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

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson

Three minutes each weekday of cool facts, weird news and awesome discoveries with Brady Carlson. Back us at http://patreon.com/bradycarlson

society & culture

All Episodes

00:03:31

During The Great Depression, A Community In...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/24

In the Great Depression, people had to get creative to handle the many economic challenges that were coming their way. Like how Pismo Beach, California found a good stand-in for regular currency: clamshells. Plus: three black bears at a zoo in California get a visit from a wild black bear. Clamshell Currency (Hakai Magazine)When Seashells Were Money (Messy Nessy Chic) 'Polite Visitor:' Bear Sneaks Into NorCal Zoo To Visit Fellow Bears (Patch)Share a few clams a month on our Patreon page and

en

00:03:01

When It’s Sheep Shearing Time In Wales, It’s Time To...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/23

Ahead of National Hug a Sheep Day on Saturday, the story of a special treat that farmers in Wales used to make: Sheep-Shearing Cake. Plus: this Saturday in Claremore, Oklahoma, it’s the Route 66 Pecan & Music Festival. Welsh Shearing Cake or Cacen Gneifo (Daffodil Kitchen)Route 66 Pecan & Music Festival It would be shear perfection (pun intended) if you backed our show today on Patreon

en

00:03:02

Jet Black Is Named For A Gemstone, Not Jet Planes

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/22

It's National Color Day, so we have the story of how "jet black" became a phrase for a deep, dark black hue (and it isn't because of the jets that fly us around). Plus: today in 1973, the birthday of Ichiro Suzuki, a guy who kept his dog off the sports page for a very unusual reason. A forgotten gemstone that reigned during the Victorian era comes back into focus (CNN)Being Ichiro (New York Times)Jet on over to our Patreon page, where you can back our show

en

00:03:56

There’s A Forest In Indiana That Grows Wood For The...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/21

Today in 1797, the launch of the USS Constitution, the oldest active duty ship in the US Navy’s fleet. And for the last half century or so, a part of keeping “Old Ironsides” in operation is a special US Navy forest. Plus: for National Teen Driver Safety Week, the story of a driver in South Korea who needed a lot of persistence to pass her driving test. The “Wooden Walls” of USS Constitution (USS Constitution Museum)More than 4 in 10 people fail driving test (CBS News)Sail on over to our Patreon page

en

00:03:32

How Ford Put A Mustang High Up On The Empire State...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/20

Today in 1965, there was an unusual visitor high atop New York’s famous Empire State Building: a Ford Mustang. And it took some doing to get it up there. Plus: at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, this is Raisin Monday, which includes a big shaving cream fight on campus. 1965 Ford Mustang Empire State Building Stunt (Motor Trend)No place like foam (University of St. Andrews)Drive on over to our Patreon page and back the show

en

00:03:35

Hockey Week: Some American Hockey Players Develop...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/17

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite episodes on the ice. In this episode from May 2024, linguistic research suggests that American hockey players sometimes start to sound more like Canadians as their hockey careers continue. Plus: The Atlantic Road uses seven bridges to connect a bunch of islands in Norway together, giving people the chance to drive right along the ocean. How do you pronounce “hockey”? US players say it with “fake Canadian” accent. (Ars Technica)The Atlantic Road (Explore

en

00:03:03

Hockey Week: Meet The Zamboni Who Invented The Zamboni

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/16

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite episodes on the ice. In this episode from January 2020, we celebrate the Zamboni, and the guy who both invented it and gave the machine its name. Plus: the U.P. Supply Co. calculates out just what it would take to give the Zamboni treatment to the greatest of the great lakes, Lake Superior. Making Ice Nice Since 1949: A Brief History of the Zamboni (Mental Floss)It’d take 693 years to resurface Lake Superior with a Zamboni, study says (Detroit Free

en

00:02:41

Hockey Week: What Does It Take To Be Great At...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/15

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite episodes on the ice. In this episode from April 2023, a look at underwater hockey, where six swimmers on each side work to keep a 3 pound puck from ending up in their team’s underwater goal. Plus: Japan has an annual holiday known as Queen Day, as in the rock band fronted by Freddie Mercury. Deep dive into the world of underwater hockey (ESPN)The Pandemic Hasn’t Dulled Japan’s Special Love for Queen (Atlas Obscura)Team up with us! Back this show on

en

00:03:10

Hockey Week: Eddie Shore, The Hockey Player Who Would...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/14

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite episodes on the ice. In this episode from January 2020, the story of Eddie Shore, a hockey player who just wasn’t going to miss his game. Plus: a company in Texas lets customers control a Chieftain MKG tank (just for a while though). How Eddie Shore’s Legendary Toughness Extended Off The Ice (The Hockey News)You Can Crush Cars While Driving A Tank At DriveTanks in Uvalde, Texas (Only In Your State)Tanks to all of Cool Weird Awesome’s backers on

en

00:03:05

Hockey Week: The Canadiens And Maple Leafs Had A...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/13

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite episodes on the ice. In this episode from December 2020, a look back at a game in 1953 in which two teams racked up a then-record 204 penalty minutes. In a game that’s officially 60 minutes long. Plus: a guitarist in Japan posts a video where he’s playing a fast bluesy riff, with a blue and white parakeet on his left hand.This Day in Hockey History – December 9, 1953 – Canadiens Rhubarb Leafs (The Pink Puck)Guitarist Plays a Rockabilly Riff With Bird on

en

00:03:09

The Hearing Car Is Testing Whether Self-Driving...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/10

Autonomous vehicles have high-tech systems to see “see” what’s around them on the roads. A project in Germany asks if these cars also need to be listening to what’s around them too. Plus: today in Oklahoma, it’s the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival. “Hearing Car” Detects Sounds for Safer Driving AI and microphones are helping vehicles detect unseen hazards (IEEE Spectrum)Watonga Cheese Festival (TravelOK)If you like what you hear on our podcast, back us on Patreon

en

00:03:18

A Radio Show In Tennessee Told Listeners They Had To...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/09

As a Halloween week prank in 1998, DJs in Tennessee said people had to exchange their old $20 bills for the new ones, or they would become worthless. And some people ended up rushing to the bank. Plus: starting tomorrow in Kansas, it’s the Lenexa Chili Challenge. Banks boo $20-bill radio hoax (The Tennesseean via Newspapers.com) Lenexa Chili Challenge Back us on Patreon with a few dollars a month; in exchange, you’ll get some great podcast episodes

en

00:03:04

Otto The Octopus Was Really Good At Getting Into...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/08

For World Octopus Day, the story of Otto, who proved that not only is an octopus clever, it can be a little too clever. Plus: starting today in Westfield, New Jersey, it’s AddamsFest. The Story Of An Octopus Named Otto (NPR)AddamsFest If you’re a human, back our show on Patreon - if you’re an octopus, carry on doing your mischief

en

00:03:12

The Soviet Union Put Out An Official Cookbook Of...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/07

It's National Cookbook Month, and sometimes a cookbook is more than a set of recipes: it’s a window into a culture. Like a cookbook the USSR published that revealed what the ruling class wanted people to think of their country, even if that wasn’t anywhere near the reality. Plus: today in 1957, a newspaper article proclaimed “it’s raining coins!” The great Stalinist bake off: Russia's kitchen bible (The Guardian)It's Raining Coins! (The Stockman's Journal via Newspapers.com) Help

en

00:03:16

The Benshi Were Japan’s Silent Movie Whisperers

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/06

Today in 1927, the release of The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie," though in Japan even silent films had voices thanks to live performers known as benshi. Plus: this month at Peddlers Village in Pennsylvania, it’s Scarecrows in the Village. Think Again, Al Jolson: Japan’s Silent Movie Culture Is Still Going Strong (Peter Tasker)Scarecrows in the Village (Peddlers Village)Speak up for our podcast as a backer on Patreon

en

00:03:28

Times New Roman, A 1930s Typeface, Is Still A Top...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/03

Today in 1932, the London newspaper The Times published its first edition with a brand new typeface: Times New Roman. And it's been a big deal ever since, even in the computer age. Plus: today in 2023, the end of a very long era for a book club in southern California. Where Did Times New Roman Come From? (New York Public Library)28 years ago, a book club began reading one novel. It’s finally reached the end (Orange County Register)If our show is just your type, then become a backer on Patreon

en

00:03:20

The Furby Fad Of The 1990s Briefly Became A National...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/02

Today in 1998, the debut of the Furby. This 90s phenomenon became so popular that it actually raised some concerns in the national security community. Plus: if you’re into toys cars, then you may want to head to the Matchbox Road Museum in Newfield, New Jersey. How Old Is Your Furby? (Computer History Museum)New Jersey’s Matchbox Road Museum Is Die-Cast Car Heaven (The Drive)Keep the future of this show secure as a backer on Patreon

en

00:03:03

Smith Island Cake Is Maryland’s Official State Dessert

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/10/01

Today in 2008, the state of Maryland formally recognized Smith Island Cake as its official state dessert. It’s yellow cake and chocolate frosting in layers and layers and layers. Plus: for inspiration on this National Homemade Cookies Day, you might try the cookie recipe that's inscribed on a gravestone in Brooklyn. Maryland's Smith Island Cake Has A Romantic History (Southern Living)Cemetery Recipes: Spritz Cookies (Chantal Larochelle)Backing our show on Patreon is so sweet

en

00:03:15

How William Wrigley Went From Soap Guy To Baking...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/09/30

Today in 1861, the birthday of William Wrigley, Jr., who made a huge fortune selling a small product: chewing gum. But that wasn't originally the way he expected to make it big. Plus: a man driving home from a workout has a massive heart attack, but fortunately he crashed in front of a cardiologist's office. How Wrigley Chewed Its Way to Gum Greatness (JSTOR) Virginia man's 'miracle' survival after massive heart attack crashes car at cardiologist's doorstep (WTVR)It just

en

00:03:14

Önneköp Is A Micronation In Sweden That Celebrates...

Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson ·

2025/09/29

Today is National Coffee Day, and there is a micronation in Sweden that has a cup of coffee on its flag, along with a cuckoo bird. Which should tell you that this is no ordinary place. Plus: a Chinese cafe chain makes a splash with a drink called Sweet Little Rain. Önneköp (Arnold’s Cannibal Museum)Republic of Önneköp (Atlas Obscura) Magical Cup of Coffee Comes with Floating Cotton Candy Cloud That “Rains” Sugar (My Modern Met)For less than the cost of a cup of coffee a month you can support our

en

436 results

Similar Podcasts

The Daily Horoscope

The Daily Horoscope

The Michael Decon Program

Michael Decon

Kalimera Koveos

Andrea Koveos

The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service

Smarter leben

DER SPIEGEL