Episodes

Jan. 7, 2022

Fri. 01/07 - Boaty McBoatface and the Doomsday Glacier

How Boaty McBoatface is helping diagnose the severity of the situation at the Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica. Plus, it looks like solar shingles are finally actually a thing. And something to try this weekend––the Dutch practice of uitwaaien.
Jan. 6, 2022

Thu. 01/06 - 1922's Predictions for 2022 + FOVs (Fish-Operated Vehicles)

A look at predictions for today from a 1922 article in The New York Herald. Plus, move over self-driving cars, introducing fish-operated vehicles. And car commercials in France will soon require advertisers to tell people not to drive.
Jan. 5, 2022

Wed. 01/05 - The Climate Emergency: Reasons to Hope

Gravity as a possible solution to one major drawback of wind and solar power, and reasons to be cautiously optimistic about our prospects for the climate overall. Plus, the link between physical strength and mental health. And the CDC’s zombie preparedness guide.
Jan. 4, 2022

Tue. 01/04 - Time Capsules in a Confederate Statue & the History of the Future

The history and future of predicting the future. Plus, a new “open-source” COVID vaccine that could help way more people around the world get vaccinated. And, after taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee in Virginia, local experts found two time capsules inside its base.
Jan. 3, 2022

Mon. 01/03 - It's Raining Fish (Hallelujah)

A fresh argument for reclassifying Pluto as a full-fledged planet that would open the doors for way more planets than just the OG nine. Plus, it was raining fish in Texas last week. And if you’ve been trying to remember the title of a book you read as a kid, a new community on Instagram might be ab…
Dec. 29, 2021

Wed. 12/29 - Why Donuts Are Emblems of America (& some NYE traditions from around the globe)

A history of the humble donut as a symbol of American patriotism, and a circular source of joy world round. Plus, a round-up of New Year’s traditions from around the world––in case you’re looking for a little inspiration on this perhaps quieter-than-usual New Year’s Eve.
Dec. 28, 2021

Tue. 12/28 - Emojis As Folklore & Cows On Waterbeds

The argument for emojis as folklore, the top emojis of 2021, and why an emoji reference site is being archived in the Library of Congress. Plus, it turns out gray hair can return to its original color… sometimes, and temporarily. And, waterbeds didn’t fully go away after the early 90s. Their main c…
Dec. 28, 2021

Mon. 12/27 - I'm Disgusted

What is the real driver of all of humanity’s innovations, doctrines, and oddities? According to some psychologists, disgust. Plus, the surprisingly recent history of counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve. And forget smell-o-vision, now there’s a TV you can taste.
Dec. 22, 2021

Wed. 12/22 - Rollerskating, The Holy Pooper, & X-Mas Carol Extortion: Traditions From Around the World & Days of Yore

A round-up of Christmas traditions from around the world and throughout time. Plus, the US Army is working on a vaccine that could protect against all COVID and SARS variants, including omicron. And there’s a cream cheese shortage so Kraft Heinz is bribing us not to make cheesecakes over the holida…
Dec. 21, 2021

Tue. 12/21 - Why the Webb Telescope Launch Is Freaking Out Astronomers

The James Webb Space Telescope is launching on Friday. Here’s what to expect, and why astronomers are so stressed out about it. Plus, Scotland may soon be issuing a three centuries overdue pardon to victims of its many witchcraft trials. And when the snowstorms come this season, your town might jus…
Dec. 20, 2021

Mon. 12/20 - Athletes' Supercharged Blood & Pro Santas On a Boat

How an athlete’s blood could boost cognitive function, potentially in non-athletic people. Plus, the origin and meanings of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” And, Christmas in July takes on a whole new meaning with cruises designed specifically for professional Santas.
Dec. 17, 2021

Fri. 12/17 - The Mystery of the Secret Library Hidden Inside a Library Book

How a librarian discovered a secret library within her library. Plus, some tips for unplugging more deeply when you’re on vacation. And the group of actual birds knocking Adele and Ed Sheeran off the top of the Australian music charts.
Dec. 16, 2021

Thu. 12/16 - DOOM BLOOM: Spotted Lanternfly-Tainted Honey

It turns out those pesky spotted lanternflies have changed the local honey in Pennsylvania, and it’s… kind of good? Plus, the FDA has approved eye drops that fix age-related vision problems. And one company is trying to prevent new staff turnover by letting them see what the job is really like usin…
Dec. 15, 2021

Wed. 12/15 - Are Floating Neighborhoods the Future?

A NASA spacecraft has just touched the sun for the first time in human history. Plus, are floating neighborhoods the future for coastal towns? And a look back at the origin of online reviews, and a question about their future.
Dec. 14, 2021

Tue. 12/14 - Sad Keanu & A Sleeping Bag to Save Astronauts' Eyeballs From Being Squashed

When did we first start sending holiday cards and will the tradition ever end? Plus, the health risks for humans in space and a high-tech sleeping bag that could prevent astronauts’ vision from deteriorating. And, Keanu Reeves explains what was going on in the infamous Sad Keanu photo.
Dec. 13, 2021

Mon. 12/13 - Science-Backed Nap Hacks From Salvador Dalí

Need a creative boost? Try this napping hack from Thomas Edison and Salvador Dalí––research from this month says it actually works. The woman who successfully traded a bobby pin for a house. And Swedish towns are trying to reclaim their names from IKEA products.
Dec. 10, 2021

Fri. 12/10 - The Science (& Ethics) of Netflix’s ‘Don’t Look Up’

Insights from the real-life NASA scientist behind Netflix’s new killer-comet movie, Don’t Look Up. Plus, reindeers are the only mammals whose eyes change color with the seasons. And their noses kind of do too––the science behind that, and the history of the most famous red-nosed reindeer of all.
Dec. 9, 2021

Thu. 12/09 - Birds Aren't Real (And Neither Is This Gen Z Conspiracy Theory)

Finally we get some truth from bird truthers. Everything you need to know about the Birds Aren’t Real movement. Plus, New Zealand is banning tobacco completely for the upcoming generations. And Instagram is bringing back the chronological feed! Kind of.
Dec. 8, 2021

Wed. 12/08 - Cleaning Hacks From Victorians

Cleaning advice from nineteenth century housekeepers. An upcoming feminist retelling of 1984. How to watch the Geminid meteor shower next week. And MST3K is officially coming back next year.
Dec. 7, 2021

Tue. 12/07 - Scientists Want SpaceX's Starship To Go To Infinity & Beyond

How SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket could herald a new generation of space exploration. Plus, all sound recordings from the mid-1800s to 1923 are going to be released to the US Public Domain on January 1st. And Heinz and Terry’s have partnered to create a chocolate orange mayonnaise. Yeah.
Dec. 6, 2021

Mon. 12/06 - Why Is It So Hard To Hear Movie Dialogue These Days?

Do you feel like the dialogue in movies has gotten harder to understand? It’s not just you. Sound professionals dish on all the reasons why it’s gotten worse in recent years. Plus, a giant steel structure coming soon to Tasmania has already started recording us to provide evidence of our shame to f…
Dec. 3, 2021

Fri. 12/04 - Krampus, the Unabomber, & Tickle Me Elmo

Why the FBI thought the inventor of Tickle Me Elmo might have been the Unabomber. A new potential method for freeze-drying vaccines. And it’s Krampusnacht this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the sinister anti-Santa.
Dec. 2, 2021

Thu. 12/02 - How a College Student Invented Oregon Trail 50 Years Ago

How a twenty-one-year-old student-teacher and his roommates created Oregon Trail fifty years ago, and never made a cent from their creation. Plus, a letter Catherine the Great wrote in favor of vaccinations just sold for $1.3 million. And, for one night only, you can stay in the original Home Alone…
Dec. 1, 2021

Wed. 12/01 - Duolingo's Bizarre Sentences

Why does Duolingo use such weird and sometimes deeply relatable phrases to teach its users new languages? Plus, the real science behind the much-hyped “first living robots that can now reproduce.” And the origins of the twelve days of Christmas. Like, the actual days. Not the song about turtle dove…