Best Popcorned Planet Podcasts (2025)

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BrainStuff Classics: How Do Paleoartists Create Dinosaur Drawings? 6:28

Play Pause

9h ago6:28

6:28

Short answer: Very carefully. Learn about the history and modern practices of paleoart in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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BrainStuff Classics: Why Is the Winchester House Built So Strangely? 7:27

1d ago7:27

7:27

We can't prove whether the Winchester Mystery House is really haunted, but it was definitely built for ghosts. Learn the story of how its strange construction was one woman's unending quest in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/afterlife/winchester-mystery-house.htm See omnys…

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Is the 'Number of the Beast' an Ancient Riddle? 7:25

2d ago7:25

7:25

The number 666 has been adopted by modern horror media as a demonic symbol, but what (or whom) does this number really refer to? Learn about the Book of Revelation and ancient wordplay via numbers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/666.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i…

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Could Piranhas Really Eat a Cow in Under a Minute? 8:06

3d ago8:06

8:06

Piranhas are very efficient eaters, but their frothing feeding frenzy seen in horror movies is mostly based on a myth started by Theodore Roosevelt. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/piranha-eat-cows.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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How to Budget Better With Your Partner and Why Scam Calls Are Surging 36:09

3d ago36:09

36:09

Learn how to spot shutdown-era scams and build a budget that works even when you and your partner disagree. How can you protect yourself from shutdown-era scams? How do you build a household budget when you and your partner see money differently? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola share strategies to figure out a household budget when you and yo…

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Göbekli Tepe: How Does Humanity's Most Ancient Monument Work? 8:40

4d ago8:40

8:40

In Turkey, a set of prehistoric columns rivals Stonehenge -- but they're 6,000 years older. Learn what we know (and don't know) about the hunter-gatherers who built Göbekli Tepe in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/gobekli-tepe.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio…

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Why Are There Sriracha Shortages? 11:46

5d ago11:46

11:46

This blockbuster style of hot sauce started with the Huy Fong brand, but that original 'rooster sauce' is often out of stock. Learn how a combo of weather and legal drama are at the root in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/sriracha.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information…

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How Do Levees Protect Us? 9:56

6d ago9:56

9:56

Levee systems make it possible for us to live alongside bodies of water with less danger of flooding. Learn how engineers design them -- and why levees sometimes fail -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/levee.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Big Event Budgeting and Credit Monitoring: What to Know Before You Swipe 36:30

6d ago36:30

36:30

Learn how to get and read your free credit reports and spot red flags so you can protect your score and money. How do you set a realistic budget for a big life event without guilt? What’s the foolproof way to get and read your free credit reports? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss wedding budgeting and credit monitoring…

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Invest or Pay Down Debt? Plus How to Save Big This Holiday Season 23:36

10d ago23:36

23:36

Learn how to handle holiday shopping in an increasingly expensive spending environment. Plus, lightning round insights around debt, investing, and savings goals. How should you prepare for holiday shopping when tariffs and inflation are leading to higher prices? When should you prioritize paying off your mortgage versus investing in the market? Hos…

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Are You Covered? Hidden Gaps in Life Insurance That Could Cost Your Family 38:59

13d ago38:59

38:59

Learn how to choose term vs whole life insurance and calculate your coverage so your family stays protected. How much life insurance do you really need? Which is smarter, term or whole life? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss recent smart, fun, and dumb spending to spark a quick audit of your own money habits, then pivot to right-sizing …

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What Home Sellers Can Legally Hide and How to Master Irregular Bills 34:24

17d ago34:24

34:24

Learn how to plan for surprise bills and what to ask about a home’s past so your budget and buying feel stress free. Do sellers have to disclose deaths, crimes or “hauntings” in a home? How can you budget for irregular expenses without daily tracking? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola open a spooky episode with housing Nerds Holden Lewis and Ka…

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Bonus episode: Interview with Nickole Keith and Kevin Harris of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi 32:48

19d ago32:48

32:48

In the fall of 2024 Kayte had the chance to talk with Nicole Keith, Food Sovereignty Coordinator of the Nottawasepi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (also known as NHBP) and Kevin Harris, Culture Specialist with the NHBP. They visited Bloomington in the fall of 2024 to share a film about wild river rice with The First Nations Educational and Cultural C…

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Feeling Burned Out? How to Know When to Quit Your Job — and What to Do First 38:36

20d ago38:36

38:36

Learn how your habits and the cash and cards in your wallet reveal your money mindset, then learn how to know when it’s time to quit your job. What amount of cash should you keep on hand? Should you “quiet quit” or make a clean break from your job? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss everyday wallet decisions and career change trade-offs …

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What Fewer Earnings Reports Could Mean for Investors and How to Teach Kids About Money (Video Episode) 39:55

24d ago39:55

39:55

In this special video episode, learn what proposed stock market rule changes could mean for your portfolio and how to grow your teen’s money skills. Will corporate earnings reports soon shift from quarterly to twice a year? And what could new rules about day trading mean for everyday investors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola team up with sen…

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Watch the Nerds Sweat It Out: Hot Wings Meet Hot Money Takes (Video Episode) 44:26

27d ago44:26

44:26

In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth and special guests eat spicy wings and share hot takes on saving versus investing, inflation, crypto, and when to trade up for an electric vehicle. When should you prioritize investing over traditional savings? How do you know when to keep repairing your car versus trading it in for something new, l…

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Eats Wild Episode 9: Traditional, wild-foraged foodways 51:00

1M ago51:00

51:00

“Wild rice camp started a long time ago. It actually started thousands of years ago, with our ancestors having a real-time lifeway.” We have a jam-packed show for you today featuring traditional foodways from the original inhabitants of this land, foods from lands far away–Anatolia and Mongolia, as well as right here in our own back yard. Wild rice…

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Budget Rehab: What Our Hosts’ Spending Reveals About Smarter Money Moves (Video Episode) 37:33

1M ago37:33

37:33

In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth give each other a “budget rehab,” revealing their own budgets to help you fix yours. How can you feel more in control of your spending? How can you plan for irregular expenses like credit card annual fees or surprise bills? In this video episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola give each other…

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The right tools for the job 45:28

1M ago45:28

45:28

This week on the show, we focus on tools of the trade. Muddy Fork Bakery upgraded their mixer and it turned out to be a game changer. Hot sauce production is made easier with a hand crank food mill. And if you ever accidentally purchase the wrong kind of rice in Tokyo, never fear, they have coin operated kiosks to help you out.…

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Stop Overpaying With Miles: The Redemption Rules Smart Travelers Use in 2025 44:03

1M ago44:03

44:03

In a special presentation of Smart Travel, learn what your points and miles are really worth in 2025 — and why the answer might change how you book travel. Should you take a $650 flight voucher or 32,500 miles? How much are your points and miles actually worth? Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest NerdWallet valuat…

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What's the Difference Between Socialism and Communism? 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

Socialism and communism are often mentioned in the same breath, and they do share a common history, but socialists aren't necessarily communists -- and vice versa. Learn more about both concepts and how they've been put into practice in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/socialism-vs-communism.htm Se…

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How Do Vaccines Prevent Diseases? 13:39

1M ago13:39

13:39

Our bodies can often prevent us from catching the same illness twice, and vaccines use that bodily system to prevent us from getting sick in the first place. Learn how the immune response works, what goes into vaccines, and why vaccines are safe for kids in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness…

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Stay Ahead of a Government Shutdown and Learn How to Invest Extra Money Wisely 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

Learn how to prepare for a government shutdown and where to put $600 a month after building your emergency fund. What happens in a federal government shutdown? Where should you put $600/month after funding an emergency cushion? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the looming shutdown before answering a listener’s question about where to a…

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Preparing Finances for Fall and How to Help Parents Who Haven’t Saved Enough 30:34

1M ago30:34

30:34

Learn how to prepare your finances for fall and support aging parents who have limited retirement savings. How can you check in on your finances this fall? What’s the best way to help parents with little savings retire? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how you can give yourself a fall financial check-in before they answer a listener’s …

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Eats Wild Episode 8: Nuts, beans, berries and orange globes–the trees share their bounty in the fall 51:00

1M ago51:00

51:00

“Sniff it! If they’re smelly, I mean stinky, then it’s not persimmon…” This week on Earth Eats Eats Wild, we explore the fruits of fall…and the nuts and even beans! Forager Chef Alan Bergo fancies the Kentucky coffee been in its GREEN state, Liz Barnhart crafts a deep purple elderberry syrup, Keako Liff takes a (ahem) aromatic walk down memory lane…

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The Fed Just Cut Rates — Here’s How to Make the Most of It (Plus: How to Freeze Your Credit) 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

Learn how the Fed rate cut impacts loans and savings, then find out when to freeze your credit and how to do it fast. What does a Federal Reserve rate cut mean for your wallet? Should you freeze your credit if an internet provider runs a soft pull? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off this episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski to …

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Tap to Pay, Tap to Overspend? Mobile Wallet Traps and Money Conversations That Pay Off 29:47

2M ago29:47

29:47

Learn if digital wallets make you overspend and how simple habits can help you stay on budget. How do you start money conversations that actually help? Do mobile wallets make you overspend? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss intentional money conversations and the psychology of paying by phone vs. card vs. cash to help you control spendi…

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BrainStuff Classics: How Did Sealab Work? 6:15

2M ago6:15

6:15

In the 1960s, advances in technology allowed brave aquanauts to explore deeper into the ocean than ever before, but the project was shut down. Learn how Sealab worked -- and how that technology is still used today -- in this classic episode of BrainStuff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Eats Wild Episode 7: Acorns are not just for squirrels 51:00

2M ago51:00

51:00

”Acorns are, I mean, they're everywhere. They are incredibly abundant and they've been a really important food source for humans in essentially every region of the planet that had oak trees–which is almost every temperate zone on the entire globe. "But we don't do much of acorn eating anymore as people and in communities in most places.” Graphic No…

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How Do Slow Lorises Work? 8:50

2M ago8:50

8:50

The slow loris is the world's only venomous primate, but it looks like a cuddly plush toy. Learn why you shouldn't go in for a snuggle in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/slow-loris.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By iHeartPodcasts

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How Do Venus Flytraps Work? 11:14

2M ago11:14

11:14

Venus flytraps can photosynthesize like most other plants, but they supplement their diet by catching insects and arachnids. Learn what we know (and don't know!) about how they accomplish this feat in today's episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/venus-flytrap.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for…

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AI Stocks May Be in a Bubble, and Car Prices Could Rise Soon — Here’s What to Know 33:24

2M ago33:24

33:24

Learn how to think about AI stocks and decide if now’s the time to buy a car, including how to choose between 48- and 60-month loans. Are AI stocks in a bubble? Should you buy a car now or wait? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss AI-driven market euphoria and today’s car-buying math to help you understand how to balance risk in your inve…

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Estate Planning Made Simple and How to Handle Family Loans 32:09

2M ago32:09

32:09

Learn how to build a simple estate plan and lend or repay family money without hurting your relationships. What’s the first thing to do when creating an estate plan? What’s the smartest way to handle loans between friends or family? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down estate-planning basics like wills, revocable trusts, living wills/ad…

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High school gardens offer a tangible way to make positive change 51:00

2M ago51:00

51:00

“For me it feels like we live in an age where you look on the news and it just feels like everything is going wrong. And so gardening feels like a small way we can have an actual, tangible, positive impact on the world around us. In a world where it’s easy to feel like everything is just falling apart, it’s a small way to actually see progress.” Th…

1
Why Refis Are Spiking and How to Optimize Your 401k Target-Date Fund for Long-Term Growth 28:02

2M ago28:02

28:02

Learn when a refi saves money and how target-date funds work, including fees and when to pick a later fund year. What exactly is a target-date fund, and when should you move your date? How do you know if now is a good time to refinance a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage refinancing and target-date funds to help you unde…

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Smart Buying Tips from Your Mama’s Kitchen and How to Change Banks Wisely 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

Find out when it’s worth splurging on kitchen gear and how to switch banks without losing your financial footing. What kitchen tools are actually worth the money? Is switching to an online bank really worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of investing in high-quality kitchen gear and what to consider when moving …

1
Art, food and figs 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

“And a man on his way to work hops twice to reach, at last, his fig which he smiles at and calls ‘baby.’ ‘c’mere baby,’ he says, and blows a kiss to the tree.” This week on the show, in honor of WFIU’s 75th anniversary, we revisit favorite stories from the Earth Eats archive. We share two pieces celebrating fig trees, including a poem by Ross Gay. …

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How to Talk Finances Before Cohabitating, and Why Coffee and Tea Prices Are Surging 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Before cohabiting, how do you talk about finances without conflict? Plus: the global forces pushing up your coffee and tea bill. Why are your daily coffee, tea, or matcha drinks costing more? What financial conversations should you have with your partner before signing a lease together? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore rising beverage …

1
How Did Jerry Lawson Change the Course of Video Gaming? 10:19

2M ago10:19

10:19

In the 1970s, Jerry Lawson was instrumental in creating the first cartridge-based video game console and the first digital joystick -- and he did it as one of the only Black engineers in Silicon Valley at that time. Learn about Lawson and the Fairchild Channel F in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com…

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Why Is Glass Transparent? 9:01

2M ago9:01

9:01

Glass windows are as solid as the materials that surround them, yet they let light through. Learn the physics of why glass can be so transparent -- and why it took humans thousands of years to create totally clear glass -- in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/question404.htm See omnystudio.com/list…

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Bank Account Denied? Overcome Verification Hurdles and Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

Learn about banking blacklists and how to decide when sign-up bonuses are worth your time and money. Why might you get denied when trying to open a new bank account online, even if all your information is correct? When are bank account sign-up bonuses really worth pursuing? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how banks verify identities, …

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BrainStuff Classics: Should We Retest Licensed Drivers Periodically? 7:03

2M ago7:03

7:03

Although some driving skills can deteriorate with age, experienced drivers tend to be the safest drivers. To an extent. Learn when and how experts think drivers should be retested in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/auto-safety-testing/should-licensed-drivers-be-tested-peri…

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Small scale dairy farming is a labor of love 51:00

2M ago51:00

51:00

“I remember in Covid, Sara, she went to the grocery on her way home, on a Friday, to get milk and some other things--basically when Covid was shuttin’ everything down–and there was chocolate almond milk. And that was it. I’m a pretty big fan of food independence and food sovereignty and having control over your food system and choice over the food …

1
How Did President Jimmy Carter Work? 10:25

2M ago10:25

10:25

As a U.S. President, Jimmy Carter championed education and renewable energy as keystones of a healthy nation. Outside of office, he helped other nations grow democracy, built afforadable housing with his own hands, nearly eradicated guinea worm disease -- and still found time to teach Sunday school. Learn about Jimmy and Roselynn Carter in this epi…

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Food, weight, wellness and race–Jessica Wilson rewrites the story 51:00

2M ago51:00

51:00

“Speaking directly to Black women and wanting Black women to know that their bodies are not the problem. The way that our bodies are treated and problematized and pathologized, we’re often taught that it’s our fault, that it’s our problem to fix or we just need to love our bodies out of societal oppression.” This week on the show a conversation wit…

1
Why Are Truffles So Expensive? 10:27

2M ago10:27

10:27

Truffles are fungi that grow underground, are almost exclusively foraged, and taste best extremely fresh. Learn about truffle biology, truffle flavoring, and truffle crime in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/truffles.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Budget Rehab: Can a Family Rebuild Their Emergency Fund and Still Afford the Life They Want? 34:26

2M ago34:26

34:26

The Nerds debut a new Budget Rehab segment, dissecting a real family’s budget to reveal strategies for saving more, investing smarter, and managing lifestyle costs. Plus: tariffs’ role in rising auto insurance. Why are auto insurance premiums continuing to climb, and what do tariffs have to do with it? How can a real family adjust their budget to m…

1
How Do Alligator Snapping Turtles Work? 7:25

2M ago7:25

7:25

This positively prehistoric-looking freshwater turtle is the largest in North America -- and it catches fish by wiggling a worm-like lure. Learn more about alligator snappers in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/alligator-snapping-turtle.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…

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How to Pay Less for Your Prescriptions and Brace for a Health Insurance Shake-Up 30:30

3M ago30:30

30:30

Learn how to cut prescription costs and prepare for steep health insurance hikes if ACA tax credits expire. How can you make prescription drugs more affordable? What can you do if subsidies in the Affordable Care Act expire and health insurance costs spike? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising prescription costs and looming changes …

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What Happens When You Trade Your Home for a Debt-Free Start? 32:08

3M ago32:08

32:08

Is tapping your home equity ever a smart way to reset your finances? One listener’s story reveals what to weigh before selling. Should you sell your house to wipe out credit card debt and start over? What are the hidden trade-offs when using home equity to eliminate debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with a listener navigating $55,000…