Howard Hughes in Hollywood Howard Hughes was one of the most influential men of the 20th century.  He was the first official billionaire in American history, and he was declared a national hero due to his record-setting aviation exploits.  Towards the end of his life, he became infamous as an eccentric recluse, and at one […]

The Scientific Formula for Free Will Dr. Michael Dennin is known for his scientific work with foam, superheros, and aliens.  What’s next you ask?  How about answering one of mankind’s oldest questions:  “Do We Have Free Will”?  In this episode not only does he lay out a humanity altering model for Free Will, but we […]

The Art of Traveling Lightly Airline travel is a hassle.  Everyone knows this.  I have great news for you:  It doesn’t have to be.  What’s the secret?  “The Go-Light Guru” Doug Dyment can go anywhere, for an indefinite amount of time, needing only one carry-on bag.  How is this possible without using a magical bag […]

In this bonus episode, Lisa and I discuss The Day of the Dead, which is a Halloween-esue holiday celebrated in Mexico, as well as Central and Southern America.  We discuss pan de muertos, sugar skulls, dancing skeletons, and The Temple of Doom!

The Haunted History of Halloween Halloween is clearly one of my favorite holidays.  It is also one of the most complex holidays to trace the origins of!  Luckily I have Lisa Morton, Halloween historian, to guide me along this dimly lit path. We string together all the random stuff that makes up Halloween, including ghosts, […]

In this bonus episode, Roger and I take a look at how the zombie has changes in pop culture, from the single captive, mesmerized by the voodoo priest, to the hordes of undead chasing people through the streets.  We also take a look at How Frankenstein’s Monster factors into the zombie mythos, as well as […]

The Creepy History of the Common Corridor Why do dark corridors fill us with a sense of unease?  Why was The Shining so successful at creating an escalating sense of dread as Danny Torence explored the haunted corridors of The Overlook?  I have an eye-opening conversation with the the worlds foremost expert on corridors Roger […]

Just like every superhero has an origin story, so do all the super toys you remember as a kid.  In this bonus episode, we discuss how Lizzy McGee’s ‘Landlord’ game became monopoly, the inspiration behind Viewmaster, how Silly Putty is used by NASA, and how NASA inspired the Super Soaker water gun.

Classic Toys Whether it’s your Big Wheel, Crayola crayons, a Barbie doll, or your G.I. Joes, nothing conjures up your childhood like seeing your favorite toy again.  Toy historian Tim Walsh knows all about this.  Not only has he documented their amazing history, but he has invented several toys of his own, including Tribond and […]

Creating a Neon Sign *Bonus* – Creating a Neon Sign The actual process of crafting a neon sign was a lost art for decades.  The only record of their creation was chronicled in a trade magazine entitled “Signs of the Times”.  To master his craft, Todd tracked down hundreds of these publications.  In a nod […]