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The Preposterous History of Artificial Flavors, Part Two: Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
What makes a flavor "artificial," exactly? Why doesn't banana candy taste like bananas in the grocery store? What on Earth is the flavor behind "Juicy Fruit" -- spoiler, the answer will surprise you.…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
CLASSIC: The Rise of Harvey Wiley's Poison Squad
Nowadays U.S. grocery shoppers can be reasonably certain that the foods they purchase are safe (if not healthy). Yet this wasn't always the case. In today's episode, we explore the story of one extre…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
The Preposterous History of Artificial Flavors, Part One: The Vanilla Problem
For most of human history, people were locked in a continual struggle to find food and avoid starvation. Eating for pleasure wasn't really a thing the common person could do. However, as time went on…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
"Right on," Said the Pope: How the Swiss Guard became the Elite Protectors of the Vatican
At first glance, the Vatican's security service makes no sense. The Swiss Guard is an elite force from, well, Switzerland. So what the heck are these guys from a notoriously neutral nation doing so f…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
CLASSIC: Step Aside, James Bond: The Strange Stories of Espionage Animals
It's no secret that espionage and spycraft are common tools in the murky realm of geopolitics -- but not every spy is some sort of James Bond type character in a bespoke suit with a penchant for mart…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
Ottoman Harems Were Disturbing and Ridiculous, Part Two: A Real-life Game of Thrones
Behind the heavily-guarded walls of the palace, the Ottoman Empire's harem was a world all its own. In the second part of this special two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max delve into the dangerous wor…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
Ottoman Harems Were Disturbing and Ridiculous, Part One: Busting Myths
For centuries, westerners devoured lurid, embellished stories about the mysteries of Near Eastern culture -- and, chief amid their fascinations, the idea of the Sultan's harem. But what exactly was t…
Published on 1 year, 5 months ago
CLASSIC: How Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Influenced Star Trek
Star Trek is one of the world's most well-known sci-fi franchises, spanning decades in film, TV, books, games and more. While it's had its fair share of lighthearted moments (hello, Tribbles!), its v…
Published on 1 year, 6 months ago
Popeye Changed America, Part Two: Popeye Ain't Perfect
As Popeye's popularity continued to skyrocket through the Great Depression and the second World War, his pantheon of related characters only grew. And, spoiler: not all of the characters aged well. I…
Published on 1 year, 6 months ago
Popeye Changed America, Part One: A Breakout Star
Nowadays Popeye the Sailor Man is a world-famous icon, represented in almost any form of media you can imagine. Yet this wasn't always the case. In part one of this special two-part episode, Ben, Noe…
Published on 1 year, 6 months ago