A mule named Sal won't help you here... Julia digs up some dirt on the major international waterway about which we all keep missing trivia questions. Learn all about the history of the Suez Canal, along with some major global events centering around this manmade border between Africa and Asia. Later, enjoy a quiz called "From C to Shining C!"

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[Music: 1) Giuseppe Verdi, "The Grand March" from Aida, performed by the United States Marine Corps Band, 2002; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Since art episodes are becoming our bread and butter... Lauren's going to teach you all about one of the most famous female artists of the 19th century: Edmonia Lewis [the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to achieve international fame as a sculptor]. Learn all about Lewis' incredible life, art, and legacy. Later, take a quiz about the Renaissance!

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[Music: 1) Madrigal National Choir & Anna Ungureanu, "Ars Nova and Renaissance" from Guillaume de Machaut’s ballads to Claudio Monteverdi’s madrigals, George Enescu Festival, 2015; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a delightfully rich recurring trivia topic just so happens to be famous opening lines of novels. With that in mind, Julia endeavored to compile a podcast episode that would cover that very theme. And later, enjoy a quiz called "Take It From the Top!"

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[Music: 1) Stefano Vita, "Once Upon a Time," 2015. Courtesy of Stefano Vita, CC BY-NC-SA license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Have you ever wanted to know more about Classical music, but felt you weren’t ~fancy~ enough to ask? Well, you’re in luck, because today, our guest, musician (and current Mental Samurai!) Heather Hurley has all the information you crave. Later, take a quiz on plays and ears called “Playing by Ear”!

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[Music: 1) Ludwig von Beethoven, “Allegretto” from Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Let's be honest, you don't know what really happened during the Boer War either-- but that's why we're here! Learn all about the complicated and astounding history of this conflict between South Africa and the UK. [To be fair, it's not a light one, folks.] But, later!-- take a fun quiz about the Dutch!

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[Music: 1) Johnny Clegg & Savuka, "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World," 1989; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

T'was brillig, and Julia supposed

Get ready for a closer look at Lewis Carroll's well-known nonsense poem Jabberwocky. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Through the Looking Glass"!

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[Music: 1) Donovan, "Jabberwocky," 1971; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's time to cast an eye around our galactic neighborhood and refresh your elementary-school science class memory with this episode on Our Solar System! [Find out what exactly the Oort Cloud is and which dwarf planet was named by an 11-year-old girl.] Later, slake that passion for fashion with a quiz on supermodels!

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[Music: 1) StoryBots, "We Are the Planets (The Solar System Song)," 2013; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

During this temporary sports hiatus, Julia brings you a list of famous plays from American football games [both professional and college-level] throughout history. By the end, you'll finally "get" what situation sports commentators are referring to when they mention "The Catch" or "The Drive." [Oh, and a preemptive apology to New York football fans-- there are a few plays described here that might cause you some angst.] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Flag on the Play!"

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[Music: 1) Styx, "Renegade," 1978; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Start your vocal warm-ups and stretch those hamstrings--it's time to PUT ON A SHOWWWWWW! Today, we learn all about the godfather of musical theater: Stephen Sondheim. Hear about his life, his music, and why his songs are so damned hard to sing. Stick around later for "Into the Woods"-- a quiz on things you'd find in the forest.

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[Music: 1) Original Broadway Cast of Company, "(Not) Getting Married Today," 1970; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We're transported back to 14th century Africa to take a closer look at the Mali Empire and the emperor who was so rich he accidentally created a ten-year-long gold recession: Mansa Musa. Learn about his famous pilgrimage to Mecca [and the Five Pillars of Islam], the learning center at Timbuktu, and how the Mali Empire became so darn great. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Going for the Gold!"

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[Music: 1) Griot B & Schoolyard Rap, "Mansa Musa," 2018; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]