Anytime Now

Who was the first person to reach the actual North Pole? Most people have never heard of Matthew Henson, a Black American explorer who dared to go on an adventure north in 1909. Discover his incredible journey from a sailor to a bonafide explorer who made history. From blizzards to his friendship with the Innuit to finally setting foot at the North Pole, join the adventure and learn about a story...

Have you heard of the indigenous Sentinelese people of the Andaman Islands? They are one of the few remaining "uncontacted" tribes living off the coast of India. Join host Sandeep Parikh and learn about the incredible story of Dr. Madhumala Chattopadhyay, an Indian anthropologist who ventured on a friendly visit to the Sentinelese in 1991. What happened? Let's go find out! About the Host Sandeep P...

What do you get when you mix a radio broadcast about aliens with fake news? In this case, it's one of the most well-known and successful hoaxes to ever exist. Join host Patton Oswalt for the incredible story about The War of the Worlds broadcast. It's time to peek inside the brilliant mind of Orson Welles and join the many Americans who sat glued to their radio sets as they heard a "news" story ab...

Do you love to swim? Or adventure? Or stories of ancient wars? In this episode, we'll get a big dose of all three as we discover the story of Hydna of Scione and her daring act of sabotage in the war between the Greeks and Persians. Join host Randall Lawrence and travel back to ancient Greece for a lesson about courage, bravery, and loyalty. Hydna learned to swim at a young age and she used this s...

Have you ever played hide and seek? What if your life was a huge game of hide and seek? In this episode, we explore the story of Virginia Hall, a notorious spy during World War II who nobody could catch. Join host Arlo Weierhauser for an incredible adventure across the world and learn about Virginia's ingenious methods for espionage and undercover operations. As a woman, Virginia stood out as a se...

Have you ever tried to build something? Were you able to bring your vision to life? In this episode, learn about the incredible story behind the creation of the White House and the architect who brought it to life. Join host Amy Miller for a story about James Hoban and his journey from Ireland to the United States to the White House. As a child, Hoban dreamed of building amazing things when he got...

Have you ever flown on an airplane through the night? Remember how dark it looked outside the airplane's window? Now, imagine flying through the night with no lights in the freezing snow searching for a place to land. It's time to discover airmail pilot Jack Knight's fantastic journey through the skies in 1921. Join host Kyle Kinane for a story about bravery and human ingenuity that laid the found...

Chances are you know a bit about Abraham Lincoln. After all, he was one of America's most famous Presidents. But, did you know that before he even became President, Lincoln's life was threatened and he was forced on a daring journey to escape? Join host Adam Ray for a story about detectives, assassins, and disguises. As the story goes, just before Lincoln was to be inaugurated, a plot to assassina...

Have you ever watched The Lion King ?  Well, you might be surprised to learn that some people think the movie got its inspiration from Japan—and more specifically, from cartoonist Tezuka Osamu. Join host Cameron Peloso for this incredible story about the "god of Manga." As a child, Tezuka loved to draw. He would hunt insects and draw them. As Japan entered World War II, Tezuka continued to draw an...

When was the last time you wrote a poem that got you thrown in prison? For most people, the answer is . . . never. However, this story is about a man from Ukraine whose poetry upset Russia so much that Tsar Nicholas I threw him in prison. This man was Taras Shevchenko. Join host Ben Brainard and explore the long and difficult history between Ukraine and Russia through the eyes of an artist who bro...

Have you ever wondered how people invest in stocks? Part of that answer comes from a story more than 130 years old. It's the story of Charles Henry Dow. Join host Kenny Malone and let's dive into the story of Dow and his famous creation, the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Dow started his career as a journalist and through his work, he discovered the fascinating world of Wall Street and stock invest...

Have you ever been upset because of something that happened to your friends or family? How did you help them? Join host Julia Corral and learn about a woman who spoke out against the injustices that her people faced. Rigoberta Menchú Tum was born in a small village in Guatemala. As descendants of the indiginous Maya, the people in her village faced persecution from the descendants of the Spaniards...

Do you love nature and animals? Do you love to write? As a young girl, Rachel Carson was fascinated by the ocean, sea creatures, and writing. Join host Amanda Arnold and discover the amazing story of a woman who changed the world through her love of science and writing. As a scientist, Rachel Carson became aware of dangerous new pesticides being used in farming. In this episode, explore her incred...

Have you ever been homesick? What if you weren't allowed to go back home? Join host Cliff Taylor and explore the brave tale of Standing Bear, chief of the Ponca, and the incredible story of his people's journey to freedom. After the U.S. government forced them to leave home, Standing Bear stood up for his people and through sheer will and determination, fought to return home. It's time to discover...

You've probably heard about Harriet Tubman's brave journey as the leader of the Underground Railroad leading enslaved people to freedom. But did you know that she was also a spy for the Union army during the American Civil War? Join host Mia Jackson and discover the story of Ms. Tubman's secret mission for the North, and how her heroic actions during this mission saved the lives of more than 800 e...

Do you enjoy going to the movies or seeing live performances? Join host Shain Brenden and learn about one of the best actors to ever live—someone you've probably never even heard of. Ira Aldridge was a Shakespearean actor born in New York who moved to London in the 1800s to pursue his dreams of acting in plays. Why did he move to London? As a Black actor, Aldridge faced many prejudices in his home...

Do you love buried treasure and finding objects from long ago that have a story to tell? Imagine growing up and becoming a professional treasure seeker (well, kind of). Join archaeologist Annelise Baer and adventure through one of history's greatest finds—an enormous boat buried next to Akhet-Khufu, the incredible pyramid built for Khufu, an ancient Egyptian king. Discover the incredible artifacts...

Have you ever ridden a Ferris wheel? Or chewed on a piece of Juicy Fruit gum or turned on a lightbulb? Join host JoAnn Schinderle and explore the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, where all of these items and many more debuted. From Nikola Tesla's life-changing AC electricity to hot air balloons, the incredible inventions and ideas from this once-in-a-lifetime experience changed the way we live today. Al...

Do you know what Australian food is? Kangaroo, bush carrot and quandong are just the beginning. Join host Pete Campbell and discover the fascinating history of the Aboriginal Australians and their delicious cuisine. For more than 50,000 years, the First People cultivated and cared for their native land, developing some tasty recipes along the way. Learn about the evolution of the cuisine through t...

Did you know that sometimes the government can take something from you without ever charging you with a crime? The practice is called "civil forfeiture" and in this episode, join co-hosts (and lawyers) Maclen and Ashleigh Stanley as they discuss a smelly case involving approximately 64,695 Pounds of Shark Fins. This unbelievable story will teach you about the history of civil forfeiture and the fa...

Have you ever stood in front of a microwave and wondered how it can almost instantly heat your food? What if we told you it started with the tragedy of the Titanic? In this episode, join host Chris Duffy to discover the story behind this amazing invention and its creator, Percy Spencer. Learn about the technology used in creating the microwave and how curiosity can turn into great ideas that lead...

Discover the incredible story of an unlikely friendship that changed history in this week's episode. Join Abiola Afolayan, a former United Nations lawyer, as she tells us the story of how Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt made an impact on the UN and world peace. These two incredible women came from vastly different backgrounds and used their differences to create a lasting friendship that...

Have you ever wondered about the history in your own backyard? Or more specifically, the neighborhood surrounding you? This week, we explore the story of Sugar Hill, a neighborhood in Los Angeles that shares a common story with many places across the United States and beyond. Join Don Gavitte as he takes us on a journey to not that long ago, when urban development created problems we still face to...

What exactly is "history" and how do historians decide between fact and fiction? This week, we dive into the story of Leopold von Ranke—one of the most famous historians you may have never heard of. Join Joshua Zurbrick as he tells us the fascinating history of … well, history as we know it, and explore the beginnings of "scientific history"—an enormously important way of looking at stories from t...

Have you ever wondered why people say, "Put your thinking cap on"? Do you know what a "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is? Tune into this week's episode to find out! Join fashion historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell as she tells us the stylish stories behind fashion-inspired words and phrases people still use today. From mad hatters to forgetful actors, this episode will get you talking all about fashion. Ab...