Miss Information: A Trivia Podcast

We're all about nostalgia lately at Miss Information, so time to throw back all the way to Episode 8, to return to a topic we know and love: Strange Animals! Get your fill of our cute, weird, and gross animal friends that swim, scurry, and fly. Later take a quiz on creatures in film, literature, and folklore! . . . [Music: 1) Gowan, "(You're A) Strange Animal," 1985; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Soul...

We're joined by Nathan Walker, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in the United States Navy, and his wonderful wife Kerrie for this whale of an episode. Nathan has served in the "Silent Service" aboard submarines for more than 15 years; he patiently answers all of our questions about life underwater while giving us a detailed history of the U.S. Submarine Force. Later, enjoy a quiz called "The Submariner's...

Hello, and welcome to Mister Information– an offshoot trivia podcast for gents [and ladies] who kind of enjoy trivia but also sticking it to annoying teams at pub quiz.  In this very special episode, Steve and Josh examine two in-demand pantry staples: beans and rice. Actually, it's not so much "rice" as it is "the films of Wes Anderson". There's a connection there, really! Then, a new segment ent...

Our recent sojourn to the Windy City reminded Julia about the brilliant writer/producer/director John Hughes-- so allow yourself to be transported to the suburbs of Chicago to recall some of the greatest coming-of-age comedy films from the 1980s-1990s. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Pretty in Pink"! . . . [Music: 1) Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)," 2010; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,”...

Salevete! Travel back with us to the Roman Empire to discover the Original Bad Boy of the Pax Romana: Caligula. Learn all about his weirdo proclivities, his god status, and his hated nickname. Later, take a quiz on shoes called "Little Boots"! . . . [Music: 1) Little Boots, "New in Town," 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

PRESS START! This week, Julia visits one of the most heavily-trafficked collections in the archives at The Strong to give you the rundown on pioneering video game company Atari. We'll talk video arcades, famous games, the shift to home consoles, and of course, the Video Game Crash of 1983. Dig out those spare tokens you have in your junk drawer-- we're going to the arcade! Later, enjoy a quiz call...

It's a Series of Series again here on Miss Information! Today, immerse yourself in the high fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien's universe of men, hobbits, elves, and dwarves--and finally learn who is The Lord of the Rings! Later, test yourself with a quiz on rings!  Enjoime!  [...That's Elvish for "Enjoy!"] . . . [Music: 1) Leonard Nimoy, "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins," 1968; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls...

This week's topic goes under the microscope as Julia presents the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known organisms. [Get ready to be hyper -aware of what's going on inside your body.] We discuss organelles, cell division, types of cells in humans, and much more. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Cell Block Tango"! . . . [Music: 1) John C. Reilly, "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago, 20...

Yeah yeah, you know about the chicken wings and the snow and the football team...but what's the  real  story about that Queen City on the Lake? Today, learn all about the blue collar town with the chip on its shoulder: Buffalo, NY! Later, take a quiz on Rust Belt cities, and bask in the flat "A's" of Lauren's Northern Lakes accent! . . . [Music: 1) Scott Kemper, "Shout" (Buffalo Bills so...

If you're a very important person with many leather-bound books [and especially if your apartment smells of rich mahogany], then this episode is for you. Julia presents many of the annual literary medals, prizes, and awards, along with their most recent winners. Later, enjoy a quiz called "And the First Runner Up..."! . . . [Music: 1) Les Hayden, "Book on a Shelf," 2017. Courtesy of Les Hayden, CC...

For this pre-Valentine's Day episode, we're joined by special guest Shea Henry, chocolate enthusiast [and curator at the Maple Ridge Museum in British Columbia, Canada]. Shea covers the history of chocolate in detail--so grab yourself some snacking chocolate for the full sensory experience. Later, enjoy (!!!) a quiz called "Is It Chocolate... Or Is It Poop?" . . . [Music: 1) Christina Aguilera, "C...

Class is in session again! Continue your entry-level education in museum work with more museum terminology and some worldwide examples of science museums! Later, take a quiz on zoo animals [because zoos-- are-- museums]! . . . [Music: 1) Alvin Silvestri, "Night at the Museum," 2006; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Ever wonder what actually happened during that infamous "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" [which seems to pop up in trivia situations a lot more than you'd expect]? Don't worry, Pardnuh , Julia's wobblin' jaw has you covered. We skedaddle over to Tombstone, Arizona to discuss the events of October 26, 1881 at 3:00pm [...and you know what that means...]. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Um, Actually..."! ....

Somehow, we've spent 2.5 years on this podcast and haven't yet covered museums! Shame on us. Today's ep gives you everything you ever wanted to know about museums and museum work, but were afraid to ask. Later, take a quiz about the things people collect! . . . [Music: 1) Jim Dale, "The Museum Song," 1992; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

And now for something completely different... Julia journeys all the way to Shaolin [a.k.a Staten Island] to become better versed in a hip-hop group about which she previously knew nothing: the world-famous Wu-Tang Clan. Learn about the members, their early history, famous albums and songs, and a lot of Wu-Tang trivia along the way. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Leggo My Logo!" . . . [Music: 1) Lobo...

*Whew*! We're free from the holiday season [and concurrent theme months], so let's start the new year off with a good old-fashioned episode about Agatha Christie! Learn all about her life, mysterious disappearance, and her famous character with a magnificent mustache. Later, grab some fries and some beard balm and take a quiz on Belgium and facial hair styles! . . . [Music: 1) Christopher Gunning,...

We end the remarkably uplifting [/sarcasm] month of *DICTATOR DECEMBER* with a look at the first European head of state to ever be prosecuted for genocide and war crimes: Serbian nationalist Slobodan Milošević. Come with us on a journey to Yugoslavia and the Balkan States as we cover the Bosnian War. Later, have a much grander time with a quiz called "New Year, New YOU-goslavia!" . . . [Music: 1)...

It's a Holiday in Cambodia with our penultimate episode in Dictator December! Discover the complexities of the Indochina Wars, the Vietnam War, and the mysteries of Cambodian Dictator Pol Pot. Later, soothe your soul with a quiz on vacation destinations! . . . [Music: 1) Dead Kennedys, "Holiday in Cambodia," 1980; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license...

You'll probably want a daiquiri or mojito after this episode about longtime Cuban "leader"--he wouldn't call himself a dictator--Fidel Castro. Learn about guerilla warfare in Cuba, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro's dairy obsession, and more. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Havana Ooh Na Na (Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye)!" . . . [Music: 1) Steam, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," 1969; 2)...

Are you ready for more Dictator Data? This week, get into the Spanish spirit with our episode on Francisco Franco. Learn all about the Spanish Civil War, Franco's role in WWII, and more! Later, cleanse your brain with a quiz on San Francisco and Famous Franks! . . . [Music: 1) Judy Garland, "San Francisco," 1962; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license....

It's the start of *DICTATOR DECEMBER*! This week, Julia covers Very Bad Person™ Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Learn how this poor boy from Georgia [...the country...] became one of the most feared leaders of the 20th century. Later, please enjoy a quiz on a completely different topic: "Universally Adored Humans"! . . . [Music: 1) Peter Ily...

*Content warning: Cannibalism* Oh, did you enjoy Gorge Day in the U.S.? For this Black Friday special, we're joined in-studio by three of the coolest librarians covering a topic by which we're all truly fascinated: cannibalism. Cassie Guthrie, Beth Merkle, and Laura Osterhout are here to tease their December 13th fundraiser event in the Rochester area: Christmas with the Donner Party: A History Ha...

For total RPG newbies like Julia and Lauren, this episode with listener (and Dungeon Master!) Jamie Kusack totally opened our eyes. Learn all about how to create your character and go on an adventure in America's most popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. Later, enjoy a quiz about... well, dungeons and dragons! . . . [Music: 1) No More Kings, "Critical Hit," 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Asce...

All rise...it's an episode about the Queen Bey herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter! Take a trip down memory lane with great pop-culture info about Destiny's Child, the career of Beyoncé, and some piping hot celebrity gossip. Later, test your knowledge with a quiz about bees! . . . [Music: 1) Beyoncé, "Countdown," 2011; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 licens...

Take a deep cleansing breath as you prepare to learn about the world's third largest religion. Julia covers the aims of human life, major Hindu texts, the caste system, Hindu deities, and [best of all] festivals. Later, enjoy a quiz called "A Passage to India"! . . . [Music: 1) Veena Kinhal, "Haratanaya Sree," 2009. Public domain license. 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Ho...