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 for historical beef and find plenty of sizzle!

This episode originally aired on January 10, 2025.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

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

Photo by Ibrahim Guetar via Unsplash.Thanks, Ibrahim!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

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 for historical beef and find plenty of sizzle!
This episode originally aired on January 10, 2025.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo by Ibrahim Guetar via Unsplash.Thanks, Ibrahim!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com/">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

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.

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&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Part-Time Genius

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

Podcasts from iHeartRadio

How Did  a Family Feud Launch Aldi Supermarkets?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/22263f75-b919-4b98-995c-b4b200e8bb64/transcript

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 you know how nachos were invented? Or what happened when an American baseball team flew a little too close to the sun by trying to put them on a stick? You will after you listen to this episode!

This episode originally aired on November 20, 2018.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

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

Photo by Erick Su via Unsplash. Thanks, Erick!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

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 you know how nachos were invented? Or what happened when an American baseball team flew a little too close to the sun by trying to put them on a stick? You will after you listen to this episode!
This episode originally aired on November 20, 2018.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo by Erick Su via Unsplash. Thanks, Erick!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Will and Mango dig into their favorite ballpark treat to talk about the surprisingly layered story of nachos.

9 Deliciously Cheesy Facts About Nachos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e903f2a4-3350-4178-854c-b4c00108ec6a/transcript

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 political orientation, to the ancient Sumerian board game you can play online right now, today Will and Mango go wild game hunting... and come back with plenty of stories to tell.  

This episode originally aired on January 6, 2025.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

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

Photo by Maria Lin Kim via Unsplash. Thanks, Maria!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

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 political orientation, to the ancient Sumerian board game you can play online right now, today Will and Mango go wild game hunting... and come back with plenty of stories to tell.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode originally aired on January 6, 2025.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo by Maria Lin Kim via Unsplash. Thanks, Maria!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Is Monopoly Socialist?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4b6afad4-55e0-46eb-b2c3-b4ba01094651/transcript

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 to crazy dreams? Plus, our pal Simone Giertz stops by!

This episode originally aired on June 7, 2017.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

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

Possibly the greatest photo in the world by Kate Stone Matheson via Unsplash. Thanks, Kate!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

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 to crazy dreams? Plus, our pal Simone Giertz stops by!
This episode originally aired on June 7, 2017.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Possibly the greatest photo in the world by Kate Stone Matheson via Unsplash. Thanks, Kate!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com/">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Will thinks sleep is a waste of time. But how far are scientists from a cure? Plus, ridiculous facts about Margaret Thatcher, tips on NFL gambling and why you can’t trust science from Garfield. Featuring Simone Giertz.

Will We Ever Live Without Sleep? Featuring Simone Giertz!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e9ea1048-1ecc-4b00-bf24-b4b200edf28c/transcript

How Did a Family Feud Launch Aldi Supermarkets?

Part-Time Genius

In 1 playlist(s)

Part-Time Genius

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips