Best HowStuffWorks Podcasts (2024)

1
Four Eyes Good: The History of Glasses 50:23

26m ago50:23

50:23

Glasses as we know them have only been around for a few hundred years. So what did people do before this? And how did things change once spectacles were on the scene? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Strange News: Massive Pager Attacks in Lebanon, Japan's Resignation Industry, CIA Denies Plotting to Kill Venezuela's Maduro 50:38

17h ago50:38

50:38

One of the largest covert operations in history occurred in Lebanon, where exploding pagers and walkie-talkies injured thousands - prompting disturbing, dangerous questions. Japan's corporate culture makes it so difficult to resign that people are hiring third-party 'resignation experts.' The US denies allegations that the CIA may have masterminded…

1
A Quick Chat About CAPTCHAs 20:19

43m ago20:19

20:19

Where did CAPTCHAs come from? What purpose do they serve? How do they relate to artificial intelligence? And why are some of them so doggone hard? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Monday Mini: What's Going on With Tampons? 12:46

2h ago12:46

12:46

An upsettingly recent study found levels of arsenic and lead in the tampons surveyed. We look into what this means. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Battle of Brunanburh 37:06

32m ago37:06

37:06

The Battle of Brunanburh took place in 937, and is often referred to as the battle that made England. But there are a LOT of questions about that battle, including how it played out and where it took place. Research: “Battle of Brunanburh.” The Anglo Saxons. https://www.theanglosaxons.com/battle-of-brunanburh-poem/ Anderson, Anne. “Battle of Brunan…

1
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Time After Time 1:12:53

31m ago1:12:53

1:12:53

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1979’s “Time After Time,” in which Jack the Ripper steals H.G. Wells’ time machine and travels to modern San Francisco. (originally published 09/17/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
SMNTY Classics: The Last of Us Special, Episode 1 44:42

3d ago44:42

44:42

When you're lost in the darkness, look to the light. In the kick-off entry of our very special mini-series, we react to and discuss the first episode of The Last of Us series. Anney is so excited she almost floats away like a balloon in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
SYMHC Classics: New Harmony 53:27

30m ago53:27

53:27

This 2019 live show was recorded at the Indiana Historical Society. it covers the two different communal societies of New Harmony, Indiana in the window from 1815-1827. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Behind the Scenes Minis: Submarines and Pecans 23:55

41m ago23:55

23:55

Tracy discusses all the non-submarine history that the Narcís Monturiol episode needed. Holly talks about going into the office for the first time in a long while. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
From the Vault: Dendera Lights and Ancient Egyptian Pseudohistory 59:43

3d ago59:43

59:43

In recent vault episodes of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed low-resolution images that have provoked paranormal and fringe explanations, despite convincing and even conclusive expert analysis. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry through a discussion of Ancient Egyptian pseudohistories and fringe ideas regarding mod…

1
Selects: How Government Shutdowns Work 52:19

3d ago52:19

52:19

Every year Congress decides how the federal government will spend money. Simple enough, but in practice politics tend to mess it up. Sometimes it gets so messy the budget doesn’t get passed and parts of the government shut down. Then the hurting begins. Learn all about it in this classic, always timely episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva…

1
Tech News: Exploding Pagers and Nuclear-Powered AI 37:34

5h ago37:34

37:34

Israel is allegedly behind an attack on Hezbollah involving exploding pagers. How did that happen? In other news, Microsoft wants to reopen a nuclear power plant to supply electricity to power-hungry AI data centers. Plus much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Weirdhouse Cinema: It Conquered the World 1:25:23

3d ago1:25:23

1:25:23

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe learn almost too late that man is a feeling creature... and because of it, the greatest in the universe. Tune in as they discuss Roger Corman’s 1956 sci-fi horror thriller “It Conquered the World” starring Peter Graves, Beverly Garland and Lee Van Cleef. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor…

1
Female Firsts: Luisa Capetillo 34:35

2h ago34:35

34:35

Luisa Capetillo was an early Puerto Rican feminist, works rights activist, author, leader, and pants wearer. Yves joins us to share Luisa's story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
The Terrifying Future of Food 1:07:15

1h ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Sustenance is one of the few things uniting all living beings. Whether we’re talking aristocrats or peasants, celebrities or your typical college student struggling to get by on ramen noodles, everyone needs to ingest some form of energy to survive. So what happens when the population continues to grow and traditional farming methods become less vi…

1
CLASSIC: The Death of Diana: Accident or Conspiracy? 1:06:40

5d ago1:06:40

1:06:40

When Princess Diana died as a result of a horrendous car crash in Paris, the United Kingdom was shaken to the core. As more details emerged, some people became convinced that Diana's death was not an accident. Why? Tune in and learn more in this Classic episode. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-yo…

1
Happy Hour #136: We Just Wanna Have Fun? 26:01

33m ago26:01

26:01

Anney opens up about some recent feelings of jealousy, and reveals she is in search of a fandom therapist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
The 2024 Ig Nobels, Part 2 49:25

23m ago49:25

49:25

The Ig Nobel Prizes once more honor ten studies that make us laugh, but then make us think. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their annual tradition of discussing some of their favorites from this year’s winners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Tom Slick: Not the Cartoon 48:24

1h ago48:24

48:24

There's a good chance that if you don't live in San Antonio, Texas, you may not know who scientist/adventurer Tom Slick is. Today we tackle the story of the most interesting man you've never heard of. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Animalia Stupendium: Moles 6:40

31m ago6:40

6:40

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a chronicle of Earth’s amazing biodiversity with all the enthusiasm of a fantasy monster book. In this episode, the wizard will consider the mole! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
Missing in Arizona, with Jon Walczak 1:05:26

5d ago1:05:26

1:05:26

April 10, 2001, an explosion rocked a cozy Scottsdale neighborhood. The mother of the family, along with her children, were discovered murdered inside. The father, Robert Fisher, disappeared -- and may still be out there, somewhere. Join Ben and Matt as they welcome Jon Walczak, the creator and host of the Missing series, to learn more about his ne…

1
Social Networks and Mental Health 40:18

43m ago40:18

40:18

Is there a link between social media use and mental health challenges? We look at a meta-analysis and use some critical thinking to tackle the issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Book Club: The Low, Low Woods 50:23

22m ago50:23

50:23

When a town secret comes to light, friendships are tested and dark truths are faced in the 2019 horror coming-of-age graphic novel The Low, Low woods written by Carmen Maria Machado with art by DaNi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Anne Byrn: Baking in the American South 37:46

18m ago37:46

37:46

Anne Byrn stopped by the Atlanta studio to talk about her new book “Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories.” She shares what makes Southern baking special, regional baking histories, and the origin of key lime pie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Short Stuff: The Killing Stone 9:25

2h ago9:25

9:25

The Killing Stone looms large in Japanese folklore, so when it split in half in March 2022, people were worried it would bring devastating effects in its wake. Except... they really didn't. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
CLASSIC: Locked Up and Lost: Healthcare in the Prison System 55:28

7d ago55:28

55:28

While the United States is home to some of the world's most advanced medical technology, it's no secret that it has a terrible healthcare system -- millions of people are one bad diagnosis away from bankruptcy or death if they cannot pay the insurance companies controlling their access to life-saving treatments, medicines and therapy. Yet the US al…

1
The 2024 Ig Nobels, Part 1 44:16

36m ago44:16

44:16

The Ig Nobel Prizes once more honor ten studies that make us laugh, but then make us think. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their annual tradition of discussing some of their favorites from this year’s winners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Fictional Women Around the World: Carmen Sandiego 16:46

7d ago16:46

16:46

A master thief with a good heart, Carmen Sandiego made a huge impact on kids - and continues to do so. From her start as an antagonist in educational games and shows, to a recent reboot, she has evolved and grown a fanbase. We unearth clues around her origins and discuss why we still want to know where in the world is Carmen Sandiego. See omnystudi…

1
Would A Love Drug Be Ethical? 39:27

7d ago39:27

39:27

What if science could create a drug that made you connect with people more deeply, let your emotions flow more openly, and sparked love and attachment in you for other people? Would you take it? Better hurry and decide because they might be on their way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

51
Strange News: Classrooms with AI Teachers? A Mushroom-robot Hybrid, and Trouble in Millersville, TN 49:19

7d ago49:19

49:19

Over in the UK, David Game College has instituted a revolutionary -- and disturbing -- pilot program: What if, they argue, we can just have AI teach students in place of human teachers? "What could go wrong?" Researchers create a biohybrid robot controlled by a King oyster mushroom -- and it just learned to start walking around. Months of turmoil i…

1
Rerun: The Ghost in the Machine 47:47

7d ago47:47

47:47

What does "the ghost in the machine" mean? From philosophy to artificial intelligence, we explore this idiom to understand what it means, how it's used and if the dream of strong AI is realistic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

51
Narcís Monturiol’s Submarines 46:27

8d ago46:27

46:27

Catalan inventor Narcís Monturiol fought for ideals like equality, freedom, and progress in the midst of a lot of social and political chaos in 19th-century upheavals in Spain and Catalonia. And then, he built submarines. Research: "Submarines." Gale World History Online Collection, Gale, 2024. Gale In Context: World History, link.gale.com/apps/doc…

1
Monday Mini: The Birthday Blues 19:57

1h ago19:57

19:57

If birthdays are supposed to be a cause for celebration, why do so many of us dread them? Turns out a lot of reasons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Shock Waves 1:12:26

8d ago1:12:26

1:12:26

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe complete their trilogy of 70s Florida Movies with 1977’s “Shock Waves,” featuring Peter Cushing, John Carradine, Brooke Adams and a whole squad of aquatic zombies amid the Florida ruins. (originally published 5/14/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
SMNTY Classics: Childless by Choice 27:00

6d ago27:00

27:00

How do you know if you want children? Why are more and more women delaying pregnancy in the US? As the birthrate drops to a record low in America, Anney and Samantha discuss being childless by choice in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
SYMHC Classics: Mendez v Westminster 34:56

10d ago34:56

34:56

This 2013 episode covers the Mendez v. Westminster case that fought the segregation of Mexican-American students in the state of California in the 1940s. It went on pave the way for the much more famous Brown v. Topeka Board of Education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
From the Vault: Another Enigmatic Underwater Image 48:58

10d ago48:58

48:58

In the last vault episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed the so-called Eltanin Antenna and how it is at once an identified image of a deep sea organism and an icon of paranormal intrigue. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry with another underwater image. (originally published 08/15/2023) See omnystudio.com/list…

1
Selects: The Manson Family Murders Part 2 40:38

16m ago40:38

40:38

Listen in to this classic episode for the conclusion of the story of the Manson Family Murders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
The Future of Robot “Servants” 1:14:29

10d ago1:14:29

1:14:29

The human world is increasingly 'assisted' by a pantheon of automations. Yet this emergent reality brings to bear fundamental philosophical quandries about the nature of not only the mind but the soul of things called 'artificial.' In tonight's episode, sponsored by Illumination Global, Unlimited, Ben, Matt and Noel see both sides of a dangerous fu…

1
Tech News: AI Stalks Us on Friday the 13th 40:30

3h ago40:30

40:30

We've got a lot of stories about artificial intelligence to talk about this week. Plus, Xbox holds more layoffs, Sony announces a new PS5 model, and for the first time, private citizens go on a space walk. Plus much more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Weirdhouse Cinema: Labyrinth 1:28:29

23m ago1:28:29

1:28:29

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe enter the magical world of Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy musical “Labyrinth,” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Feminist Movie Friday: Real Women Have Curves 41:36

28m ago41:36

41:36

The 2002 film Real Women Have Curves touched on so much - family, romance, body image, immigration and coming of age. It was hugely impactful, and remains important today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Behind the Scenes Minis: The Rebel and Home Dec 19:30

11d ago19:30

19:30

Tracy shares some notes about people Jovita Idar was connected to that didn't fit into her episode. Holly discusses her thoughts on the nature of Carvalho Monteiro's décor choices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Listener Mail: Project Monarch, Skyhook, and Venezuelan Gangs (Allegedly) Overtaking Colorado Apartment buildings. 51:02

11d ago51:02

51:02

How much do we really know about MKULTRA (spoiler: not much). What about Project Monarch? What's the deal with all these viral stories about Venezuelan gangs invading apartment buildings in Colorado -- and fighting off the cops? All this and more in this week's listener mail segment. They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.c…

1
Odds and Evens, Part 3 38:25

17h ago38:25

38:25

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of odd and even numbers. How does it factor into our psychology, our art and our culture? Find out… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Happy Hour #135: SMNTY Goes for a Check-up 20:54

19h ago20:54

20:54

Samantha recounts her recent experiences getting an IUD and a mammogram, and we chat about the things so many of us are told to just deal with it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
Celebration Florida: The Story of a Utopia that Never Was 52:00

23h ago52:00

52:00

The town of Celebration, Florida was supposed to be a utopia. What it ended up as is a mediocre neighborhood on the outskirts of Disney World. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
The One About Plasma Televisions 44:24

1d ago44:24

44:24

What happened to plasma televisions? Where did they come from? Let's learn how plasma TVs work and why the industry abandoned this technology. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

1
An Overview of Women Coaches and Referees 34:36

1d ago34:36

34:36

Though women have been present in sports since the beginning, numerous obstacles have often stood in the way of them becoming coaches and referees. We examine the playbook to look at the history of why this is and the ways people are trying to change it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

1
The Dark Side of Adoption 51:47

13d ago51:47

51:47

Adoption is, at heart, an amazing concept. People who'd love nothing more than being part of a family come together and create their own -- no two ways about it: adoption genuinely saves lives. At least, that is, when everything works as planned. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the harrowing, more sinister sides of the adoption ind…

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