Holodomor: The World’s Forgotten Genocide

Holodomor: The World's Forgotten Genocide

Podcast Transcript In the years 1932 and 1933, one of the greatest humanitarian disasters in human history occurred in what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in the Soviet Union.  Millions of people died, yet the event was ignored in most of the western press and wasn’t even officially acknowledged by the Soviet government …

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Everything You Need to Know About Petroleum

Everything You Need to Know About Petroleum

Podcast Transcript Thousands of years ago, humans discovered a black-yellowish liquid that come out from the ground and could burn when it was set on fire.  Today, the fluid that seeped from the rocks is responsible for much of our modern world. But how does that fluid become usable fuel, and how exactly do you …

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The Great Nottingham Cheese Riot of 1766

The Great Nottingham Cheese Riot of 1766

Podcast Transcript Throughout history, there have been riots over many different things.  Sports teams winning, sports teams losing, high prices, war protests, and police brutality, have all been a cause of riots at some point.  However, in 1766, one town in England had perhaps one of the oddest riots of all time.  Learn more about …

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Why Wasn’t the Wheel Invented Sooner?

Why Wasn't the Wheel Invented Sooner?

Podcast Transcript If you were to ask most people what the very first invention that humans came up with is, many of them might say the wheel.  It isn’t a bad guess, but believe it not, the wheel was nowhere close to being the first invention.  In fact, as far as we know, there were …

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The Plan Dog Memorandum: How The US Planned for WWII Before It Was In It

The Plan Dog Memorandum: How The US Planned for WWII Before It Was In It

Podcast Transcript In 1940, much of the world was at war, but the United States wasn’t. A strong isolationist sentiment kept the US on the sidelines while Germany and Japan ran roughshod over their neighbors.  While the US wasn’t in the war, many people in the US military knew that it was only a matter …

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Confusing Country Names

Confusing Country Names

Podcast Transcript Countries, like people, have names. Sometimes those names are long and sometimes they have a shorter version of it for common use.  There are some countries, however, that often have multiple names, and the names can be radically different from each other. They might want everyone to call it by one name, or …

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Conquering Mount Everest

Conquering Mount Everest

Podcast Transcript You are probably well aware that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth.  Because of its status as the highest point on Earth, it has attracted thousands of people who have climbed to the summit. In the process, it has also killed hundreds of people who died in the attempt. Learn more …

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Simo Häyhä: The White Death

Simo Häyhä: The White Death

Podcast Transcript On November 30, 1939, as part of their secret agreement with Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union invaded the nation of Finland.  Despite the overwhelming numerical and military advantage, the Soviets were unable to advance very far and suffered heavy losses. One man, in particular, was responsible for many of those losses and single-handedly …

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The History of Mardi Gras and Carnival

The History of Mardi Gras and Carnival

Podcast Transcript Every year, before the start of Lent, in hundreds of cities around the world, there is a massive celebration. While the celebrations differ, sometimes dramatically, there are certain elements they all share. Modern celebrations can often get quite racy, and if you didn’t know it, you’d probably never guess that the origins of …

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