Podcast Episodes

How Caribou Gave Us a Peek at Life 9,000 Years Ago

In 2008, a researcher floating in a boat in Lake Huron had an idea for how to learn more about our prehistoric ancestors. It involved sonar, a lot of patience, and some very bumbling AI caribou. List…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

We Want to Hear Your Unusual Road Trip Stories

We're working on another listener-led episode and want to know: What is your favorite unusual road trip destination? The weirdest road trip memory holed deep in your subconscious. Where was it? What …

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

House the Giants Built (Classic)

Anna Swan had an adventurous life before settling in Seville, Ohio and building a house large enough to fit her large life.

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

Double Header for the Fourth

Today we have two classic episodes to share about hidden histories of America. In one, we’ll hear the story of an unconventional Revolutionary patriot – an enslaved woman who sued her enslaver. And i…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

The Big Duck

The story of a big idea, and a big duck – and how this duck would go on to become an important architectural landmark that would influence buildings all around the world.   

READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: ht…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

New York City’s Black Oyster King

Thomas Downing, who arguably invented fine dining in New York City, had a secret going on underneath the floor of his popular oyster house. Writer Briona Lamback tells us the story. If you want to re…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The Gilbert Baker Mural

Gilbert Baker’s pride flag design is now a worldwide symbol for LGBT freedom and liberation. Now, his former stomping grounds remember his efforts with a beautiful mural. But there’s more to this pri…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Jadeite Cabbage (Classic)

This tiny stone cabbage has a big backstory stretching from the rich, treasure-laden halls of Beijing’s Forbidden City...through a harrowing wartime escape...to its prized place at the National palac…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Roop Kund

Author Doug Preston brings us back into the world of his latest book, The Lost Tomb, with a story of a remote lake in the Himalayas where hundreds of human skeletons were discovered – puzzling scient…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The Glove Museum

This museum in New York is a recreated 19th century glove making workshop complete with sizing tools, cutting blocks, and irons. It’s also  part studio, part exhibition space and the brainchild of a …

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago