Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson

On this day in 1828, at least in the modern calendar, the birthday of Leo Tolstoy. He’s become one of the biggest names in literature, but but his contribution to the food world deserves a little attention too, especially the Tolstoy family recipe for macaroni and cheese. Plus: starting Friday in Illinois, it’s the Arcola Broomcorn Festival.

Leo Tolstoy’s Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (1874) (Flashbak)

Arcola Broomcorn Festival 

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Today is National Ants On A Log Day. Ants are famous for their dedication and perseverance, but research shows that some worker ants don’t really do all that much work. Plus: this weekend in North Conway, New Hampshire, it’s the Mud Bowl.

40% of Worker Ants Are Actually Lazy Slackers, But They Have Their Reasons (Science Alert)

Mud Bowl

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If you’re taking a break from your usual hard work today, well that’s kind of the point. Though you could also mark Labor Day the way thousands of people in Michigan do, with a very long walk across a very large bridge. Plus: each Labor Day weekend, Crisfield, Maryland hosts the National Hard Crab Derby.

The First Walk Across the Mackinac Bridge (Northern Michigan History)

79th National Hard Crab Derby 

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We're replaying some of our favorite shows about astonishing rescues. In this episode from September 2021, a parent in Sweden rises to an unbelievable occasion when she runs into a burning house to save all six of her children. Plus: Princeton research shows hummingbirds can see a huge range of colors, including ultraviolet colors that human eyes can’t spot.

Emma, ​​30: I saved my six children from the flames (Expressen.se)

Hummingbirds Can See Colors We Can’t Even Imagine (Wired)

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We're replaying some of our favorite shows about astonishing rescues. In this episode from August 2023, when the luxury cruise ship Oceanos sank, the people who made sure everyone made it to safety were the ship’s musicians. Plus: a guy with a record-long last name has a spelling complaint.

The guitarist who saved hundreds of people on a sinking cruise liner (BBC)

What’s In A Name? 666 Letters, Plus 26 Given Names (The Free Lance-Star via Google News Archive)

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We're replaying some of our favorite shows about astonishing rescues. In this episode from January 2021, Muhammad Ali, who had been a hero to millions inside the ring, became a hero outside it, by convincing a man on the side of building not to jump.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, there is help: contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

When Muhammad Ali Met a Man on a Ledge (New York Times)

The Time Muhammad Ali Stopped a Man From Leaping to His Death (Slate)

We're replaying some of our favorite shows about astonishing rescues. In this episode from December 2022, a British sailor competing in a race around the world decided that winning the race wasn’t as important as helping a fellow sailor who was in trouble. Plus: a food writer announces that she has gustatory synesthesia, and essentially can taste what she sees.

HOW WE MET: PETE GOSS AND RAPHAEL DINELLI (Independent.co.uk)

Rival sails to rescue sinking sailor (Irish Times)

What it’s like to be a food writer when you can taste everything you see (Atlanta Magazine)

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We're replaying some of our favorite shows about astonishing rescues. In this episode from April 2023, skydiver Gregory Robertson saves a fellow skydiver’s life with a high-speed free fall. Plus: Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride in Massachusetts, and then sent an expense report to local authorities.

Man rescues fellow skydiver seconds before impact (UPI)

Revere’s expense account revealed (Bangor Daily News via Google News Archive)

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Today in 1988, one of the strangest fights in the history of pro baseball: on one side, one of the top managers in the game. On the other, one of the top mascots. Plus: starting today in New Hampshire, it’s the North Country Moose Festival.  

36 years ago, the Phillie Phanatic was beaten up by the Dodgers’ Tommy Lasorda (WHYY)

North Country Moose Festival 

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Today in 1865, the birthday of Charles G. Dawes, who made a difference on the world stage while serving as US Vice President… and who made a difference on the American pop charts. too. Plus: now underway in Taiwan, the Keelung Ghost Festival.

The Vice President Who Wrote a Hit Song (Mental Floss)

Keelung Ghost Festival 

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