Hyperfixation Investigations

Let’s continue our joyful learning about Josh’s favorite cephalopods, the octopus! This episodes continues from Episode 32. Josh will take us diving down to the further depths of their intelligence, shapeshifting, and mythologies! Discussion Includes: How to Shapeshift 101 What Do Octopus Dream About? Intelligence = Adaptability A Creature of Myth & Legend ©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 202...

Part 1 of Our Mini-Series: "Language Through the Ages" Let’s talk language! Specifically, this episode delves into a brief history and overview of the study of etymology. Learn about the method of research for etymology, the difference between semantics and syntax, and the historical backgrounds of words like “weird” and “orange”! This episode sets the stage for further deep-dives into language st...

Swim with us through the coral reefs and dark sea floors as we explore the outrageous octopus! This episode specifically delves into the general evolutionary and biological facts of these 8-legged friends. Mythology, history, culture impacts and more will be available in a later episode! The intelligence and strangeness of these animals is sure to fascinate you, as it does Josh and Kara! Discussio...

We’re leaping for joy this week as we discuss one of the peculiar days of the year: Leap Day! This day has been a long addition to certain civilizations’ time-keeping ways, including the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Learn about how this day came to be through both a historic and scientific lens. Discussion Includes: The Julian Calendar-Romans The Gregorian Calendar-Catholics Why February? Other...

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate! This holiday of love has ancient origins from Rome and Catholicism. It has become a saturated business market and an important day for restaurants, flower shops, bakeries and more. Join us as we explore the roots of this holiday and the myths, saints, and female entrepreneurs that have shaped it! Discussion Includes: Lupercalia and Ancient Rome Various M...

In January 1926, some of the most important strides in mechanical television technology were made! Join Kara and Josh as they discuss the history & science of mechanical television and one of it’s most important inventors: John Logie Baird. With technology created in the 1880’s through to the switch to electronic television, we will flip the channels through many cool and impressive moments in...

After a lovely holiday season, Josh and Kara return to talk about Santa’s home—The North Pole! But what many may not know, is that there are in fact, multiple north poles, each with slightly different definitions and uses in the sciences. So join us this week as we explore the many north poles! Discussion Includes: Geographic Poles Magnetic Poles The Mythical North Pole Explorations of the Poles ©...

Welcome to the final episode of 2025! To “round out” the year, we are telling the tale of pumpkins, North America’s favorite native gourd/squash! While most know for its use in pies and lattes, pumpkin has a long and diverse history! It is likely one of the oldest domesticated foods in the Americas. So join us in celebrating the end of autumn with a deep dive on these famous gourds! Discussion Inc...

The skies of November have turned gloomy friends, so it is a fitting time to tell the tale of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Many have heard the song, but the true story is a tragic example of the dangers of Lake Superior even in modern times. In this episode, Josh leads us through the life and final voyage of The Fitz and how Gordon Lightfoot found inspiration for a famous folk rock sea shanty. Discus...

Let’s do the Time Warp again and step right into an episode dedicated to the Rocky Horror Picture Show and it’s predecessor, the Rocky Horror Show! Some descriptors for RHPS include: a cult classic, a cultural phenomenon, an immersive experience, & a great way to usher in the Halloween season. Listen closely and jump with us into the unique world of this beloved show as Hyperfixation Investiga...

Roll an investigation check with us this week as Josh leads us through a brief history and overview of the table top role-playing game (TTRPG), Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)! This beloved TTRPG has had a renaissance over the last decade, with growing popularity in streams, podcasts, main-stream films, and more. Discussion Includes: History of D&D How Dungeons & Dragons has changed since...

Part 2 of Our Mini-Series “Geeks, Games, & General Mayhem” Join us for this week’s “minisode” as we break down the history of LEGOs. From a beloved children’s toy, to a creative adult hobby, a movie franchise, a plethora of videogames, and even amusement parks, LEGO has grown and evolved over the decades. But at it’s heart is the idea of quality toys and creativity. Discussion Includes: Brief...

You might think this episode is about first- or third-person shooter games. Ya know, all that conversation about video games making kids violent. The general genocides that happen in many a game. But you would be wrong! Follow along on this minisode as we detail the real war crime that video game producers have been getting in trouble over for years! Discussion Includes: Prison Architect Doom Halo...

After last month’s episode: Salt Overview, we delve further into specific examples of the history, science, medicinal, and religious uses of salt! Learn about the links between salt production & the harnessing of natural gas, salt and Christian monasteries, how molten salt nuclear reactors powered planes in the Cold War, and more! Discussion Includes: Historical Salt Production in China Thoriu...

Welcome, at last, to the Black Hole episode! Josh has long alluded to creating an episode around these celestial objects and now is the time. Join us as we delve into the science, history, and misconceptions about some of the architects of galaxies! And of course, we discuss the use of Black Holes in Science Fiction (usually incorrectly). Be warned, once you cross the event horizon and begin this...

Salt is one of the most important and influential minerals in human history. From flavoring food, to being used as a form of payment, to its impact on science, the effects cannot be overstated. There are many kinds of salts, and they all have different chemical signatures. Throughout this episode, learn about table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and other edible sea salts from ancient times as wel...

We are starting off Season 2 with a “bang?” (sorry, not sorry). This episode is all about the often forgotten third atomic bomb core from World War II: Rufus, now known as The Demon Core. While this core was never dropped as a bomb, it was used for nuclear/plutonium testing after WWII and along the way, it was deemed “cursed”. Take a listen and find out why! Discussion Includes: The Bombs Dropped...

Join us for some laughs to whet your appetites for Season 2! This blooper reel contains funny moments and tangents that didn’t make it into the final edits of Season 1’s Episodes 1-4. Warning: this reel contains “that’s what she said” jokes and mouth sounds! ©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2024-2025

We are happy to announce that Season 2 of Hyperfixation Investigations will be coming your way in July, 2025. Josh and Kara are hard at work behind-the-scenes on new episodes and new features for general listeners and subscribers alike. Check in for a blooper reel teaser in two weeks, and be on the look-out for announcements here on the website and on BlueSky and YouTube over the new few months re...

We finally have an episode where our favorite phrase “deep dive” is truly apropos! So join us as we deep dive the fascinating underwater world of whales. This group of animals technically includes dolphins and porpoises in addition to whales. Discover their forms of communication, diets, family structures and more! Discussion Includes: The Evolution of Whales Communication & Friendship for Whales...

Nearly 70% of women in the U.S. use hair-coloring products ranging from bleach to permanent hair dye. Learn about the use of hair coloring in the ancient world and how a discovery in the 1800s brought about the hair dye we know of today. Discover the biochemistry of how different types of hair dye work, the economic strength of the industry, and more in this episode! Discussion Includes: Biochemis...

WARNING: EPISODE CONTAINS STAR WARS SPOILERS! Travel to Naboo and Coruscant via starship as Josh outlines the factors leading to the fall of the Jedi Order throughout the Star Wars Franchise, including movies, television shows, and books. Fun facts include which politician’s name is used almost verbatim in the films and more! Discussion Includes: History & Function of the Jedi Order Origins & Conf...

It’s all in the Tea-Tails! After learning about the main types of tea and how tea plants are processed to create one of our favorite drinks, we’ll dive into the complex and often dark history of tea. The introduction of tea to the Western World is embroiled in colonization, smuggling, scandals, and wars. One of the main culprits behind all of this mayhem was the East India Company. Did you know th...

We’re going nuts for our favorite tree rodents! Kara and Josh delve into the world of tree squirrels from the different species found in Illinois to their beneficial effect on their habitats! We love these cute little guys and we’re excited to bring a little bit more awareness to some of our most numerous animal neighbors. Discussion Includes: The four species of tree squirrels in IL Urban studies...