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The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong

English, History, 13 seasons, 172 episodes, 6 days, 4 hours, 39 minutes
About
Did you know that Europeans used to believe that sheep grew from Mongolian trees? Have you heard about the misbegotten discovery of a new form of water in the 1960s that set off a cold war arms race? Ever seen the gleaming Las Vegas hotel that accidentally shoots heat rays at poolside guests? The Constant is an audio history of getting things wrong. From ancient science to contemporary blunders, we take you on journeys of misadventure and misapprehension, filling your brain with juicy nuggets of the sometimes comical, sometimes tragical and always fascinating ways people mess things up.
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The Holy She, Part 2

Did a woman secretly manage to become pope, only to be revealed by a badly mistimed labor in the streets of Rome? Probably not! But it's gonna be fun figuring it out for sure! Visit greenchef.com/60constant and use code 60constant to get 60% off and 20% off your first two months. Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/30/202450 minutes, 34 seconds
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The Holy She, Part 1

Did a cross-dressing woman manage to worm her way into the papacy, and was she discovered when she gave birth on the street? Lots of people believe and have believed in the Legend of Pope Joan. We're taking a two part dive into the history. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/16/202442 minutes, 50 seconds
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Presenting: Historical Blindness

Find Historical Blindness at https://www.historicalblindness.com/ or wherever you listen to this podcast. We'll be back with a new year of new episodes in two weeks. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/2/20241 hour, 8 minutes, 33 seconds
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A Very BMJ Christmas

They celebrate the season a little differently down at The British Medical Journal. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/19/20231 hour, 4 minutes, 22 seconds
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99% Conspicuous

The James R. Thompson Center is the most hated building in the city of Chicago. And it has to be protected. Check out Nathan Eddy's documentaries on The Thompson Center, Helmut Jahn, and more, here: https://vimeo.com/nathaneddy Find Stewart Hicks' youtube channel, with great architectural content (much of it about The Thompson Center) here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYAm24PkejQR2xMgJgn7xwg Visit The Chicago Architecture Center's Thompson Center page here: https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/thompson-center/ Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Get 15% off your MasterClass subscription by visiting masterclass.com/theconstant today! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/5/20231 hour, 15 minutes, 22 seconds
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Rock Bottomless, Part 2

We can go deeper. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11/21/20231 hour, 43 seconds
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Rock Bottomless, Part 1

This week, we're going deep. How deep? No one knows! Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Get 15% off your MasterClass subscription by visiting masterclass.com/theconstant today! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11/7/202353 minutes, 48 seconds
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The Werewolf

A beastly history of the beasts that stalked Europe for centuries. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Get 15% off your MasterClass subscription by visiting masterclass.com/theconstant today! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10/24/20231 hour, 7 minutes, 21 seconds
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Psych Out, Pt 3: Repeat After Me

In which a psychic horse causes the greatest crisis in scientific history. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10/10/20231 hour, 29 minutes, 22 seconds
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Introducing: Southern Gothic

The Baynard Mausoleum is the oldest surviving structure on Hilton Head Island, but eerily, the family once interred inside is no longer there. Now, after a century of vandalism and treasure hunters has taken its toll, we attempt to explore the local lore that has sprung up to give this unique tomb a romantic origin story. https://podfollow.com/southern-gothic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10/7/202330 minutes, 57 seconds
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Psych Out, Pt 2: Pick a Card

In which a talking, psychic horse gives JB Rhine the idea for a new field of science: parapsychology. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50constant and use code 50constant for 50% off plus free shipping! Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9/19/20231 hour, 26 minutes, 42 seconds
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Psych Out, Pt 1: Lady Wonder

A horse is a horse, unless, of course, that horse can tell the future. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50constant and use code 50constant for 50% off plus free shipping! Cancel your unwanted subscriptions via rocketmoney.com/CONSTANT right now! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9/5/20231 hour, 23 minutes, 58 seconds
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Everything Aristotle Has Said is Wrong & The Reflex

Early episodes of this show sound like crap! So this week we're remaking a couple of old favorites. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50constant and use code 50constant for 50% off plus free shipping! Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/22/202355 minutes, 3 seconds
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The One from Nowhere

In 1900, three lighthouse keepers went missing, starting a phony mystery that long concealed a real one. Go to drinkAG1.com/constant to get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions via rocketmoney.com/CONSTANT right now! Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/8/202353 minutes, 54 seconds
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Burning Men

There's a party in 14th Century Europe, and everybody's invited! Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/constant50 and use code constant50 for 50% off plus free shipping! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/25/202356 minutes, 36 seconds
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The Captain and The Serpent, Part 2

What's that out there in the distance? A fish? A whale? A SEA SERPENT?! No, it's just the conclusion to our latest two part series! Cancel your unwanted subscriptions via rocketmoney.com/CONSTANT right now! Go to drinkAG1.com/constant to get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7/11/20231 hour, 6 minutes, 45 seconds
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The Captain and The Serpent, Part 1

Murder! Monsters! Lifeboats! This one's got it all. Go to drinkAG1.com/constant to get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/27/20231 hour, 10 minutes, 11 seconds
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Red Mercury, Part 2

Buckle up your crazy belts, 'cuz we're going off the rails on a crazy train to crazy town! Thanks Athletic Greens. Go to athleticgreens.com/constant to get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6/6/20231 hour, 17 minutes, 1 second
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Red Mercury, Part 1

In 2004, three men were arrested in London. Their crime was attempting to purchase material to build a nuclear bomb. But most everyone agrees that material does not exist. Thanks Athletic Greens. Go to athleticgreens.com/constant to get a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Visit www.omahasteaks.com and enter "constant" at check out for $30 off your order. Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/23/202356 minutes, 4 seconds
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A Pickle for The Knowing Ones

This is The Tale of Lord Timothy Dexter: The Luckiest Asshole in History. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/constant50 and use code constant50 for 50% off, plus your first box ships free! Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/9/202357 minutes, 52 seconds
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I Have Come from Hell

On the morning of May 8th, 1902, Ludgar Sylbaris awoke in jail alone. And then the world ended. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/theconstant and get on your way to being your best self. Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/constant50 and use code constant50 for 50% off, plus your first box ships free! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4/25/20231 hour, 14 minutes, 12 seconds
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Happy Place

The special spring break surprise is here! Join Heather for a journey into the sad side of the happiest place on Earth. Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit www.omahasteaks.com and enter "theconstant" at check out for $30 off your order. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/constant50 and use code constant50 for 50% off, plus your first box ships free! Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4/11/20231 hour, 3 minutes, 14 seconds
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This Means War (Volume 2)

Watch yourself: the wars only get stupider from here. Want a month trial of Shopify for just a dollar? Grab it here! Visit www.omahasteaks.com and enter "theconstant" at check out for $30 off your order. Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3/28/202355 minutes, 31 seconds
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This Means War (Volume 1)

At its best, war is terrible, wasteful, regrettable and necessary. At its worst, it's just fucking stupid. Check out: indeed.com/theconstant now to start hiring Visit www.omahasteaks.com and enter "theconstant" at check out for $30 off your order. Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3/14/202351 minutes, 36 seconds
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Are Whales Fish?

To start off the year, we're looking back at an old favorite that plays a significant part in an upcoming series. Visit GiveWell.org to find a charity today. Be sure to choose "podcast" and enter "The Constant" at checkout to get your donation matched up to $100 dollars.​ Visit our Patreon here. You too can get ad-free, early episodes, starting now!​​ BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! The Constant is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.​​ ​​Interested in advertising on The Constant? Email sales@advertisecast.com to get on board! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/2/20231 hour, 8 minutes, 35 seconds
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Dance with The Devil in The Pale Moonlight

New Year, New You, New Constant. Season 11 begins Tuesday, January 11th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/9/20222 minutes, 6 seconds
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Men of Stone (Pt 1)

In 1897, a Montana prospector discovered something valuable in The Missouri River. Not gold, not silver, not even copper. It was the petrified body of a missing Civil War hero, General Thomas Francis Meagher. Continue your education via University of California Irvine now! (https://ce.uci.edu/?utm_source=TNM&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2022theconstant)Get up to 14 free meals AND three free gifts from HelloFresh by visiting:HelloFresh.com/theconstant14 and entering code "theconstant14" at checkout. (https://www.hellofresh.com/pages/podcast?c=THECONSTANT14&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=4020201510podcast&utm_content=theconstant14&dm=meals&featured=family&mealsize=3-4)Get 10% off your first month of online counseling by visiting:http://betterhelp.com/theconstant (http://betterhelp.com/theconstant)Visit GiveWell.org (https://www.givewell.org/) to find a charity today. Be sure to choose "podcast" and enter "The Constant" at checkout to get your donation matched up to $250 dollars. Visit our Patreon here (https://patreon.com/theconstant).BUY OUR MERCH, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! (https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirts/the-constant-podcast)Music by:Epidemic Sound (https://www.epidemicsound.com/) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/7/202157 minutes, 21 seconds
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Holy Toledo Jefferson Correction

I made a big enough oopsie in the last episode, Holy Toledo, that I think it deserves a formal correction here. I hope you'll listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8/2/20219 minutes, 45 seconds
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Introducing 'Safe for Work'

Just a couple of days before our Christmas special, here's a little gift for you: Safe for Work. Safe For Work is an advice show that reminds you that while your office may be crazy, you don’t have to be. Office MVPs and corporate veterans Liz Dolan (ex-CMO, Nike, NatGeo, Oprah Winfrey Network) and Rico Gagliano (audio host, producer, print reporter and author) will help you make the big decisions, sort through the small stuff, and get more fulfillment from your work life. Listen here (https://wondery.com/shows/safe-for-work/) or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/20/20185 minutes, 21 seconds
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Lord Morton's Mare

A fly bites, a sickness spreads, a horse is born, an idea returns. This week we attempt to correct an oversight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5/3/201817 minutes, 4 seconds
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People This Isle

Look, out in the sea: it's an earthquake, it's a boat fire, it's a sea monster! It's a tiny, newborn volcanic island! In 1831, a small scrap of land suddenly formed in The Mediterranean. Lifeless, inhospitable, fiery and useless. So, naturally, the world went to war over it. Settle in and listen to the short and ludicrous history of (deep breath) Correo-Hotham-Graham-Ferdinandea-Nerita-Sciacca-Julia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
4/10/201824 minutes, 34 seconds
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Fire-Proof Lizards, Vegetable Sheep and Ball-Biting Beavers

Throughout time people have twisted the most humdrum of creatures until they were fantastical, bizarre, unbelievable monsters. From a logistically unfeasible hybrid to a self-castrating quarry, we're bringing you a suite of four stupefying animal myths, and then tracing them to their surprisingly humble beginnings. Plus, do you know what's in your vanilla flavoring? Do you want to? Well, listen anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/23/201824 minutes, 26 seconds
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Take None of These and Call Me In The Morning

This week: a whirlwind history of bad medical practices, worse medical practices and medical practices that--while still pretty awful--looked fantastic by comparison. Western medical history began with a madman who threw himself into a volcano to prove he was a god, and it only went downhill from there. For our story, we look at how one man managed to change 19th century medicine for the better, and how his discovery managed to make 20th century medicine worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1/16/201819 minutes, 29 seconds
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Three Years of Sundays

It's difficult to honor the spirit of the season when you're making a show about mistakes, foibles and failures, but we've done our best. This week, the most uplifting story about prime numbers you'll hear all season. Promise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/26/201710 minutes, 45 seconds
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1% Inspiration

In the 1960's, scientists discovered a new form of water, kicking off millions of dollars of research, Nobel Prize consideration and a new Cold War arms race between the USA and USSR. This episode we investigate the history of the miraculous discovery that almost changed the world, and the unbelievable story of why it didn't. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/19/201711 minutes, 7 seconds
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You Gotta Fry a Few Eggs

A preview of things to come: this is our "stress test" mini episode to try to work out all the kinks. Music byLee Rosevere http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/  and Animeistrash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12/6/201710 minutes, 16 seconds