Part-Time Genius

Dive into the fascinating world of the largest birds! Discover why ostrich racing might have its roots in Florida and the incredible adaptations of Emperor penguins as they dive over 1,500 feet. Learn about the remarkable Wisdom, the albatross, who boasts a 67-year lifespan, and the vital ecological role of cassowaries in rainforest regeneration. Uncover myths about these majestic creatures and explore how they’ve evolved from flying ancestors. It's a thrilling journey through avian wonders!

Tom Freston, a veteran media executive and co-founder of MTV, shares his remarkable journey from bartending in the Caribbean to leading Viacom. He reveals fascinating tales, like his unexpected sauna chat with Paul McCartney and David Bowie. Tom discusses the adventurous spirit that led him to build a clothing brand in India and work in Afghanistan. He also highlights how MTV's unique culture embraced risk-taking, birthed reality TV, and asserts that television can drive social change.

Curious about the scents of history? Discover how scientists are recreating ancient fragrances, from Cleopatra's perfume to Hawaii's extinct flowers. The hosts dive into the complexities of smell perception, the impact of pollution, and how urban odors shape our identities. They even explore unique projects like the Resurrecting the Sublime, which uses DNA to bring back lost floral scents. Plus, learn about digital scent technology and its potential to evoke memories in innovative ways!

In this fun-filled trivia challenge, Flora Lichtman, a science communicator from Science Friday, teams up with contestant Emily, a trivia champion and medical student. They delve into fascinating food science topics such as why pandas can’t taste umami and the evolution of their bamboo diet. Emily impresses with her knowledge of the Maillard reaction and the Scoville scale, while Flora reveals quirky facts about peanut butter diamonds and honey's impressive shelf life. Expect laughter and learning in this exciting blend of science and fun!

Discover the quirks that make New Zealand unique! From the rise of an official wizard to the creativeness of roadside parrot gyms, the hosts explore fascinating topics. Learn why Hokey Pokey is the nation's favorite ice cream and uncover the secrets of Kiwi coffin clubs, where personalization meets social bonding. Marvel at Baldwin Street’s steepness and hear about dogs driving cars to promote adoptions. Dive into this captivating cultural journey full of fun facts and odd laws!

Dive into the fascinating world of pasta with quirky facts that will leave you craving more! Discover the staggering variety of over 350 pasta shapes and the quirky myth that Marco Polo brought noodles to Italy. Learn about Casanova's daring macaroni-powered prison escape and the bizarre BBC prank about spaghetti trees. Plus, hear about the rarest pasta threads used in rituals and the history behind Italy's pasta purity law. It's a delicious mix of history, humor, and culinary trivia!

In a lively discussion, Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of Mental Floss, explores the eccentricities of Theodore Roosevelt. They dive into how TR’s unusual eating habits, like drinking coffee from a giant mug, fueled his legendary productivity. Erin shares amusing tales, including how a dead seal ignited Roosevelt's passion for nature, and recounts a hilarious mix-up between a young Dr. Seuss and TR. From family dynamics to the infamous bear hunt, this conversation paints a vivid picture of a larger-than-life president.

Eves Jeffcoat, a HowStuffWorks staff member and mustache aficionado, joins the fun with some eyebrow-raising mustache facts. Discover how mustaches can shield your skin from UV rays and the surprising reason Burt Reynolds donned his iconic facial hair. Delve into the eccentricities of Groucho Marx and learn about Salvador Dalí's mustache being found intact after his exhumation. Plus, hear about the historic mustache spoon, designed to protect that carefully styled mustache while enjoying food!

In this insightful discussion, Daniel Whiteson, a particle physicist and author of *Do Aliens Speak Physics?*, dives into the fascinating intersections of physics and extraterrestrial life. He explores how pondering alien communication can reveal much about our own understanding of science and the universe. Topics include the universality of physics, the cultural influences on scientific practice, and whether mathematics is human-made or a cosmic constant. Whiteson also reflects on sci-fi's role in shaping our perceptions of alien science.

On today's Rec Center, Mango introduces listeners to his pal Matthew Shaer's brand new podcast Origin Stories. If you're someone who misses the Longform podcast, loves to learn about the craft of writing, or just want to hear more from your favorite author and filmmaker, Origin Stories is probably what you've been looking for. On today's episode, Matthew interviews the bestselling author Stephanie Foo about her memoir "What My Bones Know." If you want to hear about why morning pages don't work for everybody, how to approach a rewrite, and why it's ok to include more fart jokes than your editor might want, give it a listen.  For more Origin Stories, including Stephanie's episode, be sure to click here. Or find it wherever you get your podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.