The idea that we aren’t the first advanced civilization to live on Earth sounds like a fringe theory, but it raises a good question: How can we be so sure that a civilization didn’t arise and die on Earth so long ago that any trace of it has been erased? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silurian Hypothesis

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Think tanks? More like stink tanks! We're kidding. Think tanks do valuable work, when they operate in a non-partisan way of course. Learn all about the history of these heady institutions in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selects: What are think tanks all about?

If you grew up in the 70s and 80s in America, you probably have the image of your tattered Guinness Book of Records. The book was ubiquitous then, but is still thriving today in despite the internet.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Guinness Book of Records

Mudlarking is a uniquely British hobby, though you can dig through river mud anywhere there's a river. But the Thames has the good stuff.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Short Stuff: What's a mudlarker?

Unit 731 was a secret group within the Japanese Army in WWII that committed unspeakable atrocities against humans in the name of scientific research. Listen with caution.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shameful and harrowing story Unit 731

No one - no one - likes to vomit, but there are some people who would prefer to die rather than vomit, people who spend their days worrying they will vomit at any moment and become so obsessed they curtail their lives to prevent it from happening. Learn all about it with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Silurian Hypothesis

Download our free app to listen on your phone