Alex Schmidt

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Society EN ↓ 322 episodes

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Author

Alex Schmidt

Episodes

Pangolins 24.02.2025 1:03:33

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pangolins are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

The Cool S 17.02.2025 1:07:17

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Sequoia Holmes explore why "the cool S" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

programming note: no new episode this week, so Alex can recuperate 10.02.2025 2:01

Programming note: Alex got sick and is resting up. No SIF episode this week. New SIF episode next week. And thanks for your kind patience. Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Accordions 03.02.2025 1:09:17

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why accordions are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Nighthawks (1942) 27.01.2025 1:10:08

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the painting "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper is secretly incredibly fascinating. (Here's a direct link to see the painting: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/111628/nighthawks ) Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unloc...

Cheddar Cheese 20.01.2025 1:05:01

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Ben Partridge explore why cheddar cheese is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Computer Mice 13.01.2025 1:06:55

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why computer mice are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Road Atlases 06.01.2025 1:06:36

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why road atlases are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

a holiday hello, and a live episode about weasels! 30.12.2024 4:40

Happy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello. Please also enjoy a full new SIF episode in bonus feeds. And see you in 2025! To hear that live London episode, all about weasels, support us and grab your bonus feeds at maximumfun.org/join Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Christmas Trees 23.12.2024 1:06:35

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Christmas trees are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Antidisestablishmentarianism 16.12.2024 1:04:43

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why antidisestablishmentarianism is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Limes 09.12.2024 57:37

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why limes are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Sign Languages 02.12.2024 1:11:33

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why sign languages are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

presenting "The Inspectors Inspectors" Episodes 1-3 25.11.2024 8:03

Hello and happy U.S. Thanksgiving Week! We are thrilled to share the first 3 episodes of "The Inspectors Inspectors", our unique bizarre recap podcast for the TV show funded and produced by the U.S. Postal Service. Hear the show by supporting SIF at https://maximumfun.org/join . SIFpod and "The Inspectors Inspectors" exist because of the generosity of Maximum Fun members. THANK YOU to everyone who...

Turkeys 18.11.2024 55:43

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why turkeys are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

"O.K." 11.11.2024 1:09:21

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "O.K." is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Apollo 17 04.11.2024 1:05:55

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Apollo 17 is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Burritos 28.10.2024 1:10:42

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why burritos are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Diabetes 21.10.2024 55:25

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guests Dave Holmes and Craig Stubing explore why diabetes is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Halloween Costumes 14.10.2024 1:06:00

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Halloween costumes are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

The Mona Lisa 07.10.2024 1:04:59

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guests Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara explore why The Mona Lisa is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Renaissance Faires 30.09.2024 1:00:03

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Renaissance faires are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Pachelbel's Canon 23.09.2024 1:01:57

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Pachelbel's Canon is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

Salt Mines 16.09.2024 1:08:53

Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why salt mines are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod

U.S. Minor Outlying Islands 09.09.2024 1:07:37

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the United States Minor Outlying Islands are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joinsifpod