Part-Time Genius

Tis the season for commerce, and Gabe and Mary are standing by with answers to all the questions you didn’t know you had. Like: What was the Tickle Me Elmo of ancient Rome? Why was Black Friday almost called Big Friday? And what happened when FDR messed with Thanksgiving in order to give people more time to shop? (Chaos, that’s what happened.) Plus: Helpful suggestions for anyone struggling to find the perfect gift. Get your official Part-Time Genius membership card! Tell us your name, address, and one fun fact and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. We’re on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social. Photo of a Macy’s holiday window display via Wikimedia Commons.  Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Florida the birthplace of ostrich racing? Why do male Emperor penguins get an extra stomach flap? And why should you be extra wary of a loose cassowary? Today Mango and Gabe run through some of the world's biggest questions about the world’s biggest birds. This episode originally aired on July 20, 2018. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Ostrich photo by Catherine Merlin via Unsplash. Thanks, Catherine! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Freston’s resume is real, but reads like fiction: he served cocktails in the Caribbean, created a fashion brand in India, co-founded MTV, became CEO of Viacom… and after he was unceremoniously fired, he helped launch a TV network in Afghanistan and became an advocate for global health initiatives. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s written an extraordinary memoir, Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu. So today Tom sits down with Mango to talk about some of those adventures, including the time he ended up in a sauna with David Bowie and Paul McCartney, how The Real World came to be, and why he believes TV can change the world. Buy Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu, or request it at your local bookstore or library! Get your official Part-Time Genius membership card! Give us your name, address, and one fun fact and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. We’re on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to know what the Chanel No. 5 of Ancient Egypt smelled like? Or how the interior of Queen Elizabeth's royal car smelled? Or maybe you'd like to experience the fragrance of extinct Hawaiian flowers? In this episode, Will and Mango get nosy about how scientists have been working hard to build a scent library of disappearing smells.  This episode originally aired on July 11, 2024. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of Cleopatra street mural in Barcelona by r2hox via Wikimedia Commons. Thanks, r2hox! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a treat! It’s a fact-packed food science trivia game, created in collaboration with our good pals at Science Friday. Mango and SciFri’s Flora Lichtman put one lucky listener to the test with questions about peppers, panda diets, and more, with special prizes on the line.  Check out Science Friday, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow them on Instagram @scifri and Bluesky @scifri.bsky.social. Get your official Part-Time Genius membership card! Give us your name, address, and one fun fact and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. We’re on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social. Pepper photo by Hari Krishnan via Unsplash. Thanks, Hari! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything Will and Mango read about New Zealand made them want to visit! From how Hokey Pokey became the country's favorite ice cream flavor, to why the nation is giving away free gym memberships... to birds, to the reason the coffin clubs are taking off, Will and Mango dig deep into the country's history to discover why New Zealand is so much better than the Old one.  This episode originally aired on December 5, 2019. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of Lake Pukaki by Casey Horner via Unsplash. Thanks, Casey!   Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you love fusilli or spaghetti (actually, turns out many of you don’t love spaghetti), today’s episode will whet your appetite… for pasta facts. Join Will and Mango as they discover the rarest noodles on earth, a daring macaroni-powered prison break, and the visionary chef who paved the way for red sauce. Plus: Listeners weigh in on the best pasta shapes of all time. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925.  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Mae Mu via Unsplash. Thanks, Mae! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Mango sits down with Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of Mental Floss, to talk about our 26th president, Teddy Roosevelt… from whether he really climbed a mountain out of spite, to how a seal inspired his fossil collection, to what made him so darn productive (hint: it helps to drink coffee from a mug the size of a bathtub). Plus, we get into just how high-pitched TR’s voice was, and why Dr. Seuss was so scared of him. This episode originally aired on February 19, 2020. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo (actually, it's a photomechanical print) via the Library of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the super strange reason Burt Reynolds grew a mustache to why you need to invest in a mustache spoon, Will and Mango chat all things facial topiaries with their good pals Yves and Alex. Special thanks to @doodlynoted on Instagram, whose amazing sketchnotes of this episode made us want to listen to it again! This episode originally aired on November 2, 2017. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Alan Hardman via Unsplash. Thanks, Alan! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if aliens came to earth… and helped us unlock the mysteries of the universe? That’s the premise of our pal Daniel Whiteson’s new book, Do Aliens Speak Physics?, and today on the show he tells us how thinking through this wacky scenario can tell us a lot about ourselves, our science, and the boundaries of knowledge. Plus: Why sci-fi is just as important as sci-non-fi. Buy Do Aliens Speak Physics or request it at your local bookstore or library! Check out Daniel’s podcast, Daniel & Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe! Learn more about Daniel’s research and other work! Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!   Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Rec Center, Mango introduces listeners to his pal Matthew Shaer's brand new podcast Origin Stories. If you're someone who misses the Longform podcast, loves to learn about the craft of writing, or just want to hear more from your favorite author and filmmaker, Origin Stories is probably what you've been looking for. On today's episode, Matthew interviews the bestselling author Stephanie Foo about her memoir "What My Bones Know." If you want to hear about why morning pages don't work for everybody, how to approach a rewrite, and why it's ok to include more fart jokes than your editor might want, give it a listen.  For more Origin Stories, including Stephanie's episode, be sure to click here. Or find it wherever you get your podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the famous family—but what about the man behind them, lurking in the shadows? Mango and Gabe decided to celebrate Halloween by unearthing some weird, delightful, and weirdly delightful stories about cartoonist Charles Addams, from his childhood love of creeping around vacant houses to the unexpected way his TV show made tech history. Want an official, numbered, limited edition Part-Time Genius membership card? Of course you do. Get in touch and share a fun fact, your name, and your mailing address and we’ll send you one for free. Email [email protected], DM us on our socials, or leave a message at (302) 405-5925. (We may share your fact on an upcoming episode, but don’t worry, your contact info is private.)  Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!   Photo of Addams by Irving Penn, via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Iowa, you can't just show up on your neighbor's doorstep with a costume... kids have to work for the treats! Grab your pillowcase, bucket, or plastic pumpkin-shaped pail and join Will, Mango, and Gabe for a very sweet-and-spooky episode to get yourself excited for Halloween This episode originally aired on October 26, 2017. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Beth Teutschmann via Unsplash. Thanks, Beth! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re closing out this week of curiosity with our good pals Josh and Chuck (and super producer Jeri!) from Stuff You Should Know. It’s a wide-ranging, brain-tickling conversation that touches on everything from childhood obsessions to SYSK behind-the-scenes stories to the shocking truth about off-mic personas. Plus: Everyone tries to figure out which Muppet they are, for some reason. What’s your favorite fact you learned this week? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Instagram (@parttimegenius) or Bluesky (parttimegenius.bsky.social). We’ll pick one comment at random to win a prize! For a bonus entry, make a post with your answer and tag us. Deadline is 11:59pm ET, Sunday Oct. 26. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Will and Mango explore the science of curiosity at different ages: how school can help (or hurt) kids’ curiosity, why middle age may make you less curious, and what we know about babies’ curiosity, even though they can’t fill out questionnaires. Plus: A conversation with a researcher who made a surprising discovery about elderly people, and expert tips for practicing curiosity, whether you’re 1 or 100. Join our slow(er) curiosity exercise! Think of something you’re curious about—big or small—then don’t Google it. Instead, go for a walk or sit someplace quiet. Use a pen and paper to jot down any ideas that come to mind. Then head over to our Instagram (@parttimegenius) or Bluesky (parttimegenius.bsky.social) and tell us how it went. We’ll pick one comment at random to win a prize! For a bonus entry, take a photo or video of your walk/quiet place, upload it and tag us. Deadline is 11:59pm ET, Sunday Oct. 26. Learn more about Jamie Jirout’s work at the UVA REAL lab. Learn more about Mary Whatley’s work at the Motivated Memory & Successful Aging Lab. Learn more about Celeste Kidd’s work at the Kidd Lab.   Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re taking a break from human curiosity and turning our attention to other animals. What makes hummingbirds explore different flowers? Are we to blame for rats’ curiosity? Are animals in the wild more or less curious than animals in captivity? And if you were a zebrafish, which would you find more interesting: a white shell or a purple cup? Day 3 listener activity: Grab an assortment of objects and present them one at a time to the nearest animal (as long as it’s friendly) to see what it’s curious about. Then head over to our Instagram (@parttimegenius) or Bluesky (parttimegenius.bsky.social) and tell us how the experiment went. We’ll pick one comment at random to win a prize! For a bonus entry, take a photo or video of your animal, upload it and tag us. Deadline is 11:59pm ET, Sunday Oct. 26. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where did the saying “curiosity killed the cat” come from, and is it just a way for the rich and powerful to oppress everyone else? (Hint: yes.) Today on the show, Will and Mango take a look at curiosity’s checkered history: from the Middle Ages (when it was considered a threat to society) to the 17th century (when it became downright trendy) to today (when we can Google anything we want).  Day 2 listener activity: Head over to our Instagram (@parttimegenius) or Bluesky (parttimegenius.bsky.social) and tell us which three objects you’d include in a cabinet of curiosities. We’ll pick one comment at random to win a prize! For a bonus entry, take a photo or video of your objects, upload it and tag us. Deadline is 11:59pm ET, Sunday Oct. 26. Buy Barbara Benedict’s book, Curiosity: A Cultural History of Early Modern Inquiry.   Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every day this week, we’re exploring a different aspect of curiosity—you know, the thing that makes you listen to this show. We’re starting off by discovering what happens in our brains when we experience curiosity, why some things make us curious and others don’t, how a lack of novelty can lead to pretty strange behavior, and how all of this ties in to our willingness to buy oat milk.  Take the Which Part-Time Genius Co-Host Are You? quiz! Leave a comment on our Instagram (@parttimegenius) or Bluesky (parttimegenius.bsky.social) and tell us your result. We’ll pick one comment at random to win a prize! For a bonus entry, make a post about your result and tag us. Deadline is 11:59pm ET, Sunday Oct. 26. Learn more about Celeste Kidd’s work at the Kidd Lab. Subscribe to Jack Shepherd’s newsletter, On Words and Up Words.   Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to know which billionaire speaks Esperanto fluently? Or what country almost adopted Esperanto as its national language? Or why Hitler and Stalin were both afraid of Dr. Esperanto (actually Doktoro Esperanto)? Join Will and Mango as they dive into the incredible world of constructed languages and also discover why William Shatner isn't just the greatest Esperanto actor of all time... but also probably the worst. This episode originally aired on May 2, 2024. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Volodymyr Hyrshchenko via Unsplash. Thanks, Volodymyr! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Mango and producer Mary are talking trash! Discover how people used to deal with trash (hint: it involved thousands of feral pigs), and why garbology is an actual science that can teach us a lot about ourselves. Plus, we take a look at the most creative modern garbage disposal technologies, from underground tubes to robot sharks to giant anthropomorphic wheels, and dig up some incredible things that were found in the trash. Meet Baltimore’s Trash Wheel family here! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Pittsburgh travel tips? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of a garbage pile in the Himalayas by Sylwia Bartyzel via Unsplash. Thanks, Sylwia! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From plants that eat rats and frogs, to the strange reason bats curl up in pitcher plants, Will and Mango explore the eerie world of carnivorous plants.  This episode originally aired on November 9, 2018. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Andi Superkern via Unsplash. Thanks, Andi! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the second episode of our two-part series about Tintin! Today Gabe and Mango look beyond the books to discuss Tintin adaptations, including Steven Spielberg’s hit movie (which was forever changed by a random encounter in a grocery store) and two long-lost stage plays co-authored by Hergé himself. We also unpack Hergé’s legacy: from questions about his actions during WWII to his depictions of other countries, and the importance of having conversations about flawed art. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of a Tintin mural in Bruxelles by Johan Mouchet via Unsplash. Thanks, Johan! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know which day Garfield hates. But what’s the best day to avoid a bank robbery? And when can you get the freshest sushi? And why are there seven days in a week, anyway? Will and Mango dive into your calendars, and emerge with some pretty surprising answers. Featuring author Melissa Heckscher. This episode originally aired on August 25, 2017. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Bich Tran via Pexels. Thanks, Bich! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millions of readers have been captivated by the adventures of Tintin, a swoopy-haired young journalist who races around the world with his little dog, Snowy. But it turns out the story behind the stories is just as interesting! Today Mango and Gabe bring you part one of our two-part dive into all things Tintin. We’ll meet the failed characters who served as prototypes (shout out Totor and Flup!), and we’ll discover how Tintin’s creator, Hergé, became more open-minded about other cultures… all thanks to a friendly art student. Tune in next week for part two! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Gang Hao via Unsplash. Thanks, Gang! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which apple could also be a hair metal band? Why is New York City the Big Apple and not the New Orange? And how did Japanese farmers figure out the secret to the biggest, sweetest apples in the world? Grab a flannel shirt and a bag of fresh cider doughnuts, because today Will and Mango are taking you apple-fact picking!  This episode originally aired on September 28, 2018. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Ryan Arnst via Unsplash. Thanks, Ryan! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are lots of ways we could tell you about the art of secret messaging: we could waggle a blanket, grab a bucket of gallnuts and iron supplements, flutter our fans, or tattoo some information on a hapless intern’s scalp. But that’s pretty complicated, so Mango and Gabe made a podcast about it instead. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of wigwag flags by the U.S. Army Center of Military History via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the Mona Lisa get so famous? Why doesn't she have any eyebrows? And why was Picasso investigated for the painting's theft? Today, Will and Mango go deep on the mysterious beauty and discover what—and who!—is behind that sly smile.  This episode originally aired on May 30, 2024. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a tiny insect, lice sure can cause big problems! Today Mango and producer Mary—both veterans of the head lice wars—dive into the ancient history of this itchy critter (including mummies with lice!), explore bizarre superstitions and home remedies you shouldn’t try (please don’t dunk your head in kerosene!), and finally, talk to some experts about treatments that do work… and why you might want to take a moment to appreciate your lice before you destroy them.  Check out Dale Clayton’s Clayton & Bush Lab at the University of Utah. Learn more about Dale’s AirAlle device. Watch Laurie Moyer’s videos on YouTube and TikTok, or visit Lice Centers of Wisconsin. Learn more about Ian Burgess’s work at Insect Research & Development. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! “Hunting for Lice” (1652) by Gerard ter Borch, via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone says money is the root of all evil... but are you 100% certain it isn’t pizza? Will and Mango take a deep dive into a shallow dish (more of a pan, really) to discuss pizza wars, mafia ties, and why the proper term for a pizza rat in Australia is a Charlie Cheese. Featuring Scott Weiner from Scott’s Pizza Tours. This episode originally aired on August 30, 2017. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Sylwia Pietruszka via Unsplash. Thanks, Sylwia! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Will and Mango are tipping their hats to the true MVPs of competitive sports: mascots! Find out how these costumed characters became a fixture of modern ballgames, and take a trip back to antiquity to meet the avian mascots of ancient Greece and Rome. Plus: the Muppet-y pedigree of the Philly Phanatic, the wacky world of Japanese civic mascots, and the tragic tale of the most maligned mascot in MLB history (RIP Crazy Crab). Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Chris Chow via Unsplash. Thanks, Chris! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do so many smart people procrastinate? Is there a link between extreme achievement and putting off your work? And should you behead a roadside statue of St. Expedite if you miss a deadline? Will and Mango chat with author Andrew Santella about his book SOON: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to You and Me, to discuss why taking a lazy approach to your responsibilities may not be the worst thing. Plus: Why to-do lists might be the ultimate vehicle for procrastination! This episode originally aired on April 13, 2018. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Photo by Vitaly Gariev via Unsplash. Thanks, Vitaly! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the grand finale! Our last four greatest science ideas of the past 25 years include a very hungry super fungus, a chemical-free (but not dubstep-free) insect repellent, a poignant story of agricultural polymers and wet books, and a cure for sleep apnea that may require some negotiations with your neighbors. Check out the Zorbix website and YouTube channel! This episode originally aired on March 7, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the home stretch! Buckle up for ideas 8 through 5, which include some magical molecules, a sea creature that helped reinvent plywood, a medical treatment with terrifying origins, and a discovery that practically upended the world of classical music. This episode originally aired on March 6, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re covering ideas 13 through 9! These include a fascinating discovery about NASCAR and psychology, a clock that’s so accurate it’s reshaping our understanding of time, a tasty way to make concrete stronger (and more environmentally friendly), and some truly delightful revelations about dinosaurs. Plus: We explain particle physics through song. Check out musician David Nagler’s website and his band, As For the Future! This episode originally aired on March 5, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The countdown continues with ideas 19 through 14, and today we’re talking virtual dolphins, a bike helmet you’ll actually want to wear, glass that un-breaks itself, unusual diet tips from the Amazon, personal germ clouds, and a high-tech approach to eating lobster. Check out Shucks Maine Lobster here! This episode originally aired on March 4, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we take a short break this week, we're revisiting our countdown of the 25 greatest science ideas of the past 25 years! It all kicks off right here with a breakthrough for jetlagged hamsters, a hot tub that’ll take you on a journey, a better ketchup bottle, a solution for one of the world’s most common tech annoyances, and some very bad news: chickens are definitely judging you. Plus, we meet the man who brought the smell of outer space to earth. Learn more about Steve Pearce’s work with fragrances and flavors here! This episode originally aired on March 3, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Babies! We’ve all been one, and some of us have them. But did you know that baby talk serves an important purpose? Or that babies can fake tears to get attention? Today Mango and producer Gabe dig into some big science about tiny humans. Plus: What are zusers and bofels? Only a well-rested baby can answer that! Check out Candy Is Dandy: The Candy Review Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Minnie Zhou via Unsplash. Thanks, Minnie! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When's the best time to surf the Amazon? Can Brazilian termites help you make a better pizza? And did you pay too much for that venomous snake? (Spoiler alert: You probably did.) Today Will and Mango are uncovering some little-known facts about the big, beautiful country of Brazil! This episode originally aired on March 1, 2019. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of Rio de Janeiro street art by Milos Hajder via Unsplash. Obrigado, Milos! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your riding crop and hold on tight, because today we’re taking a spin through the history of merry-go-rounds! Why do British carousels rotate in the opposite direction from the rest? Which future U.S. president had a summer job sanding ponies? And what’s the connection between carousels and Eggo waffles? Saddle up your speakers, because Will and Mango have the answers! Plus: The world’s first rocket-powered carousel, and the Michelangelo of horse carving. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Katneyl via Unsplash. Thanks, Katneyl! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is there a bull on the Elmer's glue bottle? What did kids use to carry their books around before they had backpacks? And why does a giant cone tree get everyone excited about starting school in Germany? Will and Mango dig deep into their Trapper Keepers to bring you some stories you definitely didn't learn in school.  This episode originally aired on October 16, 2019. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Art by Henri-Jules-Jean Geoffroy via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s more fun than financial debt? Honestly, just about anything! But the team here has a knack for finding the silly side of any subject, and the history of people owing money to each other is no exception. Today, the guys share some out-of-the-box ideas for settling a debt, including paying your rent with a bunch of dead eels (looking at you, medieval England!) and recording an IRS-themed country album (looking at you, Willie Nelson!). They also discover why a small town in Oregon decided to foot the bill for the Boston Tea Party, and reveal which country is the most reliable debtor in the EU (hint, they’re also big into saunas). Check out Dr. Greenlee’s Eel-Rents Project at historiacartarum.org! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash. Thanks, Towfiqu! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to build a theme park, there are some big questions to answer. Is it really a theme park, or is it an amusement park? (There’s a difference!) Also, how many Santa Clauses should you have? (Important.) And what do you need to do to be more eccentric than Walt Disney? (Start by picking a favorite juice, and then act irrationally when people don’t want to drink it.) Featuring author David Younger and Theme Park Insider's Robert Niles. This episode originally aired on September 6, 2017. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Sung Jin Cho via Unsplash. Thanks, Sung Jin! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer may be winding down, but we’re not done traveling yet—so grab your SPF and join Will and Mango on a big trip across the world’s smallest continent! Want to know the secret to Aussie slang? Or why the country is littered with ghost towns? We cover all that and more, including the best place to spot a pod of orcas and the least sweltering time of year to visit. Plus, we answer the age old question: Which side of the dingo fence has bigger kangaroos?  Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by James Wainscoat via Unsplash. Thanks, James! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Park rangers do so much more than just keeping Yogi Bear from stealing picnic baskets. Whether it’s outsmarting poachers, fending off the Klan, protecting tourists from gator attacks, or helping tiny endangered species make their way to sea, Will and Mango celebrate the heroes who keep our national parks running.  This episode originally aired on April 6, 2018. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Vintage ranger photo via the National Park Service. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experimental archaeology is the science (and art!) of discovering what ancient worlds smelled, tasted, sounded, and felt like… a process that often involves going to some truly incredible lengths. Author Sam Kean stops by to recount his adventures researching his new book, Dinner with King Tut—from hurling stones with a 30’ tall catapult to modern mummification to an unfortunate incident involving a piece of urine-soaked salmon skin. Buy Sam’s books: samkean.com Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of the Coffin of Nesykhonsu by the Cleveland Museum of Art, via Unsplash. Thanks, CMA! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What band was named as a tribute to their high school gym coach? Why did The Earwigs change their name to Alice Cooper (hint: it might have something to do with a Oujia board)? And would Chubby Checker have been as popular if he'd taken the name Chubby Chesspiece? Get ready to turn it up to eleven, because Will and Mango are exploring some of the funniest, quirkiest and greatest band names in music history. This episode originally aired on March 7, 2018. Photo by Matthew Cheng via Unsplash. Thanks, Matthew! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius!  Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab your lab goggles and gloves, because today we’re taking a close look at the periodic table! From the visionary scientist who created it, to a 1980s war over element names, to the very strangest elements on the chart, Will and Mango have nine facts that’ll melt your brain like it’s made of gallium. (You’ll get the joke after you listen.) Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by David Ballew via Unsplash. Thanks, David! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every living thing dies—but sometimes, they come back to life! Perhaps unsurprisingly, Will and Mango have a lot of questions about this phenomenon. For example: How hard it is to bring a species back from extinction? Why do some people wake up in the morgue after being declared dead? Are fish markets the best places to look for extinct species? And can resurrecting the woolly mammoth help solve climate change?  This episode originally aired on May 10, 2019. Photo by Thomas Quine via Wikimedia Commons. Thanks, Thomas! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius!  Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Will and Mango are exploring the world of 3D printing, from the 1940s sci-fi writer who anticipated its invention to some of its strangest modern uses, like rescuing turtles, making snacks, and solving the housing crisis. Plus: can a 3D printer 3D print a 3D printer? Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo of a 3D-printed Grogu by Girl with red hat via Unsplash. Thanks, Girl with red hat! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can grapefruit ice cream cure your hangovers? Have Japanese scientists really cracked the code on ice creams that won't melt? And why does seafood ice cream make patriots' mouths water? Gabe and Mango are serving up a big dish of our favorite summertime treat, with extra facts sprinkled on top!  This episode originally aired on May 31, 2018. Photo by Zach Camp via Unsplash. Thanks, Zach! Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius!  Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.