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
1676
How Castles Work
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the most famous fortified structure in the world -- the castle. Tune in to learn all about castles, from murder holes to modern fortresses.
28 min
1677
How Tourette Syndrome Works
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, commonly referred to as Tourette's, is a neurological disorder characterized by a combination of verbal and physical tics.
30 min
1678
Are zoos good or bad for animals?
Zoos are popular because they allow visitors to see wild animals from all around the world, but how does living in captivity affect the animals? In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the pros and cons of zoos.
26 min
1679
How Desertification Works
Josh and Chuck discuss the problem of desertification, from what causes serious degradation of dryland ecosystems to possible ways to repair the damage, in this episode.
22 min
1680
How McDonald's Works
McDonald's is arguably the most famous fast food restaurant on the planet. Join Josh and Chuck as they discuss the humble beginnings, menu items, practices and controversies of the fast food giant in this episode.
42 min
1681
What the heck is a hiccup?
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the many theories behind the mysterious phenomenon of hiccups, how long hiccuping bouts can last, and various "remedies" for hiccups.
23 min
1682
How Taxidermy Works
Josh and Chuck tackle taxidermy, the practice of preserving and mounting dead animal skins for display, in this episode.
30 min
1683
How Urban Planning Works
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the origins, philosophies and practices of urban planning.
29 min
1684
Who were the Vikings?
Vikings were fierce, plundering Scandinavian warriors; and even today, their reputation precedes them. Josh and Chuck investigate what the Vikings were really like in this episode.
31 min
1685
How Lotteries Work
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss the history, practices and controversies of lotteries.
25 min
1686
What exactly is Fascism?
Fascism is a specific political philosophy that's often mistakenly used to describe any authoritarian, supressive movement or regime. Josh and Chuck discuss the origins, history and markers of Fascism in this episode.
20 min
1687
What's the deal with carbon trading?
In this episode, Josh and Chuck demystify carbon trading, discussing everything from cap-and-trade schemes to carbon credits.
32 min
1688
How Scabies Work
Scabies is a contagious skin disease with a bad reputation. Tune in as Josh and Chuck discuss this itchy condition -- from the mite that causes it to common cures -- in this episode.
20 min
1689
Was Mesopotamia the Cradle of Civilization?
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck discuss the reasons why Mesopotamia is often considered the first civilization.
27 min
1690
How Bounty Hunters Work
In part two of their series on bail, Josh and Chuck talk about bail enforcement agents, a.k.a. bounty hunters.
23 min
1691
How Bail Works
Bail is a centuries-old practice that allows defendants in criminal cases to be released from jail until their trial convenes. Learn more about the origins of bail and modern bail practices in this episode.
24 min
1692
Five Crazy Government Experiments
Chuck and Josh discuss five of the most bizarre experiments ever undertaken by governments, from transplanted puppy heads to Cold War psychics, in this episode.
24 min
1693
Who are the Amish?
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuckers discuss the origins and practices of the Amish.
41 min
1694
How Braille Works
Josh and Chuck discuss the Braille alphabet -- from its origins in Charles Barbier's "night writing" system to the many different types of tactile alphabets that exist today -- in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
29 min
1695
How Witchcraft Works
Witches are perhaps one of the most reviled and misunderstood groups in history -- but why? Join Josh and Chuck as they break down the Stuff You Should Know about witchcraft in this episode.
43 min
1696
Why do we believe in urban legends?
In this episode, amateur anthropologists Josh and Chuck discuss urban legends, from how they're defined to some classic examples you've probably heard yourself.
32 min
1697
How Swat Teams Work
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck discuss SWAT teams, elite police units that are specially trained for extreme situations.
37 min
1698
Are there undiscovered people?
In this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss whether there are any truly "undiscovered" groups of people left on the planet, the definition of undiscovered -- and why groups might want to avoid modern civilization.
24 min
1699
What are ninja?
Ninja, Japanese warriors famous for stealth, deception and sabotage, were inspired by Chinese military philosophy. Join Josh and Chuck as they explore the origins, history, gear and popularity of the ninja in this episode.
33 min
1700
Will the moon save humanity?
In this disaster-themed episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck ponder ways the world could end -- and how projects like the lunar Doomsday Ark propose to save humanity.
22 min