Every Little Thing
Gimlet
Why do news anchors all sound the same? Do wolves really howl at the moon? How did Elvis imitators take over Las Vegas wedding chapels? On ELT, you call with a question, we find you an answer. Our helpline is open 24-7. Call 833-RING-ELT or send an audio message to elt@gimletmedia.com.Subscribe to Every Little Thing PLUS by clicking here and access all episodes of Every Little Thing ad-free.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 28, 2019 • 29min
Spiders: How Many Can There Be?
A mass spider invasion at his office left accountant Steven with a burning question: How many can there be? ELT does some spider number-crunching, and meets the man who discovered one of the largest spider gatherings on record. Guests: Freddie Gowin, retired park ranger, Lake Tawakoni State Park, Texas; Linda Rayor, arachnologist at Cornell University. Thanks to caller Steven. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2019 • 26min
Grand Theft Water Lily
Why would a garden-gloved thief lift a water lily from a botanical garden in London? ELT gets to the root of a rare plant heist.Guests: Carlos Magdalena, botanical horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, and author of The Plant Messiah. Nick Johnson, horticultural manager of Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, Grand Cayman. Thanks to caller Carl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 7, 2019 • 28min
Nail Polish Naming: Who Does That?
How do nail polish colors get their names? ELT digs into this FAQ, and finds out how painting our nails became a thing. Plus, an update on Jeremy’s reported fruit fly infestation.Guests: Fashion historian Suzanne Shapiro, author of Nails: The Story of the Modern Manicure; Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, co-founder and Brand Ambassador of OPI Products Inc., and author of I’m Not Really a Waitress; chemical ecologist Kevin Cloonan, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada. Thanks to caller Olivia and all the callers who shared their gnat knowledge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 23, 2019 • 29min
Alien Invasion: How Little Green Men Took Over
Images of little green aliens are everywhere: Area 51, bongs, your ‘90s chain wallet. But why did we start depicting extraterrestrials that way? ELT uncovers the moment that beamed little green aliens into our homes (and hearts).Guests: sociologist of science Pierre Lagrange; Kentucky resident Bill Thomas; literature professor Roger Luckhurst.Special thanks to caller Willie. Thanks also to Sarah Scoles and Geraldine Sutton Stith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 16, 2019 • 29min
Limbo: The Haunting Backstory of Getting Low
Where did the limbo first get off the ground? This week, ELT reveals how it went from funerals in the Caribbean to shag-carpeted basements across American suburbia.Guests: Performer, choreographer, and documentarian Sonja Dumas; and Shane Vogel, professor of English and Theater at Indiana University.Special thanks to listener Aurelia. Thanks also to Kieron Sargeant and Ray Funk.To hear the songs featured in this episode, head over to our Spotify playlist at elt.show/limbo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 9, 2019 • 20min
Putting a Phantom Tune to Rest
Caller Austin had a fragment of a song stuck in his head, and he needed our assistance. ELT listeners help him name that tune and put this mystery to rest.Guests: Singer and songwriter Sondre Lerche. Thanks to Dave Heilman and all the listeners who tried to help Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 19, 2019 • 31min
How to Get Rid of an Earworm
An earworm expert explains how to unstick that song that’s stuck in your head, and why it got lodged there in the first place. Plus, your earwormholes — the songs that transport you through time and space.To hear the songs featured in this episode, head over to our Spotify playlist.http://www.elt.show/earworm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 12, 2019 • 26min
Fruit Flies: Seriously, Where Do They Come From?
Caller Jeremy has a problem: fruit flies have swarmed his apartment, and he needs to know where they came from. ELT finds out how Jeremy’s red-eyed roommates landed in his life. Plus, please help caller Austin name that tune. Guest: Biologist Marcus Stensmyr, Lund University. Thanks to callers Jeremy and Austin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 29, 2019 • 27min
Don't Underestimate the Flamingo
While they may look like dainty, dorky birds, flamingos deserve respect. Flora brings the flamingo facts, and launches ELT’s campaign to bring a flamingo mascot to professional sports.Guests: Comedian Prashanth Venkataramanujam; Producer Katherine Wells; Mascot maker Jennifer Smith of Avant Garb; Renbert Mortimer, creator of the University of the Bahamas mascot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 22, 2019 • 28min
TSA Treasure Chest: What Happens To Your Confiscated Stuff?
Every year the TSA confiscates millions of pounds of pocket knives, sunscreen and snow globes from airport travelers. Where does it all go? ELT investigates. Plus, tips for sneaking your weed onboard from a former TSA agent.Guests: Ex-TSA “Taylor”; TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein; surplus agents for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Patrick Knight and Mike Starr; press secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of General Services Troy Thompson. Thanks to caller Kimberly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
