Fascinating Nouns

What images are conjured when one utters the word "hermit"? An unshaved guru who resides in the wilderness? A Luddite who fears and shuns society? A fancy way of saying homeless? We explore this concept in depth as Michael walks us through his latest book "A Stranger in the Woods: The Story of the Last True Hermit. Not only that, we learn about the highly useful, although extraordinarily complex "...

When it comes to jerky, most people are familiar with the traditional forms: Beef, turkey, and if you live further out in the country, then venison. If you are REALLY rural, then squirrel and racoon. But what do you do if you are a recovering carnivore, looking to take to the vegan life? Well, I have the pioneer for you. Meet Paul Sprangers, founder and CEO of Power Plant Foods, which specializes...

Like most things, I became slightly obsessed with LaVar Ball and his company Big Baller Brand despite every instinct in my body telling me otherwise. LaVar started the company to promote his basketball playing sons, the eldest of which (Lonzo) is a top NBA prospect this draft. He caught a lot of flack in the media lately for his incredibly arrogant belief that his sons are a billion dollar brand,...

In the world of paranormal investigations, AKA stories of High Strangeness, credibility can be hard to come by. With all the skeptics, hoaxers, and frauds, it is nearly impossible to provide enough proof and plausibility to convince people of what is happening. Enter Linda Moulton Howe. With over 40 years of impeccable journalism behind her, as well as a trophy case of awards (including a local Em...

When it comes to Absolute Zero, Dr. Anita Sengupta is a total tease. Her new project, The Cold Atom Laboratory, cools atoms down to a fraction of a degree above Absolute Zero in order to create and verify a new state of matter first postulated by Einstein. Attaining Absolute Zero is impossible, as it would create a waveform that would take over the universe. We get into that, as well as cooling th...

BONUS EPISODE! Jason and I discuss Victorian Era Eyeglass Innovations! We talk about the difference between a monocle and a quizzing glass, as well as President Teddy Roosevelt's pince-nez.

Jason Merrill is a connoisseur of a bygone era. If you want to know proper formal attire from 1837 until 1920, Jason is your guy. We discuss all sorts of ways to improve your fashion. Do you know the difference between shirt studs and cuff links? Are you aware that the so-called fedora you are wearing is probably a trilby? How can you tell an ascot from a cravat? What is the proper dress code for...

The British are known for their incredible politeness and impeccable manners. This is fertile ground to produce a world renown etiquette expert. That expert is William Hanson. Besides writing the book on the subject, he also is a Guinness World record holder! The longest curtsy relay, if you must know. We get into the do's and don't of social decorum surely, but we also expand my vocabulary! I was...

Ben Harrison is the author of the book Undying Love, which tells the story of Karl Tanzler, AKA Count Carl von Cosel. In brief: Karl Tanzler, a German immigrant, makes his way to Key West Florida by way of Havana Cuba. Once there, he sets himself up as an x-ray technician at the local hospital. About a year later, a beautiful Cuban girl named Elena Hoyos comes in to get checked for tuberculosis. V...

I have often pondered which is better: Dolls or Teddy Bears. Luckily one woman has designed the perfect museum to answer this question: The Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum & Library has hundreds of examples of dolls & teddy bears, as well as the world's largest research library on that same subject. *Spoiler Alert* Turns out the answer is Teddy Bears, based on their extremely high cuddle-fa...

In celebration of the diamond anniversary of The Battle of Los Angeles, I sit down with one of the most respected men in the UFO field Dr. William J. Birnes, esq. He holds a PhD, a law degree, and is an author. You may have also seen him on History channel's UFO Files, Ancient Aliens (With friend of the show Dr. Michael Dennin) and UFO Hunters. One of the most mysterious times in United States his...

The USS Iowa is one of the largest, most imposing forces in naval history. Originally commissioned to support land invasions (amphibious assaults) in WWII, this devastating behemoth was also a force to be reckoned with during the Korean War. It was decommissioned in the 50's. but then recommissioned in the 80's during the Regan administration in support of his "600 ship" navy initiative. Finally d...

This episode is going to blow your mind. Famed occult researcher and Nazi expert Peter Levenda walks us through his book Ratline, the story of the secret "Underground Railroad" in Europe, set up by a Vatican priest, used to get high ranking Nazi's and SS officers out of Germany and into various parts of the world. The most famous of these escapees, according to his research, is none other that Ado...

Kenny Irwin Jr. is an artist who's true style is hard to nail down in contemporary words. He may be the mastermind behind Griswold-esque Robo Lights, but like most famous artists, he exists in two worlds, both literally and figuratively. There is the world of imagination that Kenny inhabits in his dreaming state, and it is from there that most of his artistic inspiration generates. He takes that i...

The original Roller Coaster pioneers! Jim Futrell and I discuss the two most influential coaster designers in history: John Miller and Harry Baker.

From his website: Jim Futrell became involved with the National Amusement Park Historical Association in 1980, and was named the organization’s Historian in 1984, a position he continues to hold. As Historian, Jim has authored numerous articles for the organization’s magazine, NAPHA News, and in 1992, started publishing NAPHA NewsFLASH!!!, the organization’s monthly newsletter. Jim has served as a...

You are used to hearing "Dr. Michael Dennin: Superhero Scientist", but it turns out there is much more to Dr. Dennin than analyzing the physics behind faster than light spandex. This lifelong practicing Catholic has taken his questions about religion and God, and has looked at them with the eye of a scientist. The result is the amazing book Divine Science: Finding Reason at the Heart of Faith. In...

Have you ever lost a ring, or even a metal-based object of incredible sentimental value? Well Chris Turner and his international directory of ring finders can help you! But Chris does more than just find rings: He has found long buried cash troves, metal in food, and has even helped police find missing bodies! We get into all the good stuff including his super-secret silent partner, how he found a...

When it comes to the Ouija Board, I have always harbored a morbid curiosity. From the first time I played it at a sleepover, I have always pondered: Is it a simple game designed for entertainment, or is it a true mystical device, capable of communication with the 'Other Side'? Luckily Ouija historian Robert Murch was on hand to explain the complicated, and rich history of this seemingly simple gam...

Mitch Horowitz, author of Occult America, discusses the history of a few luck-inspired superstitions. Check out more at ORIGINS: The Series.

*From his website* MITCH HOROWITZ is a writer and publisher who explores “rejected stones,” from the occult to positive thinking to ESP. He is a PEN Award-winning historian and the author of Occult America (Bantam) and One Simple Idea: How Positive Thinking Reshaped Modern Life (Crown), now out in paperback from Skyhorse with new stuff. Mitch has written on everything from the secret life of Ronal...

I have always been intrigued by the events in Salem Village in 1692. What happened there over the course of the year set the bar for unnecessary persecutions, and religious fanaticism. The circumstances under which these events occurred are not nearly as cut and dry as one would think. In order to flesh out the social nuances, I needed to find THE expert, and I found that in Richard Trask. *From h...

I have always been fascinating with the graceful beauty and devastating phenomenon knows as The Martial Arts. What better person to discuss this with than 2 time third degree black belt John Kreng! We discuss his intense street fight with Chuck Norris, why he couldn't learn Kung Fu, and his 14 year career as a stand-up comic! [powerpress] *From his bio* John Kreng a 2nd Unit Director, Stunt/Fight...

James Fletcher, AKA "Fletch", is the premiere American History teacher at Clairemont High School in San Diego. At an early age, he became enthralled with the Kennedy/Nixon election and has been a fan of the process ever since. Over the last 40 years with the help of his students, Fletch has amassed an impressive 40,000 piece collection that boasts artifacts from all 44 presidencies, and all 43 pre...

David Raymond is a mascot visionary. Having played the Philly Phanatic for 15 years, he looked into the future of sports, and saw that it was mascot filled. David has become the industry leader in creating mascots from scratch, fixing preexisting characters, and training the next generation of mascot actors. On top of that, David heads the Mascot Hall of Fame, a place where trailblazers are honore...