Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Society & Culture
26
How Forgiveness Works
58 min
27
Short Stuff: Arctic Fox
The Arctic Fox is one of the cutest critters on the planet. It also has an amazing ability to survive the coldest temps on Earth. Dive into the snow and listen today!
13 min
28
Tug of War
50 min
29
Selects: How SETI Works
SETI stands for 'search for extraterrestrial intelligence,' and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in general. In this classic spaced-out episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin, aims and challenges facing SETI.
35 min
30
How Classified Information Works
49 min
31
Short Stuff: Jaywalking
Jaywalking is a crime. Sort of. But why? Learn all about this weird law today.
14 min
32
Rock Paper Scissors: Decider of Things
48 min
33
Selects: Project Azorian: The CIA's Super 70s M...
In 1974 the CIA undertook one of its most brazen operations – secretly raising a sunken Soviet submarine lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean right under the noses of the Russian Navy. With the help of billionaire recluse Howard Hughes, obviously. Learn all about it in this classic episode.
51 min
34
What were the black codes?
The black codes were proposed laws that basically tried to keep a form of slavery alive and well after the end of the Civil War. It didn't last long but the shadow of those codes still exist today.
47 min
35
Short Stuff: Fortune Cookies
Everything you thought you knew about fortune cookies is wrong. Learn all the right stuff in this episode.
14 min
36
The Circleville Poison Pen Letters Mystery
For 20 years, a tiny town in Ohio was held enrapt by the prolific author of a series of unhinged letters. By the time they abruptly stopped, the letters – which revealed terrible secrets – had claimed a life and sent a possibly innocent man to prison.
51 min
37
Selects: Carl Sagan: American Hero
Carl Sagan was the world's first mainstream media super scientist, capapble of breaking down complex ideas for the common folk. But what made him tick? Billions and billions of great ideas. Explore his life and legacy with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.
38 min
38
Ants! Part 2!
The exciting conclusion of Ants Part 2!
42 min
39
Short Stuff: The Casket Racket
And you thought we were done with talking about funeral homes. Well guess again!
11 min
40
Ants! Part 1!
Ants are pretty much amazing. So we're gonna spend two episodes talking all about them. Please enjoy!
44 min
41
Selects: Horoscopes: Written in the Stars?
A lot of people read their daily horoscopes, but does anyone really take stock in them? Turns out the answer is yes, even though there is no evidence of their accuracy. Learn all about horoscopes today in this classic episode.
49 min
42
Cookies! Cookies! Cookies!
No, we didn’t find another international distress signal we forgot to mention in our Mayday! Short Stuff, we’re just that jazzed about our episode on cookies. Are they even better than cakes? It’s up to you to listen and decide!
49 min
43
Short Stuff: Traffic Signals
The history of traffic signals is way more interesting than you might think. Trust us.
12 min
44
Unsung Heroes of the Court
Attorneys and judges get all the press. What about bailiffs, court reporters and sketch artists? Yeah, let's give them their due.
46 min
45
Selects: How Tipping Works
Tipping is commonly expected in some places, such as U.S. restaurants. Yet this practice varies across cultures. Join trivia gurus (and former waiters) Josh and Chuck in this classic episode as they take a closer look at the history, practice and controversy surrounding tipping.
51 min
46
SYSK’s 2021 Glad Tidings Bonanza Holiday Special
Josh and Chuck’s holiday mojo has returned and they’re back in the saddle to rustle up some holiday cheer. So put on your comfiest sweater, ugly or otherwise, grab a mug of whatever makes you happy, gather round with your favorite people, and listen in.
51 min
47
Short Stuff: Christmas Cards
You ever thought about where those cards you send out during the holidays came from? Prepare to do just that!
12 min
48
How Snowmen (And Snowwomen) Work
The details may vary but building snowmen is pretty much universal where there’s snow. Humans have probably been making them for tens of thousands of years. But it wasn’t until the last century or two that they have become the winter icon they are today.
42 min
49
Selects: Star Wars Holiday Spectacular
Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in our annual special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.
54 min
50
Kidney Stones: No! Please, NO!
Kidney stones are widely considered the most painful affliction a person can endure, even worse than labor. And in rare cases they can even kill. Learn all about how these things you really, really don’t want form and pass in this faint-inducing episode.
47 min