This week we're sorting through the mail to talk about the postal service. Join us as we discuss the literal tons of junk mail, going postal, and how to mail various parts of people through the mail. Sources: https://www.nps.gov/poex/faqs.htm https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Express https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/53334/6-bizarre-items-mailed-through-us-postal-system https://www.ssipkg.com/news/the-7-weirdest-things-people-have-sent-through-the-mail https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-05-30...
Sep 07, 2020•40 min•Ep. 160
This week we go digging for treasure! Or, barring that, at least some stories of people who died looking for treasure. Join us as we discuss cursed gold, incomprehensible maps, and how lucrative being a shepherd can be. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/treasure https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=hunt https://phobia.wikia.org/wiki/Thesaurophobia https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=thesaurus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Aroda_Treasure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls h...
Aug 31, 2020•45 min•Ep. 159
This week we drink to the bottom of the cup to learn about coffee and tea. Join us as we discuss drinking poop, trading tea for opium, and how coffee won the American civil war. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Young https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/07/25/485227943/if-war-is-hell-then-coffee-has-offered-u-s-soldiers-some-salvation#:~:text=If%20war%20is%20hell%2C%20then%20for%20many%20soldiers%20throughout%20American,Civil%20War%2C%20Vietnam%20and%20Afghanistan. https://www....
Aug 24, 2020•51 min•Ep. 158
The votes are in! Or are they? This week we take a look at the perils of voting such as racial discrimination, electing literal clowns to office, and winning by several hundred percent. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/vote https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=elect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleisthenes https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/14/more-than-half-of-countries-are-democratic/ https://www.polyas.de/blog/en/electoral-research/election-terms https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
Aug 17, 2020•40 min•Ep. 157
This week we're putting out a hit. Episode that is! Join us as we discuss How to change careers from encyclopedia salesman to hitman, the dangers of carpet sales, and how to get out of a legal situation via murder. Sources: https://m.ranker.com/list/famous-hitmen/ranker-crime https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_killing https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/not-movies-study-kills-myths-about-hit-men-n83126 https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/spousfac.pr https://www.grunge.com/160475/the-...
Aug 10, 2020•31 min•Ep. 156
This week we look deep inside to find the hidden dangers of x-rays and radiation. Well, maybe not so hidden. Join us as we discuss mismatched hands, glowing women, and radioactive water jugs. Sources: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/roentgen-xrays-discovery-radiographs https://polioforever.wordpress.com/x-rays/ https://www.fda.gov/media/74894/download https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium#Historical_applications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe-fitting_fluoroscope https://en.wikipedia.org...
Aug 03, 2020•44 min•Ep. 155
This week we're going for the gold! Join us as we discuss anit-terrorist wrestlers, competitive engraving, and how to throw a manhole cover. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/olympian https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Olympic_Games https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf#_ga=2.195687785.479946192.1593657210-1328914994.1593657210 https://www.teenvogue.com/story/youngest-olympians-ever-olympics-athletes https://lh3.googleuserconten...
Jul 27, 2020•44 min•Ep. 154
This week we're traveling the wide world of lakes. Join us as we tour some of the strangest and deadliest lakes including lakes that boil, explode, and kill entire valleys with death clouds.
Jul 20, 2020•46 min•Ep. 153
Touch gloves and get in your corner, because we're taking on boxing. Join us as we discuss why you should always listen to prophetic dreams, how to make slow hardening casts, and how many super classifications is too many. Sources: https://www.oddee.com/item_97241.aspx https://bleacherreport.com/articles/965780-13-most-shocking-scandals-in-boxing-history https://www.titleboxing.com/boxing-dictionary https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Rules_of_Boxing https://shortboxing.com/boxing-sparring-brain-...
Jul 13, 2020•30 min•Ep. 152
This week we talk about Queens who got their hands dirty. Join us as we discuss many reasons to not mess with royalty such as being banished, being blinded, and being turned into a priest against your will. Sources: https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/byzantine-empire/empress-irene-athens-first-female-ruler-byzantine-empire/ https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/fredegund https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/wu-zetian https://www.thoughtco.com/irene-of-athens-p2-3529666 https://...
Jul 06, 2020•31 min•Ep. 151
This week we're talking about thieves what don't get caught. Join us for tales of daring robberies for such precious items as priceless hair pins, candy, and an entire beach. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/burglar https://www.fearof.net/fear-of-crime-phobia-scelerophobia/#:~:text=Fear%20of%20Crime%20Phobia%20%E2%80%93%20Scelerophobia,-By%20Jacob%20Olesen&text=Scelerophobia%20is%20the%20fear%20of,'deep%20dread%20or%20fear'. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat%20burglar ht...
Jun 29, 2020•35 min•Ep. 150
Have you ever wondered what science without humanity looks like? This week we're talking about a time where that happened when we discuss the horrors of the P.O.W. camp, Unit 731. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_731 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shir%C5%8D_Ishii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongma_Fortress http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/1929c.htm https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/17/world/unmasking-horror-a-special-report-japan-confronting-gruesome-war-atrocity.html https://www.his...
Jun 22, 2020•35 min•Ep. 149
This week we ask, does the house always win? Well, not if you cheat or rob them. Other than that, though, yes, it does. Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling http://www.documentarytube.com/articles/the-earliest-forms-of-gambling-in-ancient-civilizations https://www.gambling.com/us/online-casinos/strategy/the-world-s-oldest-casino-games-1512800 http://www.gitesderustin.com/brief-history-gambling-three-key-dates.html https://www.caesarsgames.com/2017/10/27/most-popular-casino-games-in-...
Jun 15, 2020•39 min•Ep. 148
The Pox, the Great Imitator, the insert-racial-stereotype-here disease. This week we're talking about Syphilis and everything people have done to try and get rid of it. Join us as we discuss cures such as rubbing mercury into wounds, contracting Malaria, and locking up sleazy looking women (i.e. any woman). Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/syphilis https://www.synonym.com/synonyms/syphilis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_syphilis https://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/stdfact-syphilis...
Jun 08, 2020•36 min•Ep. 147
This week we're traveling to the cold, harsh climate of Russia to talk about some of the cold, harsh rulers it has had. Join us as we discuss naked clowns in ice palaces, destroying entire towns with pigeons, and how to become the ruler of Poland by being really good in bed. Sources: https://www.biography.com/news/catherine-the-great-lovers https://www.biography.com/news/catherine-the-great-lovers https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/medieval-renaissance/olga-of-kiev-one-saint-you-do-not-want-to-mes...
Jun 01, 2020•36 min•Ep. 146
This week we investigate investigators. Join us as we discuss how far you can stretch the word "investigate," like investigating how to win elections, prevent extradition, and the mos efficient way to sell drugs. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/private https://www.etymonline.com/word/investigate https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20investigator https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_investigator https://pvteyes.com/private-eye-terminology-slang/ https://www.privateinvestig...
May 25, 2020•35 min•Ep. 145
This week we turn chivalrous. Turns out it just means do what you feel like. Join us as we discuss How to get a jump on the job market early by starting at 10, when it's ok to kill someone for saving your life, and the best vacation policy of any job ever. Sources: https://www.ancient.eu/Medieval_Knight/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/knight-cavalryman https://www.ancient.eu/article/1245/medieval-knights-12-of-the-best/ https://www.history.com/news/knights-middle-ages https://www.toptenz.net/1...
May 18, 2020•43 min•Ep. 144
This week we go digging for asbestos to uncover the truth. Turns out it is, in fact, deadly. Join us as we discuss tablecloths cleaned in fire, the marvel that was asbestos cigarette filters, and how to make millions by simply killing your employees. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/asbestos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12170 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friable https://www.britannica.com/science/asbestos-...
May 11, 2020•39 min•Ep. 143
Shhh! quiet! We're talking about...secrets. Join us as we discuss secret societies that have infiltrated the media, killed wrong doers, and started world wars. Though not always intentionally or maliciously. Sources: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-presidents-who-were-in-secret-societies-2017-4 https://boingboing.net/2015/10/18/the-international-concatenated.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehmic_court https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/oath-skull/ https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mo-baldk...
May 04, 2020•34 min•Ep. 142
This week we talk about how hard it is to get away with murder. Turns out, not too terribly. Join is as we discuss unsolved murders involving jazz, mustaches, and the blunt end of an ax.
Apr 27, 2020•35 min•Ep. 141
This week's episode is infectious, but in a good way. Join us as we discuss fungus that will starve you, rot out your face, or make insects heads explode. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/parasite https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=fungus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus https://phobia.wikia.org/wiki/Mycophobia http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150202-six-bizarre-things-about-fungi https://www.toptenz.net/10-surprising-facts-about-fungi.php https://www.quora.com/Can-mushrooms-grow-in...
Apr 19, 2020•35 min•Ep. 140
Yes, it's that time again! Time to catch up on what's new in the world of horrible things. Join us as we bring you the latest about semi trucks, counterfeits, video games, conspiracy theories, and more! Sources: https://www.thedailybeast.com/six-inmates-dead-scores-escape-as-prisoners-riot-across-italy-after-visitor-restrictions-over-coronavirus https://www.mcall.com/news/police/mc-nws-rachel-llyod-arrested-involuntary-manslaughter-20200306-f43chwpj4beo5ofqmqsbtc5utm-story.html https://abc11.com...
Apr 13, 2020•30 min•Ep. 139
This week we indulge our sweet tooth talking about chocolate. Join us as we discuss everything that goes into the making of chocolate including bugs, child slavery, and a surprising number of people who drowned in it. Sources: https://nowtoronto.com/news/chocolate-child-labour-slavery-hersheys/ https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chocolate-21860917/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamer...
Apr 06, 2020•40 min•Ep. 138
This week we talk about Sigmund Freud, the abusive, drug-addicted father of psychology. Join us as we discuss drug overdoses, sexism, and hiding poop in pillows, all for the love and/or envy of penises. Sources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/542405/facts-about-sigmund-freud http://ww3.haverford.edu/psychology/ddavis/p109g/freudfem.html https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02252359 https://www.simplypsychology.org/psyche.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_complex https://en.w...
Mar 30, 2020•40 min•Ep. 137
This week we get our game on talking about a subject close to all our hearts and how not to do it. Join us as we discuss dying from sitting down, dying from standing up, and dying from someone calling the police to come and shoot you because you beat them at a game. Sources: https://www.thegamer.com/15-people-who-have-died-playing-video-games/ https://www.looper.com/9331/video-games-ruined-peoples-lives/ https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-20931304 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swatting https://...
Mar 22, 2020•47 min•Ep. 136
This week we learn about strength in numbers and how people united can make real change in the world. Alternatively, we'll talk about what happens when people try to do that. Join us as we discuss the consequences of being in a union including being shot at, set on fire, and having bombs dropped on them from planes. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/union https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=strike https://aflcio.org/formaunion/collective-voice https://anh.com/the-cost-of-unions/ https://e...
Mar 16, 2020•43 min•Ep. 135
It's getting hot in here, so leave on all your clothes. This week we talk about how close some people have come to cooking themselves. Join us as we discuss people who drank the blood of bats, sprayed themselves with caustic fire extinguishers, and couldn't commit suicide because their blood was too thick. Sources: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/hotcars/ https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/hotcars/ https://www.harpersbazaar...
Mar 09, 2020•54 min•Ep. 134
This week we're bubbling with excitement (or is that CO2?) to talk about fermentation. Join us as we discuss drowning in ketchup, accidentally drinking a gallon of of vinegar, and being washed away in a tidal wave of beer. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/ferment https://www.lhf.org/2014/03/beyond-sauerkraut-a-brief-history-of-fermented-foods/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fermented_foods https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zymology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCOBY https://soranews2...
Mar 02, 2020•41 min•Ep. 133
This week we take a hard look at the evidence before deciding that it's all useless. Join us as we discuss the incredible fallibility of fingerprints, hair, and bite marks. Sources: https://www.innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations-in-the-united-states/ https://time.com/wrongly-convicted/ https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=5159 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/FBI-Admits-Pseudoscientific-Hair-Analysis-Used-in-Hundreds-of-Cases-180955070/ https://c...
Feb 24, 2020•35 min•Ep. 132
It's Presidents' Day in the US, so we decided to talk about what strange people some of our past Presidents have been. Join us as we discuss White House quiet time, marrying a woman who the man had practically raised, and of course, assassinations. Sources: https://www.etymonline.com/word/president https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/three-branches/three-branches-of-government https://www.businessinsider.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-us-presidency-2012-10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J...
Feb 17, 2020•43 min•Ep. 131
