Part-Time Genius

If you’ve ever taken out the trash, bought eggs, or gotten immersed in Avatar, you have Canada to thank for it. Pop on your toques and join Will and Mango for a deep dive into some fascinating Canadian inventions—and yes, hockey is mentioned. Twice. Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an email or voice memo to higeniuses@gmail.com, and we might use it in an upcoming episode. Photo by Maxime Doré via Unsplash. Merci, Maxime! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, they nuzzled their way into Mike Tyson's heart (and Nikola Tesla's, and Bert's from Bert and Ernie!), but how intelligent are pigeons? Have scientists really trained them to read? Did they actually play a role in discovering the Big Bang? And why are they so darn good at finding their way home? Plus: Are catfish their new nemesis? This episode originally aired on July 11, 2019. Photo via Sneha Cecil on Unsplash. Thanks, Sneha! Seen a good pigeon lately? Take a pic and tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango dig into all the biggest bicycle questions: From how bikes seriously altered the dating scene, to how blind people ride bikes through traffic, to the ingenious way Kermit pedaled his Schwann in the Muppets Movie. Grab a helmet and join us! This episode originally aired on November 7, 2019. Got a bike we should see? Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You are cordially invited to this very festive episode about parties! Will and Mango unpack Italy’s history of painful confetti, the surprisingly violent origin of surprise parties, and the accidental invention of glitter. (Hint, it involved schnibbles in New Jersey.) Plus: Will makes a convincing case for having MORE clowns at parties. Photo by Aneta Pawlik via Unsplash. Thanks, Aneta! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sure, Animal Crossing is cute. But what about a Tetris sequel that features Abe Lincolns and Frankensteins? Or a game that somehow blends Honey, I Shrunk the Kids with an anti-smoking campaign? Or the greatest (and maybe only?) game based on Noah's Ark? Today Will, Gabe, and Mango try to outdo each other with funniest, silliest, and most ridiculous video games they can find. This episode originally aired on September 1, 2020. Screenshot from Untitled Goose Game. HONK. Pause whatever you're playing and follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Will and Mango are taking you on an adventure to the far-flung Canadian island of Newfoundland, a place known for its rugged beauty, majestic icebergs, sneaky fairies, rare fossils, and... moose bologna. Along the way we'll discover some of its unique traditions, like welcoming visitors by making them smooch a fish. Pack your bags and pucker up! Photo of St. John's, Newfoundland by Ritche Perez via Pexels. Thanks, Ritche! Have you ever visited Newfoundland? Do you live there right now? Tell us about it on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Mother's Day, Will and Mango talk about what make moms special, from why their hearts are so in sync with their babies to their impact on your driving habits. Plus: how Thomas Edison's mom challenged his teacher—and helped him believe in his own genius. Photo: Yes, that's Mango and his mom Lalita! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chickens are full of surprises, from their understanding of property boundaries to their unique personalities to their ability to recognize (and name!) the humans around them. Author and longtime chicken enthusiast Sy Montgomery stops by to share some fascinating facts—and hilarious true stories—from her new book, What the Chicken Knows. Buy Sy’s book: https://symontgomery.com/what-the-chicken-knows/ If you have backyard chickens, we want to see them. Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. Photo by Finn Mund via Unsplash. Thanks, Finn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will and Mango have so many questions about pirates: Did they really exaggerate their R's? Did they all have parrots? Were lady pirates more successful than male ones? And was there really a rabbi pirate who made his crew keep kosher? From buried treasure to walking the plank, Will and Mango take a good look at the Golden Age of piracy. Photo via Chris Robert on Unsplash. Thanks, Chris! We're on Instagram, mateys—follow us @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chances are, you’ve heard all these songs made famous by film and TV… but you probably haven’t heard the stories behind them. Why did young Will Smith overrule music legend Quincy Jones? How did a contract clause influence the lyrics to one of the best-known theme songs of the 1960s? And what did Joe DiMaggio really think when Paul Simon wrote a song about him? Turn the volume up, because Will and Mango have the answers! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baseball season is underway, so Will and Mango are celebrating with a deep dive into America’s pastime. What’s the secret feminist message of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”? Why are you more likely to hit a home run in Denver than in Miami? And how did the pipe organ become baseball’s semi-official soundtrack? Our brain-bases are loaded and we’re ready to answer these questions, plus many more! Photo by Jose Francisco Morales via Unsplash. Thanks, Jose! Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses, a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board. Photo via Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash. Thanks, Jin! Next time you're on an elevator staring at your phone, follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It may be on the verge of extinction, but the humble penny is rich with history. Will and Mango dig deep into their pockets and discover stories like the origin of the phrase “a penny for your thoughts,” the rare penny that’s worth $2.4 million, and an English trend of chopping pennies in half. Plus: The real reason why you shouldn’t swallow a penny from 1982. (Actually, just don’t swallow any pennies ever, please.) Will you miss the penny if it’s taken out of circulation? Tell us on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today marks the 113th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, so we're bringing back this classic episode! For some reason our hearts keep going on and on for the Titanic. But what was life actually like on the ship? Why were there so many electric horses on board? How bad did third class passengers have it? And did Hollywood really produce a silent movie about the disaster just two weeks after it occurred? Will and Mango investigate. Sorry, we know the song's stuck in your head now. Tell us about it on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Pepper's flavor is just one of many questions we have about the drink. Who is the doctor behind Dr Pepper? Is tomato one of the soda's 23 secret ingredients? Should you actually be drinking your Dr Pepper hot? And why doesn't Dr Pepper have a period in its name? (Does the good doctor think it's above the laws of grammar?!) Also, what did Dr Pepper do to make Guns 'n Roses so angry? Will and Mango have a lot of questions... and at least 9 answers for you. What's your favorite soda (or do you call it pop)? Tell us about it on our Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shh! Today Will and Mango are exploring the Library of Congress, one of the world’s greatest repositories of literature, science, art, and… old cake? They also discover how this legendary institution came to be, and what the Librarian of Congress actually does all day (no, it doesn’t involve stamping books). Plus: The inside story of Thomas Jefferson’s short-lived pasta-making career. Check us out on Instagram @parttimegenius! Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are extroverts happier than introverts? Is coffee bad for an introvert's brain? And does your personality type make you more likely to be arrested? (Spoiler: it does!) Will and Mango take a closer look at the secret talents lurking inside your friendly neighborhood introvert. Image Via Nothing Ahead at Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to know how a British pickle merchant was almost crowned Chinese royalty? Or why San Francisco's policemen regularly doffed their caps to a man who claimed to be America's Emperor? And what happened when a lion tamer just started wandering around pretending to be King of Albania? This week Will and Mango dive into the ridiculous stories of some very unusual royals and what happened when they declared themselves king. Photo of Emperor Norton on his royal chariot, via the Emperor Norton Trust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Parmesan Mafia to the gas station hot dog Will accidentally ate, there are way too many cheese crimes out there! This episode Will and Mango investigate a fondue cartel, ride with food detectives, and look into an Ocean's 11... of cheese?! Image by Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels (thanks Polina!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the official candy of Part-Time Genius, but there’s so much more to know about these delicious red-hot treats, from why NASA can’t work without them to what gives them their signature burn. Along the way Will and Mango discover the story of the enterprising young law student who invented them, and reveal the recipe that takes two weeks (!) to make. Do you like Atomic Fireballs? Or do you love Atomic Fireballs? Tell us on our Instagram @parttimegenius! Photo via Ferrara Pan. Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.