Will and Mango get serious about novelty songs, learning: why there was a Golden Age of this unique music; how the Monster Mash got invented; who was really doing the kung-fu when "everyone" was kung fu fighting; and why a song about Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis isn't what you think it is. Plus: Will and Mango reveal two shocking truths about The Purple People Eater.  

Will and Mango get serious about novelty songs, learning: why there was a Golden Age of this unique music; how the Monster Mash got invented; who was really doing the kung-fu when "everyone" was kung fu fighting; and why a song about Itsy-Bitsy, Teeny-Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis isn't what you think it is. Plus: Will and Mango reveal two shocking truths about The Purple People Eater.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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

What Caused the Golden Age of Novelty Songs? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4bb0dcb2-fe6c-43c2-b5d1-b293003dadec/transcript

How do ballet shoes keep dancers balanced on their tippy-toes? Why do so many kids learn square dancing in gym class? And if Michael Jackson didn't invent the Moonwalk... who did?!

This episode originally aired on September 21, 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 Aditya Ali via Unsplash. Thanks, Aditya!

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

How do ballet shoes keep dancers balanced on their tippy-toes? Why do so many kids learn square dancing in gym class? And if Michael Jackson didn't invent the Moonwalk... who did?!
This episode originally aired on September 21, 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 Aditya Ali via Unsplash. Thanks, Aditya!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why do we square dance in class? Where did Madonna learn to vogue? Did David Bowie actually inspire Michael Jackson's dance moves?

Who Really Invented the Moonwalk? (And Other Dance Secrets!)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fe62bdad-38e4-4772-8e1b-b4c900e48505/transcript

Pack your bags and grab your bike, because today we're taking a virtual trip to Denmark—a land where treasure-hunting is encouraged, Walt Disney stole his ideas for theme parks, and there are very specific ways to eat your sandwich. Plus: A shocking conspiracy involving the Swedish Chef.

This episode originally aired on January 28, 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 of Copenhagen by Maksym Potapenko via Unsplash. Thanks, Maksym!

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

Pack your bags and grab your bike, because today we're taking a virtual trip to Denmark&mdash;a land where treasure-hunting is encouraged, Walt Disney stole his ideas for theme parks, and there are very specific ways to eat your sandwich. Plus: A shocking conspiracy involving the Swedish Chef.
This episode originally aired on January 28, 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 of Copenhagen by Maksym Potapenko via Unsplash. Thanks, Maksym!
Learn more about your ad choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

What Are the Must-See Sights if You Travel to Denmark?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f9573fc5-5369-4c75-9728-b4c00113c76e/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

What Caused the Golden Age of Novelty Songs?

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