Secretly Incredibly Fascinating - podcast cover

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Alex Schmidtmaximumfun.org
A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Episodes

Indigo

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why indigo is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Mar 31, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 238

Salt!

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why salt is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 (Alex’s old podcast hosting service required a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, and he's keeping that going for fun. So that’s why this episode’s title has an exclamation point) MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our...

Mar 24, 20251 hr 22 minEp. 237

Alex joins MFD Spring Break

It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!! Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, Dan McCoy, Jordan Morris, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint Mc...

Mar 18, 20251 hr 19 min

The Y2K Bug

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guests Clint McElroy and Justin McElroy explore why "Y2K" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Mar 17, 20251 hr 11 minEp. 236

Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Mar 10, 20251 hr 1 minEp. 235

Esperanto

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Esperanto is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Mar 03, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 234

Pangolins

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pangolins are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Feb 24, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 233

The Cool S

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Sequoia Holmes explore why "the cool S" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 MaxFunDrive ends on March 28, 2025! Support our show now and get access to bonus content by becoming a member at maximumfun.org/join....

Feb 17, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 232

Accordions

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why accordions are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Feb 03, 20251 hr 9 minEp. 231

Nighthawks (1942)

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the painting "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper is secretly incredibly fascinating. (Here's a direct link to see the painting: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/111628/nighthawks ) Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5...

Jan 27, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 230

Cheddar Cheese

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Ben Partridge explore why cheddar cheese is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 20, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 229

Computer Mice

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why computer mice are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 13, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 228

Road Atlases

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why road atlases are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 06, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 227

a holiday hello, and a live episode about weasels!

Happy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello. Please also enjoy a full new SIF episode in bonus feeds. And see you in 2025! To hear that live London episode, all about weasels, support us and grab your bonus feeds at maximumfun.org/join

Dec 30, 20245 min

Christmas Trees

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Christmas trees are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Dec 23, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 225

Antidisestablishmentarianism

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why antidisestablishmentarianism is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Dec 16, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 224

Limes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why limes are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Dec 09, 202458 minEp. 223

Sign Languages

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why sign languages are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Dec 02, 20241 hr 12 minEp. 222

presenting "The Inspectors Inspectors" Episodes 1-3

Hello and happy U.S. Thanksgiving Week! We are thrilled to share the first 3 episodes of "The Inspectors Inspectors", our unique bizarre recap podcast for the TV show funded and produced by the U.S. Postal Service. Hear the show by supporting SIF at https://maximumfun.org/join . SIFpod and "The Inspectors Inspectors" exist because of the generosity of Maximum Fun members. THANK YOU to everyone who does that wonderful thing. Once you're a member, grab "The Inspectors Inspectors" and all your othe...

Nov 25, 20248 min

Turkeys

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why turkeys are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 18, 202456 minEp. 221

"O.K."

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "O.K." is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 11, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 220

Apollo 17

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Apollo 17 is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 04, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 219

Burritos

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why burritos are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 28, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 218

Diabetes

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guests Dave Holmes and Craig Stubing explore why diabetes is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 21, 202455 minEp. 217

Halloween Costumes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Halloween costumes are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 14, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 216

The Mona Lisa

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guests Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara explore why The Mona Lisa is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 07, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 215

Renaissance Faires

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Renaissance faires are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 30, 20241 hrEp. 214

Pachelbel's Canon

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Pachelbel's Canon is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 23, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 213

Salt Mines

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why salt mines are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 16, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 212