Every Little Thing on RadioPublic

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Cheerleading Part 2: Pageantry, Femininity, Racism

April 19th, 2019

Who decides what a cheerleader looks like? Or sounds like? In part two of a two-part episode, ELT digs into the complicated legacy of an American archetype.

Guests: Natalie Adams, cheerleading researcher and professor at …

Cheerleading Part 1: How Cheerleaders Came to Rule the School

April 15th, 2019

How did one style of cheerleading come to dominate in so many American schools? In part one of a two-part episode, ELT flips through the history of …

When Did Pants Become a Thing?

April 8th, 2019

While there’s some evidence clothes go back 170,000 years, pants are a relatively recent addition to our wardrobes. Why were pants developed and who wore them first? ELT unravels the surprising story of pants. Guests: …

Introducing The Cut on Tuesdays

April 1st, 2019

ELT introduces The Cut on Tuesdays, a new Gimlet Media podcast hosted by Molly Fischer. In this episode, chefs Samin Nosrat, Angela Dimayuga, and …

Duct Tape MacGyver: The Sticky Secrets

March 18th, 2019

Can duct tape really fix every little thing? ELT tests the limits — and gets to the bottom of a duct tape story that’ll blow your socks off. Plus, your most ingenious MacGyver stories.

Guests: Daniel Munson, Senior …

Forks: One Utensil’s Battle for Respect

March 11th, 2019

While spoons, knives, and chopsticks have been commonplace for centuries, forks didn’t make it to most silverware drawers until the mid-1800s. What …

Baseball and Organ Music: How’d That Happen?

February 25th, 2019

When did organ music and baseball become a thing? ELT talks to some pro organ players to find out how organs and ballparks got together. Plus, meet …

Thrift Store Smell: What Is It? Plus, Your Cleanspiracies

February 18th, 2019

ELT gets to the bottom of a familiar aroma -- thrift store smell. Why do thrift shops all smell the same? Plus, is washing your clothes better than freezing them? ELT investigates listener cleanspiracies with expert …

Waterphone: The Sound That Haunts Hollywood

February 11th, 2019

One eerie sound has been haunting Hollywood movies — from Poltergeist to Jurassic Park to Let the Right One In — and 14 seasons of Unsolved Mysteries…

Stamps: Tiny Squares Full Of Secrets

January 28th, 2019

How do U.S. postage stamps come to be? ELT explores the secret world of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, the group that decides what gets stuck on America’s envelopes. Plus, Bigfoot gets his due.

Guests: Bill …

Auctioneers: Why Do They Talk Like That?

January 21st, 2019

Why do some auctioneers talk so fast? And what are they actually saying? ELT gets the low-down on auction talk from a professional auctioneer. Plus, pro-tips for developing your auctioneer chant.

Guest: Junior Staggs, …

🛩TSA Treasure Chest : What Happens To Your Confiscated Stuff? 💸

January 14th, 2019

Every year the TSA confiscates millions of pounds of pocketknives, sunscreen and snow globes from airport travelers. Where does it all go? ELT investigates. Plus, tips for sneaking your weed onboard, from a former TSA …

Is Egg the Only Nog? Plus, Discovering the 8th Continent

December 17th, 2018

How did cold uncooked eggs become a festive beverage? Plus, coquito for the nogged out. And one of the first scientists to hoist herself into the …

Pumpkin Spice: The Science Behind the Invasion. Plus, What’s the Next Big Flavor Fad?

December 10th, 2018

Why is pumpkin spice a thing? Flavor scientists explain why this particular combination is so appealing -- or not. Plus, how to make a new flavor, …

Garbage: What Did We Do Before the Bag? Plus, A Trash Bag Moonshot

December 3rd, 2018

A Bulletin Board of Glory™ nomination from comedian Josh Gondelman takes ELT down a trashy rabbit hole, to a time before sanitation workers, when …

Bubblegum: What’s That Flavor? Plus, What’s the Deal With Turkey Eggs?

November 19th, 2018

Where does bubblegum flavor come from? A bubblegum bush? A beaver’s butt? We track down the original bubblegum flavor formula, and find out what’s in …

Why Goldfish Swam Into Our Living Rooms. Plus, Best Pet Vocalist

November 12th, 2018

How did goldfish come to dominate our fish bowls and pet stores? We dive into the history of America’s favorite finned pet. Plus, the fanciest …

Old Graves: What Would You Find In There? Plus, the Scariest Creature Under the Sea

October 29th, 2018

If you dug up the graves of our founding fathers, what would you find? Tri-corner hats and puffy shirts? A grave expert fills us in on what remains. …

Who Made ‘The Wave’ a Thing? Plus, a Mammal Mix-Up Made Right

October 22nd, 2018

When did “the wave” become a staple of stadium crowds? ELT talks to the professional cheerleader who first got fans out of their seats. Plus, the egg-laying mammal that is not a marsupial. We give monotremes their due.

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Do You Need to Warm Up Your Car? Plus, a Teeny, Glorious Car Hack

October 8th, 2018

Tucked into your car’s dashboard is a tiny arrow that points to the side of the car with the gas tank cap. Who came up with it? ELT tracks down the inventor of this tiny, brilliant car hack. Plus, do you really need to …

T. Rex Roar: How Is It Made? Plus, Would Dinosaurs Taste Like Chicken?

October 1st, 2018

How did they make the dinosaur roars in the Jurassic Park movies? Flora talks with the sound engineers behind the bellows. Plus, ELT goes deep into the Mesozoic to find out what what dinosaurs looked (and tasted) like.

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Cheese: Why Do We Worship Rotten Milk? A NSFW History

September 24th, 2018

When did someone first see a cheese curd and think, “Yeah, I’m going to eat that"? ELT traces the delicious and X-rated history of cheese. Plus, a professional processed cheese maker on how to make the most of the dairy …

Why One Horrible Sound Haunts Reality TV. Plus, Is That Bug Threatening Me?

September 17th, 2018

Who put the tension in reality TV? ELT tracks down the source of the nail biting-sound you can’t unhear. Plus, cicada killer wasps — a backyard horror story, turned intervention.

Guests: sonic puppetmaster Rick …

The Cha Cha Slide: How One Uncle Changed Weddings Forever

September 3rd, 2018

DJ Casper tells us the origin story of the Cha Cha Slide. Plus, The Nod’s Brittany Luse is astonished by the unreleased Cha Cha Slide Pt. 1.

Guests: The Nod’s host, Brittany Luse; Willie Perry Jr. (aka DJ Casper aka Mr. …

Who Invented the Bloomin’ Onion? Plus, Biology’s Best Butt

August 27th, 2018

ELT goes down under, to expose one of the most impressive butts in the animal kingdom. Plus, the multi-layered origin story of the Bloomin' Onion.

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What Do Dogs Say When They Bark?

August 13th, 2018

Is it possible to interpret what dogs are saying when they bark? We have the tools to help you do some ruff decoding. Plus, listeners share their …

WTF Do the ⏹ 🔼 ⏺ on My 👕 Tag Mean?

August 6th, 2018

Plus, koala fingerprints, lobster pee and other hot facts.

There are mysterious symbols inside your tee-shirt -- do you know what they mean? ELT …

How to Spot a Spy

July 16th, 2018

Does that person sitting next to you on the airplane REALLY work in IT? Plus, a tribute to the bedazzled sausage of the desert southwest, and more …

The Genius of Birds: Live From the Aspen Ideas Festival

July 9th, 2018

Some birds can fashion tools and create tiny works of art, so why do we always underestimate their bird brains? In this panel discussion, recorded at …

Do Scarecrows Scare Crows?

July 2nd, 2018

ELT goes into the mind of a crow to find out if scarecrows work. Plus, a look at how clowns protect their clown IP with fact buddy Prashanth Venkat

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ARRRRR Pirate Peg Legs Really A Thing?

June 25th, 2018

Pirate historian Laura Sook Duncombe tells us about the golden age of pirates. Plus, a tunnel follow up with Dr. Mole: where do the emergency exits …

Are Babies Born With Tails?

June 11th, 2018

Plus, learn how to lie like a dad.

Guests: Fake parenting expert Adam Mansbach; belly whisperer Tamara Duker Freuman; bird-watcher extraordinaire Amar …

Is There a Secret Sixth Taste?

June 4th, 2018

Is there more to your taste buds than you thought? ELT tackles a fat question. Plus, a #yesflamingo campaign update.

Guests: Richard Mattes, taste …

Are You Living With a Psychopath?

May 28th, 2018

Is your roommate trying to kill you? Learn how to spot the telltale signs of a psychopath.

Guests: Jon Ronson, author of The Psychopath Test; cat …

Who Invented the Scratch Ticket?

May 14th, 2018

Plus, a look at lottery history, and your strangest raffle winnings.

Guests: Jonathan Cohen, lottery historian; John Koza, co-founder of Scientific Games
Callers: John Henry, D., Lisa, Megan.

Hear your favorite Gimlet …

The Corn Identity

May 7th, 2018

A kid caller pops the question: How does popcorn pop? Plus, the uncomfortable truth about baby corn.

Public Toilets: To Sit Or To Hover?

April 30th, 2018

Plus, how to pee in zero-G.

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

Why Are Used Car Ads So INSAAANNNE?

April 16th, 2018

One man is to blame. Plus, vanity plates in the wild: IC A GR8 PL8.

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Underwater Tunnels: HOW?

April 9th, 2018

How they get that tunnel under there. Plus, a centuries-old scientific debate: why ice is slippery.

Guests: Dr. Gary Brierley (aka Dr. Mole), tunnel …

Do Dogs Have Belly Buttons?

March 12th, 2018

Plus, dog clothes: where did they come from?

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

How to Get Paid to Clap on TV

March 5th, 2018

Listener Mack asked about the unfamous people who fill empty seats at the Oscars.

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

Why Does Music Give Us the Chills?

February 19th, 2018

Why do we get goosebumps from music and other emotional experiences? Plus, the strangest things to give ELT listeners goosebumps.

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

How Old Is Winnie the Pooh?

February 12th, 2018

No, really - how old is he?

To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.fm/sponsors

What Would Happen to Your Body in Space?

January 29th, 2018

Flora finds out what would happen if she stepped into the vacuum of outer space. Then, an (Earth) vacuum paradox to end all paradoxes: which came …

Are "Speed Enforced by Aircraft" Signs a Lie?

January 22nd, 2018

First, Flora uncovers a feud about butterflies. Then, a question from the Help Line about aircraft patrol.

To find a list of our sponsors and …

Your Bedtime is Killing You

December 18th, 2017

Flora stages a fact intervention with Prashanth.

Who is Wilhelm and Why Won’t He Stop Screaming?

December 11th, 2017

The history of the world’s most iconic movie scream.

The Voices Hiding in Your Favorite Movies

December 4th, 2017

Invisible actors create worlds of sound in everything you watch - from Jaws to The Wire.

How to Not Ruin Thanksgiving

November 20th, 2017

Tips for being the #1 guest in the history of the universe. Plus, prunes.

Invasion of the Self-checkout Machines

November 13th, 2017

Self-service began in a Piggly Wiggly 100 years ago. How’d it become a way of life?

The Case of the Missing Armadillos

November 6th, 2017

Flora answers questions from the help line about an armadillo paradox and the DaVinci Code of pasta.

Bonus: Zombie Flamingo

October 30th, 2017

Flora continues to champion the flamingo.

Six O'Clock Soundtrack

October 23rd, 2017

How TV news got a score.

Who Killed Cargo Shorts?

October 16th, 2017

Flora and fact buddy Prashanth talk about spiders, which leads to a cargo short investigation.

Listen to Gimlet's newest show, Uncivil, wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocketcasts | Stitcher

Celebrity Crush with Bill Nye

October 9th, 2017

Bill Nye the Science Guy introduces us to an obscure historical figure. Plus, we revisit the eclipse.

The ELT Help Line

September 18th, 2017

Flora and Katherine answer questions from listeners. ELT Help Line #: (347) 464-9626.

Rapture Chasers [Re-broadcast]

August 21st, 2017

To celebrate Eclipse Day, we're rebroadcasting our very first episode.

Introducing The Pitch

July 17th, 2017

We're hard at work on Season 2 of ELT. In the meantime, we thought you'd enjoy this brand new Gimlet podcast called The Pitch. On it, real entrepreneurs pitch to real investors for real money. It's high stakes and …

Chair, Misunderstood

July 3rd, 2017

Learning to love a viral piece of furniture.

Our Sponsors: Wordpress.com | Synchrony Financial | Casper

Dewey Decimal Drama

June 26th, 2017

The trouble with the library cataloging system. Plus, slug-gate.

Our Sponsors: Spotify | Synchrony Financial

Don’t Underestimate the Flamingo

June 19th, 2017

Flora learns facts about the flamingo that change her. #YESflamingo

Listen to Mogul: The Life and Death of Chris Lighty, a hip-hop miniseries from …

The Society on Your Face

June 12th, 2017

Get to know your most intimate animal companions. They already know a lot about you.

Listen to Gimlet's newest show, The Pitch, on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

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What the Government Stashes

May 29th, 2017

Rummaging through the nation's attic to find out what the government stores and why.

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This Is an Activation

May 22nd, 2017

A weird night in Dallas leads us to ask: what kinds of emergency systems are all around us?

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The Quest to Wipe Out a Virus

May 15th, 2017

What does it take to eradicate a disease from the planet? Plus, the horrifying hunting habits of weasels.

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The Senate Whisperer

May 1st, 2017

How rules can keep us from descending into chaos.

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The Hide Rug of the Plant World

April 24th, 2017

Producer Christine Driscoll meets an alleyway plant dealer and discovers an industry right under our noses.

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Rapture Chasers

April 17th, 2017

An event in August could bring millions of people to tears.

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Hello, we are Every Little Thing

April 11th, 2017

Turn over the rock, peek through the keyhole, go down the rabbit hole. There's always more to it. A new show from Gimlet Media, hosted by Flora …

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