A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his comedian guests for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)
Episodes
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedian/podcaster Matt Kirshen (Probably Science, The Jim Jefferies Show) and comedian/podcaster Andy Wood (Probably Science, 4-Time 'Jeopardy!' Champion) for a look at why asbestos is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
See NordPass Business in action now with a 3-month free trial here nordpass.com/sifpod with code SIFPOD.
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by podcaster and bestselling author Dana Schwartz ('Noble Blood' podcast, new book 'Immortality: A Love Story') for a look at why truffles are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedy writers Lydia Bugg (1900HOTDOG, the ‘Trailer Park Boys’ comic anthology) and Dan Hopper (Ranker, The New Yorker) for a look at why the painting "The Starry Night" is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Direct link to see the painting: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79802
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedians/podcasters Rebecca Reeds ('The Villain Was Right' podcast) and Eli Yudin ('What A Time To Be Alive' podcast) for a look at why the North American Great Lakes are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedian/podcaster Kath Barbadoro ('What A Time To Be Alive' podcast), writer/podcaster David Roth (Defector, ‘The Distraction’ podcast), and comedian Martin Urbano (The Tonight Show), live at Caveat NYC, for a look at why raccoons are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and the video version of this live episode.
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by bestselling author Jason Pargin (new novel "If This Book Exists, You’re In The Wrong Universe") for a look at why barbed wire is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
This is the bonus show for Episode 62! (Halloween Stores)
Alex Schmidt and Jason Pargin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of the U.S. and Canada's favorite Halloween urban legend: what it is, why it's a myth, and how it became one of the most persistent beliefs in North America.
Originally released Sept 27th, 2021, exclusively for patrons at http://sifpod.fun/.
Research sources for Alex's new intro:
the journal Science: "Fainting From Fentanyl Exposure? Nope." https://www.science.org/content/blog-post/fainting-fentanyl-exposure-nope
CBS News: "Sen. Chuck Schumer warns drug dealers are pushing rainbow fentanyl to children" https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/sen-chuck-schumer-warns-drug-dealers-pushing-rainbow-fentanyl-to-children/
clip of scaremongering on Fox News: https://twitter.com/justinbaragona/status/1574878436211957783
example of a scaremongering article, from Newsweek: https://www.newsweek.com/rainbow-fentanyl-targeted-children-lego-box-halloween-1749492
Here's a piece from The Guardian, published April 2022, covering one form the actual fentanyl crisis is taking: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/23/san-francisco-homelessness-street-team-fentanyl
Source links for the original bonus episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-show-62-of-56574011
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedians Caitlin Gill (stand-up album 'Major.', shirt store GuaranteeShirts.com) and Blake Wexler (stand-up album 'A Lifetime Of Laughter', podcast 'Blake's Takes For God's Sakes') for a look at why cardboard is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedy writer/podcaster Katie Goldin (‘Creature Feature’ podcast, @ProBirdRights) for a look at why eels are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.
(Alex's podcast hosting service requires a minimum of 5 characters per episode title, so that's why this episode's title has 1 exclamation point)
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Alex Schmidt is joined by comedian Siena East ('NDND' Youtube channel, UCB) and comedian/podcaster Rivers Langley ('The Goods From The Woods' podcast) for a look at why silica gel packets are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.