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.]

152 – The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: Mansa Musa

A trivia podcast for anyone who loves cool trivia and sticking it to annoying teams at pub quiz.

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It's the most wonderful tiiiiime of the yeeeeear! We take a break from our hiatus to bring you our annual recap of the Eurovision Song Contest. Julia and Lauren have Some Thoughts about this year's entrants, and we hope you do too. Later, enjoy some questions from "I Wrote a Quiz (Postcards from the Edge)." 



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[Music: 1) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

236 – Eurovision Song Contest 2023

For our season 2 finale, please join us on a sequel to everyone's favorite multisensory podcast experience: CHEESEALONG, Part Deux! 



To eat along with us as you learn, you will want to procure:  Gjetost, Roquefort, smoked (or unsmoked) pepper jack, and Parmigiano Reggiano. [We also recommend some fresh or dried fruit, jam, crackers, and nuts to round out your cheese plate.] We're going on a sweet, salty, spicy, umami journey today.



Later, your hosts squeeze in some other trivia topics they intended to cover this season [... but didn't]. Thank you so much to our lovely listeners and supporters for the last five (!) years, and all the best for a wonderful 2023 from Lauren and Julia!



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[Music: 1) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

235 – CHEE2EALONG, Part Deux

Today, learn all about an accomplished female Mexican surrealist (--no, not that one). In this episode, Lauren paints a portrait of Remedios Varo, and later, gives us a quiz about artist’s biopics!



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[Music: 1) Meydän, "Surreal Forest," 2018. Courtesy of Meydän, CC BY 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

234 – The Sorceress Who Left Too Soon

What was your first job at age 16? Was it... A) bagging groceries, B) making pizzas, C) babysitting, or D) driving an automobile (that you would repair yourself when it broke down) across five continents while filming your journey for travelogue movies?  This episode, Julia shines a headlight on the incredible Aloha Wanderwell, "the world's most traveled girl." Later, take a quiz called "Baby, You Can Drive My Car!"



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[Music: 1) Springtide, "Driving A Blue Car," 2021. Courtesy of Springtide, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]



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Check out the dedicated website, run by her grandson, here: https://www.alohawanderwell.com/

233 – The World’s Most Traveled Girl

Haven’t you ever just wanted to shut yourself away with all of your books and collectibles and piles of newspapers and old food...? Well, today’s episode is for you! Lauren walks us through the weird and wild world of a few infamous "urban hermits." Later, take a quiz on some other famous eccentrics!



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[Music: 1) HoliznaCC0, "Recluse," 2022. Courtesy of HoliznaCC0; 02) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

152 – The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: Mansa Musa

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