• Can Election Cake Save Democracy? with AJ Jacobs
    Nov 7 2024

    Need a reason to feel optimistic about democracy? This episode Mango welcomes 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 he wanted was a better grade in his college class!), A.J discusses his hilarious experiments and adventures in patriotism, and how it helped him gain new insight into America's founding documents.

    To order AJ's wonderful new book, click here.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    48 mins
  • How to Win Everything: Ridiculous and Unorthodox Ways to Get the Upper Hand
    Nov 5 2024

    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.

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    32 mins
  • Why Is Tajikistan Obsessed with RC Cola? ... and other Snack Secrets!
    Oct 31 2024

    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.net

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    40 mins
  • 7 Blunders of the Ancient World
    Oct 24 2024

    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.

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    35 mins
  • Bringing Soap Operas to Afghanistan
    Oct 17 2024

    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 on Saad's beautiful new memoir Radio Free Afghanistan. Available at bookstores everywhere.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    44 mins
  • Incredible Facts about Springfields across America! (Plus: what it has to do with 🧀 🧀 🧀 and 🐍 !)
    Oct 10 2024

    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.

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    34 mins
  • Is Itching Contagious? (and does scratching actually help?)
    Sep 26 2024

    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.

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    29 mins
  • PTG Classic: Why do Cats get such a Bad Rap?
    Sep 19 2024

    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.

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    33 mins