Podcast Episodes

Moving Stuff Around - Hi Jolly and Elisha Otis

A man named Hadji Ali, but known as Hi Jolly, was an important figure with the US Army's short lived Camel Corps, and his legend lives on today.

Around the same time a man named Elisha Otis changed th…

Published on 8 months ago

Banneker's Clock and Pearse's Plane

Two guys who grew up on farms. Both were tinkerers.

Benjamin Banneker, a free Black American created the first striking clock built in America.

Richard Pearse, from New Zealand, was a pioneer in flight…

Published on 9 months ago

Oceans to Cross with Tori Murden-McClure

Episode 101 tells the story of Tori Murden-McClure's solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to her story, hear her speak with Mick on the 25th anniversary of her successful solo crossing.

Lea…

Published on 10 months ago

Animal Surprises

Episode 100, y'all! Beautiful Jim Key was born sickly and weak, but became world famous and is remembered as the smartest horse in the world. His training and care came from a former enslaved man nam…

Published on 11 months ago

Bone Wars and The Ghost Town Rhyolite

Our 99th Episode!

This episode features the narration talents of musician Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie Prince Billy. Will tells the story of Rhyolite, a town once founded in Death Valley after th…

Published on 1 year ago

A Very Special Desk - an Election Season Special Episode

The Resolute Desk is a fixture in the Oval Office. American Presidents have used it during some of the country's most pivotal moments. But what does the Resolute Desk have to do with England's danger…

Published on 1 year ago

Microscopes and Telescopes

Episode 98 goes to the Netherlands. There is something remarkable about the Dutch when it comes to glass lenses and scientific tools. Maybe Hans Lippershay invented the telescope. Maybe it was some k…

Published on 1 year, 1 month ago

I Scream for Ice Cream

Episode 97 is all about ice cream. Eat it anytime of year - it's a treat that we might take for granted today. It used to be expensive, impossible, or potentially dangerous. From George Washington to…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

No Chill - Pioneers in Ice

Episode 96 is all about Ice - in preparation for our following episode about Ice Cream.

Boston's Frederic Tudor became the "Ice King" by taking ice to places in the world where it had never been befor…

Published on 1 year, 2 months ago

International Games: Field of Cloth of Gold and Olympic Marathon

Episode 95 covers two great stories of international competition. First, The Field of Cloth and Gold was a historic summit that brought together Henry VIII and Francis I with the hopes of peace, comp…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago