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
Where Did Human Intelligence Come From?
We humans are smart, to be sure, but if we’re so smart then how come we can’t figure how we got so smart in the first place? Think about that! We sure did and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: What's the misery index?
Economists love their data because somewhere in the numbers lies the answer to the ills of the country. They also love to frame data in a way people can relate…
- Stuff You Should Know
Googie: The Architecture of the Space Age
You may not have heard of it, but you’ve definitely seen it before – 50s buildings with bright, loud colors, roofs at crazy angles, and space-age shapes like…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Death from Astral Projection
In 1975, yoga enthusiast Robert Antoszczyk retired to his room in a group house in Ann Arbor, MI to try a meditation technique that would allow him to astrally…
- Stuff You Should Know
Supernovae: Best Around, Case Closed
Face it, supernovae are the most interesting phenomena in the universe. Black holes are cool, but did you know they sprout from a supernova? What could be…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: What Happens When the Government Thinks You're Dead?
It’s bad enough when the government knows you’re alive – there are taxes to pay, laws to be followed, all sorts of boring and unpleasant things. But each year…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why Bowling is Awesome
Bowling is awesome. It just is. And if you don't think so, maybe take a listen to today's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Catatumbo Lightning
Catatumbo lightning is one of nature's most amazing displays of showiness, with strikes occurring 28 times per minute for nine hours a day, 300 days a year. So…
- Stuff You Should Know
Mangroves: Nature's Best Tree?
Mangroves are incredible survivors and adapters. They're also amazing at lessening the impact of tropical storms and climate change. And heck, they're cool…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Ayahuasca Works
One day in the Amazon Basin, a shaman put together a plant containing DMT with a vine that allows the body to absorb DMT. The combination, a foul-tasting…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Maya Civilization
After inspiration from Chuck's recent trip to the Yucatan, the fellas dive into the Maya Civilization. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Alligator Gar
The alligator gar is one scary looking fish. Learn all about these monsters in today's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
How Ultraprocessed Foods Work
Ultraprocessed is a new term for junk food, but it means much more than that – it’s also a cautionary tale for the way we’re supposed to cook and eat, using…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Freak Shows Worked
Not too long ago, people would pay money to gawk and stare at a performer with a physical disformity. They were called freak shows and they began in large part…
- Stuff You Should Know
A Dispassionate Review of Roe v Wade
Given the landmark undoing of Roe v Wade, Chuck and Josh lay out all the relevant facts of the 1973 case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: What did we use before infant formula?
There's an infant formula shortage. But infant formula is relatively new. So what did we do before it was perfected? Listen in and learn already! See…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Alien Contact Might Work
If we ever found evidence of intelligent alien life (or they found us) what would we say? Who would say it for us? These seemingly silly questions are vitally…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Chiggers: The Phantom Menace
Chiggers are tiny little mites capable of making your life miserable. Worse than mosquitoes? Maybe. But they aren't insects - mites are actually part of the…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's up with bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery can also be called weight loss surgery. Some people think it's a highly underused tool to fight obesity. Others think it's a shortcut. We…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Do Fish Get Thirsty?
One of the greatest questions we’ve ever heard, answered (in a roundabout way). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
The Appalachian Trail: A Heckuva Hike
A few short years after the hiking trails from Maine to Georgia were connected into the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, a WWII vet walked the whole thing…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Steadicams Work
There have been many inventions that have advanced filmmaking, but maybe none as important as the steadicam. Invented in the mid-70s, it literally changed the…
- Stuff You Should Know
What were the IRA hunger strikes?
In the early 1980s, imprisoned IRA members went on a prolonged hunger strike, leading to the death of ten men. This is their story. See omnystudio.com/listener…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: HR8 Gun Legislation
Today we dive into HR8, a gun bill supported by 90% of Americans that will likely never get through the Senate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Wind Works
Beloved egghead Buckminster Fuller said the wind doesn’t blow, it sucks. And he was pretty much right, depending on your perspective. Find out how…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Drowning Works
Hundreds of thousands of people drown around the world every year, and yet it can be easily prevented and is widely misunderstood – like how you can…
- Stuff You Should Know
The 4-minute Mile: Greatest Sports Story?
Nobody thought the 4-minute mile was humanly possible, until it was. The story of how it happened is remarkable. So sit back and take a listen. See…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Cleveland’s Infamous 10-Cent Beer Night
In 1974, the Cleveland (then Indians) baseball club held an unlimited 10 cent beer promotion to attract fans to the game. An actual riot broke out. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Freedom of the Press Works
Countries around the world – capitalist democracies to communist unitary states – guarantee a free press in their constitutions. It turns out…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: How Satanism Works
Satanism may be the most misunderstood "religion" in the world. Part of that is because there are, and have been, many offshoots of Satanism, from The Church…
- Stuff You Should Know
Kidney Donation: You Could Be A Saint!
Kidneys are one of the few organs that you can donate while you’re alive. And the vast majority of donors experience no complications and their remaining…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Happy Foods!
Some foods make you happy. But they aren't necessarily comfort foods. You know what they call that? SCIENCE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Scintillating World of Interest Rates
When the Fed raises interest rates a half point, the world market reacts. But why does this tiny percentage make such a difference? Listen and learn! See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: Waterbeds: The Sexiest Bed?
Waterbeds came and went pretty quickly in the United States, but despite their marketing as sex beds, they were actually invented to deliver a great night's…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Myth of Absinthe
Absinthe makes you hallucinate and possibly even have a seizure, right? Nope. It's all a part of the myth of absinthe, which is really just a bitter tasting…
- Stuff You Should Know
Short Stuff: Do people move in predictable directions?
Depending on where you are in the world, you either have an instinct to go left or right when entering a place. Learn all about this today. See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Cats: Invasive Species?
Josh and Chuck wade into dangerous waters with the debate over just how destructive cats are for local ecosystems (turns out it’s pretty bad) and some…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five
In 1978, five friends set out for home from a basketball game. The next day, their car was discovered in a lonely mountain road. The next spring, their bodies…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's in a surname?
Surnames are way more interesting that you think, trust us. Just hit play and prepare to be wowed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Artificial Banana Flavor
In the Watermelon episode, Chuck and Josh stumbled into a bit of little-known history about why artificial banana flavor doesn’t taste like bananas…
- Stuff You Should Know
Squirrels, Ahoy!
Squirrels are rodents, sure, but they’re rodents with personalities the size of Las Vegas and Detroit put together. Get to know your bushy-tailed (and…
Stuff You Should KnowSelects: How Lizzie Borden Worked
Everybody knows how many whacks Lizzie Borden gave her mother and father with that axe, but there is plenty about the infamous double homicide that remains…
- Stuff You Should Know
Rhinoplasty, aka Nose Jobs
Nose jobs have been around a lot longer than you think. And the process is pretty interesting. Tune in for all things rhinoplasty. See omnystudio.com/listener…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Fainting At The Sight Of Blood
As many as 15% of people faint when they see blood! And it’s not just blood that gets them. It can be an injury or even a needle. Learn about this…
- Stuff You Should Know
What are land acknowledgments?
Land acknowledgements are all the rage in some parts of the world. But they also open a can of worms if not done properly. Learn all about this increasingly…
Stuff You Should KnowSelects: How Champagne Works
Sure we can all agree that champagne is probably the greatest thing humans have or ever will invent, but how much do we understand how it's made? Learn all…
- Stuff You Should Know
Marcus Garvey: Black Moses
One of the more controversial black leaders, Marcus Garvey divided black and white Americans with his assertion of black pride, and sowed division in the black…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Shar Pei
Today we dive into the lovable folds of the Shar Pei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
The Mystery of Coal
There’s a mystery afoot! Almost all of the coal we use around the world was created in the same 60 million year period. Before or after that relatively…
Stuff You Should KnowSelects: How Rodney Dangerfield Worked, Live From LA
Other comedians cry on the inside, but Rodney Dangerfield built his entire act around his sad life. Get to know this legendary comic who was nearing 50 when he…
- Stuff You Should Know
Understudies: Hardest Workers on Broadway?
Being an understudy is far more challenging than simply learning the lines of a lead actor in case of emergency. Learn all about these unsung stage heroes…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Smelly Homes
Does your house smell? No? What if we told you it’s impossible for you to know whether it does or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: The Baffling Case of the Body On Somerton Beach
Since his corpse was found in 1948, wearing a nice suit in summer on an Australian beach, an unidentified man has refused to fade into obscurity, gripping the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Just Say No to... Bottled Water
Bottled water is huge business, and terrible for the environment. But where did this all start? Listen in and learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Salute the Grilled Cheese
Today we pay tribute to the comfiest of comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Stuff You Should Know
The Christine Collins Story
When Christine Collins' son disappeared in 1928, she thought that was the worst that could happen. What followed was more upsetting than any parent could…
- Stuff You Should Know
Selects: What happens to abandoned mines?
Did you know there are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the US, but the federal government knows where only 30,000 of them are? Learn about how these…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Mensa Works
Most of us know Mensa’s a smart people club. And that Geena Davis is a member. But did you know it was originally intended as a rolodex when the…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Animal Politicians
Small towns around the world have a longstanding tradition of nominating – and voting for – animals in elected positions like mayor and some…