Endless Thread

Within a few months, the question "how often do men think about the Roman Empire?" conquered Instagram, TikTok and countless group chats — and then morphed into something else. What links this to other memes of the moment? Do all roads lead to Rome, or is something else at the root of the Roman Empire, girl math, and girl dinner?

In 1909, the Arizona Gazette ran an article titled "Exploration in Grand Canyon." It said that an explorer by the name of G.E. Kincaid went into the National Park for the Smithsonian and found caves full of mummies and ancient Egyptian treasures that put everything we thought we knew about civilization on its head. Well, the Smithsonian called the articles bunk reporting that Kincaid never worked for the institution. And it turns out he never existed! So how can a conspiracy that has been repeatedly debunked for decades, survive for so long? Endless Thread finds out.

Writer Cyrena Touros discusses the success of her newsletter Dracula Daily, which emails passages from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula to over 235,000 readers. The hosts explore the enduring popularity of Dracula, themes of loneliness and fear, and the vibrant fandom on Tumblr.

Three hair-raising tales are shared in this episode of Endless Thread. The hosts discuss creepy happenings in the woods, a terrifying encounter with an AI bot, and a spooky story about a mysterious hole in a girl's house.

Discover the journey of 'Goosebumps The Musical' from books to Broadway. Explore the unusual release of a cast recording for a show yet to be produced. Dive into the success of Goosebumps and a surprising discussion about the Second Amendment. Get thrilled by the hosts' excitement for the musical adaptation and the nostalgia surrounding Goosebumps.

World-renowned scientist Dr. Frankenstein discusses the creepy and paranormal corners of Furby internet, including haunted and cursed Furbies, one that hunts ghosts, and the weird world of long Furbies.

The podcast explores the impact of the digital age on the arachnid industry, from fears to fascination with spiders. It covers the emergence of websites and platforms for spider enthusiasts, the ethical implications of the spider pet trade, and the influence of the internet on collectors' desire for new spider species. The hosts also share their experiences with tarantula keeping and say goodbye to their last pet spider.

Explore the surprising origin and rapid growth of the U.S. gun industry, the impact of interchangeable parts on American manufacturing, hidden financial influence of the gun industry, and the dissatisfaction with current gun policy in America

Two podcast hosts explore the Find A Grave website at a historic cemetery, discussing its status as one of the first social media sites. They talk to a veteran user and the founder of Find a Grave, exploring its features and importance as a digital memorial. The chapter also dives into the growth and controversies surrounding the ownership and privacy of digital graves.

A six-year-old boy mysteriously vanished in the sand dunes of Indiana, sparking a deep investigation. The podcast explores the coexistence of miracles and science, featuring the now-adult boy. It also discusses the intriguing mystery of tree holes in Oregon's dunes and lessons about human interactions with the landscape.