Arson Cow
Could the great Chicago fire have been started by a cow?
Feb 17, 2020•1 min
Ripley's Weird Minute
Listen daily for weird news from around the globe. Ripley's Believe It or Not! was founded in 1918 by cartoonist and adventurer Robert Ripley, we are the authority on all things weird, odd, amazing, and unbelievable!
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Episodes
The Longest Nails
How long would you let your nails grow?
Feb 15, 2020•1 min
Mysterious Leatherman
Who was the mysterious leatherman?
Feb 14, 2020•1 min
Real Unicorns?
Could unicorns have walked the Earth alongside humans?
Feb 13, 2020•1 min
The Beard Tax
Would you pay a beard tax? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 12, 2020•56 sec
Cone Of Power
Are you a spiritual activist? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 11, 2020•1 min
Eye Tooth
This episode shares the remarkable story of Ian Tibbett, who lost his sight after a work accident and struggled with blindness. He found hope in a novel procedure called osteo-odontokeratoprosthesis, where a piece of his tooth was implanted to hold an artificial lens, preventing rejection. This groundbreaking surgery ultimately allowed him to see his twin children for the first time.
Feb 10, 2020•1 min
Abracadabra
Have you ever wondered about the origins of "abracadabra?" I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 08, 2020•1 min
Mummy Fertilizer
Why were mummies once used as fertilizer? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 07, 2020•1 min
The 13th Zodiac
What's your real zodiac sign? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 06, 2020•1 min
Icebergs
This episode uncovers several fascinating and unusual facts about icebergs. It explores a peculiar "peppermint candy" iceberg revealed by volcanic activity and a unique lake in Montana that fills with icebergs every summer. The discussion also covers the practical applications of icebergs, such as harvesting pure water for vodka and historical attempts to use them for cooling beer, alongside modern practices like towing them away from oil rigs.
Feb 05, 2020•1 min
Ostriches
Discover why ostriches are truly weird, learning about their unique two-toed feet, inability to fly despite having wings, and immense size. The episode also highlights the astonishing durability of their eggs, which even hyenas struggle to crack, and their impressive running speed and powerful defensive kicks.
Feb 05, 2020•1 min
Forbidden Fruit
Was the forbidden fruit really an apple? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Feb 03, 2020•54 sec
A Lucky Man
Discover the incredible story of Franz Selig, a Croatian music teacher who gained fame for surviving numerous deadly incidents, including train crashes, plane crashes, and car explosions. Despite a life filled with near-death experiences, his luck eventually turned dramatically when he won a massive lottery jackpot, cementing his legend as a man of extreme fortune.
Feb 01, 2020•1 min
Nose Ornament
This episode delves into the fascinating tradition of nose bone ornaments among Papua New Guinean tribesmen. These sharply carved cassowary bones were worn to project a fearsome appearance, ward off evil spirits, and signify a warrior's power. The practice may have been inspired by the fierce boars they hunted, utilizing materials from the dangerous cassowary bird.
Jan 31, 2020•1 min
Masakichi
This episode explores Robert Ripley's favorite artifact: the astonishingly lifelike Masakichi statue. Created by Japanese artist Hananuma Masakichi at age 53, suffering from tuberculosis, it's a self-portrait made from over 2,000 pieces of wood, featuring his own hair, teeth, and nails. Robert Ripley searched for 20 years to add this unique piece to his collection.
Jan 30, 2020•1 min
Sudsy Soap Operas
Where did soap operas get their name? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 30, 2020•1 min
Maury Island
In 1947, Harold Dahl and his crew allegedly encountered six UFOs over Maury Island. One object reportedly exploded, showering their boat with fiery debris, resulting in a dog's death and injuries to Dahl's son. The strange event was quickly followed by a visit from a mysterious 'Man in Black' and a B-25 bomber crash involving alleged debris samples, intensifying the mystery.
Jan 27, 2020•1 min
Swallowing Spiders
How many spiders does the average person swallow in their sleep? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 25, 2020•1 min
Valle of Fire
This episode explores Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park, highlighting its stunning Aztec sandstone formations dating back 150 million years. Learn about the ancient Anasazi people who created petroglyphs throughout the park and how the area was later preserved by the federal government and CCC workers in 1933.
Jan 24, 2020•1 min
Yosemite Firefall
What causes the Yosemite Firefall? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 24, 2020•1 min
Skyquakes
What's causing mysterious rumbles heard across the world? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 22, 2020•1 min
Blind As Bats?
How blind are bats? I'm Colton, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 21, 2020•52 sec
Underground Radio
This episode explores Robert Ripley's pioneering underground radio broadcast from Carlsbad Caverns, delving 850 feet below. It recounts his interview with the caverns' discoverer, Jim White, detailing how White found the massive cave system by following a cloud of bats. The broadcast also highlighted a unique geological feature within the caverns.
Jan 21, 2020•1 min
Sock Smells
Can smelly socks result in injury? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 21, 2020•44 sec
Nightwitches
Who were the Night Witches that plagued Nazi Germany? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 21, 2020•1 min
Hess Triangle
Uncover the unique story behind the Hess Triangle, a tiny piece of land in NYC that remained private due to a surveying error. Learn how the Hess family resisted the city's attempts to acquire it, eventually selling it for a surprising sum, making it a peculiar landmark.
Jan 17, 2020•56 sec
Motordromes
Discover the almost extinct world of motordromes, circular racing tracks that showcased motorcycle speed and power. In the 1930s, stunt riders took extreme risks, incorporating live lions into their acts—from "races for life" where lions chased bikes, to having them ride in specially built sidecars at 80 mph. This dangerous spectacle ultimately ended due to fatal accidents and gruesome injuries.
Jan 16, 2020•1 min
Sailing A Sub
Can you sail a submarine? I'm Adam, from Ripleys.com, and this is your Weird Minute.
Jan 15, 2020•1 min
Shark Smells
Ripley's Weird Minute explores the enduring fear of shark attacks and the common belief that sharks can detect blood from a great distance. The episode clarifies that while sharks have sensitive olfactory sensors, their ability to smell is limited to an area about the size of a swimming pool, making the "mile away" claim highly unlikely. It also notes that sharks typically do not intentionally prey on humans.
Jan 14, 2020•1 min
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