Science writer Peter Brannen takes listeners on a tour of the world’s five major mass extinctions.

The Various Ends of the World (Winter Wonder Classic)

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

This mechanical boy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was a mystery - until it began to write. 

READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/maillardets-automaton

Maillardet’s Automaton (Classic)

Historian and author Edda L. Fields-Black tells us the fascinating and action-packed story of one of the most daring spy operations and raids of the entire Civil War – led by Harriet Tubman.

A Daring Story of Freedom with Edda Fields-Black

We catch up with Amir Siraj – friend of the show, scientist and world wanderer – who visited a new observatory in a Chilean desert that could help his search for rogue planets.

Check out other episodes we’ve done Amir:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-amir-siraj-interstellar-object
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/podcast-a-mission-to-find-a-meteor-with-amir-siraj

A Rogue Trip with Amir Siraj

Earlier this spring we shared the story of the city of Melbourne’s program to track trees, which morphed into a love fest. In this episode, we hear from YOU and your love letters to trees that play a special role in your life. 

MORE: Want to be in an upcoming Atlas Obscura episode? We’re collecting listener stories right now about traveling with your parents. Tell us about a place you went with your parents that was special to you. Maybe it was the annual trip to Niagara Falls or a national park. Or maybe it was just a one time thing but had an outsized impact. Call and tell us at 315-992-7902 or email us at Hello@AtlasObscura.com.

From Seed to Significance

The Ludlow colony in southern Colorado was once a bustling tent city and haven for miners and their families. But it was also the site of one of the country’s most monumental –and violent – clashes of the labor movement.

READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ludlow-massacre-site

The Various Ends of the World (Winter Wonder Classic)

Download our free app to listen on your phone