1️⃣ Did you know there’s a number that’s illegal to publish in the US?

2️⃣ We visit the research facility in a remote corner of Alaska that some folks blame for every natural disaster.  

Sources:

https://citationsy.com/blog/illegal-number/

https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0523/HAARP-project-winding-down-Was-it-all-a-huge-conspiracy

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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1️⃣ We’ve lived on this planet for thousands of years, but one relatively recent picture completely changed how we think about it. 

2️⃣ Ever wonder how your state got its name? Some names make sense, some followed a thoughtful process, and some, well, you’ll see.

Sources:

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-each-us-state-got-its-name-2019-5#:~:text=A%20state's%20name%20can%20give,series%20of%20misspellings%20and%20miscommunication

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230511-earthrise-the-photo-that-sparked-an-environmental-movement

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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Why do toddlers experience an event but lose the memory? This week we explore why our youngest years vanish - and what we can do to make those earliest moments stick.

How a tree nearly started WWlll. 

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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1️⃣ Two seemingly unrelated objects - a snack can and a flying disc - tell one of the strangest tales about legacy you’ll ever hear.


2️⃣ Holidays inspired by TV episodes or movies - that worked their way into our real calendars. 

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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1️⃣ You can have a currency, passport, and flag - but forming your own personal nation won’t keep you from paying taxes. 

2️⃣ Most wars go on, well, forever. This week we look at a few that barely lasted the workday.

Sources:

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/shortest-wars-in-human-history.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/micronation

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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1️⃣ When disaster strikes we don’t look away, even when we probably should. 

2️⃣ WD-40 has unstuck stuck things for the last 50 years.  What’s its secret? Only a handful of people could tell you.

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/business/the-secret-society-of-people-who-know-the-formula-for-wd-40-e9c0ff54

https://case.edu/news/why-are-we-so-drawn-tragedy-psychological-sciences-professor-explains

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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1️⃣ There are a few pay phones left in the world. Here’s who’s using them. 

2️⃣ We’re terrible at telling the future. We keep trying anyway. 

Sources:

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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It’s the world’s most famous movie sound effect. You know it when you hear it. 

This popular Chinese phone app is one of the simplest - and the darkest. 

Sources:

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/wilhelm-scream-explained-75982/

https://www.wired.com/story/china-are-you-dead-yet-app/

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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Sometimes humans randomly … explode??

There’s a lot of money spent (and wasted) with our favorite go-to last-minute gift.

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/02/09/gift-cards-a-strategy-for-retailers-and-consumers/

https://www.popsci.com/health/can-humans-spontaneously-combust-the-baffling-cases-explained/

http://www.commutethepodcast.com

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Ever wonder why January 1st is the beginning of a new year? So did we…

Not all New Year's traditions are about fireworks and funny hats - some are disgusting, others are deadly.

Sources:

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/653232/victorian-new-years-traditions

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/29/nx-s1-5624238/new-year-calendar-january-history

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