Why Would You Ask That?

Haunted paintings have been around since humans figured out how to draw on cave walls. On this episode, we have the Crying Boy, who sets his homes aflame; the Anguished Man, so haunted people aren't even allowed to touch it; The Hands Resist Him, famed for being just generally spooky. Where did these paintings come from? Why did they become famous? How did they become haunted? And why are there so...

CW: Food, religion, a bit of poop, but not human poop Coffee has had a long journey through history, exploring itself, changing itself... getting chewed up and pooped out. It was once the devil's drink, the MAN's drink, inspiring people to move the world... but most importantly, the swaying power of coffee convinced people to give coffee a dunk in the baptismal font. That's a lot for a bitter litt...

CW: Extreme Survivalism, Death Today we unbury what circumstances are ideal to trigger your breath freezing in the air as you expel it. Who lives in the regions that reach conditions that get that far? Why would they live out there?! And how do the stars whispering get involved with the breath freezing? Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: https:...

This week the crew talk about the era of The Hay's Code and how it messed up American cinema for several decades. Mostly, we're talking about how The Code messed up queer representation in Hollywood and how people in Hollywood are still using the tropes and rules set up by the code today. Specifically, we want to talk about all those queer Disney villains.  CW: Homophobia, AIDS Music provided by D...

Is that grandma's famous cookie recipe? Dad's cigar? Or the unholy scent of brimstone? The crew today talk about what ghosts smell like... or, more accurately, what smells happen around ghosts. Eau de Mort is a concoction of concepts— after all, it would be rude to ask a strange ghost if we could smell them. CW: Death, Rot, People putting things in their various orifices  Music provided by Dark Fa...

(And So Are Feelings) Or at least according to Andrea Plunket and the Conan Doyle Estate. This episode, we discuss the finer points of Sherlock's copyright— since only parts of the story are public domain in the U.S., only parts of the character are, too! So what can you do? Can he make a sandwich? Pet a dog? Smile? Respect women? Somehow all of this involves a real-life attempted murder, a huge n...

Two acquaintances turned friends... to enemies!  What else does one expect from a relationship rife with living dinosaurs and dead mothers being summoned back from the world beyond!? The gang discusses why the father of eccentric detective Sherlock, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, had a falling out with famed escape artist Harry Houdini. What did they have in common? Why did they break up? What the hell d...

Karen, M, and Remy talk about the homophobic policies for blood donations. Why won't blood drives let gay men donate? Is there science there or fear of our precious rainbow blood? Is it valid or should they just shut up and take the blood already?  CW: AIDS, Homophobia, Transphobia, Death, Blood, Eugenics Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: http...

Remy, M, and Karen discuss the difficulties of clownbirth, and also what do eggs have to do with it? Jokes aside, we discuss a bit of clown history— where did they come from? Where are they now? How are they dealing with a world that has decided to dislike and fear them? Maybe we actually like and appreciate clowns. Maybe we've all got a little bit of clown inside of us. CW: Clown, Scary Clowns Mu...

Just men being friends. Join M, Remy, and Karen for part 2 of our discussion of Sherlock Holmes and the queercoding Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wove into his stories. We've got a spicy (for the Victorians) scene to read and plenty of evidence that Sherlock and Watson were much more than just roommates.  CW: Homophobia, Gunshot Wounds Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios. [License] Become a supporter...

In this episode, Remy, M, and Karen talk about the difference between queercoding and queerbaiting and how both are used before diving into an in an in-depth look at queerbaiting in the BBC's Sherlock series. In this part one of two Sherlock episodes, we'll explore what rewrites of the beloved detective get wrong. Make sure to come back next week to hear how well Sir Arthur Conan Doyle queercoded...

Drag Balls is not a euphemism... or maybe it is? CW: Human Excrement (brief), Transphobia, Homophobia Drag is for everyone and goes back way longer than we were aware of. Join Karen & M as Remy leads them through the rich and fabulous history of drag, cross-dressing, and the career of film maker John Waters and drag queen Divine. Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios. [License] Become a suppo...

Hiding in Plain Sight Happy Pride Month everyone! Today we discuss the language of Polari and its use in the UK before the decriminalization of homosexuality, as well as discuss queer flower symbolism used to communicate in subtle or not-so-subtle ways.  This episode features a small sample of audio from Putting on the Dish by Brian and Karl on Youtube that we are using as an educational demonstra...

More Like Rainfaux Party! Internet trends aren't unique in the oddness. Turns out people have been doing things like this for a long time! History repeats itself in surprising ways. Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-would-you-ask-that--5784165/support .

The crew want to know: what was the first internet trend? Not memes, but challenges. We talk about things like the Cinnamon Challenge, or the Sprite Challenge, or eating crackers really fast and being bad at them! Plus some weirder things you might not have heard of. We challenge you to check out this upcoming episode, and to be safe with your next weird internet trend.  CW: Bees, Hospitalization/...

Tastes Like Fritos. CW: Food Talk, Entomophagy, Insects, infection talk The gang discusses the matter of culinary maggots, the pros and cons of consuming the wiggly rice, and how the little fly babies, both eating them and other uses, could be our future. Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-would-you-ask-that...

Not Everyone Has Access To It CW: Food Talk In this one, Karen, M, and Remy talk about the century long struggle for umami to take its rightful place on our tongues, the history of our obsession with MSG, and scientists proposals for a sixth taste. Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-would-you-ask-that--57841...

Locally Made, Always Fresh. CW: Body Fluids, Food Talk, Infection Can you make bread with the yeast from your body? Find out the answer to this and more! Remy brings yeast to the table, but has also dug up a whole meal that could be eaten made with fermented body goods.  Music provided by Dark Fantasy Studios . [ License ] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-wo...