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PODCAST

Smartest Year Ever

The Smartest Year Ever began as a 365-day experiment in curiosity. In 2025, I dropped a new fact every single day. History, science, language, word origins, and strange true stories, all the stuff that somehow makes you sound smarter in conversation. The goal hasn’t changed: help you become the world’s greatest conversationalist.

education

All Episodes

00:04:14

2/7/25 - The Torino Scale: How Astronomers Rank...

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/07

Not all space rocks are created equal. Some burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere, while others could spell doom for civilization. But how do astronomers rank the danger of an incoming asteroid? Enter The Torino Scale—a color-coded system that rates impact threats from 0 (harmless) to 10 (extinction-level).Back in 2004, an asteroid named Apophis briefly hit a Level 4, sparking fears of a 2029 collision. More recently, in December 2024, a newly discovered asteroid—2024 YR4—was assigned a Torino Scale

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00:05:14

2/6/25 - The Tunguska Event: The Biggest Explosion No...

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/06

In 1908, an explosion larger than 1,000 atomic bombs flattened an area bigger than Los Angeles—but no crater was ever found. The Tunguska Event remains one of Earth’s biggest mysteries, and today, Gordy breaks down what happened, why it matters, and whether we should be worried about the next one.🔥 Topics Covered: What was the Tunguska Event? Why was there no crater? The wildest theories (aliens? Tesla?!) The real scientific explanation Could it happen again? (Spoiler: Yes.) 💡

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00:04:59

2/5/25 - Do Rivers Always Flow South?

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/05

There’s a myth that rivers always flow south, but here’s the truth: rivers flow in whatever direction gravity pulls them. The Nile River flows north—not because it’s defying the rules, but because it’s following the land’s natural slope. And it’s not alone. At least 48 rivers in the U.S. flow north, and plenty more around the world.Today, Gordy clears up this geographical misconception and breaks down why we think of rivers as only moving south. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube & Spotify🎥

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00:06:08

2/4/25 - The Bloop: The Sound That Shook the Ocean

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/04

In 1997, scientists recorded a mysterious deep-sea sound so loud it could be heard across the ocean. The Bloop baffled experts—it was louder than a blue whale, seemingly organic, and no one could explain it. Some believed it was a giant sea monster, an alien spacecraft, or even the awakening of Cthulhu himself.But the real answer? It’s still weird. This episode of Smartest Year Ever dives deep into the legend of The Bloop, from wild conspiracy theories to the actual science behind its eerie,

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00:08:00

2/3/25 - The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/03

A 25-foot tsunami of molasses barreling through Boston at 35 mph? Sounds like something out of a fever dream—but in 1919, it actually happened. The Great Molasses Flood was one of the most bizarre and tragic industrial disasters in U.S. history, leaving 21 dead, 150 injured, and a city covered in sticky chaos. Gordy takes you through the explosive failure of a poorly built molasses tank, how it wiped out buildings and trapped people like flies in syrup, and why locals swore you could still smell the

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00:03:05

2/2/25 - Pepsi’s Weird Original Name

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/02

Before Pepsi was Pepsi… it was Brad’s Drink. Yes, that’s what North Carolina pharmacist Caleb Bradham originally called his soda fountain creation in 1893. A mix of sugar, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other ingredients, it was meant to aid digestion and boost energy. But in 1898, a name change to Pepsi-Cola gave it a modern edge—though ironically, it never contained pepsin.From near-bankruptcy in the 1920s to a marketing genius move during the Great Depression, this is the surprising story of how one of

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00:03:32

2/1/25 - Why Is February So Short?

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/02/01

Why does February have only 28 days? And why is it named after an ancient Roman cleansing ritual? This month used to sit at the end of the calendar, acting as a reset button before the Romans moved the new year to January. Then, in a bizarre turn of numerical superstition, February got stuck as the runt of the litter—and even Julius Caesar’s reforms didn’t help. 🔹 The 10-month calendar that came before🔹 The festival of Februa and its purifying origins🔹 Why February was doomed to be short

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00:04:02

1/31/25 - The Statue of Liberty’s Ancient Twin

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/31

Before Lady Liberty, there was the Colossus of Rhodes, a towering 108-foot statue that once stood as a symbol of strength and victory. Though it fell centuries ago, its influence lived on in Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s design of the Statue of Liberty—from her torch to her crown of rays. But their meanings couldn’t be more different. Today, Gordy explores how an ancient Greek wonder helped inspire America’s greatest icon of freedom. 📌 Follow Smartest Year Ever for more daily facts! Sources:

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00:03:28

1/30/25 - LED Lights vs. Sharks: A Bright Idea

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/30

Can LED lights prevent shark attacks? Gordy explores a cutting-edge solution using LED-lit surfboards to confuse sharks and protect humans. Learn how this tech benefits both people and marine wildlife by offering a humane alternative to traditional shark deterrents. Follow Smartest Year Ever on YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram for daily insights! Sources: Current Biology - LED Lights and Shark Deterrence BBC News - Australian Scientists Test LED Surfboards Macquarie University - Shark Deterrent

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00:03:15

1/29/25 - Dancing Cat Fever: Mercury’s Deadly Dance

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/29

Gordy uncovers the bizarre history of Dancing Cat Fever, where convulsing cats warned humans of deadly mercury poisoning. How did superstition meet science to solve this mystery? Learn about these feline sentinels, the dangers of mercury exposure, and its lasting impact on environmental health. Follow Smartest Year Ever on YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram for more daily insights! Sources: Toxicological Reviews - Mercury Poisoning in History Smithsonian Magazine - The Strange History of Dancing

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00:03:38

1/28/25 - Canaries in Coal Mines: Life-Saving Birds

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/28

Canaries in coal mines were no metaphor—they were lifesavers. Gordy explains how miners relied on these birds to detect toxic gases and the extraordinary biology that made it possible. But it doesn’t end there: from bees monitoring pollution to dogs sniffing out cancer, we’re still relying on animals to warn us of unseen dangers. Explore the science and history behind sentinel species in today’s episode. Sources: Smithsonian Magazine - The History of Canaries in Coal Mines BBC News - Why

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00:03:17

1/27/25 - Why Dogs Tilt Their Heads

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/27

Is your dog’s adorable head tilt a sign of intelligence? Gordy breaks down the science of this charming canine quirk. Learn how dogs might be adjusting their ears for better hearing, tilting their heads to see us more clearly, or even cleverly manipulating us for extra love. Plus, discover how “gifted” dogs tilt their heads more often while learning new words. Sources: Animal Cognition Journal - Dogs’ Head Tilting and Word Learning American Kennel Club - Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

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00:02:39

1/26/25 - Why Do Pee Shivers Happen?

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/26

Ever had a full-body shiver after a bathroom break? This episode dives into the fascinating science behind Post-Micturition Convulsion Syndrome (PMCS), better known as pee shivers. Gordy explains how your autonomic nervous system, temperature regulation, and blood pressure drops might all play a role in this mysterious but universal phenomenon.Sources: American Urological Association - Post-Micturition Phenomena Healthline - Why Do Pee Shivers Happen? Journal of Neurophysiology - Autonomic

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00:03:50

1/25/25 - Why Do We Knock on Wood?

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/25

Why do we still knock on wood when we’re trying not to jinx something? Gordy explores how ancient tree-worshipping traditions, Christian symbolism, and even kids’ games contributed to this enduring ritual. Learn how other cultures put their own twist on luck—like tugging earlobes or saying “touch iron”—in this fascinating exploration of history and superstition. Sources: Frazer, J. G. (1922). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. BBC Culture: "The Superstition of Knocking on

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00:04:04

1/24/25 - Tetris as Trauma Therapy

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/24

Could a beloved video game stop PTSD in its tracks? 🎮 Smartest Year Ever explores the groundbreaking science behind Tetris as Trauma Therapy. Learn how this nostalgic block-stacking game is helping disrupt intrusive memories, reduce trauma, and even curb cravings. Featuring research from Oxford University and beyond, this episode shows how science meets fun in the most unexpected way. Sources: Holmes, E. A., et al., "Can Playing the Computer Game 'Tetris' Reduce the Build-Up of Flashbacks for

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00:04:06

1/23/25 - Why Swiss Cheese Has Holes

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/23

Ever wondered why Swiss cheese has holes? Gordy explores the quirky science behind these “eyes,” from bacteria and gas bubbles to the surprising role of hay dust. Discover how modern hygiene standards shrank the holes—and how cheesemakers brought them back. Sources: SwissInfo.ch: How Hay Particles Help Make Cheese Holes National Dairy Council: Cheesemaking and Fermentation Cheese.com: Types of Swiss Cheese Follow Smartest Year Ever for more daily facts and engaging stories.

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00:05:04

1/22/25 - When Pirates Were Legal

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/22

Did you know pirates were sometimes perfectly legal? Dive into the fascinating history of letters of marque and reprisal, the government-issued permission slips that turned private citizens into privateers—essentially lawful pirates. Gordy uncovers how nations like England, France, and the U.S. used privateers to disrupt enemy trade, boost war efforts, and rake in profits during wartime. Learn about the fine line between hero and pirate, why privateering ended, and whether the U.S. could bring it

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00:04:19

1/21/25 - DEFCON Levels Explained

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/21

What exactly are DEFCON levels, and why do they feel straight out of a doomsday movie? In today’s episode, Gordy breaks down the Defense Readiness Condition system used by the U.S. military to gauge national security threats. Learn the difference between DEFCON 5 (peacetime calm) and DEFCON 1 (nuclear war imminent), the real history behind DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and why DEFCON 3 isn’t always as ominous as it sounds.Discover how DEFCON compares to Threat Levels, dive into

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00:03:26

1/20/25 - The Earliest Alarm Clocks

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/20

How did people wake up on time before smartphones or alarm clocks? Gordy explores the ingenious—and sometimes bizarre—solutions humans used to get out of bed. From ancient water clocks that dripped their way to morning gongs, to the medieval church bells that served as the neighborhood alarm, and even Industrial Revolution knocker-uppers who literally knocked on windows with sticks, history proves we’ve always struggled with mornings. Don’t miss the story of the candle alarm, where a nail dropped

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00:03:28

1/19/25 - The History of Last Names as Professions

Smartest Year Ever ·

2025/01/19

Did your last name reveal your ancestors' profession? Turns out, it probably does! In this episode, Gordy dives into the fascinating history of surnames like Smith, Baker, and Cooper to uncover how jobs shaped identities. From blacksmiths forging tools to chandlers crafting candles, these names tell stories of a world where your trade defined who you were. But what about names like Fletcher, Webster, or Wainwright? Join Gordy to uncover the surprising origins of these everyday last

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