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 Wilmington Massacre
Nov 05, 2026In the late 1800s, white supremacists in Wilmington, NC staged a coup and bloody massacre of its black citizens in order to stem the tide of black progress and stifle the vote. This is that story. Se...
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This episode examines the 1898 Wilmington Massacre, considered the only successful coup in American history, where white supremacists violently overthrew a democratically elected biracial government in Wilmington, North Carolina. The hosts detail how a well-organized white supremacy campaign, fueled by propaganda and intimidation, led to the murder of dozens to hundreds of Black residents and the forced exile of thousands more. The episode explores the roots of the violence in post-Reconstruction tensions, the mechanics of the coup, and how the true story was buried for over a century.
- Post-Reconstruction Politics and the Rise of Fusion
- Wilmington's Thriving Black Community
Short Stuff: Weather Balloons
Nov 04, 2026Weather balloons are the workhorse of the meteorological world, which is why they’ve been used daily around the world for most of a century. Let’s salute these unsung heroes of weather prediction by g...
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating world of weather balloons in this episode, covering how these simple yet crucial devices work, their components, and their importance in modern meteorology. They discuss the basic instruments inside radiosondes, how these balloons travel up to 18 miles high into the stratosphere before bursting, and the surprisingly low-tech but effective system that launches 67,000-68,000 weather balloons annually in the US alone. The episode concludes with the legendary story of Larry Walters, who attached 42 weather balloons to a lawn chair in 1982 and accidentally ascended to 16,000 feet.
- What Weather Balloons Are and Their Components
- The Instruments Inside a Radiosonde
Ba-Dum-Bum Goes Your Heart!
Nov 03, 2026Have you ever wondered what makes your ticker tick? Josh and Chuck take you back to high school biology for a stroll through the ins and outs of the little pump that keeps everything from your lowly p...
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Josh and Chuck dive deep into the anatomy and function of the human heart, explaining how this fist-sized pump works tirelessly to keep us alive. They cover everything from the heart's physical structure and blood flow mechanics to common heart conditions, medical interventions like pacemakers and artificial hearts, and the importance of preventive screenings for both men and women.
- Heart Structure and Physical Characteristics
- The Four Chambers and Blood Flow Cycle
Looking back 300 years on, it’s easy to overgeneralize why the Salem Villagers decided to persecute (and execute) their neighbors. But as much as this story has become an American history chestnut, we...
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In this Halloween episode, Josh and Chuck explore the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, examining how an isolated Massachusetts village descended into mass hysteria that led to the execution of innocent people. They discuss the specific circumstances that allowed the panic to flourish, the role of Puritan leaders, the introduction of spectral evidence, and how this dark chapter in American history represents a complete breakdown of social order and justice.
- The Historical Context and Puritan Society
- The Mather Family's Influence
The SYSK Annual Halloween Freaky Spooktacular 2026!
Oct 29, 2026Get yourself ready to freak out with this year’s extra-freak Halloween freak-fest, starring the voice acting talents of Chuck and Josh. This year we feature stories from WW Jacobs and WF Harvey, both ...
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In this special Halloween episode, Josh and Chuck present ad-free dramatic readings of two classic horror short stories: W.W. Jacobs' 'The Monkey's Paw' and W.F. Harvey's 'August Heat.' The hosts perform all character voices themselves, bringing these tales of supernatural dread and eerie coincidence to life with atmospheric sound design and enthusiastic performances.
- Introduction and Story Selection
- The Monkey's Paw - Part One: The Wish
Short Stuff: The Enfield Monster
Oct 28, 2026Did a strange cryptid show up in Enfield, Illinois in 1973? Some people think so. DO YOU? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the strange tale of the Enfield Monster, a cryptid allegedly spotted in Enfield, Illinois in 1973. The episode examines multiple eyewitness accounts of a bizarre three-legged creature with gray skin, red eyes, and claws, while maintaining a skeptical yet entertaining perspective on this classic 1970s supernatural story.
- Introduction to the Enfield Monster Mystery
- Greg Garrett's Terrifying Encounter
(Don't Fear) The (Grim) Reaper
Oct 27, 2026Cultures have come up with lots of personifications of death: Young and attractive? Yes. Riding a black buffalo? Check. Covered in tongues and eyeballs? Uh-huh. But in the West there’s only been one g...
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In this Halloween-themed episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origins, symbolism, and cultural evolution of the Grim Reaper. They trace how this iconic Western personification of death emerged from medieval European experiences, particularly the Black Death, and examine how different cultures have personified death throughout history. The hosts discuss everything from ancient psychopomps to modern pop culture depictions, revealing that the Grim Reaper has surprisingly little backstory despite being instantly recognizable.
- The Grim Reaper: A Western Icon with No Backstory
- Creation Myths and the Origins of Mortality
Selects: John Lennon and the FBI
Oct 24, 2026Did you know that Richard Nixon had a FBI case file open on Beatle John Lennon? Well he did! Why? Listen to this classic episode to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore how the FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover and at Richard Nixon's direction, surveilled and harassed John Lennon in the early 1970s. The episode examines how Nixon's administration used Lennon's 1968 drug conviction as leverage to threaten deportation, attempting to neutralize his political activism and influence on young voters ahead of the 1972 election. Despite the pressure, Lennon eventually won his fight to stay in America, though the ordeal took a significant toll on his creative output.
- Introduction and The Threat of Lennon's Activism
- Lennon and Yoko's Pacifist Activism
The Twilight Zone Episode
Oct 22, 2026Today, Chuck and Josh unlock a door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shad...
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Josh and Chuck dive deep into The Twilight Zone, exploring Rod Serling's groundbreaking 1959 TV series that revolutionized science fiction storytelling on television. They discuss Serling's masterful writing, the show's recurring themes of war, isolation, and social commentary, memorable episodes across all five seasons, and the various reboots that followed. The hosts share their favorite episodes and explain how Serling used sci-fi and fantasy as vehicles to tackle controversial social issues like racism and fascism that censors wouldn't allow in realistic dramas.
- Rod Serling's Early Career and Path to The Twilight Zone
- The Creation and Format of The Twilight Zone
Short Stuff: Spooky Recommendations
Oct 21, 2026This week Josh and Chuck are trying something a little different, some recomemdations for the spooky season. For Josh, it's some movies, for Chuck, it's some books. Check it out and let us know what y...
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Josh and Chuck experiment with a new format for their Short Stuff series, sharing Halloween-themed recommendations for horror movies and books. They explore whether listeners would enjoy periodic episodes featuring curated recommendations across various media and interests, starting with spooky season picks including lesser-known horror films and contemporary horror novels.
- Introducing a New Recommendation Format
- Trick-R-Treat: A Hidden Halloween Anthology Gem
Winnie the Pooh: Silly Old Bear
Oct 20, 2026On Dec 24, 1925, the world got a Christmas gift from a little-known writer named A.A. Milne when the first Winnie the Pooh story was published. Milne was inspired by the imaginative woodland strolls h...
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Josh and Chuck explore the beloved children's character Winnie the Pooh, tracing the story from its origins in 1920s England through A.A. Milne's creation, the Disney adaptations, and its enduring cultural impact. They discuss the surprisingly bittersweet real-life story behind Christopher Robin Milne, the character's evolution into a cultural phenomenon, and how Pooh has been interpreted through various philosophical and political lenses over the past century.
- The Origin Story: From Canadian Bear to Literary Icon
- A.A. Milne: A War-Damaged Writer Finds His Calling
Selects: Sacagawea: Impressive Teen
Oct 17, 2026Sacagawea was only 16 when she joined the Corps of Discovery. That is one seriously impressive teenager. Find out all about her in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
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This episode explores the remarkable life of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who served as guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Moving beyond the simplified version taught to children, the hosts reveal how much we actually know about this Native American teenager who played a crucial role in one of America's most famous explorations while caring for an infant son. The discussion covers her kidnapping, forced marriage, invaluable contributions to the Corps of Discovery, and her lasting legacy as the most memorialized woman in United States history.
- Pronunciation and Early Life
- Forced Marriage and Property Status
The Disappearance of Dorothy Arnold
Oct 15, 2026When socialite Dorothy Arnold disappeared in 1910, no one imagined the case would remain forever unsolved. Today we tell her story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode explores one of New York City's oldest and most baffling missing persons cases - the 1910 disappearance of Dorothy Arnold, a 25-year-old socialite who vanished without a trace while shopping in Manhattan. Despite extensive investigations, worldwide publicity, and numerous theories ranging from suicide to murder to a botched abortion, no evidence ever emerged explaining what happened to her. The case remains unsolved to this day.
- Dorothy Arnold's Background and Life
- The Day of Disappearance - December 12, 1910
Short Stuff: Currency Symbols
Oct 14, 2026In today's shorty, Josh and Chuck go over the stories behind some of the world's currency symbols. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating origins and meanings behind major currency symbols including the dollar, euro, pound sterling, yen, yuan, and rupee. They trace how these symbols evolved from abbreviations and historical traditions, revealing surprising connections like the dollar sign's roots in the Spanish peso and the pound sterling's status as the world's oldest continuous currency dating back to 928 CE.
- The Dollar Sign: From Spanish Peso to Global Symbol
- The Euro: Europe's Mysterious Modern Currency
Asteroooooid De-FENSE!
Oct 13, 2026There’s no question that millions of asteroids are circling the Earth at incredible speed and every one of them is just dying to get a chance to smoosh our planet and wipe out life in the universe onc...
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Josh and Chuck explore asteroids - from their origins as ancient planetesimals to modern efforts to defend Earth from potential impacts. They discuss the famous Chicxulub asteroid that killed the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, NASA's tracking systems for near-Earth objects, and innovative deflection methods like the successful DART mission that proved we can actually nudge asteroids off course.
- What Are Asteroids and Where Do They Come From
- The Discovery of Asteroids and Ceres
Selects: What's the deal with swing states?
Oct 10, 2026Swing states are all the rage once again this election season, but the makeup has changed a bit. In this classic episode, learn all about what makes a swing state a swing state right now. See omnystu...
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This episode explores swing states in U.S. presidential elections, explaining how they work, why they matter, and which states are considered battlegrounds in 2020. Josh and Chuck discuss the Electoral College system, the history of red and blue state designations, how swing states have shifted over time, and the importance of voting. They also cover the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact as a potential reform to the current system.
- Understanding Swing States and the Electoral College
- The Red State, Blue State Phenomenon
Stand-Up Pt II
Oct 08, 2026The SYSK boys continue the episode on stand-up comedy in part two, placing it in the rarefied company of other two-parters like Evel Knievel, the Hoover Dam, and the Trail of Tears. In this ep: should...
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Josh and Chuck continue their deep dive into stand-up comedy, exploring alt-comedy origins, modern comedy dynamics including the rise of alt-right comedy and social media's impact, the psychology of comedians, and practical advice for aspiring stand-ups. They discuss controversial topics like what should be off-limits in comedy, share favorite comedians, and examine how the craft has evolved in the digital age.
- The Alt-Comedy Movement of the Early 90s
- Criticism of Alt-Comedy and the Comedy Womb Debate
Short Stuff: The Style Cycle
Oct 07, 2026Why do clothing styles get stale and then come back into fashion? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating 20-year style cycle in fashion, examining how trends resurface on a roughly two-decade timeline. They discuss a Northwestern University study that quantified this phenomenon through analysis of 37,000 historical clothing images, the impact of social media and fast fashion on accelerating trend cycles, and various examples of fashion comebacks from mom jeans to Canadian tuxedos. The episode reveals how designers pull from past decades while micro-trends on platforms like TikTok are disrupting traditional fashion cycles.
- The 20-Year Fashion Cycle Discovery
- The Balance Between Fitting In and Standing Out
Stand-Up Comedy Pt I
Oct 06, 2026Chuck and Josh do their best to tackle “the craft,” which most normal people call stand-up comedy. Stand-up dates back to the vaudeville days but it really started to take off in the 60s when comics s...
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This is part one of a two-part exploration of stand-up comedy history, tracing its evolution from vaudeville through the 1990s. The hosts examine how comedy transformed from simple joke-telling into an art form encompassing social commentary, personal storytelling, and cultural influence, while highlighting key comedians who shaped each era and the venues, media platforms, and cultural shifts that enabled comedy's rise as a mainstream entertainment force.
- Origins: From Vaudeville to Early Stand-Up
- The Borscht Belt and Jewish Comedy Culture
Selects: How Bras Work
Oct 03, 2026Bras are loved and hated, sometimes at the same time. But as difficult and restrictive as they can be, they rescued women from a much cruel contraption: corsets. The question remains, though, do women...
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Josh and Chuck explore the surprisingly complex history and cultural significance of the brassiere, from ancient athletic wear to modern fitting innovations. They cover everything from the invention and evolution of the bra over 150 years, to the industry's sizing challenges, societal pressures, and recent revolutions in comfort-focused design. The episode reveals how this seemingly simple garment reflects changing attitudes toward women's bodies, fashion, comfort, and autonomy.
- Origins and Early History of Breast Support
- The Corset Era and Liberation Through World War I