Send us a text Have you ever felt that reading books or taking walks just doesn't provide enough excitement? You're not alone. Welcome to the fascinating world of extreme hobbies, where ordinary activities transform into extraordinary adventures. Our journey begins with extreme ironing - yes, you read that correctly. Picture enthusiasts pressing clothes while hanging off cliffs or balancing on boogie boards in water. It's not just about completing the chore; it's about conquering the impossible ...
Jul 02, 2025•20 min•Ep. 107
Send us a text A clown and a fireman walk into a brothel... It sounds like the setup to a joke, but this bizarre collision sparked one of the most consequential riots in Canadian history and forever changed the face of Toronto. The Toronto Circus Riot of 1855 erupted when rugged performers from S.B. Howe's Star Troop Menagerie and Circus—think less birthday party entertainers and more hard-laborers who could erect massive tents and wrangle exotic animals—encountered local firefighters at the Whi...
Jun 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 106
Send us a text Wedding traditions are far stranger than you might imagine. While we're familiar with white dresses, something borrowed and something blue, these customs barely scratch the surface of matrimonial practices worldwide. Did you know the pristine white wedding dress only became tradition in 1840 when Queen Victoria made it fashionable? Before then, brides simply wore their best dresses, regardless of color, because clothes were expensive and the concept of a single-use garment was imp...
Jun 10, 2025•25 min•Ep. 105
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Jun 01, 2025•21 min•Ep. 104
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May 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 103
Send us a text We explore an eclectic mix of bizarre topics from illegal booger-flicking to the infamous exploding whale incident, while diving into mythology, strange cultural trivia, and unexpected food origins. • The strange regional laws that prohibit booger flicking in Whitehall and honking at sandwich shops at 9pm • Montana's unofficial sport of "meth cycling" - stealing bikes to ride between locations • Shamash, the Mesopotamian sun deity known as "Governor of the Universe" with power ove...
May 24, 2025•22 min•Ep. 102
Send us a text What happens when you look up at the night sky and see something that defies explanation? That feeling of wonder—and sometimes fear—has inspired humanity's greatest questions for centuries. Today we're unpacking the science behind UFO classifications with a deep dive into J. Allen Hynek's seven-point scale of extraterrestrial encounters. From fleeting glimpses of strange lights (level one) to full-blown abduction scenarios (level seven), this episode walks you through the increasi...
May 11, 2025•19 min•Ep. 101
Send us a text Colt Draine and Mac Mall Let’s Talk About It 👇🏻 https://open.spotify.com/track/1gNN2keNfi6v3NXt5zo6EH?si=cGWkIaRAT0SbymnRcStaUw Mac Mall's presence on our milestone 100th episode brings the authentic voice of Vallejo to listeners worldwide. The Bay Area legend opens up about the beautiful chaos of fatherhood, the responsibility of community leadership, and the transformative power of perseverance. With remarkable candor, Mall shares fascinating insights into Vallejo folklore, in...
Apr 23, 2025•33 min•Ep. 100
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Apr 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 99
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Mar 31, 2025•31 min•Ep. 98
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Mar 18, 2025•17 min•Ep. 97
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Mar 10, 2025•21 min•Ep. 96
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Feb 07, 2025•34 min•Ep. 95
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Jan 22, 2025•26 min•Ep. 94
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Jan 13, 2025•21 min•Ep. 93
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Jan 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 92
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Dec 23, 2024•20 min•Ep. 91
Send us a text What if a dog's loyalty could echo through the ages, leaving an indelible mark on history? Join us on a heartwarming excursion with Owen McMichael, fondly known as "the Mick," as we celebrate the timeless bond between a man and his devoted Sky Terrier. Travel back to 19th-century Edinburgh to meet Greyfriars Bobby, whose steadfast watch over his master's grave won the hearts of an entire city. This touching tale not only illuminates the emotional connection between humans and dogs...
Dec 11, 2024•23 min•Ep. 90
Send us a text Ever wondered how cannabis strains like Brazilian and Chocolate Thai maintain their genetic purity despite the modern surge of hybrids? Join us as we embark on a captivating exploration of landrace strains, tracing their roots from the rugged mountains of the Hindu Kush to the sun-drenched shores of Acapulco Gold. Through personal stories of unforgettable adventures inspired by these rare strains, we illuminate the historical significance and allure of cannabis that has stood the ...
Nov 19, 2024•31 min•Ep. 89
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when the past refuses to stay buried? Join us for a spine-tingling journey as we unravel the mystery of Zosia, a 350-year-old alleged vampire found in Poland. With a sickle around her neck and a padlock on her toe, her burial details read like the script of a horror movie—but was it more than just superstition? We explore the cultural fears that might have sparked such a dramatic entombment, delve into her possible Scandinavian roots, and ponder if her d...
Oct 31, 2024•15 min•Ep. 88
Send us a text Can fashion kill? Join us for a chilling exploration into history's most dangerous style trends, where the quest for beauty often came with a deadly price. From the haunting allure of arsenic-laden green dresses that led to tragic fates like that of Matilda Schreier, to the mercury madness that defined the felt hat industry, we unravel the perilous choices fashionistas made in the name of style. This episode promises a spine-tingling journey through time, uncovering tales of toxic...
Oct 13, 2024•20 min•Ep. 87
Send us a text Ever wondered how a song critiquing consumerism ends up in a commercial or why a children's author would write a rock anthem? Join us on a whimsical journey as we unravel these peculiar tales of rock history, inspired by Amy McCarthy's comedic insights. Discover the unexpected twists behind Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz" and our chuckles over Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" being sampled by none other than Eminem. With a dash of humor, we blend personal memories with newfound mu...
Oct 08, 2024•30 min•Ep. 86
Send us a text Ever wondered how many Switzerlands could fit into Montana? Or why a town in California pronounces "almonds" differently? Join us for a whimsical journey through geography, food, and quirky local trivia. We start with a playful comparison of Switzerland, Montana, and Rhode Island, revealing some surprising facts about their sizes. Then, we dive into the origins of almonds, exploring a debated history that points to Asia, despite Spain’s strong association with these tasty nuts. Pl...
Oct 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 85
Send us a text Ever wondered how orcas communicate or why they carry dead salmon on their heads? Get ready to uncover the secrets of these extraordinary creatures! From their complex social hierarchies to their surprising evolutionary links to land mammals like cows and hippos, this episode offers a captivating look at orcas as apex predators. We'll also reveal a fascinating historical partnership between indigenous whalers and orcas in New South Wales, Australia, where these marine marvels work...
Sep 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 84
Send us a text Remember the days when you couldn't leave the house without your Tamagotchi, and acid wash jeans were a fashion staple? Join us as we take a nostalgic trip back to the 90s, a decade that many of us hold dear. We reminisce about the fashion trends that have made comebacks, laugh at the TV shows that missed the mark, and debate whether the boy band craze was a hit or a miss. We also pay tribute to the icons that defined the era, from the Wu-Tang Clan to Salma Hayek. Who could forget...
Sep 13, 2024•30 min•Ep. 83
Send us a text Join us on a quest through the hidden realm of fictional towns and trap streets inspired by the cunning of cartographers like Ernest Alpins and Otto Lindbergh. Learn how the fictitious town of Aglo, originally created to catch plagiarists, unexpectedly blossomed into a real-life tourist destination. Listen to Darlene Beers as she unravels her family's storied history with the land, debunks myths, and shares the charming, albeit fictitious, tales of the area. We'll also uncover the...
Sep 07, 2024•18 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text Ever wondered why Mr. Burns from The Simpsons answers the phone with "ahoy hoy"? Or what grim practices in Victorian England have to do with phrases we use today? This episode promises a captivating journey through the stories and historical quirks behind familiar expressions like "ahoy hoy," "Saved by the Bell," and "dead ringer." We also share a humorous tale about a bar in Seattle with a clever nod to AC Slater from Saved by the Bell as we explore these linguistic gems. Join us...
Sep 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text What if the first celebrity chef wasn't from our modern era, but from the 17th century? In this episode, we journey through the life of Robert May, whose culinary genius and flamboyant dining spectacles turned him into a historical icon. Born in 1588, May's culinary voyage began in his father's kitchen, but it was his travels to Paris to learn French, Spanish, and Italian that truly set him apart. We explore his unmatched ability to create dining events where frogs leaped from pie...
Aug 30, 2024•24 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text Ever wondered how a cheeseburger connects to international policies? We kick off with a fun survey on cheeseburgers and horseback riding, but quickly dive into the deep waters of America's controversial global engagement. Hear about a personal story that brings the conversation home—our family member's near-miss at the Junior Olympics, showcasing the grit and support behind such feats. As we reflect on our travels, you'll find out why the kindness of strangers abroad often outshin...
Aug 05, 2024•31 min•Ep. 79
Send us a text Support The Show🔥 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2035680/support Picture yourself under the clandestine cover of night, tuning into forbidden rock and roll rhythms that make your heart race. What lengths would you go to defy the status quo? Join us as we unravel the audacious tale of pirate radio in the 1960s UK, where rebel broadcasters like Radio Carolina and Wonderful Radio London braved the law and the waves to bring unfiltered music to the masses. Discover how these plucky DJs t...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 78