Episodes

  • Sleepwalking - is it dangerous to wake someone in the middle of a sleep walk?

    Sleepwalking - is it dangerous to wake someone in the middle of a sleep walk?
    Jan 3 2025
    How does sleepwalking work exactly? Are certain people more prone to it? What types of activities can sleepwalkers get up to? Are there specific triggers that cause sleepwalking? Is it true that waking a sleepwalker can be dangerous? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: lindsey1151, xsnr, happycapsule, bandito21dema and reshkayden To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • Introducing American Masters: Creative Spark

    Introducing American Masters: Creative Spark
    Dec 27 2024
    We explain why we've been listening to the American Masters: Creative Podcast from PBS. Hope you enjoy it too.
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    3 mins
  • ELI5 Wasabi - is most wasabi really “fake” outside of Japan?

    ELI5 Wasabi - is most wasabi really “fake” outside of Japan?
    Dec 27 2024
    What exactly is that sensation we feel with wasabi? Is it the same as the heat from chili peppers? Why does it go straight to the nose? How does it differ from similar foods like mustard and horseradish? Is wasabi outside Japan really fake? How do you tell if it’s real? Why is it paired with sushi? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: stuthulhu, followups, suffaluffapussycat, jeffboyardean, infinity__now, reese_tora, abaday789 and mike_zzzzz To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 mins
  • ELI5 Spicy Food - if water is not a good antidote, what is?

    ELI5 Spicy Food - if water is not a good antidote, what is?
    Dec 20 2024
    Ever wondered why biting into a chili feels like setting your mouth on fire? Is it a taste or is it something else entirely? Why do some people seek out this fiery sensation? Can you build spicy food tolerance? Does drinking water help deal with the spice? Is there a limit to how spicy food can get? What are the hottest peppers out there? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: racoononbeers, vadered, rapafon, copnonymous, gramoun-kal and mathikaru To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    6 mins
  • ELI5 Rubber Bands - why do they become brittle over time?

    ELI5 Rubber Bands - why do they become brittle over time?
    Dec 13 2024
    What are rubber bands actually made of? Why do they become brittle over time? Why is it near impossible to let go of a stretched rubber-band with both hands at the same time? Which drug cartel was spending a reported $2500 per month on rubber bands? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: party-pupper, tdscanuck, jozer99, uhly, carlmmii,readdit___4score, and iklegemma To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 Mint - why it became associated with freshness?

    ELI5 Mint - why it became associated with freshness?
    Dec 6 2024
    How is spearmint and peppermint different? How did mint become associated with freshness and cleanliness in products like toothpaste and gum? Why does mint create that feeling in our mouths? Why do mint and citrus flavors clash? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: much_blank, thectcamp, redcat_51, jellyel88 pinkie3141, kakapo117, ilmt206 and socks405 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 Black Friday - why is it called Black Friday?

    ELI5 Black Friday - why is it called Black Friday?
    Nov 29 2024
    Why is it called Black Friday? Why is thanksgiving itself always on a Thursday? Was Macy’s the first American department store to sponsor a parade in celebration of Thanksgiving? How did American football become such a big part of the thanksgiving tradition? Is it true that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion. To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins
  • ELI5 Myopia - why can’t you buy myopia glasses off the shelf like reading glasses?

    ELI5 Myopia - why can’t you buy myopia glasses off the shelf like reading glasses?
    Nov 22 2024
    How common is myopia around the world? Is it caused by genetics or lifestyle? How has myopia evolved with human activities? In aAmerican drug stores you often see a wide variety of reading glasses. Why are there no pre made options for myopia or near sighted people? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: notofyourworld, forams__galorams, cultish_alibi, pearlsb4pigs, explosivelydehiscent, norrisn and queltis6000 To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 mins