Part-Time Genius

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Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

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Today · 36 min
Who’s the Most Important Inventor of All Time?
It’s the grand finale of our week-long countdown, 25 People Who Changed the World… for Better, for Worse, and for Sillier! Today: Quick bites, an essential utensil, a highly specific industrial innovation with a surprising number of uses, and the number-one person who changed the world with something they built. Plus, live from his shed, Will's big reveal. Learn more about Space Walk Inflatables Learn more about The Big Bounce America Listen to The Builders with Walter Isaacson, available now wherever you get podcasts Subscribe to Mango’s newsletter! Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Yesterday · 37 min
Who Put Video Games in Your Pocket?
It’s day 4 of our week-long countdown, 25 People Who Changed the World… for Better, for Worse, and for Sillier! Today we visit Mary’s hometown to find out how one self-taught man solved a big log problem, discover an invention that changed the game (well, all the games), and unpack the science inside picnic coolers. Plus: The nurse whose invention was ahead of Ring cameras by decades. Learn more about Maine’s logging history at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum and the Maine State Museum. Learn about the Gerald A. Lawson Fund, which provides scholarships for Black and Indigenous students at the University of Southern California’s USC Games program. Listen to The Builders with Walter Isaacson, available now wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to Mango’s newsletter! Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Wednesday · 39 min
Who Sent the First Spam Email? (And Why?)
It’s day 3 of our week-long countdown, 25 People Who Changed the World… for Better, for Worse, and for Sillier! Today we head to Japan to find out how vending machines got so advanced, dive into the meme-worthy true story of a shady ancient ingot merchant, and gives props to the guy who kept your house from smelling like a sewer. Plus: How one man accidentally created the sprawling criminal enterprise we now know as spam. Visit John Levine’s website to learn more about his books, and check out his work with the RISE Infosec Foundation. Listen to The Builders with Walter Isaacson, available now wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to Mango’s newsletter! Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Tuesday · 35 min
How Did People Cope Before the Can Opener?
It’s day 2 of our week-long countdown, 25 People Who Changed the World… for Better, for Worse, and for Sillier! Today: How one man (okay, several men) saved us from stabbing cans with chisels, the real genius behind Ikea’s kids’ furniture section, and the surprisingly delightful story of those inflatable tube men you see dancing along the highway. Subscribe to Phil Edwards’ YouTube channel and newsletter. Listen to The Builders with Walter Isaacson, available now wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to Mango’s newsletter! Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Monday · 47 min
Is Duct Tape Safe for Ducks?
It’s day 1 of our new week-long countdown, 25 People Who Changed the World… for Better, for Worse, and for Sillier. Today we unpack the confusing lingo behind duct tape, meet a young woman who put innovation in paper bags, and engage with a mysterious organization dedicated to collecting and cataloguing bread clips. Plus: David Nagler is back with a Dolly Parton-inspired ode to internet phone calls. Visit HORG.com to learn more than you thought possible about occlupanids. Check out David Nagler’s website and his band, As For the Future. Listen to The Builders with Walter Isaacson, available now wherever you get podcasts. Subscribe to Mango’s newsletter! Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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November 6 · 39 min
What Are the Weirdest, Most Dangerous Plants in the World?
If you’re looking for the bad boys of plant life, look no further! Will and Mango discover squirting cucumbers, dynamite trees, and orchids that have ruined more than one wasp's marriage. Plus, we’ll tackle the origins of the guerrilla gardening movement, learn the surprising truth about some common edible plants, and chat with Trevor Jones, head gardener of The Poison Garden. This episode originally aired on August 23, 2017. Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Photo of some not-so-innocent rhubarb by Rob Wicks via Unsplash. Thanks, Rob! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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November 3 · 35 min
9 Heroes Who Averted Disaster
From the lone guard who prevented deadly riots at the Berlin Wall, to a stubborn scientist who singlehandedly fended off a medical catastrophe, to an unusually resourceful group of flight attendants faced with a kitchen crisis, Gabe and Mary bring you nine incredible stories of disasters that didn’t happen. (But almost did.) Plus: Get in the rice cooker mindset! In a hilariously appropriate-for-this-episode coincidence, James Blunt’s new album is called Airplane Mode. Read more about Karen Arcos’s work on memory and blindness. Did you hear? PTG is ending on Dec. 29. If you want to tell us a fun fact for the road, let us know what the show meant to you, or just say goodbye, call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Nuclear test photo by the U.S. Department of Energy via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 30 · 1 min
A Message from Mango
Hey there, podcast listeners. Please check out this brief message from Mango with an important announcement about the future of Part-Time Genius. We really appreciate it (and you). Leave us a message! Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 27 · 21 min
Are Narwhals Real? (Yes, and We'll Tell You About Them)
Will and Mango dive deep on the unicorn of the sea, aka the narwhal! Find out how to tell a real narwhal tusk from a fake, why one university chose these majestic beasts as their mascot, and why everyone's on the lookout for a baby narluga (that's the hot new beluga/narwhal hybrid). This episode originally aired on August 29, 2024. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Fanciful (and not very scientific) illustration of a "sea unicorn" by Conrad Gessner, ca. 1558, via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 23 · 27 min
Why Do We Call 911 in an Emergency?
From the strange reason people used to call funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing into the surprising story of emergency hotlines. This episode originally aired on May 16, 2024. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our (non-emergency) hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 22 · 2 min
Introducing: The Builders with Walter Isaacson
From Walter Isaacson, best-selling author and biographer of the era’s most ingenious minds, The Builders is a series of groundbreaking interviews with the architects of tomorrow. From Elon Musk to Fei-Fei Li, Alex Karp to Dario and Daniela Amodei, the series features candid and essential conversations about ambition, power, AI – and asks the question: whose imagination do we want to live in? Listen to The Builders every Tuesday. Listen here or on the iHeartRadio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 20 · 44 min
Are You Eating Sushi All Wrong? ft. Trevor Corson
It's time to get real about raw fish! Will and Mango have their chopsticks ready and way too many questions on hand: Is bluefin really a delicacy? How do sushi chefs apply their soy sauce? And how California is the California roll? From the dish's Chinese origins to why Japanese foodies are intrigued by American rolls, today we're going all in on sushi. Featuring The Story of Sushi author Trevor Corson. Buy The Story of Sushi or look for it in your local library! This episode originally aired on December 6, 2017. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Tamas Pap via Unsplash. Thanks, Tamas! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 16 · 36 min
Are We Living Through a Rudeness Epidemic? ft. Danny Wallace
How rude! After author Danny Wallace got the world's worst customer service (and possibly the world's worst hot dog), he decided to search for the root causes of rudeness. Danny joins Will and Mango to talk about snarky celebrity judges, why surgeons are in dire need of a rudeness vaccine (it's for our own safety!), and how one politician effectively fought rudeness... with mimes! This episode originally aired on February 23, 2018. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Walid Hamadeh via Unsplash. Thanks, Walid! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 13 · 39 min
Do Healing Crystals Really Work?
Spoiler: No. But crystals are still pretty magical! Producer Mary visits the American Museum of Natural History’s Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to find out how crystals are formed, what makes them so colorful, and why you should never leave your collection in a department store window. Meanwhile, Mango’s got plenty of research about ancient crystal beliefs and the modern healing crystal movement—plus, the surprisingly dark side of crystal sourcing. Learn more about the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals and their incredible collections! Visit Rockhounding.org. Get a DIY education in minerals at Mindat.org. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Franco Antonio Giovanella via Unsplash. Thanks, Franco! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 9 · 17 min
Why Is the Michelin Man White, If Tires Are Black?
What do Smokey the Bear and the Beatles have in common? How did Mr. Peanut influence Canadian politics? Whatever happened to Tony the Tiger's mom? And why on earth does a tire company represent itself with a guy who looks like a pile of marshmallows? Today Will and Gabe dive into the bizarre world of corporate mascots! This episode originally aired on June 28, 2018. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo via WIkimedia Commons. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 6 · 36 min
What’s the Best Way to Remember Things?
Why do you have trouble remembering people’s names? What’s the real difference between long-term and short-term memory? Is it true that the human brain can only remember seven things at a time? And what do you need to know in order to build your very own mind palace? Today Will and Mango are taking a walk down memory lane! Check out Dylan’s new music! Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Dianne Clifford via Unsplash. Thanks, Dianne! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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October 2 · 15 min
How Can You Overcome Writer's Block?
Whether you're struggling with a report or the next great novel, Will and Mango have nine genius-approved ways to get through a creative slump. This episode originally aired on September 20, 2018. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Steve A. Johnson via Unsplash. Thanks, Steve! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 29 · 34 min
9 Places You Can't Go
Want to visit a beautiful lake in Canada? How about a stunning historic mountain in Greece? Or an island full of adorable monkeys? Well, too bad… you can’t! Enjoy sitting at home while Mango and producer Mary tell you about nine fascinating places you’ll never get to see. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Kyle Glenn via Unsplash. Thanks, Kyle! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 25 · 28 min
What Did the Big Bang Sound Like?
Ever wondered what sound the origin of the universe made? Or why British people are so turned off by the sound of Tasmanian Devils? From the crowds at Shakespeare's Globe to the ugly grunts of baby koalas, we're covering the funniest, strangest, most annoying sounds in the universe. This episode originally aired on December 27, 2017. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Artist's rendering of a distant galaxy with an active quasar by Joseph Olmsted/NASA. Thanks, Joseph and NASA! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 22 · 38 min
9 Talented Cheetahs You Should Know!
Cheetahs are fast, endangered, and surprisingly multi-talented. Not only are they great vocalists, they’re also artistic muses, spokesmodels, and TikTok chefs (sort of). It’ll all make sense after Mango and producer Mary share nine facts about cheetahs—from their biology and behavior to their influence on art and culture. Listen to “Jambo Bwana” on YouTube Watch the original viral Ruuxa & Raina video on YouTube Learn more about the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Watch Goodboy Noah & Ayo Cheetah on TikTok Watch Fania All Stars in “Our Latin Thing” on YouTube Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social! Photo by Ahmed Galal via Unsplash. Thanks, Ahmed! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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