Commute | The Podcast

Some reviewers have called the recent remake of the horror classic Nosferatu “the perfect horror film.” However, its source material, a silent film from the 1920s, almost didn’t exist. This week, that complicated history and the story it tells us about the challenges of preserving films from the silent era. We know a product or service can be trademarked, but can a smell? A toy from your past deci...

It’s that time of year—Christmas trees, twinkling lights, too many sweets… and endless holiday movies! An update on one of our most popular segments tells how (and why) original holiday films are made. Why are we supposed to kiss if we meet under mistletoe? Here’s everything you could want to know about the festive berries.  Which U.S. state has the most holiday spirit? How about the least? You kn...

Judges surely get hangry in the afternoons, like the rest of us. Does that impact their job? Banana candy, you’ve probably noticed, tastes nothing like banana. That’s intentional. A collection of never-before-heard Michael Jackson songs were found in a storage unit. That doesn’t mean you’ll ever hear them.  Sources: https://www.randomactsofmedicine.com/p/are-hungry-judges-and-tardy-doctors https:/...

Helium, that we use to blow up parade floats and birthday balloons, is a uniquely one-of-a-kind element. That’s not necessarily a good thing. What if we lived in a world where we wanted for nothing, where our every wish and need was cared for? Scientists ran an experiment and, as always, things did not go as expected.  Ever tried to sneak a drink into the movies or some candy to a ballgame? There’...

More than three decades ago, the New Yorker Magazine printed a cartoon about the internet that is just as accurate today as it was then, setting records for reprints. It’s still setting records. It’s after Halloween. What happens to all the pumpkins? Porta potties - everyone uses them; no one wants to. We’ll tell you more than you ever expected to know, including how often, if ever, they’re cleane...

The film Sideways, about male bonding in wine country, was released in 2004. Twenty years later, it’s still has an impact on one industry.  A scientific experiment taught rats to drive. That’s not even the most amazing part. In the 1950s, Roger Bannister did what was previously thought impossible - run a mile in under 4 minutes. Why did multiple runners suddenly do the same just days later? Source...

Some corporate programs really do work. One has convinced millions of kids to read millions of books for more than 40 years by promising them the perfect incentive - free pizza. Have you ever set out to buy one thing but ended up with something else? That’s what happened to Cecil Chubb, though his unintended purchase was a little bigger than typical. If it seems the McDonald’s McFlurry ice cream m...

You may hear these days of unfair or too close-to-call elections, but this isn’t a recent development.  It’s not the national anthem, but God Bless the USA sure feels like it could be … until you hear this segment.  Everyone hates changing their clocks twice per year. More than 80% of Americans say we should stop. Why don’t we? Sources: https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/presidential-ele...

The dark web is a largely unregulated version of the internet where many kinds of questionable things go on. Much like Amazon, the dark web even has its own marketplace. The similarities end there.  Political campaigns have likely been texting you for months; asking for your money, your time and, of course, your vote. How did they get your number?  For the last 140 years, Dr. Pepper has been popul...

We wear wedding rings on the left-hand ring finger. Would another finger work? Magazines are losing subscribers at an alarming rate. You’ll never guess which one is an exception.  It’s time to get your Halloween costume!  Many come from a pop-up store named “Spirit of Halloween.”  Where do these stores come from and, maybe more importantly, where do they go? (From the archives) http://www.commutet...

The first Tuesday in November we head to the polls to vote. Why that day, in that month? Could it ever change? Pitt bulls are the meanest, nastiest, most dangerous of dogs … aren’t they? Have you tried to hold in a sneeze? You might want to rethink that. Sources: https://www.history.com/news/why-is-election-day-a-tuesday-in-november https://www.vox.com/videos/367080/how-pit-bulls-got-a-bad-reputat...

It’s hard to go on a busy highway without seeing a billboard for an accident lawyer. Is it legal to advertise such a service? Well, it hasn’t always been.  Gift cards are big business. We are good at buying them but not always so good at using them.  Chicken tenders are one of the most popular foods in America. One city wants all the credit.  Sources: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawyer-commercial...

In honor of the calendar turning to October, this week we re-air one of our most popular episodes from the archives. We'll be back next week with an all-new episode! How did “cheese” become the universal smile word used by photographers? You’ll never guess what word it replaced! It’s the official slogan of Halloween, but where and when did it begin? And what did cabbage have to do with the wh...

Does the President have a little red button that can fire nuclear weapons and end the world? Why do dogs love riding with the windows down? Should we let them? More people are scared of clowns than entertained by them. Science will tell us why. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Codes?wprov=sfti1# https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/why-dogs-stick-their-heads-out-car-windows#:~:text=Stickin...

Famous people get paid millions of dollars to convince you to spend money. Does it work? Do you shower in the morning or at night? Science has something to say about that.  More people are choosing to be dog parents instead of human parents. What does this mean for the future of humanity (and for dogs)? Sources: https://qz.com/do-celebrity-endorsements-political-or-otherwise-work-1851646337/slides...

Presidents are maxed to two terms of four years. Why is that? Have you ever been on a radio call-in contest. It seems so random who gets on the air. But is it? The carton tells you the juice was squeezed from farm-fresh Florida oranges. Reality, of course, is a little more complicated.  Sources: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/633015/why-presidents-serve-four-year-terms https://www.wired.com/s...

Referred to as winged rats, pigeons aren’t often at the top of many favorite bird lists. They should be.  When would you guess the last Civil War pension check went out?  You’re probably wrong.  What we wear has an impact on how people perceive us. How big an impact? Sources: https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/review-pigeons https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/06/04/she-was-last-america...

This week we revisit one of our favorites (including a Labor Day segment!) from last year, but we'll be back next week with an all-new ep! - We all love a feel-good sports movie. The underdog learning to win, the budding romance, the dad who works too much….  When The Mighty Ducks became a hit in the 90s, Disney loved the movie so much that they made a real team. If you’re listening to this o...

The claymation TV special Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is a beloved Christmas classic, but it’s one of the few times Rudolph appears in a film. There’s a reason. Most of us try to avoid eating bugs. Several high-end restaurants now serve them on purpose. You know we love to talk Beanie Babies. This week we discuss a specific beanie bear designed for more than just being a collectible. Sources: h...

Some masterminds have gone to incredible lengths to steal amazing targets, from chicken wings to beanie babies.   Should we separate lights and darks when washing clothes? Fantasy Football is staggeringly popular. Its rise didn’t happen overnight, and its growth might not be from a source you’d expect. Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/12/chicago-woman-stolen-chicken-wi...

You may have noticed an athlete during the recent Olympic Games who didn’t represent a country. They still won a medal.  We all look for ways to cope with stress.  Some exercise. Some eat sweets. Others go in unusual directions.  Why are more people pushing back against the latest smartphones? Sources: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/what-know-about-refugee-olympic-team https://www.nytimes.com/20...

That cash in your wallet, purse, or sock drawer – many other people have owned it, too. What’s the actual lifespan of a dollar bill? The COVID-19 pandemic changed our world in many ways. One change that’s remained is the way we work. Many employees now spend their professional lives completely online, but are virtual employees actually working eight hours per day? Many iterations have come and gon...

You’ve probably noticed novelty popcorn buckets tied-in with select blockbuster movies. If you miss them in the theater, you can always take a loan to buy one online after the fact.   Screen time and the potentially harmful side effects are a real concern, even at zoos.  Okay, so he’s not sued EVERYone, but Jonathan Riches has filed more lawsuits than anyone. Sources: https://www.thewrap.com/popco...

Hidden in plain sight in Disney Theme Parks is an exclusive (and expensive!) secret members-only club.  Could you get in? When Dave Thomas started Wendy’s in the 1960s, he named it after one of his daughters. He regretted that decision years later. This week we remember a sequined tank-top-wearing fitness guru who revolutionized the exercise industry.  You know who we’re talking about… Sources: ht...

What do Olympic athletes get for winning? It can depend on where they’re from and how well they do, but it often doesn’t end with just the money.  Frisbee Golf has risen in popularity for decades. Here’s why.  If you have Q-Tips and you have ears you’re likely doing something you shouldn’t.  Sources: https://apple.news/AeqppUX0BSbmtBBOL_6Co7w https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/well/move/disc-golf....