Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

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Episodes

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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

Deja Vu

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why deja vu 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 29, 2024•54 min•Ep 180•Transcript available on Metacast

Machetes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why machetes 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 179•Transcript available on Metacast

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa (1831)

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Hokusai is secretly incredibly fascinating. Direct link to see the art: https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/as/original/DP130155.jpg Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5...

Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 178•Transcript available on Metacast

Windmills

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why windmills 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Apologies for a brief issue with Alex's mic. You'll hear his backup audio until around nine minutes in, and then the whole rest of the show is his regular mic....

Jan 08, 2024•53 min•Ep 177•Transcript available on Metacast

Lemons

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why lemons 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 176•Transcript available on Metacast

a holiday hello, and a fun prophecy fulfillment

Happy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello, plus the surprising and fun fulfillment of a long-ago prophecy. And see you in 2024! There's also a special new bonus show, released last week, where Alex interviews an expert about Hangeul. That's on top of weekly bonus shows for supporters every week. Visit maximumfun.org/join to support the show and hear that BoCo. Come hang out with us anytime on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5...

Dec 25, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Coal!

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why coal 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 new 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)...

Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 175•Transcript available on Metacast

Frankenstein (1818 novel)

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the novel Frankenstein 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 174•Transcript available on Metacast

Ska Music

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

Dec 04, 2023•57 min•Ep 173•Transcript available on Metacast

Credit Unions

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why credit unions 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast

Canada Geese

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Canada geese 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 171•Transcript available on Metacast

World's Fairs

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

Nov 13, 2023•56 min•Ep 170•Transcript available on Metacast

Grass

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why grass 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Nov 06, 2023•58 min•Ep 169•Transcript available on Metacast

Dragons

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and Jason Pargin explore why dragons 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep 168•Transcript available on Metacast

Baking Soda

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why baking soda 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 23, 2023•53 min•Ep 167•Transcript available on Metacast

FEED DROP: "Creature Feature: Naturally Barbie!"

Did you know Katie Goldin has her very own podcast? We're bringing you a recent 'Creature Feature' episode about the most pink animals in the world, featuring guest Alex Schmidt. NOTE FOR SIF SUPPORTERS: there's a fresh new bonus show in your bonus audio feed. Head over there to enjoy it. (And if you're not yet a SIF supporter, visit maximumfun.org/join to get that bonus show and so much more.) Creature Feature: "Naturally Barbie!", with guest Alex Schmidt In honor of the Barbie movie, today's t...

Oct 16, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Tattoos

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why tattoos 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 166•Transcript available on Metacast

Cabbage

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why cabbage 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Oct 02, 2023•58 min•Ep 165•Transcript available on Metacast

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "eeny meeny miny moe" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Special guests: Ella Hubber and Caroline Roper. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 25, 2023•58 min•Ep 164•Transcript available on Metacast

Fire Hydrants

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why fire hydrants 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 18, 2023•55 min•Ep 163•Transcript available on Metacast

Roses

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why roses 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 162•Transcript available on Metacast

Asphalt

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why asphalt 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Sep 04, 2023•51 min•Ep 161•Transcript available on Metacast

WD-40

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why WD-40 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Aug 28, 2023•58 min•Ep 160•Transcript available on Metacast

Graveyards

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

Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 159•Transcript available on Metacast

CAPTCHAs

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why CAPTCHAs 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Aug 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep 158•Transcript available on Metacast

Bras!

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why bras 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 new 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)...

Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 157•Transcript available on Metacast

Octopuses

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why octopuses 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep 156•Transcript available on Metacast

Ice Cream

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why ice cream 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 155•Transcript available on Metacast

The Name Alex

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the name Alex 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Jul 17, 2023•58 min•Ep 154•Transcript available on Metacast

Apples

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

Jul 10, 2023•57 min•Ep 153•Transcript available on Metacast