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Part-Time Genius
PodcastCulture et sociétéAnglais

Part-Time Genius

NouveauWho’s the Most Important Inventor of All Time?13 novembre 2026 · 37 min
Épisodes
536
Parution
plusieurs fois par semaine
Dernier épisode
13 Nov 2026

À propos du podcast

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.

Épisodes 536

  1. Who’s the Most Important Inventor of All Time?

    37 minSaison 3

    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 …

  2. Who Put Video Games in Your Pocket?

    37 minSaison 3

    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 …

  3. Who Sent the First Spam Email? (And Why?)

    40 minSaison 3

    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 …

  4. How Did People Cope Before the Can Opener?

    36 minSaison 3

    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 …

  5. Is Duct Tape Safe for Ducks?

    48 minSaison 3

    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 …

  6. What Are the Weirdest, Most Dangerous Plants in the World?

    39 minSaison 3

    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 …

  7. 9 Heroes Who Averted Disaster

    36 minSaison 3

    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 …

  8. A Message from Mango

    2 minSaison 3

    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 …

  9. Are Narwhals Real? (Yes, and We'll Tell You About Them)

    22 minSaison 3

    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 …

  10. Why Do We Call 911 in an Emergency?

    28 minSaison 3

    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 …

  11. Are You Eating Sushi All Wrong? ft. Trevor Corson

    45 minSaison 3

    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 …

  12. Are We Living Through a Rudeness Epidemic? ft. Danny Wallace

    36 minSaison 3

    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 …

  13. Do Healing Crystals Really Work?

    39 minSaison 3

    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 …

  14. Why Is the Michelin Man White, If Tires Are Black?

    18 minSaison 3

    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 …

  15. What’s the Best Way to Remember Things?

    37 minSaison 3

    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 …

  16. How Can You Overcome Writer's Block?

    15 minSaison 3

    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 …

  17. 9 Places You Can't Go

    35 minSaison 3

    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 …

  18. What Did the Big Bang Sound Like?

    29 minSaison 3

    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 …

  19. 9 Talented Cheetahs You Should Know!

    39 minSaison 3

    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 …

  20. Who Really Invented the Moonwalk? (And Other Dance Secrets!)

    40 minSaison 3

    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 …

  21. What Are the Must-See Sights if You Travel to Denmark?

    43 minSaison 3

    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 …

  22. 9 Deliciously Cheesy Facts About Nachos

    15 minSaison 3

    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 …

  23. Is Monopoly Socialist?

    33 minSaison 3

    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 …

  24. Will We Ever Live Without Sleep? Featuring Simone Giertz!

    45 minSaison 3

    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 …

  25. Are Gummy Bears Good For Your Muscles?

    31 minSaison 3

    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 …

  26. How Did a Family Feud Launch Aldi Supermarkets?

    38 minSaison 3

    From Mark Twain's bizarre hatred of Jane Austen, to the heated argument that launched two great grocery stores, to the strange prank that ended a legendary comedy partnership, Mango and producer Mary go looking …

  27. Why Are We So Obsessed with Time Capsules?

    42 minSaison 3

    If you think about it, burying a bunch of random stuff in the ground isn’t the most logical practice. But for centuries, people have created time capsules for future generations to find. Today Will and Mango …

  28. Why Do Kids Play Recorders in School?

    20 minSaison 3

    From the history of recorders (the OG flute), to a celebrity fart-flute performer, to the flautist who pulled off a museum heist in order to buy a new instrument... today's episode features nine fascinating …

  29. How Have Rats Outsmarted Us for So Long?

    40 minSaison 3

    Rats! For centuries, we've tried (and failed) to keep them under control, because not only are rats brave enough to swim out of toilets, they're also kind of brilliant. Find out how they foiled Pablo Escobar …

  30. Are Cow Burps Hurting the Environment?

    29 minSaison 3

    From making cows a little less gassy, to seasoning your clouds with salt, to creating floating pastures and hospitals, communities and scientists have come up with a whole lot of ingenious solutions to deal …

Voici les 40 derniers épisodes sur 536. Les épisodes plus anciens se trouvent dans le flux du podcast.

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