The Story Behind

Latest Episodes:

Sports Superstitions & Curses | The Curses of the Bambino, Cubs and Indians; and Lucky Charms (TSB044) Mar 20, 2017

Show notes

It's no wonder athletes can be incredibly superstitious. The difference between winging a game or a medal can mean the difference between a giant sum of money and endorsements versus getting little or nothing in return for all the hard work they put in. Why not try anything to add to their success? You would think Michael Jordan wouldn't have needed luck, but he helped popularize longer basketball shorts because he would wear his old college shorts from North Carolina for good luck underneath.

I even heard from some listeners about their favorite superstitions.

Dan Brenic from the Netflix and Swill podcast has mentioned he grows a playoff beard; and listener Jarrod Taylor says whenever he's watching a game with his favorite team, if they start losing, he'll change the channel, and if they start coming back, he won't watch the rest of the game.

Even my husband is normally a complete skeptic, until it comes to hockey and his beloved New York Rangers. Every year around playoffs, he puts away his razor and grows his annual playoff beard. And when he played hockey growing up, he told me he would put his pads and uniform on in the same order every time.

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Sports Superstitions & Curses.

Love this series? GET THE CD! The entire Luck & Superstitions series is available on CD -- the perfect gift for people who love trivia but aren't into podcasts (yet). http://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00ZI65G5

The role of William Sianus was played by Dave Jackson from The School of Podcasting.

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Got a favorite podcast? Use the hashtag #TryPod to let others know about it through the month of March.

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.mensfitness.com/life/sports/10-most-superstitious-athletes

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/47396364/no-hitters-present-quandary-for-broadcasters/

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/38720-turk-wendell-10-reasons-to-love-the-eccentric-pitcher

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/375113-top-mlb-superstitions-and-rituals

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/worklife/04/24/weird.baseball.contracts/

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/chicago-cubs-bury-curse-first-world-series-title-108-years-n677091

https://web.archive.org/web/20130120062629/http://www.clevescene.com/gyrobase/the-curse-of-chief-wahoo/Content?oid=2954423&showFullText=true

http://www.scout.com/mlb/indians/story/940059-ex-tribe-manager-bragan-dies-at-92

http://redwings.ice.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=43781

The Luck of the Irish | Four-Leaf Clovers, Irish Luck, Leprechauns (TSB043) Mar 16, 2017

Show notes

Ever wonder why a four-leaf clover is considered lucky? Or what, exactly, luck of the Irish is and why are the Irish associated with luck? And are leprechauns supposed to be good spirits? Or bad spirits?

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck. And considering this episode is hitting right around St. Patrick's Day, I thought it would be fun to touch on these superstitions surrounding the Irish culture.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind the Luck of the Irish.

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Got a favorite podcast? Use the hashtag #TryPod to let others know about it through the month of March.

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

"Lep in the Hood" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlufxatPxnA

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/30236/luck-irish-old-mining-expression

http://www.theemeraldisle.org/irish-sayings/luck-of-the-irish.htm

http://www.livescience.com/37626-leprechauns.html

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/lucky-charms-50th-anniversary-things-you-didn-t-know-about-the-general-mills-cereal-thrillist-nation

https://www.irishindeed.com/legend-of-the-shamrock

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/09/21/national/56-leaf-clover-new-guinness-record/#.WLsFpFXytD8

http://people.howstuffworks.com/why-are-four-leaf-clovers-lucky.htm

Lucky Numbers | Numerology, Unlucky 13, Lucky 7 (TSB042) Mar 13, 2017

Show notes

Have you ever gotten into an elevator of a hotel and noticed the buttons went from 12 to 14, skipping the number 13? It's not as if the 13th floor is actually missing, though -- the 13th floor was just named the 14th floor. Believe it or not, this more common than you may think. Or gone to a casino and saw sevens everywhere?

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Lucky Numbers.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Got a favorite podcast? Use the hashtag #TryPod to let others know about it through the month of March.

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.beyondhogwarts.com/harry-potter/articles/an-introduction-to-arithmancy.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/extrasensory-perceptions/numerology.htm

http://www.crystalinks.com/numerologypyth.html

(The Philosophy of NUmbers by Mrs. L. Dow Balliet) https://archive.org/stream/philosophyofnum00ball#page/n5/mode/2up

https://www.orbitz.com/blog/2015/02/friday-13th-truth-behind-hotels-missing-13th-floors/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201109/7-reasons-we-7-reasons

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/7.html

http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/what-are-seven-deadly-sins

https://www.lolcraps.com/craps/odds/

http://mentalfloss.com/article/54852/13-sleeping-beauty-facts-are-anything-snooze

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0212_040212_friday13.html

http://mentalfloss.com/article/23266/13-reasons-people-think-number-13-unlucky

Lucky Animals | Rabbits (and Their Feet), Spiders, and Cats (TSB041) Mar 09, 2017

Show notes

Ever wonder why rabbits and their feet are associated with luck? Or why even though fear of spiders is especially popular, many associate them with luck and prosperity? Or why cats, and especially black cats, carry so many superstitions?

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Lucky Animals.

The role of E.B. White was played by Jason Bryant from Mat Talk Online.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/rabbits-foot-considered-lucky/

http://www.csicop.org/superstition/library/rabbits_foot

http://www.csicop.org/superstition/library/spiders

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols

http://mentalfloss.com/article/67639/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-charlottes-web

http://people.com/pets/10-lucky-animals-that-can-help-you-win-the-powerball-jackpot/cats

http://goodlucksymbols.com/spider-symbolism/

http://www.luckymojo.com/spider.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-we-worry/201407/why-are-we-afraid-spiders

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/09/why-black-cats-are-considered-bad-luck/

https://archive.org/stream/discoverieofwitc00scot/discoverieofwitc00scot_djvu.txt

http://oddrandomthoughts.com/the-myths-and-legends-of-cats/#ixzz4a86T4PMt

http://kidworldcitizen.org/2013/11/10/anansi-stories-trickster-spider-west-africa-caribbean/

http://kindnessforcats.rescuegroups.org/info/display?PageID=7189

http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/must-love-cats/videos/the-legend-of-maneki-neko/

http://www.cracked.com/article_18963_6-cats-more-badass-than-you-and-most-superheroes.html

Theater Superstitions | Break a Leg, The Curse of Macbeth, Whistling Backstage (TSB040) Mar 06, 2017

Show notes

Ever wonder why actors say "Break a leg" instead of "Good luck?" Or why Macbeth is supposedly cursed? Or why you shouldn't whistle backstage?

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Theater Superstitions.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Got a favorite podcast? Use the hashtag #TryPod to let others know about it through the month of March.

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/11/origin-of-the-phrase-break-a-leg/

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/pages/home/glossary-of-technical-theatre-terms/more-about-break-a-leg/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/macbeth/scottish_play_curse/

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/why-do-actors-avoid-the-word-macbeth

https://www.santacruzshakespeare.org/the-macbeth-curse-myth-or-reality/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/01/28/macbeth-curse-of-the-stage/b80659e4-369d-4ef4-b772-edee79d75d5a/?utm_term=.f12b6f731d40

https://www.backstage.com/news/9-serious-theatrical-superstitions/

http://www.playbill.com/article/8-rules-every-theatre-person-must-follow-do-you-know-all-of-them-com-373336

Luck & Superstitions | An Overview of This Month's Theme (TSB039) Mar 02, 2017

Show notes

Rabbit, rabbit! New month, new theme, everyone!

Ever wonder why we believe in luck and superstitions? In the simplest terms, our brains are wired to look for patterns and it's not just human brains. And once we determine the effects of a certain pattern, our brains make that connection between our behavior and the effect, even if they aren't scientifically connected. And this could be for good luck or bad luck.

For the month of March, I'll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck. In this episode, we're starting the series with a general look at how humans have believed in luck and superstitions, as well as a look at just how often we don't notice we do things out of habit that may be considered superstitious.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Luck and Superstitions.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://simonedigital.com/avoid-broken-hair-by-not-going-outside-with-wet-hair-in-the-winter/

http://icedjamb.com/humans-arent-the-only-ones-who-believe-in-superstitions/

http://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=248041250

https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-18136,00.html

https://www.psychologistworld.com/superstition.php

http://totallyhistory.com/salem-witch-trials/

http://www.pitlanemagazine.com/cultures/belief-in-superstitions-and-their-effect-on-our-lives.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_executed_for_witchcraft#cnote_A

Forrest Gump (With Nick from The Epic Film Guys) | Forrest Gump February (TSB038) Feb 27, 2017

Show notes

In 1994, a movie came along about a man of low intelligence who happens to hit a few lucky breaks, weaving himself in and out of the timeline of American history, and into the hearts of millions of movie-goers. That man was Forrest. Forrest Gump.

For the month of February, I focused episode topics on historical and pop culture references in the movie. This is the last episode of the series, in which we talk about the book that inspired the movie, the soundtrack everyone in my high school had and wore out, and the cultural impact of this modern-day classic. And, because I couldn't just talk about this film by myself, I have a special guest with me for this episode.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, with Nick from the Epic Film Guys, and this is The Story Behind Forrest Gump.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Alan Silvestri - The Feather Theme from the "Forrest Gump" Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEY3o00LRHI

Sources:

http://www.mtv.com/news/1922408/forrest-gump-trivia/

http://mentalfloss.com/node/31001&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Partner&utm_campaign=allthatisinteresting

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-03-27/features/1995086082_1_forrest-gump-man-forrest-book-and-movie

http://www.mtv.com/news/1922456/forrest-gump-sequel/

http://www.slashfilm.com/911-killed-the-forrest-gump-sequel/

http://www.npr.org/2016/10/03/496412606/why-it-took-forrest-gump-author-nearly-20-years-to-write-a-new-novel

https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/03/10-songs-inspired-by-movie-characters.html

http://www.alansilvestri.com/movie-clips.htm

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/alan-silvestri-back-future-forrest-gump-and-his-hollywood-break/

http://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/gumpisms-wit-and-wisdom-forrest-gump/

http://www.laweekly.com/arts/we-need-to-talk-about-forrest-gump-5045629

http://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/gumpisms-wit-and-wisdom-forrest-gump/

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/01/movies/following-the-star-of-a-winsome-idiot.html?scp=28&sq=Forrest%20Gump&st=cse

Prosthetics | Forrest Gump February (TSB037) Feb 23, 2017

Show notes

For the month of February, I'll be focusing episode topics on historical and pop culture references in the movie. Ones you may have missed when watching the film because of the overwhelming emotion attached to every scene, or ones you may only be familiar with on the surface.

In this episode, we'll be talking about the advances in medicine that made Lieutenant Dan's new legs possible, from the beginnings in ancient times, through the advances made in the field following World War 2 and through today.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Prosthetics.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKFKRuWwgjg

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.acpoc.org/newsletters-and-journals/1976_05_015.asp

http://www.livescience.com/4555-world-prosthetic-egyptian-mummy-fake-toe.html

https://www.historiclewes.org/news/19th-century-prosthetic-leg

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/darpa-creates-feeling-prosthetic-arm

https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/11/five-musicians-with-missing-and-damaged-fingers.html

http://www.karlofgermany.com/Goetz.htm

http://foundationsoftechweeblysiteproject.weebly.com/timeline.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4128433/

http://www.islandpacket.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/david-lauderdale/article33436038.html

http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/osiris.html

https://todayinsci.com/Events/Patent/ArtificialLeg37637.htm

http://www.livescience.com/43125-man-gets-first-bionic-hand-that-feels.html

The Smiley Face | Forrest Gump February (TSB036) Feb 20, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we'll talk about the $45 drawing that was meant to boost morale in a company, and how that design became so ubiquitous, it's seen all over the world, including on our phones in the form of emojis.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind The Smiley Face.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOHr85z9k64

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/who-really-invented-the-smiley-face-2058483/

http://www.smileycompany.com/smile/history/

http://www.smiley.com/

http://www.legacy.com/news/culture-and-trends/article/10-things-about-harvey-ball-and-his-famous-smiley-face

Imagine (by John Lennon) | Forrest Gump February (TSB035) Feb 16, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we'll be talking about the song that seemed to be inspired when Forrest Gump and John Lennon appeared on the Dick Cavett Show. It was as if you could see the gears turning in Lennon's head as Forrest explained to him what China was like, and the beginnings of Lennon's most successful single from his solo career.

I'm your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Imagine.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWD8YI1Mqhs

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.biography.com/news/john-lennon-imagine-song-facts

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/john-lennon-imagine-20110516

http://www.rebeatmag.com/9-myths-about-john-lennon-and-the-far-more-interesting-truths/

http://www.biography.com/people/john-lennon-9379045#early-life

http://www.centralparknyc.org/things-to-see-and-do/attractions/strawberry-fields.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/03/cee-lo-green-john-lennon

http://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/2012/05/17/john-lennons-imagine-meets-the-dsm/