Welcome to Othram aka "America's Crime Lab." Each week, we meet weary detectives and family members working an unsolved case that has wrecked a community and seemingly hit a dead end… until, in a last-ditch effort, the evidence is mailed to Othram.
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iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
Were we sleeping when everything changed? Seems like the technologically driven future is already here. On kill switch, we explain the right NOW of our super charged technological lives. New host Dexter Thomas answers questions big and small – like who’s behind Shrimp Jesus, and could you get arrested by a computer? kill switch also brings the DIY back to tech – “How to Now” on everything from how to run your own LLM to tips to keep your data safe. Because the more “user-friendly” our device ...
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Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, a ...
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No Such Thing is a show where three best friends and journalists settle their dumb arguments — and yours — by actually doing the research. Hosts Manny Fidel, Noah Friedman, and Devan Joseph, start each episode with an argument using just their gut feelings. Then they go out into the world, investigate, talk to experts, and conduct some experiments. Finally, the guys bring their findings back to the group to see if they can change minds, enlighten each other, and move past their emotional tru ...
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Where do you go when your own thoughts are unsafe? Basket Case, a series hosted by Nicole Kelly (NK), decodes the kaleidoscope of mental health and uncovers how our brain contorts our reality through original reporting, tender conversations, and deeply personal explorations.
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Forget Willy Wonka and those heart-shaped Valentine’s boxes. OBSESSIONS: Wild Chocolate. is a totally different beast. Join host Rowan Jacobson as he elbows his way through the rain forest, crash lands into cocaine flyaways, and avoids a few too many anaconda, tagging along with modern-day Lara Crofts as they try to get their hands on some of the world’s most ancient– and expensive– cacao.
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Lance Bass, NSYNC Superstar and Russian trained astronaut, takes you on a wild ride into space. He tells the story of the last Soviet cosmonaut who is trapped on the world’s only space station, as the country he knows and loves collapses beneath him. On this journey through Earth’s atmosphere in the form of a podcast, Lance introduces you to the woman who won a reality show cosmonaut contest, a ham radio operator in Australia who became a lifeline for the Soviet Space Station, a hustler from ...
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When Mangesh Hattikudur (Part-Time Genius, Humans Growing Stuff) set out to do a big, sweeping show on astrology, he didn’t realize the first interview would change the course of his life. But as he tries to put his world back together, he realizes the incredible ways astrology presents itself in modern society: from NASA employees who keep their belief in astrology in the closet, to world leaders who’ve used astrologers to guide foreign policy, to moneyball statisticians who use astrology m ...
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He didn’t have a role in Hamilton, but America wouldn’t be the same without him! From Walter Isaacson– the bestselling biographer behind Musk, Einstein and Steve Jobs– and journalist Evan Ratliff (Mastermind, co-host of the beloved Longform podcast) comes a behind the scenes look at the story of Ben Franklin, and how his genius shaped our national character. From Franklin’s adventures as a mischievous apprentice, to his evolution over 84 years into America’s best writer, inventor,scientist, ...
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For the first time in decades, detectives have a solid lead on who killed Carla Walker. Forensic DNA testing of her powder blue dress is pointing to a surprising suspect. But authorities need one more DNA sample to close the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
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If you’ve been resistant to using a password manager, or if you want to step up your overall digital security, this episode is for you. Dexter talks to Josh Blackwelder, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer of SentinelOne, about the dangers of having weak passwords (even for accounts you don’t care about), why you definitely should use a passw…
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9 Highly Reactive Facts About the Periodic Table
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21:06Grab your lab goggles and gloves, because today we’re taking a close look at the periodic table! From the visionary scientist who created it, to a 1980s war over element names, to the very strangest elements on the chart, Will and Mango have nine facts that’ll melt your brain like it’s made of gallium. (You’ll get the joke after you listen.) Got a …
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How Close Are We to Resurrecting a Woolly Mammoth?
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32:13
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32:13Every living thing dies—but sometimes, they come back to life! Perhaps unsurprisingly, Will and Mango have a lot of questions about this phenomenon. For example: How hard it is to bring a species back from extinction? Why do some people wake up in the morgue after being declared dead? Are fish markets the best places to look for extinct species? An…
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After 46 years, detectives reopen Carla Walker’s murder, and an investigator who helped find the Golden State Killer wants in on the case. But will DNA testing of the cheerleaders' clothes help solve the case or kill it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
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Carla Walker’s brazen abduction after her high school Valentine’s dance shook Fort Worth, TX. Suspicion swirls around her boyfriend, while others are convinced of his innocence. Who could have raped and murdered the cheerleader? Everyone thinks they know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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We’re living in a world shaped by algorithms. They’re not just curating our feeds, they’re changing the way we speak. Dexter talks with Adam Aleksic, aka the Etymology Nerd, about his new book Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language. They unpack how algorithmic censorship on social media is reshaping the way we use langua…
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Today Will and Mango are exploring the world of 3D printing, from the 1940s sci-fi writer who anticipated its invention to some of its strangest modern uses, like rescuing turtles, making snacks, and solving the housing crisis. Plus: can a 3D printer 3D print a 3D printer? Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should ex…
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9 Deliciously Frosty Facts About Ice Cream
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15:34
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15:34Can grapefruit ice cream cure your hangovers? Have Japanese scientists really cracked the code on ice creams that won't melt? And why does seafood ice cream make patriots' mouths water? Gabe and Mango are serving up a big dish of our favorite summertime treat, with extra facts sprinkled on top! This episode originally aired on May 31, 2018. Photo b…
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Introducing the new podcast America’s Crime Lab. Each week, we meet weary detectives and family members as we run through an unsolved case that wrecked a community and seemingly hit a dead end… until, in a last-ditch effort, the evidence is mailed to Othram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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AI music generators are not only the product of scraped (read: stolen) music, they’re also threatening the livelihood of musicians. But there are people who are finding ways to fight back – by using a technique called poison pilling. This week, Dexter talks to two of them: Benn Jordan, a musician and YouTuber who developed a tool called Poisonify, …
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Have you ever met a pharologist? Neither have we, but we know Princess Anne is one—she’s a lighthouse expert! Also, apparently there are lighthouse experts! Today Will and Mango explore nine weird and wonderfully specific fields of study, from bell-ringing to bats to the end of the world. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you th…
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What's the Most American Place in the World?
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40:20We all know the American places in America (Cleveland is one). But where should a U.S. citizen go to feel at home abroad? Will and Mango visit a wee America in Brazil (?!), tour the territories, and look for the Kentucky in Japan’s KFCs. Featuring our pal and Snack Stack author Doug Mack. This episode originally aired on July 14, 2017. Photo of a K…
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how to: break up with netflix (and spotify, and…)
31:47
31:47
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31:47Once upon a time streaming delivered a utopian fantasy – anything you wanted to watch or listen to, at your fingertips. Now, we’re saddled with dozens of subscriptions and our digital library is at the whim of big tech companies. Even your Kindle books can be deleted without your consent. Is there another way? Dexter talks to Janus Rose, a journali…
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Debunking Muscle Myths with Casey Johnston!
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29:09
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29:09Should men and women work out differently? Are rest days really necessary? And how did a group of 19th century German gymnastics enthusiasts transform America? Casey Johnston, author of the She’s a Beast newsletter and the new book A Physical Education, stops by to share some fitness facts that will really pump you up. Plus: The importance of stren…
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Are siblings more influential than parents?
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41:19
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41:19Today’s episode was inspired by Susan Dominus’ new book “The Family Dynamic.” The book profiles six families with multiple successful siblings and analyzes the factors that have contributed to their success. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and bonus content: www.nosuchthing.show Have a question you want us to tackle? Email us: mannynoahdeva…
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Part-Time Genius on The Puzzler: "True True False False" w/ Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur
20:57
20:57
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20:57Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: hosts of the "Part-Time Genius" podcast, Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler pod…
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Guess what happens when we try to pick the top 8 U.S. museums to visit? (Spoiler: we accidentally end up with 11 on the list.) From a mecca of kazoos to a dinner theater in a mine, here are some wonderfully bizarre places you shouldn’t miss. Plus, facts about SPAM! Featuring Dylan Thuras. This episode originally aired on July 5, 2017. Photo by Kind…
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Big Tech promised AI would solve our biggest problems. But behind the hype there is a more unsettling reality: labor exploitation, environmental harm, and the looming threat of mass automation. Dexter sits down with journalist Karen Hao to talk about her new book Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI. They dig into how today’s …
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We pull their strings and stick them on our hands, but puppets are so much more than toys! Today Mango and producer Mary are taking you on a whirlwind world tour of puppetry, from Indonesian puppet shows that run until dawn to an avant-garde French ice marionette to… emo puppets? That’s right, emo puppets. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A …
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Who Invented Fentanyl, and How Did It Become a Crisis?
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23:26Nowadays we often hear about fentanyl in the context of the opioid epidemic. But it began as a medical breakthrough, created by a pharmaceutical genius who was once ranked the second-best Belgian of all time. In this excerpt from the podcast Panic World, Mango and producer Mary explain fentanyl’s fascinating origin story—and the chemistry that make…
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Why Do NASCAR Fans Drive Trucks and Formula One Fans Drive Yachts?
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39:19
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39:19Sure, we've watched Pixar's Cars a few times. But that doesn't mean we know anything about racing. Will and Mango dive into the strangely boozy origins of NASCAR, why you might need a yacht to enjoy Formula One, and how driver Dick Trickle made sure every race got off to a smoking start. Spoiler: it involved drilling a couple holes in his helmet. T…
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When ICE raids sparked massive protests across Los Angeles, something unusual appeared in the sky: Predator drones. Dexter talks to Joseph Cox over at 404 Media to understand how military-grade surveillance aircrafts ended up flying over U.S. citizens and what that means for the future of civil liberties. Read + Watch: Joseph’s articles on the Pred…
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From the floating gardens of Xochimilco, to the sinking sights of El Zócalo, Mango and Gabe explore some of the most fascinating, offbeat attractions in Mexico City. Along the way we'll dole out some helpful travel tips, including the best drink to beat the heat (and the altitude!), a must-try carb-on-carb breakfast sandwich, and the only subway st…
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7-footers & the case for universal healthcare
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32:18
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32:18There’s a wild stat that’s floated around basketball circles for a long time: A 7-foot (or taller) American man has a 17% likelihood of being an NBA player. This week, we try to find out if this statistic holds true, and along the way we learn how extremely rare it is to be so tall, why the number of seven-footers in the league saw a dip, and… the …
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Why Can’t You Copyright a Chicken Sandwich?
31:22
31:22
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31:22In 2019, a new cache of works entered the public domain—from Charlie Chaplin to Jane Austen stories to Felix the Cat cartoons. But what does that really mean? Will and Mango dig into how Mickey Mouse changed copyright laws, why Woody Guthrie got foiled by his publishers, and why British clowns check a case of eggs before putting on their makeup. Th…
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sideways thinking: why is Nintendo so weird?
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36:50
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36:50The Nintendo Switch 2 is out – but why did Nintendo credit someone who died in 1997 in a press release for the console? Dexter talked to Patrick Klepek, of the video game website Remap, and Jeremy Parish, an expert in video game history, to tell the story of Gunpei Yokoi and how his influence led us to the Switch 2. Read + Watch: Patrick's article …
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Inside the Fact Vault: Bird Drama and a Tormented Statue
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32:19
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32:19Today producers Gabe and Mary are opening the top-secret PTG fact vault to share bonus stories from recent episodes, including an international seagull incident, a pioneering artist who painted chickens with eggs, and a novelty space song that must be heard to be believed. Plus: Breaking news about pennies and government puns. Listen to “The Ballad…
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Ask NST: Coupon etiquette, plus ones, and bad dogs
40:03
40:03
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40:03Many of you called our hotline and sent emails seeking our advice, and we are here to help. From party invitation etiquette, to a coupon fiasco straight out of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, the boys give their takes and dole out some help. And for more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. If you have a question you want us to answer…
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From Nintendo's history with the Yakuza to its dabbling in the seedy motel business, the House of Mario has a much longer and stranger history than you might guess. Find out what happened when the company tried to make knitting popular, how America's obsession with robots helped them nudge their way into retailers, and why a grabber called the Ultr…
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Dexter doesn't have a car. But he uses AI… a lot. So, is his environmental impact worse than someone who drives a truck to work every day? This seemingly simple question led us to a bigger conversation about water, public health, and why we still don't know much about the true environmental cost of artificial intelligence. To help us understand all…
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What do TV listings have to do with the arc of American history? Quite a lot, it turns out! From hard-hitting journalism that exposed fake news, to billion-dollar business deals, to a photo manipulation scandal that made Oprah very angry, Will and Mango uncover the many ways this little magazine has made a big impact on our lives. Thanks to Ken at …
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Thanks, Canada! 9 Great Inventions from the Great White North
24:37
24:37
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24:37If you’ve ever taken out the trash, bought eggs, or gotten immersed in Avatar, you have Canada to thank for it. Pop on your toques and join Will and Mango for a deep dive into some fascinating Canadian inventions—and yes, hockey is mentioned. Twice. Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an …
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