Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
Alex Schmidt
A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)
- 1 hour 2 minutesPeppermint
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why peppermint is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
22 December 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 15 minutesToothpicks
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why toothpicks are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
15 December 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 11 minutesInterrobangs
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why interrobangs are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
8 December 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 40 minutesThe United Nations
Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why The United Nations is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
1 December 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 11 minutesSpurs
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why spurs are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
24 November 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 20 minutesCredit Scores
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why credit scores are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.
17 November 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 5 minutes"Yakety Sax"
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the song "Yakety Sax" is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
10 November 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 15 minutesChopsticks
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why chopsticks are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
3 November 2025, 6:05 am - 1 hour 14 minutesPumpkins
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pumpkins are secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
27 October 2025, 5:05 am - 24 minutes 5 secondsBonus Show: "The Mohawk Skywalkers Who Build New York City -- And The Former Mohawk Neighborhood In Brooklyn"
We make a special bonus show EVERY WEEK for Maximum Fun members. Get them all by supporting the podcast at https://maximumfun.org/join/. And please enjoy this special public release of the bonus show for Episode 267 ("Lunch Atop A Skyscraper").
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of Mohawk ironworkers who build (and rebuild) New York City, the Montreal bridge project that sparked their community's ironwork traditions, and the little-known recent past of Boerum Hill.
RESEARCH SOURCES:
- How Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ Helped Build New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers (History.com)
- A Wigwam in Brooklyn (WNYC Public Radio)
- Little Caughnawaga (The Brooklyn Rail)
- Skywalkers: A Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center (9/11 Memorial & Museum)
- 10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ (Mental Floss) -- this is one source repeating the claim Peter Rice might be in the photo. It's possible and not certain.
- Victoria Bridge (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering)
- When Little Italy Was Big (PBS Channel Thirteen New York City)
- Exhibitions: Native New York (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)
23 October 2025, 5:05 am - 1 hour 13 minutes"Lunch Atop A Skyscraper"
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the photograph "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" is secretly incredibly fascinating.
Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.
Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5
20 October 2025, 5:05 am - More Episodes? Get the App