Stuff You Should Know

Follow Stuff You Should Know
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

iHeartRadio & HowStuffWorks

  • Discover Pods Awards
    2017 Best Kids & Family Podcast

  • Discover Pods Awards
    2017 Best Technology & Science Podcast


  • Aug 15, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
  • weekdays NEW EPISODES
  • 42m AVG DURATION
  • 2,846 EPISODES

4.5 from 69,874 ratings Listeners of Stuff You Should Know that love the show mention: josh and chuck, jeri, chuck bryant, love sysk, ibm, chuck and josh, yawning, mundane topics, chronic lyme, much stuff, movie crush, chuckers, chuck talk, flamingos, multiple times a day, love josh, love listening to josh, chemistry between josh, maggots, love stuff you should know.


Ivy Insights

The Stuff You Should Know podcast is an incredibly informative and enjoyable show hosted by Josh and Chuck. I have learned so much from listening to their discussions on a wide range of interesting topics. They have a great dynamic and their fun banter keeps the episodes entertaining. One aspect that I really appreciate about the hosts is their humility, despite being knowledgeable experts in their field.

The best aspect of this podcast is undoubtedly the wealth of information it provides. From deep dives into scientific concepts to historical events and pop culture phenomena, Josh and Chuck cover a wide variety of subjects. They present the information in a way that is easy to understand, even for those who may not have prior knowledge on the topic. Their ability to break down complex ideas into digestible chunks makes it accessible for a wide audience.

Another positive aspect of the podcast is the thoroughness with which they research their topics. It's evident that they put a lot of effort into ensuring accuracy and providing well-rounded perspectives. The hosts also strike a good balance between presenting facts and injecting their own opinions or anecdotes, which adds personality to each episode.

However, one potential downside of the podcast is the frequency of advertisements. While ads are necessary for revenue, some listeners may find them excessive or disruptive to the flow of the episodes. Though this can be subjective, it would be beneficial if there were fewer interruptions or an option for ad-free listening for subscribers.

In conclusion, The Stuff You Should Know podcast is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys learning new things while being entertained. Josh and Chuck's expertise combined with their engaging personalities make each episode both informative and enjoyable. Despite any minor drawbacks like frequent ads, this podcast remains one of my favorites due to its consistently high-quality content.



Search for episodes from Stuff You Should Know with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from Stuff You Should Know

Selects: The Manhattan Grid

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2026 47:32 Transcription Available


Ever wanted to know more about how the Manhattan grid was made? Well this is your chance. Find out all about it in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who was Robert Maxwell?

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 46:52 Transcription Available


Robert Maxwell was a lot of things, publisher, mogul, spy, politician, crook. But was he murdered when he fell from his yacht?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Nero and His Fiddle

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 12:13 Transcription Available


Did Nero play his fiddle while Rome burned during the Great Fire of 64 CE? Absolutely not. Find out how we know when Chuck and Josh bust a two thousand year-old myth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie and Clyde

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 54:29 Transcription Available


You've probably seen the movie, but what else do you know about this legendary crime couple? Listen in to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Iran-Contra Affair: Shady in the 80s, Part 2

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2026 43:04 Transcription Available


As the operation expands it also begins to unravel. Word starts to leak out of the illegal stuff the Reagan administration was up to, Congress and the press investigate and people start to point fingers. Spoiler alert – they all got off scot free. Find out how it all wraps up in part 2 of this classic story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Iran-Contra Affair: Shady in the 80s, Part 1

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2026 45:59 Transcription Available


When Ronald Reagan was president, America got involved in some deeply shady stuff, not the least of which was the Iran-Contra scandal – a convoluted operation that managed to combine an illegal covert war in Nicaragua with secretly selling arms to Iran. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reggae: Kingston's Gift to the World

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2026 55:18 Transcription Available


Although it was built atop some musical styles that came before, reggae is mostly its own thing. It evolved as local music in the Trenchtown neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica but after Bob Marley and the Wailers came along, it became a global phenomenon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Phone Books

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2026 15:00 Transcription Available


Once upon a time there were these things called phone books. Inside you could find the phone number and address of just about everyone in your town. Can you imagine?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beans and Rice Feeds the World

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2026 43:05 Transcription Available


To call beans and rice a staple is to undersell the importance of beans and rice. Today we break down the ubiquity of this beloved food combo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How Peanut Butter Works

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2026 56:43 Transcription Available


No food is more all-American than peanut butter – 80 percent of homes in the country have a jar of it in the pantry right now. And while the rest of the world might find peanut butter peculiar, maybe even gross, the rest of the world is wrong. Enjoy a smooth ride through one of our top condiments in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Russia Shapes What the World Thinks

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2026 43:15 Transcription Available


Operation Doppelganger was a Russian propaganda project discovered in 2022, a minor part of the enormous, ongoing disinformation and chaos-sewing campaign Russia spreads across the world through social media. And some of your views may have come from it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Shark Arm Murders

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2026 16:05 Transcription Available


Get yer info on one of Australia’s great true crime cases he-re! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beloved Judy Blume

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2026 44:56 Transcription Available


Judy Blume is more than an author. She's a legend in teen literature for her frank and honest portrayals of adolescence. Today we pay tribute to her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Plant Migration

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2026 45:47 Transcription Available


Climate change is having sweeping effects on our climate and this is changing the world, not just for humans and other animals, but plants too. Will the Earth’s flora manage to find safe refuge in time? Josh and Chuck run down the odds in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the deal with Swiss neutrality?

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2026 47:34 Transcription Available


We all know Switzerland is neutral. But why? Listen in and you might learn something.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Sardines!

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2026 12:05 Transcription Available


Josh implored Chuck to try sardines. Did he? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tobacco Master Settlement: That Time We Got Em

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2026 46:37 Transcription Available


By the 1990s, cigarette makers had been hooking and killing off their customers for about a century. And they’d gotten good at both as well as covering up their harms. In 1994 they were still denying cigarettes were addictive. Then, the 50 Attorneys General of the US rode into town to take them on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: The Soul Train Episode

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2026 46:54 Transcription Available


In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the funky, cool world of the classic TV show, Sooooooooul Train.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White Boy Rick

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2026 49:07 Transcription Available


Would you believe that Detroit’s crack epidemic in the mid-80s was overseen by one 16 year-old white kid who supplied all the coke? No? Well, that’s not quite true, so okay. The actual story is even more nutso than that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: The Voice of God

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2026 14:40 Transcription Available


Today we salute the great Don LaFontaine, aka The Voice of God in movie and TV trailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You Are Not Alone With Postpartum Depression

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2026 46:24 Transcription Available


Most new moms get the baby blues soon after giving birth. Postpartum depression is something much different - the symptoms are similar, but their intensity can have sweeping effects on mom, baby, and the whole family. Fortunately, it’s highly treatable but the catch is moms usually have to ask for help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: The First Road Trip

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2026 49:52 Transcription Available


Back when cars were a brand new thing, before people even knew they'd stick around, two men and a dog drove from San Francisco to New York. This classic episode has their story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Best First Lady

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2026 47:29 Transcription Available


Eleanor Roosevelt was something else. We can't get into it here, but just wait until you listen to this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Great Britain

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2026 12:33 Transcription Available


Now that it’s been 250 years since America split from England, we figure enough time has passed that we can finally learn the difference between the UK, Great Britain, and the British Isles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kola: The World's Deepest Hole

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2026 46:25 Transcription Available


During the Cold War all eyes were on the Space Race between the US and USSR. But there was another, overlooked race too and it went in the opposite direction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Chopsticks > Forks

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2026 50:58 Transcription Available


In this classic episode, Chuck and Josh sit and converse on the simple, elegant chopstick.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alaska Earthquake of 1964

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2026 36:59 Transcription Available


When a 9.2 quake shoook Alaska in 1964 it was the 2nd largest earthquake ever recorded. This is that story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

alaska earthquakes alaska earthquake
Short Stuff: Toronto Clown Riot

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2026 12:22 Transcription Available


Those are three words you probably never thought you’d see together. And the true story is just as interesting as it sounds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hillsborough Disaster

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2026 46:20 Transcription Available


When a crush of football fans killed 97 people in England in 1989, police and officials engaged in a massive cover-up to blame it on drunken fans. Today we tell that story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How Enron Fooled the World

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2026 60:00 Transcription Available


Until 2007, the largest single corporate bankruptcy was Enron, a $67 billion energy trading company. Its decline was breathtaking, and while it’s a fascinating story of corporate malfeasance and greed, it’s also about the lives of ruined workers. Learn all about it in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Freetown Christiania

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2026 37:15 Transcription Available


The sort of commune of Freetown Christiania in Denmark may not be what it used to be, but it's still true to many of its original values. Learn all about this unique neighborhood today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

denmark freetown christiania
Short Stuff: Why does it feel good to be scared?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2026 12:21 Transcription Available


Fear is different than being scared, most notably because fear is generally a negative thing and being scared can cause an enjoyable thrill. We'll get into the difference in today's episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some Interesting Curses

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2026 48:19 Transcription Available


Even though curses aren’t real – and we go to great pains to make that clear – they are pretty interesting, especially ones you haven’t heard of before. So we dug deep and found some of the cruses that don’t always hog the spotlight for this fun episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the Devil

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2026 49:55 Transcription Available


It’s a pretty safe assumption that people have been born with birthmarks since humanity began, and between then and now we’ve come up with some wacky, even dangerous, explanations for them – even a few that survive still today. Learn all about them in this classic episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Global Warming Works

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 60:11 Transcription Available


It's a confusing part of climate change when it seems winter is as cold as ever, but as global temperatures creep ever so slightly higher, a cascade of catastrophic events will almost surely follow. The ball is in humanity's court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Chaos Theory Changed the Universe

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 55:00 Transcription Available


Since the age of Descartes, science has put all of its eggs in the basket of determinism, the idea that with accurate enough measurements any aspect of the universe could be predicted. But the universe, it turns out, is not so tidy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How X-Rays Work

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 38:44 Transcription Available


Like many huge discoveries, X-rays were accidentally stumbled upon. That serendipity led to a medical breakthrough still in use today. Learn about how X-rays are created and why they make such delightful images of our bones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elastics: Where God and Science Smooch

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 52:05 Transcription Available


You could be forgiven for thinking the story behind elastics was boring. You’d still be wrong, though. The story of what’s holding up your underwear is a global drama, replete with war, industrial espionage, colonialism, destitute inventors – everything!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Nuclear Fusion Reactors Save The World?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 44:18 Transcription Available


The world's energy consumption is ruining the planet but for decades physicists have been working on what could solve the world's energy and climate change woes for centuries to come - nuclear fusion. Learn about building stars on Earth in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Occam's Razor Works

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 40:03 Transcription Available


You know the rule that says the simplest explanation is probably the correct one? That’s called a razor and it’s meant to guide logic. But over time it’s become a broadsword used to disprove opposing arguments. Learn how to spot a faux skeptic in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things We Believed Before the Scientific Method

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 60:01 Transcription Available


It’s easy to think of people in the distant past as kinda dumb for believing things like that mice could spontaneously generate from old grain. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll find there was a sensibility to the odd beliefs that came before science.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Big Bang Theory Works, with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 67:38 Transcription Available


There are a number of theories for how the universe evolved but none are more widely accepted than the Big Bang theory. Learn about the mind-boggling details of the early universe and hear Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson talk about what it will take for us to know its origins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the Scientific Method Works

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 43:56 Transcription Available


It evolved over centuries to become the gold standard for conducting scientific inquiry. Yet many people - including some scientists - don't fully understand it. Learn about the basis of how we explore our world in this episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legs! Legs! Legs! (The Periodic Table)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2026 47:27 Transcription Available


If you’ve ever wanted to listen to two totally untrained, non-chemists who are fully unqualified to explain how the periodic table works nervously explain how the periodic table works, then this episode is for you. Chemistry majors, be warned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

M*A*S*H: The Story of the 4077th

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2026 56:07 Transcription Available


Chuck loved M*A*S*H. Josh didn't. Listen in as they fight to the death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Does singing make you happy?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2026 11:33 Transcription Available


Does singing make you happy? Yes, yes it does.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did 24-Hour Cable News Kill America?

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2026 54:25 Transcription Available


You can make a pretty good case that the rise of opinion “news” and filter bubbles on cable tv created the current cultural and political schism that plagues American society. How did it start? Where did it come from? And what the heck can we do about it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: How the Fairness Doctrine Worked

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2026 52:55 Transcription Available


Back in the day, broadcasters were bound by law to provide contrasting opinions on political matters. Why? Because of the Fairness Doctrine. What happened to it? Listen to this classic episode and find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NY Subway Vigilante

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2026 47:36 Transcription Available


Today we dive into the unremorseful life of NYC Subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: Rain Barrels!

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2026 12:54 Transcription Available


Harvesting rainwater has tons of upsides and not many downsides – you just need to take a few precautions first. Don’t miss this episode, which features some Josh Math™.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smile

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2026 48:34 Transcription Available


They say that smiling requires fewer muscles than frowning, so why not smile? That doesn’t seem to be true, or at least unproven, and there is lots more about smiling that will keep you glued to your earbuds in this fun episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claim Stuff You Should Know

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel