Podcast · 451 episodes
Stuff You Should Know, page 4
by iHeartPodcasts · English
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.
All episodes, page 4
Selects: Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the DevilStuff You Should Know’s “Selects: Birthmarks: Probably Not the Mark of the Devil” explains what birthmarks are, how they’re classified, which ones fade, and when they can signal a health issue.20 Jun 2026 · 50 min · 21 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Global Warming WorksThe episode explains how global warming works, distinguishing global warming from broader climate change, then detailing the greenhouse effect, major greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, nitrous oxide,…19 Jun 2026 · 1 h · 32 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Chaos Theory Changed the UniverseThe episode explains how chaos theory undermined strict determinism and changed scientific thinking about complex systems, using examples from astronomy, meteorology, and population biology.19 Jun 2026 · 55 min · 23 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Things We Believed Before the Scientific MethodThe episode explains what science is and how the scientific method works, contrasting rationalism vs mysticism and emphasizing observation, hypothesis testing, falsifiability, and reproducibility.19 Jun 2026 · 1 h · 16 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Elastics: Where God and Science SmoochThe history and science of elastic—how rubber became stretchy fabrics, why elastic fails over time, and how modern “snapback” materials like spandex work.19 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 24 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Big Bang Theory Works, with Neil deGrasse TysonThe episode explains the Big Bang Theory (not the TV show): what it is and isn’t, why it’s supported by evidence, and what happened in the earliest moments through the formation of atoms, then…19 Jun 2026 · 1 h 8 min · 25 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How Occam's Razor WorksExplains Occam’s razor (simplicity/parsimony) as a heuristic for choosing among explanations, not a weapon to “prove” others wrong.19 Jun 2026 · 40 min · 16 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Can Nuclear Fusion Reactors Save The World?Nuclear fusion reactors—whether projects like Europe’s ITER/Eider can deliver abundant, low-emissions energy—and what stands in the way (plasma containment, net energy gain, materials, fuel).19 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 18 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How X-Rays WorkHow X-rays work, from Wilhelm Röntgen’s accidental discovery to how modern machines create images, plus radiation risks and dose examples.19 Jun 2026 · 39 min · 16 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: How the Scientific Method WorksHow pre-scientific ideas tried to explain nature before the scientific method—contrasting “believed” models with later testing.19 Jun 2026 · 44 min · 16 chapters
The Stuff You Should Know Doin’ Science Playlist: Legs! Legs! Legs! (The Periodic Table)The periodic table—how it evolved from early ideas about elements to the modern layout, and what rows, columns, and blocks mean (periods/shells, groups/valence electrons, s/p/d/f blocks/quantum…19 Jun 2026 · 47 min · 20 chapters
M*A*S*H: The Story of the 4077thThis episode of Stuff You Should Know (TV edition) explains how M*A*S*H got its name and how the real-life “Mobile Army Surgical Hospital” concept worked in the Korean War, including that MASH units…18 Jun 2026 · 56 min · 30 chapters
Short Stuff: Does singing make you happy?Whether singing makes people happy, with emphasis on group/choral singing benefits (endorphins, confidence, reduced anxiety/depression, aerobic effects, deep breathing, cognitive engagement, and…17 Jun 2026 · 12 min · 9 chapters
Did 24-Hour Cable News Kill America?The episode argues that 24/7 cable news—especially the rise of pundit-driven “angertainment”—undermines shared reality, fuels polarization, and damages American civic life.16 Jun 2026 · 54 min · 25 chapters
Selects: How the Fairness Doctrine WorkedStuff You Should Know Selects episode explaining how the U.S. Fairness Doctrine worked, why it emerged, its rules (personal attack and political editorial), major court challenges, and why it was…13 Jun 2026 · 53 min · 18 chapters
The NY Subway VigilanteThe 1984 New York City subway shooting by Bernard Goetz (“subway vigilante”), the public reaction, the criminal and civil court outcomes, and how context about 1980s subway crime and policing shaped…11 Jun 2026 · 48 min · 16 chapters
Short Stuff: Rain Barrels!Rain barrels—how to collect and use rainwater safely, why it’s useful (gardens, car washing), and practical setup/math (roof size to gallons, filtration, overflow, lids, winterizing).10 Jun 2026 · 13 min · 10 chapters
SmileSmiling—how it works physically (facial muscles and Facial Action Coding System), what different smiles mean (e.g., Duchenne, fake vs genuine, submission/reward/affiliation/dominance), how early…9 Jun 2026 · 49 min · 29 chapters
Selects: 911 Is Not a Joke“Stuff You Should Know” revisits the history and operation of the U.S.6 Jun 2026 · 54 min · 25 chapters
Three Mile IslandThe March 28, 1979 Three Mile Island Unit 2 accident—how a cooling-system malfunction nearly led to a full meltdown, what went wrong operationally, how the public was informed, and what studies found…4 Jun 2026 · 46 min · 23 chapters
Short Stuff: 1955 Le Mans DisasterThe June 11, 1955 Le Mans disaster—an endurance race crash caused by poor pit-road design and a driver’s risky maneuver, leading to massive spectator casualties and major safety changes.3 Jun 2026 · 13 min · 6 chapters
The Tragic Life of Vincent Van GoghThe life and art of Vincent van Gogh, focusing on how his mental illness, relationships, and changing locations shaped his painting style and output, plus the myths the episode corrects (e.g., fame…2 Jun 2026 · 52 min · 23 chapters
Selects: Did Shakespeare really write all that stuff?Whether William Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon wrote all the plays and poems attributed to him, or whether he was a front for other authors (including nobles, Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, etc.).30 May 2026 · 56 min · 24 chapters
Howard Hughes in Las VegasHoward Hughes’ reclusive years in Las Vegas, his mental illness and germophobia, and how his business moves reshaped the city.28 May 2026 · 49 min · 26 chapters