Part-Time Genius

Will and Mango go deep on Narwhals-- from how they became one of New York City's greatest mascots, to how to spot a real Narwhal tusk from a fake at your local pawn shop, to why you might want to avoid ordering the Narwhal sushi... plus, we explain why everyone's on the look out for a baby Narluga (the hot new designer Beluga/Narwhal hybrid). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From SpongeBob's sweet origin story to the Japanese business suits that are perfect for catching waves, Will and Mango explore the greatest facts from the world of surfing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How great were the Olympics?! Pretty great. But that doesn't mean they couldn't be better. From Poodle clipping to ski ballet, Will and Mango resurface 9 incredible and obscure sports that ought to be included in the next Olympic Games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For all our schooling, no one ever told us the very best way to sit. (Note this Seth Kinman Grizzly Bear Chair is NOT the best way to sit.) Also, no one taught us what temperature to keep our office at for maximum productivity. Or why cracking jokes might be helpful for elevating status in the workplace. And certainly NONE of our English professors told us how writing in the nude might be a great hack for hitting deadlines. For this week's episode, Will and Mango explore all the very best ways to work. (Note: the answer may involve Amtrak.) ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From boycotts to mavericks, nachos to Zamboni's, there are a whole lot of words we mindlessly use without thinking about the namesakes behind them. This week Will and Mango pay tribute to the fantastic gentleman the leotard is named for, a doctor who did not want a machine named after him, and the wonderful inventor behind the world's most sensational berry! (Supposedly.) ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you knew him as a conservationist, an explorer, a spy or a fashion icon, Jacques Cousteau showcased the sea's mysteries to a curious world. But how did the rebellious teenager with a penchant for breaking windows grow up into a marine legend? Will and Mango explore. ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As summer reaches its height, everyone gets nervous about shark attacks. But how afraid should we be of these Jabberjaws? (Spoiler: not very.) From the hilarious way goblin sharks catch their prey, to the strange effect AC/DC has on sharks, to why Will and Mango wish they could trade out their chompers for shark teeth, Part-Time Genius goes all-in on sharks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Mangesh interviews journalist and host Evan Ratliff about his new show Shell Game, and they discuss what happens when you take control of artificial intelligence and set an AI version of you out into the world. From talking to scammers to making plans with your wife, things get weird quickly! PLUS: Stay tuned for a sneak preview of Episode 1 of Shell Game! 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've wanted to experience the fragrance of extinct Hawaiian flowers? In this episode, Will and Mango get nosey about how scientists have been working hard to build a scent library of disappearing smells. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is America's national bird really a baby snatching scoundrel? What animal did Ben Franklin hope would replace eagles on the American seal (hint: not a turkey!) And why do people think eagles taste like veal? (One famous ornathologist might be to blame.) Tune in as Will and Mango explores all things eagles on this week's special holiday episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a follow up to Thursday’s 9 Incredible Facts about Sicily, we’re posting the first episode of guest host Jo Piazza’s podcast The Sicilian Inheritance. Hope you dig it! Want your own taste of Sicily – grab a bottle of The Sicilian Inheritance inspired OLIVE OIL direct from Sicily to BUY - GO HERE . Snag your copy of THE SICILIAN INHERITANCE, the novel! Like what you hear? Follow us @kscope_nyc on Twitter and Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that Sicily is the home of brain freeze? Or that the so-called snakes on Medusa's head might actually be eels? Or that Sicily is home to one very very specific type of revenge architecture? From Sicily's delicious space program to cutest animals to ever roam the land, dig in as Mango and his pal Jo Piazza-- author and host of The Sicilian Inheritance-- talk all things Sicily. ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've got a station wagon packed with dogs and kids, but nowhere to point it, we've got you covered! From the world's greatest mud festival to, well, the world's greatest belly button festival, Will and Mango have scoured the internet to provide only the best (and weirdest) in summer festivals. ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Pepper's flavor is just one of many questions we have about the drink. Who is the doctor behind Dr Pepper? Is tomato one of the soda's 23 secret ingredients? Should you actually be drinking your Dr Pepper hot? And why doesn't Dr Pepper have a period in its name? (Does the good doctor think it's above the laws of grammar?!) Also, what did Dr Pepper do to make Guns 'n Roses so angry with it? Will and Mango have a lot of questions... and at least 9 answers for you. ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. 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? This episode Will and Mango go deep on the smirking beauty and try to figure out what's really going on behind that sly smile. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango are off this week, but check out this new series Mango's been working on called Afghan Star, hosted by the one and only John Legend. It's the story of how a little music talent show changed the lives and ambitions of Afghans and brought music back to the nation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango are determined to figure out the origin of the emergency hotline. From the strange reason people used to call up funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing up a whole host of 911 facts. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever found yourself standing between Lizzo and André 3000 at yet another cocktail party, and can't think of anything to say to them? Well, you're not alone. A lot of people don't come to parties with enough flute facts in their arsenal. Luckily, we can help. Just memorize every single word of this podcast, and you'll be golden. Guest starring the wonderful Mary Phillips-Sandy! 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. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Parmesan Mafia to the gas station hot dog Will accidentally ate, there are way too many cheese crimes out there! This episode Will and Mango investigate a fondue cartel, ride with food detectives, and look into an Ocean's 11... of cheese?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you're trying to spot a Michelin critic in the wild, or you're on the hunt for the world's best reindeer tartar with moss and fermented mushroom (a very common thing listeners ask us about), we've got you covered. From Katy Perry's Michelin mishap, to chefs trying to sue the guide because they want more stars, to the bizarre reason the Michelin Man prefers to pair his meals with a goblet full of nails, we've prepared a piping hot plate of facts for you. (Go ahead and tuck in!) ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango are back in studio to form a slime appreciation society! From the first time astronauts took slime to space, to the incredible way snails surf (SURF!) their own slime, to the architectural beauty of slime molds, put on your galoshes and jump right in! ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms (Lalita and Paulette) at [email protected]. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reposting this classic ep in honor of Sandra Day O'Connor. From her hardscrabble upbringing on cattle ranch (where she tamed a bobcat!) to her incredible sway on the Supreme Court, Will and Mango explore Justice O'Connor's incredible life, the glass ceilings she broke through along the way, and what made her both such a practical and a fiercely independent voice on the court. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Will and Mango revel in the beauty, majesty and immense grandeur of... the potato. From Ben Franklin's role as a potato influencer, to the strange reason part of a potato is preserved in a baseball museum, to the ridiculous parade float that inspired the word couch potato, Will and Mango are serving up an all-you-can-eat heaping of potato facts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode we’re all about Gators as Will and Mango chat about the best way to get an alligator to duet with you, why gators are surprisingly good mothers, and how a California theme park taught Americans to share their water slides with these toothy beasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this International Women's Day episode, Will and Mango handed the mic to their good pal Jo Piazza. Here are the lady geniuses you should be thanking for your trash can foot pedal, your quieter airplane, and so much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember how fun it was to save up your quarters and go to the arcade? These are the games you didn't want to play. From the Tetris sequel that features Abe Lincolns and Frankensteins, to a game that somehow blends Honey, I Shrunk the Kids with an anti-smoking campaign, to the greatest (maybe only?) game based on Noah's Ark; Will, Gabe and Mango try to out-do each other with the most ridiculous video games they can find. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder what the Royal family's preferred way to eat fruit is? Or why the British Monarchy insists on weighing dinner guests before a meal? Or what type of humor makes the Windsors the happiest (spoiler: it's plane humor.) Join Will, Gabe and Mango as we serve up a boatload of royally silly facts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Mango's kids show off their bad table manners, he scolds them for being Philistines... but do the Philistines actually deserve their bad rap? Was Goliath the actual underdog? And why did someone make a video game that featured them? Will, Gabe and Mango answer one of the most important question on everyone's minds in today's 9 Things: What's so bad about the Philistines? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the world's weirdest cinema (it serves couscous with viewings?!) to an internet for plants, to the perfect job for lazy people who also want to hide underground, Will, Gabe and Mango dig deep in search of 9 great facts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode Will, Gabe and Mango raid the US Patent office to find some of the weirdest, funniest, and most confusing inventions of all time. Plus, the trio discusses the easiest way to scam $6 off of us. Instagram Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gabe loves monster moves! And Will and Mango... tolerate them. But, it turns out, we all love facts about Godzilla. From how Godzilla changed paleontology, to the giant monster's (secret) signature move, to why flattened buildings aren't the worst part of a Godzilla attack, this episode we tip our hats to the King of the Monsters. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses; a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will, Mango and Gabe are stuck inside this week, and decide to hop on the phone to chat comics... specifically, some of the worst comic creations in all of history. Want to know what killed Captain Tootsie? Or why Arm-Fall-Off-Boy was rejected from super hero glory twice? Plus, we discuss why you should never, ever try to crash an X-Men birthday party disguised as a food product. (There's a good reason.) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s special episode, Mango sits down with Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of Mental Floss to talk about everything 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 darn scared of him. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trash pandas. Nature's ninjas. Sure, these ring-tailed rascals go by plenty of names. But whether you love 'em or hate 'em, they're clearly taking over Toronto. Will and Mango discuss everything raccoons, and why they deserve a little respect. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango go deep into their chess cave to determine: what's the most dangerous styles of chess, why did the game move from the battlefield to the royal court, and if a billion people to play chess, can that stop an alien invasion? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why can't princes wear pants? Why does Prince Charles carry a bag of blood with him on his vacations? Is the Queen allowed to use a Pooper Scooper? Why is it so hard to make a perfect tuna sandwich for the royal family? And who is responsible for ironing the Queen's money so that it is perfectly crisp? Will and Mango dig into all the Queen's business and find some delightful stories in the process. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher Gabe joins Will and Mango in the studio to talk about why his family likes to Christmas carol so slowly. (They take over a week to to sing one song!) Plus, the crew discusses bird boxes, conspiracy theories and whether 12 days of gift giving from your true love is just a little excessive. (It is.) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forget Dr. Evil and his ridiculously evil plans... lasers are so much more practical than that! In this episode, Will and Mango discover why lasers are perfect for precision-cooking your bacon, how they can be used as chopsticks, why washing dishes is so much better when it's done by laser, and a simple laser trick for keeping pesky pirates at bay. Plus, we take a look at the very strange way Texas tried to educate aliens about queso. (Spoiler: It involved a laser.) Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every holiday season, Will and Mango rewatch The Peanuts classics. But how did Charles Schulz get his inspiration for the comic strip? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do short people dominate soccer? Is owning a library more important than actually reading the books? And is being handsome important to being taken seriously as a scientist? Will and Mango delve into some super weird ways people wield advantage. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango dig into all the biggest bicycle questions: From how bikes seriously altered the dating scene, to how blind people ride bikes through traffic, to the ingenious way Kermit pedaled his Schwann in the Muppets Movie. Grab a helmet and join us! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did Agatha Christie churn out so many novels? Was Woodrow Wilson more important to the mystery genre than Sherlock Holmes? And what happened to Inspector Gadget's mustache (because he used to have one!) Also, Mango uses incredible deduction skills to squash a neighborhood lie. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango have so many questions about the dollar store business: Why have so many more of these stores cropped up recently? How do you make a profit when everything in your store sells for under a buck? Is a $1 steak a good deal? Plus: the tea on why dollar store employees hate Hot Wheels so much! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee 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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Orleans is one of the most charming and distinct cities in America… but 300 years ago, it would have been hard to see that potential. In this episode, Will and Mango dig into how French the French quarter really is, why the graveyards look like little villages, and whether the Peacemaker sandwich really can keep an angry couple together. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango take a look around the office, from why cubicles were actually a forward-thinking invention, to how knives became a wonderful way to show your applause at the workplace in Cuba to why that office rumor we’re spreading this week about Tristan is probably true (studies prove it!) Plus, nap pods, office ferris wheels and so much more! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, they nuzzled their way into Mike Tyson's heart (and Nikola Tesla; and Bert from Bert and Ernie!), but how intelligent are pigeons? Have scientists really trained the birds to read? Did they actually play a role in discovering the Big Bang? And why are they so darn good at finding their way home? Plus: are catfish their new nemesis? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.