Heidi Hedquist/ Luke Poling

Why? The Podcast

Comedy EN ↓ 414 episodes

Naked skydivers. Jeopardy champions. Rodeo clowns. Suzi Quatro. Professional mascots. Competitive eaters. Astronauts. Cherry Vanilla. Renaissance fair kings. Benjamin Franklin. Olympic Curlers. Mandalorians. Gay erotica writers. Mermaids. Fruit cake tossers. Martha Wash. Dolphin Lovers. Hair collectors. Strippers. And satanists. We've talked to them all. On Why? every week we talk with another guest leading a fascinating life.

Author

Heidi Hedquist/ Luke Poling

Category

Comedy

Podcast website

www.whythepodcast.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Why? Episode 38- Las Vegas Doorman Jay Rankin 19.08.2019

And you thought your job was exhausting... Jay Rankin saw it all as a doorman at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Working the graveyard shift, Jay saw a side of Vegas they don't advertise in magazines, and he learned a lot about people by seeing them at their best and their worst. Jay's taken these experiences and written about them in his book Under the Neon Sky . It's a fascinating rea...

Why? Episode 37- Loch Ness Monster expert Gary Campbell 12.08.2019

You've heard the legend of the Loch Ness monster. But if you want some facts, you need to check out Gary Campbell's website. Gary's archived every single sighting of Nessie, starting in 546 AD up to today. We talk about the very first Nessie sighting and when the legend really took off. What could be living in the dark waters? What will Gary do if the truth is ever discovered? And t...

Why? Episode 36- Water Skiing Girl Wonder Shellie Blum 05.08.2019

Shellie Blum was the first female freestyle waterski ramp jumper in the world. Yet, shortly after this incredible feat, she broke her neck attempting a record setting jump. We talked with Shellie about her incredible story, about how she got into the sport, and how she came back from such a terrible injury. Shellie has written and shared her story in the book, Waterski Girl Wonder , which is avail...

Why? Episode 35- Rock and Roll all night with Mini Gene from Mini Kiss 29.07.2019

People! You wanted the best, we got the best. And it is a fun conversation. One of the best tribute bands out there is Mini Kiss. And if you don't believe us, would you believe the members of real Kiss? We talk with Mini Gene about the joys of rock stardom, what the fans are like, what Gene Simmons thinks of the band and, most importantly, whether it's possible to text Dr. Love now. This...

Why? Episode 34- Superhero/Former Wrestler Todd Turfe 22.07.2019

Todd Turfe used to wrestle professionally. And while that might be cool, nothing is as cool as walking into a hospital carrying Thor's hammer. 'Cause that's what Todd does now. Todd spends his free time dressing up as superheroes and visiting sick kids in the hospital. While getting to meet a professional wrestler is cool, hanging out with Batman will always be cooler. Todd talks wi...

Why?- Episode 33 Medium Connie Smock 15.07.2019

Connie Smock is a medium. That means she talks with people who have passed on, but still have messages for the living. Connie talks with us about how she gets these messages, what types of messages she gets and whether your dead relatives can see you in the bathroom. (All the important stuff.) For more on Connie, check out her website .

Why?- Episode 32 Everybody Dance Now, it's Martha Wash 08.07.2019

You may not know the name, but you definitely know the voice. From her solo work, to her singing with Sylvester, the Weather Girls and C&C Music Factory, Martha Wash is a talented singer who shows no signs of slowing down. (And that's not just a show biz cliche- she currently has her own TV show, a magazine, tours constantly and is putting the finishing touches on a new record. We talk wi...

Why?- Episode 31 The Kennedy assassination with Mark Shaw 01.07.2019

Mark Shaw wasn't interested in writing about the assassination of the 35th president. He thought this horrible mark in American history was just that- horrible. But after stumbling onto how reporter Dorthy Kilgallen might've been murdered because of her knowledge of the plot to kill Kennedy, well, he couldn't help himself. With a skilled reporter's eye, Mark tackled the case in...

Why?- Episode 30 Acting Sick with Vanessa Ahern 24.06.2019

Admit it, we've all played sick to stay home from school or work. Vanessa Ahern plays sick on a regular basis... and she gets paid for it. Vanessa is what they call an SP (Standardized Patients). She acts sick for medical students to help them learn how to talk with and diagnose patients. We talk with Vanessa about her favorite disease to pretend to have and if she's ever gotten comforta...

Why?- Episode 29 Professional Bridesmaid Caroline Bright 17.06.2019

Getting married can be overwhelming. That’s why most people have bridesmaids. But what if you don’t want to be yelling at friends with no wedding planning experience? That’s when you need a professional bridesmaid. Enter Caroline Bright, who has been involved in the wedding world for her whole life. She talks with us about how she can help your big day run smoother, what to do when the future Moth...

Why?- Episode 28 Sealand with Prince Michael 10.06.2019

Sealand is the smallest country in the world. Located just off the coast of the UK in international waters, the country was 'founded' when Prince Michael's dad took over an abandoned World War II defense post and turned it into a pirate radio station. How do you keep broadcasting AND keep her majesty's government off your back? Claim you're not part of the UK. And it'...

Why?- Episode 27 Cozy Love Pants with the Cozy Love Company 03.06.2019

Everyone loves being cozy. But what if you're feeling frisky? Along comes the Cozy Love Company with the answer- the Cozy Love Pants. We talk with Beth and Rachael, the founders of the company and the inventors of the pants, which are taking the nation by storm. For more information, check out the Cozy Love Company's website , and use the code 'flash' at check-out for an additi...

Why?- Episode 26 Blobfest with Brendan Carr 27.05.2019

For horror film fans, 1958's The Blob is a classic. For the residents of Phoenixville, PA, it's a reason to celebrate. Blobfest is an annual celebration of the film, involving costume contests, screenings and a re-creation of the famous run out of the theater scene in the film. For more information on Blobfest, or to get your tickets (which go on sale Friday, May 31st, check out the Colo...

Why?- Episode 25 Professional Mascot Dan Meers 20.05.2019

Dan Meers is a wolf for a living. Well, KC Wolf, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs. This pinnacle comes after a lifetime of mascotting. (Is that a word?) He was named the nations #1 mascot while in college, he was Fred Bird for the St. Louis Cardinals. Dan joins us to talk about his career under the head- how hot it gets in there, the strange things he finds himself doing to smell good and how...

Why?- Episode 24 "The Dark Side of Disney" with Leonard Kinsey 13.05.2019

Is it possible that adults can have fun at Disney World? Of course they can, and Leonard Kinsey wrote the book on it. Where you can have sex, how you can get drugs, and the best bar crawls this side of the monorail are all covered in his book,  The Dark Side of Disney . And Leonard should know- he's been to the parks over 100 times. For more information on Leonard's books (he's also...

Why?- Episode 23 Dreamland Wax Museum with Jed Reitler 06.05.2019

The wax museum returns to Boston with the Dreamland Wax Museum. Located in downtown Boston, the museum features popular celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Amy Winehouse, the Dali Lama and Clint Eastwood. (This is also the first time those 5 have appeared in the same sentence.) Luke and Heidi talk with Jed Reitler from Dreamland about his favorite figures, how a figure is created and whether it is c...

Why?- Episode 22 Zodiac killer/DB Cooper 'friend' David Coutcher 29.04.2019

David Coutcher met a guy in Mexico City in the late 60s. As they got to know each other, this guy opened up to David about his past. And, reflecting back on their friendship David came to a terrifying realization- his 'friend' was confessing to him his horrible life in crime. Because David's friend was the Zodiac Killer. And the murderer of the Black Dahlia. And DB Cooper. And one o...

Why?- Episode 21 Professional Cuddler Madelon Guinazzo 22.04.2019

Feeling down? Want to feel better? Want to feel cared for? Maybe what you need is a good cuddle. We talk with Madelon Guinazzo from Cuddlist.com about the benefits of cuddling, how she got into the industry and whether she prefers to be big or little spoon.

Why?- Episode 20 Sex Coach Cain 15.04.2019

This week we talk with Sex Coach Cain. She answers all of our important questions, how much Gatorade does a sex coach drink, if there is such a thing as a dumb sex question and whether "Yakity Sax," is good mood music. To learn more, or to book a session with Sex Coach Cain, visit her website, www. Romantic Discovery.com or check her out on Instagram @SexCoachCain.

Why?- Episode 19 Equine Dentist Dr Diane Febles 08.04.2019

Dr. Diane Febles started as a veterinarian, but quickly found herself drawn to dentistry. She now drives all across Georgia, taking care of sick animals, as well as keeping horses healthy by showing owners proper dental care. Does it involve a lot of floss? What does a retainer for a horse look like? And if that isn't enough, Dr. Febles is also a licensed acupuncturist. For more information,...

Why?- Episode 18 Nude Art Model Callista Womick 01.04.2019

Callista Womick is an art model. And yeah, she’s naked at work. But she gets to work in collaboration with artists as they create their work. She talks about the strain posing can put on her body, what goes through her head while posing and answers the age old question: whose more uncomfortable- the artist or the nude model? Check out Callista on Twitter @ alackaschmatz . (And if you want to see s...

Why?- Episode 17 Rocky Horror with the hosts of The Rocky Horror Podcast Show 25.03.2019

Are people still obsessed with the 1975 musical? Why? What does it mean to them. We talk with Ash, Dawn and Sean, the co-hosts of the popular Rocky Horror Podcast Show about how they got into the scene, what they love about it and why they aren't tired of the Time Warp. You'll shiver with antici.... pation. Check out their podcast: www.facebook.com/RockyHorrorPodcast/

Why?- Episode 16 Trump Unity Bridge owner Rob Cortis 18.03.2019

No matter what you believe politically, you can probably agree that we need to do a better job of understanding each other and listening to each other.  This week, we talk with Rob Cortis, the owner/driver of the Trump Unity bridge. We try to move outside of politics and keep the conversation to things like parallel parking and juggalos. You know, the sorts of things that everyone wants to know mo...

Why?- Episode 15 Gender-Free Clothing with Phluid's Rob Garrett Smith 11.03.2019

What is gender-free clothing and what is the Phluid Project? And what is their mission? Heidi and Luke talk with Phluid phounder Rob Garrett Smith about what makes his store different, why pink is now a color associated with women and why you shouldn't quit your job after your first trip to Burning Man. Recorded onsite in New York City, it's phucking fabulous!

Why?- Episode 14 Nudist Harry Levy 04.03.2019

Direct from Cupecoy beach on St. Maarten, it's Why with our special guest nude beach enthusiast Harry Levy. Why does Harry love being naked? Does he even own a bathing suit? And what about sun block? We get to the bottom (get it?) of it all.

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