Weird World Variety with Matt and Jesse

Ever wondered what bears do for fun? Turns out, they might enjoy the same playground equipment as our kids! Welcome to Weird World Variety, where strange and delightful stories from across the globe come to life. Join us as we explore the utterly fascinating World Coal Carrying Championships in Yorkshire, England. This peculiar Easter tradition sees competitors racing with heavy sacks of coal – wo...

The beloved World World Variety podcast makes its triumphant return with host Matt diving straight into an eclectic mix of strange news and passionate commentary.  Ever wondered what it would be like to play basketball on glass? Matt explores a German company's ambitious proposal to replace traditional hardwood courts with LED glass panels, creating dynamic visual experiences for viewers and...

Have you ever wondered what kind of impression a gang of feral cats would make if they prowled the corridors of power? Well, wonder no more. On this week’s episode of Weird World Variety, we take a stroll through the gardens of Mexico City's National Palace, now the official residence of 19 feline dignitaries. These cats aren't just charming the staff and tourists; they've clawed th...

Get ready to crack a smile and scratch your head in equal measure—this week on Weird World Variety, Matt and Jesse whisk you away on an adventure through some of the most delightfully odd stories our planet has to offer. Imagine the stir when the Marietta Police Department's mugshot lineup got a LEGO makeover, sparking debates on privacy with a side of humor, or the competitive spirit of Pari...

Ever wondered how a tennis match and a beehive could possibly be connected? Well, strap in as we recount the harrowing yet humorous incident at Indian Wells where bees brought a professional game to a standstill. Carlos Alcarez and Alexander Zverev might have been prepped for a tough match, but they weren't ready to volley against a swarm of bees! Join us to relive the buzz and find out how a...

Prepare to have your mind stretched to its most whimsical limits, as we share the incredible tale of "Deux's Face," a calf with an extraordinary twist on life. Your curiosity will be piqued by our discussion of polycephaly, and you might find yourselves reflecting on the unexpected delights that nature gifts us, echoing those virtual anomalies in Fallout 76. Then, delve into the wor...

Strap in for a rollercoaster ride of oddities and laughs with yours truly, Matt, as the Weird World Variety show throws another curveball your way. Imagine a world where the humble hot dog becomes a projectile, leading to the downfall of a Philadelphia Phillies tradition, or a French newspaper that plays hide-and-seek with its readers, showing up just once every leap year. From Philly's frank...

Ever wonder what lurks beneath the ocean's surface or how our ancestors might have engineered the seas? This episode of Weird World of Variety is a treasure trove of speculation and science, where Jesse and I, your ever-curious hosts, share some hearty laughs over the audacity of pickle-flavored jelly beans and then plunge into the depths of a Stone Age megastructure discovery. Could this be...

Ever sprint down Main Street with a frying pan in hand? Welcome to my solo venture this week on Weird World Variety, where I whisk you away to Olney, England, to uncover the quirky charm of pancake racing. It’s a tale of tradition, aprons, and some seriously skilled pancake flipping, all set against the backdrop of Lenten preparations. While Jesse's off, I'm stirring up nostalgia with a...

Ever wondered what goes through the mind of a toddler daring enough to scale the insides of a claw machine? That's exactly what we're chuckling over as we recount the tale of an adventurous tot in an Australian mall and the Queensland police's plush toy rescue mission. Childhood dreams clash with reality in this humorous look at the great claw machine escape. And if you've ever...

Ever wondered who would win in a penalty kick showdown decided by rock paper scissors? We've got the scoop on US striker Haji Wright and his Coventry City teammate's unconventional method to settle who'd take a crucial shot. It's not just about the soccer pitch, though; we reminisce over our own childhood games and how those simple pleasures translate into the competitive world...

Embark with us on an Italian escapade that promises to unlock the hidden splendors of Caltanissetta, a Sicilian gem rich in tradition and culinary innovation. Get ready to wander through picturesque landscapes and time-honored streets, as we reveal the best-kept secrets of this captivating town. From the debate about the pronunciation of 'grievous' that will tickle your funny bone to the...

Ever wondered what it's like to have an owl as a nocturnal companion, or how assistive tech is changing lives? Buckle up for a boys' night in on Weird World, where we break away from the script and dive headfirst into the charm and challenges of unique pet ownership and the pulse of today's technological innovations. You're invited to join our candid conversation, toss in your...

Ever been moved by a story where passion meets purpose? That's exactly what you'll get with the tale of a young Indian inventor whose love for his grandmother spurred the creation of the Alpha Monitor, aimed to reshape Alzheimer's care. We share his inspiring journey, from the inception of this wearable device that alerts caregivers of wandering or fallen dementia patients, to the r...

Ever wondered what would happen if the worlds of political commentary and rap music collided? Well, buckle up, because we’re peeling back the curtain on the enigmatic pairing of Tom McDonald and Ben Shapiro, who’ve climbed to the top of the charts with a collaboration that's as unconventional as it is captivating. Discover the secrets behind their phantom-like production, where technology con...

Have you ever received a postcard from outer space? Well, Lexington, Kentucky is sending one hell of an intergalactic invitation, and we're here to unravel the cosmic ambitions behind this quirky tourism campaign. From the assumption that extraterrestrials comprehend English to the 80-year wait for a potential RSVP, our conversation orbits the delightful audacity of beckoning beings from beyo...

Ever wondered if a pun on a highway sign could actually make your drive safer? Buckle up as we navigate the debate sparked by a new federal manual that puts the brakes on highway hilarity, putting forth a 1100-page argument against those memorable electronic messages that tickle our funny bones. We're not just talking safety signs—we're engaging in a full-on discussion about the charm of...

Venture with us to the windswept Californian coast where the spectral remnants of the Invernus shipwreck whisper tales of a bygone era. As we recount the ship's transformation from a thriving fishing vessel to its current status as a photographer's dream and a tourist hotspot, we unravel the enigmatic charm of decrepit maritime relics. But it's not all about eerie aesthetics; we als...

Ever wondered how it would feel to pet a woolly mammoth or roam the not-so-law-abiding paths of the Wild West's most infamous outlaws? Buckle up your seatbelts, fellow adventurers, as we embark on a laughter-filled trek through Nevada's lesser-known wonders and Las Vegas' neon wonderland. We kick things off with a hilarious mix-up that lands us in Wyoming's Hole-in-the-Wall, th...

Imagine botching your mic settings and producing a silent symphony of podcasting gold. That's me this week, but fear not, we still have a show packed with the warm, weird embrace you've come to expect. From caffeine-fueled post-conference tales that almost had me believe in the reality of travel hallucinations, to the kind of automotive adventures that restore your faith in humanity, we&...

Are you ready to unravel a Miami mall mystery involving a rumored alien encounter and a police spectacle? Let's get weird with it this New Year as we dissect the mayhem and ponder the scarcity of inside footage and electronic malfunctions that left us scratching our heads. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. We dive into the oddities surrounding venomous spiders named Hercules and th...

Get ready to embark on a cosmic and culinary journey with us – a thrilling voyage through the mysteries of ancient supermassive black holes and the diverse world of traditional Christmas cuisines. The discovery of a colossal ancient black hole has piqued our curiosity and challenged our comprehension of the universe. As we grapple with the enormity of this celestial beast, we lighten the mood with...

Can you imagine chowing down on fried caterpillars for Christmas dinner or hiding your broom to fend off mischievous witches? Welcome to a very quirky episode of Weird World Variety, where we promise to take you on a one-of-a-kind, globe-trotting adventure that uncovers the most unusual Christmas traditions from across the world. From the creepiness of Austria's Krampus to Japan's love f...

Are you ready for some belly laughs, camping nightmares, and festive cheer? We've got the whole package for you in our latest podcast episode. We kick things off with a fun exploration into the world of winter camping, taking you through our personal experiences with tents, cabins, and even RVs. But wait till you hear our hilarious debate on what 'real' camping means – believe us, i...