Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pumpkins are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

We make a special bonus show EVERY WEEK for Maximum Fun members. Get them all by supporting the podcast at https://maximumfun.org/join/. And please enjoy this special public release of the bonus show for Episode 267 ("Lunch Atop A Skyscraper").Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of Mohawk ironworkers who build (and rebuild) New York City, the Montreal bridge project that sparked their community's ironwork traditions, and the little-known recent past of Boerum Hill.RESEARCH SOURCES:How Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ Helped Build New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers (History.com)A Wigwam in Brooklyn (WNYC Public Radio)Little Caughnawaga (The Brooklyn Rail)Skywalkers: A Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center (9/11 Memorial & Museum)10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ (Mental Floss) -- this is one source repeating the claim Peter Rice might be in the photo. It's possible and not certain.Victoria Bridge (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering)When Little Italy Was Big (PBS Channel Thirteen New York City)Exhibitions: Native New York (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the photograph "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why speed bumps are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why flamingos are secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Bluetooth is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why lint is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5(Alex’s old podcast hosting service required a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, and he's keeping that going for fun. So that’s why this episode’s title has an exclamation point)

Explore the delightful world of Neapolitan ice cream, from childhood scooping techniques to its vibrant visual appeal. Discover how ancient Naples influenced this beloved treat and the role of Italian immigrants in shaping its American identity. The hosts debunk the astronaut ice cream myth while revealing the real goodies enjoyed in space. Lastly, uncover the fascinating connections between Neapolitan foods and Italy's tricolor heritage, all wrapped in fun facts and personal anecdotes.

Dive into the fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark wonders! Discover the science behind why things glow through photoluminescence, radioluminescence, and chemiluminescence. The hosts share childhood memories of glow toys and explain the chemistry behind glow sticks. Learn about historical glowing materials, from ancient medicine to radium's dark past. The episode balances fun and education, shedding light on the shift to safer glowing technologies. Get ready to see glowing objects in a whole new light!

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the color red is secretly incredibly fascinating.Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5