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
Does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the precepts of Taoism, and for thousands of years it has been used to treat a range of ailments. The…
- Stuff You Should Know
Little, Fluffy Clouds
Today every schoolkid learns a fair share of facts about clouds and the water cycle, but this wasn't always the case. Join Chuck and Josh as they break down…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Antiques Work
At what point does something become an antique? Could that old piece of furniture in the attic be worth millions of dollars? Join Josh and Chuck as they break…
- Stuff You Should Know
Should you not eat gluten?
Since gluten is found in rye, wheat and barley grains, it's a near-ubiquitous part of many diets. So why do some people avoid this common protein? Tune in as…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Volcanoes Work
Volcanic eruptions are destructive and often newsworthy events, but why do they occur? What are volcanoes? In this episode, Josh and Chuck take a look (but not…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Immigration Works
Immigration systems regulate the flow of foreign immigrants into any given country. But why is immigration such a controversial topic, especially in the United…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Homelessness Works
Today, millions of people around the world are homeless. In this episode, Josh and Chuck take a look at homelessness in the United States, discussing…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Migraines Work
Most people know what a migraine headache is -- some from painful experience -- but there's a lot more to this "neurobiological condition" than an achy noggin…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Agritourism Works
Agritourism marries farming and tourism, but why do people pay to pick apples or work on a farm? And who does agritourism benefit? Josh and Chuck explore the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Hanukkah Works
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday, but what's it all about? And why do some people think of it as "Jewish Christmas"? In this episode, Josh and Chuck…
- Stuff You Should Know
Green Renovation and Construction
Demolition and construction creates a lot of waste, so renovating your house is generally a "greener" option. In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore some…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Rules of War Work
The rules of war are agreed-upon rules that are intended to govern international wars and conflicts. Who developed these rules? And do countries really abide…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Circumcision Works
Circumcision is a common practice in which the foreskin of a male's penis is removed, typically as a baby. Josh and Chuck take a look at the origins…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Dreadlocks Work
Dreadlocks are matted coils of hair that form a very distinctive (and often misunderstood) hairstyle. So what's the deal with dreads? In this episode, Josh and…
- Stuff You Should Know
A Rigid, Sterile Look at Kissing
A majority of human cultures practice kissing in one form or another. But why do we kiss? Is the behavior instinctive or learned? In this episode, amateur…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can Lifestraw save the world?
Over a billion people do not have access to clean water, and many die from water-born diseases. With 6,000 people dying each day, this situation is…
- Stuff You Should Know
Have all the good ideas already been discovered?
It's no secret that human beings have an obsession with innovation -- but has our species already found every good idea? As Josh and Chuck break down the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Rehab Works
These days, alcoholics and other people suffering from addictions are often sent to rehabilitation centers to kick their habit. But how long has rehab been…
- Stuff You Should Know
Prohibition: Turns Out That America Loves to Drink
Prohibition was a 13-year period in American history when selling or producing alcohol was illegal. What led to this astonishing development? Why did it end?…
- Stuff You Should Know
Addiction: Why you can't kick SYSK
Modern scientists have extensively researched addicts and the things they abuse, but we still don't understand everything about the nature of addiction. So how…
- Stuff You Should Know
Animal Migration: Where's that gnu gnoing?
When you think of animal migrations, you probably picture thousands of animals thundering across the savannah. But where are they going, and why? Josh and…
- Stuff You Should Know
The Tomb
In this spooky episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck get you ready for Halloween as they narrate H.P. Lovecraft's creepy tale "The Tomb." Tune in to…
- Stuff You Should Know
Jealous much?
All of us have experienced the feeling of jealousy at some point or another. But why do we get jealous? Are women really more jealous than men? Josh and Chuck…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can you treat mental illness with psychedelics?
Hallucinogenic drugs are currently illegal, but they were once commonly used in psychological treatment. In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the rise and…
- Stuff You Should Know
How House Swapping Works
Traditionally, house swapping involves temporarily exchanging homes with a stranger for vacation purposes. Tune in to learn more about house swapping, from the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is science phasing out sleep?
Sleep is a restorative state that's vital to human functioning -- or is it? In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore different ways in which science is trying…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Knights Work
In medieval times, knights were warriors with specialized skills, extensive training and their own code. In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the rise and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why would anyone want multiple spouses?
Polygamy, the practice of having multiple spouses, is mostly illegal in the United States but very common in other parts of the world. In this episode, Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is tone deafness hereditary?
If you're tone deaf, you can't hear the difference between musical pitches and notes. And it's probably a hereditary trait, as Josh and Chuck explain in this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Roller Derby Works
Nowadays roller derby is increasingly popular across the US -- but how did it get its start, and how does it work? As Josh and Chuck delve into the world of…
- Stuff You Should Know
Hypnosis: You're Getting Sleepy
The modern conception of hypnosis came into vogue in the late 18th century, and it's been the subject of much debate ever since. Does hypnosis really work?…
- Stuff You Should Know
Octopus, Octopi, Octopod, Octopuses
Whatever you call them, octopuses are amazing creatures. In this episode, octopus enthusiasts Josh and Chuck take a closer look at the unusual anatomy, unique…
- Stuff You Should Know
What is biospeleology?
Biospeleology is the scientific study of cave organisms and ecosystems. In this episode, amateur biospeleologists Josh and Chuck explore the dark, dank world…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Mirrors Work
Whether using polished metal surfaces or clear glass, human beings have enjoyed admiring their reflections for centuries. In this episode, Josh and Chuck…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Customs Works
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- Stuff You Should Know
How Crime-Scene Clean-up Works
Cleaning up crime scenes is a niche industry that's both lucrative and messy. This episode, Josh and Chuck take a look at how crime-scene clean-up works. Learn…
- Stuff You Should Know
How are college football rankings determined?
Established in 1998 as a way to determine college football rankings, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is a complex statistical system. In this episode, Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Cremation Works
Cremation is a burial process practiced around the world, but how exactly does it work? Josh and Chuckers take a detailed look at cremation's history…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Freemasons Work
There are lots of conspiracy theories about Freemasons, but how much do you really know about this secretive order? In this episode, Josh and Chuck take a…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Sleepwalking Works
Sleep behaviors are pretty fascinating. Some people snore, some grind their teeth -- and some take a little stroll, or perhaps a drive. In this episode, Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the MARS Turbine Works
MARS stands for Magenn Air Rotor System, but a MARS turbine isn't your typical windmill. It's a blimp floating hundreds of feet in the air. Tune in as Josh and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Breathalyzers: Really, Really Complicated
Breathalyzers work on a simple principle: Alcohol is absorbed into the lungs and present in breath. But the machines that actually measure this alcohol level…
- Stuff You Should Know
Prisons: Not as Fun as You'd Think
Most people have a basic understanding of how prisons work, but it's often heavily influenced by fiction. What's it really like behind those bars? In this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Grow Houses Work
As many as one in five houses in Vancouver, British Columbia are used to grow marijuana. Join Josh and Chuck as they step inside indoor grow houses to see…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's so special about Route 66?
In this episode, Josh and Chuck hit the open road as they explore the history, allure and decline of America's most iconic highway: Route 66. Learn more about…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Quantum Suicide Works
In this episode, Josh and Chuck tackle a mind-melting topic: quantum physics! They ponder subatomic particles and various quantum theories, focusing…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Presidential Pardons Work
A presidential pardon is a unique, unchallengable power granted to the president of the United States by the Constitution. In this episode, Josh and Chuck…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why Ticks Suck
It's no surprise that ticks are one of mankind's least favorite animals. After all, they subsist on blood and spread disease. But how much do we really know…
- Stuff You Should Know
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
Taste and How it Works
Taste seems like a pretty simple sense, but scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how it works. Josh and Chuck explore the complexities of taste…
Stuff You Should KnowWhat's the deal with Bond, James Bond?
James Bond, the most infamous secret agent ever to grace the silver screen, originated in the pages of British author Ian Fleming's novels. Amateur agents Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Reincarnation Works
A large percentage of the world's population believes that you will be reborn after you die. So why does the concept of reincarnation seem so paranormal to…
- Stuff You Should Know
How do butterfly wings get their color?
Butterflies' wings are colored as a result of iridescence; this fascinating optical phenomenon is the result of light refracting off transparent surfaces. Josh…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's the deal with Voodoo?
Voodoo is a religion found in parts of Africa and Haiti that's often misunderstood. In this episode, Josh and Chuck separate the faction from the fiction as…
- Stuff You Should Know
Did Thomas Jefferson rewrite the Bible?
Thomas Jefferson is famous for his role in shaping the United States of America -- and for creating his own, revised version of the Bible. Learn more about the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Traffic Works
Whether you've been stuck in a traffic jam or forced to merge and avoid road construction, everyone's had a few bad experiences with traffic. But how does…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can quicksand kill you?
In many films, hapless characters meet their untimely demise in a lethal pit of quicksand. It's a gruesome, undignified end -- but is it realistic? Josh and…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Ghost Prisons Work
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the controversial "ghost prisons," covert prisons created by the CIA after September 11th, 2001 to secretly detain and…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Samurai Work
The Samurai were legendary Japanese swordsmen and warriors, known for their loyalty and adherence to a strict code of honor. Josh and Chuck tackle the Samurai…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Innocence Project Works
The Innocence Project is an American non-profit organization whose mission is to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals and reform the legal system. Josh…