Wiki University

What animal would you trust to infiltrate your Cold War nemesis? How did organ grinders get tied in with the mob? Are rappers the most sensitive form of entertainer? Kyle and Jason answer these questions and more as they strum their way across Wikipedia from the CIA's super secret spy program, Acoustic Kitty to two of the best southern rappers, Ludacris and T.I. The students at Wiki U have been dr...

On this episode of Wiki U we learn about the FIRST EVER road trip which was driven in 1888 as a publicity stunt by Bertha Benz who wanted to generate attention for the new family business. But why were women so drawn to road trips during the late 19th and early 20th century? We'll also travel to Covina, California which was the home of a wild true crime story- the Christmas Day Flame Throwing Sant...

Ambergris is a rare and priceless substance that comes from the digestive system of a sperm whale, but what do humans use it for and how is it formed? Do human bodies need their fluids topped off from time to time to keep running properly? How do sperm banks work? Is it frozen? Do you unthaw it in the microwave? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they  learn about ambergris, sper...

This is the story of the most brutal race in the history of the Olympics. It was a death march on dusty country roads under the sweltering summer sun where the competitors fend off packs of wild dogs. Looking to do "research" on dehydration, the organizer started the race during the hottest part of the day, provided zero aid stations, and the winner only made it across the finish line after his tr...

We just celebrated the Fourth of July here at Wiki U so for today's episode we're taking a trip to 1983 and the small town of Benton, Tennessee which was shook to its core when the local illegal fireworks factory blew up.   Wiki U only partners with companies who we love and for this episode we teamed up with Magic Mind, the world's first mental performance shot. Magic Mind has improved out focus...

This week Kyle and Jheisson learn about the gruesome Cleveland Torso murders of the 1930's, the extensive history of portable toilets, bidets, and answer the question: Why does cologne say "Toilette" on it? Seriously though why would you sell something that is meant to smell good and write toilette on the container? TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: https://www.youtube....

What areas of the world can you eat horse meat? Are concrete shoes as common as the movies make them out to be? How did famous pitchman Oxiclean Billy Mays die and was he good at dating? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they bounce around Wikipeda from horse meat to the mob, and the life and times of Billy Mays.  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: htt...

Does everyone have their own smell?  Is the hardest part about wine tasting pretending like you know what you're talking about? What is vinegar really? But more importantly WHAT IS EXPLODING HEAD SYNDROME?! Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they sniff their way across Wikipedia from olfactory fatigue to exploding head syndrome and everything in between. TikTok: https://www.tikto...

In 1910 Jack Johnson, a black boxer, was the champion of the world and it infuriated former champion James J. Jeffries so much that he came out of retirement in the name of racists everywhere. On this episode of Wiki U Kyle and Jhession find out why the fight of the century led to cross country riots, debate if Jake Paul is the worst person on the internet, and learn about alfalfa, and why cows ha...

How did six high school boys survive on a deserted island for fifteen months? Why does Catalina Island have a herd of buffalo? Did they swim across the Pacific? Continental drift? How high can you get your credit score? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they travel to the islands of Wikipedia from the Tongan Castaways to the buffalo herd of Catalina Island. TikTok: https://www.t...

Why do Japanese families adopt adults? What are the benefits? What about the downsides? How to do Buddhists reach Nirvana? What events led up the death of Kurt Cobain? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they bounce their way across Wikipedia from the practice of Japanese Adult Adoption to the death of Kurt Cobain.  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: htt...

How do you become an admiral in the Cajun Navy? Is cruising for sex only for gay people or can straights cruise too? How did the Al Pacino film Cruising reflect New York City's gay culture during the 1970's?  If you're into leather can you even sit on a leather couch without being turned on? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they strap on their gimp masks and whip their way acro...

How did Ronald Regan try to sweep gays under the rug? What was Arthur Ashe's legacy? When were glow sticks invented and where did raves start? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they spike their way across Wikipedia from tennis star Arthur Ashe, to Ronald Regan and the AIDS epidemic, glow sticks, and raves! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: https://www...

Is there a correlation to creativity and mental health? Was Jean-Claude Van Damme actually good at karate? Why was there a big wall separating Berlin? What is the highest level of karate? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they kick their way across  Wikipedia from mercury poisoning to the fall of the Soviet Union.  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: ht...

It was once thought that a human was not physically capable of running a a mile under four minutes or summiting Everest. Now many people achieve those feats every year. It begs the question, does the same hold true for aging? Is 100 a benchmark in the collective unconscious that tells them the end is near? This week we'll learn about the oldest human ever, Jeanne Calment, who was 122 at her death...

When the UN was founded in 1945 what San Fransisco madam hosted many of the delegates at her brothel?  Did Marilyn Monroe die because of her ties to the Kennedys? How did Marilyn Manson get his name? What exactly is a barbiturate? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they rock their way across Wikipedia from a San Fransisco madam, to the death of Marylin Monroe, to the crimes of Be...

What two forms of combat were combined to create jujutsu? What are the ingredients in a horse neck cocktail? Are citrus fruits really just big berries?  What gives acid house music its unique sound? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they bump their way across Wikipedia from the underground acid house parties of the 1980's to citrus fruit, to Matthew C. Perry (the commander not t...

Was the sports bra as important as Title XI for women in sports? What moment in female sports history made the sports bra acceptable as outerwear? Do you know what WD-40 stands for? What were women's girdles made of prior to the introduction of spandex? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they mansplain their way across Wikipedia from the history of the sports bra, to WD-40, and t...

Are all mediums fake? Do milk baths ward off evil spirits? What is the musical genre of psychobilly? Will everyone have 15 minutes of fame? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they dive into the life of Scottish medium Helen Duncan, learn about The Legendary Stardust Cowboy, and get into a heavy debate about The Grape Lady. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouT...

We all know that cats land on their feet, but WHY do they land on their feet? Why does it seem like older buildings were better than the buildings of today? Why did Russian scientists shoot a stray dog named Laika into space? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as the glide down the rabbit hole of Wikipedia exploring the science behind falling cats, dogs and space and the phenomenon...

What is a Martian? What are the challenges of setting up a colony on Mars? Can humans change the climate of a planet for good? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they blast off of Wikipedia to learn about the colonization of Mars. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPDDjcbBJfR0s_xJfYCUvw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

Strap on and strap in because on this episode of Wiki U Kyle and Jheisson head to Cincinnati and get a taste of what makes their chili so unique. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPDDjcbBJfR0s_xJfYCUvw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wikiuniversity/ Music provided by Davey and the Chains

Was Sue Yoo destined to be an attorney? Was Brian Overstreet a preordained street cleaner? If your last name is Smiley are you bound to be a dentist? The history of names took a fascinating turn in 11th century England when people first started using surnames that typically described a persons career, physical location or physical attributes. This practice eventually faded, but names still may det...

This week on Wiki U you'll learn about Australia's Great Emu War of 1932 when Australia's military went into battle against 20,000 emus! We'll also do a shallow dive into emu mating habits and also discuss the world record for the longest throw. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPDDjcbBJfR0s_xJfYCUvw Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...

 Bedtime procrastination is a psychological phenomenon that involves needlessly and voluntarily delaying going to bed, despite foreseeably being worse off as a result. It's the cause of depression, irritability, and even a shorter life span, so why do we do it? This episode of Wiki U attempts to uncover the reasons behind bedtime procrastination and ways to combat the phenomenon, we'll also lear a...