On this week's special Christmas episode, the weirdest things we learned this week range from a Santa-esque giantess named Gryla and her 13 yule lads to a disease named after a boy called Christmas. Whose story will be voted "The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week"?

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!

Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 

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Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci

Theme music by Billy Cadden: www.twitter.com/billycadden

Edited by Jessica Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy


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A Very Weird Christmas Special

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of science and tech stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

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Maritime archaeologist and historian Joel Cook joins the show to spin the tale of how traveling barbers almost coordinated an uprising that could have derailed the American Civil War. Plus, Rachel talks about a very delicious mutualism between humans and greater honeyguide birds, and Sara Kiley chimes in to talk about why rats might want to take selfies.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman 
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
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Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

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Traveling Barber Uprising, Rats Taking Selfies, Honeyguide Helpers

Scientist and Twitch streamer Knimbley joins the show today to talk about how astronomy and Elden Ring intertwine! Plus, Jess returns to talk about lotion spiders, and Rachel explains how ADHD used to offer a real survival benefit in the olden days.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman 
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
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Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ
Thanks to our Sponsors!


Right now, get 60% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST



This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST


Ask for Claritin-D at your local pharmacy counter. You don’t even need a prescription! Go to https://Claritin.com right now for a discount so you can Live Claritin Clear.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lotion Spider Brouhaha, ADHD Superpowers, Earth's Evil Twin

Scientific American's Lee Billings and Clara Moskowitz join Rachel this week to talk all things eclipse.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman 
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ
Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST! #honeylovepod

Right now, get 55% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST



This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST


Head to https://FACTORMEALS.com/weirdest50 and use code weirdest50 to get 50% off.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Freaky Eclipse Rituals, Cosmic Serendipity, Solar Mysteries

Christie Taylor joins the show to talk about dung beetles who love to stargaze. Plus, Laura explains how early beer brewers were women, and Rachel gets into weird internet language on TikTok and beyond.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman 
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ
Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST! #honeylovepod

Right now, get 55% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST



This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST


Head to https://FACTORMEALS.com/weirdest50 and use code weirdest50 to get 50% off.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stargazing Poop Bugs, Ancient Beer Ladies, Secret Internet Slang

Liz Clayton Fuller rejoins the show to talk all things bird milk (yum!), and Amanda Reed spins the tale of the rocket scientist who invented a world renowned lubricant. Finally, Rachel explains the intricacies of the hermit crab housing market.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories! 
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman 
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Check out https://FACTORMEALS.com/weirdest50 and use code weirdest50 to get 50% off. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Very Weird Christmas Special

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