Hyperfixation Investigations

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate! This holiday of love has ancient origins from Rome and Catholicism. It has become a saturated business market and an important day for restaurants, flower shops, bakeries and more. Join us as we explore the roots of this holiday and the myths, saints, and female entrepreneurs that have shaped it!Discussion Includes:Lupercalia and Ancient RomeVarious Myths and OriginsSaint Valentine(s) & Feast DaysChaucerEsther Howland©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2026

In January 1926, some of the most important strides in mechanical television technology were made! Join Kara and Josh as they discuss the history & science of mechanical television and one of it’s most important inventors: John Logie Baird. With technology created in the 1880’s through to the switch to electronic television, we will flip the channels through many cool and impressive moments in television’s early history.Discussion Includes:Nipkow Discs & Other ScienceEarly Mechanical TV HistoryJohn Logie BairdOverview of the Move to Electronic Television© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2026

After a lovely holiday season, Josh and Kara return to talk about Santa’s home—The North Pole! But what many may not know, is that there are in fact, multiple north poles, each with slightly different definitions and uses in the sciences. So join us this week as we explore the many north poles!Discussion Includes:Geographic PolesMagnetic PolesThe Mythical North PoleExplorations of the Poles©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2026

Welcome to the final episode of 2025! To “round out” the year, we are telling the tale of pumpkins, North America’s favorite native gourd/squash! While most know for its use in pies and lattes, pumpkin has a long and diverse history! It is likely one of the oldest domesticated foods in the Americas. So join us in celebrating the end of autumn with a deep dive on these famous gourds!Discussion Includes:Scientific Biology OverviewAgricultural OverviewAncient History of PumpkinsColonization of PumpkinsPumpkin Fun Facts!© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

The skies of November have turned gloomy friends, so it is a fitting time to tell the tale of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Many have heard the song, but the true story is a tragic example of the dangers of Lake Superior even in modern times. In this episode, Josh leads us through the life and final voyage of The Fitz and how Gordon Lightfoot found inspiration for a famous folk rock sea shanty.Discussion Includes:The Creation of the ShipThe Omens of it’s LaunchThe CargoHer 749th & Final VoyageTheories and Investigations of the SinkingThe Song & The Memorials©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Let’s do the Time Warp again and step right into an episode dedicated to the Rocky Horror Picture Show and it’s predecessor, the Rocky Horror Show! Some descriptors for RHPS include: a cult classic, a cultural phenomenon, an immersive experience, & a great way to usher in the Halloween season. Listen closely and jump with us into the unique world of this beloved show as Hyperfixation Investigations celebrates it’s 1-year anniversary!Discussion Includes:Brief Plot SummaryKey Dates & People for the Rocky Horror ShowKey Dates & People for the Rocky Horror Picture ShowAudience Participation & The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan ClubCounterculture and a Cult Classic© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Roll an investigation check with us this week as Josh leads us through a brief history and overview of the table top role-playing game (TTRPG), Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)! This beloved TTRPG has had a renaissance over the last decade, with growing popularity in streams, podcasts, main-stream films, and more.Discussion Includes:History of D&DHow Dungeons & Dragons has changed since its inceptionOverview of the Basic Functions of the GameWhy Josh Loves It SO MUCH!©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Part 2 of Our Mini-Series “Geeks, Games, & General Mayhem”Join us for this week’s “minisode” as we break down the history of LEGOs. From a beloved children’s toy, to a creative adult hobby, a movie franchise, a plethora of videogames, and even amusement parks, LEGO has grown and evolved over the decades. But at it’s heart is the idea of quality toys and creativity. Discussion Includes:Brief Overview of the LEGO Group’s HistoryThe MoviesThe Franchise DealsThe Video GamesThe Discussion of “Adult” versus “Kids” LEGOs.© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

You might think this episode is about first- or third-person shooter games. Ya know, all that conversation about video games making kids violent. The general genocides that happen in many a game. But you would be wrong! Follow along on this minisode as we detail the real war crime that video game producers have been getting in trouble over for years!Discussion Includes:Prison ArchitectDoomHaloStardew ValleyThe Red Cross©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

After last month’s episode: Salt Overview, we delve further into specific examples of the history, science, medicinal, and religious uses of salt! Learn about the links between salt production & the harnessing of natural gas, salt and Christian monasteries, how molten salt nuclear reactors powered planes in the Cold War, and more!Discussion Includes:Historical Salt Production in ChinaThorium Salt Nuclear ReactorsPostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) & SaltSalt in Christianity.For Research Resources & Related Images : www.hyperfixation-investigations.com/episodes/episode-21-salts-close-upTiming:00:00:00-Intro00:01:11-Act 100:34:52-Intermission00:39:41-Act 200:59:25-Outro© Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Welcome, at last, to the Black Hole episode! Josh has long alluded to creating an episode around these celestial objects and now is the time. Join us as we delve into the science, history, and misconceptions about some of the architects of galaxies! And of course, we discuss the use of Black Holes in Science Fiction (usually incorrectly). Be warned, once you cross the event horizon and begin this journey with us, there will be no going back!Discussion Includes:Black Hole BasicsHistory of Human Discovery & KnowledgeCommon MisconceptionsBlack Holes in Media: Sci-Fi’s Favorite Plot Device©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Salt is one of the most important and influential minerals in human history. From flavoring food, to being used as a form of payment, to its impact on science, the effects cannot be overstated. There are many kinds of salts, and they all have different chemical signatures. Throughout this episode, learn about table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and other edible sea salts from ancient times as well as salts we find in agriculture and other scientific areas. This episode is an overview of the history, science, and uses of salts, with more in-depth analysis coming in August!Discussion Includes:History of Salt from Ancient China to TodaySalt in Ancient Trade & PoliticsMummification & Salt in EgyptThe Chemistry & Basic Science of SaltsSalt in ReligionsGeneral Uses of Salts©️ Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

We are starting off Season 2 with a “bang?” (sorry, not sorry). This episode is all about the often forgotten third atomic bomb core from World War II: Rufus, now known as The Demon Core. While this core was never dropped as a bomb, it was used for nuclear/plutonium testing after WWII and along the way, it was deemed “cursed”. Take a listen and find out why!Discussion Includes:The Bombs Dropped on JapanBasic Chemistry of Atomic BombsHistoric Atomic/Nuclear Research in the USARufus the Demon CoreBasic Radiation OverviewThe Deaths that Cursed the Demon CoreLong-Lasting Changes due to the Demon CoreResurgence of the Demon Core in Internet Culture©️ Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

We finally have an episode where our favorite phrase “deep dive” is truly apropos! So join us as we deep dive the fascinating underwater world of whales. This group of animals technically includes dolphins and porpoises in addition to whales. Discover their forms of communication, diets, family structures and more! Discussion Includes: The Evolution of Whales Communication & Friendship for Whales & Dolphins The Diet of Whales: Teeth versus Baleen Orcas! (Kara’s Fav) Whales and Echolocation Whales in Media ©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Nearly 70% of women in the U.S. use hair-coloring products ranging from bleach to permanent hair dye. Learn about the use of hair coloring in the ancient world and how a discovery in the 1800s brought about the hair dye we know of today. Discover the biochemistry of how different types of hair dye work, the economic strength of the industry, and more in this episode! Discussion Includes: Biochemistry of 4 Types of Hair Dye History of Ancient Hair Dye Modern Hair Dye from the 1800s to Today Hair Dye & Health Economics of the Hair Coloring subsection of the Cosmetics Industry ©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

WARNING: EPISODE CONTAINS STAR WARS SPOILERS! Travel to Naboo and Coruscant via starship as Josh outlines the factors leading to the fall of the Jedi Order throughout the Star Wars Franchise, including movies, television shows, and books. Fun facts include which politician’s name is used almost verbatim in the films and more! Discussion Includes: History & Function of the Jedi Order Origins & Conflict with the Sith The Jedi and the Galactic Republic The Clone Wars Nails in the Coffin: Jedi Order and Galactic Republic The High Republic Era (Star Wars Books) ©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

It’s all in the Tea-Tails! After learning about the main types of tea and how tea plants are processed to create one of our favorite drinks, we’ll dive into the complex and often dark history of tea. The introduction of tea to the Western World is embroiled in colonization, smuggling, scandals, and wars. One of the main culprits behind all of this mayhem was the East India Company. Did you know the Opium trade and Opium Wars are closely tied to the tea trade? Discussion Includes: The Main Tea Plant Types of Teas Tea Processing Methods The Colonization of Tea pre-East India Company Tea Smuggling Tea, Opium, and the East India Company ©️Wolf and Stag Productions LLC, 2025

We’re going nuts for our favorite tree rodents! Kara and Josh delve into the world of tree squirrels from the different species found in Illinois to their beneficial effect on their habitats! We love these cute little guys and we’re excited to bring a little bit more awareness to some of our most numerous animal neighbors. Discussion Includes: The four species of tree squirrels in IL Urban studies of Fox and Grey Squirrels Squirrel Appreciation Day Squirrels as Forest/Habitat Gardeners Squirrels as an Indicator Species Spiritual Themes and Examples Squirrels in Movies & TV ©️Wolf and Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Fly through the cosmos this week with Josh and Kara as they cycle through the births and deaths of various kinds of stars in our universe. Learn how stars have been classified over time and how some of our favorite telescopes (Hubble!) help scientists figure out how hot and old stars are across space. From the beautiful clouds of gas that are the “nurseries for stars” to black holes that form from the death of the largest stars, discover how the saying “we are all born of stardust” is true! Discussion: Nebulas & Protostars Nuclear Fusion Star Classification Systems Supernovas, & Other Forms of Star Death Red Dwarf Stars ©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025