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
Short Stuff: Phone Books
Aug 05, 2026Once upon a time there were these things called phone books. Inside you could find the phone number and address of just about everyone in your town. Can you imagine? See omnystudio.com/listener for p...
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Josh and Chuck take a nostalgic dive into the world of phone books, exploring how these massive directories were once essential tools for finding businesses and people before the internet age. They discuss the history of phone directories, the billion-dollar Yellow Pages advertising industry, environmental concerns about phone book waste, and why some people still use them today despite digital alternatives.
- The Pre-Internet World of Phone Books
- Gaming the System: A1 Everything
Beans and Rice Feeds the World
Aug 04, 2026To call beans and rice a staple is to undersell the importance of beans and rice. Today we break down the ubiquity of this beloved food combo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the cultural and historical significance of rice and beans dishes across the world, tracing their origins from West Africa through the slave trade to the Americas. They discuss regional variations, nutritional benefits, and the deep cultural connections people have with these staple foods that have sustained civilizations for thousands of years.
- The Universal Appeal of Rice and Beans
- Ancient Origins and Agricultural History
Selects: How Peanut Butter Works
Aug 01, 2026No food is more all-American than peanut butter – 80 percent of homes in the country have a jar of it in the pantry right now. And while the rest of the world might find peanut butter peculiar, maybe ...
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This episode explores the history, production, and cultural significance of peanut butter in America. Josh and Chuck dive into how this uniquely American food was invented, evolved through industrialization and hydrogenation, and became a pantry staple. They discuss the different varieties, health aspects, regulations, and even their own personal peanut butter preferences and quirky eating habits.
- The All-American Nature of Peanut Butter
- The Origins and History of Peanuts
How Russia Shapes What the World Thinks
Jul 30, 2026Operation Doppelganger was a Russian propaganda project discovered in 2022, a minor part of the enormous, ongoing disinformation and chaos-sewing campaign Russia spreads across the world through socia...
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Josh and Chuck dive into the world of Russian disinformation operations, particularly the Doppelganger campaign that emerged after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They explore how Russia's sophisticated propaganda machine uses fake websites, bot farms, and social media manipulation to sow chaos and confusion in Western democracies, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from fiction online.
- Introduction to Russian Propaganda Operations
- The Internet Research Agency and Early Operations
Short Stuff: Shark Arm Murders
Jul 29, 2026Get yer info on one of Australia’s great true crime cases he-re! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode explores the infamous 1935 Sydney shark arm murder case, where a tiger shark vomited up a human arm at an aquarium, launching an investigation into the city's criminal underworld. The bizarre crime involves smugglers, gangsters, suspicious deaths, and a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.
- The Shark Vomits Up Evidence
- Identifying the Victim: Jim Smith
The Beloved Judy Blume
Jul 28, 2026Judy Blume is more than an author. She's a legend in teen literature for her frank and honest portrayals of adolescence. Today we pay tribute to her. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...
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Josh and Chuck discuss the life and legacy of beloved children's author Judy Blume, exploring her groundbreaking approach to writing honestly about adolescence, puberty, and growing up. They cover her childhood anxieties, her path to becoming a writer, her most influential books like 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret,' and her brave stance against book banning and censorship throughout her career.
- Judy Blume's Childhood and Early Anxieties
- Tragedy and Three Plane Crashes
Selects: Plant Migration
Jul 25, 2026Climate change is having sweeping effects on our climate and this is changing the world, not just for humans and other animals, but plants too. Will the Earth’s flora manage to find safe refuge in tim...
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Josh and Chuck explore the fascinating phenomenon of plant migration, examining how plants move across landscapes in response to climate change. They discuss the mechanisms of seed dispersal, the surprisingly fast pace of migration revealed by fossil records, and the challenges plants face as they attempt to keep up with rapidly changing climates. The episode delves into specific examples like ferns traveling hundreds of miles, trees moving up mountains, and tropical species expanding northward, while also addressing the controversial practice of human-assisted migration.
- How Plants Move Despite Being Rooted in Place
- Reed's Paradox: Plants Move Faster Than They Should
What's the deal with Swiss neutrality?
Jul 23, 2026We all know Switzerland is neutral. But why? Listen in and you might learn something. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore Switzerland's unique history of neutrality, from its medieval warrior origins to becoming the world's premier neutral nation. They discuss how Switzerland transformed from a fierce military power to a country dedicated to peaceful mediation, humanitarian aid, and international banking, while examining both its admirable contributions and controversial actions during World War II.
- Switzerland's Medieval Warrior Origins and Early Neutrality
- Official Recognition of Swiss Neutrality
Short Stuff: Sardines!
Jul 22, 2026Josh implored Chuck to try sardines. Did he? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode of Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff, Josh and Chuck explore sardines after Chuck tries them for the first time on Josh's recommendation. They discuss the nutritional benefits, texture challenges, health considerations, and various ways to prepare these tiny, nutrient-dense fish. The hosts share their personal experiences with sardines and other tinned fish while covering everything from mercury content to calcium levels.
- First Sardine Experience and Texture Troubles
- Sardine Basics and Preparation Methods
The Tobacco Master Settlement: That Time We Got Em
Jul 21, 2026By the 1990s, cigarette makers had been hooking and killing off their customers for about a century. And they’d gotten good at both as well as covering up their harms. In 1994 they were still denying ...
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This episode chronicles the legal battle against Big Tobacco, examining how the tobacco industry deceived the public for decades about the dangers of smoking and nicotine addiction. The hosts trace the journey from early health warnings in the 1960s through the groundbreaking Master Settlement Agreement of 1998, where state attorneys general successfully sued tobacco companies for $206 billion. The episode explores both the victories and shortcomings of the settlement, including how most states misused the funds and how the tobacco industry playbook has been adopted by other industries like social media and pharmaceuticals.
- The History of Tobacco Industry Deception
- Targeting Youth and the Gen X Smoking Epidemic
Selects: The Soul Train Episode
Jul 18, 2026In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the funky, cool world of the classic TV show, Sooooooooul Train. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Chuck and Josh explore the cultural phenomenon of Soul Train, the groundbreaking television show that revolutionized how Black culture was presented on mainstream TV. Created and hosted by Don Cornelius, the show ran for 35 seasons from 1971-2006, becoming the longest-running syndicated show in TV history while serving as both entertainment and cultural education for viewers of all backgrounds.
- Introduction to Soul Train's Cultural Impact
- Soul Train as Cultural Influencer and Lifestyle Brand
White Boy Rick
Jul 16, 2026Would you believe that Detroit’s crack epidemic in the mid-80s was overseen by one 16 year-old white kid who supplied all the coke? No? Well, that’s not quite true, so okay. The actual story is even m...
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This episode tells the remarkable true story of Rick Wershe Jr., known as 'White Boy Rick,' who became an FBI informant at age 14 in 1980s Detroit. The podcast explores how the FBI recruited him to infiltrate the city's drug trade, how he later became a major cocaine dealer himself, and his controversial life sentence under Michigan's harsh drug laws. Despite helping federal authorities expose corrupt cops and city officials, Rick spent over 30 years in prison—longer than any other person convicted under the same law.
- Rick's Early Life and Detroit's Drug Epidemic
- Becoming an FBI Informant at Age 14
Short Stuff: The Voice of God
Jul 15, 2026Today we salute the great Don LaFontaine, aka The Voice of God in movie and TV trailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode of Short Stuff pays tribute to Don LaFontaine, known as 'the voice of God' and the iconic movie trailer voice behind over 5,000 film trailers. The hosts explore LaFontaine's journey from Army recording engineer to becoming the most dominant voice in Hollywood trailers, his creation of catchphrases like 'in a world,' and his prolific career that averaged seven voiceovers a day until his death in 2008.
- Don LaFontaine's Incredible Career by the Numbers
- From Army Engineer to Hollywood Voice
You Are Not Alone With Postpartum Depression
Jul 14, 2026Most new moms get the baby blues soon after giving birth. Postpartum depression is something much different - the symptoms are similar, but their intensity can have sweeping effects on mom, baby, and ...
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In this important episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck tackle postpartum depression (PPD) and maternal mental health issues, exploring the biological and environmental factors that contribute to these conditions. They discuss the alarming statistics showing PPD rates have increased dramatically in the United States, examine racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment, and explain the various forms of maternal mental health disorders. The hosts emphasize that these conditions are highly treatable and encourage new mothers and families to seek help without shame.
- Understanding Postpartum Depression and Its Scope
- The Crisis in the United States
Selects: The First Road Trip
Jul 11, 2026Back when cars were a brand new thing, before people even knew they'd stick around, two men and a dog drove from San Francisco to New York. This classic episode has their story. See omnystudio.com/li...
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In this episode, Josh and Chuck tell the remarkable story of Horatio Nelson Jackson, who in 1903 became the first person to drive across America in an automobile. What started as a $50 bar bet turned into a 63-day adventure across unmapped terrain, featuring mechanical failures, terrible roads, and a pit bull mascot named Bud. This is a feel-good story of optimism, determination, and the pioneering spirit that proved cars could be more than just expensive toys for the wealthy.
- Setting the Scene: America Before the Interstate Highway
- Previous Failed Attempts to Cross America by Car
Eleanor Roosevelt: Best First Lady
Jul 09, 2026Eleanor Roosevelt was something else. We can't get into it here, but just wait until you listen to this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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This episode explores the remarkable life of Eleanor Roosevelt, America's longest-serving First Lady and one of the most influential women in American history. From her difficult childhood and unconventional marriage to FDR, to her groundbreaking work in civil rights, women's rights, and international human rights, Eleanor transformed the role of First Lady and left an enduring legacy of activism and advocacy that continues to inspire today.
- Early Life and Family Struggles
- Marriage to FDR and Sarah's Overbearing Influence
Short Stuff: Great Britain
Jul 08, 2026Now that it’s been 250 years since America split from England, we figure enough time has passed that we can finally learn the difference between the UK, Great Britain, and the British Isles. See omn...
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In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck tackle a topic they've been asked about repeatedly: clarifying the differences between Britain, England, and the United Kingdom. They break down the geographical and political distinctions between these terms, explaining what constitutes the UK as a nation state versus Great Britain as a geographical landmass, and addressing common confusion about terminology, accents, and national identity.
- The United Kingdom Explained
- Great Britain vs The United Kingdom
Kola: The World’s Deepest Hole
Jul 07, 2026During the Cold War all eyes were on the Space Race between the US and USSR. But there was another, overlooked race too and it went in the opposite direction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
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Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating story of the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the deepest hole ever drilled by humans. Started by the Soviet Union in 1970 near the Norwegian border, this ambitious drilling project reached 7.6 miles into the Earth's crust before extreme heat and pressure forced them to stop in 1989. The hosts explore what scientists learned from this decades-long endeavor, including unexpected discoveries about underground water, ancient fossils, and temperature variations that rewrote geological assumptions. Despite its scientific significance, the site now sits abandoned and largely forgotten, marked only by a rusty plate with an incorrectly etched depth.
- The Cold War Race to Dig Deep
- Understanding Earth's Structure and the Moho Discontinuity
Selects: Chopsticks > Forks
Jul 04, 2026In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh sit and converse on the simple, elegant chopstick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In this episode from March 17, 2020, Josh and Chuck dive deep into the history, usage, and etiquette of chopsticks. They explore how chopsticks evolved from cooking tools to eating utensils across Asian cultures, the environmental impact of disposable chopsticks, proper techniques for use, and the many cultural taboos surrounding them—particularly in Japan. The discussion covers everything from ancient Chinese cooking practices to modern phobias, making this a comprehensive look at these simple yet culturally significant utensils.
- The Ancient Origins of Chopsticks
- How Wheat and Rice Made Chopsticks Essential
Alaska Earthquake of 1964
Jul 02, 2026When a 9.2 quake shoook Alaska in 1964 it was the 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded. This is that story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Josh and Chuck explore the devastating 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, a 9.2 magnitude megathrust earthquake that fundamentally changed our understanding of plate tectonics, seismology, and tsunami science. They discuss the earthquake's massive physical impacts, including towns swallowed by liquefied soil, 200-foot tsunamis, and coastline changes of up to 50 feet, while examining how this disaster led to revolutionary advances in building codes, hazard mapping, and our understanding of Earth's geological processes.
- Introduction to the 1964 Alaska Earthquake
- Understanding Megathrust Earthquakes