WikiListen

"Backronym" takes a playful look at the phenomenon of creating a new phrase to fit an existing word, rather than the other way around. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW dive into the fun and creative ways backronyms are used in everything from government agencies to pop culture.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BackronymSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE!  https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"Eigengrau" refers to the color that people perceive in the absence of light. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss how the brain fills in the gaps of visual perception with this gray shade and what it tells us about how the mind processes darkness.Full Wikipedia here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EigengrauSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenYoutubeGet bonus content on Patreon

"Punkin Chunkin" is all about launching pumpkins as far as possible using various types of contraptions. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore this unique competition, its history, and how it became a favorite among engineering enthusiasts and festival goers alike.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punkin_chunkinSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

In "Affair of The Diamond Necklace Part 2," the saga concludes with the trial and fallout from the scandal. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore how this event deepened public distrust of the monarchy and contributed to the growing tensions that led to the French Revolution.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affair_of_the_Diamond_NecklaceSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"Affair of The Diamond Necklace Part 1" begins the story of the famous scandal that rocked France in the 1780s, involving Marie Antoinette and a fraudulent diamond necklace. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the political and societal backdrop that made this scandal such a critical moment in French history.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affair_of_the_Diamond_NecklaceSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"Anthropocene" covers the current epoch, in which human activity has become the dominant influence on the environment and climate. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW delve into how this geological age was named, the profound effects of industrialization, and the ongoing debates surrounding climate change and humanity’s impact on Earth.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnthropoceneSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"Plant Arithmetic" examines the surprising abilities of plants to perform basic "calculations," such as managing their starch reserves at night to ensure survival until daylight returns. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the fascinating discoveries of plant biologists and what these abilities tell us about the intelligence of nature.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_arithmeticSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" revisits the iconic children’s book that parodies traditional fairy tales with an absurd twist. Victor Varnado, KSN and Rachel Teichman, LMSW explore how the book's witty storytelling and playful illustrations have made it a favorite for both kids and adults alike.Produced and hosted by Victor Varnado & Rachel TeichmanFull Wikipedia article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stinky_Cheese_Man_and_Other_Fairly_Stupid_TalesSubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE!  https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenGet bonus content on Patreon

"Tawky Tawny" introduces the talking tiger from the Captain Marvel/Shazam comics. Rachel Teichman, LMSW and Victor Varnado, KSN discuss the character’s unique place in comic book lore as a trusted advisor to Billy Batson and how Tawky Tawny continues to charm comic fans with his anthropomorphic wisdom.Full Wikipedia here:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawky_TawnySubscribe to our new newsletter, WikiWeekly at https://newsletter.wikilisten.com/ for a fun fact every week to feel smart and impress your friends, and MORE! https://www.patreon.com/wikilistenpodcastFind us on social media!https://www.facebook.com/WikiListenInstagram @WikiListenTwitter @Wiki_ListenYoutubeGet bonus content on Patreon