The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Dorimar Mercado, the Puerto Rican-born founder of Coqui Snacks, shares her journey from business journalist to snack shop owner in Kissimmee, Florida. She dives into the vibrant Latin food scene, emphasizing the nostalgic design of her shop. Discover the intriguing connection between the limber popsicle and Charles Lindbergh, the homemade origins of limbers, and how she creatively expands traditional flavors. Dorimar also reflects on passing down Puerto Rican culinary traditions to her daughters, celebrating the rich cultural fabric of her community.

Discover the fascinating world of hand casts, revealing stories behind iconic figures like Louis Armstrong and Walt Disney. Learn how a doctor transitioned from casting surgeons to celebrities, transforming a collection into a captivating display of art and history. Explore the unique shapes of hands that reflect their owners' lives, from Nolan Ryan's grip to Andre the Giant's massive hands. Delve into the significance of hands as storytellers, urging you to ponder the tales hidden in your own.

Join Sam O'Brien, an editor at Gastro Obscura and food history enthusiast, as he shares quirky insights into the turkey's cultural significance. From the turkey tributes at St. Andrew's Boynton Church to the ceremonial use of turkeys in ancient Guatemala, Sam’s stories are a feast for the ears. He recounts the chaotic turkey trot of 1912 and delves into the history of presidential pardons. Plus, hear about the delightful Oaxaca rituals featuring live turkeys. This conversation reveals why these magnificent birds deserve our attention!

Join historian Dorothy Armstrong, an expert on South, Central, and West Asian material culture, as she unravels the rich tapestry of carpet history. Discover how carpets transcend decoration, connecting master weavers to empires. Dorothy shares how they became status symbols in Renaissance art and discusses the influence of religion and power through textiles. She explores modern weaving in Pakistan and the resilience of Turkmen culture. Plus, get insider tips on what to look for when buying a carpet!

Elliot Long, son of the Bottle Tree Ranch's creator, shares his journey of grappling with his father's artistic legacy. He reveals how his father's unique bottle trees transformed their ranch into a beloved Route 66 attraction, and the challenges he faced after his father's sudden illness and passing. From dealing with grief and the temptation to sell the ranch, to the surprising role of a loyal dog in protecting it, Elliot discusses his heartfelt commitment to preserving the magic of the ranch for the next generation.

Brad Wickham, a local resident of Nederland, Colorado, shares captivating tales from his years as the caretaker of Bredo Mostel, a frozen Norwegian grandfather. He describes Bredo's unique journey from Norway to a shed in the mountains. The discussion dives into the fascinating world of cryonics and how a community festival, Frozen Dead Guy Days, sprung up around Bredo's story, featuring coffin races and whimsical winter events. Brad reflects on the emotional ties he formed while maintaining Bredo and the upcoming move to a new home at the Stanley Hotel.

Becky Nessel, a geologist and science communicator from the Hudson Valley, takes listeners on a journey through the Shawangunk Mountains. She shares the unique geology of these mountains, highlighting the rare dwarf pitch pine ecosystem that thrives there. Listeners learn about the region's ancient sandstone and quartz formations, as well as the fascinating wildflowers adapting to thin soils. Becky emphasizes geology's critical role in conservation and biodiversity, inspiring a newfound appreciation for the stories rocks can tell.

In this enlightening discussion, writer and journalist Alessio Perrone shares insights from his extensive research on Italy's unexploded ordnance. He reveals that Italy recovers around 60,000 such devices every year, and explores the cultural context behind relics found in bombed sites—some even treated as collectibles. Perrone also highlights the perils faced by bomb detection teams, who often operate without safety gear. He reflects on the tragic accidents resulting from unexploded bombs and the shifting rituals surrounding their removal, emphasizing the generational challenges within the bomb-detection industry.

Char Adams, author and cultural writer, dives into the rich history of Black-owned bookstores in America, from the abolitionist David Ruggles to today's vibrant shops. She highlights Ruggles’s role in the Underground Railroad and how his bookstore served as a community hub. Adams discusses the impact of COINTELPRO on Black bookstores during the civil rights movement and the resurgence of these spaces in the 1990s. She reflects on the recent surge in support for Black-owned bookstores post-George Floyd and their evolving role as vital community resources.

Discover the fascinating story of Stamen Grigorov, the Bulgarian scientist who unveiled the secrets of yogurt in 1905. Explore his unique museum, dedicated to his groundbreaking discovery of Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Hear about the intriguing connection between yogurt and longevity theories proposed by Ilya Mechnikov. Journey through the Balkans and learn how the museum showcases local crafts and the cultural significance of yogurt. Delve into the quirks of health claims surrounding yogurt and Grigorov's lasting impact on microbiology.