You may hear these days of unfair or too close-to-call elections, but this isn’t a recent development. It’s not the national anthem, but God Bless the USA sure feels like it could be … until you hear this segment. Everyone hates changing their clocks twice per year. More than 80% of Americans say we should stop. Why don’t we? Sources: https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/presidential-election-1876 https://www.npr.org/2018/09/11/645270955/god-bless-the-u-s-a-a-country-anthem-with-enduring...
Nov 11, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 178
The dark web is a largely unregulated version of the internet where many kinds of questionable things go on. Much like Amazon, the dark web even has its own marketplace. The similarities end there. Political campaigns have likely been texting you for months; asking for your money, your time and, of course, your vote. How did they get your number? For the last 140 years, Dr. Pepper has been popular, but never been able to crack the top two in soda sales, the domain of Coke and Pepsi, until now. S...
Nov 04, 2024•21 min
We wear wedding rings on the left-hand ring finger. Would another finger work? Magazines are losing subscribers at an alarming rate. You’ll never guess which one is an exception. It’s time to get your Halloween costume! Many come from a pop-up store named “Spirit of Halloween.” Where do these stores come from and, maybe more importantly, where do they go? (From the archives) http://www.commutethepodcast.com Follow Commute: Instagram - instagram.com/commutethepodcast/ Twitter - @PodcastCommute Fa...
Oct 28, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 176
The first Tuesday in November we head to the polls to vote. Why that day, in that month? Could it ever change? Pitt bulls are the meanest, nastiest, most dangerous of dogs … aren’t they? Have you tried to hold in a sneeze? You might want to rethink that. Sources: https://www.history.com/news/why-is-election-day-a-tuesday-in-november https://www.vox.com/videos/367080/how-pit-bulls-got-a-bad-reputation https://www.health.com/condition/cold/is-it-just-me-holding-in-sneeze-bad#:~:text=It%20might%20b...
Oct 21, 2024•22 min
It’s hard to go on a busy highway without seeing a billboard for an accident lawyer. Is it legal to advertise such a service? Well, it hasn’t always been. Gift cards are big business. We are good at buying them but not always so good at using them. Chicken tenders are one of the most popular foods in America. One city wants all the credit. Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawyer-commercials-a-billion-dollar-industry/ https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/02/09/gift-cards...
Oct 14, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 174
In honor of the calendar turning to October, this week we re-air one of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back next week with an all-new episode! How did “cheese” become the universal smile word used by photographers? You’ll never guess what word it replaced! It’s the official slogan of Halloween, but where and when did it begin? And what did cabbage have to do with the whole thing? The most terrifying mask of all time has one of the most bizarre backstories. http://www.commu...
Oct 07, 2024•19 min
Does the President have a little red button that can fire nuclear weapons and end the world? Why do dogs love riding with the windows down? Should we let them? More people are scared of clowns than entertained by them. Science will tell us why. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Codes?wprov=sfti1# https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-dogs-stick-their-heads-out-car-windows#:~:text=Sticking%20his%20or%20her%20head,can%20see%2C%E2%80%9D%20veterinarian%20Dr https://www.scientificamerican.c...
Sep 30, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 173
Famous people get paid millions of dollars to convince you to spend money. Does it work? Do you shower in the morning or at night? Science has something to say about that. More people are choosing to be dog parents instead of human parents. What does this mean for the future of humanity (and for dogs)? Sources: https://qz.com/do-celebrity-endorsements-political-or-otherwise-work-1851646337/slides/7 https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/morning-or-night-shower https://www.newsweek.com/south-korea-new...
Sep 23, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 172
Presidents are maxed to two terms of four years. Why is that? Have you ever been on a radio call-in contest. It seems so random who gets on the air. But is it? The carton tells you the juice was squeezed from farm-fresh Florida oranges. Reality, of course, is a little more complicated. Sources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/633015/why-presidents-serve-four-year-terms https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-win-radio-contests/ https://www.wnyc.org/story/last-chance-foods-secret-highly-processed-...
Sep 16, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 171
Referred to as winged rats, pigeons aren’t often at the top of many favorite bird lists. They should be. When would you guess the last Civil War pension check went out? You’re probably wrong. What we wear has an impact on how people perceive us. How big an impact? Sources: https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/review-pigeons https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/06/04/she-was-last-american-collect-civil-war-pension-7313-month-she-just-died/ https://www.businessinsider.com/dressing-for-succ...
Sep 09, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 170
This week we revisit one of our favorites (including a Labor Day segment!) from last year, but we'll be back next week with an all-new ep! - We all love a feel-good sports movie. The underdog learning to win, the budding romance, the dad who works too much…. When The Mighty Ducks became a hit in the 90s, Disney loved the movie so much that they made a real team. If you’re listening to this on release day, it’s Labor Day and you’ll have to put away your white clothes until next Spring. Why? When ...
Sep 02, 2024•22 min
The claymation TV special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a beloved Christmas classic, but it’s one of the few times Rudolph appears in a film. There’s a reason. Most of us try to avoid eating bugs. Several high-end restaurants now serve them on purpose. You know we love to talk Beanie Babies. This week we discuss a specific beanie bear designed for more than just being a collectible. Sources: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a46120585/why-rudolph-isnt-in-christmas-movies/ h...
Aug 26, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 169
Some masterminds have gone to incredible lengths to steal amazing targets, from chicken wings to beanie babies. Should we separate lights and darks when washing clothes? Fantasy Football is staggeringly popular. Its rise didn’t happen overnight, and its growth might not be from a source you’d expect. Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/12/chicago-woman-stolen-chicken-wings-sentencing https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/649391/unusual-heists https://www.mentalfloss.com/p...
Aug 19, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 168
You may have noticed an athlete during the recent Olympic Games who didn’t represent a country. They still won a medal. We all look for ways to cope with stress. Some exercise. Some eat sweets. Others go in unusual directions. Why are more people pushing back against the latest smartphones? Sources: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/what-know-about-refugee-olympic-team https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/world/asia/china-birds-social-media.html#:~:text=Some%20young%20people%20in%20China%20are%20pr...
Aug 12, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 167
That cash in your wallet, purse, or sock drawer – many other people have owned it, too. What’s the actual lifespan of a dollar bill? The COVID-19 pandemic changed our world in many ways. One change that’s remained is the way we work. Many employees now spend their professional lives completely online, but are virtual employees actually working eight hours per day? Many iterations have come and gone, but the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers of the 90s became nostalgic legend for that generat...
Aug 05, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 166
You’ve probably noticed novelty popcorn buckets tied-in with select blockbuster movies. If you miss them in the theater, you can always take a loan to buy one online after the fact. Screen time and the potentially harmful side effects are a real concern, even at zoos. Okay, so he’s not sued EVERYone, but Jonathan Riches has filed more lawsuits than anyone. Sources: https://www.thewrap.com/popcorn-collectible-buckets-movie-theaters-amc/ https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/24/gorillas-zo...
Jul 29, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 165
Hidden in plain sight in Disney Theme Parks is an exclusive (and expensive!) secret members-only club. Could you get in? When Dave Thomas started Wendy’s in the 1960s, he named it after one of his daughters. He regretted that decision years later. This week we remember a sequined tank-top-wearing fitness guru who revolutionized the exercise industry. You know who we’re talking about… Sources: http://www.commutethepodcast.com Follow Commute: Instagram - instagram.com/commutethepodcast/ Twitter - ...
Jul 22, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 164
What do Olympic athletes get for winning? It can depend on where they’re from and how well they do, but it often doesn’t end with just the money. Frisbee Golf has risen in popularity for decades. Here’s why. If you have Q-Tips and you have ears you’re likely doing something you shouldn’t. Sources: https://apple.news/AeqppUX0BSbmtBBOL_6Co7w https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/well/move/disc-golf.html https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/06/25/business/q-tips-ears-wellness-history http://www.commutethepodc...
Jul 15, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 163
Fifty years ago, a simple yet complicated puzzle game was created. This week, we look back at the fun - and frustration - of the Rubik’s Cube. Grocery store shopping seems straightforward, but it’s not. Every square inch is constructed to manipulate you to stay longer and spend more. For all the world-famous Olympic athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, like Simone Biles, there will also be ordinary people who have regular jobs. Sources: http://www.commutethepodcast.com Follow Commute: Instagram ...
Jul 08, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 162
The basket of bread often appears before you even place your order and is never listed on the final bill. How did restaurants get started giving away free food? The Surgeon General’s recent New York Times op-ed, warning of the potential harm social media can have on young people, provocatively equated internet risks to smoking cigarettes. This isn’t the first time the Surgeon General has had a problem with online content … and their names are Inky, Pinky, Blinky, and Clyde. It’s an endless quest...
Jul 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 161
It's vacation season around here... but we'll be back next week with an all-new episode! _ It’s not uncommon to have something lost in the mail, but typically it’s not something irreplaceable … like human remains. Is it hard to make new friends as an adult, or is it just you? Traveling internationally soon? We have your back with our guide to proper etiquette across borders and cultures. - Sources: https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjxkm/the-usps-has-452-wayward-cremated-bodies https://www.americ...
Jun 24, 2024•22 min
Jaywalking- crossing the road wherever you please instead of at a crosswalk or stoplight - is a crime. But it wasn’t the police department’s idea. Ah, summer. Vacations and outdoor fun … and mosquitoes. Are they more particular choosing victims than we think? And what’s up with the itch? Recently, a vintage toy set an incredible record sale price at a collectibles auction. What are people thinking?? NOTE: Fixed Audio Version Sources: https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7551873/jaywalking-history https...
Jun 17, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 160
Who decided that the Earth would be called the Earth? It’s been a century since a physician's own weight loss journey introduced the concept of counting calories. We still do that, but is it the best approach? Famed physicist Stephen Hawking once held a dinner party where every guest shared the same peculiarity - they were from the future. Who showed up? Sources: https://www.livescience.com/32274-how-did-earth-get-its-name.html https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/doctor-pioneered-count...
Jun 10, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 159
More than 10 million households own timeshares. You can also buy one online for $1. The story behind Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe is more than weird - it’s actually pretty dark. The Old Farmers Almanac has been around since the late 1700s and is as relevant and popular today as ever. What’s its secret? Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-a-timeshare-cbs-news-explains/ https://www.financialpoise.com/timeshare-ownership-is-not-real-estate-investment/ https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/eeny-meen...
Jun 03, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 158
Ketchup is considered the king of condiments but Ranch, uniquely both a dressing and a dip, wears the crown when it comes to sales. Who came up with this great idea? The hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer is based on a true story of a stalker terrorizing a struggling standup comedian. The real stalker has seen it. She isn’t happy. May midterm elections are over. Until November, the political signs dominating our yards have gone back into hibernation. What happens to them when they disappear? Did the...
May 27, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 157
We'll have a new episode next week, but this week, we revisit one of our most popular episodes from 2023: We’ve all failed. Most of us would rather not talk about it, but the Museum of Failure does more than talk about failures. It celebrates them. U.S. airlines lose millions of pieces of luggage annually. Most of them don’t just vanish, they end up in the same place. (It’s not the landfill.) It’s been a calling card of the dining experience at Olive Garden for decades - unlimited breadstick and...
May 20, 2024•21 min
You know the healthy average human temperature is 98.6 … but it’s not, and we’ve known that for over three decades. The Statue of Liberty is world famous - but is the iconic sculpture based on a real person? Pop Tarts changed breakfast 60-years ago. It was the prize in a high-stakes race between rival cereal-makers to get to the toaster pastry finish line first. Sources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/544046/why-myth-average-human-body-temperature https://www.statueoflibertytour.com/blog/th...
May 13, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 156
Who decides what time it actually is? France tried to change it once. It involved decimals. Many of us shower once a day. Do we need to? Does it do more harm than good? Americans throw away $70 million in coins every year. One company decided to go dumpster diving. Sources: https://www.engadget.com/that-time-france-tried-to-make-decimal-time-a-thing-143600302.html https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240423-theres-no-need-to-shower-every-day-heres-why https://www.wsj.com/finance/americans-throw...
May 06, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 155
Have you been excited to see a movie but also frustrated because it was years away from release? What if it wouldn’t be released until after you were dead, and what if that was the plan? Smokey Bear has been warning people about the dangers of forest fires for decades. But where did he come from? Is he up something more than simply preventing fires? Peanuts, the beloved comic strip with Charlie Brown and Snoopy, is as family friendly as it comes. Except for the time it killed off a character. So...
Apr 22, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 154
One day, everyone in Japan will have the same last name. Art takes time - unless it doesn’t. Some hit songs have come together rather quickly. William Henry Harrison served as President of the United States for a month. What happened? Sources: https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/02/japan-sato-only-name-by-2531-marriage-law https://www.businessinsider.com/songs-took-short-amount-of-time-to-write-2020-4#dolly-parton-wrote-not-one-but-two-successful-songs-in-one-day-14 https://www.nytimes.co...
Apr 15, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 153
