While You Were Pooping

“Goodbye” comes from “God be with you”—but it’s more than just a word. Here’s why saying goodbye matters. That's a wrap for seasons one of While You Were Pooping. Thanks for tuning in each day as we learned new, fun, odd, and exciting things about history, our bodies, the world, and the universe. Stick around to the end of the episode for a fun surprise.

Post-it® notes were born from a failed super glue and a choir singer’s frustration. Here’s how an accidental invention became a sticky success.

No kitchen? No problem. Ancient Romans grabbed meals on the go from thermopolia— fast food counters that look shockingly modern, minus the plastic cups.

Your stomach acid is powerful enough to digest you— so your body replaces its lining every few days. Here’s how it survives its own attack.

From polished obsidian to high-def reflections, here’s how humanity went from staring at puddles to inventing the modern mirror.

Ever wonder why a circle has 360 degrees? Thank ancient math, astronomy, and the very smart, very practical Babylonians.

Think birds sleep in their nests? Most don’t. Here’s where they really catch their Zs— and why the truth is messier than you’d think.

It’s shaped like a hot dog, runs on four wheels, and has toured America since 1936. Here’s the story behind the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

It’s not just an old saying— your nose really does change shape as you age. But is it actually growing? Here’s what science says.

Ever feel like a mosquito magnet? Science says it’s not your imagination. From CO₂ to body chemistry to blood type, here’s why some people get bitten way more than others.

Bananas are berries. Strawberries aren’t. Welcome to the chaotic, rule-breaking world of botanical fruit classification.

There’s a billion-pound stockpile of cheese buried in Missouri— and the U.S. government put it there. Here’s why it exists, and who gets the cheddar.

Dad jokes are older than you think— like, ancient civilization old. Here’s where they came from, why they work, and why they’re here to stay.

During WWII, one village quietly changed all its clocks to throw off Nazi spies— and it actually worked. Here’s how time itself became a weapon.

In 1945, a chicken survived being beheaded— and lived for 18 months. Here’s how it worked, and how he became a touring sideshow star.

Slicing onions releases a tear-inducing gas that your eyes hate. Here's the science behind the burn— and how to stop the crying.

In the 1800s, doctors used leeches to treat ear infections and hearing loss. It sounds gross, but there was real science behind the slime.

In 1954, a woman was struck by a meteorite while napping on her couch. She survived—but her life got way weirder after that.

In 897, Pope Stephen VI put a long-dead pope on trial, dressed the corpse up, and shouted accusations at it. Here’s how that went.

Deep beneath your feet, there may be an entire ocean trapped in rock. Here’s how scientists found it—and why it matters.

Ever wake up just before your alarm goes off? It’s not magic—it’s your brain’s internal clock doing some impressive behind-the-scenes work.

Hypnosis isn’t mind control—it’s your brain in a focused, suggestible state. Learn what really happens when you’re hypnotized, and why it’s more science than stage show.

The ocean never sits still—but why? In this episode, we dive into what really causes waves, from gentle ripples to massive swells. You’ll learn how wind transfers energy to the sea, why water doesn’t actually travel with waves, and what makes freak waves, tides, and tsunamis totally different. Whether you’re a beach bum or just wave-curious, this one’s for you.

Earth has a second moon—sort of. Meet Kamoʻoalewa, a tiny asteroid that’s been quietly orbiting near us for decades. What's it doing out there? And why are scientists so obsessed with it?

Mother’s Day started as a heartfelt tribute— then turned into a commercial giant. Learn how one woman created the holiday… and then spent her life trying to destroy it.