Saad Mohseni hadn't seen Afghanistan since he was a kid. But when America swept in to scatter the Taliban in the early 2000s, Mohseni felt a calling to return to rebuild his beloved homeland. This is the story of how Mohseni and his three siblings took a chance launching a radio station-- a Quixotic venture that quickly blossomed into a television empire-- and the ways that he and his family helped beam music, culture and the scaffolding of a fragile democracy into people's homes. Interview base...
Oct 17, 2024•44 min
There are a lot of towns named Springfield. This week, Will and Mango learned about all of them! From the best Springfield to store your cheese (if you're looking to store 7 million pounds of cheese), to the reason so many Springfields aren't even located on springs, to the craziest mystery that involves cobras in a Springfield. So stuff your face with all the Springfield facts your heart desires! (We've got plenty for everyone.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 10, 2024•34 min
Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way.) Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 26, 2024•29 min
With Single Cat Ladies all over the news, Will and Mango revisit a classic cat episode: from why cats were unfairly blamed for so many divorces, to how a bag of clay forever changed their prospects, to what a lion's sneeze tells us about their instincts. Plus-- the number one country you HAVE to travel to (if you want a cat to massage your back.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 19, 2024•33 min
What can't gummy candies do? From helping kids gross out their parents (thank you gummi worms!), to helping Disney revive their animation division (Adventures of Gummy Bears was a catalyst!), to aiding senior citizens in regaining jaw strength (seriously!), these little gummy treats have a great big story to tell. have a big story to tell! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 12, 2024•31 min
From the reason Australians love to "slip, slop, slap," to a pretty good reason to smear salad dressing on your body, Will and Mango explore the biggest questions in sunscreen, starting with, does it actually work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 05, 2024•35 min
Will and Mango go deep on Narwhals-- from how they became one of New York City's greatest mascots, to how to spot a real Narwhal tusk from a fake at your local pawn shop, to why you might want to avoid ordering the Narwhal sushi... plus, we explain why everyone's on the look out for a baby Narluga (the hot new designer Beluga/Narwhal hybrid). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 29, 2024•22 min
From SpongeBob's sweet origin story to the Japanese business suits that are perfect for catching waves, Will and Mango explore the greatest facts from the world of surfing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 21, 2024•28 min
How great were the Olympics?! Pretty great. But that doesn't mean they couldn't be better. From Poodle clipping to ski ballet, Will and Mango resurface 9 incredible and obscure sports that ought to be included in the next Olympic Games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 16, 2024•31 min
For all our schooling, no one ever told us the very best way to sit. (Note this Seth Kinman Grizzly Bear Chair is NOT the best way to sit.) Also, no one taught us what temperature to keep our office at for maximum productivity. Or why cracking jokes might be helpful for elevating status in the workplace. And certainly NONE of our English professors told us how writing in the nude might be a great hack for hitting deadlines. For this week's episode, Will and Mango explore all the very best ways t...
Aug 09, 2024•37 min
From boycotts to mavericks, nachos to Zamboni's, there are a whole lot of words we mindlessly use without thinking about the namesakes behind them. This week Will and Mango pay tribute to the fantastic gentleman the leotard is named for, a doctor who did not want a machine named after him, and the wonderful inventor behind the world's most sensational berry! (Supposedly.) ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write ou...
Jul 31, 2024•30 min
Whether you knew him as a conservationist, an explorer, a spy or a fashion icon, Jacques Cousteau showcased the sea's mysteries to a curious world. But how did the rebellious teenager with a penchant for breaking windows grow up into a marine legend? Will and Mango explore. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/li...
Jul 25, 2024•40 min
As summer reaches its height, everyone gets nervous about shark attacks. But how afraid should we be of these Jabberjaws? (Spoiler: not very.) From the hilarious way goblin sharks catch their prey, to the strange effect AC/DC has on sharks, to why Will and Mango wish they could trade out their chompers for shark teeth, Part-Time Genius goes all-in on sharks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 24, 2024•36 min
In this episode, Mangesh interviews journalist and host Evan Ratliff about his new show Shell Game , and they discuss what happens when you take control of artificial intelligence and set an AI version of you out into the world. From talking to scammers to making plans with your wife, things get weird quickly! PLUS: Stay tuned for a sneak preview of Episode 1 of Shell Game! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Want to know what the Chanel No. 5 of Ancient Egypt smelled like? Or how the interior of Queen Elizabeth's royal car smelled? Or maybe you've wanted to experience the fragrance of extinct Hawaiian flowers? In this episode, Will and Mango get nosey about how scientists have been working hard to build a scent library of disappearing smells. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 11, 2024•33 min
Is America's national bird really a baby snatching scoundrel? What animal did Ben Franklin hope would replace eagles on the American seal (hint: not a turkey!) And why do people think eagles taste like veal? (One famous ornathologist might be to blame.) Tune in as Will and Mango explores all things eagles on this week's special holiday episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 03, 2024•21 min
As a follow up to Thursday’s 9 Incredible Facts about Sicily, we’re posting the first episode of guest host Jo Piazza’s podcast The Sicilian Inheritance. Hope you dig it! Want your own taste of Sicily – grab a bottle of The Sicilian Inheritance inspired OLIVE OIL direct from Sicily to BUY - GO HERE . Snag your copy of THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE , the novel! Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 29, 2024•33 min
Did you know that Sicily is the home of brain freeze? Or that the so-called snakes on Medusa's head might actually be eels? Or that Sicily is home to one very very specific type of revenge architecture? From Sicily's delicious space program to cutest animals to ever roam the land, dig in as Mango and his pal Jo Piazza-- author and host of The Sicilian Inheritance -- talk all things Sicily. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing...
Jun 26, 2024•38 min
If you've got a station wagon packed with dogs and kids, but nowhere to point it, we've got you covered! From the world's greatest mud festival to, well, the world's greatest belly button festival, Will and Mango have scoured the internet to provide only the best (and weirdest) in summer festivals. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message alo...
Jun 13, 2024•25 min
Dr Pepper's flavor is just one of many questions we have about the drink. Who is the doctor behind Dr Pepper? Is tomato one of the soda's 23 secret ingredients? Should you actually be drinking your Dr Pepper hot? And why doesn't Dr Pepper have a period in its name? (Does the good doctor think it's above the laws of grammar?!) Also, what did Dr Pepper do to make Guns 'n Roses so angry with it? Will and Mango have a lot of questions... and at least 9 answers for you. ... Want to get in touch? Whet...
Jun 06, 2024•22 min
How did the Mona Lisa get so famous? Why doesn't she have any eyebrows? And why was Picasso investigated for the painting's theft? This episode Will and Mango go deep on the smirking beauty and try to figure out what's really going on behind that sly smile. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.c...
May 30, 2024•31 min
Will and Mango are off this week, but check out this new series Mango's been working on called Afghan Star , hosted by the one and only John Legend. It's the story of how a little music talent show changed the lives and ambitions of Afghans and brought music back to the nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 24, 2024•39 min
Will and Mango are determined to figure out the origin of the emergency hotline. From the strange reason people used to call up funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing up a whole host of 911 facts. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write ou...
May 16, 2024•28 min
Ever found yourself standing between Lizzo and André 3000 at yet another cocktail party , and can't think of anything to say to them? Well, you're not alone. A lot of people don't come to parties with enough flute facts in their arsenal. Luckily, we can help. Just memorize every single word of this podcast, and you'll be golden. Guest starring the wonderful Mary Phillips-Sandy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 09, 2024•20 min
Want to know which billionaire speaks Esperanto fluently? Or what country almost adopted Esperanto as its national language? Or why Hitler and Stalin were both afraid of Dr. Esperanto (actually Doktoro Esperanto ). Join Will and Mango as they dive into the incredible world of constructed languages and also discover why William Shatner isn't just the greatest Esperanto actor of all time ... but also probably the worst. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even jus...
May 02, 2024•31 min
From the Parmesan Mafia to the gas station hot dog Will accidentally ate, there are way too many cheese crimes out there! This episode Will and Mango investigate a fondue cartel, ride with food detectives, and look into an Ocean's 11... of cheese?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2024•35 min
Whether you're trying to spot a Michelin critic in the wild, or you're on the hunt for the world's best reindeer tartar with moss and fermented mushroom (a very common thing listeners ask us about), we've got you covered. From Katy Perry's Michelin mishap, to chefs trying to sue the guide because they want more stars, to the bizarre reason the Michelin Man prefers to pair his meals with a goblet full of nails, we've prepared a piping hot plate of facts for you. (Go ahead and tuck in!) ... Want t...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
Will and Mango are back in studio to form a slime appreciation society! From the first time astronauts took slime to space, to the incredible way snails surf (SURF!) their own slime, to the architectural beauty of slime molds, put on your galoshes and jump right in! ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omn...
Apr 11, 2024•30 min
Reposting this classic ep in honor of Sandra Day O'Connor. From her hardscrabble upbringing on cattle ranch (where she tamed a bobcat!) to her incredible sway on the Supreme Court, Will and Mango explore Justice O'Connor's incredible life, the glass ceilings she broke through along the way, and what made her both such a practical and a fiercely independent voice on the court. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...
Dec 01, 2023•38 min
This week Will and Mango revel in the beauty, majesty and immense grandeur of... the potato. From Ben Franklin's role as a potato influencer, to the strange reason part of a potato is preserved in a baseball museum, to the ridiculous parade float that inspired the word couch potato, Will and Mango are serving up an all-you-can-eat heaping of potato facts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 15, 2022•24 min
