The BrainFood Show - podcast cover

The BrainFood Show

In this show, the team behind the wildly popular TodayIFoundOut YouTube channel do deep dives into a variety of fascinating topics to help you feed your brain with interesting knowledge.
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Episodes

The Remarkable Sarah Hale

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at the real reason turkeys are called turkeys. Next we discuss today’s sponsor, Lumerit education, which is a service to help you figure out the cheapest/fastest/best way to finish college or pick up a degree, and if you like even from the convenience of your own home, with the degrees issued from a variety of top universities. If you’re interested in finding out more on this, please do use this link to go check them out. Moving on to t...

Nov 22, 20181 hr 38 min

Tech History Part 3: FIRST!!! + Many, Many Bonus Facts and Contest Winners

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at a rather interesting fact about Pulp Fiction and Samuel L Jackson’s character’s most famous lines in the film. We then move on to briefly mentioning our sponsor for today- Wix.com, where you can go to create awesome looking, exceptionally easy/fast to create websites for free, as we did here at BrainFood.fm. If you’re interested, please go to https://wix.com/go/brainfood to get started on your Wix website today! And check out our new...

Nov 15, 20181 hr 33 min

The Dude Who Burned Down the Greatest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Because of Reasons

*Note: This is still a little out of order, as we are needing to further delay publishing of the Tech History Part 3 owing to, ironically enough, technical difficulties. We’ll have it up within the week most likely though. In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at what literal battleships had to do with the creation of the Slinky. Next up, we jump into the main part of the show looking at what is largely considered the greatest of the so-called Seven Wonders of the Ancient W...

Nov 07, 201858 min

Macabre Part 4: The Vampire of Cinkota and a Truly Horrific Love Story

*Note: This is a little out of order, but we had to delay publishing of the Tech History Part 3 owing to, ironically enough, technical difficulties. We’ll have it up soon enough. But for now, in this Halloween special of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at whether it’s actually safer to use a crosswalk instead of a just jaywalking as well as the actual origin of the word “jaywalk”. Next we discuss today’s sponsor, Lumerit education, which is a service to help you figure out the cheapest/...

Oct 31, 201853 min

Tech History Part 2: Who Invented the Internet, Email, and the Web?

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at a the absolutely bizarre way bedbugs mate. Next up, we jump into the main part of the show on who invented the Internet and how it works. We also look at who invented email and the web, and what Al Gore had to do with all this. On another note, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re using (including hopefully giving us some feedback related to the new format), we would be ...

Oct 16, 20181 hr 44 min

Tech History Part 1: A QWERTY Story and Whether the Dvorak Layout is Actually Superior

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by looking at a quick fact surrounding what Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Genesis had to do with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Next we discuss our sponsor for this episode, Backblaze. Seriously, one of Simon and I’s favorite services and is ridiculously cheap and easy to setup. Just install and it does the rest making sure all your hard drives and pictures and all that are always automatically backed up in an extremely secure way fo...

Sep 30, 20181 hr 33 min

Macabre Part 3: The Nightmare Nurse

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we’re looking at the story of an intelligent, sweet little girl who was given up to an orphanage and then grew up to have a rather successful career as a nurse… and just so happens to be one of the most notorious female serial killers in history. On another note, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re using (including hopefully giving us some feedback related to the new format), we would be extr...

Sep 26, 20181 hr 34 min

Macabre Part 2: How Shrunken Heads Were Made

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by discussing a random quick fact involving the parents of Ferris Bueller on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. We then move on to discussing the show’s sponsor, Dashlane, which is a great free password management service. You can also get a free month of their premium version and then 10% off thereafter by using the coupon code “brainfood”. Either way, please do go check them out using this link. Thanks! Next we move into the main content for today’s epis...

Sep 19, 20181 hr 21 min

Macabre Part 1: The Gruesome Tale of Burke and Hare

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by discussing a random quick fact involving the curious old practice of mailing children. We then move on to discussing the show’s first sponsor, RXBar. For 25% off your first order, visit https://rxbar.com/brainfood and enter the promo code: brainfood Next we move into the main content for today’s episode which is the gruesome tale of William Burke and William Hare and their year long murder spree. Moving on from that, we look at a man who decide...

Sep 12, 20181 hr 32 min

The Final Final Frontier (Part 6): The Real Color of the Sun, How Many Nuclear Bomb Powered Rockets It Would Take to Stop the Earth Orbiting the Sun and Much, Much More

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by discussing the clandestine way Niel Armstrong managed to get his application to the astronaut program in despite submitting it past the deadline. We then look at why he got to be first to walk on the moon when precedent should have had it been Buzz Aldrin. Next up we look at the oft’ forgotten second thing Armstrong said when stepping out onto the moon. Moving swiftly on we do a rapid fire of a variety of space related bonus facts including, bu...

Sep 05, 20181 hr 7 min

The Final Frontier Part 5: Are the Odds of Successfully Navigating an Asteroid Field Really Approximately 3,720 to 1?

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by discussing the real origin of Tang and what that has to do with Pop Rocks and how they work. We then move on to the interesting story behind the invention of Velcro and how it works. Next up we look at whether NASA really spent many millions of dollars developing the famous “space pen” instead of just using a pencil like the Russians. Moving on from there we discuss the fascinating reason why only one side of the moon faces the Earth and how th...

Sep 04, 20181 hr 7 min

The Final Frontier Part 4: The U.S. Plan to Nuke the Moon, Why People Thought the Moon was Made of Cheese and Much More

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by discussing the first space walk in which the cosmonaut in question very nearly got stuck out there and his adventures thereafter. We then move on to discussing how the idea that the moon is made of green cheese got started. Next up we discuss the late 1950s plan the United States had to nuke the moon, which interesting enough involved a young Carl Sagan. Failing in that endeavor we then look at that time the U.S. accidentally nuked Britain’s fi...

Aug 23, 20181 hr 30 min

The Final Frontier Part 3: How to Scratch an Itch in Space, the Surprisingly Long Time You Can Survive in Space Without a Spacesuit, Why the Apollo 13 Astronauts Got Cold, and Much, Much More

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by following up on a previous discussion on Daimler and what exactly a little girl named Mercedes had to do with things. We then jump into the surprisingly oft’ requested follow up on Simon’s first ranch dressing experience. Next up we move into the meat of the episode, discussing how astronauts scratch an itch in their space suits, followed by looking at the surprisingly long time you can survive in space without a space suit or any other protect...

Aug 12, 20181 hr 23 min

The Final Frontier Part 2: How Astronauts Go to the Bathroom in Space and How Women Can Safely Pee Standing Up

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by following up on a previous discussion on what the first good movie based on a computer game was. We then jump right into the various ways in which astronauts have managed their necessary expulsions over the years and some hilarious stories and interesting related facts that go along with that, including the teased Apollo 10 incident from The Final Frontier Part 1. We then discuss the lost skill of women peeing standing up without getting any pe...

Aug 03, 20181 hr 18 min

The Final Frontier Part 1: Real Life Space DJs and the Pillownaughts

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we kick off a series on space related facts. Before we get started in that, however, we do some follow up answering the question of whether the Allies in WWII used prisoners of war as slave labor. We then jump into the topic of the real life job of Space DJ, then the saga of the Pillownaughts. On another, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re using (including hopefully giving us some feedback r...

Jul 30, 20181 hr 11 min

The War Bear

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, which is partially a continuation of the last, we discuss the bear that was officially a member of the Polish army, how he came to be such and what became of him after WWII ended. We follow this up by discussing the interesting origin of the Live Long and Prosper Vulcan salute. On another, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re using (including hopefully giving us some feedback related to the ne...

Jul 12, 201844 min

The Prisoner (+Contest Winners)

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start by announcing our current contest winners as well as launch a new contest. Next up we get into the meat of the episode discussing the remarkable individual who volunteered to be sent to Auschwitz, why he wanted to go, and what happened next. We finish off by discussing an interesting bonus fact about the company Bayer. If you’d like to learn more about Witold Pilecki as well as read in his own words about much of what is discussed in this episode,...

Jul 10, 20181 hr 10 min

The First Road Trip Part 2: In Which We Discuss All Things Tangentially Related

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we discuss the interesting story of who came up with the unit of measurement called horsepower and why it got applied to engines. We also discuss the late 19th century dominance of the electric car and why and when that changed. Next up we look at the mildly humorous story of who got the first known speeding ticket, as well as the much less humorous story of the first person killed in a car accident. Finally we finish up by talking about a little-known fas...

Jun 27, 201856 min

The First Road Trip Part 1: The Gumption of Bertha Benz

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we discuss the surprisingly long history of the automobile, then move on to discussing what is generally considered the first “modern” car, the Model 3, made by Karl Benz, and how is amazing wife ultimately saved him and the vehicle from obscurity through her extreme audacity and faith in his invention. On another note, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re using (including hopefully giving us ...

Jun 22, 201853 min

Could the Tyrannosaurus Rex Really Not See You If You Didn’t Move?

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start out with a follow up to a previous episode in which we mentioned Teddy Roosevelt likely helped delay the start of WWI, but then never actually said in that episode how. Next up we discuss whether the Tyrannosaurus Rex could really not see you if you didn’t move as depicted in Jurassic Park, as well as a few other interesting Jurassic Park factoids. Then we get into a little podcast feedback and finish up by discussing the interesting thing that wo...

Jun 15, 20181 hr 8 min

Caesar Part 4: In Which We Discuss All Things Tangentially Related

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start out by discussing the fascinating story about how the statue of Shakespeare in Central Park, New York, got there, what John Wilkes Booth’s Brother did for Abraham Lincoln’s son, the real story about why Caesar dressing is called that, and a bunch of other interesting stuff! This is part 4 of our 4 part series on Julius Caesar. Stay tuned next time for when we talk about something completely different! On another note, if you could do us a huge fav...

Jun 08, 201857 min

Caesar Part 3: The Real Story of the Ides of March

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start out by discussing in more detail the events surrounding Caesar’s momentous decision to cross the Rubicon, then jump into the real story of what happened on the Ides of March which isn’t exactly the one popular history remembers largely thanks to the notable play by Shakespeare. Over the course of the episode we also discuss why likely most every quote you’ve ever read from Socrates was not actually something Socrates said, among other tangents. An...

Jun 04, 20181 hr 18 min

Caesar Part 2: Julius Caesar’s Pirate Adventure and the Long Lost Location of the Rubicon

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start out by discussing how a teenage Julius Caesar became the head of his rather prominent family. We then move on to his little month-long or so pirate adventure and finally discuss where exactly the Rubicon was, which interestingly enough is only something that has been relatively recently discovered. This is part 2 of what will be a 4 part series on Julius Caesar. Stay tuned next time for when we look more deeply into why Caesar chose to cross the R...

May 30, 201836 min

Caesar Part 1: Caesarean and the Fascinating Story of Dr. James Barry (a.k.a. Margaret Bulkley)

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we start out by discussing the fact that, contrary to what we speculated in a previous episode, World’s Fairs are actually still a thing. We then jump into the meat of the show, discussing whether Julius Caesar was actually born via a Caesarean operation and then look at the remarkable story of Margaret Bulkley, who is better known in history as Dr. James Barry- one of the first people to perform a Caesarean operation in which both the woman and baby survi...

May 23, 201856 min

An Interview with Audio Production Guru Mike Russell

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we talk to audio production expert and head of Music Radio Creative, Mike Russell. During the interview, we discuss basic audio gear needed to relatively cheaply get started podcasting, doing voice overs, etc., as well as touch on why YouTubers should really be looking into expanding their repertoire beyond YouTube and into the audio space, among other topics. If you want to learn how to improve your own audio production, we strongly recommend you check ou...

May 18, 201847 min

The Bull Moose Part 2

In this episode of The Brain Food Show podcast, we wrap up our discussion (for now) on one of the more remarkable individuals in modern history- Theodore Roosevelt. In particular we look at the truth about how and why the Teddy Bear was named after him and a boatload of fascinating Teddy Roosevelt facts conclusively demonstrating he was more awesome than we could ever hope to be. And as a little bonus to the Bonus Facts at the end, we discuss what the famous song The Rose has to do with the undi...

May 15, 201859 min

Growing a YouTube Channel

In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we cover a myriad of tips and tricks to help grow a YouTube channel and maximize the odds of being successful in that space, including covering elements of the YouTube algorithm, thumbnail design, etc. Much of this talk was gleaned from interesting things we learned at VidCon Amsterdam, and particularly from the various talks given by Matt and Stephanie Patrick from the hugely popular Game Theorists channel. On another note, if you could do us a huge favor...

May 09, 20181 hr 19 min

The Bull Moose Part 1

In this episode of The Brain Food Show podcast, we discuss one of the more remarkable individuals in modern history- Theodore Roosevelt. In particular we look at that time he risked life and limb on what amounted to a “principal of the thing” matter, and another time he quite literally shrugged off a bullet to the chest to immediately after give an hour and a half long speech… On another note, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re us...

May 02, 20181 hr 1 min

Stealing the Eiffel Tower

In this episode of The Brain Food Show podcast, we discuss that time a man managed to successfully sell the Eiffel Tower… even though he didn’t own it. We also lament the lack of awesome World’s Fairs in modern times only to subsequently discover they are actually still a thing… And finally we wrap up discussing the fascinating list known as the “10 Commandments for Con Men”. On another note, if you could do us a huge favor and rate and review this show in whatever podcasting platform you’re usi...

Apr 24, 201840 min

Writing and Researching Online- A Chat with Karl Smallwood

In this episode of The Brain Food Show podcast, we interview prolific online writer and researcher Karl Smallwood. Karl’s written for TodayIFoundOut for over five years now, producing hundreds of articles, including many of the most popular on the website and channel. Beyond that, he’s also written for such sites as Cracked, Mental_Floss, TopTenz, Biographics, and many others. In his spare time he also runs the criminally undersubscribed channel FactFiend here, as well as its companion website. ...

Apr 23, 201844 min
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