Long before YouTube, before Twitch, before livestreams were everywhere, the first webcam pointed at something we'd consider boring by today's standards: a coffee pot. In this episode, Michael tells the story of how a small convenience in a Cambridge lab changed the internet forever. Then we chat with Comedian Dan Wilbur! Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
Originally released November 29, 2021. In 1976, a skirmish at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea led to the brutal murders of two Americans. The skirmish began over the trimming of a tree. The result was the most expensive tree-trimming in history. America and South Korea returned to the tree with all of their military might in a show of force. In this episode, I'll tell you a story about the DMZ that you may have never heard. And then we play the quick quiz! Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In this episode we journey through the strange terrain of persistent déjà vu—the case of a 23-year-old British man whose life was overtaken by the feeling that every moment had already happened. From his early anxieties, through the medical investigations that turned up nothing though his suffering was very real, to the theories that may explain why déjà vu generally—and why his became an endless loop. What is memory, what is identity, when the “now” always feels like the “before”? Listen in for a story that will make you question what’s real—and what’s remembered. Then we chat with Comedian Jonathan Burns. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In this episode we explore the remarkable life of Mehran Karimi Nasseri — born in Iran, studying in England, losing critical documents, and spending 18 years living in Charles de Gaulle Airport. We track how he carved out a life on red plastic benches, declined legal offers, clung to identity, and inspired films like Lost in Transit and The Terminal. What parts of his life became legend, and what remains painful truth? Stay with us for the arc from 1988 to 2022 — the offers, the refusals, the final return. Then we chat with Magician, Joan DuKore. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
During the Civil War, hundreds of people assigned female at birth served in male disguise. Some did it out of patriotism, some for love, and for others, it was about living as the gender they knew themselves to be. In this episode, we uncover the stories of Albert D.J. Cashier, Lyons Wakeman, Frank Thompson, Samuel Blalock, Mollie “Melvin” Bean, and Mary “John” Burns — individuals who challenged 19th-century gender norms and risked everything to serve as the men they truly were. Then we chat with Comedian, Kitty Long. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer made history as the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. But it wasn’t without drama — a furious race official tried to drag her off the course in front of photographers. This episode dives into Switzer’s groundbreaking run, the earlier efforts of Bobbi Gibb, and the lasting impact they had on women’s sports worldwide. Then we play the quiz with Comedian and Storyteller Natasha Samreny. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
You’ve probably seen the list of spooky coincidences between Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy — the elections, the assassins, the secretaries. But which of them are true, and which are myths? This week, we trace the origins of one of America’s favorite trivia lists and separate fact from fiction. Then we chat with Las Vegas Headlining Magician, Mat Franco! Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In this episode we explore the chilling moment when a heartless comment—“let them eat grass”—became a spark that ignited a war. We trace the starvation, the politics, the desperate plea for help, and the grim vengeance that followed. This isn’t just history—it’s a powerful reminder of consequences, words, and human failure. We talk about Myrick, his involvement and demise, then we chat with Comedian Jonathan Burns. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In 1948, Idaho faced a strange wildlife problem: too many beavers in the wrong place. Their solution? Strap parachutes to them and drop them from planes. In this episode, we dive into the bizarre-but-true history of the Idaho Beaver Drop, one of the weirdest wildlife relocation stories ever. In this episode, we tell the story about Idaho's "Beaver Drop" program and then chat with Writer and Educator, Joe Janes. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
When you go to a restaurant and order Chilean Sea Bass, you're not getting what you think. It’s not Chilean, it’s not a bass, and the name was made up to help sell a fish no one wanted to eat. In this episode, we dive into the surprising marketing success of the Patagonian toothfish - from obscurity to fine dining stardom - and what happened when demand pushed the fish to the brink of collapse. Then we chat with Comedian Dan Wilbur. Pre-Order The Book Here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
He was the voice of America’s Top 40 – but after Casey Kasem died, a bizarre battle broke out over his body. From courtrooms to Norway to Howard Stern’s radio show, the story gets stranger at every turn. This week on The Internet Says It’s True, we tell the story, then chat with Comedy Writer Jimmy Mak! Pre-Order The Book Here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
Originally released October 10, 2022. When Edgar Allan Poe wrote his only novel in 1838, he included a grim story about a young cabin boy who was killed and eaten at sea so that other sailors could survive. 46 years later, an uncanny coincidence took place. This episode is all about the case of Richard Parker. We welcome back Comedian and Writer Jay Black to the show to play the quick quiz! Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
You’ve probably heard that singing to your plants helps them grow - but is that actually true? In this episode, we dig into the science behind the myth, from CIA lie detector experiments on houseplants to a MythBusters greenhouse filled with heavy metal. The answer turns out to be more complicated - and more fascinating - than you'd expect. What does sound really do to plants, and what does not happen, despite decades of wishful thinking? We’ll separate the pseudoscience from the peer-reviewed facts. Then we chat with Cliff and Harrison from the Try This At Home MythBusters Rewatch Podcast! Cliff Bumgardner and Harrison Stewart revisit the iconic Mythbusters series, exploring every wild myth, moment, experiment, and explosion. Join us for a laugh-out-loud rewatch that leaves no question unanswered, featuring special appearances from behind-the-scenes crew and the Mythbusters themselves. Listen to Try This at Home: A MythBusters Rewatch Podcast at: Try This at Home: A Mythbusters Rewatch - PodcastApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com › podcast › try-this-at-home-... Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
What do Rondo, Hayti, Storyville, and Humboldt Park have in common? They were thriving minority communities - until the U.S. built highways through them. In this episode, we look at how a 1950s infrastructure project tore through Black and immigrant neighborhoods, and what’s being done to make things right. Then we chat with Comedian Natasha Samreny. Samreny is a third culture comedian who identifies with anyone who treats garlic as a food group. Natasha's performed at The Laugh Factory, Mortified Chicago, and these festivals: Boston Comedy Arts, Latina Comedy, Detroit Women of Comedy, and Edinburgh's Fringe. She hosts a bilingual LatinX storytelling show with Rhode Island Latino Arts. Learn about Natasha Samreny at: https://www.natashasamreny.com/ Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
Did the world’s greatest magician take on psychics in Congress? In 1926, Harry Houdini testified in Washington to outlaw spiritualist fraud. What he said—and what happened next—might surprise you. In this episode, we tell the story of Houdini's efforts and then speak with United States Congressman, Mark Pocan. Congressman Mark Pocan was sworn in as the U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s second congressional district in 2013 following 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly. A small business owner, union member, and advocate for progressive causes, Rep. Pocan fights for policies that promote economic and social justice and support the families of south central Wisconsin. Rep. Pocan is also a magician who uses magic to educate his constituents on what's going on in Washington with his weekly Magic Mondays. Listen to Rep. Pocan's Podcast, "With Liberty and Justice for Some" at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/with-liberty-and-justice-for-some/id1794881118 Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
Abraham Lincoln is known as "The Great Emancipator." But not many people know that during the Civil War, he jailed as many as 2,000 political opponents without charges or trial. The story in this episode revolves around what happened in Baltimore, Maryland in 1861 and why it led to the Mayor, the Police Chief, the entire City Council and many more being jailed indefinitely in a suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus. Then we chat with entertainer Brandon Anderson and play the quick quiz! Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In the depths of the Sumatran rainforest, scientists witnessed something no one had ever seen before—and it might rewrite what we thought we knew about medicine. A wild orangutan got injured… and what he did next left researchers stunned. Was it instinct? Intelligence? Or something else entirely? This one’s wild—literally. Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
In 1921, over 10,000 coal miners marched through the mountains of West Virginia with rifles, pistols, and dynamite. They dug trenches, wore uniforms, and exchanged gunfire with machine-gun nests and private planes dropping homemade bombs. It was the largest labor uprising in American history — and the largest domestic conflict since the Civil War. This week, we’re telling the story of the forgotten war for workers' rights. Then we play the quiz game with Comedy Magician and Mind-Noodler, Matt Donnelly! Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
A luxury flight packed with Coca-Cola executives turns into a mid-air disaster when nearly 200 people fall violently ill — and it wasn’t a virus, or turbulence. It was breakfast. This week, we uncover the true story of the worst food poisoning outbreak in airline history, and how one kitchen mistake nearly caused an aviation catastrophe. It’s a chilling look at safety, responsibility, and the science of food… 35,000 feet in the air. Then we play the quiz game with Comedian Jonathan Burns! Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals
Peter Conover Hains was born before the Civil War and still wore a U.S. Army uniform in World War I. He fired one of the Civil War’s first naval shots, built ports and canals, and returned to active duty at age 77. His legacy spans over half a century of American warfare — and four generations of service. This Memorial Day, we’re telling the story of the soldier who bridged two centuries. In this episode, we talk about his incredible career and then chat with Comedian and Educator, Joe Janes. Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discounts and links to our sponsors, visit http://theinternetsaysitstrue.com/deals