Question of the Day

With 130 ships, the Spanish Armada was intimidating, but not as nimble or technologically advanced as England's Royal Navy. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika talk about the 1588 event that you might remember learning about in history class. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Known to pop music fans as the producer of three Michael Jackson albums, Quincy Jones started his career as a jazz trumpet player with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika explore Q's wide-ranging influence in music, television, and movies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti? In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika explore everything you've ever wanted to know about the cactus, which are native to the Americas but now found around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know Portuguese is the most commonly spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere? Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast as they dive into the history of the Portuguese language. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paper has its origins in the papyrus plant, in more ways than one. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika trace the fascinating history of paper, going back nearly 5,000 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why should influencers on Instagram and YouTube give thanks to Andy Warhol? Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast as they discuss how Warhol seamlessly blended commerce and art throughout his multi-faceted career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Depending on which story you read, Odysseus was either a great leader and communicator, or he was cunning and unscrupulous. In this Flashcast episode, Murray and Tamika discuss why authors and archeologists alike have been fascinated with stories about the legendary ancient Greek. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perhaps best known for the novel A Room with a View, English author E. M. Forster often wrote about themes of human connection. Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast as they dive into the influence of Forster's writings and how his works have been adapted for the stage and screen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

La Marseillaise, O Canada, The Star-Spangled Banner: Most countries around the world have a national anthem. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss common themes found in these national songs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The late basketball hero Kobe Bryant chose his nickname "Black Mamba" for a reason. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss the world's fastest snake, the extremely venomous Black Mamba of southern and eastern Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Suez Canal in Egypt has played a big role in shaping the modern economy. Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast as they discuss why the opening of the Suez Canal was so important, what the Suez Crisis of 1956 was all about, and how countries from around the world became involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Critics didn't think much of the blockbuster '80s movie Top Gun, but audiences loved it. Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast and discover some fun facts about Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and the rest of the crew. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of Pope John Paul I, the first pope of the 20th century, is fascinating. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika explore Albino Luciani's path from cardinal to pope and discuss why he only served for 33 days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glaciers are so powerful, they quite literally move the earth around. Join Murray and Tamika in today's Flashcast as they discuss the different types of glaciers, how they work, and why they're so important. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Located nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu has been well preserved over the centuries. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss the importance of this archeological site in the Andes Mountains, once home to an Inca emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You could call them The Power Twins. In ancient Greece, the deities Artemis and Apollo were highly revered siblings. In this Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss what made the twins of Greek mythology so special. (Bonus: we also learn the name of Murray's fifth grade crush!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For hundreds of years, samurai were members of a powerful military caste in feudal Japan, up until the late 1800s. What happened? In this Flashcast, Murray and Tamika explore the ways of the samurai and how their traditions continue today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that the author of The Princess Bride also wrote the award-winning movie scripts for All the President's Men and Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid? Inconceivable! In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss William Goldman and his many memorable lines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sun is big. REAL big. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika take you back to science class as they explore all the basics about the sun that you probably learned at one point, but have since forgotten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Opening in 1937, the world famous Golden Gate Bridge almost wasn't built. In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika dive into the history of the bridge, the involvement of the railroads, and the number of cars Murray had to compete with the last time he tried to cross it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best known for its "Hallelujah" chorus, George Frideric Handel's Messiah is considered one of the greatest musical works of all time. But why? In this Flashcast, Murray and Tamika discuss the history of the work and the tradition of standing during its powerful chorus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know The Great Sphinx was buried up to its shoulders until the 1800s? In today's Flashcast, Murray and Tamika dive into little-known facts about the famous structure, its Greek influence, and what it might have looked like centuries ago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We'll bet you didn't know that an ostrich's eyeball is the largest of all land animals. If you like that bit of trivia, you'll love today's Flashcast, in which Murray and Tamika discuss all sorts of fun facts about the quirky flightless bird known as the ostrich. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In some ways, George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984 accurately forecasted the future, and the author influenced a generation of writers. In this Flashcast, Murray and Tamika dive into everything Orwellian, including his birth name and who might have funded the Animal Farm cartoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's no wonder pandas love bamboo: it's extremely versatile and holds the record for fastest growing plant AND world's tallest grass. In this Flashcast, Murray and Tamika explore all kinds of facts about the plants that were once growing in Murray's backyard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.