Part-Time Genius
Part-Time Genius
iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope
Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.
A Message from Mango
Hey there, podcast listeners. Please check out this brief message from Mango with an important announcement about the future of Part-Time Genius. We really appreciate it (and you). Leave us a message! Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30
1 min
Are Narwhals Real? (Yes, and We'll Tell You About Them)
Will and Mango dive deep on the unicorn of the sea, aka the narwhal! Find out how to tell a real narwhal tusk from a fake, why one university chose these majestic beasts as their mascot, and why everyone's on the lookout for a baby narluga (that's the hot new beluga/narwhal hybrid). This episode originally aired on August 29, 2024. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Fanciful (and not very scientific) illustration of a "sea unicorn" by Conrad Gessner, ca. 1558, via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 27
21 min
Why Do We Call 911 in an Emergency?
From the strange reason people used to call funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing into the surprising story of emergency hotlines.  This episode originally aired on May 16, 2024. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our (non-emergency) hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 23
27 min
Are You Eating Sushi All Wrong? ft. Trevor Corson
It's time to get real about raw fish! Will and Mango have their chopsticks ready and way too many questions on hand: Is blue fin really a delicacy? How do sushi chefs apply their soy sauce? And how California is the California roll? From the dish's Chines
Oct 20
44 min
Are We Living Through a Rudeness Epidemic? ft. Danny Wallace
After author Danny Wallace received the world's worst customer service (and possibly the world's worst hotdog) from a hotdog vendor, he decided to search for the root cause of rudeness. Danny joins Will and Mango on this week's episode to talk about snark
Oct 16
36 min
Do Healing Crystals Really Work?
Spoiler: No. But crystals are still pretty magical! Producer Mary visits the American Museum of Natural History’s Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to find out how crystals are formed, what makes them so colorful, and why you should never leave your collection in a department store window. Meanwhile, Mango’s got plenty of research about ancient crystal beliefs and the modern healing crystal movement—plus, the surprisingly dark side of crystal sourcing. Learn more about the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals and their incredible collections! Visit Rockhounding.org. Get a DIY education in minerals at Mindat.org. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Franco Antonio Giovanella via Unsplash. Thanks, Franco! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 13
39 min
Why Is the Michelin Man White, If Tires Are Black?
Why is the Michelin Man white when tires are always black? What do Tony the Tiger and Christopher Columbus have in common? And why did they give The Noid a video game?
Oct 9
17 min
What’s the Best Way to Remember Things?
Why do you have trouble remembering people’s names? What’s the real difference between long-term and short-term memory? Is it true that the human brain can only remember seven things at a time? And what do you need to know in order to build your very own mind palace? Today Will and Mango are taking a walk down memory lane! Check out Dylan’s new music! Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Dianne Clifford via Unsplash. Thanks, Dianne! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 6
36 min
How Can You Overcome Writer's Block?
Okay, maybe some of these tricks aren't that genius (building your office on a giant Lazy Susan, for instance). Dig in as Will and Mango investigate the tricks artists have used to claw their way out of creative slumps.
Oct 2
15 min
9 Places You Can't Go
Want to visit a beautiful lake in Canada? How about a stunning historic mountain in Greece? Or an island full of adorable monkeys? Well, too bad… you can’t! Enjoy sitting at home while Mango and producer Mary tell you about nine fascinating places you’ll never get to see. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Kyle Glenn via Unsplash. Thanks, Kyle! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 29
34 min
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