The Internet Says it’s True

Monte Carlo 1913: The Gambler's Fallacy

Try to imagine how you would bet if a roulette wheel landed on black 26 times in a row. What are the chances that the next spin would land on black? And how much would you be willing to risk? This episode is all about a couple popular gambling fallacies - people betting against a streak of luck and people betting on a streak of luck. We talk about The Gambler's Fallacy and the Hot-Hand Fallacy; then chat with Comedian and Weird Dad Glen Tickle for the Quick Quiz!

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Why is There a Tree on That Building?

You may have noticed something strange while passing a new building under construction: a small tree on the top of the structure. In this episode, we discuss why it's there. It's called the "Topping Out Ceremony" and it's a bizarre tradition/superstition that's lasted more than 1,400 years. Then we do a quiz with Author, Speaker and Comedian Amma Marfo! 

 

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Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent
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The Topping Out Ceremony for the North Tower of the World Trade Center. December 23, 1970

The Woman Who Fell From the Sky and Lived

In 1971, Juliane Koepcke's airplane was struck by lightning and broke apart 2 miles above the Peruvian Jungle. Miraculously, she was the only one out of the 92 people onboard to survive. In this episode, we tell the amazing story of how she survived the crash and her journey to find safety.

Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent
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Hollywood: The Many Stories of its Name

There are many competing theories on exactly how Hollywood, California got its name. Is it possible that the most ridiculous-sounding story is also the most credible? In this episode, we go to "Tinseltown" and explore its history - including the theories behind how it was named. Then we issue the "Quick Quiz" to Actor, Screenwriter and Executive Producer, Michael Hitchcock.

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The iconic "Hollywood Sign" - first erected in 1923


The Hollywood Sign in its original form, reading "HOLLYWOODLAND."

The Wilcox Advertisement for the original plot of land - the first advertised use of the name "Hollywood."

The adobe house that was the only dwelling in the area that is now Hollywood, CA.

H.J. Whitley's 1886 Journal entry describing his run-in with the man who would inadvertently name Hollywood.

Marian Anderson and the D.A.R.

On Easter Sunday in 1939, contralto singer Marian Anderson gave a concert to 75,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. This moment has been called a prelude to the Civil Rights Movement that would come to the nation's forefront 25 years later. The concert was never supposed to happen. This episode explores the racism and segregation of a city that led to the momentous performance. Then we invite So Percussion's Josh Quillen on the show to quiz him!

Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent

 

Norton I, Emperor of the United States (feat. Song Salad)

He was born Joshua Abraham Norton, but to San Fransisco in the mid 1800s, he was Norton the First, Emperor of The United States and Protector of Mexico. Sure, it was a made up title and he held no actual authority, but that didn't stop the citizens of San Fransisco (and one King of Hawaii) from showing him reverence. This episode dives into the history of Emperor Norton - including some of his more prophetic decrees - and then we collaborate with the AWESOME Shannon and Scott from the Song Salad Podcast! 

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OMG - A History

LMFAO, BRB, LOL, OMG. It feels tragically uncool to dissect and examine today's texting and internet acronyms, but it turns out some of these acronyms aren't as current as we think they are! In this episode, we learn about how exclaiming "OMG!" dates all the way back to 1917 and chat with Comedian and Co-Founder of Stand Up for Choice, Pat Deering.

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Adobe Flash and The Demise of a Chinese Railroad

When Adobe announced it would be discontinuing Flash in 2017, developers started replacing it with newer, more robust software. But one railroad system in Dalian, China didn't get the memo. When it was finally globally disabled in January of 2021, the entire railroad was disabled. In this episode, I get nostalgic about the good ole' days of flash animation, then tell the story about how it affected the railroad. Then we chat with Erik Tait, from Ships of the Northern Fleet and Penn & Teller Fool Us for the Quick Quiz!

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Broken Arrow: The Time We Almost Nuked South Carolina

In our history, we've had at least 32 "Broken Arrow" incidents: instances of nuclear weapons accidents that don't cause a nuclear war. One of those was in 1958, in which an Air Force B-47 Bomber almost nuked Mars Bluff, South Carolina. In this episode, we talk about the B-47, it's staggering 10% loss rate and the Mars Bluff incident. Then we catch up with actor and podcaster Michael Spedden for the Quick Quiz!

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Human Sacrifice and Mexican Food

While I'll freely admit there is a sort of "clickbait" nature to this title, I promise this episode is a wild one. It's about the forgotten and sordid past to the popular Mexican stew, Pozole. In addition to learning all about the stew, it's history and ingredients, we learn a little bit about ancient Aztec culture, hear me pronounce words like "Tlacaxipehualiztli" and then do a quick quiz with a Doctor of Food Science, my brother Kyle! 

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