Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" by Hokusai is secretly incredibly fascinating.Direct link to see the art: https://images.metmuseum.org/CRDImages/as/original/DP130155.jpg Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.Come hang out with us on the new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why windmills 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5Apologies for a brief issue with Alex's mic. You'll hear his backup audio until around nine minutes in, and then the whole rest of the show is his regular mic.

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why lemons 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 new SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Happy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello, plus the surprising and fun fulfillment of a long-ago prophecy. And see you in 2024!There's also a special new bonus show, released last week, where Alex interviews an expert about Hangeul. That's on top of weekly bonus shows for supporters every week. Visit maximumfun.org/join to support the show and hear that BoCo.Come hang out with us anytime on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why coal 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 new 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)

The hosts explore the misconceptions and personal experiences with the novel Frankenstein, and delve into its framing devices. They discuss the historical events that influenced Mary Shelley's creation, the messy situation of its publication, and even explore the concept of interconnected telephone systems achieving sentience. The inspirations behind the novel, including attempts at reanimating dead tissue and a Playboy magazine story, are also explored. Plus, there is a bonus show where the hosts discuss Victor Frankenstein's strange choices.

In this episode, the hosts explore the origins and cultural influence of ska music. They discuss its roots in Jamaica, the evolution of the genre, and its impact on various musical movements. They also delve into the connections between ska music and skate culture, as well as its influence on fan culture and children's entertainment. With special guests Dave Holmes and Riley Silverman, this entertaining episode provides fascinating insights into the world of ska music.

The podcast explores the concept of credit unions and their differences from regular banks. They discuss the origins and global spread of credit unions, as well as the ethical nature of credit unions compared to banks. The hosts also touch on different types of money, the history of banks and lending, and the fun aspects of credit unions such as Willy Wonka's credit union and pneumatic tubes.

Explore the fascinating aspects of Canada Geese, including their behavior, population trends, and aggressive nature. Learn about their connection to dinosaurs, large droppings, communication through honking, and impressive flight capabilities. Discover the ethical implications of hunting them, methods of controlling their population, and the possibility of implementing sex education for geese.

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