Smartest Year Ever

Is your dog’s adorable head tilt a sign of intelligence? Gordy breaks down the science of this charming canine quirk. Learn how dogs might be adjusting their ears for better hearing, tilting their heads to see us more clearly, or even cleverly manipulating us for extra love. Plus, discover how “gifted” dogs tilt their heads more often while learning new words. Sources: Animal Cognition Journal - D...

Ever had a full-body shiver after a bathroom break? This episode dives into the fascinating science behind Post-Micturition Convulsion Syndrome (PMCS) , better known as pee shivers. Gordy explains how your autonomic nervous system , temperature regulation , and blood pressure drops might all play a role in this mysterious but universal phenomenon. Sources: American Urological Association - Post-Mi...

Why do we still knock on wood when we’re trying not to jinx something? Gordy explores how ancient tree-worshipping traditions , Christian symbolism, and even kids’ games contributed to this enduring ritual. Learn how other cultures put their own twist on luck—like tugging earlobes or saying “touch iron”—in this fascinating exploration of history and superstition. Sources: Frazer, J. G. (1922). The...

Could a beloved video game stop PTSD in its tracks? 🎮 Smartest Year Ever explores the groundbreaking science behind Tetris as Trauma Therapy. Learn how this nostalgic block-stacking game is helping disrupt intrusive memories, reduce trauma, and even curb cravings. Featuring research from Oxford University and beyond, this episode shows how science meets fun in the most unexpected way. Sources: Ho...

Ever wondered why Swiss cheese has holes? Gordy explores the quirky science behind these “eyes,” from bacteria and gas bubbles to the surprising role of hay dust. Discover how modern hygiene standards shrank the holes—and how cheesemakers brought them back. Sources: SwissInfo.ch: How Hay Particles Help Make Cheese Holes National Dairy Council: Cheesemaking and Fermentation Cheese.com: Types of Swi...

Did you know pirates were sometimes perfectly legal ? Dive into the fascinating history of letters of marque and reprisal , the government-issued permission slips that turned private citizens into privateers —essentially lawful pirates. Gordy uncovers how nations like England, France, and the U.S. used privateers to disrupt enemy trade, boost war efforts, and rake in profits during wartime. Learn...

What exactly are DEFCON levels , and why do they feel straight out of a doomsday movie? In today’s episode, Gordy breaks down the Defense Readiness Condition system used by the U.S. military to gauge national security threats. Learn the difference between DEFCON 5 (peacetime calm) and DEFCON 1 (nuclear war imminent) , the real history behind DEFCON 2 during the Cuban Missile Crisis , and why DEFCO...

How did people wake up on time before smartphones or alarm clocks? Gordy explores the ingenious—and sometimes bizarre—solutions humans used to get out of bed. From ancient water clocks that dripped their way to morning gongs, to the medieval church bells that served as the neighborhood alarm, and even Industrial Revolution knocker-uppers who literally knocked on windows with sticks, history proves...

Did your last name reveal your ancestors' profession? Turns out, it probably does! In this episode, Gordy dives into the fascinating history of surnames like Smith , Baker , and Cooper to uncover how jobs shaped identities. From blacksmiths forging tools to chandlers crafting candles, these names tell stories of a world where your trade defined who you were. But what about names like Fletcher , We...

When is it half-staff and when is it half-mast ? Gordy dives into the origins and proper usage of flag terminology, revealing why it depends on where you are—and even the pole you’re talking about! Learn how centuries-old traditions, like lowering flags to honor the fallen, connect us across time. Plus, discover the hidden meanings behind upside-down flags and how they signal distress. In this epi...

In 1932 , Australia declared war—on emus . Yes, you read that right. When 20,000 of these giant, flightless birds invaded Western Australia's farmland, the government sent machine guns to solve the problem. What followed was a hilariously chaotic and ultimately unsuccessful military campaign . From emus dodging bullets like feathered tanks to soldiers literally losing a war to wildlife , the Great...

What if eating colorful fruits and veggies could make you more attractive? Science says it can! In this episode of Smartest Year Ever , Gordy dives into the fascinating link between carotenoids —the pigments found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and watermelons—and your skin's natural glow. Discover how these pigments give you a subtle golden tone that studies show is universally perceived as healthie...

Why do fingers wrinkle in water? It’s not just a bath-time oddity—it’s evolutionary genius. Gordy dives into how wrinkly fingertips act as natural rain treads to improve grip in wet conditions. Learn how this process is controlled by your autonomic nervous system and why evolution gave us this clever survival trick. Order of Contents: Introduction: Why wrinkling happens. The evolutionary edge: Gri...

1/14/25 - A Boy, Bugs, and Pokémon Before Pikachu or Charmander, Pokémon’s creator Satoshi Tajiri was just a boy obsessed with catching bugs. 🐞 In today’s episode of Smartest Year Ever , Gordy shares the story of how Tajiri’s childhood curiosity and love for discovery inspired one of the world’s most beloved franchises. Learn about his early days as “Dr. Bug,” the challenges of creating Pokémon,...

What’s the lowest distance an object can orbit Earth without falling back to the surface? Gordy explores the fascinating physics of Low Earth Orbits (LEO) and the razor-thin balance between gravity, drag, and propulsion. From the record-breaking ESA GOCE satellite to Japan’s TSUBAME, this episode dives into the engineering marvels pushing the boundaries of space exploration. Order of Contents : In...

In this episode of Smartest Year Ever , Gordy dives into the fascinating origins of the phrase “The Real McCoy” —a saying synonymous with authenticity and originality. Was it inspired by Elijah McCoy, the ingenious Black inventor whose patents revolutionized industry? Or was it Prohibition-era rum-runner Bill McCoy, famous for smuggling pure liquor? Maybe it even traces back to 19th-century Scotla...

Of all the New Year’s traditions around the world, few are as curious as eating grapes under a table for good luck. Gordy dives into the history of las doce uvas de la suerte , the Spanish tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight, and how a 1909 grape surplus sparked this quirky custom. Discover how the practice spread to Latin America, and why hiding under a table adds a deeper meaning to th...

Why do wine bottles have that mysterious dimple at the bottom ? Gordy dives into the fascinating history of the punt , tracing its origins to glassblowing days, its practical uses for stability and carbonation pressure, and its evolution into a symbol of craftsmanship and tradition . Here’s what’s inside today’s episode: The practical and historical origins of the punt. How punts work for sparklin...

Fresh-cut grass isn’t just a smell—it’s a cry for help . Gordy uncovers the science behind this iconic scent, showing how plants release green leaf volatiles (GLVs) to warn their neighbors, call in insect reinforcements, and even heal themselves. Plus, learn why humans associate this distress signal with happiness. Contents : The surprising truth behind the smell of freshly cut grass How GLVs help...

Tomatoes and Italian food feel inseparable, but their partnership is surprisingly modern ! Gordy unpacks the history of this now-ubiquitous ingredient, tracing its journey from South America to the heart of Italian cuisine . Learn how tomatoes went from being feared as dangerous nightshades to becoming the foundation of cucina povera , and how Italian immigrants helped make tomato-rich dishes icon...

Why does every movie phone number start with 555 ? Gordy dives into the fascinating history of Hollywood's fake numbers, starting with the 1973 decision to reserve the 555 prefix for fiction after real-life harassment complaints became a major issue. But it’s not just movies— TV shows, songs, and even cartoons have sparked real-world chaos with fictional numbers. From the “867-5309/Jenny” phenomen...

1/6/25 - The Mona Lisa Heist Season 1, Episode 6 In 1911 , the Mona Lisa vanished from the Louvre, stolen by an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia. Gordy breaks down how a bold, low-tech plan made history and turned da Vinci’s masterpiece into a cultural icon . Order of Contents: Intro and background How Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa The aftermath and international uproar How the heist cement...

1/5/25 - The Woman Behind the Smile Season 1, Episode 5 Few paintings are as iconic as the Mona Lisa , but who is the woman behind that mysterious smile ? In today’s episode, Gordy uncovers the fascinating history of Lisa del Giocondo , a Florentine woman believed to be the model for Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece. Discover how a 1503 margin note solved one of art history’s greatest puzzles, expl...

1/4/25 - In the Limelight Step back to the early 19th century to discover how lime revolutionized the stage. In today’s episode, Gordy dives into the origins of the phrase “in the limelight,” revealing how a block of quicklime (calcium oxide) and an open flame created the first stage spotlight. Learn about Thomas Drummond’s invention, its dramatic rise in theaters, and its surprising use during th...

Time zones: a human invention to keep us synced—or confused. Ever wonder why the new year hits some places hours (or even a day) before others? From the chaos of 19th-century “local mean time” to the international drama of Greenwich Mean Time, this episode explores the fascinating history of time zones. We’ll uncover the quirks of New Year’s Eve celebrations across the globe, including the Line Is...