Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
Alex Schmidt
A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 7min
Cathode Ray Tubes
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why cathode ray tubes 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
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 13min
Zoos!
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why zoos 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’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)
Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 27min
http www
Alex Schmidt and special guest Jason Pargin explore why "http www" 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
Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
Escalators
Alex Schmidt and special guest Dan Hopper explore why escalators 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
Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 10min
Sunscreen
Alex Schmidt and special guest Lydia Bugg explore why sunscreen 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
Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
Rock Paper Scissors
Alex Schmidt and special guest Dennard Dayle explore why "rock paper scissors" 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
Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
Bastille Day
Alex Schmidt and special guest Tom Lum explore why Bastille Day 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
Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
Echidnas
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why echidnas 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
Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Word "Hello"
Uncover the delightful history of the word 'hello,' from its playful nuances to its cultural significance. Discover how 'hello' evolved from a shout for attention to a beloved greeting in our communication. Enjoy a humorous look at a Texas county trying to replace it with 'heaven-o' and the fascinating role of the 'Hello Girls' in phone history. Plus, dive into how popular music captures the emotional resonance of greetings, showcasing the impact of artists like Adele and the Beatles. It's a journey through language, culture, and connection!
Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
Roller Derby
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why roller derby 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
