• 42 minutes 30 seconds
    What's the Science of Invisibility?

    Sure, invisibility is about magic cloaks and invisible inks. But it’s so much more than that! From the way butterflies see a secret world of light that humans can’t, to the real reason polar bears are completely undetectable to infrared cameras, there’s a whole big world you ought to hear about… even if you can’t see it. Featuring author Bob Berman.

    This episode originally aired on September 1, 2017.

    Buy Bob's book, Zapped: From Infrared to X-rays, the Curious History of Invisible Light.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

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    7 August 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 26 seconds
    Can Spicy Foods Make You Live Longer?

    Does a fondness for spicy foods mean you've got an aggressive personality? Did putting spices on  food help cavemen avoid illnesses? Is it true that super-spicy diets are linked to longevity? And what's the most effective way to soothe the heat if you bite off more than you can chew, tolerance-wise? 

    This episode originally aired on May 2, 2018.

    Speaking of living longer, be sure to check out Mangesh's other show, Skyline Drive: How to Live Forever. All episodes are out now, wherever you get your podcasts.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic via Unsplash. Thanks, Nikola!

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    4 August 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 39 seconds
    Why Do Rich People Love Lobster, Squash, and Monograms?

    Once upon a time, lobster was considered trash meat, monograms were seen as tacky, squash was played in rundown back alleys, and the only people doing Pilates were prisoners. So how did these things turn into expensive status symbols, beloved by the world's elites? Plus: How business casual made its way into boardrooms.

    This episode originally aired on October 25, 2018.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Sebastian Coman via Unsplash. Thanks, Sebastian!

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    31 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 18 seconds
    How Did a Surfer Create SpongeBob SquarePants?

    From the heartwarming origin of everyone's favorite undersea-pineapple resident, to lingo like 'gidget' and 'big kahuna,' to business suits designed for catching waves, surfing has made a massive splash in the world. Get ready to ride a wave of stories, because today Will and Mango have nine surfing facts for you!

    This episode originally aired on August 21, 2024.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Joseph Greve via Unsplash. Thanks, Joseph!

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    28 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 22 seconds
    Who Built the First Swimming Pool?

    Want to know what makes the only swimming pool on the National Registry of Historic Places so special? Or who built the first pool specifically for swimming? Or the strange reason Boston invested in an indoor public pool? From the secret pool hiding in the White House to New York's zaniest swim team, Will and Mango dip into the surprisingly refreshing history of pools. 

    This episode originally aired on February 7, 2025.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Emilio Garcia via Unsplash. Thanks, Emilio!

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    24 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 38 minutes 17 seconds
    How Did Dolly Parton Become Such a Legend?

    Everyone loves Dolly Parton. The American country singer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and her career has included six decades of chart-topping songs. But how did Dolly become Dolly? Where does she find inspiration for her lyrics? And why is she extra-popular in Zimbabwe?

    This episode originally aired on August 13, 2018.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Kristopher Harris via Wikimedia Commons. Thanks, Kristopher!

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    21 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 40 seconds
    What Does Stress Really Do to Our Bodies?

    You've heard the saying "stress kills." But are there good and bad stresses? Why does stress affect our appetites? And why do scientists think that mowing the lawn can make you less tense? Will and Mango take a carefree dive into the science of stress, from why it can help us to how we can get rid of it. 

    This episode originally aired on April 20, 2018.

    Got a question or idea for the show, or a tip for relieving stress? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo of graffiti in Finland (!) by Aarón Blanco Tejedor via Unsplash. Thanks, Aarón!

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    17 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 52 seconds
    Did Shirley Temple Drink Shirley Temples?

    How did flight delays lead to the invention of Irish coffee? Do you need a screwdriver to make an authentic screwdriver? And who the heck is Tom Collins, anyway? We hope you're thirsty, because Will and Mango have whipped up 9 cocktail facts that you can enjoy shaken or stirred.

    Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

    This episode originally aired on December 6, 2018.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo by Evelina Wong via Unsplash. Thanks, Evelina!

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    14 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 41 minutes
    Who Invented the Hawaiian Shirt? And More Hawaii Secrets!

    Who knew there was so much to know about our 50th state? From ice caves hidden under a volcano, to the wonderful reason you should never bring pork to the windward side, to the kinda disgusting way parrotfish have shaped the islands’ landscape, Will and Mango are taking a dip into Hawaii’s history.

    Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

    This episode originally aired on April 11, 2018.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo of Local Motion surf shop in Honolulu by little plant via Unsplash. Thanks, little plant!

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    10 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 7 seconds
    What Are Blue Zones?

    It’s a Part-Time Genius x Skyline Drive: How to Live Forever crossover episode! Places like Ikaria, Greece and Okinawa, Japan are said to hold the secret of longer, healthier life. But how did these so-called Blue Zones get discovered, and is their longevity power real or just a myth? What made them “blue”? (Spoiler, it has nothing to do with the ocean.) And why did the researchers behind the Blue Zones concept have a falling-out that sent them down two dramatically different paths?

    Subscribe to Skyline Drive: How to Live Forever wherever you get your podcasts!

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo of Trapalou beach on Ikaria by Dimitris Kiriakakis via Unsplash. Thanks, Dimitris!

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    7 July 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 57 seconds
    Did Lafayette Save America? with Nathan Hale!

    Sure, we know Lafayette as a street. And a college. And some of us know him as the charismatic Frenchman from Hamilton. But did you know he was France's richest orphan? And that his real name was Gilbert? And he might have been closer to George Washington than anyone really knew. Best-selling author Nathan Hale stops by to talk about his book Lafayette! and the man who inspired it.

    Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

    This episode originally aired on February 16, 2019.

    Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email [email protected].

    Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

    Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

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    3 July 2026, 12:00 pm
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