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Will and Mango have lots of questions. Will we ever live without sleep? How do rats keep outsmarting humans? Where are the sunniest tax havens to hide your money? Join these Part-Time Geniuses as they dive into ridiculous topics... and discover some pretty smart stuff along the way.
316 Episodes
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Want to know why George Washington's eggnog was so potent? Or how new immigrants partied on Ellis Island? Or what was the wildest party to ever take place at West Point? Or the very particular way that Thomas Edison changed the way we make shrubbery more festive? You're in luck! Will and Mango get the lowdown on just a few of the historical parties they weren't invited to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1Want to know why Indonesian postal workers have one of the hardest jobs in the world? Or why the country is the best place to find new bird species? Or why it's an honor when someone makes you a tall glass of jammu? From the best types of fabric to throw into a volcano to make it stop erupting, to how to track a super-short Sasquatch, Will and Mango scour the country's 17,000+ islands to bring you Indonesia's best facts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whether you're trying to analyze your sled dogs' athletic performance, get your pooch to stop barking at the mailman or simply trying to get an extra year or two with man's best friend, the newest doggy technologies have a solve for you and your very best boy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People have been writing by hand for thousands of years—ever since the Mesopotamians started doodling in cuneiform. That means there’s a vast, inky world for Will and Mango to explore, from the difference between scribes and scriveners to the best feathers for quill pens. They also reveal a shocking truth about fountain pens, and discover all the ways handwriting benefits our brains. (Yes, we recognize the irony of typing that.) Have a favorite pen? Upload a photo and tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
'Tis the season for knitwear! So we’re celebrating sweaters of all shapes and sizes. Did you know that the ugly Christmas sweater trend got its start over a hundred years ago? Or that American soldiers in WWI had beef with amateur knitters? We cover all that and more, including the most expensive sweater ever sold and delightful facts about sweater-loving celebrities like Mr. Rogers, Weezer, and… Sting? Look, if this episode doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies, we don’t know what will. Show us your best, weirdest, and/or ugliest sweaters! Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pack your bags! Today, Will and Mango are taking you on a trip to Europe’s second-least visited country: Liechtenstein. Along the way, we’ll discover how this tiny spot on the map came to exist (spoiler alert, it’s all thanks to a guy named Karl), and we’ll delve into its fascinating economy, which relies heavily on tax incentives and false teeth. Need a lunch break? No problem, we’ll pull over at the country’s only McDonald’s, and learn about the world-famous Liechtenstein wines (Liechtenwines?). If you have a Liechtenstein travel story of your own, please share it with us on Instagram! We’re @parttimegenius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… an ad for cigarettes?! For the past 102 years, people have been using airplanes to turn exhaust into ads, political slogans, birthday greetings, and more. But where did this strangely brilliant idea come from? What kind of sorcery do pilots use to make it happen? And why is it at risk of becoming a lost art? If you have a question or comment for the show, hit us up on Instagram @parttimegenius (it’s easier than renting a plane). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Which airport should you hang out at if you want to meet a mini-horse? Why is the art in the Denver Airport so evil? And are TSA agents more likely to search you if you're carrying an Almanac? Will and Mango investigate. You don’t need to travel to find us on Instagram. Just go to @parttimegenius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Will and Mango celebrate their own wonderful grandmas by paying tribute to a whole world of awesome grandmothers. From a cuddly graffiti gang in Europe, to a group of grandmas who advanced our understanding of marine science, to a few celebrities who never would have gotten where they were if it weren't for their Mamaws, here's to all the grandmothers and grandmother-figures we're so lucky to have in our lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s an important day in Holmes history, so Mango is joined by Part-Time Genius super producer/Sherlockian Mary to explore some lesser-known facts about the greatest detective ever written. Grab a magnifying glass and your deerstalker, and discover the weird connection between Sherlock and Popeye, the real-life man who may have inspired Professor Moriarty, and the unsolved mystery of the first Sherlock Holmes movie! Yes-- that's a photo of Mangesh as a 3rd grader the first of two years in a row that he went as Sherlock Holmes for Halloween. You don’t need any deductive skills to find us on Instagram. Just go to @parttimegenius. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’re anything like Will and Mango, you remember playing with Transformers as a kid. Or maybe you still enjoy transforming bots, in which case you should know the correct verb is “converting.” On today’s episode, we take a closer look at this ubiquitous toy with a surprising history that includes tea-serving dolls, WWII scrap metal, and a strangely touching example of corporate collaboration. Here’s another fun fact: we’re on Instagram! Find us @parttimegenius, and feel free to leave comments or questions for the show. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Look, we love Lady Liberty as much as the next patriot. But why on Earth did France give America a massive and exoribitant gift that wasn't on our registry? Will and Mango dig into the bizarre Parisian dinner party that led to the idea, the mathematical word problem of a way the statue was built, why it competed with a walrus for early tourists' attention, and why Brigham Young, Ulysses S. Grant and Gustave Eiffel from Eiffel Tower fame all have more to do with it than you'd think! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everyone knows the painting "A Friend in Need" aka Dogs Playing Poker. But did you know the artist behind it started a bank? And had patents? And also once got an apology from Far Side creator Gary Larson? We didn't either! Tune in as Will and Mango discuss the most important painting about whiskey-drinking dogs playing cards and also visibly cheating while doing those two other ridiculous things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Need a reason to be optimistic about democracy? Will and Mango welcome best-selling author A.J. Jacobs to chat about his new book The Year of Living Constitutionally. From walking around the upper West Side with a musket (a 2nd amendment right!), to delivering quill-written petitions to Congress (he spilled a lot of ink in the process), to meeting the last person to get a new amendment added (all the guy wanted was a better grade in his college class!), A.J. discusses his sweet and ridiculous experiments in patriotism, and how it helped him gain new insight into America's founding documents. To order AJ's wonderful new book, click here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this classic episode, Will and Mango look into why do short people dominate soccer? Is owning a library more important than actually reading the books? And is being handsome important to being taken seriously as a scientist? Tune in as we delve into some super weird ways people wield advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today’s extra-tasty episode, Mango is joined by Doug Mack, the brilliant and hilarious author of the Snack Stack newsletter (which you should subscribe to right now). Doug breaks down the most fascinating snack stories, including the link between astrology and Goldfish crackers, the chaotic launch of Pop Rocks, and why Tajikistanis have such a love for one underdog American soda. Plus, Doug shares a little intel from the Minnesota State Fair. Check out Snack Stack: https://snackstack.netSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the acting blunder that historians couldn't stop talking about to a confusingly shaped pyramid to the world's most coveted bucket (yes, bucket!), Will and Mango take a tour through seven of antiquity's strangest mistakes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Saad Mohseni hadn't seen Afghanistan since he was a kid. But when America swept in to scatter the Taliban in the early 2000s, Mohseni felt a calling to return to rebuild his beloved homeland. This is the story of how Mohseni and his three siblings took a chance launching a radio station-- a Quixotic venture that quickly blossomed into a television empire-- and the ways that he and his family helped beam music, culture and the scaffolding of a fragile democracy into people's homes. Interview based on Saad's beautiful new memoir Radio Free Afghanistan. Available at bookstores everywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are a lot of towns named Springfield. This week, Will and Mango learned about all of them! From the best Springfield to store your cheese (if you're looking to store 7 million pounds of cheese), to the reason so many Springfields aren't even located on springs, to the craziest mystery that involves cobras in a Springfield. So stuff your face with all the Springfield facts your heart desires! (We've got plenty for everyone.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way.) Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Good place for dems to go. huh.
I remember you. 😒
Serious?
glad you guys are back!
Fascinating episode! The American Territories are seldom given a second thought-
YAY!!!! IT'S BACK!!!!
where are you guys?- the world NEEDS you! PLEASE come back, this is one of the BEST podcasts.🙂 ps- i hope you & your families are in good health.
Why are the new episodes not releasing with the same frequency as the past couple years??? I'm starting to PANIC!!! We, as a society cannot afford to lose your GENIUS!!! WE NEED YOU GUYS! THIS AWESOME SHOW IS ONE OF THE PRECIOUS FEW OUTLETS THAT HELP DISTRACT US FROM THE REALITIES OF THIS VIRAL HELLSCAPE & CURRENT NIGHTMARE OF THE ORANGE MONSTER-IN-CHIEF.
Philistines had art they just resented it which is artistically hilarious
this is an awesome podcast!! I am so glad I discovered it. having a blast and learning so much. currently binge-listening through your list 😁 thank you so much, guys!!
how do you leave out that he killed his older brother.
A NEW EPISODE YES!!!!!
first comment
first comment
first comment for this episode
Hey guys, you’re doing a great job. Keep coming these episodes! I love them
Incredible podcasts content!!!
Not showing gratitude to the right person can get you killed so I'd say yes lol XD
My local newspaper works with the silly putty trick
donald trump