Podcast Episodes

Little Caughnawaga

Mohawk ironworkers built many of New York City’s iconic skyscrapers. But simultaneously, they were also building a lesser known neighborhood of their own in downtown Brooklyn – one that would become …

Published on 1 year ago

Atlas Obscura Presents Sound Influence: Los Rivera Destino and Jaquira Díaz

This week and next, we’re presenting Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico.

The Río Piedras-based comedy band Los Rivera Destino talk about their musical childhoods, how making a music vid…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Atlas Obscura Presents Sound Influence: Rita Moreno and Pachyman

Today and tomorrow, we’re presenting Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico. 
 

Legendary actress, singer, dancer and EGOT winner Rita Moreno shares memories of sugar cane, coquís and parrand…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Riding with Dilla

Producer Gabby Gladney sees her South Side Chicago neighborhood in a new light thanks to Mahogany Bus Tours, a local company sharing hidden histories around the city.

Read a profile of Dilla, and chec…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Is This America’s Ugliest Statue?

In the 1880s, an eccentric California dentist gave away free public water fountains in the hopes they would encourage people to drink less alcohol. One of them went to the small town of Rockville, Co…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

The Places We’re Thankful For

Listener stories about the places we’re thankful for – from a beloved neighborhood, to an odd and out-of-place house down the block, to a library that inspired one listener to become a writer herself…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

The Blue Whale of Catoosa (Classic)

Catoosa, Oklahoma is the cite of a massive landlocked whale - and possibly the greatest anniversary gift ever.

READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/catoosa-whale

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

Bohemians, Bootleggers, and Bogus Bottles: A History of Absinthe

Journalist and food writer Evan Rail considers himself a beer guy, but when a mysterious bright green spirit started shaking up the scene in the Czech Republic (where he lives) in the 1990s, he knew …

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

The Integratron

In August 1953, airstrip operator George van Tassel claimed he was woken up in the middle of the night by an intelligent lifeform from outer space named Solganda. George says Solganda told him to bui…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

St. Paul Island vs. the Rat

On a remote island 200 miles off the coast of Alaska, a community hunts for a single, elusive rat. 

Read Daniel Wu’s original reporting on the rat strike team. 

Thanks to Freesound user mmiron for the …

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago