Nowadays we often hear about fentanyl in the context of the opioid epidemic. But it began as a medical breakthrough, created by a pharmaceutical genius who was once ranked the second-best Belgian of all time. In this excerpt from the podcast Panic World, Mango and producer Mary explain fentanyl’s fascinating origin story—and the chemistry that makes it such a lucrative investment for cartels.

Want to hear the full conversation? Look for Panic World wherever you get your podcasts!

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Sure, we've watched Pixar's Cars a few times. But that doesn't mean we know anything about racing. Will and Mango dive into the strangely boozy origins of NASCAR, why you might need a yacht to enjoy Formula One, and how driver Dick Trickle made sure every race got off to a smoking start. Spoiler: it involved drilling a couple holes in his helmet.

This episode originally aired on March 19, 2018.

Photo by Paolo Feser via Unsplash. Thanks, Paolo!

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From the floating gardens of Xochimilco, to the sinking sights of El Zócalo, Mango and Gabe explore some of the most fascinating, offbeat attractions in Mexico City. Along the way we'll dole out some helpful travel tips, including the best drink to beat the heat (and the altitude!), a must-try carb-on-carb breakfast sandwich, and the only subway station in the world with its very own woolly mammoth!

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode.

Trajineras photo by Roberto Carlos Román Don via Unsplash. Thanks, Roberto!

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In 2019, a new cache of works entered the public domain—from Charlie Chaplin to Jane Austen stories to Felix the Cat cartoons. But what does that really mean? Will and Mango dig into how Mickey Mouse changed copyright laws, why Woody Guthrie got foiled by his publishers, and why British clowns check a case of eggs before putting on their makeup.

This episode originally aired on January 18, 2019.

Photo by Ali Dashti via Pexels. Thanks, Ali!

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Today producers Gabe and Mary are opening the top-secret PTG fact vault to share bonus stories from recent episodes, including an international seagull incident, a pioneering artist who painted chickens with eggs, and a novelty space song that must be heard to be believed. Plus: Breaking news about pennies and government puns.

Listen to “The Ballad of Balladonia Night,” the official PTG song of summer 2025, here!

Check out Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s “Catching Chickens” here!

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode.

Padlock photo by Yogesh Pedamkar via Unsplash. Thanks, Yogesh!

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From Nintendo's history with the Yakuza to its dabbling in the seedy motel business, the House of Mario has a much longer and stranger history than you might guess. Find out what happened when the company tried to make knitting popular, how America's obsession with robots helped them nudge their way into retailers, and why a grabber called the Ultra Hand was the breakthrough the company needed. Featuring Ramsey Yount.

This episode originally aired on December 20, 2017.

Photo by Cláudio Luiz Castro via Unsplash. Thanks, Cláudio!

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What do TV listings have to do with the arc of American history? Quite a lot, it turns out! From hard-hitting journalism that exposed fake news, to billion-dollar business deals, to a photo manipulation scandal that made Oprah very angry, Will and Mango uncover the many ways this little magazine has made a big impact on our lives. Thanks to Ken at TV Guidance Counselor for the inspo—and for having Mango on his podcast!

Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode.

TV photo by Diego González via Unsplash. Thanks, Diego!

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If you’ve ever taken out the trash, bought eggs, or gotten immersed in Avatar, you have Canada to thank for it. Pop on your toques and join Will and Mango for a deep dive into some fascinating Canadian inventions—and yes, hockey is mentioned. Twice.

Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to [email protected], and we might use it in an upcoming episode.

Photo by Maxime Doré via Unsplash. Merci, Maxime!

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Sure, they nuzzled their way into Mike Tyson's heart (and Nikola Tesla's, and Bert's from Bert and Ernie!), but how intelligent are pigeons? Have scientists really trained them to read? Did they actually play a role in discovering the Big Bang? And why are they so darn good at finding their way home? Plus: Are catfish their new nemesis? 

This episode originally aired on July 11, 2019.

Photo via Sneha Cecil on Unsplash. Thanks, Sneha!

Seen a good pigeon lately? Take a pic and tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius! 
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Will and Mango dig into all the biggest bicycle questions: From how bikes seriously altered the dating scene, to how blind people ride bikes through traffic, to the ingenious way Kermit pedaled his Schwann in the Muppets Movie. Grab a helmet and join us!

This episode originally aired on November 7, 2019.

Got a bike we should see? Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius!
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