Stuff You Should Know

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore collective hysteria, or mass psychogenic disorder, explaining how psychological stress can manifest as real physical symptoms without a toxic cause.

Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the Philadelphia Experiment, a conspiracy theory claiming the USS Eldridge was teleported in 1943.

Hosts Josh Clark and Charles Bryant explore the history and mythology of mermaids, debunking modern sightings as manatees or hoaxes.

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the Dyson Sphere, a theoretical megastructure proposed by physicist Freeman Dyson to capture a star's total energy output.

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss the mystery of the Mary Celeste, a famous ghost ship found adrift in 1872 with no crew aboard.

Hosts Josh, Chuck, and Jerry explore cancer as an umbrella term for over 200 diseases driven by uncontrolled cell growth and genetic mutations.

In this "Short Stuff" episode, hosts Josh, Chuck, and Jerry explore the history of the 1970s leisure suit.

This episode explores the science and philosophy of boredom, examining how it drives humans to seek novel stimuli and take risks.

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the biology and ecology of wasps, covering their evolution, complex social structures, and the potent chemistry of their venom.

Hosts Chuck and Josh explore Christopher Nolan's 2026 film adaptation of Homer's *The Odyssey*, discussing its historical context, the "Homeric…

This episode explores the rise and fall of the flapper, a rebellious young woman who emerged in the 1920s after World War I and the flu pandemic shifted gender norms.

This episode explores the complete history of Nickelodeon, from its 1977 origins in Columbus, Ohio, to its rise as a cultural juggernaut.

Josh Clark and Charles Bryan explore the history of blacksmithing, tracing its evolution from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution.

In this episode, hosts John and Chuck explore Social Identity Theory, which posits that individuals derive self-esteem and identity from group membership.

This episode details the 1999 Tokaimura nuclear accident in Japan, where worker Hisashi Ouchi suffered a massive radiation dose after his company, JCO, ignored safety protocols.

Hosts Josh and Chuck discuss Terry Fox, the Canadian athlete who ran the Marathon of Hope to raise cancer research funds after losing a leg to cancer.

Hosts Josh Clark and Charles Bryant explore the bizarre 1920s fad of flagpole sitting, sparked by Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly.

In this episode, hosts Chuck and Josh conclude their two-part series on the fall of the Soviet Union, focusing on the chaotic aftermath in Russia.

Hosts Josh and Chuck revisit their 2023 episode to honor Dolly Parton following her recent passing.

Josh and Chuck discuss the historic cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms, noting it as the largest in human history with over 28,000 cases.

In this two-part episode, hosts Josh and Chuck explore the rapid dissolution of the Soviet Union between 1990 and 1992.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore narcolepsy, detailing symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis.

Josh and Chuck explore the history, construction, and cultural impact of rope, highlighting its role in sailing, whaling, and the Industrial Revolution.

In this Short Stuff episode, hosts Josh and Chuck discuss an article by former colleague Kristen Conger about the 1784 shipwreck of the El Cazador.

Hosts John and Chuck explore the elusive definition of irony, tracing its roots from Greek drama to modern pop culture.

Hosts Josh Clark and Charles Bryant explore the history of Manhattan’s street grid, focusing on the 1811 Commissioner’s Plan.

Hosts Josh and Chuck examine the life of Robert Maxwell, a controversial media tycoon and father of Ghislaine Maxwell.

Josh and Chuck debunk the myth that Nero fiddled while Rome burned, noting fiddles didn't exist then.

Hosts Josh and Chuck, joined by guest Machine Gun Jerry, explore the true story of Bonnie and Clyde, examining their rise from Depression-era poverty to infamy.

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant conclude their series on the Iran-Contra affair.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the Iran-Contra affair, detailing how the Reagan administration secretly funded Nicaraguan Contras despite congressional bans.

This episode traces reggae’s evolution from Mento and Ska to Rocksteady, highlighting influences like American R&B, Jamaican sound systems, and Rastafarianism.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the history of the telephone directory, contrasting the physical Yellow and White Pages with modern digital search.

Hosts Josh, Chuck, and Jerry explore the global history and cultural significance of beans and rice.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore Russian state-sponsored disinformation, focusing on the Internet Research Agency and the "Doppelganger" tactic of cloning legitimate news sites to spread chaos.

Hosts Josh and Chuck discuss the life and legacy of beloved children’s author Judy Blume, covering her childhood anxieties, early career struggles, and breakthrough with *Are You There, God?

Josh and Chuck explore plant migration, explaining how species like ferns and trees shift ranges in response to climate change.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the history of Swiss neutrality, tracing its origins from medieval military prowess to its formal establishment in 1815.

Josh and Chuck discuss their recent experiences eating canned sardines, noting that while the flavor is pleasant, the texture of whole fish can be off-putting.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the history of Big Tobacco’s deceptive PR campaigns and the legal battles that led to the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.

Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explore the history and cultural impact of the iconic TV show Soul Train.

Josh and Chuck explore the true story of Richard “White Boy Rick” Wershe, a 14-year-old Detroit teen who became an off-the-books FBI informant during the 1980s crack epidemic.

Josh and Chuck, with Jerry filling in for Dave, honor the late Don LaFontaine, known as the "voice of God" for his iconic movie trailer narration.

Hosts Josh and Chuck discuss postpartum depression as a serious maternal mental health crisis, covering symptoms, risk factors, and the biological role of hormones like allopregnanolone.

Josh and Chuck recount the 1903 journey of Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker, who became the first people to drive across America in a Winton touring car.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, highlighting her evolution from a sheltered debutante to a pioneering activist.

In this episode of The Short Slip, hosts Josh, Chuck, and guest Jerry clarify the distinctions between England, Great Britain, the United Kingdom, and the British Isles.

Hosts Josh and Chuck explore the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the USSR’s Cold War-era project to drill deeper into Earth than any other human endeavor.