WikiListen

"Backronym" takes a playful look at the phenomenon of creating a new phrase to fit an existing word, rather than the other way around. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW dive into the fun and creative ways backronyms are used in everything from government agencies to pop culture. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedi...

"Eigengrau" refers to the color that people perceive in the absence of light. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss how the brain fills in the gaps of visual perception with this gray shade and what it tells us about how the mind processes darkness. Full Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eigengrau Subscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilis...

"Punkin Chunkin" is all about launching pumpkins as far as possible using various types of contraptions. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore this unique competition, its history, and how it became a favorite among engineering enthusiasts and festival goers alike. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

In "Affair of The Diamond Necklace Part 2," the saga concludes with the trial and fallout from the scandal. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore how this event deepened public distrust of the monarchy and contributed to the growing tensions that led to the French Revolution. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikiped...

"Affair of The Diamond Necklace Part 1" begins the story of the famous scandal that rocked France in the 1780s, involving Marie Antoinette and a fraudulent diamond necklace. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the political and societal backdrop that made this scandal such a critical moment in French history. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipe...

"Anthropocene" covers the current epoch, in which human activity has become the dominant influence on the environment and climate. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW delve into how this geological age was named, the profound effects of industrialization, and the ongoing debates surrounding climate change and humanity’s impact on Earth. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel...

"Plant Arithmetic" examines the surprising abilities of plants to perform basic "calculations," such as managing their starch reserves at night to ensure survival until daylight returns. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the fascinating discoveries of plant biologists and what these abilities tell us about the intelligence of nature. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado &...

"The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" revisits the iconic children’s book that parodies traditional fairy tales with an absurd twist. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore how the book's witty storytelling and playful illustrations have made it a favorite for both kids and adults alike. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia artic...

"Tawky Tawny" introduces the talking tiger from the Captain Marvel/Shazam comics. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the character’s unique place in comic book lore as a trusted advisor to Billy Batson and how Tawky Tawny continues to charm comic fans with his anthropomorphic wisdom. Full Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawky_Tawny Subscribe to our new newsletter,...

"Springfield, Ohio, Cat-eating Hoax" explores a bizarre claim involving Donald Trump and a recent false report that linked him to a supposed incident of people eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW delve into how this hoax spread, the current event’s strange connection to Trump, and the role of misinformation in modern media. For the record, there...

In "SCP Foundation Part 2," the discussion continues as Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW dive deeper into some of the most famous SCP entries, examining how fans contribute to the ever-expanding lore and what makes the SCP universe so captivating. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCP_Foundation Subsc...

"SCP Foundation Part 1" introduces listeners to the fictional universe of the SCP Foundation, an online collaborative writing project about containing anomalous creatures and objects. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN explore the origins of this internet phenomenon and its widespread popularity Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: htt...

"Fig Wasp" explores the unique relationship between figs and fig wasps, where the tiny wasp plays a vital role in pollinating the fruit. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW discuss how this mutualistic relationship has evolved over time and why it's crucial to the fig's lifecycle. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedi...

"Hungry Judge Effect" discusses the fascinating psychological phenomenon where judges are more likely to issue harsher rulings when they are hungry. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN explore the research behind this effect and its implications for the justice system. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H...

"Kentucky Meat Shower" explores the bizarre event in 1876 when pieces of meat mysteriously fell from the sky over a small Kentucky town. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW examine the possible explanations behind this strange occurrence and its lasting place in local folklore. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.o...

"Davy Jones's Locker Re-visited" dives into the legendary nautical phrase referring to the bottom of the sea, often thought to be the final resting place of drowned sailors. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the origins of this phrase and its significance in maritime lore. Full Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Jones%27_Locker Subscribe to our new newsletter, W...

"Cauliflower Ear Re-visited" takes a closer look at the condition commonly seen in athletes, particularly wrestlers and boxers, caused by repeated trauma to the ear. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore the history of this condition and its place in contact sports. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

In "Flipper (1964 TV series) Part 2," the discussion continues with a focus on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, including the challenges of filming with live animals and how the series influenced future generations of wildlife programming. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW examine Flipper's lasting influence on TV and environmental awareness. Produced and hosted by Victor Var...

"Flipper (1964 TV series) Part 1" takes a nostalgic look at the beloved family-friendly TV show that featured the adventures of a bottlenose dolphin. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the show's origins, its impact on popular culture, and the enduring legacy of Flipper as an animal icon. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: ht...

"Sin" dives into the concept of moral transgressions across different cultures and religions. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore how the definition of sin has evolved throughout history and the role it plays in shaping ethical frameworks and societal norms. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin...

"Murchison Murders" tells the dark tale of two infamous Australian murders in the early 20th century. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN narrate the events that led to these brutal crimes and their significant impact on Australia's criminal justice system. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murchison_Mur...

"Wake Me Up When September Ends" delves into the meaning and impact of Green Day's emotional hit song, released in 2005. The track, written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, is deeply personal, reflecting on the loss of his father when Billie Joe was just ten years old. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW discuss the song's themes of grief, memory, and moving forward, as well as its reso...

"People Skills" looks at the essential social abilities that help individuals navigate personal and professional relationships. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss how these skills are developed and why they are critical for success in a wide range of interactions. Full Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_skills Subscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at http...

"Back To School (Marketing)" explores the annual retail phenomenon where stores capitalize on the start of the school year. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW delve into the history of back-to-school marketing campaigns, the psychology behind them, and their impact on consumer behavior. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia article here: https://en.w...

In "Eight-hour Day Part 2," the narrative continues as Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN examine the broader implications of the eight-hour workday on society, economy, and culture. They discuss how this standard spread globally and its relevance in today's discussions about work-life balance and labor rights. Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel Teichman Full Wikipedia a...