From the strange reason people used to call funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing into the surprising story of emergency hotlines. 

This episode originally aired on May 16, 2024.

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

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

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

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

From the strange reason people used to call funeral home directors after an accident, to the incredible train robbery that was stopped using a makeshift phone, to the heartbreaking ways that emergency operators learn to cope on the job, this week we're dialing into the surprising story of emergency hotlines.&nbsp;
This episode originally aired on May 16, 2024.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our (non-emergency) 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 via Wikimedia Commons.
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why Do We Call 911 in an Emergency?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b17dd3d7-bb93-49db-91d9-b4de00d54bfe/transcript

From Walter Isaacson, best-selling author and biographer of the era’s most ingenious minds, The Builders is a series of groundbreaking interviews with the architects of tomorrow. From Elon Musk to Fei-Fei Li, Alex Karp to Dario and Daniela Amodei, the series features candid and essential conversations about ambition, power, AI – and asks the question: whose imagination do we want to live in? Listen to The Builders every Tuesday.

Listen here or on the iHeartRadio. 

From Walter Isaacson, best-selling author and biographer of the era&rsquo;s most ingenious minds, The Builders is a series of groundbreaking interviews with the architects of tomorrow. From Elon Musk to Fei-Fei Li, Alex Karp to Dario and Daniela Amodei, the series features candid and essential conversations about ambition, power, AI &ndash; and asks the question: whose imagination do we want to live in? Listen to The Builders every Tuesday.
Listen <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-builders-347224769">here</a> or on the iHeartRadio.&nbsp;

Introducing: The Builders with Walter Isaacson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f86084de-903b-4eec-a473-b4eb0179af3e/transcript

It's time to get real about raw fish! Will and Mango have their chopsticks ready and way too many questions on hand: Is bluefin really a delicacy? How do sushi chefs apply their soy sauce? And how California is the California roll? From the dish's Chinese origins to why Japanese foodies are intrigued by American rolls, today we're going all in on sushi. Featuring The Story of Sushi author Trevor Corson.

Buy The Story of Sushi or look for it in your local library!

This episode originally aired on December 6, 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!

Photo by Tamas Pap via Unsplash. Thanks, Tamas!

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

It's time to get real about raw fish! Will and Mango have their chopsticks ready and way too many questions on hand: Is bluefin really a delicacy? How do sushi chefs apply their soy sauce? And how California is the California roll? From the dish's Chinese origins to why Japanese foodies are intrigued by American rolls, today we're going all in on sushi. Featuring The Story of Sushi author Trevor Corson.
Buy <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-story-of-sushi-an-unlikely-saga-of-raw-fish-and-rice-trevor-corson/850cacad3c253d49?ean=9780060883515">The Story of Sushi</a> or look for it in your local library!
This episode originally aired on December 6, 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>!
Photo by Tamas Pap via Unsplash. Thanks, Tamas!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

It's time to get real about raw fish! Will and Mango have their chopsticks ready and way too many questions on hand: Is blue fin really a delicacy? How do sushi chefs apply their soy sauce? And how California is the California roll? From the dish's Chines

Are You Eating Sushi All Wrong? ft. Trevor Corson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/52cb6a85-4847-4f0d-8302-b4de00d3b1a1/transcript

How rude! After author Danny Wallace got the world's worst customer service (and possibly the world's worst hot dog), he decided to search for the root causes of rudeness. Danny joins Will and Mango to talk about snarky celebrity judges, why surgeons are in dire need of a rudeness vaccine (it's for our own safety!), and how one politician effectively fought rudeness... with mimes!

This episode originally aired on February 23, 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 Walid Hamadeh via Unsplash. Thanks, Walid!

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

How rude! After author Danny Wallace got the world's worst customer service (and possibly the world's worst hot dog), he decided to search for the root causes of rudeness. Danny joins Will and Mango to talk about snarky celebrity judges, why surgeons are in dire need of a rudeness vaccine (it's for our own safety!), and how one politician effectively fought rudeness... with mimes!
This episode originally aired on February 23, 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 Walid Hamadeh via Unsplash. Thanks, Walid!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

After author Danny Wallace received the world's worst customer service (and possibly the world's worst hotdog) from a hotdog vendor, he decided to search for the root cause of rudeness. Danny joins Will and Mango on this week's episode to talk about snark

Are We Living Through a Rudeness Epidemic? ft. Danny Wallace

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b8c03f96-6dac-4d5f-bcf4-b4de00d060e7/transcript

Spoiler: No. But crystals are still pretty magical! Producer Mary visits the American Museum of Natural History’s Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to find out how crystals are formed, what makes them so colorful, and why you should never leave your collection in a department store window. Meanwhile, Mango’s got plenty of research about ancient crystal beliefs and the modern healing crystal movement—plus, the surprisingly dark side of crystal sourcing.
Learn more about the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals and their incredible collections!
Visit Rockhounding.org.
Get a DIY education in minerals at Mindat.org.

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 Franco Antonio Giovanella via Unsplash. Thanks, Franco!

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

Spoiler: No. But crystals are still pretty magical! Producer Mary visits the American Museum of Natural History&rsquo;s Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to find out how crystals are formed, what makes them so colorful, and why you should never leave your collection in a department store window. Meanwhile, Mango&rsquo;s got plenty of research about ancient crystal beliefs and the modern healing crystal movement&mdash;plus, the surprisingly dark side of crystal sourcing.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Learn more about the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/gems-minerals">Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals</a> and their incredible collections!</li>
<li aria-level="1">Visit <a href="http://rockhounding.org">Rockhounding.org</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Get a DIY education in minerals at <a href="http://mindat.org">Mindat.org</a>.</li>
</ul>
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<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 Franco Antonio Giovanella via Unsplash. Thanks, Franco!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Do Healing Crystals Really Work?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1978e06e-c7d3-4f65-8e08-b4e10162f123/transcript

What do Smokey the Bear and the Beatles have in common? How did Mr. Peanut influence Canadian politics? Whatever happened to Tony the Tiger's mom? And why on earth does a tire company represent itself with a guy who looks like a pile of marshmallows? Today Will and Gabe dive into the bizarre world of corporate mascots!

This episode originally aired on June 28, 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 via WIkimedia Commons.

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

What do Smokey the Bear and the Beatles have in common? How did Mr. Peanut influence Canadian politics? Whatever happened to Tony the Tiger's mom? And why on earth does a tire company represent itself with a guy who looks like a pile of marshmallows? Today Will and Gabe dive into the bizarre world of corporate mascots!
This episode originally aired on June 28, 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&nbsp;<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 via WIkimedia Commons.
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why is the Michelin Man white when tires are always black? What do Tony the Tiger and Christopher Columbus have in common? And why did they give The Noid a video game?

Why Is the Michelin Man White, If Tires Are Black?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eaba3f6e-ec90-4c12-9fdc-b4d80116e555/transcript

Why do you have trouble remembering people’s names? What’s the real difference between long-term and short-term memory? Is it true that the human brain can only remember seven things at a time? And what do you need to know in order to build your very own mind palace? Today Will and Mango are taking a walk down memory lane!

Check out Dylan’s new music!

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 Dianne Clifford via Unsplash. Thanks, Dianne!

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

Why do you have trouble remembering people&rsquo;s names? What&rsquo;s the real difference between long-term and short-term memory? Is it true that the human brain can only remember seven things at a time? And what do you need to know in order to build your very own mind palace? Today Will and Mango are taking a walk down memory lane!
Check out Dylan&rsquo;s <a href="https://linktr.ee/lightpillars">new music</a>!
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 Dianne Clifford via Unsplash. Thanks, Dianne!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

What’s the Best Way to Remember Things?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d858a2cf-552b-415e-8b53-b4d80112c774/transcript

Whether you're struggling with a report or the next great novel, Will and Mango have nine genius-approved ways to get through a creative slump.

This episode originally aired on September 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 Steve A. Johnson via Unsplash. Thanks, Steve!

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

Whether you're struggling with a report or the next great novel, Will and Mango have nine genius-approved ways to get through a creative slump.
This episode originally aired on September 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 Steve A. Johnson via Unsplash. Thanks, Steve!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Okay, maybe some of these tricks aren't that genius (building your office on a giant Lazy Susan, for instance). Dig in as Will and Mango investigate the tricks artists have used to claw their way out of creative slumps.

How Can You Overcome Writer's Block?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/98edb617-9ddd-42fe-a3cb-b4cd01153621/transcript

Want to visit a beautiful lake in Canada? How about a stunning historic mountain in Greece? Or an island full of adorable monkeys? Well, too bad… you can’t! Enjoy sitting at home while Mango and producer Mary tell you about nine fascinating places you’ll never get to see.

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 Kyle Glenn via Unsplash. Thanks, Kyle!

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

Want to visit a beautiful lake in Canada? How about a stunning historic mountain in Greece? Or an island full of adorable monkeys? Well, too bad&hellip; you can&rsquo;t! Enjoy sitting at home while Mango and producer Mary tell you about nine fascinating places you&rsquo;ll never get to see.
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 Kyle Glenn via Unsplash. Thanks, Kyle!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

9 Places You Can't Go

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/046168ad-70d4-4af4-a16c-b4d401223ba2/transcript

Ever wondered what sound the origin of the universe made? Or why British people are so turned off by the sound of Tasmanian Devils? From the crowds at Shakespeare's Globe to the ugly grunts of baby koalas, we're covering the funniest, strangest, most annoying sounds in the universe.

This episode originally aired on December 27, 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!

Artist's rendering of a distant galaxy with an active quasar by Joseph Olmsted/NASA. Thanks, Joseph and NASA!

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

Ever wondered what sound the origin of the universe made? Or why British people are so turned off by the sound of Tasmanian Devils? From the crowds at Shakespeare's Globe to the ugly grunts of baby koalas, we're covering the funniest, strangest, most annoying sounds in the universe.
This episode originally aired on December 27, 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>!
Artist's rendering of a distant galaxy with an active quasar by Joseph Olmsted/NASA. Thanks, Joseph and NASA!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Ever wondered what the Big Bang sounds like (it's much weirder than you think!) Or why Britishers are so turned off by the sound of Tasmanian Devils? From the crowds at Shakespeare's Globe to the ugly grunts of baby koalas, we're covering the funniest, st

What Did the Big Bang Sound Like?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ccaa18b-a2a8-4499-be4f-b4cd01125973/transcript

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

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

528 clip(s)