iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

Part-Time Genius

Society EN ↓ 497 episodes

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Author

iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

Category

Society

Podcast website

www.iheart.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Who Invented the Hawaiian Shirt? And More Hawaii Secrets! 10.07.2026

Who knew there was so much to know about our 50th state? From ice caves hidden under a volcano, to the wonderful reason you should never bring pork to the windward side, to the kinda disgusting way parrotfish have shaped the islands’ landscape, Will and Mango are taking a dip into Hawaii’s history. Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15...

What Are Blue Zones? 07.07.2026

It’s a Part-Time Genius x Skyline Drive: How to Live Forever crossover episode! Places like Ikaria, Greece and Okinawa, Japan are said to hold the secret of longer, healthier life. But how did these so-called Blue Zones get discovered, and is their longevity power real or just a myth? What made them “blue”? (Spoiler, it has nothing to do with the ocean.) And why did the researche...

Did Lafayette Save America? with Nathan Hale! 03.07.2026

Sure, we know Lafayette as a street. And a college. And some of us know him as the charismatic Frenchman from Hamilton. But did you know he was France's richest orphan? And that his real name was Gilbert? And he might have been closer to George Washington than anyone really knew. Best-selling author Nathan Hale stops by to talk about his book Lafayette! and the man who inspired it. Download ...

We Got Milk… But Why? 30.06.2026

When did humans develop a taste for other animals’ milk, and how did dairy go from being a public health threat to a daily cereal topping? Why are some people lactose intolerant, while others chug milkshakes without a care in the world? Is A2 milk really better for you? And who’s behind those iconic milk ads? Grab a glass, because Will and Mango are serving up the answers—plus a...

Why Are We Obsessed with World Records? 26.06.2026

There’s a reason the Guinness Book of World Records keeps getting stolen from libraries! Learn just how hard it is to grow the world’s longest fingernails, why India’s lone records judge has the hardest job in the world, and how chainsawing apples out of your mouth can lead to glory. Featuring Dan Rollman. Download  SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to...

The Strangest Summer Festivals You NEED to Visit! 23.06.2026

Music festivals? Ho hum. This summer, treat yourself to a real adventure—like a super-gloopy mud festival, or the world’s greatest (and only, as far as we can tell) belly button festival. Download  SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG . This episode originally aired on June...

Do Dad Jokes Help Kids’ Brains? 19.06.2026

Happy Father’s Day! Will and Mango are celebrating with nine facts about dads, from the origin of the term “founding fathers” to the oldest dad on record. Download  SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG . This episode originally aired on June 16, 2018. Got a question o...

Where Did the Alphabet Come From? with Danny Bate! 16.06.2026

Why is Z the last letter of the English alphabet (and why do British people insist on calling it zed)? Who stuck a tail on C and called it G? And is there a reason why the I in ‘child’ and ‘children’ sounds different? (Spoiler alert: Yes!) Linguist Danny Bate stops by to unpack the mysteries of the alphabet and discuss his delightful new book, Why Q Needs U: A History of Ou...

Secrets of the FIFA World Cup 12.06.2026

Should goalies get more bathroom breaks? Can a daily banana basket help players feel less homesick? And did a North Korean dictator invent a secret technology to guarantee more wins? Gear up, because Will and Mango have nine strange-but-true facts about the biggest tournament in soccer (which some of you call football)! Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an ex...

Let's Travel to Indonesia! 09.06.2026

Want to know why Indonesian postal workers have one of the hardest jobs in the world? Or why the country is the best place to find new bird species? Or why it's an honor when someone makes you a tall glass of jammu? From the best types of fabric to throw into a volcano to make it stop erupting, to how to track a super-short Sasquatch, Will and Mango scour the country's 17,000+ islands to bring you...

Skyline Drive: Homecoming 07.06.2026

Skyline Drive season 2 starts June 9! Subscribe on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here, and we’ve reached the finale! Mangesh makes some trips to an old family home, a seaside town in South Goa,  and visits with a Tantric...

What's in Antarctica? (An ATM, for One Thing!) 05.06.2026

Antarctica has lots of penguins, but only one ATM. Will and Mango bundle up for this look at everyday life on the iciest continent, from the plumbing challenges to the reason why the South Pole moves every year. Featuring all-star Antarctica Artist-in-Residence Jynne Dilling Martin. EXCLUSIVE  NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! This...

What’s the Plural of Platypus? Plus More Platypus Facts! 02.06.2026

They’re nature’s biggest weirdo: adorable egg-laying mammals that can inflict some serious pain. Today Will and Mango drop nine facts about the platypus, including the actual correct pluralization (hint: it’s not what you think it is) and the time scientists were convinced its existence was a prank. Which, fair! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free no...

Skyline Drive: Chalta Hai 31.05.2026

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here, and we’re up to episode 7! Mangesh travels to India to find a horoscope written about him centuries ago and waiting for him in a shop in rural Tamil Nadu... but it isn't long before everything starts going wrong!  Skyline Drive was selected as an Apple Podc...

What's a Sousaphone, and Why Is It So Funny? 29.05.2026

Who invented the vuvuzela, and why? Should every party include a sousaphone? And is it possible to make music with vegetables? Today Will and Mango discuss 9 instruments they don't want their kids practicing inside the house! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! This episode originally aired on August 23, 2018. Photo via Wikimedi...

Were Real Ninjas Sneaky? 26.05.2026

Why did so many ninjas walk around with crickets? Why did they like to keep pocket change on them? And what does it mean when a ninja sends you a packet of dried fish? Today Will and Mango look to the past to distinguish ninja truths from ninja fiction! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! This episode originally aired on Novembe...

Skyline Drive: George and the Experience Treadmill 24.05.2026

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here, and we’re up to episode 6! As George navigates the Los Angeles dating scene, one thing keeps derailing his relationships: every girl he’s into is "too into astrology." Plus, Mangesh’s mom tells him about a bizarre curse that’s been plaguing his...

What Causes Tony Danza Syndrome? 22.05.2026

Tony Danza. Tony the Tiger. The Tonys. What do they have in common? (Look closely and you'll get it.) Today Will and Mango are sharing nine facts about people named Tony! EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Photo of Tony Danza via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at  https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com ....

Secrets of the Post Office! with Nancy Pope 19.05.2026

When Ben Franklin took over the USPS, he couldn’t have predicted the crazy ways the institution would evolve. From pneumatic tubes to missiles filled with mail, Will and Mango dig into the Post Office's weirdest experiments, and find out why Olympic athletes can no longer mail themselves home when they lose a wallet. Featuring Nancy Pope of the National Postal Museum. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal...

Skyline Drive: A Little More Asian Than I Thought 17.05.2026

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here, and we’re up to episode 5! As Annie attempts to clean out her parents’ garage and sort their finances, she has an unusual question for our astrologer. Meanwhile, Mangesh learns how astrology is affecting the world of C-sections, discusses reading babies' p...

Are Potatoes Dangerous? 15.05.2026

We bake them, fry them, mash them, and even turn them into toys, but potatoes weren't always so beloved. In fact, there was a time when they were considered such a threat to humanity, they were declared illegal! Today Will and Mango are serving up nine starch-tastic facts about the humble spud, from its long journey to our tables, to Ben Franklin's role as a potato influencer, to the ridiculous pa...

How to Tell When Someone Is Lying 12.05.2026

From ancient Chinese lie detection methods involving a mouthful of rice, to the clever ways toddlers and birds stretch the truth, to the surprisingly honest way that Charles Ponzi got his start in business, Will and Mango have a whole lot to say about lying (honestly!). EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! This episode originally...

Skyline Drive: BTS Grandpas 10.05.2026

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here!  We’re up to episode 4. Michelle’s friends are desperate to get her a reading. But Michelle, a devoted ARMY, is more interested in seeing what the future holds for BTS. Plus, we dig into baseball astrology and discover why you might want to swap your...

What’s the Story Behind the Dogs Playing Poker Painting? 08.05.2026

Cassius Marcellus Coolidge’s name isn’t widely known, but his painting of dogs playing poker (aka “A Friend in Need”) is iconic. Today we discover the truth about one of America’s most forgotten artists, from his early days in banking to his hijinks in the Freemasons. Plus: Why we love dogs and kitsch in art. Download  SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG...

What's the Best Way to Sit? (And Other Important Questions About Work) 05.05.2026

For all our schooling, no one ever taught us the best way to sit. Also, no one told us the ideal office temperature for maximum productivity. Or explained why cracking jokes might be helpful for elevating status in the workplace. And certainly none of our professors told us why writing in the nude is a great hack for hitting deadlines. To bridge these important educational gaps, today Will and Man...

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