While You Were Pooping

“Goodbye” comes from “God be with you”—but it’s more than just a word. Here’s why saying goodbye matters.

That's a wrap for seasons one of While You Were Pooping. Thanks for tuning in each day as we learned new, fun, odd, and exciting things about history, our bodies, the world, and the universe. Stick around to the end of the episode for a fun surprise.

Post-it® notes were born from a failed super glue and a choir singer’s frustration. Here’s how an accidental invention became a sticky success.

No kitchen? No problem. Ancient Romans grabbed meals on the go from thermopolia— fast food counters that look shockingly modern, minus the plastic cups.

Your stomach acid is powerful enough to digest you— so your body replaces its lining every few days. Here’s how it survives its own attack.

From polished obsidian to high-def reflections, here’s how humanity went from staring at puddles to inventing the modern mirror.

Ever wonder why a circle has 360 degrees? Thank ancient math, astronomy, and the very smart, very practical Babylonians.

Think birds sleep in their nests? Most don’t. Here’s where they really catch their Zs— and why the truth is messier than you’d think.

It’s shaped like a hot dog, runs on four wheels, and has toured America since 1936. Here’s the story behind the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

It’s not just an old saying— your nose really does change shape as you age. But is it actually growing? Here’s what science says.

Ever feel like a mosquito magnet? Science says it’s not your imagination. From CO₂ to body chemistry to blood type, here’s why some people get bitten way more than others.