From plants that eat rats and frogs, to the strange reason bats curl up in pitcher plants, Will and Mango explore the eerie world of carnivorous plants. 

This episode originally aired on November 9, 2018.

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Photo by Andi Superkern via Unsplash. Thanks, Andi!

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It’s the second episode of our two-part series about Tintin! Today Gabe and Mango look beyond the books to discuss Tintin adaptations, including Steven Spielberg’s hit movie (which was forever changed by a random encounter in a grocery store) and two long-lost stage plays co-authored by Hergé himself. We also unpack Hergé’s legacy: from questions about his actions during WWII to his depictions of other countries, and the importance of having conversations about flawed art.

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Photo of a Tintin mural in Bruxelles by Johan Mouchet via Unsplash. Thanks, Johan!

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We all know which day Garfield hates. But what’s the best day to avoid a bank robbery? And when can you get the freshest sushi? And why are there seven days in a week, anyway? Will and Mango dive into your calendars, and emerge with some pretty surprising answers. Featuring author Melissa Heckscher.

This episode originally aired on August 25, 2017.

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Photo by Bich Tran via Pexels. Thanks, Bich!

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Millions of readers have been captivated by the adventures of Tintin, a swoopy-haired young journalist who races around the world with his little dog, Snowy. But it turns out the story behind the stories is just as interesting! Today Mango and Gabe bring you part one of our two-part dive into all things Tintin. We’ll meet the failed characters who served as prototypes (shout out Totor and Flup!), and we’ll discover how Tintin’s creator, Hergé, became more open-minded about other cultures… all thanks to a friendly art student. Tune in next week for part two!

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Photo by Gang Hao via Unsplash. Thanks, Gang!

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Which apple could also be a hair metal band? Why is New York City the Big Apple and not the New Orange? And how did Japanese farmers figure out the secret to the biggest, sweetest apples in the world? Grab a flannel shirt and a bag of fresh cider doughnuts, because today Will and Mango are taking you apple-fact picking! 

This episode originally aired on September 28, 2018.

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Photo by Ryan Arnst via Unsplash. Thanks, Ryan!

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There are lots of ways we could tell you about the art of secret messaging: we could waggle a blanket, grab a bucket of gallnuts and iron supplements, flutter our fans, or tattoo some information on a hapless intern’s scalp. But that’s pretty complicated, so Mango and Gabe made a podcast about it instead.

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Photo of wigwag flags by the U.S. Army Center of Military History via Wikimedia Commons.

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How did the Mona Lisa get so famous? Why doesn't she have any eyebrows? And why was Picasso investigated for the painting's theft? Today, Will and Mango go deep on the mysterious beauty and discover what—and who!—is behind that sly smile. 

This episode originally aired on May 30, 2024.

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For a tiny insect, lice sure can cause big problems! Today Mango and producer Mary—both veterans of the head lice wars—dive into the ancient history of this itchy critter (including mummies with lice!), explore bizarre superstitions and home remedies you shouldn’t try (please don’t dunk your head in kerosene!), and finally, talk to some experts about treatments that do work… and why you might want to take a moment to appreciate your lice before you destroy them. 

• Check out Dale Clayton’s Clayton & Bush Lab at the University of Utah.
• Learn more about Dale’s AirAlle device.
• Watch Laurie Moyer’s videos on YouTube and TikTok, or visit Lice Centers of Wisconsin.
• Learn more about Ian Burgess’s work at Insect Research & Development.

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“Hunting for Lice” (1652) by Gerard ter Borch, via Wikimedia Commons.

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Everyone says money is the root of all evil... but are you 100% certain it isn’t pizza? Will and Mango take a deep dive into a shallow dish (more of a pan, really) to discuss pizza wars, mafia ties, and why the proper term for a pizza rat in Australia is a Charlie Cheese. Featuring Scott Weiner from Scott’s Pizza Tours.

This episode originally aired on August 30, 2017.

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Photo by Sylwia Pietruszka via Unsplash. Thanks, Sylwia!

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Today Will and Mango are tipping their hats to the true MVPs of competitive sports: mascots! Find out how these costumed characters became a fixture of modern ballgames, and take a trip back to antiquity to meet the avian mascots of ancient Greece and Rome. Plus: the Muppet-y pedigree of the Philly Phanatic, the wacky world of Japanese civic mascots, and the tragic tale of the most maligned mascot in MLB history (RIP Crazy Crab).

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Photo by Chris Chow via Unsplash. Thanks, Chris!

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