughts and words of wisdom to graduating seniors.

In this episode, our very own Chuck Bryant reminds graduates to not let this season define them, reminding them the world believes in their ability to craft a better future for themselves.

If you'd like to hear the other speeches, including ones from John Legend, Bill & Melinda Gates, Tim Cook, Katie Couric, Ryan Seacrest, Abby Wambach, and more, just search "Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020" in your podcasting app of choice!

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SYSK Selects: How Fire Works May 16, 2020

Creating fire was possibly the most important human discovery, but it's easy to take for granted. But. Josh and Chuck get to the bottom of the chemistry of fire in their quest to explain everything in the universe, in this classic episode.

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How Peanut Butter Works May 14, 2020

No food is more all-American than peanut butter – 80 percent of homes in the country have a jar of it in the pantry right now. And while the rest of the world might find peanut butter peculiar, maybe even gross, the rest of the world is wrong.

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Short Stuff: Charley Horse May 13, 2020

You know those terrible leg cramps that come out of nowhere? They may be named after a drunken baseball pitcher.

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How Herd Immunity Works May 12, 2020

Herd immunity is an epidemiological concept that if enough people are inoculated against a disease the rest of us won’t get it. It’s been useful in holding back diseases like polio and measles, but we have vaccines for them. We don’t have one for Covid-19.

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SYSK Selects: How Caving Works May 09, 2020

Entrances to the underworld have been places of wonder for eons, and humans have ventured into caves to sleep, hunt, create art and explore. Thanks to the hobby of caving, that tradition continues today. Get all this plus Chuck discussing his caving experience, in this classic episode.

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Zippers: Humans’ Greatest Invention? No, But Still Good May 07, 2020

The zipper may be the most unsung invention we humans have ever come up with. Prior to zippers, everyone walked around like idiots with nothing but buttons to hold their clothes together. The zipper changed all that. The zipper changed everything.

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Short Stuff: Gibtown: Sideshow Central May 06, 2020

There was a glorious time in American history when circus sideshow performers lived together in a small town in Florida. Learn about the fascinating history of Gibtown today!

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I'm Spartacus! May 05, 2020

Spartacus was a real dude. He led a slave revolt, and was pretty successful to boot. I'm Spartacus. You're Spartacus. We are all Spartacus.

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SYSK Selects: How do dogs perceive time? May 02, 2020

A dog that knows exactly when its owners will arrive home every day seems to have a human perception of time, but in fact, they perceive time very differently than we do. Find out more about how dogs view time in this classic episode.

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Agatha Christie: Queen of the Murder Mystery Apr 30, 2020

Agatha Christie was a great writer of murder mystery novels and is probably the best selling author of all time. Listen in today to learn her story.

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Short Stuff: Mullets: 'Nuff Said Apr 29, 2020

Business in the front, you know the rest. Listen in as we discuss the lifestyle choice that is the mullet.

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How Existential Risks Work Apr 28, 2020

An existential risk is a special kind of threat that are different from other types of risks in that if one of them ever befalls us, it would spell the permanent end of humanity. It just so happens we seem to be headed for just such a kind of catastrophe.

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SYSK Selects: How the U.S. Postal Service Works Apr 25, 2020

Back when this episode aired, the USPS was teetering on the edge of going under and there were a lot of plans on the table to save it. With the USPS again at risk now for different reasons, join Chuck and Josh as they explore the history and future of the postal service in this classic episode.

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How the Voyager Golden Records Work Apr 23, 2020

As part of a super 70s push to get Earth to a seat at the table of the Galactic Federation (in case there is, in fact, such a thing), astronomer Carl Sagan oversaw an ambitious project to launch a compilation of Earth’s greatest hits into deep space.

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Short Stuff: The NY Times Crossword Apr 22, 2020

Today Chuck and Josh take a shallow dive in the warm pool that is the NY Times Crossword Puzzle.

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The Soul Train Episode Apr 21, 2020

Today, Chuck and Josh dive into the funky, cool world of the classic TV show, Sooooooooul Train.

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SYSK Selects: How Labor Unions Work Apr 18, 2020

Yes, it's true: Unions have a shady mob-related past and were originally championed by anarchists. Born from medieval trade guilds, these organizations also helped grow the American economy, and not only protected but established workers' rights.

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How Wastewater Treatment Works Apr 16, 2020

All that gross stuff we humans put in the water that gets flushed down the sewers has to be taken back out before that water is reintroduced to the environment. That’s the ideal, and it’s essential to staving off the imbalance people bring to the planet.

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Short Stuff: Turning Down the Radio When You're Lost Apr 15, 2020

It’s a typical human reaction: When you’re driving and you realize that you’re lost, you turn down the radio. On its face it makes no sense – or does it? (It does.)

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Bidets: Now More Than Ever Apr 14, 2020

We all know the benefits of bidets. But with toilet paper in short supply, they're more important than ever before.

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SYSK Selects: How Dissociative Identity Disorder Works Apr 11, 2020

Dissociative Identity Disorder was known as multiple personality disorder until a case of mass hysteria brought on by the movie-mad public and unscrupulous psychiatrists led to a stigma over the term. Now psychiatry has gotten serious about the condition. Learn more in this classic episode.

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Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Feminist Physician Apr 09, 2020

Becoming the first licensed woman physician in America was tough, convincing male surgeons to wash their hands between patients was even tougher. Today Josh and Chuck pay tribute to a genuine pioneer in medicine and society.

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Short Stuff: AAirpass Apr 08, 2020

In the go-go 80s and 90s, American Airlines offered the AAirpass, a lifetime pass for unlimited first class travel. It was an amazing deal, but AA didn’t predict just how much some travelers would use it. They played with fire, they got burned.

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The Legends of Lost Nazi Gold Apr 07, 2020

As if being murdering SOBs weren’t enough, the Nazis were also thieving rats. During WWII, they stole billons in gold from countries they overran and moved it to Germany. But at the end of the war, only part of it was recovered. Where’s the rest?

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SYSK Selects: How the Deep Web Works Apr 04, 2020

Perhaps you didn’t realize that when you search the web you’re only skimming the surface. In fact, the types of web pages that turn up in your search engine results represent only a mere fraction of the total web. Immerse yourself in the Deep web and its dark corners in this classic episode.

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Student Loans: UGH! Apr 02, 2020

Student loans can be pretty complicated. Luckily Chuck and Josh are here to wade through the financial muck for you.

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Short Stuff: 666 Apr 01, 2020

Today, Chuck and Josh dive into that scary number...666.

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How Dog Training Works Mar 31, 2020

Chuck and Josh explore the age-old question: Should you train your dog by treating it like a living, feeling being or should you beat them up and break their spirit?

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SYSK Selects: Can Nuclear Fusion Reactors Save The World? Mar 28, 2020

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 classic episode.

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How COVID-19 Works Mar 26, 2020

We’re in the middle of an odd, tense time and Josh and Chuck are here to explain what’s going on and how to stay safe.

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Short Stuff: Dagen H Mar 25, 2020

One day in 1967, Sweden changed what side of the road its citizens drive on. It went surprisingly well, considering.

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Could A Robot Tax Win the War on Poverty? Mar 24, 2020

An old idea – giving every resident of a country a set amount of money every month with no strings attached – became a hot item in Silicon Valley and on the 2020 campaign trail. Could it alleviate the impending job loss coming from automation?

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SYSK Selects: Virus Talk with Josh and Chuck Mar 21, 2020

Viruses are big jerks that invade regular cells and hold them hostage, making you sick while they're doing it. Learn everything you ever needed to know about viruses, including how the common cold works, in this classic episode.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Jim Henson Worked Mar 20, 2020

We’ve already recorded an episode on The Muppets, but Jim Henson was such a neat guy we delved into him even further. Learn all about the man behind the Muppets who was so much more than just a master puppeteer in this episode.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: SYSK Live: How Bars Work Mar 20, 2020

Join Josh and Chuck live from Vancouver as they dive in to the ins and outs of one of the oldest businesses in the world – the bar! Learn about the history of bars, cocktails and the good people who put them together in new and amazing ways.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Grass Works? Yes, How Grass Works Mar 20, 2020

There’s nothing more boring than watching grass grow, which is why Josh and Chuck aren’t asking you to do that. Instead, you can learn about all sorts of neat things about grass - like how American became obsessed with perfect lawns - in this episode.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Terraforming Will Work Mar 20, 2020

A lot of great thinkers are warning that if humans are to survive as a species we are going to have to find another planet to live on. Terraforming, or engineering a planet to maintain all of the ingredients to sustain life, seems to be the answer.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rogue Waves Work Mar 20, 2020

Rogue waves come out of nowhere and tower as much as 100 feet over hapless ships they encounter, breaking across the boat and frequently breaking the boat and its inhabitants. Investigate the mystery of rouge waves in this episode.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: Was there a real King Arthur? Mar 20, 2020

The legend of King Arthur is very old and very established. By the time the king who saved Britain and united it was first written about, his story was already hundreds of years old. And while many of the details of his life and adventures, from the Lady of the Lake to Merlin the Magician, seem fictional some archaeologists believe that Arthur -- and much of his life -- was real.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: The Amazing History of Soda Mar 20, 2020

The soda we get instantly mixed at a fast-food joint owes a lot to a rich history going back to the Roman baths, that features drugs, diseases and explosions. Learn all about soda and soda fountains in this surprisingly interesting episode.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Rodney Dangerfield Worked, Live From LA Mar 20, 2020

Other comedians cry on the inside, but Rodney Dangerfield built his entire act around his sad life. Get to know this legendary comic who was nearing 50 when he got his break.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: How Pinball Works Mar 20, 2020

Pinball was actually illegal until the 1970s in NY and other cities, hidden in the backs of pornography shops. The game was finally legalized, thanks to a Babe Ruth-style shot by the best player in the world. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck.

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SYSK Distraction Playlist: Sugar: It Powers the Earth Mar 20, 2020

Since sugar spread from Polynesia a few thousand years ago, the world has been crazy for it. Insanely high prices, wars and even slavery couldn't undo world's need for a sugar fix. Today that fix is responsible for the obesity epidemic facing the West.

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What was the Falkland Islands War all about anyway? Mar 19, 2020

The battle between Britain and Argentina over the rocky, cold Falkland Islands is one of the weirder wars in history. Learn all about it today!

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Short Stuff: The Pledge of Allegiance Mar 18, 2020

The American Pledge of Allegiance is much more interesting than you might think. Give us 12 minutes and we'll fill you in.

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Chopsticks > Forks Mar 17, 2020

Today Chuck and Josh sit and converse on the simple, elegant chopstick.

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SYSK Selects: How Monopoly Works Mar 14, 2020

Since more than 1 billion people have played it, you’re probably familiar with the board game Monopoly, but we bet you don’t know its secret origins as a left-wing socialist teaching tool. Join Josh and Chuck as they chase it down in this classic episode.

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How Ice Climbing Works Mar 12, 2020

A few decades ago, some people who liked to climb mountains decided they wanted to make it even harder and ice climbing was born. If you think rock climbing is difficult, put on your base layer and join Josh and Chuck on the glacier.

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Short Stuff: Teresita Basa Mar 11, 2020

In the annals of American justice there is a 1977 case where the police were tipped off to the identity of a murderer by a woman who said she was possessed by the victim.

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How Coyotes Work Mar 10, 2020

The coyote truly is wily. Even after a century-long attempt to drive them to extinction, this close relative of domesticated dogs not only hung onto survival, but actually doubled its range and expanded its population. Coyotes are here to stay.

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SYSK Selects: How Gold Works Mar 07, 2020

As of early 2013, only 161,00 metric tons of gold had been mined in the entire history of the world. Considering about 85 percent of it is recycled, there's a decent chance your jewelry may once have been part of an Incan headdress or Mycenaean face mask. Dive in to gold in this classic episode.

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Mardi Gras! One month late Mar 05, 2020

In true SYSK fashion, Josh and Chuck are late to the game. But never fear, they will still detail Mardi Gras in all its colorful glory.

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Short Stuff: Exclamation Points! Mar 04, 2020

We all use them! But did we always? NO!! Learn all about everyone's favorite punctuation mark today!

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How Morphic Fields Work? Mar 03, 2020

Biologist and science historian Rupert Sheldrake is known as a heretic of science, mostly for his deeply strange ideas about what connects all living things. But his pokes at science help keep the field from growing dogmatic and for that we salute him.

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SYSK Selects: Your limb is torn off - now what? Feb 29, 2020

Were you to be the unfortunate victim of a limb removal of any sort, you could take hope. Here in the 21st century, doctors have gotten pretty handy at reattaching arms and legs, replacing thumbs with toes, rebuilding breasts, all to great success thanks to microsurgery techniques.

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Sammy Davis Jr: National Treasure Feb 27, 2020

Today Josh and Chuck sit down and detail the complicated life of the late, great Sammy Davis Jr.

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Short Stuff: Hawaiian Night Marchers Feb 26, 2020

Get ready for some Hawaiian folklore, people. Today we discuss the Night Marchers.

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What's the deal with indigo? Feb 25, 2020

Indigo is a color with a rich past. Learn all about it today.

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SYSK Selects: How Cult Deprogramming Works Feb 22, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Short Stuff: The Iowa Caucus Feb 05, 2020

The Iowa Caucus is super important. But not really. Find out why.

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How AI Facial Recognition Works Feb 04, 2020

With the development of increasingly smart artificial intelligence and lots more cameras spread around than ever before, we have reached a critical point in the US and other countries where governments can easily track everyone, everywhere, all the time.

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SYSK Selects: How Maglev Trains Work Feb 01, 2020

Thanks to the amazing properties of magnets, clever engineers have figured out how to make entire trains levitate above their tracks, letting them move frictionlessly and allowing them to reach incredible speeds. Learn about how maglev trains work and what's taking so long for us to get aboard in this classic episode.

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Who were the Buffalo Soldiers? Jan 30, 2020

Josh and Chuck dive into history today to tell the story of the Buffalo Soldiers.

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Short Stuff: The O.K. Corral Jan 29, 2020

Listen in as we detail, in short, the legendary shootout at the O.K. Corral.

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Amazing Animal Stories! Jan 28, 2020

Regular animal stories are wonderful enough, but when animals lead amazing lives the stories become almost unbearably wonderful. You’ve been warned!

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SYSK Selects: How the Scientific Method Works Jan 25, 2020

It evolved over centuries to become the gold standard for conducting scientific inquiry. Yet many people - including some scientists - don't fully understand it. Learn about the basis of how we explore our world in this classic episode.

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Barefoot Running: The Best Podcast Episode in History Jan 23, 2020

What is barefoot running? I think you know. But we'll detail all of the ins and outs. Listen and learn!

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Short Stuff: Byford Dolphin Incident Jan 22, 2020

In 1983, what may be the worst diving catastrophe in the history of deep sea oil exploration took place when a pressurized chamber was opened, instantly killing four divers inside.

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Why Postal Employees Go Postal Jan 21, 2020

1993 was known as the peak of a disturbing trend in America: post office shootings, carried out by postal workers. A stunned country looked for answers and turned up a toxic workplace that seemed to be driving some workers past their breaking point.

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SYSK Selects: How the Placebo Effect Works Jan 18, 2020

For centuries, doctors have prescribed drugs they knew weren't real – but that still somehow worked. It wasn't until the 1980s that the placebo effect was studied. Learn all about how an inert substance can have a genuine impact on a patient's recovery, in this classic episode.

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The Tulsa 'Race Riots' Jan 16, 2020

In reality, the Tulsa "race riots" of 1921 was more like a massacre. Yet it was almost lost to history until 1997, and still not widely known outside of Oklahoma until HBO's The Watchmen put it on the cultural map. Learn all about this dark chapter in American history today.

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Short Stuff: The Mona Lisa Jan 15, 2020

The Mona Lisa is a captivating work of art. But why? We'll try and figure it out in today's short stuff.

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Transdermal Implants: Body Art or Nightmare Fuel? Jan 14, 2020

Transdermal implants are just one in a number of procedures under the banner of extreme body modification. We don't like to yuk yums, so we'll offer a fairly straightforward look at this niche art form.

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SYSK Selects: Jellyfish - Even Cooler Than Octopi? Jan 11, 2020

Jellyfish are among the most adaptable, competitive organisms on the planet. They can grow back into their juvenile stage when resources are scarce, reproduce in massive groups and kill an adult human, among lots of other neat stuff. Learn all about em in this classic episode!

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The Disappearance of Flight MH370, Part II Jan 09, 2020

In the absence of an official explanation of why flight MH 370 disappeared in 2014, conjecture and conspiracy theories have filled the vacuum.

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Short Stuff: Corduroy Jan 08, 2020

Learn 12 minutes worth of stuff about corduroy today!

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The Disappearance of Flight MH370, Part I Jan 07, 2020

In 2014, a Boeing 777 airliner disappeared. Despite two full years of searching an area of ocean covering more than 120,000 square kilometers, it has never been found. It is the only unexplained missing vessel in modern aviation history.

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SYSK Selects: Will Computers Replace Doctors? Jan 04, 2020

With savvy and health-conscious people taking control of their wellbeing through apps and sites, technology is meeting the desire for individuals' responsibility for their health. But is the day coming soon when doctors will be obsolete, replaced by computers that read our health-related data to treat us? We explore these questions and more in this classic episode.

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How Safecracking Works Jan 02, 2020

Burglars have come up with a whole range of ways to get into a safe. There’s lock manipulation – methodically testing the dial to coax the combination from it – and if that fails you can always blow it open with nitroglycerin. Both count as safecracking.

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Short Stuff: Why Does Time Speed Up As You Age? Jan 01, 2020

It’s not just you – time really does seem to pass faster for people as we age. But exactly why remains a mystery, though some of the theories for why life passes by so quickly are make a lot of sense.

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Are broken arrows a problem? Dec 31, 2019

Are broken arrows are a problem? After all, they are incidents and accidents involving nuclear warheads. Like, sometimes they go missing. But it hasn't happened much since the 50s and 60s. OR HAS IT? Learn all about them today.

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SYSK Selects: How Wine Fraud Works Dec 28, 2019

Wine fraud may be a case of rich con artists tricking wealthy people into parting with money, but it's still a crime. Learn all about this weird, widespread practice in this classic episode.

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SYSK Live: Andre the Giant Dec 26, 2019

Andre the Giant was a giant both figuratively and literally. Sure he was a wrestler, but more than that he was a human being who left a great legacy behind. Even if you're not a wrestling fan, you can appreciate his story. Join us for this very special live edition of the story of Andre the Giant.

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Short Stuff: The Santa Claus Association Dec 25, 2019

If a con man manages to make needy Christmas wishes come true is he still a con man? (Also, Merry Christmas!)

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The SYSK Holiday Spectacular Dec 24, 2019

It's an annual treat, folks. Our holiday special is back and better than ever, and as always, brought to you ad-free. It's the least we can do.

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SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978 Dec 21, 2019

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in a very special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.

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Cave Diving: Totally Nuts Dec 19, 2019

There are extreme sports and then there is cave diving, the most extreme activity a person can engage in without leaving Earth. Cave divers stay underwater swimming miles into – that’s right – caves, where no human has ever been before. It’s pretty cool.

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Short Stuff: Obituaries Dec 18, 2019

Learn everything we know about obituaries in 12 minutes!

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MC Escher and His Trippy Art Dec 17, 2019

We love us some MC Escher. Turns out his story is pretty fascinating too. Tune in today.

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SYSK Selects: How Currency Works Dec 14, 2019

Even if you entirely eschew the concept of money, we'll bet you'd be hard pressed not to trade in some form of currency. Learn how everything from cows to cacao beans to tiny shells from Maldives have served as currency at some time or another.

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How Anorexia and Bulimia Work Dec 12, 2019

Anorexia and bulimia - those twin eating disorders that seem so common and maybe even just a phase for a teenage girl – are actually the deadliest mental illnesses in America. Cultivating an eating disorder can create issues that can last a lifetime.

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Short Stuff: Whisky or Bourbon? Dec 11, 2019

What's the difference between whisky and bourbon? We'll tell you if you care to listen.

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gin Dec 10, 2019

If there's one thing we've learned about Chuck over the years it's that he loves his gin. And he loves it even more now that understands it. Pour yourself a martini and cozy up to the gin-cast.

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SYSK Selects: How Amnesia Works Dec 07, 2019

Those movies where someone gets hit on the head and can't remember who they are anymore? They're actually not too far off from the reality of amnesia. Learn everything about this bizarre and life-robbing condition with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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What's a gap year anyway? Dec 05, 2019

Chuck thought a gap year was post college. Turns out, it's a post high school year off from academics, where you travel the world, help others, and find yourself. Should you do it? We say "yes!" If you can afford it that is.

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Short Stuff: Macadamia Nuts Dec 04, 2019

Macadamia nuts aren't nuts! They're seeds! And they are delicious. And good for you in the right amount. Learn all about them today.

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Did Climate Cause the Collapse of the Maya? Dec 03, 2019

After millennia of development, the Maya culture suddenly collapsed at its peak. Why is one of the biggest mysteries of history. One theory says catastrophic climate change was the cause. And it may have happened to other cultures too.

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SYSK Selects: Fractals - Whoa Nov 30, 2019

In the 1980s, IBM mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot gazed for the first time upon his famous fractal. What resulted was a revolution in math and geometry and our understanding of the infinite, not to mention how we see Star Trek II. Get blown away by fractals in this classic episode.

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How Conversion Therapy Doesn't Work Nov 28, 2019

Conversion therapy is a misguided attempt by religious zealots to convert people from gay to straight. News flash - it doesn't work. Learn all about this abhorrent practice today.

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Short Stuff: Niagara Falls Dewatered Nov 27, 2019

In 1969, the Army Corps of Engineers turned off one of the main waterfalls at Niagara Falls to see what could be done to preserve it. They found two corpses, one carcass and lots of pennies.

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How Carbon-14 Dating Works Nov 26, 2019

Some of the carbon dioxide in your body is radioactive! Don’t worry, it won’t harm you (not sure why we used an exclamation point there). Instead, it might someday be detected by future archaeologists to determine how long ago you walked the Earth.

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SYSK Selects: Have all the good ideas already been discovered? Nov 23, 2019

It's no secret that human beings have an obsession with innovation -- but has our species already found every good idea? As Josh and Chuck break down the continuing search for the next great idea, they touch on everything from hand tools to cancer cures.

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What Makes a Must-Have Christmas Toy? Nov 21, 2019

Ever since Cabbage Patch Kids came along in 1983, there’s been an annual holiday frenzy around one particular toy – the must-have Christmas toy of the year. But what makes a toy a must-have toy? Josh and Chuck investigate (and kick off the holidays).

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Short Stuff: Backyard Burials Nov 20, 2019

Time was that you’d bury a deceased relative in your yard; now it’s just weird. But it’s still legal – and if you want to do it, here’s how!

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The Murder Mystery of Ötzi the Iceman Nov 19, 2019

About 5,300 years ago a Copper Age shepherd was murdered. He just happened to die in a place where his body was so well preserved that gave researchers an actual shot at determining the course of his final day on Earth.

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SYSK Selects: How Salt Works Nov 16, 2019

A Roman senator once said, "Mankind can live without gold, but not without salt." Right he was. The human body needs salt so much we have developed a taste for it specifically. But too much salt can be toxic. Learn about salt's role in human history and how we get it from the Earth in this classic episode.

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NYC Water: An Engineering Marvel Nov 14, 2019

Getting the rain and melted snow from upstate NY into the taps of every NYC resident and business is one of the great feats of engineering. Does it taste great and make perfect bagels and pizza crust? Sources say yes!

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Short Stuff: The Conch Republic Nov 13, 2019

Back in 1982, Key West seceded from the United States. Don’t believe us? It’s true! Just listen to the episode, will you?

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Augmented Reality: Coming Soon? Nov 12, 2019

Augmented reality adds a digital layer over the real world and soon it will revolutionize how we live. Ultra-tailored information will be everywhere we look, creating a richer, more personalized experience in everything from surgery to walking down the street.

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SYSK Selects: Can you Treat Mental Illness with Psychedelics? Nov 09, 2019

Hallucinogenic drugs are currently illegal, but they were once commonly used in psychological treatment. In this classic episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the rise and fall of psychedelics in treating mood disorders -- and why they're starting to gain favor again.

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Cockney Rhyming Slang: Beautiful Gibberish Nov 07, 2019

What is Cockney Rhyming Slang? It's complicated and its origins are unclear. Learn everything we know about it today.

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How Ironman Triathlons Work Nov 06, 2019

Sure, you could train for months to finish a marathon, but why not make things interesting? Ironman triathlons add a 2.4-mile swim and a 112-mile bike race before the marathon leg. It’s as grueling as it sounds.

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Short Stuff: The History of Paternity Testing Nov 06, 2019

Paternity testing. It wasn't science for many years, yet they still tried to do it. Learn all about it in 12 minutes.

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SYSK Selects: Halitosis - Worst Smell Ever? Nov 02, 2019

Occasional bad breath is one thing, halitosis is another. Or is it? From its odd origins as a marketing ploy to modern weight loss diets that can induce this embarrassing condition, you can learn all about bad breath in this classic episode.

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SYSK’s Scare Your Socks Off Halloween Spooktacular 2019 Oct 31, 2019

Josh and Chuck chose a truly unsettling story by one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time – Philip K Dick. Join the boys as they read “The Hanging Stranger,” complete with scary sound effects by the Extraordinary Jeri!

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Short Stuff: Our Shortie Halloween Spooktacular Oct 30, 2019

Join us today as we read three short horror selections from Ambrose Bierce.

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Where Did Trick-Or-Treating Come From? Oct 29, 2019

We aren’t exactly sure who invented trick-or-treating – kids who realized they could extort adults for candy, or adults who bought off kids in exchange for laying off pranks? The bigger question is: Will trick-or-treating survive the 21st century?

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