Shows / Midnight Facts for Insomniacs
Midnight Facts for Insomniacs
A podcast of fascinating facts! What do extraterrestrials, radio signals, and a mushroom from Texas have in common? What is a "number station" and why is it so spine-tinglingly creepy? Join comedians Shane Rogers and Duncan MacEwan for an entertaining and hilarious deep-dive into obscure facts from science, history, and pop culture.
Episodes
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMummies and Death Rituals
Every society faces an inevitable dilemma: what to do with dead bodies? Join Shane and Duncan as they travel across the globe and throughout history to explore…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsFilth and Fury: The History and Legacy of Punk Music
Which famous foursome is considered the first punk band? What did CBGB stand for? In what city did punk originate? What was the wild television moment that…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Skeptic’s Guide to Astrology
Join two lifelong skeptics as they attempt to set aside their cynicism and immerse themselves in the mystical universe of Astrology and the Zodiac. (“Attempt”…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsGladiators and the History of Human Combat
Did gladiators always battle to the death? Who was the most famous gladiator of all time, and why did he never step foot in the Colosseum? Were any gladiators…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Most-Frequently Misused Words in the English Language
What are the most consistently misused words and phrases in the English language? Find out in this week's nitpicking, pedantic, gloriously sesquipedalian…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDeadly Plants: From Belladonna to the Gympie-Gympie
What’s the world’s most dangerous plant? Which notorious stinging nettle is capable of an aerial attack? And what the heck is a hemicryptophyte? Join Shane and…
Midnight Facts for Insomniacs*Full Episode* After Midnight: The Top 5 Greatest Movie Sequels
To make up for the lost episode due to Shane’s bout with COVID, MFFI is releasing another full, brand new After Midnight this week! Enjoy your favorite…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsReal-Life Mad Scientists
Little-known fact: the mad doctor from Mary Shelly's Frankenstein was based on a real-life scientist named Giovanni Aldini. And even Aldini's…
Midnight Facts for Insomniacs“High Class Freaks”: The Globetrotting History of Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Leroy Robert Ripley would transcend humble origins to become an unlikely superstar, rebranding from an awkward teenage cartoonist to the sophisticated leader…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsSpectral Evidence and Satanic Panic: The Salem Witch Trials
In the late 17th century, a satanic panic swept through the Puritan colony of Salem, Massachusetts. Neighbors turned on neighbors, families were torn apart…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsH.H. Holmes: Myths and Murder Castles
Everything you think you know about H.H. Holmes is probably a lie. Which is appropriate, because "Dr. Henry Howard Holmes" was more of a serial liar than a…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMegafauna: Titans of the Past and Present
From the largest animal to ever inhabit the earth to the heaviest predator of all time, from Spinosaurus to Dire Wolves (they were real!), Shane and Duncan…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMormonism: Private Worlds, Secret Handshakes, and Sacred Underwear
Welcome to another exciting episode of "Is it a cult?" (Spoiler: yep!) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is one of the world's youngest and…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDeclassified Military Operations
What was the sinister secret behind "Camp Century"? Did the American government really import and employ high-ranking Nazi scientists after WWII? Is there a…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsSieges: Epic Bombardments and Standoffs
Gather your supplies and settle in for a wall-crushing, bunker-busting, fire-raining episode of MFFI as the boys explore the most brutal sieges in history. ~…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsWorld’s Fairs: A Legacy of Weirdness and Innovation
What do touchscreens, electrical outlets, color televisions, and fax machines have in common? They were all revolutionary technological breakthroughs that…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe History of F@!#%$g Profanity
It's a god#%m mothe$#@king s*#tshow on this week's episode as the guys explore the history, purpose, and benefits of profanity. Keep it classy, Insomniacs. ~…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsGalactic Warlords, Billion Year Contracts, and a Modern American Space Cult: The “Church” of Scientology
What do celebrities, sex magic, and the antichrist have in common? Find out in this week's all-clear, billion year, intergalactically cult-ilicious episode of…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsEpic Rivalries, Famous Feuds, and Bitter Beefs
In this first episode of the Epic Rivalries series, the boys opt for a (mostly) lighthearted introduction to the world of legendary grudge-matches. Enjoy! ~…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsWe’re All Mad Here: The History of Asylums (100th Episode Extravaganza!)
It’s the MFFI 100th episode extravaganza!! Announcements, podcast Q&As, plus a supersized topic: the History of Asylums. Support the show by becoming a…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsAfter Midnight (Full Episode): The Top 5 Holiday Movies of All Time
Although many of you Insomniacs have probably been naughty this year, MFFI is releasing a full After Midnight episode to the regular feed just in time for the…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsLasers, Steam, and Chrome: The History of Science Fiction
Who wrote the first ever science fiction novel? Why is Isaac Asimov hiding his middle initial? And which psychedelic author attempted to murder the most wives?…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsTerrible Tools and Awful Inventions
Some inventions are commercial failures (see episode 45), and some are failures of such moral and/or epic proportions that the repercussions reverberate…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHost Swap: The Marriage Episode (Kidnappers, Bloody Sheets, and Evil Spirits)
In the wake of Shane's recent nuptials, Duncan takes the reins to explore the unsettling history and traditions of weddings. What was the original, sinister…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDeath, Misery, Folly, and Ponies: The Chilling History of Polar Exploration
Who was the first explorer to reach the North Pole? How about the South? It turns out that at least one of those answers is complicated, and although the…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Fiery, Pagan History of Halloween
Why do we wear costumes on Halloween? When did pumpkins and candy get involved? And how the heck do you pronounce "Samhain"? Listen to find out... ~ Become an…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsLost Treasures: From Crown Jewels to Fabergé Eggs
After a series of deep-dive episodes chock full of useful information, the boys are back to form with an entirely off-the-rails and nonsensical romp through…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Fascinating History of Personality Tests
Are personality tests accurate? How were they developed, how reliable is the science behind them, and which are most respected? Most importantly: which…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Pirate, the Silk Road, and the Dark Web: Ross Ulbricht‘s Empire
Ross Ulbricht created the most notorious website in history when he launched the The Silk Road in 2011. An online marketplace for drugs, guns, poisons, and…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHunting for Easter Eggs: Secrets Hidden in Movies and Video Games
Ten episodes away from the big 1-0-0, the boys are hunting for the true origin story of the elusive video-game Easter egg. (Hint: Ready Player One got it…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsCommon Misconceptions about Animals
Do bears really hibernate? What does the color green look like to a cat? And most importantly, is ice cream flavored with beaver butts? Find the answers to…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHost Swap: Talking Slang
The word of the week is “tangent.“ This host-swap episode is supposedly about slang (like, for instance, “off the rails”), but it’s also about bees and legs…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsUnreal: The History and Secrets of Reality TV
Never say never. Shane swore that MFFI would never address the dreaded "K" family, but fate (and the Discord crew) had other plans. Join the boys for a…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsBotched Coups and Failed Assassinations: The Bay of Pigs
You can’t win them all. In 1961, America experienced the sting of its first truly humiliating public defeat, a debacle that played out in real time on the…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsCrimes of the Century: The Lindbergh Baby, the Mona Lisa Heist, and the Fatty Arbuckle Scandal
Why have only a few particular murders and heists and scandals been immortalized in popular culture? Join Shane and Duncan for a dive into three famous capers…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsThe Most Dangerous Cult in the World: North Korea
The largest cult on earth has over 25 million followers, the 4th largest army in the world, and a nuclear arsenal. It also has bowling alleys and karaoke bars…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsBizarre and Disturbing Fashion Trends Through the Ages
From paper dresses to giant metal erections, MFFI explores some of the weirdest historical fashion trends. ~ Become an Insomniac! Join the Midnight Masses by…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMisattributed Quotes, Theories, Discoveries, and Inventions
Only a sucker would believe that P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." In the latest episode of MFFI, the boys once again undermine their own…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHost Swap: The Science Behind Ghosts, Phantoms, and Apparitions
Is it reasonable to believe that ghosts actually exist? From a scientific standpoint, are there any credible explanations for ghost sightings? In the latest…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDecrypting Crypto: Bitcoin and NFTs
The boys take a break from espionage to explore bitcoin, the blockchain, and all things cryptocurrency. What even IS a Bitcoin, and how does it work? Is…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsEspionage Technology: From Lipstick Pistols to the Insectothopter
In the second installment of MFFI's espionage series, the boys investigate spying technology, from cryptography to microdots to The Thing. ~ Become an…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsSpy vs. Spy: The History of Espionage
In the first installment of MFFI's espionage series, Shane gives Duncan an overview of the spy game, from its origins in postiquity through the Cold War and…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsCursed Tourism: Unique and Surreal Tourist Attractions
One traveler’s dream vacation is another’s nightmare. This week, Shane shares his personal picks for some of the least appealing tourist destinations on earth…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsInternational Cryptids: The Strange and Obscure
In the second MFFI host-swap episode, Duncan teaches Shane about a bevvy of baffling and little-known cryptids from around the globe. ~ Become an Insomniac!…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMarketing Boomsplode: Ads that Crashed and Burned
In the latest "what the hell were they thinking" edition of MFFI, the boys trace the history of advertising and then call out the worst marketing blunders of…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsWe Are Legion: Exorcism and Demonic Possession
BEGONE, FOUL DEMON!! NO LONGER SHALL YOU BEDEVIL THE INSOMNIACS OF THE MIDNIGHT MASSES (Apologies for the caps lock, but Satan doesn't respect lowercase.)…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDangerous Toys: Notorious Product Recalls
Despite what the American Supreme Court would have you believe, corporations aren't actually people, but it turns out that companies can be just as stupid and…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsBizarre Laws: International Edition
From Australia's anti-bunny legislation to Caribbean profanity bans, from lonely Swiss Guinea Pigs to the protected Royal Fish of Britain, Shane and Duncan…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDry America: The Prohibition Debacle
It makes perfect sense that a comedy podcast would cover this week’s topic, because prohibition was a joke. If you’re not familiar with the story behind the…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHow it Ends: The Most Likely Extinction Events
Like it or not, the earth has an expiration date. Billions of years from now the sun will expand and swallow the planets of our solar system...but there’s no…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsWeird Science: Psychology Edition
Humans like to believe that we're the pinnacle of evolution, but are we truly logical, rational creatures? If so, why do we self-sabotage? Why do we cling to…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsHost Swap: Scottish Facts and Fictions
By popular demand via the MFFI Discord, Shane and Duncan swap roles for a special episode recorded on April Fools Day! Follow along in this Scottish-themed…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsDiets Debunked: The Sketchy Science of Health and Weight Loss
What's the most effective weight loss plan? Do any of the trending "diet tips" on the Internet actually work? Why does the keto diet make your breath smell…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsUncool: Failed Fads and Terrible Trends
We humans are suckers for the latest crazes and fads, but it's easy to forget that today's TikTok dance will be tomorrow's Macarena. Today's iPhone will be…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsSubstandard Superheroes: The Bad, the Worse, and the Ugly
Not all heroes are created equal. Join the boys for adventures in mediocrity as they explore the least "super" heroes from comic book lore. In this episode…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMisnomers and False Advertising
A peanut isn't a nut, a king crab isn't a crab, a koala isn't a bear, and the funny bone isn't a bone. Listen to this week's episode to find out all of the…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsForbidden Tourism: The Most Dangerous Locations on Earth
Exploring new locations can be fun, but there’s a fine line between “adventure” and “ordeal.” Join the the MFFI boys for a whirlwind tour of four deadly…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMFFI Challenge: can Shane make an entertaining episode from the world’s most hated subject?
Full disclosure: no one suggested this week’s topic. Why would they? Only an idiot would attempt to make an interesting podcast episode out of the history and…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMurdersville U.S.A: Ed Kemper
TW: This episode is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, like, for reals. If you don't have a VERY dark sense of humor, feel free to skip this one. No…
Midnight Facts for InsomniacsMurdersville U.S.A: The Serial Killers of Santa Cruz
Finally, an MFFI true-crime crossover! In the 1970s, a small California surf town earned the nickname “Murdersville USA.” As bodies piled up with no…