
The gang shares some random facts! Abe Lincoln makes a Mai Tai. A fish waits in a Slovakian bathtub. Jason waits at the bottom of a lake. The sun explodes. A bloody text message arrives in Sweden. A banana glows. Napoleon is routed. A switch on an amplifier ignites controversy. In this episode: Tiessen A. (2018). The fluorescent blue glow of banana fruits is not due to symplasmic plastidial catabolism but arises from insoluble phenols estherified to the cell wall. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology, 275, 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.07.006 "The Great Standby Switch Myth" (from Sweetwater Sound)
Mar 27
44 min

Cindy and Harrison flip the script from last week, with Cindy bringing a history lesson for Women's History Month, and Harrison celebrating World Frog Day. In this episode: "City of Lies" (book, 2017) by Victoria Thompson "Frogatto & Friends" (computer game, 2010-) by Frogatto dev team "Frogger" (video game, 1981) by Konami Froglord (band, 2013-) "Frogman" (film, 2023) dir. by Anthony Cousins "Frogs" (film, 1970) dir. by George McCowan "Jurassic Park" (book, 1990) by Micheal Crichton 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (U.S. National Archives) "We the Women (book, 2026) by Norah O'Donnell
Mar 20
1 hr 1 min

Cindy and Harrison talk birds and movies! At the behest of her recent online search suggestions, Cindy provides a new batch of Bird Facts concerning our friend, the common crow. Harrison celebrates Women's History Month by discussing the life and work of pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy. Somebody pick up the baby! In this episode: La Fée aux Choux (1896) A Fool and His Money (1912) Les Résultats du féminisme (1906) La vie du Christ (1906)
Mar 13
47 min

The gang finds joy! Sophia shares some exciting library updates. A leg returns to its owner. Cindy investigates regional foods in the United States. Harrison gets funked up, Cindy gets down, and Sophia gives a nod to a legendary performance.
Mar 7
33 min

The gang shares some of their favorite birds! Eagles and herons eat well. Pigeons carry urgent news. A giant parrot does its best. In this episode: Bald Eagle Scream (Alaska Raptor Center, YouTube) Lionel the kākāpō booming and chinging (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand)
Feb 27
45 min

The gang introduces a fortuitous confluence of annual religious observances! Library super-volunteer Omar (who also happens to be Sophia's husband) phones in to discuss Ramadan. Sophia shares some Lunar New Year traditions, and goes for a world-record any% speedrun of Catholicism. Harrison discusses the Vatican Observatory, and Cindy explores the Chinese Zodiac. Blessed Lent! Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Lunar New Year! Be excellent to each other!
Feb 20
44 min

With Sophia snowed in, the gang assembles via videotelephony to celebrate Black History Month! Harrison tells the tale of legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Sophia shares the story of groundbreaking librarian Dorothy Porter Wesley, who built Howard University's world-renowned Moorland-Spingarn Research Center into the institution it is today. Cindy discusses the lives and careers of the Nicholas Brothers, from their contributions to the world of dance to their personal struggles and the difficult legacy of the Cotton Club. In this episode: "Bass Reeves" by Art T. Burton for Fort Smith National Historic Site (National Park Service) "Ed Wynn Presents the Nicholas Brothers 1964" (YouTube)
Feb 18
1 hr 15 min

Content warning: This episode contains potential spoilers for "Bridgerton" and "The Pitt," as well as discussions of medical distress and child death. The gang shares updates on their recent pop-culture fixations! Cindy's workin' on a mystery (goin' wherever it leads). Harrison forgives the Las Vegas Hilton and celebrates a music legend's milestone of self-discovery. Sophia catches up on Regency romance and modern medicine with a streaming drama update! In this episode: "Bridgerton" (Netflix series, 2020-) "The Extinct Immersive Las Vegas Star Trek Experience" from Expedition Theme Park (YouTube) "Father Brown" (BBC One series, 2013-) "Pete Sandoval (I Am Morbid, Ex-Morbid Angel) Opens Up About Autism Diagnosis at 61" by Greg Kennelty (Metal Injection) "The Pitt" (HBO Max series, 2025-) "Sister Boniface Mysteries" (BBC Studios/BritBox series, 2022-)
Feb 6
1 hr 4 min

Per listener request, the gang talks about the weather! Harrison shares a brief history of almanacs and... something else. Sophia introduces us to the historic lighthouses of Oregon. Cindy shares some movies for a catastrophically rainy day. In this episode: "The Day After Tomorrow" (film, 2004) dir. Roland Emmerich Oregon Lighthouses "See Lantern Return to Historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse On Oregon Coast" by Rose Shimberg (Statesman Journal, Aug. 10, 2025) Storm Glass Tempest Prognosticator "Twister" (film, 1996) dir. Jan de Bont "Twisters" (film, 2024) dir. Lee Isaac Chung Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Jan 31
36 min

The gang explores the history and variety of dialects in the United States! Cindy brings the research. Harrison abandons the letter G and Sophia adopts it. Dingbatters descend upon Ocracoke.
Jan 23
1 hr
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