Will and Mango dig into the surprising stories behind our favorite fictional characters. Like: who was the ridiculous personality who inspired the Muppets' Swedish chef? Who was the (stinky) ladies man behind Pepe LePew? And is the Godfather actually based on a terrifying mom?

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

Will and Mango dig into the surprising stories behind our favorite fictional characters. Like: who was the ridiculous personality who inspired the Muppets' Swedish chef? Who was the (stinky) ladies man behind Pepe LePew? And is the Godfather actually based on a terrifying mom? Learn more about your ad-choices at <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

Will and Mango dig into the surprising stories behind our favorite fictional characters. Like: who was the ridiculous personality who inspired the Muppets' Swedish chef?

Who are the Secret Inspirations for these Characters?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ae02b82-e002-40fe-bc3a-ae3200845dff/transcript

Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way)! Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin? 

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

This episode originally aired on September 26, 2024.

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 Coline Haslé via Unsplash. Thanks, Coline!

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

Finally, an episode that scratches at all those answers you've been craving (in the most satisfying way)! Did an itching epidemic really halt the Revolutionary War? What happens when you scratch an itch and look in the mirror? And can tiny electrocutions really help your itchy skin?&nbsp;
EXCLUSIVE&nbsp;NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="https://nordvpn.com/ptg"> https://nordvpn.com/ptg</a> Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
This episode originally aired on September 26, 2024.
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 Coline Hasl&eacute; via Unsplash. Thanks, Coline!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Is Itching Contagious? (And Does Scratching Really Help?)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/72eaa418-2c21-4a08-aab6-b40400f05aa5/transcript

If you enjoy biking in Finland, eating a bagel with cream cheese in New York, or avoiding the sun in Italy, bad news: you may owe tax on that. The good news is, we’ve got nine of the world’s most unusual tax laws to distract you from the pain in your pocketbook.

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

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 Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash. Thanks, Kelly!

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

If you enjoy biking in Finland, eating a bagel with cream cheese in New York, or avoiding the sun in Italy, bad news: you may owe tax on that. The good news is, we&rsquo;ve got nine of the world&rsquo;s most unusual tax laws to distract you from the pain in your pocketbook.
EXCLUSIVE&nbsp;NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="https://nordvpn.com/ptg"> https://nordvpn.com/ptg</a> Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:higeniuses@gmail.com">higeniuses@gmail.com</a>.
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 Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash. Thanks, Kelly!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Do You Have to Pay These Strange Taxes?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1e9a490c-7252-4c19-a368-b42b014e4137/transcript

How did an ailing Connecticut wife inspire the pay phone? Why did thousands of people flock to the Mojave Desert just to use one? And do people really talk for longer when they know someone else is waiting? Today Mango and Gabe answer the call of nostalgia by tracing the rise, fall, and possible resurgence of the public pay phone. 

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

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 Robin Jonathan Deutsch via Unsplash. Thanks, Robin!

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

How did an ailing Connecticut wife inspire the pay phone? Why did thousands of people flock to the Mojave Desert just to use one? And do people really talk for longer when they know someone else is waiting? Today Mango and Gabe answer the call of nostalgia by tracing the rise, fall, and possible resurgence of the public pay phone.&nbsp;
EXCLUSIVE&nbsp;NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="https://nordvpn.com/ptg"> https://nordvpn.com/ptg</a> Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:higeniuses@gmail.com">higeniuses@gmail.com</a>.
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 Robin Jonathan Deutsch via Unsplash. Thanks, Robin!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Are Pay Phones Making a Comeback?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f0796022-9a4b-4097-ab9e-b42801521127/transcript

Who are the Secret Inspirations for these Characters?

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