Shows / Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Episodes
- Stuff You Should Know
Why Manners?
Keeping your elbows off the table, keeping your fingers out of the gravy boat – at some point these became very important rules of etiquette. But what purpose…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Pterosaurs: Not Flying Dinosaurs
Almost everything you know about pterosaurs is wrong. They weren't birds, they weren't flying dinosaurs and they weren't all pterodactyls. Which makes this…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's the deal with intermittent fasting?
Could eating at only certain times of the day lead to weight loss? Possibly! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Rube Goldberg
Everyone knows what a Rube Goldberg machine is, but what do you know about the cartoonist who they're named after? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Saga of Milli Vanilli
For a moment Milli Vanilli was the hottest musical act in the world. Then came the news that it was just that, an act, and the fall came swiftly and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Color Works
Science doesn't have a good explanation for why we sense color, yet it is everywhere and affecting us all the time. But why should minutely different…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Semi-Recent History of Exercise
Humans exercising for better health has not been around that long. Today we dive into this fun history as we cover why and when we started this now commonplace…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Pollen Count
If you watch the news and hear the pollen count is high for some particular type of plant then it’s high time you learned how they do that. See…
Stuff You Should KnowWhat is the Bechdel Test?
The Bechdel Test is a is a measure of the representation of women in film. You'd be surprised how many movies fail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Dog Shows Work
You know those shows where people wearing sensible shoes jog dogs around in circles? They actually represent the pinnacle of a long and complex path to glory…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Juries Work
It’s totally bonkers that in the US and other countries, the job of determining the guilt or innocence of an accused criminal – whose life may be at stake – is…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Mood Rings
Mood Rings were all the rage in the 1970s. Then they went away, and fast. What's your color today? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
The Inflammation Theory of Disease
Not too long ago we thought that germs were the cause of most diseases, leading to germ theory. But when we look at maladies from heart disease to Alzheimer’s…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Slinky Works
It has been called a "glorified spring", but Slinky is one of the best selling toys of all time. From accidental origins to an unlikely resurrection, Slinky…
- Stuff You Should Know
How TV Weathercasters Work
TV weather people can seem corny and maybe a little nerdy, but beneath that toothsome exterior lies the heart of a lonely warrior of science, one who is often…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Frances Kelsey: Hero of the FDA
Who is Frances Kelsey? Well, she's a semi-unsung hero of the FDA whose work helped save a lot of kids from congenital disorders and even death. Listen and…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Colosseum
It's funny how similar The Colosseum in Rome is to modern day arenas. They really had it figured out. Tune in today to learn all about this early entertainment…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Does the body replace itself?
Does the human body really replace itself every few years? The answer is yes, but different parts of the body do so at different rates. Learn all about which…
- Stuff You Should Know
Introducing Smell-O-Vision!
Smell-O-Vision was a post-war movie theater gimmick that delivered well-timed scents to the noses of audiences to align with the movie. Did it work? Sort of…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Dunbar's Number
There’s a theory that all of us have a maximum number of friendships that we can maintain – 150, to be exact. Suspiciously exact, really, if you think about…
- Stuff You Should Know
Nerf!
Another classic toys edition is at your collective feet. Today, we dive into the soft, padded world of NERF! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Manhunts Work
When a suspect or prisoner goes on the lam there are plenty of ways to hide: in plain sight, in the mountains, in another country. There are as many types of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Carbon Monoxide: Please Just Listen Anyway
It might not be the sexiest topic we’ve ever covered (and by “might”, we mean “definitely”), but there are some things you just need to learn about and this…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Botox Brain
Botox can chase away the lines on your face, apparently it can chase away your depression, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety too. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why does everyone love Dolly Parton?
Today we dive in to celebrate the international treasure that is Dolly Parton. Why is she nearly universally loved? Listen in to find out. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Was There A Real Robin Hood?
Is it true that Robin Hood hung out in Sherwood Forest and stole from the rich to give to the poor? No. No, it’s not. Find out the real story in this classic…
- Stuff You Should Know
METI: Existential Threat? Probably Yes
We've wanted to contact extraterrestrials for as long as we've suspected they're out there. But as we get better and locating potentially inhabited planets…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Routines
Routines are a key part of a successful life. Ask anybody about theirs and they'll be happy to share! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
Should Rich Countries Cancel Poor Countries’ Debt?
It sounds controversial, but there are persuasive arguments for the wealthy Global North to write off the debts lower-income nations have accrued. Some say the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Coffins Work
Sure, you've probably laid in one at the store or a funeral home, but how much do you know about receptacles used to bury the dead? We'll bet you'll learn…
- Stuff You Should Know
John Brinkley: The Quackiest Quack in History?
John Brinkley was perhaps the biggest quack who ever claimed to be practicing medicine. Learn all about this not so good guy today! See omnystudio.com/listener…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Red Snow
Thanks to green algae, there's such a thing as red snow. And we've recently found it can accelerate global warming. Look out! See omnystudio.com/listener for…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Skydiving Works
At 13,000 feet the ground is nothing but far-away squares of land, and you can even see some clouds below you. All of a sudden you find yourself plummeting…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Some Nutso Fan Theories
It turns out that the characters in your favorite TV shows and the like are actually dead, dreaming, dying or don't exist. Explore some strange fan theories…
- Stuff You Should Know
Playing Cards? You Got That Right!
If you've ever wanted to learn more about playing cards, now is your big chance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Beethoven’s DNA
It's been all over the news, Beethoven's DNA has revealed some interesting things about his health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
What Caused the Late Bronze Age Collapse?
Humans’ first attempt at civilization went pretty well for the first thousand years. Important stuff like the wheel, writing, math, art, and diplomacy came out…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Jet Lag Works
It was only since 1958 that the Jet Age began, and jet lag became a real condition. Also known as desynchronosis, jet lag can lead to all manner of ailments…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's the deal with dowsing?
Dowsing, aka water-witching has been around a long time. And you might be surprised that's still a thing. We get into all the nitty gritty of this…
- Stuff You Should Know
Short Stuff: Theme Park Cremations
There’s a little-discussed trend you might run into at your favorite theme park – people scattering the ashes of a loved one on rides. Here's hoping you don't…
- Stuff You Should Know
The First Road Trip
Back when cars were a brand new thing, before people even knew they'd stick around, two men and a dog drove from San Francisco to New York. This is their…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Is The Uncanny Valley Real?
In 1970, roboticist Masahiro Mori wrote an essay that said the closer robots come to lifelike, the more they unsettle humans. His theory became the Uncanny…
- Stuff You Should Know
An Interesting, Vastly Incomplete Look at Baseball Cards
One of the all-stars of the hobby world is collecting baseball cards. Over time it’s gone from a kids’ hobby to a major investment vehicle, complete with its…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Semantic Satiation
You know when you read a word over and over it starts to lose its meaning? There’s a term for that and why it happens is fascinating. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Tragic Tale of Floyd Collins
Floyd Collins was a natural-born caver who met a terrible fate, becoming stuck underground where no one could get him loose. His unlucky, slowly unfolding…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Do People Really Run Off to Join the French Foreign Legion?
Anyone who knows anything about Jean-Claude Van Damme knows he played a French legionnaire in the movies. He was just one of many actors to star in films that…
- Stuff You Should Know
Arcades: Nostalgia Abounds
Chuck and Josh were around during the Golden Age of the arcade. And look how they turned out! Join them on a trip down memory lane. See omnystudio.com/listener…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: John Cage's 639 Year Concert
John Cage was a unique artist to say the least. Learn all about this avant-garde composer today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
That's Amaro!
Amaro is a delicious traditional liqueur, usually from Italy, that has delighted diners and drinkers for centuries. Tune in to learn all about this wonderful…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: The Time Nazis Invaded Florida
During World War II, Nazis invaded the United States with saboteurs bent on fomenting chaos. Three times. Learn all about it in this classic episode. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Woodstock: The Festival for Stardust, Golden Hippies
You may have heard your parents or – gasp – grandparents prattle on about how amazing the original 1969 Woodstock Festival was. It turns out that, as much as…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Paprika
Paprika is more than a smoky Hungarian spice. Actually, that's not true, that's exactly what it is. But it sure is delicious! See omnystudio.com/listener for…
- Stuff You Should Know
Noncompete Agreements, Come On
A noncompete agreement, a pledge not to work for a competitor for a set amount of time, makes sense – when the worker is well compensated and privy to company…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Live From San Francisco: How Malls Work
In this classic show recorded live on January 5, 2017 at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre, Josh and Chuck delve into the history and the heyday of the church of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Crosswords episode, perhaps?
Crossword puzzles have an interesting history and are a lot of fun to do. Dive in today to learn about Chuck's latest obsession. See omnystudio.com/listener…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: La Pascualita
In a bridal shop in Chihuahua, Mexico a mannequin has been standing in the window since the 1930s that’s so lifelike some say it’s actually a corpse. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Awe-Inspiring, Absolutely Crucial Amazon
If you’ve ever thought, “What’s the Amazon rainforest ever done for me? Nothin, that’s what,” then you’re dead wrong, friend. It covers 1 percent of the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Who Committed the 1912 Villisca Ax Murders?
In a small town in Iowa in 1912 eight people were murdered in the grisliest of ways while they slept. Local reputations were ruined when accusations flew, but…
- Stuff You Should Know
Naps: Chuck's Secret Talent
Naps are great if you can manage to find the space to take them. The trick is to do it for the right amount of time. We get into all in the ins and outs of…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Sleeping On It
It’s pretty well known that if you wait to make a big decision until after you get some sleep, you’re likelier to make a good one. But why should that be? Why…