• Why is Chinese art being stolen?
    Mar 6 2025

    The market for Chinese art used to be very small and is now a billion dollar annual industry. What changed? And how is this all tied to a string of heists? Listen in to find out.

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    42 mins
  • Short Stuff: Outlawry
    Mar 5 2025

    A request by our producer Dave C, we explore how totally on your own you were in Medieval England when the court declared you an outlaw.

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    12 mins
  • Switchboards: Please Hold While We Connect You
    Mar 4 2025

    The telephone switchboard was a real wonder of technology and laid the groundwork for the next generation of connectivity. Learn how these things worked today.

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    49 mins
  • Selects: Are crickets the future of food?
    Mar 1 2025

    Crickets are part of a larger insect-based diet enjoyed in most parts of the world. Loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein, and green to boot, crickets could help solve some of the world's food problems if Europe and America get on board. Learn all about cricket farming in this classic episode.

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    44 mins
  • How GPS Works
    Feb 27 2025

    In a tribute to the late founder of HowStuffWorks Marshall Brain, we chose one of his great articles. Learn all about how your phone knows how to get you around without bumping into stuff or running people over in this episode. Thank you, Marshall.

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    48 mins
  • Short Stuff: Fanta - Nazi Favorite?
    Feb 26 2025

    Fanta has its roots in Germany during WWII, so the Nazi association is something that's tough to deny. Dive in and hear all about how this beloved soda got its start as a non-orange, bad-tasting fizzy drink.

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    14 mins
  • Who Put Bella In the Wych Elm?
    Feb 25 2025

    One of the more famous unsolved true crime cases concerns a woman found stuffed into a tree in a woods outside Worcestershire during WWII. Despite an extensive effort by police at the time of her discovery, she still has never been identified.

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    38 mins
  • Selects: How the Negro Leagues Worked
    Feb 22 2025

    A decade before the U.S. officially segregated in 1896, baseball banned black players. A decade before the US integrated, baseball broke the color barrier. Between, the Negro Leagues produced some of the finest players to ever take the field. Explore this important piece of American history with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.

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    55 mins