Part-Time Genius

Look, we love Lady Liberty as much as the next patriot. But why on Earth did France give America a massive and exoribitant gift that wasn't on our registry? Will and Mango dig into the bizarre Parisian dinner party that led to the idea, the mathematical word problem of a way the statue was built, why it competed with a walrus for early tourists' attention, and why Brigham Young, Ulysses S. Grant and Gustave Eiffel from Eiffel Tower fame all have more to do with it than you'd think! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone knows the painting "A Friend in Need" aka Dogs Playing Poker. But did you know the artist behind it started a bank? And had patents? And also once got an apology from Far Side creator Gary Larson? We didn't either! Tune in as Will and Mango discuss the most important painting about whiskey-drinking dogs playing cards and also visibly cheating while doing those two other ridiculous things. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Need a reason to feel optimistic about democracy? This episode Mango welcomes best-selling author A.J. Jacobs to chat about his new book The Year of Living Constitutionally. From walking around the upper West Side with a musket (a 2nd amendment right!), to delivering quill-written petitions to Congress (he spilled a lot of ink in the process), to meeting the last person to get a new amendment added (all he wanted was a better grade in his college class!), A.J discusses his hilarious experiments and adventures in patriotism, and how it helped him gain new insight into America's founding documents. To order AJ's wonderful new book, click here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode, Will and Mango look into why do short people dominate soccer? Is owning a library more important than actually reading the books? And is being handsome important to being taken seriously as a scientist? Tune in as we delve into some super weird ways people wield advantage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s extra-tasty episode, Mango is joined by Doug Mack, the brilliant and hilarious author of the Snack Stack newsletter (which you should subscribe to right now). Doug breaks down the most fascinating snack stories, including the link between astrology and Goldfish crackers, the chaotic launch of Pop Rocks, and why Tajikistanis have such a love for one underdog American soda. Plus, Doug shares a little intel from the Minnesota State Fair. Check out Snack Stack: https://snackstack.net See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the acting blunder that historians couldn't stop talking about to a confusingly shaped pyramid to the world's most coveted bucket (yes, bucket!), Will and Mango take a tour through seven of antiquity's strangest mistakes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saad Mohseni hadn't seen Afghanistan since he was a kid. But when America swept in to scatter the Taliban in the early 2000s, Mohseni felt a calling to return to rebuild his beloved homeland. This is the story of how Mohseni and his three siblings took a chance launching a radio station-- a Quixotic venture that quickly blossomed into a television empire-- and the ways that he and his family helped beam music, culture and the scaffolding of a fragile democracy into people's homes. Interview based on Saad's beautiful new memoir Radio Free Afghanistan. Available at bookstores everywhere. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are a lot of towns named Springfield. This week, Will and Mango learned about all of them! From the best Springfield to store your cheese (if you're looking to store 7 million pounds of cheese), to the reason so many Springfields aren't even located on springs, to the craziest mystery that involves cobras in a Springfield. So stuff your face with all the Springfield facts your heart desires! (We've got plenty for everyone.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way.) Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Single Cat Ladies all over the news, Will and Mango revisit a classic cat episode: from why cats were unfairly blamed for so many divorces, to how a bag of clay forever changed their prospects, to what a lion's sneeze tells us about their instincts. Plus-- the number one country you HAVE to travel to (if you want a cat to massage your back.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can't gummy candies do? From helping kids gross out their parents (thank you gummi worms!), to helping Disney revive their animation division (Adventures of Gummy Bears was a catalyst!), to aiding senior citizens in regaining jaw strength (seriously!), these little gummy treats have a great big story to tell. have a big story to tell! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the reason Australians love to "slip, slop, slap," to a pretty good reason to smear salad dressing on your body, Will and Mango explore the biggest questions in sunscreen, starting with, does it actually work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango go deep on Narwhals-- from how they became one of New York City's greatest mascots, to how to spot a real Narwhal tusk from a fake at your local pawn shop, to why you might want to avoid ordering the Narwhal sushi... plus, we explain why everyone's on the look out for a baby Narluga (the hot new designer Beluga/Narwhal hybrid). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From SpongeBob's sweet origin story to the Japanese business suits that are perfect for catching waves, Will and Mango explore the greatest facts from the world of surfing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How great were the Olympics?! Pretty great. But that doesn't mean they couldn't be better. From Poodle clipping to ski ballet, Will and Mango resurface 9 incredible and obscure sports that ought to be included in the next Olympic Games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For all our schooling, no one ever told us the very best way to sit. (Note this Seth Kinman Grizzly Bear Chair is NOT the best way to sit.) Also, no one taught us what temperature to keep our office at for maximum productivity. Or why cracking jokes might be helpful for elevating status in the workplace. And certainly NONE of our English professors told us how writing in the nude might be a great hack for hitting deadlines. For this week's episode, Will and Mango explore all the very best ways to work. (Note: the answer may involve Amtrak.) ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From boycotts to mavericks, nachos to Zamboni's, there are a whole lot of words we mindlessly use without thinking about the namesakes behind them. This week Will and Mango pay tribute to the fantastic gentleman the leotard is named for, a doctor who did not want a machine named after him, and the wonderful inventor behind the world's most sensational berry! (Supposedly.) ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you knew him as a conservationist, an explorer, a spy or a fashion icon, Jacques Cousteau showcased the sea's mysteries to a curious world. But how did the rebellious teenager with a penchant for breaking windows grow up into a marine legend? Will and Mango explore. ... Want to get in touch? Whether you want to share a fact, story, or even just let us know how we're doing, you can write our moms at PTGeniusMoms@gmail.com. Don't worry. They'll pass the message along. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As summer reaches its height, everyone gets nervous about shark attacks. But how afraid should we be of these Jabberjaws? (Spoiler: not very.) From the hilarious way goblin sharks catch their prey, to the strange effect AC/DC has on sharks, to why Will and Mango wish they could trade out their chompers for shark teeth, Part-Time Genius goes all-in on sharks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Mangesh interviews journalist and host Evan Ratliff about his new show Shell Game, and they discuss what happens when you take control of artificial intelligence and set an AI version of you out into the world. From talking to scammers to making plans with your wife, things get weird quickly! PLUS: Stay tuned for a sneak preview of Episode 1 of Shell Game! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.