Condensed Soup

Birding has been a hobby for generations of nature lovers. Can it survive the digital age?  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity The ornithological artist drawing 1,000 birds by hand — all for an app that wants you off your phone (Nick Czap, The Guardian, 8 Aug 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bedroom

Biking to work is great for the environment, and your body -- but is it good for your coworkers? Stay healthy, stay fresh! CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity State Dept. warns Americans in Middle East to 'be prepared to depart' (Nathan Diller, USA Today, 2 Aug 2026) Biking to work: Tips to get started, stay safe and look presentable when you arrive (Cathy Bussewitz, AP, 23 Jul 2026) Inst...

'The Odyssey' is a hit -- does it matter which one you see?  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Destructive tornado touches down near Appleton, Wisconsin, leaving trail of damage (Dan Peck and Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 27 Jul 2026) Prague's rare 70 mm IMAX draws thousands of Europeans for Nolan's 'The Odyssey' (Karel Janicek, ABC News / AP, 27 Jul 2026) Only 26 U.S. theaters can show "T...

You thought elephants had good memories? Meet butterflies, who remember their caterpillar days -- and even their parents'.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Melrose Center at the Orlando Public Library (Orlando Public Library, accessed 24 Jul 2026) Did the butterflies remember him? Japanese student's discovery uncovers astonishing insect memory (Times of India, 10 Jul 2026) Do butterfl...

Korean barbecue has been popping up all over the country. If you haven't been yet -- go hungry. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity The Korean BBQ Scene Is Sizzling More Than Ever — Here's What to Know and Where to Go in the U.S. (Tae Yoon, Afar, 17 Apr 2026) An Introduction to Korean Barbecue (Sasha Marx, Serious Eats, 28 Jan 2022) Everything You Need to Know About Korean Barbecue (Maris...

Mentorship can take many forms. Ronnie Chieng's 'Daily Show' interview with Aaron Chen is a fantastic example.  Special thanks to all my mentors along the way.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Ronnie Chieng's 'Daily Show' interview with Aaron Chen is a delight (Shannon Connellan, Mashable, 10 Jul 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded...

How do survive modern life? Silver linings and good resting heart rates.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity How to Naturally Lower Your Resting Heart Rate (Kaiser Permanente, 28 Jul 2025) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Jeopardy, the long-running quiz show, is hiring a writer. You can get in on the legacy! CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity What is dream job? 'Jeopardy!' is hiring for this position (Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 Jul 2026) Jeopardy! (Emily Yahr,   Britannica, 8 Jul 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

We've got a name change! The country we used to called Turkey is now offiically Türkiye. Update your contact lists... CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Why Is Turkey Spelled "Türkiye" in the World Cup? (Eden Gordon, Mental Floss, 26 Jun 2026) Turkey officially changes name at UN to Türkiye (The Guardian, 2 Jun 2022) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode...

Freedom Fuel gas stations have arrived in Philadelphia, courtesy of the White House. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity White House launches 25 Freedom Fuel gas stations in this region (Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 7 Jul 2026) Instagram:  @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Alligators are real and they're coming for you. Okay, that may be an exaggeration -- but please be careful around them! CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Woman dies after alligator bites off arm in Florida river (Kimberly Miller, USA Today, 2 Jul 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Are you washing your fruit and veggies? An outbreak of cyclosporiasis is in 17 states, and counting.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Outbreak of cyclosporiasis occurring in Michigan (Michigan Health & Human Services, 1 Jul 2026) 'Large and growing' parasitic infection reported in 17 states, including Pa. And NJ (ABC News, 3 Jul 2026) Don't Want to Eat Spiders? Here's How to Wash Your...

History was made at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding -- by Sir Paul McCartney, who performed "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for the first time since 1965. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity History of Madison Square Garden (Madison Square Garden, accessed 4 Jul 2026) Paul McCartney Performed This Beloved No. 1 Beatles Hit at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Wedding Reception (Exclusive...

Tyrian purple is a mysterious color that ruled the ancient world -- and you and I have never seen it.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Tyrian purple: The lost ancient pigment that was more valuable than gold (Zaria Gorvett, BBC, Nov 24, 2023) Tyrian Purple (University of Chicago Library, accessed 3 Jul 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was re...

A new food labeling law in California is banning the "sell by" date in an effort to reduce food waste.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Did the milk expire? California bans 'sell by' food labels to cut food waste (Olga R. Rodriguez, AP, 1 Jul 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my friend's bathroom.

New York, New York! If you can build community there, you can build it anywhere. Some tales from the city and the people who give it life.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my friend's apartment.

Countries are changing daily -- and we're not even talking politically. Trinidad's shores are changing due to Venezuela's earthquakes. Plus, how to win $100,000 by going through your junk drawer. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Shift observed on Trinidad's shoreline after Venezuela earthquakes (AP, 29 Jun 2026) Bed Bath & Beyond launches hunt for America's oldest coupon with $100K pri...

Smart glasses are here. So be smart.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever (Kali Hays, BBC, 13 May 2026) This New App Sends Alerts When Nearby Smart Glasses Are Recording (Jibin Joseph, PC Mag, 26 Feb 2026) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bathroom.

Venezuela has suffered two major earthquakes on the same day, and the nation is reeling.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430 (Regina Garcia Cano, Andry Rincon and Megan Janetsky (AP, 27 Jun 2026) How to help those impacted by the Venezuela earthquakes (Gabriela Aoun Angueira, AP, 26 Jun 2026) Donate to World Central Ki...

The Great American State Fair is underway!  (Kind of) CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity 9 tips to keep your house cool without air conditioning (Efficiency Vermont, accessed 26 Jun 2026) A widespread, searing heat dome and an extreme fire threat are expected as a major US weather pattern change unfolds (Chris Dolce, CNN, 26 Jun 2026) Trump's Great American State Fair opens with melted i...

Student Florence Golding decided to translate audio guide for the Roman Baths in Bath into Latin. And she got Sir Stephen Fry to narrate it.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity A Student-Led Latin Audio Guide (The Roman Baths, accessed 25 Jun 2026) The Roman Baths (accessed 25 Jun 2026) Pont du Gard (Wikipedia, accessed 25 Jun 2026) Taking the Plunge: 5 Reasons Baths Are Good for You (Cl...

What do you do when chess isn't enough? Put it on the bottom of a swimming pool. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Mind Sports Olympiad (Wikipedia, accessed Jun 1, 2026) Diving Chess (accessed 24 Jun 2026) My Dive into the World Diving Chess Championships (ThePawnSlayer, Chess (dot) com, 6 October 2024) Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded...

When accused by Mr. Reese's grandson that they had changed the Reese's cups formula, Hershey insisted the recipe was unaltered. They also recently announced that they're returning the recipe back to its original formula.  We're as confused as you are.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor accuses Hershey of "quietly replacing" ingredients (CBS...

Lab-grown chocolate bars wil hit the market soon. Will we be able to tell?  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Mondelez-backed startup debuts 'world's first' chocolate bars made with cultured cocoa (Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, Apr 15, 2026) Instagram:  @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me *This episode was recorded in my bathroom.

Peacocks, peacocks, everywhere! Is it a blessing, or a curse? Neighborhoods around the world are divided.  CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Over 100 peacocks invade seaside town in northern Italy (AP, May 12, 2026) Gulfport's growing peacock population is colorful but controversial (Eric Glasser, WTSP, May 11, 2026) Peacock 'invasion' of Italian seaside town ruffles feathers (Angela Gi...