Now That's Not A Very Interesting Podcast!

​Stitch through time in our grand season finale! In this episode, we trace the incredible evolution of a craft that shaped human civilization—journeying from the ancient bone needles of our ancestors to the revolutionary, mechanized roar of the modern Singer sewing machine. Whether you are a master tailor or just love a good historical yarn, grab your favorite thimble and join us as we weave toget...

After a prolonged absence due to personal health struggles, Craig Chapman returns to look at the future of the show. Craig pivots from sewing history to address a looping question: What's next? Discover upcoming plans for an interactive WhatsApp number, drama-free YouTube Live streams for outsiders, a potential new video show, and details on the upcoming Season 2 finale and the lukewarm launch of...

The Grip of Reality: Why Masking Tape Can’t Make Up Its Mind ​In this episode, Craig Chapman tackles the fickle world of pressure-sensitive adhesives. Why does one piece of masking tape fall off a jar of lentils immediately, while another becomes a permanent part of a cardboard box for fourteen years? We dive deep into the science of "tack," the liquid-solid mystery of viscoelasticity, and why the...

40 Degrees Celsius: The Various Types of Washing Machine Cycles ​In this episode, Craig Chapman takes a long, hard look at the laundry room’s most confusing wheel: the washing machine dial. From the "scorched earth" policy of a 90°C boil wash to the optimistic 15-minute sprint of the "Quick Wash," we break down what those symbols actually mean. We also dive into the mechanics of the soap drawer, e...

Dust off your safety goggles and clear the kitchen table as we investigate the slow dissolution of the classic 90s chemistry set. From the hazardous thrill of Copper(II) sulfate to the modern-day "safe" alternatives that are essentially just baking soda and food coloring, we’re dissecting how regulation and litigation changed the way we played with fire—literally! We also take a close listen to th...

Step into the kinetic arc of the utility cupboard as we break down the physics, the balance, and the undeniable satisfaction of the 16-ounce claw. From the polite "thud" of the rubber mallet to the surgical precision of the tack hammer, we’re exploring why hitting things correctly is a delicate dance of leverage. ​Our favorite Youtube transatlantic tinkerer, MericanMaker , returns to the workshop...

"A fly in the air is a masterpiece of aeronautical engineering. A fly on the ground is merely a wanderer in a polished desert." In this installment, Craig Chapman steps away from the utility cupboard to ponder a question of speculative biology: Could the Common House-Fly Survive Without Wings? From the logistical nightmare of finding glucose on a kitchen floor to the inevitable "looming response"...

​In this episode, Craig Chapman explores the humming, rotating heart of the modern kitchen. From Percy Spencer’s ruined chocolate bar in 1945 to the 340kg "Radarange" that stood as tall as a person, we trace the journey of an appliance that changed how we eat—mostly by making things lukewarm in the middle. ​ Featuring: ​ A Special Guest: Inventor and master of the workshop MericanMaker joins us fr...

First of all, my apologies for the late installment! Anyhow, in this latest episode; Craig Chapman sets aside a planned look into the History of the Thimble to reflect on the erosion of the domestic sanctuary that has been diluted by the dreaded topic if social media! From the quiet of his favorite sofa spot, Craig examines the divide between his pursuit of "historical belonging" and the relentles...

In this episode, Craig Chapman conducts a meticulous study of a 40cm x 3cm depression in the pavement outside his front gate. Following a standard rain event, we monitor the water's transition from a pristine, sky-reflecting mirror into a hypoxic biological soup. The discussion covers the precise four-stage timeline of stagnation—from initial oxygenation to the eventual arrival of the "wiggler"—an...

​In this 18th episode, Craig Chapman explores the unwavering honesty of the spirit level , a tool that remains the ultimate arbiter of truth in an inherently wonky world. From Melchisédech Thévenot’s 17th-century discovery that alcohol (spirits) makes for a better bubble-vessel than water, to the modern use of fluorescent fluorescein to provide that signature radioactive glow, Craig tracks the jou...

In this episode, Craig Chapman returns from a necessary three-week recalibration period to explore the structural majesty of the world’s most common brown rectangle. After a brief, structurally sound apology for his absence and a moving observation of a bathtub-dwelling spider, Craig peels back the layers of the corrugated cardboard box. We journey from the sweat-prone Victorian gentlemen who wore...

In this transitional announcement, Craig Chapman discusses the necessity of intentional stillness and the structural integrity of a quiet departure after observing a puddle’s successful evaporation. Craig explains that he is stepping away from the microphone to recalibrate his internal levels and address a persistent digestive biscuit crumb on his desk; however, due to the importance of accuracy a...

In this episode of Now That’s Not A Very Interesting Podcast, Craig Chapman turns his attention to the horticultural underbelly to investigate the acoustic habits of the common garden snail. Do they produce a miniature ruckus when they retreat into their calcium-carbonate shells, or is the garden truly as silent as it appears? Craig explores the mechanics of the pneumostome and the structural inte...

In this installment of Now That’s Not A Very Interesting Podcast , Craig Chapman explores the acoustic purgatory known as "Please Hold" music. Have you ever wondered why a billionaire corporation forces you to listen to a flute solo recorded through a tin can? Craig breaks down the technical "Audio Mulch" created by frequency clipping and pays homage to the unsung heroes of MIDI synthesizers. ​We...

Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of Now That’s Not A Very Interesting Podcast . To celebrate the start of 2026, host Craig Chapman dives into the thrillingly static world of the bivalve mollusk. While most people see a seafood starter, Craig sees a masterclass in biological engineering and antisocial behavior. ​In this episode, we analyze the Byssal Threads (nature’s answer to the industrial glue...

We’re back... for some reason. They said it couldn't be done. They said, "Please, Craig, don't do it." But we didn't listen. Now That's Not a Very Interesting Podcast returns for a second season of deep dives into the delightfully mundane, the oddly specific, and the stories that are just "okay" enough to keep you listening. Join host Craig Chapman as he explores more topics that occupy that stran...

​ Now That's Not A Very Interesting Podcast - Christmas Special ​Hold onto your Santa hats, listeners! We are deviating from our normally uninteresting routine for a slightly more engaging (but still moderately dull) Christmas special: The Strange Science of Christmas! ​Join us as we explore the mild neurological reasons behind our festive feelings, including: ​Why the smell of cinnamon and pine i...

This week​, Craig takes a deep dive into the most predictable structural failure in global trade: the shipping container. ​We ignore the thrilling drama of cargo pirates and instead focus on the chemical inevitability of decay . This episode analyzes Corten steel, the supposedly "self-healing" material designed to resist corrosion, and why that system fails catastrophically when introduced to simp...

​This week, host Craig Chapman turns his analytical focus toward the ultimate structure: The Dictionary. This episode ignores the literary merit and instead analyzes the dictionary as a colossal, yet perpetually flawed, organizational system. ​We break down the historical chaos of inconsistent spelling and definition, and examine Samuel Johnson's monumental 18th-century attempt to lock the languag...

Host Craig Chapman returns to analyze the quiet, mathematical perfection of the barcode. This episode dissects how a system of simple parallel lines replaced human error and brought systematic order to global commerce. ​We look at why the first designs failed, how the thick and thin lines translate into quick data, and celebrate the barcode's true hero: the Safety Number . Learn why this final, hi...

Are you paying extra for structural failure? ​In this episode, host Craig Chapman takes his analytical gaze to the bathroom cabinet to conduct a thorough, dry analysis of Toilet Paper Plies . ​We dissect the functional reality behind the layers. Why does 1-ply have an unacceptable tensile strength failure rate? Why is 2-ply the perfect engineered solution for load distribution ? ​More importantly,...

In this episode of Now That’s Not a Very Interesting Podcast, we dive deep into a surprisingly colourful world — the various grout colours of public toilets. From dull greys to mysterious yellows, we explore what these shades might say about maintenance, age, and the strange psychology of cleanliness. It’s an oddly fascinating journey through the tiled underbelly of everyday life — proving once ag...

In this episode of Now That’s Not A Very Interesting Podcast, we tackle one of life’s least pressing questions: how fast does grass actually grow? From blades to boredom, we explore the surprisingly slow science behind your lawn’s quiet determination. Spoiler: it’s not exactly thrilling, but it’s greener than you think. #Podcast #ComedyPodcast #FunFacts #WeirdScience #NatureNerd #LawnLife #SlowGro...

On this episode of Now That's Not A Very Interesting Podcast!, we're taking a look into the surprisingly complex world of the office paper clip. From the humble Gem clip to the more decorative butterfly clip! We'll explore the history, design, and a few truly bizarre varieties of this everyday office staple. You'll never look at a paper clip the same way again.