Part-Time Genius

From Wonder Bread's worst idea to the greatest sandwich to ever emerge from a Ramada Inn, Will and Mango celebrate the handiest food of all time. Featuring Lauren Vogelbaum from FoodStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America spends over $700 billion on the US Military. But where does that money go? And as long as Will and Mango are talking about the military, they try to figure out: Does a golf course count as a military base? What’s the most fun night on a submarine? And is Bob Ross’ calm demeanor all thanks to his military training? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See...

Why are Lego fans so into "Swooshability?" Did a single giant banana really help Manchester City fans regain their love for the sport? And can windmill fans and members of the Roundabout Appreciation Society ever get along? From Cheeseheads to Potterheads, Sherlockians to Beliebers, Will and Mango take you into the superfun, strange and curious world of fandoms. Learn more about your ad-choices at...

There are the things you accidentally bury, and then there’s everything on this list. Will, Mango and Gabe discuss the weirdest facts they've unearthed about things that have been unearthed. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From monkey lifehacks, to Victorian shame about bananas to why slipping on a peel became the go-to gag, Will and Mango are ready to dish on the Cavendish. Featuring the International Banana Club’s Top Banana, Ken Bannister. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something isn't working. American prisons are overcrowded and relapse rates are high. But why is Norway so good at helping the incarcerated become productive citizens again? And can taking away the walls and guards help? Plus, the ingenious scam Bernie Madoff pulled off in prison! (Spoiler: It involves hot chocolate.) Featuring Doran Larson. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpo...

Whether you’re covertly adding to a New Hampshire sock collection or crocheting a pair of knockers in your spare time, there are all sorts of ways to give back. Will, Gabe and Mango put a spotlight on some unusual charity work in this bonus episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scanners that allow people to type with their mind; fresh memories that can be implanted into mice; and an immersive video game that helps people regain motor control by teaching them to be... dolphins?! Computer implants are getting weirder, and already changing the world in ways you can’t imagine. Featuring John Krakauer, MD from BLAM labs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartp...

Are sneakers in the classroom bad for your education? Should schools keep investing in janitors? And why does no one do homework anymore? Join Will and Mango on an Open House of the World's Best Schools (and what works in building a better pupil.) Featuring reporter Lauren Camera. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Sometimes you find facts about rich people. Sometimes you find facts about Sigourney Weaver. But rarely will you find both in one place. In this exclusive, never-been done before feat, the team presents 9 facts about rich people and/or Sigourney Weaver. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango dig deep into the Cola Wars: from the official soda of the KKK, to the time Coke tried to convince Eisenhower to create a new currency, to the very best soda named after Jesus (not that Jesus). Featuring John Nese of Galco’s Soda Pop Stop. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us have given Facebook, Amazon, Google and Twitter a lot of information. These companies know what you search, where you live and what shows you hate-watch with your friends. But what exactly do they know about your life off-line? The answer might shock you. Featuring Ben Bowlin and Matt Frederick from Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihear...

Here’s what happens when wild fact-finders are accidentally released into a supermarket… Join us for a bonus Fact-Off, featuring Researcher Gabe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Billy Bookcase to the air conditioner, the gramophone to the stacks of paper we needed for the Guttenberg press to work, history is filled with important-but-overlooked inventions. Will and Mango spend this episode giving some less glamorous ideas their due (did you know a bag of concrete is one of the best weapons against poverty?). Featuring a big assist from economist Tim Harford. Lear...

The Westminster Kennel Club show is America’s second oldest continuous sporting event! But are there any shortcuts to entering Fido and taking home some hardware? Will and Mango look for easy tricks as they study the “Michelangelo of Poodle Groomers,” decipher how to get an obscure breed recognized, and question why there are separate bathrooms for male and female dogs at the shows. Featuring phot...

If you want to construct a theme park, there are some big questions to answer: do you want to create a theme park or an amusement park (there’s a difference!) Also, how many Santa Clauses do you want on hand? (Important.) And what do you need to do to be more eccentric than Walt Disney (Start by picking a favorite juice, and then acting irrationally when people don’t want to drink it.) Featuring a...

Sure, invisibility is about Harry Potter cloaks and invisible inks. But it’s so much more than that, too! From the way butterflies see a secret world of light that humans can’t, to the reason polar bears are completely undetectable to infrared cameras, there’s a whole big world you ought to hear about… even if you can’t see it. Featuring author Bob Berman. Learn more about your ad-choices at https...

People always say money is the root of evil. But are you 100% certain it isn’t Pizza? Will and Mango take a deep dive into a shallow dish (more of a pan really) to discuss pizza wars, mafia ties, and why the proper term for a pizza rat in Australia is a Charlie Cheese. Featuring Scott Weiner from Scott’s Pizza Tours. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omny...

We’re tired of the news cycle. You might be too… Join us for a little bonus Fact-Off, featuring our head research Gabe Luzier. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know what day Garfield hates. But what’s the best day to avoid a bank robbery? And when can you get the freshest sushi? And why are there 7 days in a week, anyway? Will and Mango dive into your calendars, and emerge with some pretty surprising answers. Featuring author Melissa Heckscher. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for...

If you’re looking for the Bad Boys of plant life, look no further! Will and Mango discover squirting cucumbers, dynamite trees, and salacious orchids that have ruined more than one wasp's marriage. Plus, we’ll tackle the origins of the guerrilla gardening movement and chat up Trevor Jones, head gardener of The Poison Garden. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com...

Dinosaurs and Other Failures! Uncreative Writing! Tree Climbing! There are plenty of classes out there that would have mom and dad scratching their heads and wondering why they're paying so much on tuition. Will and Mango dive into the course catalog to find the craziest, funniest and most specific classes they can, and try to figure out what's actually getting taught. Featuring Kenneth Goldsmith...

From tips from a 122-year old rap star, to the latest research on how many eggs a week is too many (80 eggs a week is probably too many), Will and Mango dig into the most recent science on longevity and investigate the best ways to hit the triple digits. Featuring Howard Friedman of the Longevity Project. And special celebrity guest, Mamaw. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod...

We know you're prepared for next week's eclipse: You know where you'll be viewing the event from. You've ordered your special glasses. You've even on top of your appetizer game (Eclipse chips and dips are a MUST!) But if you haven't planned for the awkward small talk, Will and Mango have you covered with plenty of weird, quirky and fun facts to have on hand in this week's bonus edition. Learn more...

Will and Mango push aside the Fyrkantigs and Grönkulla, to hunt for IKEA’s secrets. Want to know why it considers 'air' the enemy? Or why IKEA cafeteria prices are really a Jedi mind-trick? Or how cheap the billionaire founder really is? (Spoiler: pretty cheap.) Featuring author Grady Hendrix, and STDWYTK’s Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnet...