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
How Dyslexia Works
For a learning disability that everyone seems to know about, dyslexia is maybe the most commonly misunderstood and controversial cognitive difficulty there is…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Wigs in English Court
What's the deal with the wigs in the English court system? Learn all about it in today's short stuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's the deal with ASMR?
ASMR is soothing to some, maddening to others. Learn all about these whisper tones in today's episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How the Panama Canal Works
It's on more than one list of the Seven Wonders of the World and for good reason - the Panama Canal is one of the great feats of engineering ever undertaken…
- Stuff You Should Know
Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes
The Tuskegee Airmen braved racism and brutally tough training in order to secure their spot in American history as the first African-American military pilots…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Black Loyalists
The Black Loyalists were a group of Colonial slaves who fought for their freedom alongside the British. Learn all about this nearly forgotten group in today's…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Science of Break-Ups
Breaking up is hard to do. Your brain might even think you're getting over a cocaine addiction. Learn all about the science behind break-ups today! Learn more…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Lewis and Clark Worked
They may be the most famous explorers in U.S. history, but there are plenty of interesting details to the Lewis and Clark expedition that history has allowed…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Galaxies Work
In the universe things tend to cluster. This means there’s a coherent structure to the universe and learning about clusters of stars – galaxies - helps us…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Turbulence
If you’ve ever had a bumpy airplane ride, you know it’s nothing fun. But have you ever noticed that the pilots sometimes tell you ahead of time to buckle in?…
- Stuff You Should Know
Yeti: The Asian Bigfoot
We've covered Nessie and Bigfoot, so why not tackle the Yeti? Listen in today and Josh and Chuck cover what used to be known as the Abominable Snowman. Learn…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: Interpol: World Police
Interpol is an international police agency that helps other law-enforcement agencies track criminals who operate across national borders -- but how does it…
- Stuff You Should Know
Elephants: The Best Animals?
Elephants are pretty much the best. Why? Josh and Chuck will let you know in great detail in today's episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: War of Jenkins' Ear
In the 18th century, Spain and England fought each other in the colonies of Georgia and Florida, a war kicked off by an English sea captain who was mad his ear…
- Stuff You Should Know
Could There Be A Loch Ness Monster?
People have believed something strange lives in Loch Ness for at least 3500 years. Thousands of people have sighted the Loch Ness Monster and dozens of…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Coral Reefs Work
Coral reefs are the largest organic structures on Earth, yet they're created through a symbiotic relationship between creatures about 3 millimeters long. Learn…
Stuff You Should KnowThe True Story of BlacKkKlansman
In 2018, director Spike Lee brought the story of Ron Stallworth to the big screen to great effect. Today, Josh and Chuck discuss the true story behind the…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Ellen Richards
Who is Ellen Richards? One of the most unsung scientists of all time, that's who. Her contribution? Bringing real science into the household and forcing the…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Insidious Abuse of Stalking
Stalking has only recently been recognized for what it is – a profound form of psychological abuse where the victim’s life is “infected” by the stalker, as one…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: Saunas: More Interesting Than You Think!
Although they seem pretty mundane, saunas are surprisingly fascinating inventions. Josh and Chuck break out all sorts of sweaty, sauna-related trivia, from the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Central Park Works
Central Park in Manhattan was America’s first landscaped public park, built at a time when New Yorkers’ only option for getting some fresh air was hanging…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed was real! And he was about as amazing as the legend paints him. He really did plant apple trees all over America and if the feds hadn’t…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Ping Pong Works
While Asia is well-known for being cuckoo for Ping Pong, the game was actually invented by bored British Victorian aristocrats. Go back and forth about Ping…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: Bioluminescence: A Bright and Shiny Fish
Science has a handle on fireflies and glowworms, but most bioluminescent animals live in the ocean and are tough to study. Today, researchers are still…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Legend of Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross is an American icon to many, the seamstress who sewed the first U.S. flag because of a personal commission from George Washington. But is it true?…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Thread Count
Is thread count all it's cracked up to be? Listen in and find out in today's edition of Short Stuff! Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Live: The Kellogg Brothers’ Wacky World of Health
There’s no way you haven’t had one of their breakfast cereals, but we bet you don’t know the story behind the two brothers who brought the world corn flakes…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Lobotomies Work
Lobotomies -- brain surgeries to relieve psychiatric problems -- are rarely performed today, but they were once fairly common. Tune in to learn more about the…
- Stuff You Should Know
The July 20th Plot to Assassinate Hitler
A lot of people in Hitler's inner circle wanted him dead toward the end of the war. But he proved impossible to kill from within. Listen in today as Josh and…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Olestra
In the 90s a fat free miracle food came out that promised we could eat all we wanted and not gain weight. But there was a caveat: it could also make your…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Airbags Work
It turns out that the inflatable bag of air that shoots out of your steering wheel or dashboard is the result of a controlled explosion of solid fuel, just…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Schizophrenia Works
Up to 24 million people worldwide have schizophrenia. Despite the vast amounts of research, the disorder remains mysterious. In this episode, Josh and Chuck…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Great Finger in the Wendy’s Chili Caper
In 2005 a woman named Anna Alaya discovered a length of human finger – nail and all – in her Wendy’s chili. Her cries of disgust would set off a media…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: How Often Do You Need To Change Your Oil?
First things, first: Take that oil change reminder sticker off your windshield and throw it away forever and never look back! Learn more about your ad-choices…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Spanish Flu Worked
The Spanish Flu killed anywhere from 20-100 million or more people over 1918/1919. All of this played out with World War I in the foreground, one big reason…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Munchausen Syndrome Works
Why would someone fake an illness? Here's an even better question: Why would someone repeatedly make themselves sick? Join Josh and Chuck as they separate the…
- Stuff You Should Know
What was the Tunguska event?
In 1908, the most powerful meteoroid explosion in recorded history happened over a remote area of Siberia. But the weird thing is there was no impact crater…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Khipu
Listen in to learn all about the fascinating "language" of the Incan khipu knotted ropes. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
Rockettes: Still Kicking After All These Years
Tune in today to learn all about the legendary NYC Rockettes, who actually got their start in Missouri. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Fossils Work
A fossil is a piece of once-living organic material that has undergone a transition from an organic state to an inorganic state. But what exactly is…
- Stuff You Should Know
Dr. Seuss: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Seuss is loose in this episode about legendary children's book author Ted Geisel. The funny thing is, he didn't ever want children of his own, and his past…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: The Brain-Bladder Connection
How much do you know about the brain-bladder connection? In about 15 minutes, it'll be a lot more. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Live Christmas Spectacular!
This year, Josh and Chuck go live for their annual Christmas Spectacular. Recorded from the Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, pour up some eggnog, light a fire…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: The Star Wars Holiday Special of 1978
Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never…
- Stuff You Should Know
E.T.: Is It Really the Worst Video Game of All Time?
If you play video games you probably have an easy answer to worst game of all time: ET. But it turns out there are no easy answers, especially when you’re…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Unique Snowflakes
Amazingly, it turns out that every snowflake truly is unique. Math backs it up. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See…
- Stuff You Should Know
Geodesic Domes: The Wave of the Future That Wasn't
Sometimes a good idea doesn’t pan out in real life. Take Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome: It requires less energy to heat and cool, it’s cheap, and it’s…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Igloos Work
Igloos were traditionally used by Inuit Indians as temporary shelter while on hunting and fishing trips. In this episode, Josh and Chuck look at the design of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Are good samaritan laws effective?
Good samaritan laws have been around for many years, helping to provide legal protections for people who try to help other people. But do they work? Decide for…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Laughing Buddha
Did you know that the friendly, smiling Buddha we all know from bars and restaurants isn't really Buddha? Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
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
SYSK Selects: That Dang-old Goat Fell Over
Due to a condition known as Thomsen's disease, the muscles of fainting goats tense up whenever the animal is startled. In this episode, Josh and Chuck break…
- Stuff You Should Know
Was the PMRC censorship in disguise?
The Parents Music Resource Center in the 1980s was really just censorship in disguise. But it kind of backfired. Learn all about Tipper Gore's crusade in…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: Dolphin Detectors
They don’t actually disarm mines, but navies around the world use dolphins to find and tag sea mines so humans can disarm the mines themselves. But even if…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Search and Rescue Dogs Work
All dogs are great, but some dogs work harder than others. Or play harder, depending on your view. Learn all about the good boys and girls who find lost people…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: Can Your Grandfather's Diet Shorten Your Life?
Epigenetics is a fascinating field of genetics that studies how the epigenome and environmental, nutritional and social factors affect gene expression. Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
Adidas v. Puma: A Sibling Rivalry
Join Josh and Chuck today as they go down the sport shoe rabbit hole, detailing the strange tail of the brothers who brought Puma and Adidas to the world…
Stuff You Should KnowShort Stuff: iSmell
Two men once had a dream - to add smell to the internet. And they almost gave it to us. Learn more about your ad-choices at…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Navajo Code Talkers Worked
In WWII the US Marines devised an unbreakable code-within-a-code made from Navajo, one of the most linguistically difficult languages in the world. A handful…
- Stuff You Should Know
SYSK Selects: How Black Friday Works
On the day after Thanksgiving, Americans go kind of crazy for the deep discount sales that kick off the holiday shopping season in stores. So crazy, in fact…