Why? The Podcast

So are things really better hotter under the water?

We talked with professional mermaid The Mermaid Phantom, who, on top of her numerous public appearances, also blogs & posts videos on YouTube about mermaiding. (Yes, that's the correct term.) We talk about tail care, what mermaids say and how much her career has changed her life and her outlook.

For more information on Mermaid Phantom, check out her website and her blog, or check out her YouTube page for some of her videos.

If you want a fruitcake this holiday season, you need to go to the best. That's why we talked with Hayden Crawford from Collin Street Bakery. Apart from being one of the best-known and well-loved fruitcake purveyors in the world, it's a family business. Hayden talks about what makes the Collin Street Bakery fruitcake the classic it is, how much people love it (and include it in their wills) and whether or not he ever gets tired of it.

Plus, in this episode, we go through Flash's Gift Guide, giving you shopping ideas from our guests over the past year. There's bound to be something for everyone on your list. (If everyone on your list wants Cozy Love Pants.)

You ever get so mad at someone that you just want to send them a box full of ass-shaped gummies? Well, thank goodness for Cheeks by Mail. The company will anonymously sent a box of gummies that look like butts to anyone you'd like. It's just that simple.

How did he come up with the idea? What public figures has he sent gummies to? (We give you three guesses and the first two don't count.) We sat down with Alex, better known as Papa Cheeks, to get to the bottom (pun intended) of this brilliant business idea.

To order your own box of butt gummies, check out the Cheeks by Mail website. And use the code "cheapcheeks" for 30% off your order. (And tell them Flash sent ya!)

When you're at the Texas Renaissance Festival, it's good to be the king.

The fest is the largest renaissance festival in the country, with over half a million visitors every year. Having run every year since 1974, this fest has become legendary. We sat down with the king of the fest, (who has reigned for more than 20 years) about what makes the festival so special and what he's learned after ruling for so long.

For more information on the festival and to get tickets, check out the festival's website.

Mike Mullane has spent over 350 hours in space on three different shuttle missions. If anyone can talk about what that's like, it's Mike.

So how does one become an astronaut? How scary is it lying in the shuttle, waiting for lift off and you hear someone say, 'there's a small fire?' And do you ever get tired of the view?

Mike's written several books about his career with NASA, Riding Rockets and Do Your Ears Pop In Space? You can also learn more about Mike and read his blog on his website.

For even more of our talk with Mike, check out our YouTube page, where he talks about the moment he officially became an astronaut.

At first blush, or maybe second, end of life care and burlesque don't really seem to go together. But, the more you think about it, they do. (Listen to the show and find out how.) Misty Lynn provides end of life care and is also a burlesque dancer. And while it isn't always a light-hearted conversation, our talk is fascinating and you'll learn a lot about both of her careers.

Brian Patrick Mulligan is Ben Franklin. And Teddy Roosevelt. And Winston Churchill. And he's been Charlie Chaplin, Oliver Hardy and Harpo Marx.

Brian isn't possessed, he's an impersonator, bringing history to life for people. Sometimes he talks to school or library groups. Sometimes he talks to corporations. Obviously he knows a few things about this founding father.

We talk with Brian about how he got into this line of work, some of his favorite  quotes and what facts we've all been getting wrong about Franklin for decades.

For more information, or to book Brian, visit his website.

Ali Murdock describes her job as 'living the dream.' And she is. Growing up wanting to work for the Tampa Bay Lightning, she now is the zamboni driver for the team she grew up loving.

What's the hardest part about driving a zamboni? Is it difficult? What other ice care is she responsible for? For more info on the Lightning, check out their website.

Rob Feldman is the writer and creator of Cyko KO, a best-selling comic book series that has crossed over into a coloring book and an audio adventure. (You know, like the ones that have the bell when it's time to turn the page?)

We talk with Rob about creating a comic book for all ages, the feedback he gets from fans and his Ringo-nominated book.

For more info on Rob and Cyko, (and to pick up copies of the books) check out the Cyko KO website.

The Gilligan's Island fan club has been keeping the torches lit for the Professor, the Millionaire, Lovey, Mary Anne, Ginger, the Skipper and, of course, Gilligan for decades. What is it about this show that has created such a rabid fan base?

We're joined by the fan club president to talk about the phenomenon that is Gilligan's Isle, what got him into the show and we listen to the first pass at the theme song, before it was changed to the one we all know and love.

For more information, check out the fan club's website, where you will learn a ton of interesting facts about the show, including the fate of the SS Minnow.