Sorta 'Splained

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Hosted by Kelin Daugherty and Leah Nielsen, Sorta 'Splained is a weekly podcast that delves into curious and peculiar subjects. From history to science to pop culture, Kelin and Leah will just sort of explain something of interest to each other. Please find all of our great sources for our research here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11WA6l3kF9ebmifrZNs6IZlhGVaq7PKpzrODFaObtDQY/edit

Kelin Daugherty and Leah Nielsen


    • Jun 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 7m AVG DURATION
    • 70 EPISODES

    4.8 from 18 ratings Listeners of Sorta 'Splained that love the show mention: love.



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    Latest episodes from Sorta 'Splained

    The Sims

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2025 101:52


    A tight-knit community filled with lore, relationship drama, and it's own unique language, sounds too good to be true. And that's because it is, unless you're in a simulation. In this episode, Kelin and Leah marvel on the computer game that rocked the 2000's, the intricacies, secrets, and wonder of playing The Sims.

    Kony 2012

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 72:10


    How will people know that you care about a political issue if you haven't posted about it on social media? There's something beautiful in the optimism of believing we could all stop a war from our facebook likes. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the fever dream that was the viral internet documentary and campaign that was Kony 2012.

    The Lost Colony of Roanoke

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 62:20


    It's the 16th century, you pack up your family, embark on a ship, and settle down in new, uncharted land. What could go wrong? Could it be starvation, murder, or a simple case of alien abduction? In this episode, Kelin and Leah consider the happenings of the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

    The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 56:14


    Welcome to the Alaskan coast, a diverse ecosystem filled with wonder. One thing that does not add to the wonder is 53 million gallons of crude oil sloshing around. On this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the frustrating tale of. corporate negligence and wildlife disaster, the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

    Alice Roosevelt

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 72:29


    When we talk about female pioneers we typically don't think about having a pet snake or smoking on the roof of the white house. Well, good news, in this episode Kelin and Leah discuss presidential daughter, fashion icon, and prankster, Alice Roosevelt.

    The Teen Pregnancy Panic of the 2000's

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 81:23


    Ever wake up in a hot sweat worried you are a teen mom even though you are childfree and well into your 30's? Then you too may have been bombarded with the media concerning teen pregnancy media in the 2000's. In this episode, Kelin and Leah delve into panic and cultural fascination with teen pregnancy in the era of the mid 2000's.

    Juggalos

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 64:06


    The fans of Insane Clown Posse may sound menacing and scary (maybe it's the haunted carnival vibe or all the blade weaponry), but underneath the clown makeup and spiky hair, is just a lot of charity work and inclusivity. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the culture of the juggalos.

    The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 66:44


    Some tragic tales really stick with you, especially when the tragedy is caused by one's employer. In this episode, Kelin and Leah give thanks that they were not in the workforce of the early 20th century, considering we are chatting about the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire.

    Real Housewives Crimes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 81:07


    The rise and fall of the white collar criminal is certainly best portrayed in the wildly popular, culturally significant, real housewives franchise. In this episode, Kelin and Leah get get out their designer handbags, champagne flutes, and tax returns, because we're discussing the criminal underbelly of the real housewives.

    Norwegian Black Metal

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 74:13


    Grab your favorite medieval weapon and your headphones because things are going to get both violent, and musical. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the wild ride that is 90's Norwegian black metal.

    Siegfried and Roy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 65:48


    Who doesn't love the whimsy and spectacle that is a flamboyant magic show in Las Vegas? Saw a woman in half, pull a rabbit out of a hat, or maybe you possibly get bitten in the neck by a giant white tiger. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the rise and fall of the incredibly famous duo that was Siegfried and Roy.

    Soylent

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 66:06


    Feeling behind on work and annoyed you have to take 10 minutes to shovel a leftover sandwich into your mouth to sustain yourself? Consider a meal replacement shake instead! In this dystopian episode, Kelin and Leah discuss Soylent, the company trying to strip away one of our most basic human pleasures (food).

    The Battle of Blair Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 57:54


    Ever feel like your employer would rather spray you with gunfire and drop bombs on you rather then pay you a livable wage? Aw yes, a tale as old as time. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the West Virginian company towns and the coal strike that led to the Battle of Blair Mountain.

    Nostalgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 74:49


    When times are hard, we often seek comforts from our youth. Whether it's rewatching your favorite tv show since college, listening to your angsty pre-teen music (Avril Lavigne obviously), or hell, just eating a fruit roll up. We (especially looking at you millenials) love nostalgia, and that's what Kelin and Leah are discussing in this episode.

    The Demon Core

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2023 79:02


    The wonders of science are vast! At least of course, until your skin starts sloughing off. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the fatally negligent accident that resulted in The Demon Core.

    Fatal Fashion Trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2023 54:39


    We're all out here trying to look our best. Fashion is fun, fashion is for everyone! And sometimes, fashion will kill you. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss various fashion trends through history that had some dangerous and deadly side effects.

    The Hindenburg

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 70:35


    The 1930's was a tumultuous time for everyone, including those rich guys floating up in their airships. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the once most extravagant, exciting, and most flammable way to travel. That's right we're chatting about the Hindenburg.

    The Bimbo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 70:29


    You know what they say, the best way to handle a political or sex scandal is to call a woman a bimbo, right? In this episode, Kelin and Leah chat about the term bimbo, the women it affected, and where the frilly, sparkly, hot pink, big-haired culture is going now.

    Mount Everest

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 78:19


    Of all the worst ways to die, suffocating in a traffic jam up a mountain while your nose freezes off, may be pretty far up there on the list. Grab your crampons and your oxygen masks, because on this episode Kelin and Leah discuss the mammoth of a mountain which is Mount Everest.

    The Costa Concordia Disaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 85:14


    The next time you're sunbathing on your latest Royal Caribbean cruise, maybe take a quick second to look around and see if you know where the life vests are stored. A captain must go down with their ship, or do they? In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the Costa Concordia Disaster.

    Project Nim the Chimp

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 73:25


    If you are like us and hold debilitating and paralyzing fear of a wild animal mauling, well we have quite the episode for you. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the wildly unprofessional, highly dangerous, and just completely unhinged and upsetting study which was Project Nim (the chimp). Also, Kelin and Leah celebrate their 50th episode!

    chimps kelin project nim
    The Nonprofit Industrial Complex

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 63:08


    We all want to make the world to be a better, sweeter, smilier, place, so nonprofits should be the perfect remedy! However, much to all of our dismay, that's not always the case. In this episode Kelin and Leah chat about the nonprofit industrial complex.

    Minimalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 67:10


    There may be a fine line between saving your money by buying stuff you don't need, and living in a vacant museum. If white walls and gray floors are your vibe-great! It may just not be ours. In this episode Kelin and Leah discuss the trend of minimalism.

    The Ouija Board

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 66:46


    No game night is complete without monopoly, scrabble, and of course, conjuring the dead. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the history, cultural relevance, and overall absurdity of the one and only spooky Ouija board.

    Undercover Boss

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 75:42


    If a new employee starts following you around with a fake mustache and rat tail and a camera crew, then you may be in the midst of some very well-crafted capitalist propaganda. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the strange, long-running reality show, Undercover Boss.

    PETA

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 80:07


    Aw yes, nothing screams animal rights like shocks, sex, and controversy. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the very complicated relationship they have with PETA and all of it's many marketing schemes in the name of animal protection and conservation.

    Amelia Earhart

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2022 80:14


    Grab your bomber jacket and your aviators, cause if men can sit in a metal tube flying thousands of feet over the ocean, then why can't the ladies? In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss Amelia Earhart, her legacy, and the role of women in the aviation industry.

    The 2014 Hudson Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2022 83:32


    Was life simpler in 2014? Lorde and tumblr were all the rave, galaxy print was everywhere. It also turned out to be quite the muddy summer for Leah (and upstate New York). In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss 2014's music festival, The Hudson Project.

    Rage Against the Machine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 66:29


    If lately you're feeling upset, concerned, or maybe, well pure, unadulterated, heated, rage-then look no further. Because in this episode, Kelin and Leah thrash right into the mosh pit that is Rage Against the Machine.

    Dungeons and Dragons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 75:36


    Ever worry your favorite game is going to turn you into worshipping the dark lord? Well, get those imagination wheels turning, because in this episode Kelin and Leah are talking about the moral panic that surrounded the role-playing game, Dungeons and Dragons.

    Shaving

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 65:32


    What's the deal with body hair? Why do women shave? And why are we giving ourselves cuts and razor burn when we're trying to contort our legs in a tiny motel shower? Well, in this episode Kelin and Leah discuss the history of shaving and female body hair removal.

    The Oath Keepers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 59:58


    If you've been thinking that what our American history has been missing was more violent coups and standoffs, then we've got just the treat for you. Get ready to have learn about some major beef with the federal government, cause in this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the radical, far-right, hate group-the Oath Keepers.

    The 2022 World Cup

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2022 54:43


    Controversies, bribery, corruption, human rights violations, FIFA has done it all. So, in this episode, Kelin and Leah, two women who know almost nothing about sports, discuss the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Go team!

    The Kennedy Curse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2022 67:52


    Tragedies happen. But sometimes, a whole lot of tragedies (not to mention the ugly skeletons in the closet) happen to our favorite American dynasty. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the supposed Kennedy Curse.

    Subway Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 38:59


    Welcome back for our first two parter! Kelin and Leah continue to chat about Subway and all those skeletons in our most famous sandwich corporation's closet.

    Subway Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2022 59:03


    What brings all of the very different people in the world together? Correct, it's the sandwich. In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the biggest sub chain there is. So head to the nearest airport, strip mall, or shopping plaza, because we are talking about Subway.

    McBling Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2022 84:23


    Miss the old days when romance was real? Like on the hit show Rock of Love? How about when fashion was iconic? Like a bedazzled, hot pink Von Dutch hat? Reminisce on your favorites of 00's throwbacks on this episode where Kelin and Leah talk about McBling culture.

    The Hope Diamond

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2021 77:49


    Who doesn't love cursed jewelry? Especially when it's really shiny jewelry that ruins a bunch of super rich people's lives? Well in this episode Kelin and Leah discuss the famously volatile and ridiculous, Hope Diamond.

    Acne

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 69:50


    The ladies are back! And on this episode make sure to grab your oils, masks, and serums, because Kelin and Leah are chatting about those pesky, sometimes painful, oftentimes frustrating, little red bumps we call acne.

    Pablo Picasso

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 60:13


    Pablo Picasso-an artistic visionary or just a guy in desperate need of a dating counselor? Hey, it's all in the same! In this episode, Kelin and Leah unpack the eccentric, troubling life of monkey-owning, bird-loving, serial-dater, artist, Pablo Picasso.

    Dark Triad

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 59:18


    Some people will just not be your cup of tea. Many of us kind souls just can't get down with manipulation, self-obsession, and a lack of empathy. So in this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the personality traits that make the Dark Triad.

    Operation Mongoose

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 58:48


    Who says you can't involve the mob, a presidential assassination, seashells, and cigars all in one story? The CIA certainly can't say so, considering today Kelin and Leah are discussing the CIA's plan to take out Fidel Castro, otherwise known as Operation Mongoose.

    The Intellectual Dark Web

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 56:46


    In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the Intellectual Dark Web. So if you are in the market for joining a club may we suggest bird watching, knitting, or honestly anything else than this group.

    Disney Theme Parks

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 56:45


    Grab your sunscreen, fanny pack, and mickey mouse ears and get ready to argue about which Disney princess is the worst! In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss the weird, creepy, and sometimes deadly side of Disney theme parks.

    Orgasms

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2021 75:32


    Put our kiddos away because for this NSFW episode Kelin and Leah are discussing those fun, exciting, and yet sometimes, mysterious and confusing things we call orgasms.

    The 40-Hour Work Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 61:09


    Feeling fatigued and overworked? For this episode, skip that work meeting, ignore that email, and take more bathroom breaks during work because Kelin and Leah discuss the out-dated, inefficient business model that is the 40 hour work week.

    Judy Garland

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 57:56


    Get out your blue gingham and picnic basket, and start harmonizing because in this episode Kelin and Leah will be discussing the tumultuous and harrowing life of the iconic Judy Garland.

    Goop

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 72:20


    If during these trying times you've missed insanely overpriced goods and pseudoscience practices that will most likely cause you bodily harm, then have you considered Gwenyth Paltrow's lifestyle brand Goop? Perfect, since that's what Kelin and Leah will be discussing in this episode.

    Perfectionism

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 52:20


    Wanting things to be perfect is a ridiculous and impossible standard. And yet, that doesn't stop humans from trying! In this episode, Kelin and Leah discuss that very persistent and annoying tick that is perfectionism.

    Poltergeists

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 55:32


    Good gracious, an unwanton and sinister energy is disrupting sleep, flicking on all your lights, and pinching your butt. No, it's not an annoying roommate, it's just a little, cute poltergeist here to haunt you forever!

    TMZ

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 58:49


    Put on your bucket hat and Juicy Couture velour tracksuit because in this episode Kelin and Leah are going back in time to the mid-2000s. What added to the gaudy and obnoxious aesthetic of this time period? That's right, we're discussing the media empire that is TMZ.

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