Fascinating Nouns

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...

The San Diego Chicken is the alter-ego of former KGB Radio intern Ted Giannoulas. Originally created for a radio promotion in the mid 70's, Ted managed to take a 2 week ad and make it last 43 years. Not only that, but Ted is credited as being the first professional sports mascot. Being first does not always translate to the best, but not only did Ted create a national phenomenon, but he became the...

You know of my love for zombies, and it turns out fungus are no exception. There are actually several types of fungi that are parasitic towards insects, but none more devious than the killer Cordyceps. This genus can manipulate the movements of the ant once infected! When the ant dies, the fungus reproduces by sprouting a large sporing column out of the back of the ants head!

I have been fascinated with fungus since I was a wee little tyke. I think it started with Egon Spangler cited collecting spores, molds, and fungus as his favorite hobby. My grandmother was notorious for cutting the mold off cheese and proclaiming "It's fine!". Well, it wasn't fine. Actually it was safe to eat, but what she didn't realize what that the mold had infiltrated the entirety of block of...

Mark Barbour over International Print Museum Mark Barbour is the Founding Curator and Executive Director of the International Print Museum in Carson, CA. He is also an incredibly gifted historian, one who has dedicated his life to the preservation of the greatest gift to humanity: The Printing Press. This device allowed the proliferation of knowledge through the world, and single-handedly ushered...

The printing press is considered the greatest invention in humanity's history. This man is a master of it. That alone would be amazing, but it should also be noted that this invention is over 500 years old. It is this antiqued method that Kevin Bradley has chosen as his medium for artistic expression. He calls himself "The Van Gogh of this shit". I call him the Pope of the Church of Type.

People closest to me know I only drape myself in the finest of fabrics. Obviously velvet is on the top of that list. This is a fabric so seductive, so often touched, that it is incessantly mislabeled "felt". Believe it or not, there is a better use for this silky textile besides feeling and wearing; as a canvas for the creation of stunning artwork. Carl Baldwin, along with his business partner Car...

Who hasn't, at some point, wanted to rule their own country? From the time we are kids, we are declaring our rooms off limits to both parents, and the opposite sex. We create vast pillow and blanket based infrastructure, culminating in the most grand fort ever built...with sofa cushions. There are of course those among the human race who become dictators by manipulating their country's political s...

The ancient art of Bonsai goes back generations. Some describe the art as requiring the delicate hands of a sculptor, one who knows that his creation will outlive him by generations. Others describe the practice as Machiavellian, whereby harmful tactics of manipulation are employed in order to force the miniature tree, and therefore nature itself, to bend to the master's will. Whichever side you f...

In this bonus episode, Caroline and I discuss the importance of tip protectors, pencil extenders, as well as the hazards of over-sharpening.

Caroline Weaver is to pencils what Hank Hill was to propane. Her appreciation of the a 400 year old technology is eclipsed only by her success in selling her niche wares. Her store CW Pencil Enterprise sells hundreds of pencils and pencil related accessories. We discussed the specifications of her life-sized pencil tattoo, the historical importance of the Blackwing 602 & the Mogul 482, and the def...

Most everyone in the world has heard of Tetris, the Cold War era video game imported into the United States from the Soviet Union. American Jonas Neubauer is the most prolific Tetris champion of all time, having won the Tetris Championship 5 times in the last 6 years. We discuss his training regimen, his "Unfair Advantages", a magical god-like man named Thor, and the "Lil Hyper Tap".

Taryn 2 crop Taryn Harper Wright is a force for right when it comes to exposing and busting internet hoaxes. She mainly stays focused on Cancer Catfishing, a term I totally just made up right now. There is a group of people out there that pretend to have Cancer, and create an elaborate cyberworld in order to gain sympathy from others. Taryn has a unique ability to sniff out the imposters, and shin...

If you love puppets, then I have a piece of history for you this week. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is the longest running marionette theater in the United States. In 2009, The theater was deemed a historical land mark by the City of Los Angeles. How incredible is that? Mr. Bob Baker handcrafted thousands of puppets, and performed for over 8 decades. After his passing, Alex Evans took over as...

Lila Higgins is an entomology expert at the National History Museum in Los Angeles. She is also a soldier with, Zombee Watch: A citizen scientist organization who's purpose is to track the Apocephalus borealis AKA the Zombie Fly. We discuss The zombie fly in depth, as well as Vorroa mites and tracheal mites. These critters are akin to a sci-fi horror movie, so listen with caution!

President Keith Roberts of The Valley Hive is the top guy at the Los Angeles County Beekeepers Association. Here is their action statement: Our primary purpose is the care and welfare of the honeybee. We achieve this through education of ourselves and the general public, supporting honeybee research, and practicing responsible beekeeping in an urban environment. I have been looking forward to this...

Groundhog day is my absolute favorite holiday. There really isn't anything like it. Despite it's German history, it is a truly American holiday. Every Febuary 2nd., Pres. Deeley walks up to Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney PA, knocks on Phil's door with his magical cane, and then Phil gives The Proclamation: Either an Early Spring, or 6 more weeks of winter. Why Pres. Deeley? Well, Punxsutawney Phil...