Stuff You Should Know

There's an infant formula shortage. But infant formula is relatively new. So what did we do before it was perfected? Listen in and learn already! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we ever found evidence of intelligent alien life (or they found us) what would we say? Who would say it for us? These seemingly silly questions are vitally important depending on your view. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chiggers are tiny little mites capable of making your life miserable. Worse than mosquitoes? Maybe. But they aren't insects - mites are actually part of the arachnid family and behave a little like ticks. Learn all about these nearly invisible pests in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few short years after the hiking trails from Maine to Georgia were connected into the world's longest hiking-only footpath, a WWII vet walked the whole thing in one go. He kicked off a challenge that's still taken on by thousands of people each year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the greatest questions we've ever heard, answered (in a roundabout way). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few short years after the hiking trails from Maine to Georgia were connected into the world's longest hiking-only footpath, a WWII vet walked the whole thing in one go. He kicked off a challenge that's still taken on by thousands of people each year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There have been many inventions that have advanced filmmaking, but maybe none as important as the steadicam. Invented in the mid-70s, it literally changed the way movie making happened, and made the impossible possible. Learn about the fascinating history behind this amazing technology, in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 1980s, imprisoned IRA members went on a prolonged hunger strike, leading to the death of ten men. This is their story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we dive into HR8, a gun bill supported by 90% of Americans that will likely never get through the Senate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beloved egghead Buckminster Fuller said the wind doesn't blow, it sucks. And he was pretty much right, depending on your perspective. Find out how everything from the hurricane to summer breeze makes life on Earth possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of thousands of people drown around the world every year, and yet it can be easily prevented and is widely misunderstood – like how you can officially drown but live to tell the tale, or how you can drown but die days later. Learn all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nobody thought the 4-minute mile was humanly possible, until it was. The story of how it happened is remarkable. So sit back and take a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1974, the Cleveland (then Indians) baseball club held an unlimited 10 cent beer promotion to attract fans to the game. An actual riot broke out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Countries around the world – capitalist democracies to communist unitary states – guarantee a free press in their constitutions. It turns out, though, that there is a galaxy of methods for subverting a free press. Find out why that matters in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Satanism may be the most misunderstood "religion" in the world. Part of that is because there are, and have been, many offshoots of Satanism, from The Church of Satan to The Satanic Temple. One thing is sure though, none of them are filled with evil humans who perform ritual blood sacrifice and worship a cloven-hoofed devil. Learn all about Satanism in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kidneys are one of the few organs that you can donate while you're alive. And the vast majority of donors experience no complications and their remaining kidney functions just fine. Yet thousands of people die each year waiting for a donated kidney. Why? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some foods make you happy. But they aren't necessarily comfort foods. You know what they call that? SCIENCE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Fed raises interest rates a half point, the world market reacts. But why does this tiny percentage make such a difference? Listen and learn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waterbeds came and went pretty quickly in the United States, but despite their marketing as sex beds, they were actually invented to deliver a great night's sleep. Learn all about these super 70's beds in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Absinthe makes you hallucinate and possibly even have a seizure, right? Nope. It's all a part of the myth of absinthe, which is really just a bitter tasting liquor with a bad reputation.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Depending on where you are in the world, you either have an instinct to go left or right when entering a place. Learn all about this today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh and Chuck wade into dangerous waters with the debate over just how destructive cats are for local ecosystems (turns out it's pretty bad) and some ideas on what to do about that (you may not want to know). Tune in and tense up! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1978, five friends set out for home from a basketball game. The next day, their car was discovered in a lonely mountain road. The next spring, their bodies began to turn up. What happened that night remains a mystery to this day. Explore what we know with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Surnames are way more interesting that you think, trust us. Just hit play and prepare to be wowed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Watermelon episode, Chuck and Josh stumbled into a bit of little-known history about why artificial banana flavor doesn't taste like bananas. Turns out it does; it just tastes like a banana you've probably never eaten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Squirrels are rodents, sure, but they're rodents with personalities the size of Las Vegas and Detroit put together. Get to know your bushy-tailed (and sometimes not so bushy) neighbors who live interesting hidden lives right out in the open. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everybody knows how many whacks Lizzie Borden gave her mother and father with that axe, but there is plenty about the infamous double homicide that remains unresolved, like who actually did it. Travel into the mystery of Lizzie Borden in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nose jobs have been around a lot longer than you think. And the process is pretty interesting. Tune in for all things rhinoplasty.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As many as 15% of people faint when they see blood! And it's not just blood that gets them. It can be an injury or even a needle. Learn about this fascinating phobia in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Land acknowledgements are all the rage in some parts of the world. But they also open a can of worms if not done properly. Learn all about this increasingly common practice today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure we can all agree that champagne is probably the greatest thing humans have or ever will invent, but how much do we understand how it's made? Learn all about it in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the more controversial black leaders, Marcus Garvey divided black and white Americans with his assertion of black pride, and sowed division in the black community as well. Yet, possibly no one has had more global impact on black lives than him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we dive into the lovable folds of the Shar Pei. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a mystery afoot! Almost all of the coal we use around the world was created in the same 60 million year period. Before or after that relatively short window of time, not so much. Just what exactly explains this geological mystery? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Other comedians cry on the inside, but Rodney Dangerfield built his entire act around his sad life. Get to know this legendary comic who was nearing 50 when he got his break, in this classic episode recorded live in LA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being an understudy is far more challenging than simply learning the lines of a lead actor in case of emergency. Learn all about these unsung stage heroes today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does your house smell? No? What if we told you it's impossible for you to know whether  it does or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since his corpse was found in 1948, wearing a nice suit in summer on an Australian beach, an unidentified man has refused to fade into obscurity, gripping the imagination of sleuths around the world. Learn all about the mystery in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bottled water is huge business, and terrible for the environment. But where did this all start? Listen in and learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we pay tribute to the comfiest of comfort food, the grilled cheese sandwich. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Christine Collins' son disappeared in 1928, she thought that was the worst that could happen.  What followed was more upsetting than any parent could imagine.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know there are as many as 500,000 abandoned mines in the US, but the federal government knows where only 30,000 of them are? Learn about how these places go from money pit to death trap when mine companies simply walk away, in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us know Mensa's a smart people club. And that Geena Davis is a member. But did you know it was originally intended as a rolodex when the government needed the UK's most intelligent minds? And that the Kansas City chapter staged a revolt in the 60s? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small towns around the world have a longstanding tradition of nominating – and voting for – animals in elected positions like mayor and some animals have made it to being nominated for president. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi, Stuff You Should Know fans! iHeartPodcasts and host M. William Phelps are excited to announce White Eagle. A brand new series that takes place in West Hartford, Connecticut. Home to a warehouse owned by armored truck giant Wells Fargo, a nondescript building housing more than $30 million in cash. On a balmy evening in late September 1983, Victor Gerena — a 25-year-old college dropout and Wells Fargo armored car guard making $4.50 per hour — sets in motion the largest cash heist in history. A thrilling true crime that continues to unravel with every clue. Don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer to decide for yourself!   About White Eagle: West Hartford, Connecticut is home to a warehouse owned by armored truck giant Wells Fargo, a nondescript building housing more than $30 million in cash. On a balmy Monday evening in late September 1983, Victor Gerena — a 25-year-old college dropout and Wells Fargo armored car guard making $4.50 per hour — set in motion the largest cash heist in history.   Over the next three decades, 30 people believed to be involved in the Wells Fargo heist are arrested, killed, assassinated, and/or jailed. That is, except Victor Gerena. Was Victor a criminal mastermind who singlehandedly pulled off the heist? Or was he a political pawn in a Cold War operation? What exactly happened?   Listen and subscribe to White Eagle on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever been to Philadelphia then you've probably walked right by a Toynbee Tile embedded in the street. But what's the meaning on these mysterious installations, and who is doing it? Listen in to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Action figures have a long and glorious history. From GI Joes to Star Wars figures, these offshoots of dolls came along at just the right time to capture the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Learn all about the partial history of action figures in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the wonderful history of the public house. So pull up a stool, grab a pint and have a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perhaps the most amazing coincidence ever documented took place when a church in a tiny town in Nebraska exploded in 1950. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turns out most people love watermelons. Why? Because they're delicious. And they also have a pretty interesting history. Check it out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.