Sidedoor

It started as a rumor in the cafeteria of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama: monkeys on an island in the Pacific were doing something no one had ever seen them do before. But when researchers went searching for these elusive capuchin monkeys, they discovered more questions than answers. Guests: Claudio Monteza, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow and researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Brendan Barrett, researcher at the University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Meg Crofoot, director of the Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Former Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow

Money is power. But who's on our money - or isn’t - can be just as powerful. While Lady Liberty has graced American coins and dollars for most of our history, it wasn’t until the 1970s that a real woman appeared on a circulating American coin. But that's about to change. Congress recently authorized the creation of twenty new quarters featuring American women from history. But how do we decide whose likeness gets engraved in our national story? And who makes these decisions? We’ll follow the money to find out. Guests: Jennifer Schneider, former program manager at Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, current assistant registrar of outgoing and government loans at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Tey Marianna Nunn, former director of the American Women’s History Initiative at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, current associate director for content and interpretation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino Ellen Feingold, curator of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Joseph Menna, chief engraver at the United States Mint Tim Grant, public affairs manager at the United States Mint Dave Clark, supervisor of blanking annealing and upsetting at the United States Mint

Discover the quirks of Leap Day and why it exists, with insights into the origins of Earth and Moon. Dive into the intricate connections between Earth's rotation, the Moon's orbit, and eclipse occurrences. Uncover leap year traditions, superstitions, and historical events tied to this unique day.

They say love is eternal. What about heartbreak? This Valentine’s Day, we bring you some of Japanese theater’s most popular tales of scorned lovers seeking vengeance from beyond the grave — with a burning passion. Guests:  Frank Feltens, Curator of Japanese Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Kit Brooks, Japan Foundation Assistant Curator of Japanese Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art

From brontosauruses with bronchitis to birds on a wire to flying space rocks and a botched heist at 20 thousand feet. In this episode, Lizzie and Sidedoor producer James run all around the Smithsonian to answer listeners' questions from the Sidedoor mailbag. Guests: Lynn Heidelbaugh, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum Sara Hallager, curator of birds at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Jim Nollman, composer and pioneer of the “interspecies music” genre, conceptual artist, and environmental activist Cari Corrigan, research geologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and curator of the Antarctic Meteorite Collection Sharon Bryant, marketing specialist at the Smithsonian’s Office of Communications and External Affairs Matthew Carrano, research geologist and curator of Dinosauria at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

Explore the brave and incredible stories of animals on the battlefield, as told by Jennifer Jones and Frank Blazich, curators of military history at the Smithsonian. Learn about Luca, the dog who saved lives in the US Marine Corps, the heroic pigeon Cheramee, and Stubby, a stray dog who became a cherished war hero. Discover the historical role cats played on ships and the significant emotional support animals provide during and after war.

Virginia Hall dreamed of being America’s first female ambassador. Instead, she became a spy. Joining the ranks of the U.S.’s first civilian spy network, she operated alone in occupied France, where she built French Resistance networks, delivered critical intelligence, and sold cheese to the enemy. All on one leg. Guests: Sonia Purnell, author of “A Woman of No Importance: the Untold Story of the American Spy who Helped Win World War II.”  Randy Burkett, CIA Staff Historian Christina Gebhard, museum specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

Curator of folklife and popular culture at the Smithsonian, James Deutsch, explores the origins and significance of the song 'Auld Lang Syne' as a New Year's tradition. The podcast discusses the Scottish roots of the song, the influence of Charlie Chaplin's film 'The Gold Rush', and the emotions associated with reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to the new year.

North American River Otters are popping up in places they haven't been seen in decades and nobody really knows why. As we search for answers we discover a trail of fish heads, poop splats and cuddle parties. Guests: Katrina Lohan, head of the Coastal Disease Ecology Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Alejandra Morales Picard, psychologist at Montgomery College Rebecca Sturniolo, assistant curator of the America Trail at the Smithsonian National Zoo Patty Storms & Morty Bachar, otter neighbors

Katherine Ott, historian at the Smithsonian, discusses Maggie Kuhn and the Gray Panthers, an anti-ageism movement. They challenged societal norms through protests and stunts, changing perceptions of old age. The chapter also focuses on the neglect of older Americans and the issue of ageism in storytelling.