x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Part-Time Genius

iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly

society & culture

All Episodes

34:17

Transformers! Are They More Than Meets the Eye?

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/11/19

If you’re anything like Will and Mango, you remember playing with Transformers as a kid. Or maybe you still enjoy transforming bots, in which case you should know the correct verb is “converting.” On today’s episode, we take a closer look at this ubiquitous toy with a surprising history that includes tea-serving dolls, WWII scrap metal, and a strangely touching example of corporate collaboration. Here’s another fun fact: we’re on Instagram! Find us @parttimegenius, and feel free to leave comments

en-US

34:14

Why did France give us a Statue of Liberty?

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/11/14

Look, we love Lady Liberty as much as the next patriot. But why on Earth did France give America a massive and exoribitant gift that wasn't on our registry? Will and Mango dig into the bizarre Parisian dinner party that led to the idea, the mathematical word problem of a way the statue was built, why it competed with a walrus for early tourists' attention, and why Brigham Young, Ulysses S. Grant and Gustave Eiffel from Eiffel Tower fame all have more to do with it than you'd think! See

en-US

29:26

What's the Story Behind Dogs Playing Poker?

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/11/12

Everyone knows the painting "A Friend in Need" aka Dogs Playing Poker. But did you know the artist behind it started a bank? And had patents? And also once got an apology from Far Side creator Gary Larson? We didn't either! Tune in as Will and Mango discuss the most important painting about whiskey-drinking dogs playing cards and also visibly cheating while doing those two other ridiculous things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

48:10

Adventures in Patriotism with the wonderful A.J. Jacobs!

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/11/07

Need a reason to be optimistic about democracy? Will and Mango welcome best-selling author A.J. Jacobs to chat about his new book The Year of Living Constitutionally. From walking around the upper West Side with a musket (a 2nd amendment right!), to delivering quill-written petitions to Congress (he spilled a lot of ink in the process), to meeting the last person to get a new amendment added (all the guy wanted was a better grade in his college class!), A.J. discusses his sweet and ridiculous

en-US

32:28

How to Win Everything: Ridiculous and Unorthodox Ways...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/11/05

In this classic episode, Will and Mango look into why do short people dominate soccer? Is owning a library more important than actually reading the books? And is being handsome important to being taken seriously as a scientist? Tune in as we delve into some super weird ways people wield advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

40:16

Why Is Tajikistan Obsessed with RC Cola? ... and...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/10/31

In today’s extra-tasty episode, Mango is joined by Doug Mack, the brilliant and hilarious author of the Snack Stack newsletter (which you should subscribe to right now). Doug breaks down the most fascinating snack stories, including the link between astrology and Goldfish crackers, the chaotic launch of Pop Rocks, and why Tajikistanis have such a love for one underdog American soda. Plus, Doug shares a little intel from the Minnesota State Fair. Check out Snack Stack: https://snackstack.netSee

en-US

35:19

7 Blunders of the Ancient World

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/10/24

From the acting blunder that historians couldn't stop talking about to a confusingly shaped pyramid to the world's most coveted bucket (yes, bucket!), Will and Mango take a tour through seven of antiquity's strangest mistakes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

44:16

Bringing Soap Operas to Afghanistan

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/10/17

Saad Mohseni hadn't seen Afghanistan since he was a kid. But when America swept in to scatter the Taliban in the early 2000s, Mohseni felt a calling to return to rebuild his beloved homeland. This is the story of how Mohseni and his three siblings took a chance launching a radio station-- a Quixotic venture that quickly blossomed into a television empire-- and the ways that he and his family helped beam music, culture and the scaffolding of a fragile democracy into people's homes. Interview based

en-US

34:00

Incredible Facts about Springfields across America!...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/10/10

There are a lot of towns named Springfield. This week, Will and Mango learned about all of them! From the best Springfield to store your cheese (if you're looking to store 7 million pounds of cheese), to the reason so many Springfields aren't even located on springs, to the craziest mystery that involves cobras in a Springfield. So stuff your face with all the Springfield facts your heart desires! (We've got plenty for everyone.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

28:47

Is Itching Contagious? (and does scratching actually...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/09/26

Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way.) Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

32:36

PTG Classic: Why do Cats get such a Bad Rap?

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/09/19

With Single Cat Ladies all over the news, Will and Mango revisit a classic cat episode: from why cats were unfairly blamed for so many divorces, to how a bag of clay forever changed their prospects, to what a lion's sneeze tells us about their instincts. Plus-- the number one country you HAVE to travel to (if you want a cat to massage your back.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

31:28

Are Gummy Bears Good For Your Muscles? (And other...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/09/12

What can't gummy candies do? From helping kids gross out their parents (thank you gummi worms!), to helping Disney revive their animation division (Adventures of Gummy Bears was a catalyst!), to aiding senior citizens in regaining jaw strength (seriously!), these little gummy treats have a great big story to tell. have a big story to tell! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

34:41

Does Sunscreen Actually Work?

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/09/05

From the reason Australians love to "slip, slop, slap," to a pretty good reason to smear salad dressing on your body, Will and Mango explore the biggest questions in sunscreen, starting with, does it actually work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

21:42

What Happened to the Coney Island Narwhal? (and other...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/08/29

Will and Mango go deep on Narwhals-- from how they became one of New York City's greatest mascots, to how to spot a real Narwhal tusk from a fake at your local pawn shop, to why you might want to avoid ordering the Narwhal sushi... plus, we explain why everyone's on the look out for a baby Narluga (the hot new designer Beluga/Narwhal hybrid). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

28:18

9 Essential Facts You (Probably) Need to Know...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/08/21

From SpongeBob's sweet origin story to the Japanese business suits that are perfect for catching waves, Will and Mango explore the greatest facts from the world of surfing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

31:23

Poodle Grooming and Other (Nearly) Olympic Sports

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/08/16

How great were the Olympics?! Pretty great. But that doesn't mean they couldn't be better. From Poodle clipping to ski ballet, Will and Mango resurface 9 incredible and obscure sports that ought to be included in the next Olympic Games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

37:26

What's the Best Way to Sit? (And Other Important...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/08/09

For all our schooling, no one ever told us the very best way to sit. (Note this Seth Kinman Grizzly Bear Chair is NOT the best way to sit.) Also, no one taught us what temperature to keep our office at for maximum productivity. Or why cracking jokes might be helpful for elevating status in the workplace. And certainly NONE of our English professors told us how writing in the nude might be a great hack for hitting deadlines. For this week's episode, Will and Mango explore all the very best ways to

en-US

29:55

Say My Name, Say My Name: 9 Fantastic Eponyms and the...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/07/31

From boycotts to mavericks, nachos to Zamboni's, there are a whole lot of words we mindlessly use without thinking about the namesakes behind them. This week Will and Mango pay tribute to the fantastic gentleman the leotard is named for, a doctor who did not want a machine named after him, and the wonderful inventor behind the world's most sensational berry! (Supposedly.) ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our

en-US

39:32

PTG Classic: The Incredible Life of Jacques Cousteau

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/07/25

Whether you knew him as a conservationist, an explorer, a spy or a fashion icon, Jacques Cousteau showcased the sea's mysteries to a curious world. But how did the rebellious teenager with a penchant for breaking windows grow up into a marine legend? Will and Mango explore. ...Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See

en-US

67:20

Will I Regret Having an AI Voice? Featuring Evan...

Part-Time Genius ·

2024/07/19

In this episode, Mangesh interviews journalist and host Evan Ratliff about his new show Shell Game, and they discuss what happens when you take control of artificial intelligence and set an AI version of you out into the world. From talking to scammers to making plans with your wife, things get weird quickly! PLUS: Stay tuned for a sneak preview of Episode 1 of Shell Game! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

426 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger