
Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
314 episodes — Page 1 of 7
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family leave week: "Eurovangelists: Hark, The Icelandic Angels Sing!"
family leave week: two curated SIF bonus shows about bison
baby news!!
bonusAlex had his baby! And everybody's doing great. :-D ICYMI: Katie also had her baby! Thanks for all your kindness in this special time. And see you in a few weeks for new SIF.
family leave week: "1 Way To Make An Emoji (the bison emoji podcast)" Episode 1
bonusPlease enjoy this treat from Alex and Katie! It's the first episode of Alex's special miniseries about creating the bison emoji. You can hear all the episodes (including Katie guesting on episode #3 out of 4) at the miniseries's website: https://www.bisonemojipodcast.com/ Or search "1 Way To Make An Emoji" in your podcast app.
family leave week: "Creature Feature: Think Outside The Butt"
bonusPlease enjoy this treat from Alex and Katie! It's a past episode of Katie's animal science podcast, featuring Alex as the guest and butts as the topic. Hear all the episodes of Creature Feature here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creature-feature/id1409480698
family leave week: "The Inspectors Inspectors" Episode 1
bonusPlease enjoy this treat from Alex and Katie! It's the first episode of "The Inspectors Inspectors", never before released to the general public. (To hear all six episodes -- and counting! -- please visit https://maximumfun.org/join/ )
Ep 286Human Teeth
Alex Schmidt and special guest Andrew Ti explore why human teeth are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 285Jim Thorpe
Alex Schmidt and special guest Joey Clift explore why Jim Thorpe is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
baby news!
bonusKatie had her baby! And they're all doing well. See you Monday for a new Alex-and-guests SIF. And thanks!
Ep 284The Color Yellow
Alex Schmidt and special guests David Bell and Tom Reimann explore why the color yellow is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 283Doughnuts
Alex Schmidt and special guest Tom Lum explore why doughnuts are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 282Garlic
Alex Schmidt and special guest Ellen Weatherford explore why garlic is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 281The Number 13
Alex Schmidt and special guest Robert Brockway explore why the number 13 is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 280Crossing Your Fingers
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "fingers crossed" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 279Baby Bottles
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why baby bottles are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 278Sliced Bread
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why sliced bread is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 277Toilet Paper
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why toilet paper is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
a holiday hello, and an invitation to enjoy an unstuck-in-time "Inspectors Inspectors" episode!
bonusHappy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello. Please also enjoy a new "The Inspectors Inspectors" episode in MaxFun bonus feeds. And see you in 2026!To hear all six episodes of "The Inspectors Inspectors", support us and grab your bonus feeds at maximumfun.org/join
Ep 276Peppermint
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why peppermint is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 275Toothpicks
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why toothpicks are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 274Interrobangs
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why interrobangs are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 273The United Nations
Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why The United Nations is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 272Spurs
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why spurs are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 271Credit Scores
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why credit scores are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
Ep 270"Yakety Sax"
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the song "Yakety Sax" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 269Chopsticks
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why chopsticks are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 268Pumpkins
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pumpkins are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Bonus Show: "The Mohawk Skywalkers Who Build New York City -- And The Former Mohawk Neighborhood In Brooklyn"
bonusWe make a special bonus show EVERY WEEK for Maximum Fun members. Get them all by supporting the podcast at https://maximumfun.org/join/. And please enjoy this special public release of the bonus show for Episode 267 ("Lunch Atop A Skyscraper").Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of Mohawk ironworkers who build (and rebuild) New York City, the Montreal bridge project that sparked their community's ironwork traditions, and the little-known recent past of Boerum Hill.RESEARCH SOURCES:How Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ Helped Build New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers (History.com)A Wigwam in Brooklyn (WNYC Public Radio)Little Caughnawaga (The Brooklyn Rail)Skywalkers: A Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center (9/11 Memorial & Museum)10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ (Mental Floss) -- this is one source repeating the claim Peter Rice might be in the photo. It's possible and not certain.Victoria Bridge (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering)When Little Italy Was Big (PBS Channel Thirteen New York City)Exhibitions: Native New York (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
Ep 267"Lunch Atop A Skyscraper"
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the photograph "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 266Speed Bumps
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why speed bumps are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 265Flamingos
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why flamingos are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 264Bluetooth
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Bluetooth is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 263Lint!
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why lint is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5(Alex’s old podcast hosting service required a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, and he's keeping that going for fun. So that’s why this episode’s title has an exclamation point)
Ep 262Neapolitan Ice Cream
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Neapolitan ice cream is secretly incredibly fascinating.NOTE: there's a past episode of SIF about ice cream in general. You don't need to hear it to enjoy this. Also you'll give yourself a fun double feature if you do listen to it: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/secretly-incredibly-fascinating/secretly-incredibly-fascinating-ice-cream/Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 261Glow-In-The-Dark Stuff
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why glow-in-the-dark stuff is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 260The Color Red
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the color red is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 259Root Beer
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why root beer is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 258Cathode Ray Tubes
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why cathode ray tubes are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 257Zoos!
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why zoos are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5(Alex’s old podcast hosting service required a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, and he's keeping that going for fun. So that’s why this episode’s title has an exclamation point)
Ep 256http www
Alex Schmidt and special guest Jason Pargin explore why "http www" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 255Escalators
Alex Schmidt and special guest Dan Hopper explore why escalators are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 254Sunscreen
Alex Schmidt and special guest Lydia Bugg explore why sunscreen is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 253Rock Paper Scissors
Alex Schmidt and special guest Dennard Dayle explore why "rock paper scissors" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 252Bastille Day
Alex Schmidt and special guest Tom Lum explore why Bastille Day is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 251Echidnas
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why echidnas are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Ep 250The Word "Hello"
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the word "hello" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5