Podcast Episodes
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The Boots Theory (Entry 143.LK2104)
In which a British fantasy writer reframes cost-of-living calculations for future economists, and Ken doesn't notice cobblers. Certificate #28114.
3 years, 8 months ago
Farmer Burns (Entry 166.GN3224)
In which a gifted grappler with Iowa's biggest neck becomes America's first national wrestling celebrity, and pro wrestling reminds John of many of h…
3 years, 8 months ago
Tom Thumb (Entry 1315.PR2131)
In which America's first locomotive faces its greatest challenge, a group of angry teamsters, and Ken decides horses are his Sammy Hagar. Certificat…
3 years, 8 months ago
The Winchester Geese (Entry 1434.JG1601)
In which a church bishop's sanction makes the London borough of Southwark a haven for sex workers and other outcasts for centuries, and John would li…
3 years, 8 months ago
Hobby Tunneling (Entry 591.JB2416)
In which a series of largely male and largely odd people over the centuries start digging something and just don't stop, and Ken explains how Canadia…
3 years, 9 months ago
Gillian Hills (Entry 588.PS12101)
In which the daughter of a famous adventurer and hostage does landmark work in 20th-century music, film, and art, and John wonders whom he has talked…
3 years, 9 months ago
O'Shaughnessy Dam (Entry 877.EX1508)
In which a great American city got its water rights by illegally flooding John Muir's favorite valley, and Ken has opinions on where egrets should po…
3 years, 9 months ago
The Placebo Effect (Entry 946.IS3821)
In which people find they can feel better about almost any ailment while taking nothing at all, and many of John's friends are Batman villains. Cert…
3 years, 9 months ago
The Dingo Fence (Entry 351.EZ1415)
In which 3,500 miles of wire mesh are intended to keep the southeast corner of Australia dingo-free, and Ken thinks his dogs are choosing not to do j…
3 years, 9 months ago
The Battle of Bamber Bridge (Entry 104.HE1302)
In which wartime Britain reacts skeptically to American racial segregation, leading to a firefight in the village streets of Lancashire, and John pon…
3 years, 9 months ago