The Free Bin

The gang finds joy! Sophia shares some exciting library updates. A leg returns to its owner. Cindy investigates regional foods in the United States. Harrison gets funked up, Cindy gets down, and Sophia gives a nod to a legendary performance.

The gang shares some of their favorite birds! Eagles and herons eat well. Pigeons carry urgent news. A giant parrot does its best.

In this episode:

Bald Eagle Scream (Alaska Raptor Center, YouTube)

Lionel the kākāpō booming and chinging (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand)

The gang introduces a fortuitous confluence of annual religious observances! Library super-volunteer Omar (who also happens to be Sophia's husband) phones in to discuss Ramadan. Sophia shares some Lunar New Year traditions, and goes for a world-record any% speedrun of Catholicism. Harrison discusses the Vatican Observatory, and Cindy explores the Chinese Zodiac.

Blessed Lent! Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Lunar New Year! Be excellent to each other!

With Sophia snowed in, the gang assembles via videotelephony to celebrate Black History Month! Harrison tells the tale of legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Sophia shares the story of groundbreaking librarian Dorothy Porter Wesley, who built Howard University's world-renowned Moorland-Spingarn Research Center into the institution it is today. Cindy discusses the lives and careers of the Nicholas Brothers, from their contributions to the world of dance to their personal struggles and the difficult legacy of the Cotton Club.

In this episode:

"Bass Reeves" by Art T. Burton for Fort Smith National Historic Site (National Park Service)

"Ed Wynn Presents the Nicholas Brothers 1964" (YouTube)

Content warning: This episode contains potential spoilers for "Bridgerton" and "The Pitt," as well as discussions of medical distress and child death.

The gang shares updates on their recent pop-culture fixations! Cindy's workin' on a mystery (goin' wherever it leads). Harrison forgives the Las Vegas Hilton and celebrates a music legend's milestone of self-discovery. Sophia catches up on Regency romance and modern medicine with a streaming drama update!

In this episode:

"Bridgerton" (Netflix series, 2020-)

"The Extinct Immersive Las Vegas Star Trek Experience" from Expedition Theme Park (YouTube)

"Father Brown" (BBC One series, 2013-)

"Pete Sandoval (I Am Morbid, Ex-Morbid Angel) Opens Up About Autism Diagnosis at 61" by Greg Kennelty (Metal Injection)

"The Pitt" (HBO Max series, 2025-)

"Sister Boniface Mysteries" (BBC Studios/BritBox series, 2022-)

Per listener request, the gang talks about the weather! Harrison shares a brief history of almanacs and... something else. Sophia introduces us to the historic lighthouses of Oregon. Cindy shares some movies for a catastrophically rainy day.

In this episode:

"The Day After Tomorrow" (film, 2004) dir. Roland Emmerich

Oregon Lighthouses

"See Lantern Return to Historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse On Oregon Coast" by Rose Shimberg (Statesman Journal, Aug. 10, 2025)

Storm Glass

Tempest Prognosticator

"Twister" (film, 1996) dir. Jan de Bont

"Twisters" (film, 2024) dir. Lee Isaac Chung

Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The gang explores the history and variety of dialects in the United States! Cindy brings the research. Harrison abandons the letter G and Sophia adopts it. Dingbatters descend upon Ocracoke.

Cindy leads the gang in a discussion of official tie-in media and adaptations, with a lengthy sidequest into the world of fanfiction! ET cripples an industry (allegedly). Sauron and Gandalf become romantically entagled in space (unofficially). A grape soda affects digestion (prebiotically).

Sophia and Harrison discuss lost media and the Mandela Effect. An army of penguins gathers. Sammy Hagar craves behavioral enrichment. Hank Williams creates further Hank Williamses. Flying monkeys receive no compliments, while an earthbound monkey receives no tail. Also, Harrison experiences the Mandela Effect in real time!

In this episode:

"The Babadook" (film, 2014) dir. by Jennifer Kent

"The Berenstain Bears" (book series) by Stan and Jan Berenstain

"Investigating the Paranormal" (book, 2006) by Tony Cornell

"Pokemon: Indigo League" (TV series, 1997-1999)

"Filipino Lost Media Being Clickbaited as 'Creepy'" (YouTube video) from Undusthings

Freddie Freaker

"London After Midnight" (film. 1927) dir. by Tod Browning

"The Wizard of Oz" (film, 1939) dir. by Victor Fleming