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.

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Artist's rendering of a distant galaxy with an active quasar by Joseph Olmsted/NASA. Thanks, Joseph and NASA!

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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

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Photo by Ahmed Galal via Unsplash. Thanks, Ahmed!

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How do ballet shoes keep dancers balanced on their tippy-toes? Why do so many kids learn square dancing in gym class? And if Michael Jackson didn't invent the Moonwalk... who did?!

This episode originally aired on September 21, 2018.

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Photo by Aditya Ali via Unsplash. Thanks, Aditya!

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Pack your bags and grab your bike, because today we're taking a virtual trip to Denmark—a land where treasure-hunting is encouraged, Walt Disney stole his ideas for theme parks, and there are very specific ways to eat your sandwich. Plus: A shocking conspiracy involving the Swedish Chef.

This episode originally aired on January 28, 2025.

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Photo of Copenhagen by Maksym Potapenko via Unsplash. Thanks, Maksym!

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Whether you're headed to the ballpark or a movie theater this weekend, chances are you'll encounter one of our favorite snacks: melted cheese on a pile of tortilla chips. You know how delicious this is, but do you know how nachos were invented? Or what happened when an American baseball team flew a little too close to the sun by trying to put them on a stick? You will after you listen to this episode!

This episode originally aired on November 20, 2018.

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Photo by Erick Su via Unsplash. Thanks, Erick!

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Turns out, the history of board games isn't as simple as passing Go and collecting $200. From the surprising way Abraham Lincoln's beard changed Milton Bradley's career, to the dramatic shift in Monopoly's political orientation, to the ancient Sumerian board game you can play online right now, today Will and Mango go wild game hunting... and come back with plenty of stories to tell.

This episode originally aired on January 6, 2025.

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Photo by Maria Lin Kim via Unsplash. Thanks, Maria!

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Will thinks sleep is a waste of time. But will scientists ever find a way to let us survive without it? Why do we sometimes wake up feeling so groggy? And is it true that eating certain foods before bed leads to crazy dreams? Plus, our pal Simone Giertz stops by!

This episode originally aired on June 7, 2017.

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Possibly the greatest photo in the world by Kate Stone Matheson via Unsplash. Thanks, Kate!

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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 treats have a big story to tell.

This episode originally aired on September 12, 2024.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

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Photo by Adriana Saraceanu via Unsplash. Thanks, Adriana!

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