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
The Story of Starvation Heights
May 26, 2026There are quacks and then there is Linda Hazzard. Not only did she starve her patients to death, but she took their family fortunes as she did it. This is the story of Starvation Heights. See omnystu...
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Josh and Chuck explore the disturbing story of Linda Burfield Hazard, a self-proclaimed 'fasting specialist' in early 20th century Washington who killed at least 15 patients through extreme starvation while stealing their fortunes. The episode focuses on her most infamous case involving two wealthy British sisters, Claire and Dora Williamson, and examines how medical quackery operated before modern regulations.
- Introduction to Linda Hazard's Deadly Practice
- Linda Hazard's Background and Philosophy
Selects: How Flight Attendants Work
May 23, 2026Flight attendants have come a long way. From having to put up with rampant sexism, to the current incarnation as your first line of defense in case of an incident, they are valued airline employees. L...
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This episode of Stuff You Should Know explores the evolution and daily realities of flight attendants, from the glamorous 'Golden Age' of aviation through post-9/11 security changes to today's demanding profession. Hosts Josh and Chuck examine the rigorous training process, challenging work conditions, surprisingly low pay structure, and the crucial safety role flight attendants play—while also discussing passenger etiquette and the complexities of modern air travel.
- The Evolution from Glamour to Service
- Barbie Boot Camp: The Rigorous Training Process
The 1993 Waco Siege
May 21, 2026One of the darkest days in the history of American law enforcement came on April 19, 1993, when the FBI’s 51-day siege of the Branch Davidian religious sect’s compound in Waco, Texas ended with a fire...
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An in-depth examination of the 1993 Waco siege involving the Branch Davidians religious sect and federal law enforcement. The episode covers the group's history, the botched ATF raid that killed 10 people, the 51-day FBI siege, and the tragic fire that killed 76 people including 20 children. The hosts discuss the failures in law enforcement tactics, the religious beliefs that motivated the Branch Davidians, and the lasting impact on anti-government movements including Timothy McVeigh's Oklahoma City bombing.
- The Branch Davidians and David Koresh
- ATF Investigation and Surveillance Failures
Short Stuff: All about BPAs
May 20, 2026Are BPAs safe? Of course not. Does the FDA care? Of course not. Learn all about what and why today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the dangers of BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical commonly found in plastics and everyday products. Starting with the accidental discovery by Dr. Patricia Hunt in 1998, they discuss how BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor mimicking estrogen, its widespread presence in consumer products, and the stark differences between U.S. and European safety regulations. The episode reveals why 'BPA-free' labels may not be as safe as consumers think.
- The Accidental Discovery of BPA's Dangers
- Where BPA Lurks in Everyday Life
Eels Alive!
May 19, 2026Eels are pretty much objectively unsettling. They’re not quite fish (although they are) and if they’re snakes, they’re messed up snakes (they aren’t). But they’re fascinating too! There are even littl...
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Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating world of eels, exploring their unique biology, mysterious reproduction, historical significance as currency and food, and current conservation challenges. From their remarkable metamorphosis stages to their incredible ocean migrations, eels prove to be far more complex and interesting than most people realize.
- What Makes an Eel an Eel
- Moray Eels: The Ocean's Toothy Predators
Did Mallory Make it to the Top of Everest First?
May 16, 2026George Mallory was a member of the first three European expeditions to Everest, world’s tallest mountain. He wanted to summit it so badly, he gave his life trying. Since that fateful day in 1924, clim...
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This episode explores the legendary George Mallory's obsessive quest to summit Mount Everest in the 1920s, culminating in his mysterious 1924 disappearance near the peak. The hosts examine whether Mallory and his climbing partner Sandy Irvine became the first to reach the summit—three decades before Edmund Hillary's official first ascent—through eyewitness accounts, recovered artifacts, and tantalizing clues that keep this mountaineering mystery alive.
- George Mallory: The Beautiful, Flighty Pioneer
- The Third Pole: Why Everest Mattered
The Hindenburg Disaster
May 14, 2026Hard to believe we haven't covered this one yet, but here we are. Why did the Hindenburg crash and burn? We still don't really know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the tragic story of the Hindenburg airship disaster of May 6, 1937, examining the history of dirigibles, the luxurious transatlantic travel experience aboard the massive German airship, the catastrophic fire that killed 36 of 97 people aboard, and the various theories about what caused the hydrogen-filled vessel to burst into flames in just 34 seconds. They discuss how this disaster ended the era of passenger airship travel and impacted hydrogen's reputation as a fuel source.
- The History and Development of Dirigibles
- The Hindenburg's Massive Scale and Engineering
Strange but true, actor Tippy Hedron kickstsarted the Vietnamese manicure industry in the United States in the 1970s. This is that story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode explores the fascinating story of how Vietnamese immigrants came to dominate the American nail salon industry, tracing back to a specific moment in 1975 when actress Tippi Hedren visited a refugee camp and initiated a training program that transformed both an industry and countless lives.
- The Remarkable Statistics Behind Vietnamese Nail Salons
- From Luxury Service to Accessible Industry
Humanists, the Happy Heathens
May 12, 2026If you don’t believe in any kind of god or afterlife - or even that there’s a meaning to life – does that mean you’re doomed to a life of gloom and doom? Heck no!, say humanists. Their philosophical m...
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Josh and Chuck explore humanism, a progressive philosophy that emphasizes living ethical, meaningful lives without supernatural beliefs. They trace its evolution from Renaissance thinking through the Enlightenment to modern secular humanism, discussing key figures, principles, and criticisms along the way. The episode examines how humanism offers moral guidance and meaning outside of traditional religion while grappling with philosophical challenges about human nature and purpose.
- Defining Modern Humanism
- Renaissance Roots and the Dignity of the Individual
Selects: Can movies be cursed?
May 09, 2026First of all, movies can't be cursed because curses aren't real. However, that can't stop Josh and Chuck from taking a look at some movies throughout history that have had a disturbing number of bad t...
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In this Saturday Selects episode from November 2017, Josh and Chuck explore the phenomenon of supposedly cursed movies, examining notable cases from Hollywood history where multiple tragedies occurred during or after film productions. They discuss whether these events are truly supernatural or simply statistical coincidences, while sharing fascinating and sometimes disturbing stories from classic films like The Wizard of Oz, The Omen, and Poltergeist.
- The Nature of Movie Curses and Early Hollywood Dangers
- The Poltergeist Curse
Let's Go to Camp... David!
May 07, 2026Camp David is awesome. But not all presidents have liked it. We'll dig into this historic property in today's episiode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck explore the history and operations of Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Blue Ridge Mountains. From its origins as a New Deal project to its role as a diplomatic venue for historic peace negotiations, they cover how this rustic 150-acre compound has served presidents since FDR, including its facilities, security measures, and the Navy personnel who keep it running.
- Origins and FDR's Transformation
- Eisenhower's Modernization and Name Change
Short Stuff: Why do kangaroos hop?
May 06, 2026Kangaroos are the only marsupial to hop, which is pretty weird. We'll investigate why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating biomechanics of kangaroo hopping, covering everything from their marsupial biology to why they're the most efficient hoppers in the animal kingdom. They discuss how kangaroos evolved from tree-climbing rainforest dwellers to powerful hoppers on Australia's grassy plains, the unique anatomy that makes their hopping possible, and how they become more efficient the faster they move.
- Marsupials and Joey Development
- Kangaroo Discovery and Etymology
Boeing's Nosedive: The 737-MAX
May 05, 2026Boeing used to be one of the most respected engineering firms in the world. Then it changed its focus from making great airplanes to increasing its stock value. The result was the 737-MAX, a plane tha...
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Josh and Chuck delve into the troubling history of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft, examining how one of the world's most respected engineering companies prioritized profits over safety, leading to two catastrophic crashes that killed 346 people. The episode traces Boeing's cultural shift from engineering excellence to cost-cutting, the development of the flawed MCAS system, FAA regulatory failures, and the ongoing safety concerns that continue to plague the company.
- Boeing's Cultural Transformation and Corporate Decline
- Development of the Flawed 737 MAX
Psychologist Julian Jaynes came up with a stunning hypothesis in 1976, that human consciousness only developed in the last 3000 years. And he seemed to have proof in ancient texts. Scholars have been ...
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Josh and Chuck dive deep into Julian Jaynes' controversial 1976 hypothesis about the origin of human consciousness, exploring the theory that humans only became conscious as we understand it today within the last 2,000-3,000 years. Before that, people operated with a 'bicameral mind' where they heard commands as auditory hallucinations they attributed to gods rather than recognizing their own internal dialogue. This fascinating discussion examines how language, metaphor, and the written word may have triggered the emergence of modern consciousness.
- Introduction to the Bicameral Mind Theory
- How the Bicameral Mind Functioned
How to Drink a Tree's Blood
Apr 30, 2026Of course we're talking all about maple syrup today - the tapping, the processing, the eating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating world of maple syrup production, from the biological processes that make sap flow to the rich history of indigenous sugaring traditions. They discuss how specific climate conditions and tree biology create the perfect window for tapping sugar maples, the evolution of production methods, and why this delicious sweetener has resisted industrialization. The episode covers everything from the science of sap to the great maple syrup heist, revealing why real maple syrup is worth its premium price.
- The Magic of Maple Sap and Sugar Maples
- Indigenous Origins and Colonial Adoption
Short Stuff: Wisdom Teeth
Apr 29, 2026By all rights there should be three sets of molars in your mouth. But it turns out that our skulls aren’t really set up to accommodate that many anymore. Exactly why depends on who you ask. See omnys...
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Josh and Chuck explore the evolutionary history and modern controversies surrounding wisdom teeth. They discuss why humans developed these third molars, why many people no longer need them, and debate whether prophylactic removal is medically necessary or over-prescribed. The hosts share personal experiences with wisdom tooth extraction and examine the risks versus benefits of surgery.
- Why We Call Them Wisdom Teeth
- Evolutionary Purpose of Third Molars
Save the Whales!
Apr 28, 2026In the 1970s, conservation groups around the world rose up to protect dwindling whale populations, some on the verge of extinction. They all worked under the same banner: Save the Whales! It turned ou...
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This episode of Stuff You Should Know explores the Save the Whales movement, one of the most successful environmental campaigns in history. Hosts Josh and Chuck examine how the movement emerged in the 1970s, became a cultural phenomenon, and successfully led to international whaling moratoriums. They trace the campaign's roots back to the 1920s, discuss the various tactics employed by conservation groups, and analyze the current state of whaling despite international agreements. The episode also addresses ongoing threats to whale populations and the cultural resistance to ending commercial whaling in countries like Japan and Norway.
- Origins and Early Conservation Efforts
- The Shift: Whales as Intelligent Beings
Selects: How Fever Dreams Work
Apr 25, 2026Fever dreams can be unsettling experiences. These ramped up nightmares are vivid, detailed and only happen when the human body experiences a fever. What is it about the combination of fevers and dream...
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Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the fascinating yet scientifically understudied phenomenon of fever dreams. They break down the mechanics of fevers, the purpose of dreams, and attempt to explain why fever-induced nightmares are so vivid and disturbing, despite limited research on the topic.
- The Science Behind Fevers and Body Temperature
- How Pyrogens Trigger the Fever Response
Humanity’s created a lot of neat things over the eons and starting in the 1940s, the UN created an agency focused on preserving those things for the whole world and future people. But that mission is ...
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This episode explores UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from their origins after WWII to their modern implementation. Josh and Chuck discuss how the program protects both physical locations and intangible cultural practices, the politics involved in site selection, and the challenges these sites face from climate change, conflict, and over-tourism. They examine the danger list, delisting process, and share fascinating examples of protected sites ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to horseback shrimp fishing in Belgium.
- Origins and Purpose of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Categories of World Heritage Sites
Short Stuff: Brown-Headed Cowbird
Apr 22, 2026There’s a kind of bird that lots of people think is a real jerk. And it kind of is. But in the brown-headed cowbird’s defense, it’s just evolved that way. Find out why it has such a bad reputation amo...
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This episode explores the brown-headed cowbird, a fascinating North American bird species known as a brood parasite that lays its eggs in other birds' nests rather than raising its own young. The hosts discuss how this behavior evolved from the cowbird's original relationship with bison on the Great Plains, their adaptation after the near-extinction of bison, and the controversial survival strategies of cowbird hatchlings.
- What Makes Cowbirds Unique: The Brood Parasite Strategy
- The Bison Connection: Origins of Nomadic Behavior