Every Little Thing

By Gimlet

Science & Medicine Education Comedy

What's Every Little Thing about?

Turn over the rock, peek through the keyhole, go down the rabbit hole. There's always more to it. A new show from Gimlet Media, hosted by Flora Lichtman.

4.5

2,422 ratings

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LAST EPISODE

Cockpit Confessions: The Tr...

05.20.2019

When you fly do you really need to put your phone in airplane mode? Should you fear the tray table? What’s happening in the cockpit while you’re fighting over the armrest? Two airline pilots answer your burning air travel questions. ...

Every Little Thing episodes:

05.20.2019 Cockpit Confessions: The Truth About Airplane Mode (and More) When you fly do you really need to put your phone in airplane mode? Should you fear the tray table? What’s happening in the cockpit while you’re fighting over the armrest? Two airline pilots answer your burning air travel questions. ...
05.06.2019 Buried Treasure: How to Make the Most of Your Booty If you found millions of dollars worth of buried treasure, what would you do next? Take it to the bank? Sell it on eBay? Call 60 Minutes? ELT unearths the tale of the largest buried treasure ever found in North ...
04.19.2019 Cheerleading Part 2: Pageantry, Femininity, Racism Who decides what a cheerleader looks like? Or sounds like? In part two of a two-part episode, ELT digs into the complicated legacy of an American archetype.Guests: Natalie Adams, cheerleading researcher and professor at the University of Alabama; Sharita Richardson, ...
04.15.2019 Cheerleading Part 1: How Cheerleaders Came to Rule the School How did one style of cheerleading come to dominate in so many American schools? In part one of a two-part episode, ELT flips through the history of cheerleading and meets the man who held cheerleading in the pompom of his ...
04.08.2019 When Did Pants Become a Thing? While there’s some evidence clothes go back 170,000 years, pants are a relatively recent addition to our wardrobes. Why were pants developed and who wore them first? ELT unravels the surprising story of pants. Guests: Artist and clothing researcher Ulrike ...
04.01.2019 Introducing The Cut on Tuesdays ELT introduces The Cut on Tuesdays, a new Gimlet Media podcast hosted by Molly Fischer. In this episode, chefs Samin Nosrat, Angela Dimayuga, and Carla Lalli Music do their best to help Madeleine Aggeler -- the Cut's semi-competent food columnist ...
03.18.2019 Duct Tape MacGyver: The Sticky Secrets Can duct tape really fix every little thing? ELT tests the limits — and gets to the bottom of a duct tape story that’ll blow your socks off. Plus, your most ingenious MacGyver stories. Guests: Daniel Munson, Senior Product Development ...
03.11.2019 Forks: One Utensil’s Battle for Respect While spoons, knives, and chopsticks have been commonplace for centuries, forks didn’t make it to most silverware drawers until the mid-1800s. What took so long? ELT investigates.Guest: Darra Goldstein, food historian, cookbook writer, and founding editor of Gastronomica, Thanks to ...
02.25.2019 Baseball and Organ Music: How’d That Happen? When did organ music and baseball become a thing? ELT talks to some pro organ players to find out how organs and ballparks got together. Plus, meet Nancy Faust — the legendary organist who brought trolling to modern baseball music.Guests: ...
02.18.2019 Thrift Store Smell: What Is It? Plus, Your Cleanspiracies ELT gets to the bottom of a familiar aroma -- thrift store smell. Why do thrift shops all smell the same? Plus, is washing your clothes better than freezing them? ELT investigates listener cleanspiracies with expert cleaner Jolie Kerr. Guest: ...
02.11.2019 Waterphone: The Sound That Haunts Hollywood One eerie sound has been haunting Hollywood movies — from Poltergeist to Jurassic Park to Let the Right One In — and 14 seasons of Unsolved Mysteries. ELT tracks down the source of the scary sound.Guests: Rayme Waters, daughter of ...
01.28.2019 Stamps: Tiny Squares Full Of Secrets How do U.S. postage stamps come to be? ELT explores the secret world of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, the group that decides what gets stuck on America’s envelopes. Plus, Bigfoot gets his due.Guests: Bill Gicker, manager of stamp development ...
01.21.2019 Auctioneers: Why Do They Talk Like That? Why do some auctioneers talk so fast? And what are they actually saying? ELT gets the low-down on auction talk from a professional auctioneer. Plus, pro-tips for developing your auctioneer chant.Guest: Junior Staggs, professional auctioneer. Thanks to caller Katie.
01.14.2019 Every year the TSA confiscates millions of pounds of pocketknives, sunscreen and snow globes from airport travelers. Where does it all go? ELT investigates. Plus, tips for sneaking your weed onboard, from a former TSA agent.Guests: Ex-TSO “Taylor”; TSA spokesperson ...
12.17.2018 Is Egg the Only Nog? Plus, Discovering the 8th Continent How did cold uncooked eggs become a festive beverage? Plus, coquito for the nogged out. And one of the first scientists to hoist herself into the treetops describes life in the canopy. Guests: Chef and food writer J. Kenji López-Alt; ...
12.10.2018 Pumpkin Spice: The Science Behind the Invasion. Plus, What’s the Next Big Flavor Fad? Why is pumpkin spice a thing? Flavor scientists explain why this particular combination is so appealing -- or not. Plus, how to make a new flavor, and ELT listeners pitch their ideas for the next flavor fad. Guests: Food scientist ...
12.03.2018 Garbage: What Did We Do Before the Bag? Plus, A Trash Bag Moonshot A Bulletin Board of Glory™ nomination from comedian Josh Gondelman takes ELT down a trashy rabbit hole, to a time before sanitation workers, when pigs roamed the streets. Plus, we meet the man who defied all odds to bring us ...
11.19.2018 Bubblegum: What’s That Flavor? Plus, What’s the Deal With Turkey Eggs? Where does bubblegum flavor come from? A bubblegum bush? A beaver’s butt? We track down the original bubblegum flavor formula, and find out what’s in there. Plus, why turkey eggs aren’t a thing.Guests: Philadelphia events expert Scott Bruce, confectioners Bob ...
11.12.2018 Why Goldfish Swam Into Our Living Rooms. Plus, Best Pet Vocalist How did goldfish come to dominate our fish bowls and pet stores? We dive into the history of America’s favorite finned pet. Plus, the fanciest goldfish money can buy, and the best pet in a vocal performance. Guests: Katherine "Kasey" ...
10.29.2018 Old Graves: What Would You Find In There? Plus, the Scariest Creature Under the Sea If you dug up the graves of our founding fathers, what would you find? Tri-corner hats and puffy shirts? A grave expert fills us in on what remains. Plus, a terrifying sea creature that lurks in the waters off northern ...
10.22.2018 Who Made ‘The Wave’ a Thing? Plus, a Mammal Mix-Up Made Right When did “the wave” become a staple of stadium crowds? ELT talks to the professional cheerleader who first got fans out of their seats. Plus, the egg-laying mammal that is not a marsupial. We give monotremes their due.Guests: professional cheerleader ...
10.08.2018 Do You Need to Warm Up Your Car? Plus, a Teeny, Glorious Car Hack Tucked into your car’s dashboard is a tiny arrow that points to the side of the car with the gas tank cap. Who came up with it? ELT tracks down the inventor of this tiny, brilliant car hack. Plus, do ...
10.01.2018 T. Rex Roar: How Is It Made? Plus, Would Dinosaurs Taste Like Chicken? How did they make the dinosaur roars in the Jurassic Park movies? Flora talks with the sound engineers behind the bellows. Plus, ELT goes deep into the Mesozoic to find out what what dinosaurs looked (and tasted) like. Guests: Al ...
09.24.2018 Cheese: Why Do We Worship Rotten Milk? A NSFW History When did someone first see a cheese curd and think, “Yeah, I’m going to eat that"? ELT traces the delicious and X-rated history of cheese. Plus, a professional processed cheese maker on how to make the most of the dairy ...
09.17.2018 Why One Horrible Sound Haunts Reality TV. Plus, Is That Bug Threatening Me? Who put the tension in reality TV? ELT tracks down the source of the nail biting-sound you can’t unhear. Plus, cicada killer wasps — a backyard horror story, turned intervention. Guests: sonic puppetmaster Rick Livingstone; cicada killer wasp expert Chuck ...
09.03.2018 The Cha Cha Slide: How One Uncle Changed Weddings Forever DJ Casper tells us the origin story of the Cha Cha Slide. Plus, The Nod’s Brittany Luse is astonished by the unreleased Cha Cha Slide Pt. 1.Guests: The Nod’s host, Brittany Luse; Willie Perry Jr. (aka DJ Casper aka Mr. ...
08.27.2018 Who Invented the Bloomin’ Onion? Plus, Biology’s Best Butt ELT goes down under, to expose one of the most impressive butts in the animal kingdom. Plus, the multi-layered origin story of the Bloomin' Onion. Guests: Science Vs. host, Wendy Zukerman; Wombat specialists, Alyce Swinbourne and Julie Old; ELT producer ...
08.13.2018 What Do Dogs Say When They Bark? Is it possible to interpret what dogs are saying when they bark? We have the tools to help you do some ruff decoding. Plus, listeners share their real-life, unconventional Lassie stories.Guests: Dog bark researchers Péter Pongrácz and Kathryn Lord; behavioral ...
08.06.2018 WTF Do the ⏹ Plus, koala fingerprints, lobster pee and other hot facts.There are mysterious symbols inside your tee-shirt -- do you know what they mean? ELT reveals the secrets of The DaLaundry Code. Plus, lobsters pee from their faces, and other cocktail party ...
07.16.2018 How to Spot a Spy Does that person sitting next to you on the airplane REALLY work in IT? Plus, a tribute to the bedazzled sausage of the desert southwest, and more fun with pirates.Guests: ex-CIA operative Robert Baer, gila meister Dan Beck, and lady ...
07.09.2018 The Genius of Birds: Live From the Aspen Ideas Festival Some birds can fashion tools and create tiny works of art, so why do we always underestimate their bird brains? In this panel discussion, recorded at the 2018 Aspen Ideas Festival, Flora talks with writer Jennifer Ackerman and crow expert ...
07.02.2018 Do Scarecrows Scare Crows? ELT goes into the mind of a crow to find out if scarecrows work. Plus, a look at how clowns protect their clown IP with fact buddy Prashanth VenkatGuests: Julie "Lovely Buttons" Varholdt; crow expert Kevin McGowan. Thanks to Bruce ...
06.25.2018 ARRRRR Pirate Peg Legs Really A Thing? Pirate historian Laura Sook Duncombe tells us about the golden age of pirates. Plus, a tunnel follow up with Dr. Mole: where do the emergency exits in underwater tunnels go?Thanks to lady pirate expert Laura Sook Duncombe and tunnel afficionado ...
06.11.2018 Are Babies Born With Tails? Plus, learn how to lie like a dad.Guests: Fake parenting expert Adam Mansbach; belly whisperer Tamara Duker Freuman; bird-watcher extraordinaire Amar Ayyash. Special thanks to Nicolas, Marisa, and everyone who called in with their Old Dad's Tales.To find a list ...
06.04.2018 Is There a Secret Sixth Taste? Is there more to your taste buds than you thought? ELT tackles a fat question. Plus, a #yesflamingo campaign update.Guests: Richard Mattes, taste czar; Sarah Laskow, reporter for Atlas Obscura. Special thanks to caller Samantha. *Correction: The Vegas Golden Knights ...
05.28.2018 Are You Living With a Psychopath? Is your roommate trying to kill you? Learn how to spot the telltale signs of a psychopath.Guests: Jon Ronson, author of The Psychopath Test; cat psychologist Eva Waiblinger. Special thanks to caller Megan. *No animals were harmed in the making ...
05.14.2018 Who Invented the Scratch Ticket? Plus, a look at lottery history, and your strangest raffle winnings.Guests: Jonathan Cohen, lottery historian; John Koza, co-founder of Scientific GamesCallers: John Henry, D., Lisa, Megan. Hear your favorite Gimlet shows LIVE at Gimletfest this June 16-17 in Brooklyn. Buy ...
05.07.2018 The Corn Identity A kid caller pops the question: How does popcorn pop? Plus, the uncomfortable truth about baby corn.
04.30.2018 Public Toilets: To Sit Or To Hover? Plus, how to pee in zero-G.To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.
04.16.2018 Why Are Used Car Ads So INSAAANNNE? One man is to blame. Plus, vanity plates in the wild: IC A GR8 PL8.To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers
04.09.2018 Underwater Tunnels: HOW? How they get that tunnel under there. Plus, a centuries-old scientific debate: why ice is slippery.Guests: Dr. Gary Brierley (aka Dr. Mole), tunnel engineer, Dr. Miquel Salmeron, physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Special thanks to callers Nikki and Erin.Check ...
03.12.2018 Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons? Plus, dog clothes: where did they come from?To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors
03.05.2018 How to Get Paid to Clap on TV Listener Mack asked about the unfamous people who fill empty seats at the Oscars.To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors
02.19.2018 Why Does Music Give Us the Chills? Why do we get goosebumps from music and other emotional experiences? Plus, the strangest things to give ELT listeners goosebumps.To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors
02.12.2018 How Old Is Winnie the Pooh? No, really - how old is he?To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors
01.29.2018 What Would Happen to Your Body in Space? Flora finds out what would happen if she stepped into the vacuum of outer space. Then, an (Earth) vacuum paradox to end all paradoxes: which came first, the vacuum or the carpet?To find a list of our sponsors and show-related ...
01.22.2018 Are "Speed Enforced by Aircraft" Signs a Lie? First, Flora uncovers a feud about butterflies. Then, a question from the Help Line about aircraft patrol.To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors.
12.18.2017 Your Bedtime is Killing You Flora stages a fact intervention with Prashanth.
12.11.2017 Who is Wilhelm and Why Won’t He Stop Screaming? The history of the world’s most iconic movie scream.
12.04.2017 The Voices Hiding in Your Favorite Movies Invisible actors create worlds of sound in everything you watch - from Jaws to The Wire.

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