Best Audio Obscura Podcasts (2024)

1
Plain Talk: Wax Moths and Honey Bees (193) 20:57

15m ago20:57

20:57

In this episode, Jim delves into the complex and ancient relationship between honey bees and wax moths. Moving beyond the typical beekeeper concerns, Jim explores how these two species have coexisted for millions of years, engaging in a continuous cycle of adaptation and survival. He reflects on the evolutionary "arms race" between bees and wax mot…

1
Are Cemeteries…Dying? 22:21

2h ago22:21

22:21

In 2023, 60% of Americans chose to be cremated instead of having a traditional burial. If that trend continues, do cemeteries need to be worried about the future? Loren Rhoads, author of 222 Cemeteries To See Before You Die (which is coming out on August 27), explains how old cemeteries are working to bring in the living…and tells us about new and …

1
District Six 13:35

2h ago13:35

13:35

District Six is a neighborhood in Cape Town South Africa that was destroyed under the apartheid regime. Today, a museum stands as a monument to the people who once called the neighborhood home.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

51
Atlas Obscura Goes Off Assignment: To the Swimmer in the Borneo Rainforest 11:04

1d ago11:04

11:04

Writer Meghan Gunn meets a stranger in the jungle, and writes him a letter. This essay was edited by Aube Rey Lescure and originally appeared in Off Assignment. It was also included in The Best American Travel Writing 2021. If you have had a memorable encounter with a stranger, we want to hear about it. Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a me…

1
Oh, the Places We Can’t Go 14:41

1h ago14:41

14:41

The Atlas Obscura Places team brings us to a dazzling aquarium and a small town in the heart of what was once eastern Pennsylvania’s coal country. The catch? Neither place exists anymore. Do you have a place that you love that no longer exists? Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message, or send a voice memo to Hello@AtlasObscura.com.…

1
Tell Us Your Story: Places To Remember 1:45

4d ago1:45

1:45

Maybe it was a mom and pop shop that closed down. Maybe it was a facility that you often used and shut down. Or an art space that was replaced by a housing development. We want to hear about places that YOU can no longer visit. What was there before disappearing? Why was it important to you? How were you connected to this place? What do you remembe…

1
The Stranger - Episode 45: The Fall Part 2 1:28:58

7h ago1:28:58

1:28:58

You feel power. Immeasurable power. And that power, it almost feels good.By Roll for Impact

1
The Lost Boys of Robber’s Cave (Classic) 16:17

19m ago16:17

16:17

In 1954, two groups of boys thought they were going to summer camp. But they’d been recruited for a different kind of summer experience. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-corn-palace-mitchell-south-dakotaBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Plain Talk: Changes in Beekeeping (192) 22:22

30m ago22:22

22:22

In this episode, Jim reflects on the many changes and evolutions in beekeeping over the years. From the tools we use, like hive tools and slatted racks, to practices like pollen trapping and solar wax melting, Jim explores how these have evolved and what it means for modern beekeepers. He shares personal anecdotes, discusses the challenges and bene…

1
What’s Happening to the Benin Bronzes? 21:40

35m ago21:40

21:40

An update on the thousands of masks from the former Kingdom of Benin. These pieces of art and culture are spread in museums across the world, but a new discussion has reignited about if they should stay put.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Wizard of Wamego 14:58

3h ago14:58

14:58

The story of how a former nuclear missile silo in Wamego, Kansas became the site of the largest LSD bust in US history (allegedly). Fore more information, check out author Dennis McDougal’s website and Rolling Stone’s interview with Leonard Pickard.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Atlas Obscura Goes Off Assignment: The Selinsgrove Speedway and Muriwai 12:09

7h ago12:09

12:09

An evening visit to a racetrack, and a late night walk on the beach. “8:45 p.m. at the Selinsgrove Speedway” was edited by Aube Rey Lescure and “10 p.m. in Muriwai” was edited by Tusshara Nalakumar Srilatha. Both essays originally appeared in Off Assignment.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
A (Store) for the Birds 14:52

4d ago14:52

14:52

Mike O’Connor’s Cape Cod store provides supplies for birders, gives away thousands of pounds of free potatoes, and inspires April Fools’ Day-related hijinks. For more information, check out the Bird Watcher’s General Store website. Preorder your copy our new book,Wild Life, today!By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Travels with Steve and Datsun (Classic) 15:25

4d ago15:25

15:25

Today we hear from an Atlas Obscura user who, when he isn’t aboard an icebreaking warship for the Canadian Navy, spends weeks at a time road-tripping with his dog. Check out Steve’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puppercycle/?hl=enBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Dissuading Beekeepers with Anne Frey (191) 20:17

9d ago20:17

20:17

In this episode, Jim and Anne Frey from Betterbee discuss the crucial topic of setting realistic expectations for potential new beekeepers. They share their experiences and insights on the importance of proper education, preparation, and understanding the commitment required to manage bees successfully. Jim and Anne emphasize the challenges and res…

1
On the Hunt for Government Treasure with Mitch Yockelson 21:47

5d ago21:47

21:47

Investigator Mitch Yockelson, a historian and academic turned archival bounty hunter, has a job that makes for pretty interesting dinner party discussion: tracking down the people who steal government property.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Museum That Began in One Woman’s House 9:31

6d ago9:31

9:31

Mary Maschal set out to document women’s history, unintentionally becoming part of it herself. Learn more about the Women's Museum of History here.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Atlas Obscura Goes Off Assignment: To the Father on the Bicycle 17:10

7d ago17:10

17:10

A visitor in Cajicá, Colombia sees a stranger on a bicycle, and writes him a letter. This essay was edited by Carey Baraka and originally appeared in Off Assignment. If you have had a memorable encounter with a stranger, we want to hear about it. Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message, or record a voice memo and email it to us at Hello@…

1
The Red Book 15:53

12d ago15:53

15:53

In the early 1900s, influential psychologist Carl Jung spent more than a decade documenting the strange images that popped up in his unconscious mind and documenting them all in a beautiful illustrated manuscript. After his death, his family thought the book was too bizarre to be made public and locked it away in a Swiss bank vault for decades. MOR…

1
Road Trip Week: Meramec Caverns (Classic) 15:48

11d ago15:48

15:48

This giant limestone cave outside of St. Louis, MO. is home to a combination of kitsch and world-class scenery. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/meramec-cavernsBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Small Swarm, Revisited (190) 15:11

12d ago15:11

15:11

In this episode, Jim revisits a small swarm he first discussed in June. As he inspects the colony, Jim shares his observations and strategies for nurturing this struggling swarm. Despite initial doubts, the colony has grown significantly, demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges such as wax moth infestations and minimal nectar flow. Jim h…

1
Road Trip Week: Exploring the Borscht Belt with Marisa Scheinfeld 20:46

22d ago20:46

20:46

Dylan is joined by Marisa Scheinfeld, a photographer who has dedicated years to exploring the lost and abandoned properties of the Borscht Belt. A stretch of hundreds of hotels, resorts and summer camps where Jewish Americans would go to escape. Check out more of Marisa’s work here, including her book, The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of Am…

1
Road Trip Week: Listener Stories 12:35

23d ago12:35

12:35

You bring us road trip stories from all over the globe. Along the way, we hear about encounters with wild boars, a visit to a famously large ball of twine and a lifelong friendship that began on the back of motorcycles.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Road Trip Week: Alone with a Camera in the Desert 15:41

14d ago15:41

15:41

Strap on your hiking boots and say goodbye to your spouse. We’re pulling off the highway and going on a trek through Dinosaur National Monument with photographer Randy Fullbright. To see Randy’s photos for yourself, check out his website or stop by his shop, Fullbright Studios, in Vernal, UT.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Stranger - Episode 45: The Fall Part 1 1:51:44

16d ago1:51:44

1:51:44

For so long our heroes have been on the climb. Back from the wastes, to the citadel, and for power. But pride cometh before the fall.By Roll for Impact

1
Road Trip Week: Where to Go 16:01

16d ago16:01

16:01

It’s Road Trip Week! Dylan hops in a (virtual) car and embarks on a Great American Road Trip. Along the way, Atlas Obscura staffers recommend their favorite road trip stops – from a strange doll hospital, to a massive sculpture only visible during certain times of year, to a magical desert oasis. Learn more about our recommendations: Babyland Gener…

1
A. J. Rodriguez, "Papel Picado," The Common Magazine (2024) 47:45

20d ago47:45

47:45

A. J. Rodriguez speaks to managing editor Emily Everett about his story “Papel Picado,” which appears in The Common’s most recent issue. A.J. talks about the process of writing and revising this story, which explores a fraught moment in the life of a Latino high schooler struggling under the pressures of family, friendship, and expectation in Albuq…

1
The Theater of Electricity (Classic) 15:15

24d ago15:15

15:15

Step inside the Theater of Electricity in Boston and learn about the World’s Largest Air-Insulated Van De Graaff Generator. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/worlds-largest-airinsulated-van-de-graaff-generatorBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Varroa and Marked Queens with Anne Frey (189) 21:20

19d ago21:20

21:20

In this engaging episode, Jim welcomes Anne Frey from Betterbee to discuss a variety of timely beekeeping topics. They delve into the challenges of early mite infestations, highlighting the importance of proactive treatments. Jim and Anne also explore the curious case of neon green queen markers that fade quickly, the perplexing phenomenon of hyper…

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