Best Atlas Obscura Podcasts (2024)

1
The Arrow Stork 11:41

1h ago11:41

11:41

The story of a stork, a spear and a scientific mystery that led to breakthroughs in the way we understand bird migration.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
A 15,000 Year Old Tree and a Housing Development 15:52

2h ago15:52

15:52

In the California’s Jurupa Valley, residents discovered a treasure in their backyard: a 15,000 year old tree. Now, it may disappear. Read Shannon Osaka’s article about the Jurupa Oak.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Meet the Man Who Sets America’s Living Rooms on Fire 19:06

2h ago19:06

19:06

Today we visit the ATF Fire Research Laboratory where investigators recreate arson attacks and analyze burn patterns. Read more about John Allen and his work at the world's largest fire research laboratory.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Discovery Hut (Classic) 12:53

38m ago12:53

12:53

Atlas Obscura's Gemma Tarlach shares what it's like to step inside a relic from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, and to find traces of a famous lost party of explorers. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/discovery-hutBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Hunting for Meteorites with Steve Arnold 22:17

4d ago22:17

22:17

Today we're powering up our metal detectors and keeping a very close eye on the surface of the earth as we set out in the hunt for meteorites with Steve Arnold, who’s been in the game for more than three decades. If you want to learn more, check out Steve’s website, and read this profile of the meteorite hunting community.…

1
This 80s Icon Has A Shrine In A Berlin Hostel 16:54

1d ago16:54

16:54

In the basement of a Berlin hostel – in a corridor connecting their brewery to the luggage storage area – is a shrine to a pop culture icon with a surprising connection to the city’s history. (Hint: It’s David Hasselhoff.) Plus: Atlas Obscura has a new book coming out! Pre-order your copy of Wild Life today.…

1
My Life in Three Places: Dylan Thuras 18:01

11m ago18:01

18:01

Dylan takes us on a tour of three places that have shaped his life. Listen to our episodes about the Corn Palace, House on the Rock, and Gold Medal Flour.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Mother Jones and the Battle of Blair Mountain 14:52

3d ago14:52

14:52

How a woman in her 70s inspired some of the biggest labor uprisings in American history.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Pigeon Towers of Iran (Classic) 10:19

1d ago10:19

10:19

This elaborate architecture throughout Iran served a very unique purpose - gathering pigeon guano. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pigeon-towers-iranBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Getting Lost with Susan Orlean 22:56

7d ago22:56

22:56

Travel writer Susan Orlean is an admitted terrible tourist. But she’s an expert at getting lost – with a purpose. Today, she takes us to some of the places that have shaped her life. And she talks about throwing out the guidebook – opening herself up to these experiences – and the art of getting lost.…

1
A Walk Through Sandwich History with Barry Enderwick 21:09

3d ago21:09

21:09

Barry Enderwick has made and tasted more than 1000 sandwiches from across history. Today, he and Dylan make – and eat three sandwiches that each tell us something about history, culture, and ourselves. Pre-order Barry’s book, Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook, today! We also have a new book coming Pre-order a copy of Wild Life today!…

1
The Mysterious Origins of Virginia’s Swimming Ponies 15:13

4d ago15:13

15:13

For one day every July, the Assateague Channel on Virginia’s marshy eastern shore is filled with the bobbing heads of swimming ponies. These feral horses are celebrities in the area, but nobody actually knows exactly how they got there. Atlas Obscura senior editor Gemma Tarlach tells us the story and wrote about it here.…

1
How Caribou Gave Us a Peek at Life 9,000 Years Ago 17:44

5d ago17:44

17:44

In 2008, a researcher floating in a boat in Lake Huron had an idea for how to learn more about our prehistoric ancestors. It involved sonar, a lot of patience, and some very bumbling AI caribou. Listen to Morgan Springer’s original story here. For more stories about the land, water, and inhabitants of the Great Lakes, check out Points North whereve…

1
We Want to Hear Your Unusual Road Trip Stories 0:59

8d ago0:59

0:59

We're working on another listener-led episode and want to know: What is your favorite unusual road trip destination? The weirdest road trip memory holed deep in your subconscious. Where was it? What did it look like? What do you remember? Maybe there is a place you have taken a friend, or your own kids and just thought. Oh man, they are going to fr…

1
House the Giants Built (Classic) 14:52

14d ago14:52

14:52

Anna Swan had an adventurous life before settling in Seville, Ohio and building a house large enough to fit her large life.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Double Header for the Fourth 27:44

10d ago27:44

27:44

Today we have two classic episodes to share about hidden histories of America. In one, we’ll hear the story of an unconventional Revolutionary patriot – an enslaved woman who sued her enslaver. And in the other, we’ll learn about a group of Native American veterans who developed an unbreakable secret code during World War II – and the unlikely loca…

1
The Big Duck 13:27

11d ago13:27

13:27

The story of a big idea, and a big duck – and how this duck would go on to become an important architectural landmark that would influence buildings all around the world. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-duckBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
New York City’s Black Oyster King 16:22

13d ago16:22

16:22

Thomas Downing, who arguably invented fine dining in New York City, had a secret going on underneath the floor of his popular oyster house. Writer Briona Lamback tells us the story. If you want to read the full article, check out the link here. And if you’re looking for an oyster experience, Briona recommends Brooklyn-based The Real Mother Shucker,…

1
The Gilbert Baker Mural 14:42

23d ago14:42

14:42

Gilbert Baker’s pride flag design is now a worldwide symbol for LGBT freedom and liberation. Now, his former stomping grounds remember his efforts with a beautiful mural. But there’s more to this pride-filled house than meets the eye. SEE the mural for yourself here and learn more about the artist here.…

1
Jadeite Cabbage (Classic) 14:21

17d ago14:21

14:21

This tiny stone cabbage has a big backstory stretching from the rich, treasure-laden halls of Beijing’s Forbidden City...through a harrowing wartime escape...to its prized place at the National palace museum in Taipei, Taiwan. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/jade-cabbageBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
Roop Kund 28:47

18d ago28:47

28:47

Author Doug Preston brings us back into the world of his latest book, The Lost Tomb, with a story of a remote lake in the Himalayas where hundreds of human skeletons were discovered – puzzling scientists and researchers for years.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Glove Museum 15:20

28d ago15:20

15:20

This museum in New York is a recreated 19th century glove making workshop complete with sizing tools, cutting blocks, and irons. It’s also part studio, part exhibition space and the brainchild of a craftsman who dedicated his life to the art of glove-making. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-glove-museum…

1
Grizzly Adams: America’s Mythic Mountain Man 16:18

28d ago16:18

16:18

In the 1850s, one anonymous Massachusetts shoemaker became a national celebrity – all by exhibiting his “family” of captured grizzly bears.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
In The Heart Of NYC, A Refuge For Birds 11:40

1M ago11:40

11:40

A hospital and rehab center for birds in Manhattan started with a woman who just wanted to do all she could to help an injured goose. Decades later, it has become an institution. READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wild-bird-fundBy Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Start of a Language 17:04

24d ago17:04

17:04

Places editors Michelle Cassidy and Jonathan Carey bring us stories about two specific languages that were created by people who gave us a glimpse into their worlds and cultures – real and imagined.By Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Atlas Obscura Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Stitcher Studios & Atlas Obscura

1
The Arrow Stork 11:41

1
A 15,000 Year Old Tree and a Housing Development 15:52

1
Meet the Man Who Sets America’s Living Rooms on Fire 19:06

1
Discovery Hut (Classic) 12:53

1
Hunting for Meteorites with Steve Arnold 22:17

1
This 80s Icon Has A Shrine In A Berlin Hostel 16:54

1
My Life in Three Places: Dylan Thuras 18:01

1
Mother Jones and the Battle of Blair Mountain 14:52

1
Pigeon Towers of Iran (Classic) 10:19

1
Getting Lost with Susan Orlean 22:56

1
A Walk Through Sandwich History with Barry Enderwick 21:09

1
The Mysterious Origins of Virginia’s Swimming Ponies 15:13

1
How Caribou Gave Us a Peek at Life 9,000 Years Ago 17:44

1
We Want to Hear Your Unusual Road Trip Stories 0:59

1
House the Giants Built (Classic) 14:52

1
Double Header for the Fourth 27:44

1
The Big Duck 13:27

1
New York City’s Black Oyster King 16:22

1
The Gilbert Baker Mural 14:42

1
Jadeite Cabbage (Classic) 14:21

1
Roop Kund 28:47

1
The Glove Museum 15:20

1
Grizzly Adams: America’s Mythic Mountain Man 16:18

1
In The Heart Of NYC, A Refuge For Birds 11:40

1
The Start of a Language 17:04

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