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Rocket Cars & Broken Bones - The Story of "The Mad Canadian" Ken Carter
Season 5 Episode 138
In the 1970s daredevil golden age, Evel Knievel was the undisputed king. But north of the border, a Montreal high-school dropout named Ken Carter was…
6 months, 3 weeks ago
Why Banana Candy Doesn't Taste Like Bananas - The Story of Big Mike Bananas
Season 5 Episode 137
Have you ever wondered why banana-flavored candy doesn’t actually taste like bananas?
If you’ve ever unwrapped a piece of yellow Laffy Taffy or crunch…
7 months ago
Heavy Hitters - The Three Greatest Rock Drummers Explained
Season 5 Episode 136
Is drumming an art, a science, or a raw act of aggression?
And why do drummers seem to be the first member of a rock band to move to Dirt Nap City?
In…
7 months, 1 week ago
Getting Fizzy With It - The Rise and Fall of the Soda Jerk
Season 5 Episode 135
Have you ever wondered why we call someone a "jerk" when they’re being a bit of a tool? In 2026, the word is a staple of our digital lexicon, but its…
7 months, 2 weeks ago
The Bewitched King - Spain's Charles II at the End of an Era
Season 5 Episode 134
In this episode, we dive into one of the most tragic and consequential figures in European history: King Charles II of Spain. Often remembered by his…
7 months, 3 weeks ago
End of the Road - Why We Stopped Stopping for Tolls
Season 5 Episode 133
In this episode Alex and Kelly pull over to the side of the road to examine one of the most visible victims of the digital age: the toll booth collec…
8 months ago
The Sinner, The Saint, and The Songs - Unpacking Johnny Cash
Season 5 Episode 132
Join us this week as we journey into the complex, compelling world of Johnny Cash, the towering figure who remains one of American music's most influ…
8 months, 1 week ago
The Burning Question of the Yule Log - A Dirt Nap City Christmas Special
Season 4 Episode 131
Get ready to cozy up by the fire, maybe with a mug of wassail, as your favorite word nerds, Alex and Kelly, dive into the frost-covered origins of th…
9 months, 1 week ago
Back in the Saddle Again - The Original Singing Cowboy, Gene Autry
Season 4 Episode 130
He was the "Singing Cowboy," the wholesome, guitar-wielding hero who saved the day, got the girl, and never forgot to sing a song. But Gene Autry's j…
9 months, 2 weeks ago
From "White Christmas" to "God Bless America" - Was Irving Berlin The Greatest Songwriter Of All Time?
Season 4 Episode 129
Join us for a deep dive into the extraordinary life and musical legacy of Irving Berlin—the man widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in …
9 months, 3 weeks ago