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Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

314 episodes — Page 1 of 7

Buttons (For Pushing)

May 11, 20261h 19m

Bismuth

May 4, 20261h 4m

Prunes

Apr 27, 20261h 12m

23 Skidoo

Apr 20, 20261h 7m

family leave week: "Eurovangelists: Hark, The Icelandic Angels Sing!"

Apr 13, 20261h 6m

family leave week: two curated SIF bonus shows about bison

Apr 6, 202640 min

baby news!!

bonus

Alex 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.

Apr 3, 20260 min

family leave week: "1 Way To Make An Emoji (the bison emoji podcast)" Episode 1

bonus

Please 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.

Mar 30, 202636 min

family leave week: "Creature Feature: Think Outside The Butt"

bonus

Please 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

Mar 23, 202654 min

family leave week: "The Inspectors Inspectors" Episode 1

bonus

Please 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/ )

Mar 16, 20261h 9m

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.

Mar 9, 202656 min

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.

Mar 2, 20261h 13m

baby news!

bonus

Katie had her baby! And they're all doing well. See you Monday for a new Alex-and-guests SIF. And thanks!

Feb 27, 20260 min

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.

Feb 23, 20261h 11m

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.

Feb 16, 202657 min

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.

Feb 9, 20261h 9m

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.

Feb 2, 20261h 7m

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.

Jan 26, 20261h 5m

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.

Jan 19, 20261h 10m

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.

Jan 12, 20261h 13m

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.

Jan 5, 20261h 12m

a holiday hello, and an invitation to enjoy an unstuck-in-time "Inspectors Inspectors" episode!

bonus

Happy 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

Dec 29, 20256 min

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.

Dec 22, 20251h 2m

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.

Dec 15, 20251h 15m

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.

Dec 8, 20251h 11m

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.

Dec 1, 20251h 40m

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.

Nov 24, 20251h 11m

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.

Nov 17, 20251h 20m

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

Nov 10, 20251h 5m

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

Nov 3, 20251h 15m

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

Oct 27, 20251h 14m

Bonus Show: "The Mohawk Skywalkers Who Build New York City -- And The Former Mohawk Neighborhood In Brooklyn"

bonus

We 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)

Oct 23, 202524 min

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

Oct 20, 20251h 13m

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

Oct 13, 202556 min

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

Oct 6, 202558 min

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

Sep 29, 20251h 12m

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)

Sep 22, 202556 min

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

Sep 15, 20251h 10m

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

Sep 8, 20251h 4m

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

Sep 1, 20251h 13m

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

Aug 25, 20251h 15m

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

Aug 18, 20251h 6m

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)

Aug 11, 20251h 13m

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

Aug 4, 20251h 27m

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

Jul 28, 20251h 9m

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

Jul 21, 20251h 9m

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

Jul 14, 20251h 8m

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

Jul 7, 20251h 3m

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

Jun 30, 20251h 8m

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

Jun 23, 20251h 8m