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

Sure, we know Lafayette as a street. And a college. And some of us know him as the charismatic Frenchman from Hamilton. But did you know he was France's richest orphan? And that his real name was Gilbert? And he might have been closer to George Washington than anyone really knew. Best-selling author Nathan Hale stops by to talk about his book Lafayette! and the man who inspired it.

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

This episode originally aired on February 16, 2019.

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.

Sure, we know Lafayette as a street. And a college. And some of us know him as the charismatic Frenchman from Hamilton. But did you know he was France's richest orphan? And that his real name was Gilbert? And he might have been closer to George Washington than anyone really knew. Best-selling author Nathan Hale stops by to talk about his book Lafayette! and the man who inspired it.
Download&nbsp;SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to <a href="https://saily.com/PTG">https://saily.com/PTG</a>.
This episode originally aired on February 16, 2019.
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>.

Did Lafayette Save America? with Nathan Hale!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/257b97f9-a402-407b-9680-b46e0034fe43/transcript

When did humans develop a taste for other animals’ milk, and how did dairy go from being a public health threat to a daily cereal topping? Why are some people lactose intolerant, while others chug milkshakes without a care in the world? Is A2 milk really better for you? And who’s behind those iconic milk ads? Grab a glass, because Will and Mango are serving up the answers—plus a sneak preview of the plant milks of the future.

Check out Sarah Wassberg Johnson's website, The Food Historian, and read her essay "Ice Cream and Hospital Ships"

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

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 Daniela Díaz via Unsplash. Thanks, Daniela!

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

When did humans develop a taste for other animals&rsquo; milk, and how did dairy go from being a public health threat to a daily cereal topping? Why are some people lactose intolerant, while others chug milkshakes without a care in the world? Is A2 milk really better for you? And who&rsquo;s behind those iconic milk ads? Grab a glass, because Will and Mango are serving up the answers&mdash;plus a sneak preview of the plant milks of the future.
Check out Sarah Wassberg Johnson's website, <a href="https://www.thefoodhistorian.com/">The Food Historian</a>, and read her essay "<a href="https://www.thefoodhistorian.com/blog/world-war-wednesday-ice-cream-and-hospital-ships-1918">Ice Cream and Hospital Ships</a>"
Download&nbsp;SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to <a href="https://saily.com/PTG">https://saily.com/PTG</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&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 Daniela D&iacute;az via Unsplash. Thanks, Daniela!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

We Got Milk… But Why?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d7a0f23f-783c-4ccc-8208-b474016b2bc3/transcript

There’s a reason the Guinness Book of World Records keeps getting stolen from libraries! Learn just how hard it is to grow the world’s longest fingernails, why India’s lone records judge has the hardest job in the world, and how chainsawing apples out of your mouth can lead to glory. Featuring Dan Rollman.

Download SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to https://saily.com/PTG.

This episode originally aired on July 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!

Photo of John Roy and his record-setting mustache via the Netherlands National Archives on Flickr.

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

There&rsquo;s a reason the Guinness Book of World Records keeps getting stolen from libraries! Learn just how hard it is to grow the world&rsquo;s longest fingernails, why India&rsquo;s lone records judge has the hardest job in the world, and how chainsawing apples out of your mouth can lead to glory. Featuring Dan Rollman.
Download&nbsp;SAILY in your app store and use our code PTG at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For details go to <a href="https://saily.com/PTG">https://saily.com/PTG</a>.
This episode originally aired on July 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&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 of John Roy and his record-setting mustache via the Netherlands National Archives on Flickr.
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why Are We Obsessed with World Records?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cd93f7ad-f64b-4117-9635-b466013ad6cb/transcript

What Caused the Golden Age of Novelty Songs?

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