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.
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Recent Episodes
A Quick History of the BBC
Dec 11, 2025The BBC has been around as long as there has been radio. Today we salute the venerable institution that's as British as tea and crumpets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the BBC's 103-year history, from its founding in 1922 to present-day challenges. Josh and Chuck explore the BBC's evolution from radio monopoly to multimedia giant, discussing its cultural impact, landmark programming, government conflicts, and recent controversies including the looming 2027 charter renewal that could fundamentally reshape the institution.
- The BBC's Origins and Early Years (1922-1940s)
- Government Conflicts and World War II
Short Stuff: Atacama Skeleton
Dec 10, 2025In 2003, a tiny – really, really tiny – humanoid skeleton surfaced that had been taken from Chile. The only possible explanation is that it had to be an alien mummy. Right? See omnystudio.com/listene...
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This episode explores the tragic story of the Atacama skeleton, a tiny six-inch mummified remains discovered in Chile's Atacama Desert in 2003. Initially sensationalized as potential alien remains due to its unusual features, DNA testing revealed it was actually a stillborn baby girl with multiple genetic mutations. The episode examines the ethical violations surrounding the skeleton's excavation, study, and continued possession outside Chile.
- Discovery of the Atacama Skeleton
- The Perfect Preservation Environment
Operation Paul Bunyan
Dec 09, 2025If we told you that World War III was in danger of happening over the trimming of a tree would you believe us? This was Operation Paul Bunyan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore Operation Paul Bunyan, a massive 1976 military operation sparked by one of the most bizarre incidents of the Cold War: the murder of two American officers during a tree-trimming operation at the Korean DMZ. The episode details the tense atmosphere at the Joint Security Area, the shocking axe murders that followed a routine tree pruning, and the unprecedented show of force that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war over a poplar tree.
- The DMZ and the Joint Security Area
- Captain Boniface and the Tree That Started It All
Selects: What Is A Mold-A-Rama?
Dec 06, 2025In the 1960s, a very cool machine debuted at the Seattle World's Fair - the Mold-A-Rama. It made real plastic toys on-demand from melted plastic pellets, to the delight of children and adults alike. T...
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This episode explores Mold-O-Rama machines, the fascinating vending devices from the 1960s that manufacture custom plastic figurines on demand. Hosts Josh and Chuck dive into the history of these 'factories in a case,' from their invention by J.H. 'Tyke' Miller through their heyday at World's Fairs, to their surprising longevity with original 1960s machines still operating today at zoos and tourist attractions across America.
- Introduction to Mold-O-Rama Machines
- The Origin Story: Tyke Miller and the Nativity Figure
What's the bar exam like anyway?
Dec 04, 2025You've always heard about "the bar" but what do you really know about it? Unless you've taken it, probably not much. Well join the club. Let's discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
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Josh and Chuck explore the history, structure, and controversies surrounding the bar exam in the United States. They discuss how the test evolved from informal judge interviews to a standardized examination, examine its racial disparities and accessibility issues, and debate whether it actually measures legal competence. The episode covers recent testing disasters, alternative pathways to becoming a lawyer, and the upcoming next-generation bar exam reforms.
- Introduction and Personal IHOP Anecdote
- What is the Bar Exam and Why 'Bar'?
Short Stuff: Camberley Kate
Dec 03, 2025Camberley Kate was the nickname for the first independent animal rescuer in England, rescuing hundreds of dogs and cats over her lifetime. Come get acquainted with a great lady! See omnystudio.com/l...
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This episode tells the inspiring story of Kate Ward, known as 'Camberley Kate,' a pioneering British woman who rescued hundreds of dogs and cats over 30+ years in mid-20th century England. Starting with a single greyhound saved from euthanasia in 1943, she became famous for walking dozens of dogs through town, challenging leash laws, and providing excellent care to abandoned animals long before organized animal rescue became common.
- Introduction to Camberley Kate
- The First Rescue: How It All Began
The Brutal History of Prison Labor
Dec 02, 2025The idea of prison labor is relatively new in the annals of crime and punishment. And it's just as bad as you think. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the dark history and current reality of prison labor in the United States, from its origins in Thomas More's Utopia through convict leasing in the post-Civil War South to modern mass incarceration. They examine how the 13th Amendment's loophole enabled legalized slavery, the brutal conditions of chain gangs, and today's exploitative labor practices where prisoners earn an average of 52 cents per hour while being excluded from basic worker protections.
- Origins of Prison Labor and Early American Practices
- The 13th Amendment Loophole and Post-Civil War Convict Leasing
Selects: How Black Friday Works
Nov 29, 2025On 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, at least four people have lost their lives...
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A classic episode examining the history, economics, and cultural impact of Black Friday shopping in America. Josh and Chuck explore how this post-Thanksgiving shopping phenomenon evolved from a Philadelphia traffic nightmare into a manufactured retail event, while discussing the dark side of consumer culture including tragic incidents, worker exploitation, and the alternatives like Buy Nothing Day.
- Origins and Evolution of Black Friday
- The $602 Billion Holiday Shopping Season
Julia Child, la Grandes Gourmande
Nov 27, 2025Julia Child is one of the most recognizable names in the cooking world, but even still so many of her accomplishments aren’t widely known. And the impacts she had on American culture, whoa! Join Josh ...
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In this Thanksgiving episode, Josh and Chuck explore the remarkable life and legacy of Julia Child, who single-handedly revolutionized American cooking by introducing French cuisine to the masses. From her unlikely path from OSS spy to culinary icon, to her groundbreaking cookbook and beloved television shows, they trace how this 6'2" woman with a distinctive voice transformed America's relationship with food, fresh ingredients, and the joy of cooking.
- Julia Child's Early Life and Unlikely Path to Cooking
- World War II Service and the Shark Repellent Recipe
Short Stuff: Pies
Nov 26, 2025We’ve done episodes on cake, cookies and, at long last, pie. Belly up to your pod player and prepare to crave some pie! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the rich history of pie, from ancient Egyptian galettes to modern American classics. They trace pie's evolution across cultures and continents, discuss the transition from savory to sweet varieties, and celebrate iconic pies like pumpkin, apple, and key lime while sharing personal favorites and historical quirks.
- Ancient Origins of Pie
- Medieval English Pie Innovation
Rice is Nice
Nov 25, 2025Rice may be the most eaten food on the planet, accounting for 50% of the caloric intake of Asian countries and 25% worldwide. Learn all about this edible cereal crop today. See omnystudio.com/listene...
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Tune in to this classic episode to learn all about the legendary NYC Rockettes, who actually got their start in Missouri. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode of Stuff You Should Know explores the history and inner workings of the Radio City Rockettes, the legendary American precision dance troupe. Josh and Chuck trace the Rockettes' origins from 1920s St. Louis through their evolution into an iconic New York institution, discussing their grueling performance schedules, precise choreography requirements, and cultural significance while addressing both criticism and modernization efforts.
- Origins in St. Louis and the Birth of Precision Dance
- The Move to Radio City and Becoming the Roxiettes
Graffiti: So Cool It’s A Pillar of Hip Hop
Nov 20, 2025Graffiti – the good kind, done with lots of style and skill – developed when some kids in NYC took up cans of spray paint and started to figure out how to outdo one another. They laid down styles that...
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Short Stuff: Victorian Flower Language
Nov 19, 2025What do you do when you want to tell someone you’re smitten with them but you live in a society so repressive decorum prevents you from even speaking such things? Why, you can say it with flowers! And...
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating Victorian-era practice of floriography, or the language of flowers, where complex coded messages were sent through the type, color, condition, and presentation of flowers. This communication method was essential in Victorian high society where open expression of feelings was considered improper, and involved intricate details from the state of the flowers to how ribbons were tied and which hand received the bouquet.
- Origins of Floriography in the Ottoman Empire
- Victorian Era Popularity and Literary Use
AM Radio: Solid Gold
Nov 18, 2025The era of AM radio isn't over, but it's well past its heyday. Dive in today for a trip down memory lane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the history and cultural impact of AM radio, from its revolutionary emergence in the 1920s as America's first mass communication medium to its current battle for survival in electric vehicles. They cover the golden age of radio programming, the rise of Top 40 format and yacht rock, and why AM radio remains crucial for emergency broadcasts despite being seen as outdated.
- The Revolutionary Birth of AM Radio
- The Golden Age: Family Gatherings and Social Programming
Selects: How Personality Tests Work
Nov 15, 2025For millennia, we have tried to put human personalities into neat types, an effort psychology took up early in its history in an effort to legitimize itself. But is the idea of types – which all perso...
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Josh and Chuck dive deep into personality tests, focusing primarily on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). They explore the history of personality classification from ancient humors to modern psychometric instruments, examine how these tests are used in corporate America, and critically analyze the scientific validity and real-world implications of categorizing human personality. The episode reveals significant flaws in popular personality assessments while acknowledging their widespread adoption in hiring, criminal cases, and therapy.
- Origins of Personality Classification: From Four Humors to Carl Jung
- The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Corporate America's Favorite Test
Pop Tarts: No Fruit Necessary
Nov 13, 2025Pop Tarts are a legendary breakfast treat in the United States. They're fruit-filled toaster pastries with very little fruit. But who cares right? It's all about that toasty goodness. See omnystudio...
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Josh and Chuck dive into the history of Pop-Tarts, exploring how Kellogg's beat competitor Post to market in the 1960s despite being caught off guard. They cover the product's evolution from unfrosted 'fruit scones' to a breakfast staple with 80% market share, while discussing flavors, marketing tactics, safety concerns about toaster fires, and the shocking lack of nutritional value in these iconic pastries.
- Origins: The Battle Creek Breakfast Wars
- Development and Market Dominance
Short Stuff: Third Man Syndrome
Nov 12, 2025People who’ve found themselves in life-or-death situations with their endurance at its limit have reported sensing another presence with them, urging them to continue on and survive. No one knows what...
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Josh and Chuck explore the Third Man Syndrome, a phenomenon where people in life-threatening situations sense an unseen presence guiding and comforting them. From Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition to 9/11 survivors, this episode examines historical accounts of this mysterious experience and theories about why it occurs, including the possibility of a hardwired survival instinct or vestigial bicameral mind phenomenon.
- Introduction to Third Man Syndrome
- Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition
Eco-Disasters 101: The Salton Sea
Nov 11, 2025In 1905, an engineering mistake created a brand new 400-square-mile sea (lake?) in the California desert. People made the most of it at first, but it didn’t take long to become a toxic brew that now t...
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An in-depth exploration of California's Salton Sea, from its accidental creation in 1905 through its transformation from a thriving resort destination to an ecological disaster. The episode covers how human error created this inland body of water, its brief heyday as the 'California Riviera,' the subsequent environmental collapse, and recent restoration efforts.
- The Accidental Creation of the Salton Sea
- The Golden Age: California's Riviera
Selects: How Conversion Therapy Doesn't Work
Nov 08, 2025Conversion therapy is a misguided attempt by religious zealots to convert people from gay to straight. News flash - it doesn't work. Learn all about this abhorrent practice in this classic episode. S...
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This episode examines conversion therapy, also called reparative or ex-gay therapy - the discredited practice of attempting to change someone's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. The hosts trace its history from 19th century origins through its adoption by the Christian right in the 1980s-90s, explore the psychological techniques used, discuss the scientific evidence against it, share stories of harm caused, and review the legal battles and bans that have emerged in recent years.
- What is Conversion Therapy and Early History
- Joseph Nicolosi and Reparative Therapy