Things I Learned Last Night

In 2010, cybersecurity experts uncovered a computer virus unlike anything seen before. This malware did not target personal computers or steal private data. Instead, it quietly sabotaged industrial machines, changing how the world thinks about cyber warfare. That computer virus, Stuxnet, is still felt today. Unlike most malware, Stuxnet was designed for one specific mission. It targeted highly spe...

In the late 1990s, a strange housing experiment unfolded in Rhode Island. It was not advertised or permitted. It existed quietly inside a busy shopping mall. This hidden space, known as the secret mall apartment, was built by artist Michael Townsend. What began as an art protest turned into one of the most unusual living experiments ever documented. To protest the mall, Townsend and friends planne...

This episode is a full look back at one of the wildest years in the history of the show. Tim and Jaron revisit their favorite moments, hardest laughs, and most unhinged conversations from the past year, all in one highlight-packed episode. From accidental reveals and bizarre school assemblies to cursed AI conversations and legendary debates, this episode pulls together the clips listeners still qu...

The podcast tells the story of Kevin McCallister, a young boy who gets accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas trip to France. While home alone, Kevin has to fend off two burglars called the “Wet Bandits,” who are trying to rob his house. Kevin sets up creative booby traps like heating doorknobs, putting ornaments by windows, and greasing the stairs to stop the bandits. The ba...

In the early morning hours of August 17, 1949, a passenger train derailed near the town of Matsukawa in northern Japan. At first, the crash appeared to be a tragic accident, but investigators quickly discovered clear signs of sabotage. Bolts had been removed from the tracks, and the rails had been deliberately bent, making derailment unavoidable. That single event became known as the Matsakawa inc...

Strange messages can shake even the strongest people. That is what happened in a small Michigan town when an Unknown Number began sending cruel texts to two young teens. What seemed like simple bullying slowly grew into something darker. This is the true story of how a community faced fear, confusion, and betrayal. All because of an Unknown Number. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational com...

The Apollo 13 mission began as a routine trip to the moon. At first, many people barely paid attention. NASA had already reached the moon twice by then. But everything changed when an explosion put three astronauts in danger. What started as a quiet mission soon became one of the most dramatic rescue efforts in space history. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best...

The story of Sarma Melngailis is one of ambition, success, and a shocking scam that pulled her entire world apart. It begins with a bold dream in New York City and ends with a cross-country chase, unpaid employees, and millions of dollars missing. This tale shows how even the brightest people can be pulled into something they never expected. Before any scam touched her life, Sarma Melngailis built...

The bat bomb was one of the most unusual ideas to emerge from the World War II era. It mixed wildlife, explosive science, and creative military strategy. This unusual weapon did not gain fame, yet it reveals how far nations will go during war. Today, we can look back and learn from its wild history. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim...

For decades, China has stood as one of the most powerful nations on earth. At the center of that rise stands one man, Xi Jinping. His story isn’t just about politics; it’s about power, control, and the transformation of an entire country. Understanding how Xi Jinping came to lead modern China gives us a glimpse into how influence and ideology can reshape the world. Things I Learned Last Night is a...

When Lydia Fairchild applied for child support in 2002, she thought it was a routine process. She was a young mother of two, pregnant with her third child, and wanted to ensure help from her children’s father. But what began as paperwork turned into one of the strangest legal and scientific mysteries in modern history: the case of Lydia Fairchild and her DNA. To confirm paternity, officials reques...

In the late 1990s, a man named Jeffrey Allen Manchester earned a strange nickname: the Roofman. His crime spree would go down as one of the most unusual and oddly polite series of robberies in American history. What started with a few break-ins quickly turned into a coast-to-coast pattern of fast-food heists, most often targeting McDonald’s restaurants. The Roofman’s method was simple but clever....

When most people think of baseball legends, they imagine home runs, golden gloves, and towering trophies. But Billy Beane became a legend not because of his swing—but because of his brain. The story behind Moneyball shows how one man’s data-driven strategy forever changed how baseball teams build winning rosters. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron...

In 1971, the unthinkable happened. Theo Albrecht was kidnapped outside his office in Germany. The crime was led by Heinz Joachim Ollenburg, a dishonest lawyer with a gambling problem, and an accomplice named Paul Kron, a former safe-cracker. Their motivation was simple: money. They knew Theo Albrecht and Aldi were worth billions and believed ransom would make them rich. The plan, however, was a di...

In 1976, a student pilot named Rafael Perez took off on what was supposed to be a simple solo flight from Mexico City. The plan was to circle a nearby lake, make a brief landing in an open field, and return to the airport. It was meant to last about an hour. But something went very wrong. Moments after takeoff, Rafael Perez disappeared from radar. Air traffic controllers couldn’t contact him. Hour...

The 1980s and 1990s were filled with slogans warning kids to “just say no.” At the center of this effort was the Dare program, a nationwide campaign that claimed to stop young people from falling into drug abuse. But as history shows, the story of Dare is more complicated than its bold promises. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Sto...

Some stories in music history are stranger than fiction. The rise of The Shaggs is one of them. What started as a father’s obsession with a palm reading became a band often labeled the worst band ever. Yet, against all odds, their legacy still echoes decades later. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and...

In 1986, Cleveland made history with a bold and colorful idea. Organizers set out to release more balloons than anyone had ever attempted before. The event, known as Balloonfest 86, promised to unite the city and showcase its spirit on a national stage. What unfolded became one of the most unforgettable spectacles in Cleveland’s history. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast...

In the early 1980s, Marty Markowitz turned to psychiatrist Ike Herschkopf for help. Marty struggled with panic attacks and decision-making. At first, the therapy seemed to help. But instead of building Marty’s confidence, Ike worked his way deeper into every part of his life. Sessions that began as short meetings grew into lunches, dinners, and late-night calls. Soon, Ike wasn’t just Marty’s docto...

Lou Pearlman was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the pop music industry. His story begins far from the stage lights, but it would eventually shape the rise of some of the biggest boy bands in history. The story of Lou Pearlman and boy band fame is a cautionary tale. He created icons, yet exploited them. His vision changed pop culture forever, but his greed ultimately destr...

The Yellow Deli looks like a cozy sandwich shop at first glance. Its handmade wood furniture, rustic décor, and warm teas attract students, travelers, and locals alike. But behind the welcoming atmosphere lies a much deeper, and more controversial, story. The Yellow Deli is connected to the Twelve Tribes community, a religious group that many describe as a cult. Things I Learned Last Night is an e...

It all started in the early 2000s when a teenager named Collin heard a knock at his door. A stranger knelt before him and handed over a scrapbook that seemed to predict Collin’s future. The book presented real photos of his life, followed by an imagined portrayal of him as humanity's savior in a war against robots. The bizarre delivery was only the beginning. Collin shared the scrapbook online und...

In the age of viral fame, few stories are stranger than that of Henry Davis and the Deep Fake allegations. Henry Davis became a social media sensation with over 700,000 Instagram followers, posting a mix of political commentary, strange personal tales, and celebrity encounters. But behind the carefully crafted image was a web of deception that would soon unravel. The saga of Henry Davis and Deep F...

In 2009, a strange news story caught the attention of millions across America. A silver balloon was floating through the sky, and many believed a six-year-old boy named Falcon Henne was trapped inside. This event quickly became known as the “Balloon Boy” incident, and the man at the center of it was Richard Henne. The Balloon Boy story is a strange mix of media frenzy, family drama, and public con...

Not all superheroes live in comic books. One of them walked the streets of Seattle, in full costume, calling himself Phoenix Jones. While his origin was rooted in protecting the innocent, his story took many unexpected turns. This is the tale of how one man attempted to fight crime and ultimately blurred the line between hero and villain. Phoenix Jones wanted to protect his city. He believed one p...