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 Money Laundering Works
Money laundering -- the practice of disguising illegal funds -- can be domestic or international in nature. Join Josh and Chuck as they take a look at the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Ponzi Schemes Work
There's been a lot in the news about Ponzi schemes lately. How do they work? And who's Ponzi? Check out this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to discover how an…
- Stuff You Should Know
How can some centenarians lead unhealthy lives?
You'd think that centenarians -- people age 100 and older -- would owe their longevity to healthy habits, but that's not always the case. Tune in to this…
- Stuff You Should Know
Bizarre Ways to Die
When it comes to shucking this mortal coil, no two deaths are exactly alike -- and some are truly bizarre. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is the world going to end in 2012?
According to the Mayan calendar, a new age will begin on December 21, 2012. Will this mean the end of the world, or just a transition? Tune in as Josh and…
- Stuff You Should Know
Are there dead bodies on Mount Everest?
Every year, adventurers brave the elements and attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Yet dangers abound, and more than a hundred bodies litter the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Déjà Vu Works
Does this episode seem strangely familiar? If so, you might be experiencing déjà vu, a topic that scientists are beginning to study seriously. Discover the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can anger be a good thing?
Anger gets a bad rap, but this unpopular emotion can actually be beneficial to us. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to get Josh and Chuck's…
- Stuff You Should Know
What are microexpressions?
Microexpressions are brief facial cues that reveal a person's true intentions. Listen in as Chuck and Josh discuss the subtle art of reading faces in this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Aphrodisiacs Work
For thousands of years humankind has pursued the enhancement of sexual pleasure and performance through a plethora of medicines and practices -- but how many…
- Stuff You Should Know
Who owns the oceans?
International waters cover 71% of the Earth's surface, and a separate set of laws and regulations govern human activity on the seas. But who actually owns the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Alien Hand Syndrome Works
When a person has alien hand syndrome, his or her hand can move involuntarily, and seemingly of its own volition. Tune in and learn more about this…
- Stuff You Should Know
Could a 'thinking cap' make me a genius?
When Allan Snyder discovered that transcranial magnetic stimulation produces strange cognitive changes, he believed he'd stumbled upon a "creativity-amplifying…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Junk Mail Works
Almost no one likes junk mail. It's seen as wasteful, unproductive and -- potentially -- harmful. Listen in as Josh and Chuck take a closer look at the nature…
- Stuff You Should Know
Can people really die of fright?
Can a human being be scared to the point of sudden death? Listen in as Chuck and Josh explore the physiological possibilities behind dying of fright in this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Going Over Niagara Works
Since 1901, about 16 adventurous souls have gone over the falls in search of fame, usually in a barrel or sphere. Tune in as our resident experts take a look…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Squatting Works
The practice of squatting is usually defined as camping on unused land or moving into an abandoned structure -- and it's more common than you might think. Tune…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Friday the 13th Works
What is it about Friday the 13th that gives us the collective willies? Discover the surprising roots of this common superstition -- and what…
- Stuff You Should Know
How long can you go without food and water?
When it comes to survival, food and water are pretty much non-negotiable. How long can you go without them? What happens to your body when you cross that…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why is it so hard to say "toy boat" three times fast?
If you've ever tried to say "toy boat" three times fast, you'll know that these two words can quickly turn into one tricky tongue twister. But why? Unravel the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why do some people believe the moon landings were a hoax?
Three decades after the first reported manned lunar landing, some theorists still believe the landing was faked. Check in as Chuck and Josh take a look at the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Hypoallergenic Cats Work
One-third of US cat owners are allergic to cats, resigning themselves to years of suffering and expense on their pet's behalf . Could hypoallergenic cats be…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Comas Work
Several conditions can cause comas, including brain tumors and overdoses. Tune in as the crew discusses the causes and treatments of comas -- including some…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Moonshine Works
Moonshiners brew illegal alcohol, usually a liquor from corn. In the United States, this practice led to some surprising outcomes -- including the deveopment…
- Stuff You Should Know
Recycling and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Recycling has come a long way since its debut -- and so have landfills. In this twofer HowStuffWorks podcast, discover the realities of modern recycling and…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Redheads Work
Redheads are supposedly fiery, passionate people, but is there any truth to these stereotypes? Find out what studies have to say about redheads -- and if…
- Stuff You Should Know
What are urban explorers?
Urban explorers investigate abandoned structures such as hospitals, grocery stores, warehouses and underground systems. Tune into this HowStuffWorks podcast to…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Body Armor Works: A Special Request
Body armor has used by bodyguards, celebrities and soldiers for thousands of years. Tune into this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn how the constant innovation…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Exorcism Works
Is the idea of possession a misunderstanding of physiological and psychological conditions, or has science failed to account for unknown, legitimate factors?…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Midnight Regulations Work
After the election in November, outgoing Presidents have an opportunity to pass last-minute (often unpopular and unpublicized) legislation as 'midnight…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Habeas Corpus Works
Habeas Corpus is a Latin term meaning "you have the body," and -- in theory -- guarantees an incarcerated person the right to have a court determine whether he…
- Stuff You Should Know
How to Survive a Plane Crash
Although you're much more likely to die in an auto accident, odds are you're more afraid of flying -- but why? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to find…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Flirting Works
Flirting is an ancient -- and, at times, unconscious -- form of communication used to indicate interest in and receptivity to another person. Learn about the…
- Stuff You Should Know
What can be done with a dead body?
From transforming into a gem to being shot into space, modern technology has created a multitude of possible destinations for the bodies of the deceased. Go…
- Stuff You Should Know
Where's the best place on your body to get shot?
Although no one wakes up in the morning hoping for a gunfight, we all know life can be unpredictable. So check out this HowStuffWorks podcast and learn the…
- Stuff You Should Know
Extended Product Warranties: To Buy or Not to Buy?
Statistically speaking, extended product warranties aren't generally worth the money, but there are some purchases that warrant extra insurance. Find out when…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Five Day Weekend Works
What if Congress passed a law mandating a two-day week work? The Friends of the Five Day Weekend want Congress to do just that -- sort of. Check out this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Guerrilla Gardening Works
You've heard of guerrilla fighting tactics, but how much do you know about guerrilla gardening? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How OCD Works
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Thanksgiving Works
Thanksgiving is an unusual holiday in America -- there's no religious connotation, and the only traditions are a good meal and a sense of appreciation for the…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Albert Einstein's Brain Worked
Albert Einstein is one of the world's most recognizable geniuses. But was his brain any different from that of an average person? Check out this HowStuffWorks…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Corporate Personhood Works
Corporate personhood is an ancient legal custom tracing back to Roman law, whereby a corporation is legally considered a person. Learn more about your…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Eco-anxiety Works
Eco-anxiety -- a chronic fear of environmental doom -- is a recent, specialized type of anxiety disorder gripping an estimated 40 million people in the United…
- Stuff You Should Know
Why doesn't the FDA regulate herbal supplements?
For thousands of years, societies across the globe have used herbs as medicine. While this practice continues today, the FDA does not regulate these potent…
- Stuff You Should Know
Did the CIA test LSD on unsuspecting Americans?
As more and more time passes, the Freedom of Information Act provides increasingly disturbing stories of illegal CIA operations. Check out this HowStuffWorks…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Mortgage-backed Securities Work
The 2008 US financial crisis has been blamed on the excessive use of mortgage-backed securities. But what exactly is a mortgage-backed security? Learn more…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Prayer Healing Works
Studies have shown that prayer has a positive effect on individuals, but can your prayer heal someone else? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to find out…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is a free market "free" if it's regulated?
Prices in a free market are determined by the law of supply and demand, yet the US government has recently given billions of dollars to rescue large…
- Stuff You Should Know
How do Tibetans avoid altitude sickness?
Due to the region's elevation, the average traveler to Tibet often experiences altitude sickness -- a condition caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Check…
- Stuff You Should Know
How the Bailout Works
The economy imploded as US banks reaped the consequences of subprime mortgage trades. Controversially, Congress has provided emergency funding for the banks…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Living Off the Grid Works
If you're tired of paying utility bills or relying on fossil fuels, it might be time to consider living off the grid. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to…
- Stuff You Should Know
Will we soon be extinct?
Is Earth due for a mass extinction? Population ecologists think so. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more mass extinctions. Learn more about your…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Cannibalism Works
Cannibalism is one of humanity's near-universal taboos, but it has been practiced in widely varying circumstances throughout history. Check out this…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Entomophagy Works
Entomophagy -- the practice of eating insects -- is common outside of Europe and North America. Despite cultural taboos, you've probably eaten insects without…
- Stuff You Should Know
How China's Pollution Sniffers Work
In China's Guangdong province, twelve volunteers have been trained to detect harmful pollution by using their sense of smell. Check out this HowStuffWorks…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Delta Force Works
With the world's best weaponry, a shadowy legal status, and almost no oversight, Delta Force is the stuff of military legend. Check out this HowStuffWorks…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Graceland Works
Graceland attracts millions of visitors every year. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about Elvis and Graceland, which Elvis bought when he…
- Stuff You Should Know
Is quitting smoking contagious?
Everyone knows it's tough to quit smoking -- but did you know quitting can be contagious? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about smoking…
- Stuff You Should Know
How Can I Erase My Identity and Start Over?
Everyone dreams of snagging a fresh start at life. Whether you've thought of changing your dull given name, or just disappearing entirely, this HowStuffWorks…
- Stuff You Should Know
What's the ultimatum game?
The ultimatum game is an economics experiment that provides insight into the human psyche. Check out our HowStuffWorks podcast to learn about the rules to the…