Stuff You Should Know

Copyright: 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

How the Kowloon Walled City Worked Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

From the 1970s to the early 1990s a patch of land in Hong Kong the size of just a few football fields was the most densely-populated area in the world – and by a longshot. Even more remarkable, it was an outlaw land that somehow formed a tight community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: In-Flight Entertainment Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Movies on planes have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Today, we'll go over how this stuff works.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fyre Festival Fiasco Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

What happens when a career grifter tries to throw a "luxury" music festival in only six months? Not much it turns out.This was the Fyre Festival.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How Spiritualism Works Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's All Go to the World's Fair Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Before the internet could show you anything in the universe - including stuff it made up - people had few opportunities to have their minds blown. But every few years, somewhere in the world nations would gather and show off the cool stuff they invented.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Johnny Ringo Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

You might be familiar with the outlaw Johnny Ringo from the movie Tombstone. He was indeed a real-life black hat gunslinger, and a tragic figure at that.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gold Standard: When Money Meant Something Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

There was a time less than 100 years ago when you could exchange your paper currency at the bank for actual gold. Gave folks a sense of stability, it did. Depending on your view, we either ruined or built our economies when money became just paper.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How Dopamine Works Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

Dopamine is perhaps the most talked-about, most misunderstood biochemical in our bodies. It’s linked to not only addiction and depravity, but also focus, motivation, and living a productive life. How can one molecule be so many things to so many people? Find out all about it in this classic episode.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle of the Sexes Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Back in 1973 a male chauvinist played tennis against champion Billie Jean King. This is that story.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: MacGuffins Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

What’s a MacGuffin? We don’t know. No one knows. But it has to do with movies and that’s fun to talk about.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.