Commute | The Podcast: Recent Episodes
Commute - The Podcast
The average person spends 20-25 minutes per day commuting to and from work - why not learn while getting there? Join Dave & Jay every Monday to learn about three fascinating things that'll make you the most interesting person in the room.
1️⃣ Woody is one of Pixar’s most lovable characters, but early on Disney pushed the studio to make him, well, mean. The result was a day that nearly canceled Toy Story before it started.
2️⃣ We accept that giant fuzzy birds, bears and buffalos dancing on sidelines is a perfectly normal part of sports. Where did those crazy mascots come from?
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1️⃣ In 2021, nonfungible tokens, or NFTs, were the hottest of investments, with many selling for 100s of thousands of dollars. Today they sell for pennies. What happened?
2️⃣ We live in a strange reality our ancestors never dreamt of: unlike them, when we die our online versions live on.
sources:
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nft-tokens-memes-tech-ethereum-blockchain-digital-141150386.html
https://www.elainekasket.com/insights/digital-afterlife-explained
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1️⃣ It’s more than 2,700 years old and, thanks to the new Christopher Nolan movie, it’s back in the spotlight. But The Odyssey has never gone away and the reason it endures isn’t monsters or myths.
2️⃣ Why does $9.99 feel so much cheaper than $10? It’s one of the oldest and most effective psychological tricks in marketing.
Sources:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-the-ancient-story-of-the-odyssey-still-resonates-today
https://www.the-independent.com/us/money/consumer-price-points-economy-budget-b3014602.html
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1️⃣ Lawns are everywhere and most of us invest a lot of effort in mowing them. The surprisingly fascinating history of grass and how it got into our front yards.
2️⃣ One sport. Two names. Why Americans say “soccer” - and why the British used to say it, too.
sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/why-we-mow-lawns
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyexj7dggpo
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When the NCAA Football video game returned a few years ago, it sold over 5 million copies - where did all of that money go?
In the late 1960s, the creator of a unique color claimed it could reduce violent, hostile, and aggressive behavior. Was he right?
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1️⃣ Did the water you drank this morning previously travel through the body of some other person or creature? Today we take a journey through the water cycle.
2️⃣ How did soccer’s most stressful ending become a thing?
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cr71enxvrd3o
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/has-all-the-water-on-earth-been-peed-before
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1️⃣ The NBA Finals just wrapped up. It was fun to see all the celebrities sitting courtside, but it’s even more fun to find out how much they paid (or didn’t) to sit there.
2️⃣ Nepal’s time zone is 15 minutes off…. of everyone else in the world.
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1️⃣ From what gloves to wear at a funeral to not talking with your mouth full, social etiquette has been around for a long time. Are these rules of behavior really about good manners - or something else?
2️⃣ There’s a place on earth that decided it would rid itself of rats - forever. Did it work?
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1️⃣ Chipotle has been in a bit of a controversy over portion sizes. Is Chipotle really giving us less? What could this tell us about brand identity and customer loyalty?
2️⃣ When Spirit Airlines abruptly called it quits, it did more than cause customers to look for new flights and pilots to look for new jobs - it abandoned a bunch of airplanes. Where did they go?
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1️⃣ In the late 1980s, a claymation band of dried fruit boosted raisin sales and became a nationwide phenomenon. Suddenly, they were gone.
2️⃣ Aliens? UFOs? We finally know the truth about what went on at Area 51. Prepare yourselves…
Sources:
https://www.mashed.com/212383/the-real-reason-the-california-raisins-disappeared/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/area-51-aliens-ufos-real-history
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Dave & Jay share an update for the show as Dave heals from a broken jaw.
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1️⃣ We used to walk to the airline gate without a boarding pass. Now we go through bins-and-belts purgatory. How we got here, and why shoes are guilty until proven innocent.
2️⃣ College hoops plays two halves. The pros play four quarters. It’s not random - it’s tradition, politics, broadcasting, with a bit of “we’ve always done it this way.”
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/10/1035131619/911-travel-timeline-tsa
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1️⃣ Did you know there’s a number that’s illegal to publish in the US?
2️⃣ We visit the research facility in a remote corner of Alaska that some folks blame for every natural disaster.
Sources:
https://citationsy.com/blog/illegal-number/
https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0523/HAARP-project-winding-down-Was-it-all-a-huge-conspiracy
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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1️⃣ We’ve lived on this planet for thousands of years, but one relatively recent picture completely changed how we think about it.
2️⃣ Ever wonder how your state got its name? Some names make sense, some followed a thoughtful process, and some, well, you’ll see.
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-each-us-state-got-its-name-2019-5#:~:text=A%20state's%20name%20can%20give,series%20of%20misspellings%20and%20miscommunication
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230511-earthrise-the-photo-that-sparked-an-environmental-movement
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Why do toddlers experience an event but lose the memory? This week we explore why our youngest years vanish - and what we can do to make those earliest moments stick.
How a tree nearly started WWlll.
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1️⃣ Two seemingly unrelated objects - a snack can and a flying disc - tell one of the strangest tales about legacy you’ll ever hear.
2️⃣ Holidays inspired by TV episodes or movies - that worked their way into our real calendars.
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1️⃣ You can have a currency, passport, and flag - but forming your own personal nation won’t keep you from paying taxes.
2️⃣ Most wars go on, well, forever. This week we look at a few that barely lasted the workday.
Sources:
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/shortest-wars-in-human-history.html
https://www.britannica.com/topic/micronation
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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1️⃣ When disaster strikes we don’t look away, even when we probably should.
2️⃣ WD-40 has unstuck stuck things for the last 50 years. What’s its secret? Only a handful of people could tell you.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/business/the-secret-society-of-people-who-know-the-formula-for-wd-40-e9c0ff54
https://case.edu/news/why-are-we-so-drawn-tragedy-psychological-sciences-professor-explains
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1️⃣ There are a few pay phones left in the world. Here’s who’s using them.
2️⃣ We’re terrible at telling the future. We keep trying anyway.
Sources:
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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It’s the world’s most famous movie sound effect. You know it when you hear it.
This popular Chinese phone app is one of the simplest - and the darkest.
Sources:
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/wilhelm-scream-explained-75982/
https://www.wired.com/story/china-are-you-dead-yet-app/
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Sometimes humans randomly … explode??
There’s a lot of money spent (and wasted) with our favorite go-to last-minute gift.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/02/09/gift-cards-a-strategy-for-retailers-and-consumers/
https://www.popsci.com/health/can-humans-spontaneously-combust-the-baffling-cases-explained/
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Ever wonder why January 1st is the beginning of a new year? So did we…
Not all New Year's traditions are about fireworks and funny hats - some are disgusting, others are deadly.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/653232/victorian-new-years-traditions
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/29/nx-s1-5624238/new-year-calendar-january-history
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For nearly 70 years, kids have tracked Santa thanks to a misdial and a quick-thinking Air Force colonel who met the moment.
The success of Home Alone, led to Home Alone 2. That led to one of the most intense Christmas toy crazes of all time.
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We once declared war on a bunch of birds. It went as you’d expect.
The pet of our Commander in Chief often say more about that administration than any speech ever could.
Sources:
https://www.historyhit.com/the-great-emu-war/
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If you suspect your local high school’s mascot looks suspiciously like a professional team or D1 university version, you’re probably right. And they probably shouldn’t be doing that.
Every year, the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the year is less about the dictionary update and more about where we are as a society. This year is no different.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/words/oxford-word-of-year-explained
https://frontofficesports.com/high-schools-walk-legal-tightrope-using-trademarked-pro-logos/
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There are unexpectedly weird (and occasionally gross) sides to the food you enjoy on Thanksgiving.
Email, text, phone call, snail mail … spam has been around longer than you think.
Sources:
https://bookriot.com/history-of-chain-letters/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-food-facts
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Black boxes collect flight information on aircraft and are crucial for accident investigations. But how do they survive an accident when the plane doesn’t?
Who decided the standard 40-hour work week? Is it still the best idea?
Sources:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/how-did-we-get-a-40-hour-workweek-and-has-it-had-its-day/ar-AA1Qezmu
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2024-05-what-is-a-black-box-and-how-does-it-work
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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We recently lost an American Hero when Duane Roberts passed away. He wasn’t a politician, a famous athlete, or a movie star - but he did invent a burrito that mattered.
Tom Brady is famous and rich and he recently cloned a pet. You don’t have to be famous to do that, but you’d better be rich.
Sources:
https://www.today.com/today/amp/rcna242078
https://gizmodo.com/the-inventor-of-the-frozen-burrito-has-died-2000680863
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You may hear these days of unfair or too close-to-call elections, but this isn’t a recent development.
It’s not the national anthem, but God Bless the USA sure feels like it could be … until you hear this segment.
Everyone hates changing their clocks twice per year. More than 80% of Americans say we should stop. Why don’t we?
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Do you get up when the alarm goes off or hit snooze and get nine more minutes? How did that setting end up always at nine?
You’ve just run 26 miles. Marathons expect an additional .2 miles. How did that happen?
Sources:
https://www.history.com/articles/why-is-a-marathon-26-2-miles
https://www.rd.com/article/why-is-snooze-9-minutes/
Sources:
https://www.history.com/articles/why-is-a-marathon-26-2-miles
https://www.rd.com/article/why-is-snooze-9-minutes/
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Louie Louie is a song frequently heard at bars, athletic events, and open mics. Then the FBI decided to take a closer look at the lyrics.
If you’re wearing jeans, look at your right pocket and you’ll see a tiny, seemingly useless additional pocket. Any ideas?
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1209181745/louie-louie-the-story-behind-the-song-everyone-knows-but-no-one-understands
https://www.businessinsider.com/small-pocket-pants-jeans-watch-2018-03
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It seems simple—two pieces of bread with something in the middle—but its namesake is anything but.
Some world records seem to stand forever, while others can fall multiple times yearly. We look at the reasons why not all records are created equal.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251003-the-maths-behind-world-records
https://www.history.com/articles/sandwich-inventor-john-montagu-earl-of-sandwich
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We don’t think twice about using a fork today, but our ancestors didn’t love it - and they were pretty sure God wouldn’t approve, either.
Since the 1950s, artificial laugh tracks have helped ensure that jokes land on sitcoms from I Love Lucy to Friends to The Big Bang Theory. Let’s meet the man responsible.
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Referred to as winged rats, pigeons aren’t often at the top of many favorite bird lists. They should be.
When would you guess the last Civil War pension check went out? You’re probably wrong.
What we wear has an impact on how people perceive us. How big an impact?
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Ever wonder why keyboards seem random rather than in alphabetical order? Hint: it wasn’t done to help you type quicker.
For 70 years, Publishers Clearing House knocked on the door of an unsuspecting winner and presented them with a giant cardboard check, granting them monthly payments for the rest of their lives. Things have changed.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/16/business/publishers-clearing-house-bankruptcy-winners-lose-prizes
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-qwerty-keyboard-will-never-die-where-did-the-150-year-old-design-come-from-49863249/
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Is Pig Latin a language? Is there a real pig involved? Why does Jay dislike it so much?
Most of us cringe when we hear a recording of ourselves. Why do we dislike it so much? Do other people hear us the way we hear ourselves?
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jul/12/the-real-reason-the-sound-of-your-own-voice-makes-you-cringe
https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/what-is-pig-latin
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The US Government once tried to ban sliced bread. That went as well as you’d expect.
For thirty years, a statue with an unsolvable puzzle has stood on the lawn of CIA headquarters. The answer is about to go up for auction.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nobody-has-been-able-to-solve-the-cias-famous-kryptos-sculpture-soon-the-solution-will-be-sold-to-the-highest-bidder-180987200/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-ridiculous-reason-why-the-us-enacted-a-wartime-ban-on-sliced-bread-salesand-why-it-didnt-last-long-180985834/
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Can you use up all the honk that’s in your car’s horn?
At one time the Olympics gave out medals for… architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and literature. Yes, we’re not kidding.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/when-the-olympics-gave-out-medals-for-art-6878965/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/transportation/cars-trucks/do-cars-run-out-of-honk
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What would you want your last meal to be? Most of us will (hopefully) never be on death row, but how would your answer line up with real requests from death row inmates?
Only about 10% of people are left-handed. That can be good or bad depending on the task. + Why is anyone left-handed at all?
Sources:
https://choicemutual.com/blog/favorite-last-meal-by-state/
https://www.shoutoutuk.org/2024/08/13/its-time-to-address-the-left-handed-elephant-in-the-room/
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We'll be back next week with an all-new episode - until then, enjoy a popular one from the archives!
You’ve probably noticed novelty popcorn buckets tied in with select blockbuster movies. If you miss them in the theater, you can always take out a loan to buy one later.
Screen time and its potentially harmful side effects are a real concern - even at zoos.
Okay, so he’s not sued EVERYone, but Jonathan Riches has filed more lawsuits than anyone you've ever met.
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Why do some things (kids growing up 🥺) feel like they happen quickly, while others (DMV visit) creep along slowly?
Gone since 2013, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back the presidential physical fitness test. Cue collective dread.
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A clever crime ring in Bali has been successfully operating for decades and authorities are unable to stop it. The members of this crime syndicate are… monkeys.
Some people get selected for jury duty so often they could teach a course on it, while others have never been called. What’s the story behind this (supposedly) random system?
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We do it enthusiastically at concerts, politely at ceremonies and awkwardly at meetings. Why do we clap? How did we start?
The frozen crust-free peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the preferred snack of five-year-olds … and professional football players.
Sources:
https://foodinstitute.com/focus/the-incredible-uncrustable-how-the-frozen-pbj-won-over-the-nfl/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240523-why-do-we-clap
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The fastest-growing segment of video gamers isn’t kids, teenagers, or guys in their mom’s basement—and they usually have grandkids.
During the Cold War, the CIA’s most highly trained spies weren’t that good—and they weren’t human, either.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/articles/cia-spy-cat-espionage-fail
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/ng-interactive/2025/jul/14/video-games-older-adults-data
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We’re all on the big round earth at the same time, but our clocks say different times. How we got time zones.
A thumbs-up good is always good…isn’t it? Why has emoji use become difficult to decipher?
Sources:
https://www.vox.com/2014/8/5/5970767/case-against-time-zones
https://theconversation.com/thumbs-up-good-or-passive-aggressive-how-emojis-became-the-most-confusing-kind-of-online-language-259151
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How true are movies that claim to be true? And does it even matter?
The color red is most often associated with danger - how did that happen?
Sources:
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Vanilla sounds bland but the flavor is anything but basic. This week we’ll tell you where it comes from. (Hint: you’ll never think about beavers the same way again.)
Independence Day fireworks fun can hide a grim reality: it may end up at the ER … or even the morgue.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/does-vanilla-flavoring-actually-come-from-beaver-butts-180983288/
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/how-dangerous-are-fireworks-injuries-by-the-numbers
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Did basketball begin when Dr. James Naismith nailed up two peach baskets or with a teenage YMCA director lobbing cabbages?
The “IKEA effect” says sweat equity adds worth. There’s science behind the lopsided bookshelf that you still consider priceless.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2024/06/12/a-psychologist-explains-the-ikea-effect-how-labor-leads-to-love/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/nyregion/basketball-herkimer-ny.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
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Why do toddlers experience an event but lose the memory? This week we explore why our youngest years vanish - and what we can do to make those earliest moments stick.
How a tree nearly started WWlll.
Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/children/operation-paul-bunyan-when-a-tree-sparked-a-military-standoff/article68763759.ece/amp/
https://www.popsci.com/health/why-we-forget-our-childhoods/#:~:text=This%20suggests%20the%20issue%20is,that%20prepares%20humans%20for%20adulthood
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How did a 19th-century joke become the world’s most spoken word?
This week we scan the baby name blacklist and learn why some will never make it onto a birth certificate.
Sources:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/03/us-banned-baby-names/84011765007/
https://www.history.com/articles/the-birth-of-ok-175-years-ago
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Was the famous tongue-twister really about a Victorian-era fossil hunter?
Ever notice great whites are missing from aquariums? This week, we explore why the ocean’s superstar can’t survive life behind glass.
Sources:
https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2017/07/she-sells-seashells-and-mary-anning-metafolklore-with-a-twist/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504168/why-dont-you-see-great-white-sharks-aquariums
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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It’s our 200th episode! We start with a note of gratitude and a show announcement.
If you grew up in an American public school, you likely really loved or really hated your school lunches. Here’s the surprising tale of how schools came to provide lunch for students.
Some 1990s era video games for Super Nintendo were notoriously challenging. One of the most difficult was the Lion King - but it was done on purpose and for a unusually specific reason.
Sources:
https://www.cbr.com/lion-king-brutally-difficult-platformer/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/american-schools-have-been-feeding-children-for-more-than-100-years-heres-how-the-school-lunch-has-changed-180986583/
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Karaoke is one of America’s favorite activities. Why are so many people willing to sing (so badly) in public?
At the recent running of the Kentucky Derby, the horses had more in common than you’d think.
Humans talk slightly differently based on geographic regions. Can the same be said for animals?
Sources:
https://www.si.com/fannation/rodeo/news/secretariat-lives-on-through-hooves-every-horse-kentucky-derby
https://www.statsignificant.com/p/what-are-the-greatest-karaoke-songs
https://www.mentalfloss.com/do-animals-have-regional-accents
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You can choose the wake-up sound for your phone's alarm. It took a lot of effort to create all those options.
It makes sense on a gallon of milk, but does bottled water really expire?
Many of us say “please” and “thank you” to the artificial intelligence systems we interact with. Maybe we should stop.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/22098/why-does-bottled-water-have-expiration-date
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/24/technology/chatgpt-alexa-please-thank-you.html
https://www.20k.org/episodes/the-sound-of-apple-2
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Easter season has come and gone and, with it, the slightly stale marshmallow juggernaut known as the peep. But every single peep has something uniquely in common…
In a plot straight out of the TV show that made it all happen, an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm literally saved one man’s life.
Bad news for Dave. If you’re playing a character with that name in a movie, you might want start looking for your next gig.
Sources:
https://innocenceproject.org/news/how-curb-your-enthusiasm-saved-an-innocent-man-from-death-row/
https://apnews.com/article/peeps-easter-candy-marshmallow-love-hate-5712b5cad525a0da50622ff8f8c86b73
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/06/warning-if-your-name-is-david-you-wont-survive-a-horror-movie
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Scientists have resurrected an ancient, extinct wolf. Is there any reason to be concerned?
Minecraft has been one the most popular games in the world for a decade and a half. What’s its secret?
A Goofy Movie just turned 30. How did it unexpectedly resonate beyond its, well, goofy leading character to become a beloved cult classic?
Sources:
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/what-is-minecraft-1235310785/
https://time.com/7274542/colossal-dire-wolf/
https://www.polygon.com/movies/554432/a-goofy-movie-not-just-a-goof-production
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The NCAA basketball tournament is one of the most significant of all sporting events and, if you consider its impact beyond just the games, that’s an understatement.
The children’s horror series Goosebumps has been keeping kids up at night since the 1990s. How does author R.L. Stine, now in his 80s, keep cranking out books?
Burger King is a fast-food giant with 20,000 locations worldwide. You won’t find one in a particular town in Illinois, however. At least not the one you’re expecting.
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You may remember when buying cereal was as much about the toy inside the box as the cereal. Then it just stopped.
There’s a unique island that’s less than 10 miles long, has under 1,000 permanent residents, and speaks its own language. And it’s part of North Carolina. This week, we set sail for Ocrcoke.
We all know how to play Marco Polo, but no one knows where it came from - until now.
Sources:
https://www.sporcle.com/blog/2022/04/why-do-we-yell-marco-polo/amp/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/why-toys-disappeared-from-cereal-boxes
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20190623-the-us-island-that-speaks-elizabethan-english
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It transformed arcades into performance halls by asking people to dance in public. We’ll explore the cultural impact of Dance Dance Revolution.
Just because you’re an astronaut doesn’t mean you still don’t need to shower - so how does one do it outside the Earth’s atmosphere?
Little Caesars is the go-to meal for social gatherings everywhere. This week how a small Michigan pizza parlor rose to fame, nearly went bankrupt, and somehow emerged even stronger.
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A good movie preview should show just enough to excite us about the upcoming film. What about if the previews show a scene that doesn’t end up in the movie?
Professional drivers are very good at what they do - but NASCAR’s origins are as much about spirits as they are about skills.
Typos are embarrassing. Sometimes they can be costly.
Sources:
https://www.rd.com/list/expensive-typos/
https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ana-de-armas-yesterday-trailer-lawsuit-settled-1235972010/
https://www.history.com/news/how-prohibition-gave-birth-to-nascar
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The basket of bread often appears before you even place your order and is never listed on the final bill. How did restaurants get started giving away free food?
The Surgeon General’s recent New York Times op-ed, warning of the potential harm social media can have on young people, provocatively equated internet risks to smoking cigarettes. This isn’t the first time the Surgeon General has had a problem with online content … and their names are Inky, Pinky, Blinky, and Clyde.
It’s an endless quest to catch sales of Coca-Cola’s popular Sprite, PepsiCo recently rebranded Sierra Mist as Starry. Of course, that’s not the whole story…
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Kate Winslet owns the record for the longest breathhold in cinematic history. No matter how long you think it is, it’s longer than that.
Every parent must face the dreaded question - “Where do babies come from?” How did the poor stork get involved?
Weight Watchers has been synonymous with weight loss for decades. That all may be coming to an end.
Sources:
https://variety.com/2022/film/news/kate-winslets-filmed-avatar-2-underwater-breath-hold-record-die-1235459216/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/consumer/article-14398443/weightwatchers-debt-struggles-restructuring.html
https://www.livescience.com/62807-why-storks-baby-myth.html
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Fast-food chain Rax filed bankruptcy in the early 1990s. Could a short-lived, ill-timed mascot be partly to blame?
Your favorite author may have some help, thanks to the world’s best-kept open secret: a ghostwriter.
Advances in DNA testing finally tell us who Jack the Ripper really was. Maybe.
Sources:
https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/jack-the-ripper-real-identity-discovered-historian-claims/amp/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/mr-delicious-most-bizarre-fast-food-mascot
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/87886-ghostwriters-come-out-of-the-shadows.html
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For decades the Super Bowl MVP has been telling the world they’re going to Disney World. How did it get started?
In Super Bowl commercials you rarely hear the words "Super" or "Bowl." Why?
Scratch-off lottery tickets are cheap but promise life-changing wealth. They have brought changes, both good and bad.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/91272/how-did-super-bowls-im-going-disney-world-slogan-originate
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The first night in an unfamiliar place is usually not great for sleep. We look to the research to tell us why.
Many dog owners leave the TV on to entertain their pet when they go out. Does the dog actually care?
It wasn’t that long ago that Pluto was our 9th planet. How did it lose that status? Could it ever regain its place in our solar system?
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/04/21/474691141/half-your-brain-stands-guard-when-sleeping-in-a-new-place
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/17/can-dogs-watch-tv#:~:text=Unlikely.,it%2520than%2520focus%2520on%2520it.&text=%E2%80%9CThere%2520are%2520dogs%2520that%2520will,commercial%252Dlength%2520amounts%2520of%2520time
https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/planet-definition-change-astronomers-proposal-pluto
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We’re very close to something that hasn’t occurred in a decade and a half. Just don’t blink or you might miss it.
Celebrities ask for some strange things in contracts. We’ll tell you about some of the best requests.
Instead of cryogenic chambers or infrared lights, here are seven affordable and attainable ways to increase your life span.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgpnqe91j1o
https://toofab.com/2023/05/26/unexpected-clauses-that-ended-up-in-actors-contracts/
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The Wizard of Oz is a beloved cinematic classic. What happened behind the scenes was far from lovely.
The board game Guess Who has been a best seller for nearly 45 years. It’s the way that happened you’ll want to tell your friends about at your next social gathering.
Today, Donald Trump will be sworn in (for the 2nd time) as President of the United States of America. Like those before him, he’ll do it with his hand on a Bible. Is this a requirement?
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Did it take a cartoon mascot to convince the public to include five-digit codes on mailing addresses?
When natural disasters strike, most people look to established news outlets for the latest updates. Others look to … Waffle House.
First Winnie the Pooh, then Mickey Mouse, and now our favorite sailor man enters the public domain. Why does this keep happening?
Sources:
https://zipcodes.org/blog/funny-facts-about-zip-codes
https://www.wafflehouse.com/how-to-measure-a-storms-fury-one-breakfast-at-a-time/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/happy-public-domain-day-popeye-rhapsody-in-blue-the-sound-and-the-fury-and-thousands-of-other-captivating-creations-are-finally-free-for-everyone-to-use-180985744/
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Some reviewers have called the recent remake of the horror classic Nosferatu “the perfect horror film.” However, its source material, a silent film from the 1920s, almost didn’t exist. This week, that complicated history and the story it tells us about the challenges of preserving films from the silent era.
We know a product or service can be trademarked, but can a smell? A toy from your past decided to try.
Why is New Year’s Day observed on January 1st? “Why not?” is not a sufficient answer.
Sources:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/nightmarish-classic-nosferatu-almost-destroyed-one-furious/
https://mashable.com/article/hasbro-play-doh-smell-trademark
https://time.com/6550127/new-year-celebration-january-calendar-date-history/
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It’s that time of year—Christmas trees, twinkling lights, too many sweets… and endless holiday movies! An update on one of our most popular segments tells how (and why) original holiday films are made.
Why are we supposed to kiss if we meet under mistletoe? Here’s everything you could want to know about the festive berries.
Which U.S. state has the most holiday spirit? How about the least? You know someone has figured it out for us.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1211596888
https://www.history.com/news/why-do-we-kiss-under-the-mistletoe
https://www.mentalfloss.com/states-with-the-most-and-least-christmas-spirit
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Judges surely get hangry in the afternoons, like the rest of us. Does that impact their job?
Banana candy, you’ve probably noticed, tastes nothing like banana. That’s intentional.
A collection of never-before-heard Michael Jackson songs were found in a storage unit. That doesn’t mean you’ll ever hear them.
Sources:
https://www.randomactsofmedicine.com/p/are-hungry-judges-and-tardy-doctors
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140829-the-secrets-of-fake-flavours
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/unreleased-michael-jackson-tapes-found-130500824.html
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Helium, that we use to blow up parade floats and birthday balloons, is a uniquely one-of-a-kind element. That’s not necessarily a good thing.
What if we lived in a world where we wanted for nothing, where our every wish and need was cared for? Scientists ran an experiment and, as always, things did not go as expected.
Ever tried to sneak a drink into the movies or some candy to a ballgame? There’s always that one guy who takes things too far.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/01/775554343/the-world-is-constantly-running-out-of-helium-heres-why-it-matters
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-old-experiment-with-mice-led-to-bleak-predictions-for-humanitys-future-180954423/
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/20/americas/smuggler-tarantulas-peru-intl-scli/index.html
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More than three decades ago, the New Yorker Magazine printed a cartoon about the internet that is just as accurate today as it was then, setting records for reprints. It’s still setting records.
It’s after Halloween. What happens to all the pumpkins?
Porta potties - everyone uses them; no one wants to. We’ll tell you more than you ever expected to know, including how often, if ever, they’re cleaned.
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The film Sideways, about male bonding in wine country, was released in 2004. Twenty years later, it’s still has an impact on one industry.
A scientific experiment taught rats to drive. That’s not even the most amazing part.
In the 1950s, Roger Bannister did what was previously thought impossible - run a mile in under 4 minutes. Why did multiple runners suddenly do the same just days later?
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/07/05/535038513/the-sideways-effect-how-a-wine-obsessed-film-reshaped-the-industry
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2024/11/08/driving-rats-anticipation-learning-neuroscience/
https://www.scienceofrunning.com/2017/05/the-roger-bannister-effect-the-myth-of-the-psychological-breakthrough.html?v=47e5dceea252
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Some corporate programs really do work. One has convinced millions of kids to read millions of books for more than 40 years by promising them the perfect incentive - free pizza.
Have you ever set out to buy one thing but ended up with something else? That’s what happened to Cecil Chubb, though his unintended purchase was a little bigger than typical.
If it seems the McDonald’s McFlurry ice cream machine is broken more often than not, you wouldn’t be wrong. America’s court system decided to do something about it.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/books/pizza-hut-book-it.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/man-buys-stonehenge-his-wife-she-not-pleased-180956719/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/mcdonalds-mcflurry-machines-government-ruling
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You may hear these days of unfair or too close-to-call elections, but this isn’t a recent development.
It’s not the national anthem, but God Bless the USA sure feels like it could be … until you hear this segment.
Everyone hates changing their clocks twice per year. More than 80% of Americans say we should stop. Why don’t we?
Sources:
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/presidential-election-1876
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/11/645270955/god-bless-the-u-s-a-a-country-anthem-with-enduring-political-power
https://www.nytimes.com/article/daylight-saving-time-questions.html
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The dark web is a largely unregulated version of the internet where many kinds of questionable things go on. Much like Amazon, the dark web even has its own marketplace. The similarities end there.
Political campaigns have likely been texting you for months; asking for your money, your time and, of course, your vote. How did they get your number?
For the last 140 years, Dr. Pepper has been popular, but never been able to crack the top two in soda sales, the domain of Coke and Pepsi, until now.
Sources:
https://time.com/6994868/political-campaign-texts-what-to-do/
https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-dr-pepper-beat-pepsi-no-2-soft-drink/
https://www.marketingdive.com/news/dr-pepper-passed-pepsi-number-two-football-flavor-marketing/718197/#:~:text=from%20your%20inbox.-,How%20Dr%20Pepper%20passed%20Pepsi%20by%20marketing%20around%20football%2C%20flavor,soft%20drink%20in%20the%20U.S.&text=As%20its%20vintage%20advertising%20maintained%2C%20it's%20Dr%20Pepper%20time
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We wear wedding rings on the left-hand ring finger. Would another finger work?
Magazines are losing subscribers at an alarming rate. You’ll never guess which one is an exception.
It’s time to get your Halloween costume! Many come from a pop-up store named “Spirit of Halloween.” Where do these stores come from and, maybe more importantly, where do they go? (From the archives)
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The first Tuesday in November we head to the polls to vote. Why that day, in that month? Could it ever change?
Pitt bulls are the meanest, nastiest, most dangerous of dogs … aren’t they?
Have you tried to hold in a sneeze? You might want to rethink that.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/news/why-is-election-day-a-tuesday-in-november
https://www.vox.com/videos/367080/how-pit-bulls-got-a-bad-reputation
https://www.health.com/condition/cold/is-it-just-me-holding-in-sneeze-bad#:~:text=It%20might%20be%20bad%20to,brain%20aneurysm%20or%20rib%20fractures
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It’s hard to go on a busy highway without seeing a billboard for an accident lawyer. Is it legal to advertise such a service? Well, it hasn’t always been.
Gift cards are big business. We are good at buying them but not always so good at using them.
Chicken tenders are one of the most popular foods in America. One city wants all the credit.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawyer-commercials-a-billion-dollar-industry/
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/02/09/gift-cards-a-strategy-for-retailers-and-consumers/
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/01/dining/chicken-tenders.html
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In honor of the calendar turning to October, this week we re-air one of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back next week with an all-new episode!
How did “cheese” become the universal smile word used by photographers? You’ll never guess what word it replaced!
It’s the official slogan of Halloween, but where and when did it begin? And what did cabbage have to do with the whole thing?
The most terrifying mask of all time has one of the most bizarre backstories.
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Does the President have a little red button that can fire nuclear weapons and end the world?
Why do dogs love riding with the windows down? Should we let them?
More people are scared of clowns than entertained by them. Science will tell us why.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Codes?wprov=sfti1#
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-dogs-stick-their-heads-out-car-windows#:~:text=Sticking%20his%20or%20her%20head,can%20see%2C%E2%80%9D%20veterinarian%20Dr
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-weird-reason-were-afraid-of-clowns/
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Famous people get paid millions of dollars to convince you to spend money. Does it work?
Do you shower in the morning or at night? Science has something to say about that.
More people are choosing to be dog parents instead of human parents. What does this mean for the future of humanity (and for dogs)?
Sources:
https://qz.com/do-celebrity-endorsements-political-or-otherwise-work-1851646337/slides/7
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/morning-or-night-shower
https://www.newsweek.com/south-korea-news-dog-strollers-babies-1952011
https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/pet-insurance/pets-over-parenthood/
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Presidents are maxed to two terms of four years. Why is that?
Have you ever been on a radio call-in contest. It seems so random who gets on the air. But is it?
The carton tells you the juice was squeezed from farm-fresh Florida oranges. Reality, of course, is a little more complicated.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/633015/why-presidents-serve-four-year-terms
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-win-radio-contests/
https://www.wnyc.org/story/last-chance-foods-secret-highly-processed-life-orange-juice/
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Referred to as winged rats, pigeons aren’t often at the top of many favorite bird lists. They should be.
When would you guess the last Civil War pension check went out? You’re probably wrong.
What we wear has an impact on how people perceive us. How big an impact?
Sources:
https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/review-pigeons
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/06/04/she-was-last-american-collect-civil-war-pension-7313-month-she-just-died/
https://www.businessinsider.com/dressing-for-success-actually-works-2016-2
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This week we revisit one of our favorites (including a Labor Day segment!) from last year, but we'll be back next week with an all-new ep!
We all love a feel-good sports movie. The underdog learning to win, the budding romance, the dad who works too much…. When The Mighty Ducks became a hit in the 90s, Disney loved the movie so much that they made a real team.
If you’re listening to this on release day, it’s Labor Day and you’ll have to put away your white clothes until next Spring. Why?
When you pause a DVD you see a floating logo bounce around the screen continually. This week we reveal - does it ever eventually hit the corner?
Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/astrazeneca-s-vaccine-mishaps-the-mighty-ducks-nhl-history-ryan-mcmahon-the-barbizon-hotel-and-more-1.5964106/why-disney-turned-the-mighty-ducks-movie-into-an-actual-nhl-team-1.5964113
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2022/08/12/white-after-labor-day-explained/10269739002/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/did-the-bouncing-dvd-logo-ever-hit-the-corner-of-the-screen
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The claymation TV special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a beloved Christmas classic, but it’s one of the few times Rudolph appears in a film. There’s a reason.
Most of us try to avoid eating bugs. Several high-end restaurants now serve them on purpose.
You know we love to talk Beanie Babies. This week we discuss a specific beanie bear designed for more than just being a collectible.
Sources:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a46120585/why-rudolph-isnt-in-christmas-movies/
https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/08/16/restaurants-bugs-edible-insects
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/princess-diana-beanie-baby
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Some masterminds have gone to incredible lengths to steal amazing targets, from chicken wings to beanie babies.
Should we separate lights and darks when washing clothes?
Fantasy Football is staggeringly popular. Its rise didn’t happen overnight, and its growth might not be from a source you’d expect.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/12/chicago-woman-stolen-chicken-wings-sentencing
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/649391/unusual-heists
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/should-you-separate-laundry
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/fantasy/2023/12/15/fantasy-football-sports-economy/71870731007/
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You may have noticed an athlete during the recent Olympic Games who didn’t represent a country. They still won a medal.
We all look for ways to cope with stress. Some exercise. Some eat sweets. Others go in unusual directions.
Why are more people pushing back against the latest smartphones?
Sources:
https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/what-know-about-refugee-olympic-team
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/02/world/asia/china-birds-social-media.html#:~:text=Some%20young%20people%20in%20China%20are%20pretending%20to%20be%20birds,face%20of%20slowing%20economic%20growth
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7236222
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That cash in your wallet, purse, or sock drawer – many other people have owned it, too. What’s the actual lifespan of a dollar bill?
The COVID-19 pandemic changed our world in many ways. One change that’s remained is the way we work. Many employees now spend their professional lives completely online, but are virtual employees actually working eight hours per day?
Many iterations have come and gone, but the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers of the 90s became nostalgic legend for that generation. This week we remember a kid’s show that captivated the nation.
Sources:
https://fox59.com/news/national-world/your-cash-has-an-estimated-lifespan-will-you-need-to-replace-it/
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/06/26/opinions/bossware-wells-fargo-mouse-jiggler-yang
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68016/23-mighty-facts-about-mighty-morphin-power-rangers#_qowfso7v1
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You’ve probably noticed novelty popcorn buckets tied-in with select blockbuster movies. If you miss them in the theater, you can always take a loan to buy one online after the fact.
Screen time and the potentially harmful side effects are a real concern, even at zoos.
Okay, so he’s not sued EVERYone, but Jonathan Riches has filed more lawsuits than anyone.
Sources:
https://www.thewrap.com/popcorn-collectible-buckets-movie-theaters-amc/
https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/07/24/gorillas-zoo-screen-time-concerns
https://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-zoo-gorilla-now-engaging-in-normal-activities-after-cutting-down-screen-time-1.6540631
https://newrepublic.com/article/113739/jonathan-lee-riches-jailhouse-lawyer-turned-internet-celebrity
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Hidden in plain sight in Disney Theme Parks is an exclusive (and expensive!) secret members-only club. Could you get in?
When Dave Thomas started Wendy’s in the 1960s, he named it after one of his daughters. He regretted that decision years later.
This week we remember a sequined tank-top-wearing fitness guru who revolutionized the exercise industry. You know who we’re talking about…
Sources:
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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What do Olympic athletes get for winning? It can depend on where they’re from and how well they do, but it often doesn’t end with just the money.
Frisbee Golf has risen in popularity for decades. Here’s why.
If you have Q-Tips and you have ears you’re likely doing something you shouldn’t.
Sources:
https://apple.news/AeqppUX0BSbmtBBOL_6Co7w
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/well/move/disc-golf.html
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2022/06/25/business/q-tips-ears-wellness-history
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Fifty years ago, a simple yet complicated puzzle game was created. This week, we look back at the fun - and frustration - of the Rubik’s Cube.
Grocery store shopping seems straightforward, but it’s not. Every square inch is constructed to manipulate you to stay longer and spend more.
For all the world-famous Olympic athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, like Simone Biles, there will also be ordinary people who have regular jobs.
Sources:
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The basket of bread often appears before you even place your order and is never listed on the final bill. How did restaurants get started giving away free food?
The Surgeon General’s recent New York Times op-ed, warning of the potential harm social media can have on young people, provocatively equated internet risks to smoking cigarettes. This isn’t the first time the Surgeon General has had a problem with online content … and their names are Inky, Pinky, Blinky, and Clyde.
It’s an endless quest to catch sales of Coca-Cola’s popular Sprite, PepsiCo recently rebranded Sierra Mist as Starry. Of course, that’s not the whole story…
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It's vacation season around here... but we'll be back next week with an all-new episode!
_
It’s not uncommon to have something lost in the mail, but typically it’s not something irreplaceable … like human remains.
Is it hard to make new friends as an adult, or is it just you?
Traveling internationally soon? We have your back with our guide to proper etiquette across borders and cultures.
Sources:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjxkm/the-usps-has-452-wayward-cremated-bodies
https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/peculiar-etiquette-practices-world-map
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Jaywalking- crossing the road wherever you please instead of at a crosswalk or stoplight - is a crime. But it wasn’t the police department’s idea.
Ah, summer. Vacations and outdoor fun … and mosquitoes. Are they more particular choosing victims than we think? And what’s up with the itch?
Recently, a vintage toy set an incredible record sale price at a collectibles auction. What are people thinking??
NOTE: Fixed Audio Version
Sources:
https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7551873/jaywalking-history
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/12/19/old-toys-worth-money/71976097007/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/10/business/vintage-collectible-toys-market-sale/index.html
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Jaywalking- crossing the road wherever you please instead of at a crosswalk or stoplight - is a crime. But it wasn’t the police department’s idea.
Ah, summer. Vacations and outdoor fun … and mosquitoes. Are they more particular choosing victims than we think? And what’s up with the itch?
Recently, a vintage toy set an incredible record sale price at a collectibles auction. What are people thinking??
Sources:
https://www.vox.com/2015/1/15/7551873/jaywalking-history
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/12/19/old-toys-worth-money/71976097007/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/10/business/vintage-collectible-toys-market-sale/index.html
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Who decided that the Earth would be called the Earth?
It’s been a century since a physician's own weight loss journey introduced the concept of counting calories. We still do that, but is it the best approach?
Famed physicist Stephen Hawking once held a dinner party where every guest shared the same peculiarity - they were from the future. Who showed up?
Sources:
https://www.livescience.com/32274-how-did-earth-get-its-name.html
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/doctor-pioneered-counting-calories-century-ago-were-still-dealing-with-consequences-180984282/#:~:text=The%20cover%20of%20Lulu%20Hunt,diet%20best%20seller%20in%20history
https://mashable.com/article/stephen-hawking-time-travel-party
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More than 10 million households own timeshares. You can also buy one online for $1.
The story behind Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe is more than weird - it’s actually pretty dark.
The Old Farmers Almanac has been since the late 1700s and is as relevant and popular today as ever. What’s its secret?
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-a-timeshare-cbs-news-explains/
https://www.financialpoise.com/timeshare-ownership-is-not-real-estate-investment/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/eeny-meeny-miny-moe-origins-history
https://mhebtw.mheducation.com/2021/11/19/a-history-of-the-old-farmers-almanac/
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Ketchup is considered the king of condiments but Ranch, uniquely both a dressing and a dip, wears the crown when it comes to sales. Who came up with this great idea?
The hit Netflix show Baby Reindeer is based on a true story of a stalker terrorizing a struggling standup comedian. The real stalker has seen it. She isn’t happy.
May midterm elections are over. Until November, the political signs dominating our yards have gone back into hibernation. What happens to them when they disappear? Did they effectively influence voters?
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/ranch-dressing-food-history
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/05/14/baby-reindeer-real-martha-seeks-125-million-for-piers-morgan-interview/?sh=1fc855285141
https://www.campaignnow.com/blog/political-yard-signs-helpful-or-an-eyesore?hs_amp=true
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We'll have a new episode next week, but this week, we revisit one of our most popular episodes from 2023:
We’ve all failed. Most of us would rather not talk about it, but the Museum of Failure does more than talk about failures. It celebrates them.
U.S. airlines lose millions of pieces of luggage annually. Most of them don’t just vanish, they end up in the same place. (It’s not the landfill.)
It’s been a calling card of the dining experience at Olive Garden for decades - unlimited breadstick and salad refills. But even unlimited things have their limit.
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You know the healthy average human temperature is 98.6 … but it’s not, and we’ve known that for over three decades.
The Statue of Liberty is world famous - but is the iconic sculpture based on a real person?
Pop Tarts changed breakfast 60-years ago. It was the prize in a high-stakes race between rival cereal-makers to get to the toaster pastry finish line first.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/544046/why-myth-average-human-body-temperature
https://www.statueoflibertytour.com/blog/the-woman-behind-the-statue-of-liberty-who-is-lady-liberty/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/the-contentious-history-of-the-pop-tart-180984270/
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Who decides what time it actually is? France tried to change it once. It involved decimals.
Many of us shower once a day. Do we need to? Does it do more harm than good?
Americans throw away $70 million in coins every year. One company decided to go dumpster diving.
Sources:
https://www.engadget.com/that-time-france-tried-to-make-decimal-time-a-thing-143600302.html
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240423-theres-no-need-to-shower-every-day-heres-why
https://www.wsj.com/finance/americans-throwing-away-coins-28ca794c
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Have you been excited to see a movie but also frustrated because it was years away from release? What if it wouldn’t be released until after you were dead, and what if that was the plan?
Smokey Bear has been warning people about the dangers of forest fires for decades. But where did he come from? Is he up something more than simply preventing fires?
Peanuts, the beloved comic strip with Charlie Brown and Snoopy, is as family friendly as it comes. Except for the time it killed off a character.
Sources:
https://ew.com/article/2015/11/19/john-malkovich-robert-rodriguez-100-years/
https://www.treadmagazine.com/outdoor-adventures/campsite/smokey-bear/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/charlotte-braun-peanuts-character-disappeared
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One day, everyone in Japan will have the same last name.
Art takes time - unless it doesn’t. Some hit songs have come together rather quickly.
William Henry Harrison served as President of the United States for a month. What happened?
Sources:
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/02/japan-sato-only-name-by-2531-marriage-law
https://www.businessinsider.com/songs-took-short-amount-of-time-to-write-2020-4#dolly-parton-wrote-not-one-but-two-successful-songs-in-one-day-14
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/science/what-really-killed-william-henry-harrison.html
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Some people make money from corporate jobs, while others find a way to be their own boss. Matt Farley does a little of both. Oh, and it’s often by way of songs about bathroom humor.
Today we collectively experience something that doesn’t happen often - a total solar eclipse. Can we look at it, even for a split-second? How will pets react?
Conventional wisdom says we need 7-8 hours of sleep per night. You know what it feels like to get less, but what if you sleep more? Can we get too much sleep?
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/31/magazine/spotify-matt-farley.html
https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2024-04-03/2024-eclipse-astronomy-facts
https://www.gq.com/story/too-much-sleep
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When we think of execution methods, the guillotine seems quick and therefore painless. Maybe not…
Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was once an in-demand flavor. Are we now on the brink of it going away… forever?
Americans just spent $5 billion on Easter Candy, a lot of it in the form of chocolate bunnies. How did this creature become so seasonally popular?
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502594/death-guillotine-painless
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/business/chocolate-chip-ice-cream.html#:~:text=The%20Scoop%20on%20Ice%20Cream,decline%20aren't%20exactly%20clear
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/how-to-eat-chocolate-easter-bunny-candy
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Hotels and airlines avoid it. More than 1/3 of Americans say they fear it. What makes #13 so bad?
Did you attempt the Presidential Physical Fitness test in your elementary school P.E. class? Did you pass? Did an actual president declare that we should do this?
During Covid, more than 50 million people registered as active bird watchers - the most participants in any sport in America and, now post-Covid, they’re still watching. Dave calls one “birder” to get the scoop.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-row-13-missing-airplanes
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/presidential-fitness-test-origins-history
https://time.com/6231886/birdwatching-mental-health/
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Episode 118 Rebroadcast
The iconic Apple logo features an apple with a bite missing. How did they decide on that image? It depends on who you ask.
Some are heroes in a traditional way and save a puppy from a burning building or rescue someone from drowning. Then some are like Roger Anderson and go after telemarketers.
Would you trade your friends in for a free cheeseburger? Well, a few days, Burger King asked that very question. Of course, they got a response.
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England offers incredible tea selections and passionate soccer fans. They also drive on the other side of the road.
Iowa Hawkeye basketball standout Caitlin Clark hasn't just broken records and won a lot of games, she's had an impact that goes beyond the court.
Years ago, a rat fell into wet cement in Chicago leaving an outline of its body in the sidewalk. The neighborhood thought this a quirky local story … then the rest of the world discovered it.
Sources:
https://www.thrillist.com/amphtml/travel/chicago/chicago-rat-hole-oral-history
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/upshot/caitlin-clark-popularity-attendance.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/02/business/why-americans-drive-on-the-right-and-the-british-on-the-left?cid=ios_app
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A recent real-life Charlie and the Chocolate Factory seemed too good to be true. Spoiler alert - it was.
Have you ever wondered why we pronounce Arkansas like that? So have we, and we decided to find out why.
Can we blame bad or strange behavior on a full moon? Intelligent people have figured this out.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/27/world/europe/willy-wonka-experience-glasgow.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2015/05/17/arkansaw-ar-kansas/27489055/#:~:text=Well%2C%20Susy%2C%20the%20short%20answer,but%20more%20on%20that%20later
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31608/does-full-moon-really-make-people-act-crazy
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History is filled with stories that seem too fantastic to be true … and then there’s Archimedes and his death ray.
Private label generic brands are the more affordable option to store brands at your local supermarket. But who makes this stuff, and is it true that it’s secretly made by the name brand company it’s competing against?!
As we’ve discussed on the show before, food expiration dates are suspect, and certainly something that’s 50,000 years old is a no-brainer! When scientists dug up a perfectly preserved bison, though, they decided to try it.
Sources:
https://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2021/10/28/did_archimedes_death_ray_actually_work_799152.amp.html
https://sporked.com/article/what-is-a-private-label-product/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ancient-bison-stew-blue-babe-alaska
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Sometimes, if you’re a Sriracha fan and you want THE Sriracha - the original OG version with the cartoon rooster - you’re out of luck. Is it a supply chain issue as everyone assumes … or something deeper?
It’s hard to go a day without seeing a State Farm Insurance commercial featuring the iconic Jake from State Farm. But Jake is a real person (though that’s not his real name), and being famous isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
Soon we’ll recognize something we only experience every four years - Leap Day. Why do we do this again?
Sources:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/really-caused-sriracha-shortage-2-110000803.html
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/jake-state-farm-actor-kevin-miles-patrick-mahomes-friendship-1235820810/amp/
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/science-leap-year
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We’re fresh off of watching the Super Bowl - but besides the Super Bowl there was the Puppy Bowl! Where did this come from, and why do so many advertisers want in?
Betty Crocker, The Jolly Green Giant - these fictional characters are fun representatives for food brands that consumers can form connections with. Then there's Chef Boyardee.
Eighty-seven years ago, Amelia Earhart vanished during a flight. Her plane and remains have never been found. Have we finally solved the mystery?
Sources:
https://www.marketplace.org/2023/02/10/how-the-puppy-bowl-became-a-marketing-juggernaut-in-its-own-right/
https://www.npr.org/2011/05/17/136398042/the-man-the-can-recipes-of-the-real-chef-boyardee
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/30/travel/amelia-earhart-missing-plane-pacific-ocean-scn?cid=ios_app
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Americans average nearly 30 minutes in the car to get to work and back, and they hate it. This week, what we can do to improve the experience.
Movies spectacles cost millions of dollars. One thing that’s not in the budget? Fighter jets.
Taylor Swift made both the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs a lot of money. We’ll tell you how and how much.
Sources:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/taylor-swift-is-worth-331-million-and-counting-to-nfl-and-the-chiefs-05e4dbf9
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/taylor-swift-is-worth-331-million-and-counting-to-nfl-and-the-chiefs-05e4dbf9
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2024/01/how-much-did-top-gun-maverick-cost-the-u-s-taxpayer/
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15004-survey-toll-of-commute.html
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Why is raising the middle finger offensive? How did the idea evolve?
You dip a chip and take a bite. Now, what do you do with the other half?
Does it matter what month your birthday occurs? Some turn out to be better than others.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/22/world/middle-finger-gesture-explained-cec?cid=ios_app
https://theconversation.com/is-double-dipping-a-food-safety-problem-or-just-a-nasty-habit-51014
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3361998/amp/Not-happy-birthday-Research-reveals-today-worst-day-year-celebrate-thanks-friends-family-partied-money-spent-Christmas.html
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It looks so easy in movies, but what does it take to hire a hitman in the real world?
In the 90’s, McDonald’s was the largest playground provider in the nation, but recently McDonalds Play Places have been disappearing. What happened?
Heads or tails? Does it matter which you choose? A group of researchers decided to find out.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/nyregion/hit-men-are-easy-to-find-in-the-movies-real-life-is-another-story.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/mcdonalds-playland-playplace-history
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientists-destroy-illusion-that-coin-toss-flips-are-50-50/
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For most of its 110-year history, Stanley drinkware has not been particularly cool. Suddenly, the Stanley Tumbler has now become a status symbol across high school and college campuses. How did this happen?
In the early 1980s, cockroaches were everywhere, from homes across America to the halls of the White House. This seemingly indestructible insect was impossible to stop. Then one man had an idea.
Legend has it that specific artwork on a Tootsie Roll Pop can be redeemed for a freebie. But legends are complicated.
Sources:
https://www.retaildive.com/news/stanley-quencher-tumblers-viral-success/699416/
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2023/11/cockroach-bait-invention-combat/676167/?gift=j9r7avb6p-KY8zdjhsiSZwMg1Z5NhWtvHwcVQswRZjU
https://www.mashed.com/989880/could-you-really-score-free-candy-if-you-found-this-special-tootsie-pop-wrapper/
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If you thought litter was terrible on Earth, wait until you hear about what’s happening in outer space. At least down here it doesn’t come at you flying 15,000 MPH!
First, there was Winnie the Pooh and, now, Mickey Mouse. As beloved modern characters enter public domain we could see them in versions and situations their creators never intended. But with Mickey there’s a catch...
When Columbus and crew discovered America in 1492 they brought a stowaway with them. It now lives in your front yard.
Sources:
https://time.com/6551496/mickey-mouse-public-domain-steamboat-willie/
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Teaching history is hard. It can be challenging to convey the importance of events that happened long ago. An Instagram account tried a different approach, but did it work?
Need a new Christmas tradition?! Too bad - we have one for you, anyway.
To close out 2023, we look back at the year’s top 25 Wikipedia searches and wonder if it means anything for the year ahead.
Sources:
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/instagram-holocaust-diary-evastories-sparks-debate-in-israel
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/arts/music/whamageddon-last-christmas-game.html
https://apnews.com/article/wikipedia-top-searches-2023-chatgpt-a0e742df4e00c30c063d0c2505c126e5
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Walk down the snack aisle at any grocery store and mixed among the BBQ and Salt & Vinegar chips you’ll find unusual and limited edition ones like “Picnic” or “All Dressed Up.” How do such chips, which may taste like entirely different foods, get made?
If you’ve thought your cell phone reception has worsened in recent years, this segment is for you.
McDonald’s is always a pretty consistent fast food choice. That’s about to change.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/02/the-weird-secretive-world-of-crisp-flavours
https://time.com/6340727/cell-phone-reception-is-getting-worse/
https://nypost.com/2023/11/30/lifestyle/mcdonalds-is-giving-its-burgers-a-makeover-changes-explained/
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Of all the strange rituals we rarely question, blowing out birthday candles has got to be up there. What are the origins of this very unsanitary act?
The online dating world is challenging but, with so many different dating apps, if one doesn’t work we can try another. They are surely all unique … aren’t they …?
Why does being on the naughty list mean coal for Christmas?
Sources:
https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-we-blow-out-birthday-candles
https://www.theverge.com/23560419/match-group-dating-apps-giant-tinder-hinge-okcupid-land-of-the-giants
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31910/why-does-santa-claus-give-coal-bad-kids
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We’ve all failed. Most of us would rather not talk about it, but the Museum of Failure does more than talk about failures. It celebrates them.
U.S. airlines lose millions of pieces of luggage annually. Most of them don’t just vanish, they end up in the same place. (It’s not the landfill.)
It’s been a calling card of the dining experience at Olive Garden for decades - unlimited breadstick and salad refills. But even unlimited things have their limit.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2023/11/24/1214841411/luggage-lost-airlines-resale-unclaimed-baggage-alabama
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Do retailers put out Christmas stuff earlier and earlier every year, not giving Thanksgiving fair respect, or is it all in our heads?
A presidential pardon forgives a crime and clears the record of the offender. So why does a turkey (yes, an actual turkey) receive this treatment every Thanksgiving?
Sources:
https://www.newsweek.com/countdown-christmas-creep-earlier-every-year-1631978
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/26/782716688/i-beg-your-pardon-the-strange-history-presidents-sparing-turkeys
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Although the Beatles put out their last record in 1970, a demo originally recorded a few years later has been cleaned up and released thanks to technological advances - and features John Lennon more than 40 years after his death.
To tip or not to tip, that is the question. And these days it’s asked more than ever. Not tipping is still an option, tho, right? Not if DoorDash has anything to say about it.
Mein Kampf, the autobiographical, anti-Semitic hate manifesto written by Adolf Hitler, is one of the most controversial books of all time - which means that it’s also sold a lot of copies. Who’s getting that cash?
Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7015861
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/business/doordash-tip-warning.html
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/11/nobody-wants-royalties-hitlers-book/
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More than three decades ago, the New Yorker Magazine printed a cartoon about the internet that is just as accurate today as it was then, setting records for reprints. It’s still setting records.
It’s after Halloween. What happens to all the pumpkins?
Porta potties - everyone uses them; no one wants to. We’ll tell you more than you ever expected to know, including how often, if ever, they’re cleaned.
Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-most-reprinted-new-yorker-cartoon-breaks-record-at-auction-for-a-single-panel-comic-180983135/#:~:text=In%201993%2C%20the%20New%20Yorker,cartoon%20in%20the%20magazine's%20history
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/11/where-pumpkins-go-after-halloween/601699/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642730/how-are-porta-potties-cleaned
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How did “cheese” become the universal smile word used by photographers? You’ll never guess what word it replaced!
It’s the official slogan of Halloween, but where and when did it begin? And what did cabbage have to do with the whole thing?
The most terrifying mask of all time has one of the most bizarre backstories.
Sources:
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/04/the-origin-of-say-cheese-and-when-people-started-smiling-in-photographs/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/630861/why-we-say-trick-or-treat-at-halloween
https://screenrant.com/halloween-michael-myers-mask-origin-story/#:~:text=Michael%20Myers%20first%20acquired%20the,the%20face%20of%20the%20franchise
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For almost 70 years a glass of Coca-Cola cost a nickel.
In Iceland, it’s easy to accidentally marry your cousin. Luckily, there’s an app for that.
Legendary anonymous street artist Banksy may have finally been unmasked. Or maybe not.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/11/18/456410327/episode-416-why-the-price-of-coke-didnt-change-for-70-years
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/04/18/new-app-helps-icelanders-avoid-accidental-incest/2093649/
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/who-is-banksy-mystery-street-artist-bristol-identity-graffiti-b1063267.html
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Every year new words get added to the dictionary. Who decides?
If we don’t know someone’s name or they want to stay anonymous, we typically refer to them as John or Jane Doe. How did this happen? What if your actual name is John Doe?
Will we ever add another face to Mt. Rushmore? It comes up in conversation.
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Can pizza tip us off to issues of national security? The evidence seems to be clear.
After a big sporting event - Super Bowl, World Series, or National Championship Game - it’s amazing how quickly the winning team t-shirt is available. How is this possible, and what happens to the losing team's shirts?
Asteroid Beenu is currently on a collision course with Earth. Have we got a plan for this?
Sources:
https://slate.com/human-interest/2016/07/the-pizza-meter-was-a-staple-of-1990s-pop-pseudoscience-we-should-revive-it.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/29884/what-happens-losing-teams-championship-shirts
https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/overview
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It's almost Halloween season. Soon kids, dressed as their favorite characters, go door to door asking for candy. But does the fun have an age limit? How old is too old?
Have you planned for your funeral? When you do, you’d better prepare for a dent in the bank account. Cemetery real estate doesn't come cheap.
Have you ever thought the teenagers on TV shows look older than any teenager you’ve ever met? There’s a reason for that…
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/what-age-too-old-trick-or-treating
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/27/560484054/the-price-of-plots-a-look-at-the-cemetery-real-estate-business
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/15/realestate/real-estate-for-the-afterlife.html
https://screenrant.com/hollywood-casting-older-actors-high-school-students-why/
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Every day, millions of truck hit the roadways to deliver the goods and services we’ve come to take for granted. This week: what it takes to be a truck driver.
Seven of the most common birthdays are all in the same month. But just wait until you hear about the most UNcommon!
Theaters in the 1940s and 1950s looped a movie continuously throughout the day. Moviegoers arrived to see their film of choice whenever they wanted to, starting wherever that movie happened to be in its story. Until the arrival of a movie with an unbelievable ending.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/540211/11-secrets-truck-drivers
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/630025/why-september-is-most-popular-birth-month
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/when-moviegoers-started-watching-films-from-the-beginning-guest-column-4075683/
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Artificial intelligence is everywhere: education, science, healthcare, work; but what about church? How would you like to have a conversation with Jesus?
We imagine making an Olympic team and competing against the world's best on a global stage, but have you heard of the Magic Olympics?
Subtitles are a TV viewing feature to assist people who are hard of hearing, so why are folks who can hear just fine using them?
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We all love a feel-good sports movie. The underdog learning to win, the budding romance, the dad who works too much…. When The Mighty Ducks became a hit in the 90s, Disney loved the movie so much that they made a real team.
If you’re listening to this on release day, it’s Labor Day and you’ll have to put away your white clothes until next Spring. Why?
When you pause a DVD you see a floating logo bounce around the screen continually. This week we reveal - does it ever eventually hit the corner?
Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/astrazeneca-s-vaccine-mishaps-the-mighty-ducks-nhl-history-ryan-mcmahon-the-barbizon-hotel-and-more-1.5964106/why-disney-turned-the-mighty-ducks-movie-into-an-actual-nhl-team-1.5964113
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2022/08/12/white-after-labor-day-explained/10269739002/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/did-the-bouncing-dvd-logo-ever-hit-the-corner-of-the-screen
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An airport realized that people kept urinating on the floors of the men’s bathroom. It came up with an interesting solution that is now used all over the world.
The Beatles are considered the greatest band of all time. Why did it take them so long to have a song reach a billion streams on Spotify? And what’s a billion streams worth, anyway?
What if you went to a restaurant and you knew up front that there was a good chance that your order wouldn’t arrive the way you wanted it, and what if you were ok with that?
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/10/09/whats-a-urinal-fly-and-what-does-it-have-to-with-winning-a-nobel-prize/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/05/10/the-beatles-billion-spotify-streams-most-streamed-songs-ever/70200833007/
https://www.openculture.com/2019/08/the-restaurant-of-mistaken-orders.html
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Our birthday is a special day - a good reminder to pause and celebrate another year of life. It’s also the day we’ll most likely die.
If you saw the movie Oppenheimer you know how destructively deadly nuclear weapons can be. Obviously it’s not a big deal that we’re missing a few of them, right?
Virtual wallet apps like Venmo are incredibly convenient. They’re also incredibly generous in giving away your personal information.
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/the-birthday-effect-explained
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220804-the-lost-nuclear-bombs-that-no-one-can-find
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/technology/personaltech/venmo-privacy-oversharing.html?searchResultPosition=1
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At any wedding you’ve likely heard and danced badly to the Cha Cha Slide, but its success was accidental. This week we discuss how a well-meaning uncle tried to help but inadvertently changed weddings forever.
In the 1940s, one out of every 18 newborn girls was given the name Linda - a success rate no name has attained since. Today? Its popularity ranks in the 800s. Enter the Linda Club.
Think your kids are a little more rowdy tonight because of the chocolate bar they just snuck? You wouldn’t be alone, and you’d be wrong.
Sources:
https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2019/02/04/how-low-can-you-go-the-history-of-the-cha-cha-slide/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/linda-names-girls-baby-boomer-afc86ba8?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity-myth
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From U.S. presidents to athletic coaches, some folks need a little less privacy than others.
You know the heart symbol ❤️ looks nothing like the real thing, right? How did it come to represent an actual heart?
You’d think we discovered all of the dinosaurs by now, wouldn’t you? Not so. How many remain undiscovered?
Sources:
https://www.insidehook.com/article/news-opinion/the-weird-disgusting-art-of-the-toilet-power-meeting-lbj
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-origin-of-the-heart-symbol#
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-many-dinosaurs-remain-undiscovered-180982560/
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Money men. Elon Musk. Warren Buffet. Jeff Bezos. Chris Reynolds?
“From nearly $3 million to barely $3.” Almost overnight, Non-Fungible Tokens went from invaluable to worth, well, almost nothing.
Since the early 1980’s Mario has been the face of the video game industry This week, where that face and name came from.
- Sources:
https://www.the-sun.com/money/6369937/quadrillionaire-accidentally-deposited-account/amp/
https://cryptoslate.com/the-nft-of-jack-dorseys-first-tweet-originally-purchased-for-2-9m-is-worth-less-than-4-in-todays-market/
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/663372770/mario-segale-inspiration-for-nintendos-hero-plumber-has-died#:~:text=Angerer%2FGetty%20Images-,Mario%20Segale%2C%20the%20inspiration%20for%20one%20of%20the
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In 1996, Microsoft debuted a virtual assistant to help folks navigate Microsoft Office - a cartoon paper clip named Clippy. What started as “Aw, that’s kinda cute,” quickly turned to “Let’s kill him!” How did it go so wrong?
In the 1990s, a movie about a goofy genie captivated the hearts of American moviegoers. No, it wasn’t Disney’s Aladdin or the Shaquille O’Neil feature, “Kazaam.” This movie was called Shazaam - and it doesn’t exist. We explore the bizarre reason that so many people are convinced that it does.
Would you spend $4.99 on :30 of a hit song? Chances are that in 1999 you would have (and probably did). We’re exploring the history of HitClips - is it the strangest way we’ve ever consumed music?
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It’s not uncommon to have something lost in the mail, but typically it’s not something irreplaceable … like human remains.
Is it hard to make new friends as an adult, or is it just you?
Traveling internationally soon? We have your back with our guide to proper etiquette across borders and cultures.
Sources:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjxkm/the-usps-has-452-wayward-cremated-bodies
https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/peculiar-etiquette-practices-world-map
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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The iconic Apple logo features an apple with a bite missing. How did they decide on that image? It depends on who you ask.
Some are heroes in a traditional way and save a puppy from a burning building or rescue someone from drowning. Then some are like Roger Anderson and go after telemarketers.
Would you trade your friends in for a free cheeseburger? Well, a few days, Burger King asked that very question. Of course, they got a response.
- Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64049/did-alan-turing-inspire-apple-logo
https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-hire-phone-bots-to-torture-telemarketers-2dbb8457?st=dxmbw7s25arlzvh&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-dark-secrets-of-whopper-sacrifice/
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Most of us hate small talk, but are we to blame? Would people really prefer to discuss their hopes and dreams instead of the weather?
Imagine if the government offered you the chance to take a year or two off your official age. It just happened in one country.
This week represents the Fourth of July holiday season - and as soon as it passes, the countless fireworks tents you see each day will retreat back into hibernation until next year. Where do they come from? Where do they go? We called an expert to get the inside (and gross) details on working at a seasonal fireworks tent. (Listener favorite from the archives)
Sources:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjjxb/i-tried-to-cut-small-talk-from-my-life
https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-korea-age-law-change-1a9efc03
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A grandparent can give you a firsthand account of a very different era of history. What if your grandpa was one of the first U.S Presidents?
Scaling Mt. Everest is among the most remarkable of human achievements, but why do people get within eyesight of the summit then decide to turn around?
One of the best-selling and most annoying toys of all time is back. How did this come to be??
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/11/29/president-john-tyler-grandson-harrison/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/06/everyone-is-in-that-fine-line-between-death-and-life-inside-everests-deadliest-queue
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230622442427/en/Furby-Is-Back!-Hasbro-Announces-the-Toy%E2%80%99s-Iconic-Return-With-a-Fresh-New-Look
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Were lifesaver mints really created as a safe, non-choking hard candy option for consumers? Dave’s marriage may depend on it.
What’s the first thing you do when you get on an elevator? Select your floor? Or are you one of the people who immediately start bashing the “door close” button? This week we uncover - does that button even work?
Since the 1970s, San Diego Chicken has been reinventing and innovating the sports mascot industry. Where did he come from? And where might he be going?
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77729/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-life-savers
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/us/placebo-buttons-elevators-crosswalks.html
https://theathletic.com/4554282/2023/06/01/san-diego-chicken-ted-giannoulas/?amp=1
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Whether it’s a significant other, friend, or grandma, we’ve all had a meal where the chef added a “secret ingredient” to the recipe and, whatever it was, the meal tasted better - why?
Every spring for 600 years, people from around the world have gathered in England to race downhill while chasing a wheel of cheese.
Have you ever wondered why we don’t have a universal language? Well, we almost did.
- Sources:
https://www.livescience.com/5517-truth-secret-recipes-coke-kfc.html
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/gloucester-cheese-rolling-return-pandemic-american-winner
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/jul/12/weekend.davidnewnham
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If you’ve ever had damage to a powerline leave you without electricity you’ve probably wondered - isn’t there a better way to do this? Burying them works for some places, would it work for everyone?
New Jersey is known for beautiful beaches, amazing casinos and exciting nightlife. Just don’t try to pump your own gas there.
A sweet 16 birthday party usually consists of cake, ice cream and time with friends. For the select few maybe keys to that first car. And then there are the people who had a concert at their house by Elton John.
- Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/14/us/underground-power-lines-trnd/index.html
https://nypost.com/2022/06/21/why-new-jersey-wont-let-you-pump-gas-yourself/
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/05/how-to-hire-a-pop-star-for-your-private-party
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1) In 1998 a construction worker found something extraordinary under Benjamin Franklin’s London-based home - human remains. What was the founding father up to??
2) Dwight D. Eisenhower. Susan B. Anthony. Sacagawea. We keep trying dollar-coins, and they keep failing. Why?
3) Even if they know you well, people that suffer from prosopagnosia can’t recognize you - in fact, they often can’t even identify themselves.
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For a video game that never actually existed, it sure has caused some controversy. This week we explore the urban legend of the Polybius game.
There’s a war going on in the music industry right now – but it’s not over money, and there aren’t even really clearly defined sides. It’s a war over the volume.
She was present at one of the most significant events in history - and may have accidentally filmed something that could help us to better understand what actually happened. There’s just one problem – no one knows who she is.
- Sources:
https://www.ripleys.com/weird-news/polybius-the-most-dangerous-video-game-to-never-exist/
https://www.npr.org/2023/05/05/1174381307/beck-music-adele-beyonce-volume-pop-indie-alternative-study
https://allthatsinteresting.com/babushka-lady
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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The Bermuda Triangle. Need we say more?
If you do the crime, you do the time. What about if you didn’t know you did the crime? Can you be held accountable for what you do while you’re asleep?
Some of the most extraordinary things in life happen purely by accident. A few world-changing inventions actually came about while trying to do something else.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/bermuda-triangle
https://www.allaboutlaw.co.uk/commercial-awareness/legal-spotlight/ask-an-expert-could-sleepwalking-lead-to-jail-
https://www.history.com/news/accidental-inventions
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A Boy and his Atom isn’t just the world's shortest movie - it’s the world's smallest movie.
Microsoft Office is utilized daily by companies of all sizes. Everyone uses Microsoft Word, but most of us can’t get much done with Microsoft Excel. Those who can? Now they get to prove it on the global stage.
Polling indicates that 67% of us can’t whistle or think we aren’t very good. What if we had to depend on it to communicate with each other? Something to keep in mind if you ever plan to visit La Gomera.
- Sources:
https://www.wired.com/insights/2013/05/a-boy-and-his-atom-the-worlds-smallest-movie/
https://nowiknow.com/i-guess-you-could-say-they-excel/
https://medium.com/weeds-wildflowers/this-islands-unique-whistled-language-was-almost-gone-then-reborn-as-unesco-intangible-cultural-91a2e10051e9
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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A Japanese hotel offered a room at just $1. Of course, there was a catch.
If a TV judge, like Judge Judy, says you’re guilty of a crime - are you guilty? This week the legal authority (or lack thereof) in television courtrooms.
Not long ago, pay phones could be found on every street corner and outside every business. People being who they are, phone scams were around back then, too.
Sources:
https://nowiknow.com/the-1-hotel-where-privacy-isnt-included/
https://www.businessinsider.com/truth-behind-scenes-tv-court-show-2018-10
https://nowiknow.com/the-i-dont-care-collect-call-scam/
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Each summer, some of society’s richest and most elite members get together at a secretive resort in California. Depending on who you ask a lot goes on there - everything from conversations about political policy to a fake sacrifice before an owl statue.
There are a lot of choices for where we get our local weather reports - but there aren’t many options for how stations get that information.
Every day, passionate love letters get delivered to jails all over America…addressed to convicted serial killers.
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bohemian-grove-where-the-rich-and-powerful-go-to-misbehave/2011/06/15/AGPV1sVH_blog.html
https://www.howtogeek.com/880368/where-do-weather-apps-get-their-info-from/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2018/12/22/hes-jailed-life-after-murdering-his-wife-kids-so-why-do-women-send-him-love-letters/
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Fifty years ago, a call was placed that changed the world: the first-ever from a cell phone. We look back at where this has led us and yes, we somehow still have land lines.
How did a string of seemingly unconnected murders in the 1980s affect the packaging of almost everything we buy at the pharmacy today?
If you’re like the majority of people, you use the same password or a variation for EVERYTHING. This week we explore password dos and donts - and learn the most used passwords.
- Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/from-the-brick-to-the-iphone-the-cellphone-celebrates-50-years-180981910/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/common-password-mistakes-people-expert-advice/
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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In the late 1980s, waterbeds were a $2 billion-a-year industry. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who owns one today.
“I’ve got shotgun!” is one of those social norms we all know. Why?
Ludwig van Beethoven is among the most famous names in music history. So famous, in fact, that almost 200 years after his death even his hair is still making news.
- Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71404/what-ever-happened-waterbeds
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/89017/why-passenger-seat-called-shotgun
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/health/beethoven-death-dna-hair.html
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In the late 1980s, the Walt Disney Corporation decided to start work on what it hoped would be the next signature ride at Disney World. The ride would be like nothing park guests had ever seen - a horror ride.
Heinz is one of the most reliable giants in the condiment industry. But what about that time it changed the color of ketchup?
The movie ends, but people still sit there. Where did post-credit scenes come from why is Marvel so good at it?
_
Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/577298/extraterrorestrial-alien-encounter-scariest-walt-disney-world-ride
https://kristashein.medium.com/heinz-ez-squirt-a-reflection-on-failed-assumptions-6f5c372b7976
https://www.vox.com/22893634/marvel-post-credits-scene-history
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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1) When Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on their famous western expedition, it wasn’t just to find more opportunities for commerce. Instead, Jefferson had a bizarrely personal request for the adventurers.
2) Unlike much of the world, public restrooms are free to use in America. But why, and are we better off because of it?
3) There have been 275 million copies of Monopoly sold worldwide since its creation in 1935, so many people have had to make tough choices on what game piece they’ll use. This week, a brief history of the pieces … and a comeback story for one piece that just wouldn’t die.
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/4/13/8384167/thomas-jefferson-mastodons
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-11-05/why-american-cities-lost-their-public-bathrooms
https://psmag.com/economics/dont-pay-toilets-america-bathroom-restroom-free-market-90683
https://coolmaterial.com/feature/the-story-behind-monopoly-pieces/
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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It’s a hot summer day, and you pull into a McDonald’s drive-thru only to learn that the ice cream machine isn’t working. Again. Why does that happen so often?
Every Easter, they return like weeds - Peeps, the marshmallowy, chick-shaped candy, and every year there seem to be even more. Is there any way to stop them??
Companies often go beyond traditional advertising campaigns to pay for their product to be placed in movies, television episodes, and awards programs. Of course, things don’t always go as planned.
-
Sources:
https://www.mashed.com/135144/the-real-reason-mcdonalds-ice-cream-machines-always-seem-to-be-broken/
https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/11/15209084/peeps-easter
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nike-stock-drop-zion-williamson-shoe-incident-and-injury-costs-1-1-billion-in-stock-value/
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It’s every sports fan's daydream - to suit up and play for a real professional team. In one major sports league, it really happens.
The Democratic and Republican parties are defined by many things - including colorful animal mascots. We’ll tell you why.
Online shopping is used by everyone. Resell options like Craig’s List or Facebook Marketplace are used by many of us. Bad experiences and civic duty have led to a new option - Buy Nothing groups. But free often comes with a cost.
Sources:
https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article249424165.html
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-backup-goalie-tales/c-284389510
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/23805/how-did-donkey-elephant-become-political-mascots
https://dcist.com/story/23/02/21/buy-nothing-capitol-hill-take-my-sht-group-drama/
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Emojis are an essential part of how we communicate with each other. But where did they come from? And what do we do if we want to create a new one?
More than 30 years ago, Nirvana released an album with a naked baby in a swimming pool on the cover. That baby is now a man, and he isn’t too happy about it.
When an actor dies, is it unethical to create a virtual reality version of them for future movie appearances? It depends on who you ask.
Sources:
https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/05/11/1024802/jennifer-daniel-unicode-the-woman-who-will-decide-emoji/
https://www.npr.org/2022/09/05/1121124930/a-lawsuit-over-nirvanas-nevermind-naked-baby-album-cover-is-dismissed-again
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6132738
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Since its release in the 1960s, the Easy Bake Oven has regularly appeared on many “most successful toy of all time” lists, but it occasionally is found on a few less-than-desirable lists as well.
Are we headed for a future where we gaze into the night sky and see the moon featuring a car dealership ad?
Advances in artificial intelligence dominate the headlines, but this week we aren’t exploring the new - we’re revisiting the old. Meet ELIZA - the first-ever chatbot.
Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mashed.com/776497/the-untold-truth-of-the-easy-bake-oven/https://www.businessinsider.com/billboards-in-space-are-fast-approaching-a-new-study-says-2022-10
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/eliza-chatbot-history
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If you’re a millennial or older, there’s a decent chance that you had to learn to square dance in elementary school gym class. The reason why may be darker than you think.
Last night was the Super Bowl. Many of us only tune in for the commercials, but did you notice a glaring difference from those we saw a year ago?
The Savannah Bananas are making baseball more fun than ever. What is this team doing that others aren’t?
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Over 100 years ago, Charles Ponzi launched a scheme so wildly but only temporarily successful that his name would come to represent all similar schemes that followed. And, boy, would they follow.
The economy is currently in flux, leading to price instability on just about everything, except for AriZona Tea. It costs the same .99 cents today that it did 30 years ago.
Chuck E. Cheese has continued to be the place “where a kid can be a kid” while its competitors have died out. Due in part, surprisingly, to the floppy disc.
Sources/Go Deeper:https://time.com/5877434/first-ponzi-scheme/
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-04-12/az-iced-tea-inflation-99-cents
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/01/chuck-e-cheese-still-uses-floppy-disks-in-2023-but-not-for-long/
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If you’re one of millions who recently failed to get Taylor Swift concert tickets, this one’s for you. Why so few options when it comes to purchasing event tickets?
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic reckoning of the world’s proximity to man-made Armageddon. Sometimes it even goes the other way. Does the state of the clock matter? Depends on who you ask.
He was your first social media connection, but he hasn’t been great at keeping in touch. What happened to Tom from MySpace?
Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/24/arts/music/ticketmaster-taylor-swift-senate-hearing.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/20612/11-times-doomsday-clock-time-has-been-adjusted
https://bettermarketing.pub/whatever-happened-to-tom-from-myspace-ff61c94ba7a4
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Suddenly, eggs are expensive. Maybe inflation. Maybe … something else?
Artificial intelligence has become an engine of content creation. But who owns the content it creates?
Nike & Michael Jordan built and dominated the high-end shoe industry. It almost fell apart, though, before a young, inexperienced shoe designer got the call.
Don's miss Jay as a guest cohost on the PandaVision Podcast for the next several weeks discussing the HBO show, The Last of Us:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-last-of-us-s01e01-when-youre-lost-in-the-darkness/id1512901578?i=1000594845190
- Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/2023/1/17/23559013/egg-prices-bird-flu-inflation-avian-influenza
https://gizmodo.com/free-ai-art-stability-midjourney-deviantart-sued-getty-1849995371
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/584677/air-jordan-iii-shocking-story-greatest-shoe-michael-jordan-never-wanted
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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The D.A.R.E. Program had an admirable goal - to educate elementary age kids about the dangers of drug use, hoping the lessons would carry into adulthood. Did it work? Or did it somehow do the opposite?
Pepsi is always looking for the next great promotion - something to build the brand, sell the product and challenge Coke for soft drink supremacy. They usually give away a free hat or beach towel, but there was that time they promised a military-grade jet….
Football is king - the most popular sport in TV ratings, and it’s not even close. Football’s origins come from many places including a medieval game that, believe it or not, is still played today.
**
Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2022/12/did-d-a-r-e-actually-increase-drug-use/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/pepsi-harrier-jet-lawsuit-history
https://mashable.com/article/medieval-football
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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We lost another Hollywood celebrity recently, but this one was atypical in many ways. For starters, he wasn’t human.
We’ve all experienced disappointment in our lives, and we deal with it uniquely. For some tourists visiting a particular European city, can the shock of letdown be enough to cause a medical emergency?
We’ve talked about jingles before on the show, but this one is the granddaddy of them all - how the Chili’s baby back ribs tune went from forgettable blip to cultural legend.
Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/17/us/los-angeles-mountain-lion-euthanized-trnd/index.html
https://www.livescience.com/what-is-paris-syndrome
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/chilis-baby-back-ribs-jingle-origins
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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For over 100 years we have enjoyed a shared experience (for those of us still awake) when we count down the final minute of the year together for the big ball drop in New York City. Let’s be honest, though - isn’t this somewhat weird?
While it wasn’t selected as the Word of the Year, Wordle was the most googled word in 2022 and swept the nation with its simplicity of play and addictive nature. But this is more than the story of an entertainingly frustrating little word game - it’s a love story.
(From the archives) Lose weight. Save money. Stop drinking caffeine. It’s that time of year to make New Year's resolutions. Every year we do them, and every year we mostly fail. Why?
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-eve-ball-drop-tradition-sailors-times-square-2016-12
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/technology/wordle-word-game-creator.html
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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We’ve all sung it, though we can’t always name all 12 items in order (Hint: lots of birds). Where did this strange song come from?
Every holiday season a big man in red dusts off his finest jacket, combs out his white beard.. and heads to your local mall. It may seem simple, but being a Mall Santa is not for the faint of heart.
Did fighting really stop for a night so opposing sides could enjoy Christmas… together? The amazing story of the WWI Christmas Truce.
Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/21796404/12-days-of-christmas-explained
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/72231/21-behind-scenes-secrets-mall-santas
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-story-of-the-wwi-christmas-truce-11972213/
http://www.commutethepodcast.com
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Often companies must defend their good names in the face of public criticism. Crockpot is one such company, only it took a different approach than most.
Every end of the year, social media gets bombarded with images of Spotify user’s wrapped reports - a list songs and artists most listened to by a user during the past year. But is this actually one of Spotify’s best advertising tools?
In 1969, the Rolling Stones decided to headline their own music festival, sort of a west coast Woodstock. The problem was they didn’t think all the logistics through, including hiring the Hells Angels to serve as security.
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/1/25/16932248/this-is-us-crock-pot-jack
https://www.wired.com/story/spotify-wrapped-user-data/
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-altamont-festival-brings-the-1960s-to-a-violent-end
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/
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How much would you pay for celebrity-endorsed designer shoes at the latest hip shoe store? When the luxury store Palessi opened in L.A., the answer was anywhere from $400 to over $1,000. There was only one problem. Palessi wasn’t a luxury shoe store - it was an experiment.
When a couple of business-school classmates created their IT services website, rentahitman.com, they thought the name was quite clever. They never dreamt that people would take them seriously.
Gatorade. Powerade. Body Armor. Sports drinks are big business and a relatively new industry. Right? The ancient gladiators beg to differ.
Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/11/30/they-had-us-fooled-inside-paylesss-elaborate-prank-dupe-people-into-paying-shoes/
https://people.com/crime/rentahitman-website-bob-innes-parody-lures-real-life-criminals/
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/10/27/357903336/gladiator-gatorade-ancient-athletes-also-had-a-recovery-drink
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Ep. 45. Replay:
By most accounts, ten-year-old Ryan Kaji is just like any other normal kid - he likes cartoons, playing with toys, and making silly videos. Where Ryan starts to differ from your kid, though, is that he made $30 million last year.
Internet black markets are wild and unregulated places (don’t look it up - it’s not for the faint of the heart), but you can always find help there for people in need. What if you needed to score some breast milk? Anything’s possible, at the right price.
The holidays become even more stressful when we think about preparing the yearly holiday dinner for family & friends - cooking a turkey is daunting! But not to fear: the Turkey Talk Line is here.
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A special (and a little shorter) holiday week edition of the show:
With the holidays comes a lot of decisions. One of the biggest: should you take off your shoes when you enter someone else’s home?
The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions play football every year on Thanksgiving Day. Why those two?
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/shoes-inside-house
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31525/why-do-detroit-lions-and-dallas-cowboys-always-play-thanksgiving
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We just passed another election season so you know what that means - “I Voted” stickers are back! But do they really encourage higher voter turnout? And wait until you hear about the voting sticker of the year for 2022.
For 1 billion people around the globe it happens twice a year - we set our clocks ahead or behind an hour because of Daylight Savings Time. Why? Will it always be this way?
Wouldn’t it be great if you could gamble and never lose? Houston furniture mogul Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale may have figured it out. (From the archives w/ a recent update)
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Ever had the feeling that you were being watched? Well, depending on where you live, chances are you actually might be.
There are a lot of factors that play into a particular property’s value - updates, neighborhood, school district..and whether or not the house is haunted.
We’ve all heard it - fake it till you make it. But is it true? We’ll explore if there’s any power in turning that frown upside down.
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-worlds-most-surveilled-cities/
https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22712090/real-estate-haunted-ghosts-ghostbusters
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/21/simple-trick-that-can-make-you-happier-according-to-research.html
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There are few things that more accurately convey current culture than Halloween costume choices, but can they really predict a presidential election?
It’s the official logo for Halloween - the jack o’ lantern. So, why did we start carving faces into vegetables?
(From the archives) Halloween is today and, if you’re like most of us, you wait med until the last minute to get your costume, visiting a temporary Halloween store called “Spirit of Halloween.” Where do these suddenly appearing stores come from, and where do they go after All Hallows’ Eve?
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.insider.com/halloween-costume-trends-history-2018-10
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/the-twisted-transatlantic-tale-of-american-jack-o-lanterns
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/10/25/18023130/spirit-halloween-party-city-pop-up-stores
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Rebroadcast of Ep. 56
Have a weird talent? Always had dreams of securing eternal glory with a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records? Figuring out your talent is the easy part.
Author Stephen King is renown for creepy classics like The Shining & IT. But what about the time he found himself in a real-life suspense story?
G, PG, PG-13, R, and even NC-17. We know the movie rating system, but who decides?
*
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://betterhumans.pub/the-complete-guide-to-getting-your-own-guinness-world-record-a02447cbd016
https://www.ranker.com/list/stephen-king-car-accident/erin-mccann
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57664/how-do-movies-get-their-ratings
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It’s been called “Satan’s Earwax.” Every year at Halloween it reappears like some great plague - CANDY CORN. Where did it come from, and is it really so divisive?
They were the most popular attraction in Las Vegas until the magic and the act ended in a way that, sadly, wasn’t a surprise. We discuss the undoing of Siegfried and Roy.
If you played video games in the 1990s, chances are you did it - blew into your video game cartridge to somehow make it work again. Did that really accomplish anything, and what did Nintendo have to say about the idea?
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/2015/10/29/9633560/candy-corn-explained
https://www.today.com/food/scientific-reason-why-candy-corn-so-polarizing-t235104
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/11/siegfried-roy-fame-rise-and-fall/671528/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12589/did-blowing-nintendo-cartridges-really-help
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In the 1960s and 1970s, it was an accepted form of cross-country travel until, suddenly, it wasn’t. Have you, would you … hitchhike?
It’s back!! Every Fall, we can count on a few things - the leaves changing colors, the air getting colder, and the return of the pumpkin spice latte. Why is it so popular? And you can get a pumpkin scented WHAT?!
The recent hurricane in Florida brought death, destruction, and another opportunity to revive the famous internet hoax where people photoshop a shark into flooded city streets, railways, and backyards. So it was fake again this time, wasn’t it?
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.vox.com/2015/6/8/8737623/hitchhikinghttps://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/sep/26/pumpkin-spice-latte-sales-us
https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/8/29/17791082/pumpkin-spice-latte-starbucks-backlash-explained
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/us/hurricane-shark-ian-hoax.html
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Magnus Carlson is the Michael Jordan of the Chess world. When he recently lost to unknown Hans Niemann and then accused Niemann of cheating, was it sour grapes or does he have a point?
Of all foods in the frozen food aisle of your local grocery store, none are as unusual as the fish stick. None are as interesting, either.
The marathon is the crown jewel of running accomplishments. 26.2 miles is tough, but also sounds somewhat random. Who decided on the length?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.wsj.com/articles/chess-cheating-magnus-carlsen-hans-niemann-11663751262
https://www.hakaimagazine.com/article-short/the-unlikely-prevailing-success-of-fish-sticks/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/563590/why-are-marathons-26-2-miles-long
What slight do baseball legends Ken Griffey Jr., Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams have in common? Why does the Baseball Hall of Fame voting process frustrate us all? Yes, these things are related.
In the 1980s, one-hit wonder band Tommy Tutone rose to prominence with their catchy single 867-5309/Jenny, but what about the people who actually owned that phone number? We check in on a few of them.
For years legos have been a go-to gift idea for kids of all ages. Recent years have seen changes in the legendary colorful building blocks - changes that have taken the company from the verge of bankruptcy to the biggest boardrooms in corporate America.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://sports.yahoo.com/why-does-baseball-hall-of-fame-voting-make-people-so-mad-001733032.htmlhttps://www.snopes.com/fact-check/867-5309-jenny/
https://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/ken-griffey-hall-of-fame/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-more-companies-are-putting-lego-bricks-in-the-office-11661638344
Companies will try almost anything to get you to notice them - with some things more outlandish than others. So, did Taco Bell really try to purchase the Liberty Bell?
Ted Slauson is like any average person. He gets up, heads to a job, spends time with his family, and has hobbies - it just so happens one of those hobbies is memorizing every prize and price on the long-running game show The Price is Right.
Reality shows can teach us a lot about ourselves. When Scottish TV decided to base a reality show on re-starting human civilization, what could go wrong? Hint: a lot.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/taco-bell-bought-liberty-bell-hoax
https://www.thelist.com/935900/what-really-happened-when-a-price-is-right-contestant-made-a-perfect-bid/
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/23/eden-reality-show-contestants-year-wilderness-no-one-watching
Thanks to pop culture we’re all familiar with the Tunnel of Love ride. A couple floats into tunnel (riding in a swan-shaped boat), emerging more in love on the other side. But raise your hand if you’ve ever actually seen one. Seeing no hands, we’ll continue...
It’s rare today to find a piece of land that someone doesn’t claim ownership of. Who knew that extended to… the moon?
Podcasts entertain us by covering various topics - everything from personal finance to true crime. One true crime podcast did more than entertain - it solved a decades-old murder.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/tunnel-of-love-scandalous-historyhttps://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2019/06/13/space-travel-moon-resources-000899
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-62735339
1) What can rats and cobras teach us about unintended consequences? More than you may think.
2) For over 40 years, he’s been producing parody songs such as “Amish Paradise” and “Eat it.” How has Weird Al Yankovich not only survived but thrived for decades in the brutal world of comedy?
3) You’ve probably seen it before, the famous slogan - “keep calm and carry on,” has been molded to fit just about every industry (we see you librarians and your “keep calm and read a book” shirts). Where did this phrase come from?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/hanoi-rat-massacre-1902
https://www.comicsbeat.com/silber-linings-the-enduring-appeal-of-weird-al-yankovic/
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-surprising-history-of-keep-calm-and-carry-on-2015-6
It’s a question that wasn’t meant to be answered, but you know how scientists can be. So, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
You’ve probably heard about the infamous 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast where Orson Welles sent the nation into a panic by staging a pretend alien invasion. While the alien attack never happened, the national panic was real - or was it?
The rolling suitcase has often been labeled as one of the most significant failures in innovation. After all, we sent a man to the moon before we figured out how to put wheels on a suitcase. But is there more to the story?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61622/scientists-calculate-number-licks-get-center-tootsie-pophttp://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/04/war-worlds-panic-never-really-happened/
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jun/24/mystery-of-wheelie-suitcase-how-gender-stereotypes-held-back-history-of-invention
1) Although most of us only play rock, paper, scissors to settle a petty dispute or see who has to take out the trash, there is (of course) an entire subculture that takes the game VERY seriously.
2) In the 1990s, CD clubs offered deals that seemed too good to be true - like promising eight new albums for a penny. Of course, nothing is ever easy.
3) Ever since the rise of COVID-19, health experts have wondered how to stay ahead of future pandemics. Well, what if a video game could simulate what a virus outbreak might be like? Years ago, the game World of Warcraft accidentally did just that.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/rock-paper-scissors-not-sports
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/12/how-rock-paper-scissors-went-viral/418455/
https://www.spin.com/2021/06/cd-clubs-columbia-house-bmg/
https://www.avclub.com/four-columbia-house-insiders-explain-the-shady-math-beh-1798280580
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/04/09/world-warcraft-experienced-pandemic-2005-that-experience-may-help-coronavirus-researchers/
1) The restaurant Cracker Barrel has always been known for made-from-scratch biscuits and the little table peg game, but it's quickly becoming known for something else - internet controversy.
2) Seventy-five ingredients (seriously). Multiple retirement ceremonies. Passionate fans. Is there anything the McDonalds McRib doesn’t have going for it??
3) We’ve heard it our entire lives - wait 30-60 minutes after eating before you swim. But is it true? A commute investigation leads to an apology from Jay.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/08/09/social-media-cracker-barrel-controversy-ignorehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2017/03/24/why-did-cracker-barrel-fire-brads-wife-the-internet-demands-answers/http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2020/11/why-is-the-mcrib-only-offered-occasionally-and-why-so-randomly/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/can-you-swim-after-eating
1) An unsolved death. Mannequins. “The most kissed girl in the world.” CPR. This segment has it all.
2) When goods and services are bartered or traded without using money it’s called a shadow economy, and there’s one community that will give you just about anything for ice cream.
3) Ever wondered why when you think of breakfast you think of bacon and eggs? It’s because Edward Bernays told you to.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.livescience.com/cpr-doll-resusci-annie-face.html
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?i=1000571145171https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2022/06/how-two-guys-are-the-reason-we-eat-what-we-eat-for-breakfast/
1) You go to a restaurant. Here comes the bill and now you're faced with a final question: how much are you going to tip? Where did the concept of tipping come from? Why are we still doing it?
2) We all do online shopping - but we all started doing it WAY more during the pandemic. Why do we love it so much? Can you really be addicted to it?
3) The cake comes out, and everyone starts singing - "Happy birthday to you, happy birth..." wait... should we be getting permission from someone to sing Happy Birthday? The ownership history of the world's most famous song.
1) Genghis Khan was an awful man - it’s impossible to argue otherwise. But it would also be hard to argue that he’s not your great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather.
2) Coming soon to a theater near you - a horror movie about…Winnie The Pooh?! How?!
3) The film “Minions: The Rise of Gru” is a box office darling. But what’s this - teenagers are wearing suits to go see it?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://allthatsinteresting.com/genghis-khan-childrenhttps://www.copyrightlaws.com/what-is-the-public-domain/
https://variety.com/2022/film/news/winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-director-1235278405/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2022/07/06/minions-nabbed-the-meme-crowd-that-morbius-missed/
1) Texas once had a litter problem, one the state government was spending $20 million per year to address. This week we explore how the Texan battle cry, Don’t Mess with Texas, helped turn things around.
2) Crypto Currency has lately taken a dive. While celebrities like Matt Damon were trying to convince you to “be brave” and invest, other industries were going down with the ship.
3) RadioShack was THE go-to electronic store for decades - until the business model failed to adapt to competition from online retailers. After filing for bankruptcy twice the company was thought to be dead. Then the vulgar tweets started.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/trashy-beginnings-dont-mess-texas-180962490/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/431074https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/30/business/radioshack-twitter-account-crypto/index.html
It’s estimated that over 150 million Americas consume coffee daily - roughly 50% of the entire U.S. population! The history of coffee, though, is not as straightforward - bans, political unrest, and religious villainization abound!
When the hit Netflix show Stranger Things masterfully utilized the 1985 song “Running up that Hill” from rocker Kate Bush in a season four episode, it did more than perfectly set the mood - it also sent Kate running up the hill to the bank. So what happens when old songs get a new lease on life?
Being an astronaut is about as unique a profession as there is. So what does it take to land the gig? And why do some astronauts have a more difficult time coming home than they did taking off?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mashed.com/650885/why-coffee-has-been-banned-throughout-history/
https://www.theringer.com/music/2022/6/7/23157824/kate-bush-running-up-that-hill-stranger-things-billboard-charts
https://www.npr.org/2022/07/02/1109075568/kate-bush-running-up-that-hill-stranger-things
https://now.northropgrumman.com/effects-of-space-travel-on-the-human-body-before-during-and-after/
It’s a special Independence Day edition of Commute! This week we revisit some of our favorite 4th of July-related segments from past episodes:
The countless fireworks tents you see will soon retreat into hibernation until next year. Where do they come from? Where do they go? We call an expert to get the inside (and gross) details on working at a seasonal fireworks tent.
For nearly 50 years, the movie “JAWS” has made beachgoers think twice about getting in the ocean. Set around the July 4th holiday, we look back at the film that “shouldn’t have worked” and the star that, unexpectedly, only showed up for half of the filming.
Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods. Tom Brady… and Joey Chestnut. GOATs, all.
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It may feel good in the moment but pettiness rarely, if ever, ends well. This week, some examples.
You’re familiar with Popeye, the sailor who found superhuman strength from eating spinach? Those green leaves earned a reputation as a superfood from the tie-in. Was it warranted?
Chick-fil-A has built its business on a commitment to customer service. How important is customer service to the bottom line? And why do Chick-fil-A employees always say “my pleasure”?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-chick-fil-a-employees-say-my-pleasure
https://blog.hubspot.com/service/importance-customer-service
https://historydaily.org/math-mistake-boosts-spinach-consumption-popeyes-ate-spinach-because-of-a-misplaced-decimal-point
https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3105451/5-famous-feuds-are-so-petty-you-cant-help-read-more
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/mcdonalds-coffee-cup-litter-feud
1) When Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on their famous western expedition, it wasn’t just to find more opportunities for commerce. Instead, Jefferson had a bizarrely personal request for the adventurers.
2) Unlike much of the world, public restrooms are free to use in America. But why, and are we better off because of it?
3) There have been 275 million copies of Monopoly sold worldwide since its creation in 1935, so many people have had to make tough choices on what game piece they’ll use. This week, a brief history of the pieces … and a comeback story for one piece that just wouldn’t die.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2015/4/13/8384167/thomas-jefferson-mastodons
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-11-05/why-american-cities-lost-their-public-bathrooms
https://psmag.com/economics/dont-pay-toilets-america-bathroom-restroom-free-market-90683
https://coolmaterial.com/feature/the-story-behind-monopoly-pieces/
1) The dot com bubble from 1995 to 2000 was fueled by speculation of how profitable mainstream internet use could be. Some, like Amazon, rode the waves to riches. For others, like Pets.com, things got quickly out of hand.
2) LOL. We text it without even thinking about it. So, where did LOL come from?
3) Comic books are filled with fascinating stories of unique characters. Batman. Superman. Wonder Woman. Gorillas. Wait, huh?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/took-pets-com-just-268-days-go-ipo-complete-liquidation-thats-disaster/
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/08/dotcom-pets-dot-com.asp
https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/05/lol-s-25th-anniversary-origins-of-still-popular-internet-abbreviation-trace-back-to-may-1989-newsletter.html
https://comicsalliance.com/history-gorillas-comic-books/
1) In 1998 a construction worker found something extraordinary under Benjamin Franklin’s London-based home - human remains. What was the founding father up to??
2) Dwight D. Eisenhower. Susan B. Anthony. Sacagawea. We keep trying dollar-coins, and they keep failing. Why?
3) Even if they know you well, people that suffer from prosopagnosia can’t recognize you - in fact, they often can’t even identify themselves.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-was-benjamin-franklins-basement-filled-with-skeletons-524521/
https://www.money.org/ana-blog/sacagawea
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacagawea_dollar?wprov=sfti1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/08/21/feature/my-life-with-face-blindness/
https://www.npr.org/2010/11/13/131267727/living-with-face-blindness-who-are-you-again
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy remains a favorite topic of conspiracy theorists six decades after the event. It probably doesn’t help that we don’t know where his brain is…
The murder of Amber Hagerman has saved more than 1,000 kids. It changed the way child abductions are handled. Why does her own case remain unsolved?
Yo Dawg! In the mid-2000s, MTV was full of music videos and reality shows like Cribs and Pimp My Ride. Pimp My Ride took an old, end-of-life car and “pimped” it out, but the new shiny car (occasionally outfitted with a cotton candy machine) was not always what it appeared.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://allthatsinteresting.com/where-is-jfks-brain
https://people.com/crime/texas-girls-abduction-inspired-amber-alert-26-years-later-case-remains-unsolved/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pimp-my-ride-cars_n_6663840
1) Ride-hailing services like Uber have dominated the industry for more than a decade. Open the app, order a ride, and you’re on your way. But remember those yellow taxis we used to call? Well, they have feelings, too.
2) Paul McCartney is the most successful and famous rock musician of the last 50 years. At one point his fans thought he was dead and secretly replaced by a double. Things are about to get weird.
3) Online dating sites have gone from taboo to mainstream with record speed - but do they work?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.wired.com/story/uber-taxis-digital-disruption/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2018/06/08/uber-lyft-taxi-drivers/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-mccartney-is-dead-conspiracy-897189/
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/
Do we ever stop to think where the words we use came from? Case study: Bluetooth.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could gamble and never lose? Houston furniture mogul Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale may have figured it out.
In 1579, a mysterious man from Africa arrived in Japan and lived quietly and anonymously, but by the end of his time there he would become a legend.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.businessinsider.com/bluetooth-name-origin-2017-3
https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2022/04/06/mattress-mack-jim-mcingvale-sports-bets-march-madness-super-bowl/
https://time.com/6039381/yasuke-black-samurai-true-story/
Video games are big business, pulling in over $37 billion per year in domestic sales. So why can’t we make a good movie based on one?
In the late 1600s, the town of Salem, Massachusetts, dissolved into total hysteria and violence during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. But what caused the panic in the first place?
Acclaimed chef David Ruggerio had it all - published cookbooks, a show on the Food Network…and a sinister secret.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.newsy.com/stories/why-are-video-game-adaptations-so-bad/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2018/02/20/three-reasons-video-game-movies-always-seem-to-be-terrible/
https://historylists.org/events/list-of-5-possible-causes-of-the-salem-witch-trials.html
https://nypost.com/2022/03/25/celeb-chef-david-ruggerio-admits-to-life-in-the-mafia/
Prices are increasing at the fastest rate since the early 1980s. While we all feel it at the grocery store and the gas pumps, inflation is hitting another market sector, as well - the Tooth Fairy.
We’ve heard of someone or something being blacklisted, right? An action has happened that brings with it a level of distrust and rejection. In 2005 a new type of blacklisting began, but this blacklist often ends with an award-winning green light.
Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods. Tom Brady… and Joey Chestnut?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.thebalance.com/is-inflation-even-hitting-tooth-fairy-money-5220065
https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/5/31/18644508/tooth-fairy-rate-kids-traditions
https://web.archive.org/web/20150316002706/http://www.latimes.com/local/great-reads/la-et-c1-franklin-leonard-black-list-20141215-story.html
https://files.blcklst.com/files/2021_black_list_v4.pdf
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/07/04/how-joey-chestnut-ate-a-record-76-hot-dogs-at-nathans-contest/
Smoking or non-smoking? Until the late 1990’s, this was the question at restaurants, bowling alleys, and on airplanes. Why did the smoking option go away? And we examine one town in America actually trying to completely eliminate smoking.
The Patterson-Gimlin film has been the definitive Big Foot documentation since 1967. It didn’t take long, though, for the two men to disagree on just what they saw. (+ Dave has a plan for he and Jay to join a Big Foot expedition.)
For 7-8 hours per night we do nothing … or do we? What happens while we sleep, and is lack of sleep really more dangerous than terrorism?!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://time.com/6126252/brookline-tobacco-free-generation-law/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_ban?wprov=sfti1
https://allthatsinteresting.com/patterson-gimlin-film
https://www.sleepadvisor.org/sleep-statistics/
For over 80 years the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile has been one of the most recognizable vehicles on the road, but when’s the last time you passed one?
Solitaire and Minesweeper were preloaded in almost every PC in the 90’s. So - why? And did Microsoft have ulterior motives?
During prohibition, the US government tried to legislate away alcohol. While the ban was eventually lifted, some questionable turns were taken along the way.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/style/inside-oscar-mayer-wienermobile.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-computers-comewith-solitaire-and-minesweeper-2015-8
https://slate.com/technology/2010/02/the-little-told-story-of-how-the-u-s-government-poisoned-alcohol-during-prohibition.html
You find them in big cities and small towns, rural areas and urban subdivisions and, while cute to some, they’re a nuisance to many. Where do all the deer come from?!
Being tall has its advantages, but its disadvantages can be daunting. The touching life of Robert Wadlow.
For almost 15 years, Flo has been getting people to switch to Progressive Insurance at an amazing rate. But if not for five unscripted words, this iconic mascot might not even exist.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-solve-americas-wild-deer-problem-eat-them-11625842696https://allthatsinteresting.com/robert-wadlow
https://www.fastcompany.com/90254247/10-years-of-flo-the-story-behind-progressives-accidental-ad-icon
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars last week. If you were watching live, you saw it but didn’t hear it. Let’s learn about the censoring work of our friends at the FCC.
William Stewart Halsted is credited as much as anyone with developing modern medicine, including the medical residency program. And he was typically high on cocaine.
During the Cold War and in the early days of the space race, the U.S. considered doing something amazing to showcase its technological dominance to the rest of the world. The plan? It involved shooting a nuclear missile at the moon.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/03/28/oscars-slap-editing/
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123570287
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553176/
https://www.history.com/news/nuclear-bomb-moon-cold-war-plan
Saint Peter’s University Peacocks became the 2022 March Madness Cinderella team by beating squads they had no chance against on paper, gathering fans and viewers with each win. Does NCAA tournament success do anything for the school, itself?
When you call a customer service number it almost always happens: you get put on hold. The music that greets you, though, is more complicated than you’d think.
Samoas. Tagalongs. Thin Mints. We all have our favorite Girl Scout Cookie. Where did this national obsession come from? And do they really outsell Oreos?!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.wired.co.uk/article/hold-music-behavior
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/1/24/18195824/girl-scout-cookies-explained-thin-mints-buy
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/03/the-march-madness-application-bump/519846/
https://facsen.wsu.edu/documents/2020/12/the-cinderella-effect-12-10-2020.pdf/
This week on the show:
Metal detectors didn’t have a resurgence during the pandemic - they had a rebirth. A new generation of treasure hunters has emerged. Is this a good thing?
Action Park was one of the most popular theme parks in America during the 1980s. Then the first person died.
Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs in 2012. The fallout had an impact on Armstrong’s charity, Livestrong (remember the yellow wristbands??) Livestrong is still around - how has it survived the damage done to its image by Armstrong?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/31/style/metal-detectorists-ring-finders.html
https://www.fastcompany.com/90538696/class-action-park-captures-the-wildest-wettest-and-most-dangerous-amusement-park-ever
https://es.pn/2Hg3Gtu
What would you do for your favorite drink? What would you give? In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union wanted Pepsi so badly that it paid with the only thing it had - military equipment.
It’s been over 100 years since we’ve had a nice presidential beard like Abe’s or mustache like Teddy’s. Why don’t U.S. Presidents grow facial hair anymore? And should Joe Biden consider a goatee?
Becoming a professional clown is no laughing matter. Don’t buy it? The legendary Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Clown College has been referred to as Navy Boot Camp. Let that sink in.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.businessinsider.com/how-pepsi-briefly-became-the-6th-largest-military-in-the-world-2018-7
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2015/05/27/the-politics-of-facial-hair/
https://www.csmonitor.com/1982/1231/123100.html
Have a weird talent? Always had dreams of securing eternal glory with a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records? Figuring out your talent is the easy part.
Author Stephen King is renown for creepy classics like The Shining & IT. But what about the time he found himself in a real-life suspense story?
G, PG, PG-13, R, and even NC-17. We know the movie rating system, but who decides?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://betterhumans.pub/the-complete-guide-to-getting-your-own-guinness-world-record-a02447cbd016
https://www.ranker.com/list/stephen-king-car-accident/erin-mccann
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57664/how-do-movies-get-their-ratings
User reviews are the first resource to help consumers discover how good a product or service is; what other buyers liked and disliked. What if most of those reviews were fake…?
It’s a horror movie staple and it always works - the jump scare!!
Can a film lead to an actual, measurable shift in culture and society?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-amazon-fake-reviews-unreliable-20201020-lfbjdq25azfdpa3iz6hn6zvtwq-story.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-fake-reviews
https://www.slashfilm.com/552769/a-brief-history-of-the-horror-movie-jump-scare/
https://www.looper.com/149503/movies-that-actually-changed-the-world/
One of the most prolific serial killers of his time, Diego Alves was executed 170 years ago, but that wasn’t the last time anyone saw Alves. In fact, you can still meet the killer face-to-face today, his head perfectly preserved in a jar!
In many ways, Whittier, Alaska, is just like any town in America. It has schools, grocery stores, and a city government. When it differs, though, it really differs. For starters, almost everyone lives in the same building.
As comedian John Mulaney put it, “I always thought that quicksand was gonna be a much bigger problem than it turned out to be.” Why don’t people get caught in quicksand anymore?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/why-portugals-first-serial-killer-s-head-end-up-in-a-jar-19a2dae57a58
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2010/08/terra_infirma.html
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2015/07/us/whittier-alaska-american-story/
When a baby is born, it needs more than love and affection - it needs a name! Can you name your new baby whatever you want? Eh, it’s complicated and, no, you can’t name it Santa Claus.
Yes, you just watched the Super Bowl, but here’s what they didn’t tell you.
Ten years ago, Jeremy Lin took the NBA by storm. Linsanity captured the attention of the world - and nearly ruined Jeremy’s life.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.today.com/parents/babies/banned-baby-names-see-baby-names-banned-rcna15211
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68768/22-outlawed-baby-names-around-world
https://wallethub.com/blog/super-bowl-facts/1589
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/2/4/22916972/jeremy-lin-linsanity-knicks-asian-american-representation-10th-anniversary
Every kid's favorite way to waste their parent's quarters - the claw machine! So, what are your chances of actually winning?
50 million people start their day with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle. Can these daily word games teach us about how we form new memories? And why do crossword puzzles end up entangled in culture wars?
Peloton, the in-home exercise equipment company, was the hottest ticket in town with soaring stock prices and commercials on major outlets. Then the company announced it would cease production on new machines - supply suddenly vastly outnumbered demand. What happened?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.vox.com/2015/4/3/8339999/claw-machines-rigged
https://kotaku.com/new-york-times-crossword-puzzle-making-history-will-sho-1848440135
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/this-is-your-brain-on-crosswords/
https://fortune.com/2022/01/20/peloton-stock-just-hit-its-lowest-point-since-march-2020-heres-why-the-company-is-in-such-big-trouble/
Since 1887, we’ve celebrated the best weird holiday - Groundhogs Day. Every February 2nd Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his hole to determine how close we are to spring. How did such an idea get started? And how reliable is ol’ Phil?
We share pictures of our children online without a second thought. Could they sue us for that one day??
In the early 2000s, Major League Baseball star Barry Bonds was the best player in the league. At the height of his popularity Bonds made the controversial decision not to allow his name, image, or likeness to be used in the popular video game All-Star Baseball. Then the game’s creators had an idea.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/654586/punxsutawney-phil-groundhog-day-cameo
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-groundhog-dayhttps://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/instagram-facebook-and-the-perils-of-sharenting
https://www.mlb.com/news/an-interview-with-the-real-jon-dowd
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy remains a favorite topic of conspiracy theorists six decades after the event. It probably doesn’t help that we don’t know where his brain is…
The murder of Amber Hagerman has saved more than 1,000 kids. It changed the way child abductions are handled. Why does her own case remain unsolved?
Yo Dawg! In the mid-2000s, MTV was full of music videos and reality shows like Cribs and Pimp My Ride. Pimp My Ride took an old, end-of-life car and “pimped” it out, but the new shiny car (occasionally outfitted with a cotton candy machine) was not always what it appeared.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://allthatsinteresting.com/where-is-jfks-brain
https://people.com/crime/texas-girls-abduction-inspired-amber-alert-26-years-later-case-remains-unsolved/
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pimp-my-ride-cars_n_6663840
Deep in a German jungle is a species of ant that at first glance seems to be normal, but while other ants die quickly, as ants typically do, this specific type of ant doesn’t. The secret of long life, however, comes with a cost.
In the 1990s, the clothing brand AND1 with unique shirts full of insults, (“Go to church - and pray you don’t guard me.”) was a serious competitor in the athletic wear sector. Then it was gone … or was it? Is AND1 primed for a comeback?
Can you ever completely erase yourself from the internet? Here’s where to start.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/05/ant-tapeworm/618919/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonbelzer/2013/02/27/and1-ready-for-legendary-come-back/
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/remove-all-your-personal-info-from-internet-6-steps-disappear-for-good/
For more than three decades Dollar Tree has advertised “everything’s a $1” - household items, toys, kitchenware - everything. That’s been the company’s brand identity for 35-years, until now. Why is Dollar Tree turning into Dollar & a Quarter Tree?
In 1999, Doug Lindsay developed symptoms consistent with a rare disease that had also afflicted his mother, a condition that had baffled doctors for decades. Confined to a bed for 22 hours a day, he was left with two choices: wait to die or save his own life. Lindsay chose the latter.
The endowment effect: we place a higher value on an object we already own than on the same object if we did not own it. Why?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/08/business/dollar-tree-1-dollar-price-dollar-stores/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/27/health/doug-lindsay-invented-surgery-trnd/index.html
https://apple.news/AbloQoOqlRd-NDRiYj8et9g
https://medium.com/cogniss-magazine/of-holdouts-mugs-and-pens-how-the-endowment-effect-inspires-app-loyalty-a35cccd4a9f2
*Episode 25 Replay*
In the 1970s, a boyband was dubbed the next Beatles because of the fan fervor they generated. You’ve probably never heard of them today. Did the heightened public reaction actually hurt their career?
The table game Dungeons & Dragons has been popular among a small subculture of people for decades. In recent years gameplay has soared, even increasing 30% during the pandemic. What is so attractive about this game? We bring in an expert to help us make sense of it all.
On a hillside in England is a 180 ft. chalk drawing of a giant. A naked giant. Where did it come from? After centuries of mystery, researchers recently made shocking discoveries.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56847111https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/13/dungeons-dragons-had-its-biggest-year-despite-the-coronavirus.htmlhttps://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/07/how-old-cerne-abbas-giant/619406/
In November 1968, the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets played one of the greatest endings to a televised football game in NFL history…and no viewers actually saw it.
Lose weight. Save money. Stop drinking caffeine. It’s that time of year to make New Year's resolutions. Every year we do them, and every year we mostly fail. Why?
In the winter months, we go out just a little earlier than usual to start the car. It’s more comfortable for us and better for the vehicle, right?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-heidi-bowl
https://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-resolutions-failure-advice-jonathan-alpert-2018-12
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/12/29/the-biggest-winter-energy-myth-that-you-need-to-idle-your-car-before-driving/
https://www.cars.com/articles/should-you-warm-up-your-car-in-winter-429809/
It’s a special holiday episode of Commute!!
You can almost taste it, can’t you? The holiday dinner table set with mashed potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, green beans and … KFC?
You know how the Grinch tried to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville but, today, Grinch bots don’t want to stop Christmas. They just want you to pay more for it.
Christmas songs are unique. For two months they follow us from car to shopping mall to doctor's office. How does a Christmas song become a classic that joins that yearly rotation? And Mariah Carey has made HOW much off that one song?!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.trafalgar.com/real-word/japan-christmas-kfc/
https://www.cnet.com/news/democrats-announce-bill-to-stop-bots-from-stealing-christmas/
https://www.celebritynetworth.com/articles/entertainment-articles/want-make-ton-money-rest-life-write-one-hit-christmas-song/
By most accounts, ten-year-old Ryan Kaji is just like any other normal kid - he likes cartoons, playing with toys, and making silly videos. Where Ryan starts to differ from your kid, though, is that he made $30 million last year.
Internet black markets are wild and unregulated places (don’t look it up - it’s not for the faint of the heart), but you can always find help there for people in need. What if you needed to score some breast milk? Anything’s possible, at the right price.
The holidays become even more stressful when we think about preparing the yearly holiday dinner for family & friends - cooking a turkey is daunting! But not to fear: the Turkey Talk Line is here.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://time.com/6116624/ryan-kaji-youtube/
https://www.history.com/news/6-child-monarchs-who-changed-history
https://theconversation.com/breast-milk-market-is-booming-online-its-unregulated-might-make-your-baby-sick-but-entirely-legal-128329
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/563246/butterball-turkey-hotline-secrets
Taylor Swift is the dominant musical artist of her generation. She consistently releases well-reviewed, original and popular music. Why is she going back to release new versions of her first six albums that sound exactly like the originals?
Internet personality Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, started a restaurant chain in 2020, but MrBeast Burger has no physical locations and doesn’t spend any money on advertising. And there’s probably one in your hometown.
The beloved 1990s Christmas movie Home Alone features youngster Kevin McCallister accidentally left behind when his family goes out-of-town for Christmas. You know what happens next - he defends his house against Harry and Marv, the Wet Bandits. In the process, Harry & Marv get hurt - a lot. Shouldn’t they have died?! We explore the severity of their injuries.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://time.com/5949979/why-taylor-swift-is-rerecording-old-albums/
https://www.mashed.com/308763/the-untold-truth-of-mrbeast-burger/
https://theweek.com/articles/469307/diagnosing-home-alone-burglars-injuries-professional-weighs
It was recently announced that crypto.com spent a record $700 million to rename the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It sounds crazy, but companies do it. Does it really make sense?
Billionaires in Silicon Valley are spending amazing money on technology to extend lifespans. But will this only extend lifespans of the rich?
We just passed Thanksgiving, which means one thing - time for the Hallmark Christmas movie marathon!! Hallmark will air a full slate of original Christmas movies for the next month, leading up to Christmas. How do they pull it off? And why do so many of us watch?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/technology/crypto-staples-center-la.html
https://www.samford.edu/sports-analytics/fans/2018/A-Billion-Dollar-Industry-Are-Naming-Rights-Worth-the-Money
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/21/silicon-valleys-quest-to-live-forever-could-benefit-the-rest-of-us.htmlhttps://www.mentalfloss.com/article/608916/hallmark-channel-christmas-movie-facts
“Want to make some extra money on the side? Be your own boss?” Pyramid schemes - sorry, I mean, multilevel marketing companies - continue to flourish and recruit new members despite volumes of evidence suggesting that only a select few make money. Why, why, why??
What moments define you? Both good and bad but, far too often, it’s hard to let go of the bad. And what if one of your worst days ended up on posters in dorm rooms and sports bars? The lasting legacy of “the dunk of death.”
Do you like to travel? See the world? Have you considered Heaven tourism? We explore the controversial yet highly profitable business of dying, going to heaven, and coming back to write a book about the trip!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a37543989/lularoe-true-story-now-lularich-amazon/
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/sports/basketball/for-frederic-weis-knicks-99-draft-choice-boos-marked-start-of-a-greater-struggle.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/01/22/the-boy-who-didnt-go-to-heaven-and-how-heaven-tourism-conquered-the-publishing-world/
We read it in the movie review: “this film stinks despite incredible A-list talent.” But is the A-list an actual list?
For the last two decades albums have been coming out of recent Billboard Top 20 songs with kids singing bizarrely squeaky clean lyrics. We explore.
It’s a nightmare that you hope you never experience: lost, alone at sea. Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to survive? We’ll tell you.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/21688/ulmer-scale
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/03/03/not-even-will-smith-can-open-a-movie-anymore-so-what-defines-the-a-list-today/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/10/3/17930132/kidz-bop-censorship-music
https://www.outsideonline.com/2275116/how-survive-75-hours-alone-ocean
The nonprofit Invisible Children released a 2012 documentary about Ugandan militia leader Joseph Kony. The group hoped to raise awareness about Kony and his crimes against humanity. It did that, but what did it do with all that attention?
Casting directors are crucial for a film’s success, finding the right actor for the proper role. How do they do it? Plus, some of the most interesting ‘what if’ casting decisions in film history. Wait, that guy almost played Han Solo!?
Would you allow a demon-possessed doll (like Chucky) to come into your home? Would you pay for the opportunity??
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/09/kony-2012-quickly-became-a-punch-line-but-what-if-it-did-more-good-than-harm.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502068/10-secrets-casting-directors
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502068/10-secrets-casting-directors
So you ordered a pair of pants and, unfortunately, they don’t fit. The following steps seem simple, right? You mail them back, get a new pair, and move on with life. Well, it’s not so simple for that pair of pants you just returned. We explore the tragic journey of the returned item.
Technology has emerged to allow you to chat virtually with loved ones. There’s just one catch - they’re dead.
If you’re a child of the ’90s, or had a child in the ’90s, chances are you remember those little skateboards for your fingers, most notably by Tech Deck. Well, guess what? They still exist. We explore the subculture of finger skating and the reasons we humans do the weird things that we do.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/11/free-returns-online-shopping/620169/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/04/chat-bots-reincarnation-dead/
https://theoutline.com/post/8614/my-journey-into-the-tech-deck-underground
World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945. Why did one man continue fighting for nearly three decades?
You’re minding your own business when, unprompted, your brain blurts out, “I want my baby back, baby back baby back,” and suddenly you must have ribs from Chili’s. We explore the irresistible power of the jingle.
Halloween is coming and, if you’re like most of us, you’ll wait until the last minute to get your costume, visiting a temporary Halloween store called “Spirit of Halloween.” Where do these suddenly appearing stores come from, and where do they go after All Hallows’ Eve?
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This episode is brought to you by:
Hungry for Humans - the latest game from Lonely Hero Games.
Hungry for Humans is a fun, fast-paced “take that!” style game for 2 to 5 players where the humans must feed their monsters the best food they can find to avoid being eaten themselves. The game features real dishes from WV restaurants where the creators are from, as well as local cryptids such as the Mothman and Flatwoods Monster. Hungry for Humans is available for preorder on Kickstarter now. Learn more and support the game at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lonelyherogames/hungry-for-humans
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/17/hiroo-onoda-japanese-soldier-dies
https://money.howstuffworks.com/commercial-jingle.htm
https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/10/25/18023130/spirit-halloween-party-city-pop-up-stores
The 1980’s blockbuster film E.T. took the world by storm. With it came opportunities rarely seen in marketing: video games and toys based on the movie, and a powerful new form of advertisement - product placement.
Ever wonder where they find the houses used in television shows and moves? If you play your cards right, your place could be next.
The plot of Minority Report includes a futuristic form of policing that arrests bad guys BEFORE they commit a crime. Wouldn’t it be great if we could do that in real life? Well, we kind of do, and it gets complicated.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://mwmblog.com/2019/06/16/e-t-mms-vs-reeses-pieces/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/18383/stories-behind-10-famous-product-placementshttps://www.wsj.com/articles/using-your-house-for-a-movie-or-tv-set-can-be-lucrative-but-also-disruptive-11633547149
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/10/18/stash-house-stings-carry-real-penalties-for-fake-crimes
Like over 90% of internet users, you utilize Google for all of your search needs. Heck, Google is synonymous with search! But what about the distant second place option: Microsoft’s BING? Shouldn’t BING concede to Google and quietly go away? It’ll never happen. We’ll tell you why.
Near the North Pole there’s a facility that guards mankind’s most critical resource. It’s not a medicine, it’s not a fuel, it’s not Santa’s workshop. What could it be?
Abercrombie & Fitch used to be the official uniform of hip teenagers everywhere - until it wasn’t. Another tale of massive corporate failure … or is there still hope for A&F?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://medium.com/decodein/how-did-bing-survive-over-the-years-a17fb649ac9b
https://time.com/doomsday-vault/
https://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-clothing-brand-abercrombie-and-fitch
A few years ago, in an attempt to revise struggling sales, JC Penney hired a new CEO and immediately changed its sales strategy - doing away with coupons and discounts in exchange for “fair and square” pricing. The result? Well, seven months later, that CEO was looking for a job.
Netflix. Hulu. Apple TV+. Disney +. Quibi. One of these is not like the others.
The latest version of the popular Sims video game has user-created challenges. One has players portrayed as a homeless person. Is this a good way to better understand homelessness - or just cruel?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/27/business/jcpenney-history/index.html
https://qz.com/1907265/why-quibi-failed/
https://www.wired.com/story/sims-homeless-challenge-youtube/
In 1996, Microsoft debuted a virtual assistant to help folks navigate Microsoft Office - a cartoon paper clip named Clippy. What started as “Aw, that’s kinda cute,” quickly turned to “Let’s kill him!” How did it go so wrong?
In the 1990s, a movie about a goofy genie captivated the hearts of American moviegoers. No, it wasn’t Disney’s Aladdin or the Shaquille O’Neil feature, “Kazaam.” This movie was called Shazaam - and it doesn’t exist. We explore the bizarre reason that so many people are convinced that it does.
Would you spend $4.99 on :30 of a hit song? Chances are that in 1999 you would have (and probably did). We’re exploring the history of HitClips - is it the strangest way we’ve ever consumed music?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/504767/tragic-life-clippy-worlds-most-hated-virtual-assistant
https://ourcommunitynow.com/film/sinbads-shazaam-the-strange-case-of-a-movie-that-doesnt-exist
https://mashable.com/article/hitclips-toys-music-nostalgia
You’ve tried to use Wikipedia as a scholarly source, only to have it rejected because anyone can edit Wikipedia. Right…?
McDonalds had not only Ronald McDonald (ep 9) in its advertising, but an entire gang of wacky characters. Hamburgler, Grimace, and The Pirate (??) to name a few. What happened to them?
If you were rich how would you spend your money? A couple of houses? A few cars? Maybe even a private island? Billionaire Marc Lore has an idea of his own on how to spend his - build a brand new city.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.wired.com/story/wikipedia-anniversary-game-rpg/
https://www.mashed.com/136474/how-mcdonalds-stole-their-mcdonaldland-characters/
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/telosa-marc-lore-blake-ingels-new-city/index.html
*Episode 7 Rebroadcast*
On this episode:
Over the last 20 years, you’ve probably owned a computer with the Windows XP operating system. Remember the legendary default wallpaper photo of the green rolling hill? Yea, that’s a real place.
Can you buy an unused superhero from Marvel Comics and make it your own? Ya know, one of the weird ones that no one has heard of? The team at NPR’s Planet Money decided to try. Free The Doorman!
At some point in the past, your parents thought they’d get rich off that Beanie Baby collection. The rise and fall of one of the strangest investment strategies ever.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Windows-XP-Bliss-Hill-Sonoma-Charles-O-Rear-15976588.phphttps://www.npr.org/series/967404527/planet-money-buys-a-superherohttps://thehustle.co/the-great-beanie-baby-bubble-of-99/
Before we paid constant attention to our cell phones, many of us did the same to something else in our pocket - a digital pet called a Tamagotchi. A virtual animal that ate, pooped, and, sigh, could even die.
Prep school Bishop Sycamore recently lost a high school football game to the national powerhouse IMG academy. But here’s the thing - Bishop Sycamore might not exist.
All the movies you can watch for $10 a month?! Movie Pass seemed too good to be ….
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642373/tamagotchi-history
https://theathletic.com/2798560/2021/08/30/how-the-washington-generals-of-high-school-football-conned-espn/?redirected=1
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/highschool/2021/08/31/bishop-sycamore-football-director-andre-peterson-espn-controversy/5652257001/
https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/19/20872984/moviepass-shutdown-subscription-movies-helios-matheson-ted-farnsworth-explainer
Real cash prizes in real-time - the quiz show game “HQ Trivia” exploded in popularity in 2018 and was one of the most downloaded apps in the world - and then fell into obscurity in 2019. What happened? Well, a lot.
Real players with actual stats on fake teams. The fantasy sports industry has taken over our attention and our bank accounts. But as the interest in fantasy sports continues to climb, will the actual games suffer?
What if you could vacation… forever? Mario Salcedo has lived on a cruise ship for the past 20+ years. But is the self-proclaimed “happiest guy in the world” really that happy?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://bettermarketing.pub/the-spectacular-rise-and-fall-of-hq-trivia-6b29748ed485https://www.gq.com/story/the-crazy-ass-dystopian-future-of-fantasy-footballhttps://www.mentalfloss.com/article/82645/life-aquatic-meet-mario-salcedo-full-time-cruise-ship-passenger
For years we’ve heard about the rise of virtual reality and its inevitable march into our culture. But If this is virtual reality’s time to shine, why is it still so niche?
Go look in your coffee mug cabinet. Go ahead - we’ll wait. Happen to find a mug with a single word or simple phrase on it, like “Blessed” or “Family” among your collection? If so, you’re probably among the millions of people who own a product from Rae Dunn. These have developed a cult-like following and often bring in a haul on resell, but did Rae herself ever crave that level of success?
For some of us it’s not enough to tell people we don’t like something. We have to buy a decal of the comic strip character Calvin urinating on it. Are all those decals legal? What does the creator of Calvin & Hobbes think about all this?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/technology/virtual-reality.html
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/03/10346458/rae-dunn-tj-maxx-popular-pottery-trend
https://triviahappy.com/articles/the-tasteless-history-of-the-peeing-calvin-decal
A lot of us pop or crack our knuckles. But are we giving ourselves a higher chance of arthritis? Let’s see if Harvard can help us figure this out.
Regardless of whether you think his chicken is Finger Lickin’ Good or not, the white suit-wearing face of Kentucky Fried Chicken was a complicated man. Oh, and wait until you hear what he thought about the gravy.
Usain Bolt is the fastest human alive. His 2009 world record of 9.58 seconds in the 100-meter dash has remained unbeaten. Will anyone ever run faster than him? Is it even humanly possible? And house cats can run HOW fast?!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/knuckle-cracking-annoying-and-harmful-or-just-annoying-2018051413797
https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-tragic-life-and-struggles-of-colonel-sanders-2e1f685c34b5
https://www.wired.com/story/why-even-the-fastest-human-cant-outrun-your-house-cat/#intcid=_wired-most-popular-right-rail_b1cc4607-4cee-495a-8c1f-495ed23a9971_popular4-1
When someone wins a lifetime supply of something, what does it mean? Do you get it delivered to you for the rest of your life?
You’ve reached the mountain top of the game-show world: you just won the best prize! You can’t be stopped! Or can you?
In 1974, a violent clash broke out in West Virginia over a proposal about school textbooks. What can we learn, and are the ramifications still playing out today?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.allaboutadvertisinglaw.com/2012/11/what-does-win-a-lifetime-supply-really-mean-and-other-existential-quandaries.html
https://www.thelist.com/287896/the-truth-about-winning-a-new-car-on-the-price-is-right/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/taxes/pay-taxes-game-show-winnings
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-man-won-30000-on-wheel-of-fortune-heres-how-much-he-got-to-keep-2016-09-19
https://timeline.com/this-violent-1974-clash-over-textbooks-in-west-virginia-prepped-the-nation-for-a-new-right-movement-a94a2245743f
It’s a special Olympic-themed episode this week on Commute!
Gold. Silver. Bronze. To win an Olympic medal is a lifetime achievement, an invitation into an exclusive club of enteral glory. But what’s the award itself worth, and not just in dollars and cents?
It sure seems cool to host the Olympics, but is it worth it? Global exposure carries a unique set of challenges.
How do you become an Olympian? Aside from talent and passion, what’s the day-to-day training schedule actually look like? And you have (get) to eat HOW much food?!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://360badminton.com/news/zhang-beiwen-turns-to-crowdfunding-for-her-journey-to-tokyo-2020/
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/29/tokyo-olympics-how-much-athletes-earn.html
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/economics-hosting-olympic-games
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-does-it-take-to-beco_1_b_11232308
https://www.muscleprodigy.com/michael-phelps-workout-and-diet/
It’s Monday morning, and you want a bowl of cereal. But you have a problem - your milk expired Saturday. Or did it? Who decides the lifespan of food?
In 2014 Richard Simmons disappeared. He stopped returning calls, emails, and texts. He stopped showing up for his fitness classes. Did he get kidnapped? Was he hiding from someone? Or was it something else?
Long before Spotify and Apple Music we downloaded music to our computers in a very different way... Illegally. With a bit of help from a company named Napster.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.vox.com/22559293/food-waste-expiration-label-best-before
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/arts/missing-richard-simmons-podcast.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/93492/12-facts-you-may-be-missing-about-richard-simmons
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190531-napster-turns-20-how-it-changed-the-music-industry
In the 1970s, a boyband was dubbed the next Beatles because of the fan fervor they generated. You’ve probably never heard of them today. Did the heightened public reaction actually hurt their career?
The table game Dungeons & Dragons has been popular among a small subculture of people for decades. In recent years gameplay has soared, even increasing 30% during the pandemic. What is so attractive about this game? We bring in an expert to help us make sense of it all.
On a hillside in England is a 180 ft. chalk drawing of a giant. A naked giant. Where did it come from? After centuries of mystery, researchers recently made shocking discoveries.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-56847111https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/13/dungeons-dragons-had-its-biggest-year-despite-the-coronavirus.htmlhttps://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/07/how-old-cerne-abbas-giant/619406/
In 2007, as reality TV was becoming a thing, MTV had a big idea - what if we took an up and coming rock band, forced them to live together for 30 days while they write a new album, and streamed the entire thing on the Internet? That's a great idea, right?! Right…?
The classic movie Space Jam is getting a reboot, with Lebron James teaming up with the Looney Tunes Gang instead of Michael Jordan. Can the new version have the same impact as the first? How has the original Space Jam held up? And what about that rumored NASCAR version - Race Jam, starring Jeff Gordon?
We just waved goodbye to yet another Fourth of July holiday season and the countless fireworks tents that now retreat into hibernation until next year. Where do they come from? Where do they go? We call an expert to get the inside (and gross) details on working at a seasonal fireworks tent.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/band-in-a-bubble-mtv-reality-show-2007
https://ew.com/article/2016/11/15/space-jam-20th-anniversary-joe-pytka/
For nearly 50 years, the movie “JAWS” has been making beachgoers think twice about getting in the ocean. Set around the July 4th holiday, we look back at the film that “shouldn’t have worked” and the star that, unexpectedly, only showed up for half of the filming.
Aren’t Facebook and social media alerts, in general, annoying? A shrug quickly replaces the dopamine rush when you find that friend from high school is only inviting you to play “Casino Rush.” We have one game to blame - FarmVille. A look back at the Facebook phenomenon that revolutionized social platform gaming and made millions of people think they had the skills to raise crops.
Ever stayed in an Airbnb? The answer is likely yes. But unlike a hotel chain, you’re staying in someone’s actual home, which could carry a level of risk, right? Enter the Airbnb black box team, whose job is to make sure you never find out when things go wrong.
Have a topic you’d like to be considered? Submit it at www.commutethepodcast.com or hit us up on social media.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.npr.org/2019/08/09/745651910/jaws-shark-gets-his-bite-back-a-love-storyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/31/technology/farmville-zynga-facebook.html
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-06-15/airbnb-spends-millions-making-nightmares-at-live-anywhere-rentals-go-away
Got milk? Most of us grew up hearing that milk was an essential part of a healthy diet. But were those milk mustaches good for us?
All existing copies of the worst video game of all-time were dumped into a landfill in New Mexico. We’ll tell the incredible story and shed some light on the man behind it. *listener submitted topic!
For over 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America have been viewed as an organization committed to family, fun, and leadership building. But for some it has been an avenue for abuse. Can the scouts' reputation be saved? And perhaps more importantly, should it?
Side note: Jay = Eaglescout
Dave = Cub Scout for 6 months
*Have a topic you’d like to be considered? Submit it at www.commutethepodcast.com or hit us up on social media.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.vox.com/2015/4/19/8447883/milk-health-benefit
https://www.npr.org/2017/05/31/530235165/total-failure-the-worlds-worst-video-game
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/opinion/sunday/boy-scouts-lawsuit.html
In 2014 Apple gave iPhone users in 119 countries a free gift - an automatic download of the upcoming U2 Album “songs of innocence” - and caused one of the most bizarre backlashes in company history.
You may know the urban legend - you’re driving down a dark road and notice a car headed toward you with their headlights off. Should you flash your headlights to alert them, but risk being hunted down by a gang? We explore the “headlights are off” urban legend. Is there something to it?
Many television shows grow in popularity after their broadcast run is over, thanks to syndication. But do the actors keep getting paid? We dive into our first listener suggested topic!
Have a topic you’d like to be considered? Submit it at www.commutethepodcast.com or hit us up on social media.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/09/09/the-free-u2-album-songs-of-innocence-was-a-debacle-for-apple-fans-on-september-9-2018
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/lights-out/
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/much-jennifer-aniston-other-actors-090200975.html
Humans can all be very different but one thing they typically share in common - they hate to wait. But perhaps we should work on this: scientific studies suggest developing the trait of patience pays off in the long run.
In the mid-1800s a rail worker suffered the most famous brain injury in medical history. What the case of Phineas Gage says about how much we can, and can’t, change our minds.
With this rose, I choose.... an opportunity to make a TON of money (and maybe love for a month or two). Why do people go on shows like the Bachelor, why do we (Jay) watch. Do relationships born on a TV show stand a chance?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://jamesclear.com/delayed-gratification
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/05/21/528966102/why-brain-scientists-are-still-obsessed-with-the-curious-case-of-phineas-gagehttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-data-behind-the-bachelor--the-bachelorette_b_6744288
Do you know the most popular destination on YouTube, which is also the dominant show on Netflix? If you’re 5 or younger, or live with someone who is, you most likely do.
Like Google and search engines, the word Skype used to be synonymous with video chatting. It should have exploded in popularity during the coronavirus shutdowns, so how did this once-dominant platform get surpassed by Zoom?
Billions of us play video games, and more and more of us have trouble putting the controller down. Is video game addiction real? Enter the newest member of the rehab community - video game rehab.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbean/2020/12/14/100-billion-views-and-counting-cocomelon-is-absolutely-dominating-netflix-and-youtube/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/skype-coronavirus-pandemic
https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gaming-disorder/video-game-rehab-inside-gaming-addiction-treatment-centers
In 2021, you don’t have to be Mulder or Scully to be a believer in extraterrestrial life. Why are more and more people becoming believers? (Spoiler alert: Jay = believe; Dave = LOL, yeah, right.)
It’s been over two decades since Y2K went from panic-induced fear to late night TV punchline. Was there ever really anything to fear?
Be kind - rewind! In the 1990s, Blockbuster video was woven deeply into the fabric of American entertainment. Now all but gone (only one Blockbuster remains), why have we never quite fallen completely out-of-love with the once-dominant video rental store?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/26/us/politics/ufo-sightings-navy-pilots.html
https://time.com/5752129/y2k-bug-history/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/88nn5k/why-were-all-so-nostalgic-for-blockbuster-right-now
The average dollar bill remains in circulation for nearly 15 years. How filthy is it? And what’s that about traces of ... cocaine?
Ari Nagel, AKA “The Sperminator” has fathered 78 kids and may not be done. Huh?
Later this summer we’ll commemorate the worst contract in professional sports history. Long live Bobby Bonilla Day! (Until 2035, at least)
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://time.com/4918626/money-germs-microbes-dirty/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9320165/Sperminator-fathered-78-children-13-women-pregnant-paid-hugs-kisses.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/01/bobby-bonilla-day-why-his-deal-with-the-mets-was-so-lucrative.html
Ever felt like a fraud in your own life? Like you're an imposter just waiting to be found out? We discuss the psychological phenomenon of imposter syndrome.
Razor blades in candy bars? Poison in pixie sticks? Are sadistic people actually trying to hurt children on Halloween by tampering with candy?
What's better than a great cup of coffee? A QUICK cup of coffee, of course! While the k-cup changed the way we make our coffee at home or in the office, it also presented us with a significant problem - how do we recycle the darn things? And can the answer to our pollution problem be found in...outer space?! #wasteinspace
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.wsj.com/articles/imposter-syndrome-young-adults-11619819337
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12914/brief-history-sick-people-tampering-halloween-candy
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/03/the-abominable-k-cup-coffee-pod-environment-problem/386501/
We think that having more money would lead to a happier life, right? Not so fast, my friend. Find out what the research says is the optimal salary for a more comfortable life (and what to do if you start making more).
Duolingo is the world’s # 1 web application for learning a foreign language. But while the service can be helpful, its animated mascot Duo can be... salty. How does shame work (or not work) toward pushing us to pursue our goals?
None of us want to die. But some of us would prefer death to speaking in front of a crowd. Is there something more substantial at play?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/04/money-income-buy-happiness/618601/https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/13/18137843/duolingo-owl-redesign-language-learning-app
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-real-story-risk/201211/the-thing-we-fear-more-death
How does the content we consume affect us? Facebook decided to find out. And not tell anyone about it ahead of time.
In 1987 a book with no words and a character with a love for red striped clothing was born. Hiding in plain sight, we discuss the staying power of Where’s Waldo.
Google does a time capsule report every year - a list of what people searched for in the previous year. 2020’s results may surprise you.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2014/08/04/the-facebook-experiment-what-it-means-for-you/?sh=ef22007af6e0
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/90967/14-facts-about-wheres-waldo
https://trends.google.com/trends/yis/2020/US/
This week:
If you've ever been to NYC, you've most likely had a run-in with a street performer. You know what I'm talking about - Elmo takes a picture with you and then wants a quick buck for his time. But who's under the mask? And did the pandemic change this fringe "acting industry" forever?
The bystander effect is a social psychological theory that says you are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people around. Oh, that's juicy. We discuss.
Free pizza, no judgment, plenty of workout equipment, and purple - TONS of purple. We're talking Planet Fitness! Has the gym marketed for people that don't like the gym hurt the gym industry? (that's a ton of gyms)
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/22260074/times-square-naked-cowboy-costume-economyhttps://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-diffusion-of-responsibility-2795095
https://money.cnn.com/2018/01/12/news/companies/planet-fitness/index.html
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/363049
On this episode:
You can do many things with Legos - build spaceships, castles, and apparently (listen for more detail) flowers. Heck, there are even video games, movies, and theme parks based on the beloved toy. But now people are stealing them to resell on the black market? Tell me more!
Once upon a time, there was a magical retail store named Steve & Barry’s where you could spend $20 and walk out with some basketball shoes, a pair of jeans, and an officially licensed collegiate hoodie. But all good things must come to an (abrupt) end.
Is a diamond really forever? What if we told you a clever marketing campaign was the real reason you spent all of last month’s rent money on an engagement ring? Love you, honey! Mean it!
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/french-police-on-trail-of-international-gang-of-lego-looters
https://sgbonline.com/steve-and-barrys-implodes-as-model-fails/
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/02/how-an-ad-campaign-invented-the-diamond-engagement-ring/385376/
On this episode:
Every March nearly 100 million Americans bond in misery over filling out their losing NCAA Tournament March Madness brackets. So why do we put ourselves through it when the odds of a perfect bracket are like being struck by lightning.... every second for the rest of your life?
We all know the song, but none of us know the band. The good and (very) bad sides of being a one-hit wonder.
You may not know the name Mel Blanc, but you know his voice. The “man of 1,000 voices” brought some of our animated favorites to life, including nearly all of the Looney Tunes characters. But when Mel’s own life needed saving, it was his cartoon pals who stepped in.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.openculture.com/2013/05/the_strange_day_when_bugs_bunny_saved_the_life_of_mel_blanc.html
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/march-madness-perfect-bracket-odds/15ki769f8b91v19kr2kfsn9m8u
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/one-hit-wonder-lil-nas-x-charts-crazy-frog-soft-cell-a9663086.html
On this episode:
Atari. Sega. Nintendo. PlayStation. As video game systems have evolved, the way (some) of us play them has, too. A whole community of gamers now plays with one goal in mind - to beat the game as fast as possible.
Ever wanted to be someone else? Or better yet, ever wished someone more attractive could live your life for you? You’re in luck - there’s an app for that! (Spoiler - it doesn’t always turn out like you think it will.)
Do you own a pair of TOMS shoes? The brand popularized the “one for one” charity giving model, but why did people stop buying them?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.npr.org/2020/09/24/916167970/you-think-your-favorite-video-game-is-hard-try-speedrunning-it
https://news.avclub.com/man-hires-hotter-more-successful-body-double-to-attend-1845632663
https://www.businessinsider.com/rise-and-fall-of-toms-shoes-blake-mycoskie-bain-capital-2020-3
On this episode:
A well-done documentary can challenge, educate and entertain. But one about professional tickling?! Spoiler alert - it’s no laughing matter.
The Loch Ness Monster has been around for decades without actually existing. Or does it? A good monster is worth millions.
Ronald McDonald is one of the most recognizable characters in the world - how a clown came to represent the Golden Arches.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://tickledmovie.com/us/https://theconversation.com/have-scientists-finally-killed-off-the-loch-ness-monster-123075
https://www.mashed.com/124443/untold-truth-ronald-mcdonald/
On this episode:
When Tiger Woods returned to glory in 2019 his longtime partner Nike returned somewhere, as well. To the bank.
It wasn’t always a forgone conclusion that we’d “Google” for information. Some used to Ask Jeeves. The rise and fall of the famous search butler.
Sadly, you have died of dysentery. Why do entire generations know about the Oregon Trail?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6923057/amp/The-22MILLION-putt-two-seconds-Tiger-Woods-took-sink-Masters-winning-putt-profited-Nike.html
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/94784/why-everyone-stopped-asking-jeeves
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-you-wound-playing-em-oregon-trailem-computer-class-180959851/
On this episode:
Over the last 20 years, you’ve probably owned a computer with the Windows XP operating system. Remember the legendary default wallpaper photo of the green rolling hill? Yea, that’s a real place.
Can you buy an unused superhero from Marvel Comics and make it your own? Ya know, one of the weird ones that no one has heard of? The team at NPR’s Planet Money decided to try. Free The Doorman!
At some point in the past, your parents thought they’d get rich off that Beanie Baby collection. The rise and fall of one of the strangest investment strategies ever.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Windows-XP-Bliss-Hill-Sonoma-Charles-O-Rear-15976588.phphttps://www.npr.org/series/967404527/planet-money-buys-a-superherohttps://thehustle.co/the-great-beanie-baby-bubble-of-99/
On this episode of Commute - The Podcast:
You check the weather, see sunshine in the forecast, and proceed with your cookout at the park... only to have a downpour ruin the day. Meteorologists are always wrong!! Right? + why meteorologists hate New England Patriot Head Coach Bill Belichick.
Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, Monica - this group redefined being a FRIEND for an entire generation. But who was the show’s main character? We reveal.
Disney’s Goofy is, well, goofy. But is there sorrow behind that famous laugh? The (possibly) tragic story of Mrs. Goofy.
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://scijinks.gov/forecast-reliability/
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/11/bill-belichick-meteorologists-beef
https://yashuseth.blog/2017/12/29/data-analysis-lead-character-of-friends-data-science/
www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/7/5/20677088/goofy-dead-wife-family-tragedy-depression-disney
https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Goofy
On this episode of Commute - The Podcast:
When the pandemic is finally over will consumers start spending money like it's going out of print? We look back 100 years for a clue.
Sitcoms and cartoons have utilized fake laughter for 70 years - but how did they start, and why do some TV executives think laugh tracks will be around forever?
Context is king. What does a clever experiment with an anonymous musician teach us about our inability to assess value when we encounter it unexpectedly?
Follow Commute:
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://nofilmschool.com/Defense-of-the-laugh-track
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160926-where-does-canned-laughter-come-from-and-where-did-it-go#:~:text=When%20Douglass%20first%20'invented'%20the,were%20filmed%20without%20live%20audiences.
https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/laugh-tracks-sitcoms-history-laff-box
https://www.npr.org/2007/04/11/9521098/a-concert-violinist-on-the-metro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKS3MGriZcs (video with no laugh track)
On this episode of Commute - The Podcast:
Sports cards were big business in the late 1980s; then the industry became nearly non-existent in the late 1990s. But wait... a single card sold for $2.96 million in 2020?!
Chess isn't just for nerds (or men) anymore.
Champion Sports has seen the highest of highs (NBA jersey/Dream Team sponsor) followed by the lowest of lows (the XFL - the first time). How did the brand return to glory?
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.detroitnews.com/amp/3402183001
https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/30009629/how-coronavirus-internet-tons-money-unexpectedly-fueled-sports-cards-biggest-boom?platform=amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sportingnews.com/us/amp/mlb/news/trading-card-industry-has-boomed-during-pandemic/10t850qdlc24c101eezddjxibg
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/11/27/queen-gambit-chess-interest/?outputType=amp
https://medium.com/better-marketing/how-champion-became-cool-again-c4e58fa46671
On this episode of Commute - The Podcast:
Do we really need the penny? Trying to make some sense of the one cent.
America's favorite game show has outlasted the competition (over 400 other shows!) for years thanks to a grueling taping schedule, a legendary host, and an occasional eccentric winner.
A family made national news when their son disappeared in a hot air balloon - or did he?
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Twitter - @PodcastCommute
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-penny
https://www.simplemost.com/behind-the-scenes-secrets-of-jeopardy/
https://better.net/arts-events/movies-tv/jeopardy-heres-actually-happens-behind-scenes/
https://www.npr.org/2020/12/24/950074173/balloon-boy-parents-pardoned-by-colorado-governor-for-2009-hoax
Start your week by learning something new!
On this episode of Commute - The Podcast:
The documentary Three Identical Strangers focuses onIdentical triplets separated at birth and adopted by three different families.
Learn about the totally predictable and wildly unpredictable effects of 1.1 million people working together to try to beat...Pokemon.
All TV shows must come to an end, right? Why is it so difficult to end a show on a high note? Where did the phrase "jumping the shark" come from - and what does it actually mean?
Follow Commute:
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Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7664504/
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-three-identical-strangers-documentary-20180702-story.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/11-bizarre-things-from-twitchplayspokemon-2014-3
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/jumping-the-shark-10-great-tv-shows-that-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-15672 ppeple
Commute - The Podcast. You'll be smarter when you get there. New episodes drop every Monday! Spend your commute learning about things that will fuel your conversations and make you the most interesting person in the room.
Episode one:
Meet Dave & Jay and hear the vision for the podcast.
Christmas Trees. Are real Christmas trees destined to go the way of the dinosaur?
As the historic wreck of the Titanic fades into the history books, we ask ourselves - who owns the remaining artifacts at the bottom of the sea?
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Twitter - @PodcastCommute
Episode Sources/Go Deeper:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/d743ym/9-artists-take-on-the-future-of-christmas-trees
https://www.npr.org/local/305/2019/12/06/785524578/the-business-of-christmas-trees-how-millennials-might-be-their-saving-grace
https://www.livescience.com/titanic-shipwreck-disintegrating-into-the-sea.html
https://www.livescience.com/titanic-shipwreck-telegraph-machine-recovery.html