Our Trivial Obsessions

In a spooky season encore topic, this week we dive into the history of Waverly Hills Sanitorium!

In our final (official) spooky season installment this year, we explore the origins of the Friday the 13th superstition.

We continue our spooky season theme this week as we dive into the origins of the Jack O'Lantern. Honestly, not what we expected...

We went down a spooky season rabbit hole with this week's topic: Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS). Come along and find out what this creepy phenomenon was all about.

Keep celebrating the spooky season with us with this week's exploration of Shrunken Heads! Learn the where, when, whys, and hows of this practice and decide for yourself what part is most creepy.....

We are kicking off year 2 with a suckerpunch! What started as an amusing case of ever-rising hair took a turn for the dark side as we explored Gwen Shamblin, her Weigh Down program, and the Remnant Fellowship. TW: SA, ED, Child Abuse, Cults

Happy Anniversary to us!! This episode marks ONE YEAR of fully indulging our random obsessions for your entertainment. Come celebrate with us by learning all about Vlad the Impaler, the namesake for the most notorious vampire in history: Dracula.

In a truly random fashion, this week we got curious about Kudzu! What exactly is the story behind this prolific vine? Come along and find out!

Ever heard of Rosaleen Norton? We hadn't either, but trust us - you want to! Come hear all about this super unique woman and her life.

This week we may homage to the Sandman! Come along as we explore the origins of the Sandman and how he still pops up in our culture today.

This week was SUCH a blast for us! Come learn about the fabulously unique and endlessly entertaining Baba Yaga.

This week we learn all about Yellowstone's supervolcano. Join us as we learn about the volcanic explosivity index, and where exactly Yellowstone would stack up!

And now for something completely different! We took a hard turn away from last week's topic and did our first listener requested topic this week: The origin of playing cards! And while you're at it, check out our listener's awesome card art page on IG: @wild_card_art

This week we wrap up the ride we started last week - Sherry Shriner's online cult. Come listen to the insane conclusion of this unbelievable story.

We finally tackled the beast of a story we've been leading up to - Sherry Shriner. Listen to part 1 this week as we learn who she was and what she taught, and start down the rabbit hole of the impact she had on others.

This week we risked our sanity and our algorithms to investigate the Reptilian New World Order. Truthfully, we walked away with more questions than answers, but we sure did have a good time along the way!

Come along with us this week as we learn about the Irish Potato Famine! It's not exactly what we imagined as children...

This week we take a look at the Mandela Effect! Explore some popular examples with us, and then hear about some theories to explain the phenomenon.

Everyone has their own hangover remedy, right? This week we look at remedies through the ages. Maybe you've tried one! Maybe you want to next time you overindulge! Come along and find out!

We got curious this week - like we do - about the origins of lullabies and nursery rhymes! Join us as we learn where several popular rhymes originated - or at least where they COULD have.

Let's talk about the history of tattoos!!! From the ancient to the modern, we discuss uses, trends, and beliefs surrounding these permanent body mods.

This week we took a closer look at the inspiration behind HBO's GentlemanJack series. Anne Lister: A woman ahead of her times who lived unapologetically authentically - for better or worse.

This week we discuss some of the most controversial books in our history! What's the big deal and why do we want to ban these novels? Come along and find out.

This week we meander through Iceland's Kvennafridagurinn (and get a bit tongue-tied doing it!) Come learn about Iceland's strike that wasn't a strike!

This week we learned about a really fascinating and unique story about one woman's journey through a cult.

This week we learn all about Percy Fawcett, his expeditions into the Amazon, and the lost City of Zed. Come with us for the ride!

This week's episode takes a darker path as we explore child labor, both throughout history and as it exists today, and we get an uncomfortable reminder that things aren't always as cut and dried as we'd like them to be.

This week we tried to wrap our minds around the Bible Code - What is it? Who found it? What is it for? Still not certain we really know.... Also, merch season is ending! Last chance to get your 6 month merch before the shop closes on 4/30/22!https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.com

This week we decided to take a look at the origins of some of the more common US Wedding Traditions. Why is everything always about luck or demons??? Also, don't forget to check out our merch before April 30! https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.com/

Have you heard of Wilhelm Reich? We hadn't. So we had to find out who he was (a psychoanalyst) and what he did (started a social movement and boiled his brain....?) and then we shared it with YOU!Don't forget to check out our merch - still available until April 30, 2022!https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.comKEEP LEARNING AND STAY WEIRD!!

This week's episode is all about idioms!!! Come along as we explore some of the more common turns of phrase and try to figure out why we say what we do! Also, be sure to check out our merch store before April 30! https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.comKEEP LEARNING AND STAY WEIRD!

Have you ever wondered what they used for birth control way back in the day? .... Well we did, and so we found out! The answers were a bit surprising... Also, don't miss out on our 6 month merch, available until 4/30/2022! Help us celebrate 6 months on this crazy ride with some swag. :-) https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.com

This week we explore the legend of Roanoke! What's real, what's myth, and what's unknown? Also in honor of our 6 month anniversary, don't miss our merch! Available until April 30, 2022!https://our-trivial-obsessions.creator-spring.com

This week we learn all about Nellie Bly - a pioneer in investigative journalism and all-around badass lady. She left an undeniable mark on our world - come find out how!

This week's episode was all about death masks and we may have gotten the attention of some otherworldly shit in the process...? Despite meeting in person, in the same place as always, using the same equipment as always, the same program and the same settings as always....the sound this week was off from the get-go... and just got weirder!! Roxanna may be speaking to us from inside a tin can, but that's nothing compared to the bumps and thumps that the mic picked up that we definitely did not hear while recording...Yay death masks? The other side wanted to weigh in on the topic....? I have a literal ghost in my laptop....?Anyway, I'll be trying to pretend I didn't just hear any of that cuz I have to sleep in this house!

This week we venture back to the wild world of 90s Talk Shows. Come along as we explore how they came to be, what they were, and what they became.

What do you really know about the Hatfields and the McCoys? Come along as we dig a little deeper into this notorious part of American history.

This week we learn about the Tunguska Event and discuss what scientists think may have caused it, and what we want to believe caused it....

Come celebrate Valentine's Day with us by learning about The Valentine's Day Massacre! Saints, Mobsters, Execution, Betrayal...Ghosts...? GEESE...? What have we done here??? Come find out!

A full episode of us Fangirling over the queen of Sci-Fi (at least according to these Random Queens)... Sigourney Weaver!!!

Come with us as we explore both the science and the folklore surrounding Fairy Rings!

This week we discuss the Centralia Mine Fire - what it was, how it happened, and how it's influenced our culture. Find out what makes it special and what makes it very, very ordinary...

Join us in this week's obsession as we learn about Fainting Goats. Seriously, how is this a helpful trait??? They're awfully cute though...

Come explore the legend of Nessie! When and how did this all get started and is there anything to it? Do you believe in the Loch Ness Monster? Do you WANT to?

This week we learn about the cringe-worthy era of Opera - the Castrato. What made this so popular and what did it mean for these performers? Let's just cut to the chase here. TW: CastrationYou've been warned.

This ride took a turn... It's short and weird, guys. Be warned. TW:SA - no details, just a mention that it happened. Come learn about the Worldwide Church of God just in time for the holidays....?

This week is another fairy tale exploration! Come along while we explore the different versions of Rapunzel! Who knew there were beans involved...? And what was with the lettuce...? Is it REALLY based on a true story?!?!

Is this an episode about a mythical creature you've never heard of before????? NO. No, it isn't. It IS an episode about a mythical island you've PROBABLY never heard of before: Hy-Brasil. Come take this ride with us!

This week we explore the wild world of Patent Medicines - which might not mean what you think it does! Tinctures, concoctions, miracle cures, exotic ingredients - follow along while we explore them all!

This week we explore The Face on Mars, its impacts on popular culture, and the speculation of intelligent life on Mars.

Episode 8 dives into Truffle Pigs! Why pigs? Who decided that was the way to find truffles? And more importantly, WHY DOES IT WORK? Also, where does Nick Cage come in...? Take this wild, random ride with us!