If you could put your leg behind your head, would you? Of course you would! You might even make a career out of it, amazing people around the world with your flexibility. That’d make you a contortionist! But first you’d better get started with stretching.

If you could put your leg behind your head, would you? Of course you would! You might even make a career out of it, amazing people around the world with your flexibility. That&rsquo;d make you a contortionist! But first you&rsquo;d better get started with stretching.

Contortionism: Bend It Like Gumby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dbdb98db-c800-4e78-9ae1-b410013f9b3b/transcript

The Jeddah Tower is set to be the tallest building in the world. If it ever gets finished. 

The Jeddah Tower is set to be the tallest building in the world. If it ever gets finished.&nbsp;

Short Stuff: Jeddah Tower

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/77739572-c3d6-463c-b2b2-b40f013184c4/transcript

Ruth Lyons basically invented the daytime talk show, yet she doesn't get the credit. Why is that? Probably because she was a woman in a man's industry. Today we tell her story.

Ruth Lyons basically invented the daytime talk show, yet she doesn't get the credit. Why is that? Probably because she was a woman in a man's industry. Today we tell her story.

Ruth Lyons: TV Pioneer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/53cb2944-5e67-45a6-9e51-b40f017ac725/transcript

Mangroves are incredible survivors and adapters. They're also amazing at lessening the impact of tropical storms and climate change. And heck, they're cool looking. So jump into the brackish waters and have a listen to this classic episode all about these beauts.

Mangroves are incredible survivors and adapters. They're also amazing at lessening the impact of tropical storms and climate change. And heck, they're cool looking. So jump into the brackish waters and have a listen to this classic episode all about these beauts.

Selects: Mangroves: Nature's Best Tree?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/840123e3-9f3f-4c9d-bf7e-b403011843ca/transcript

From the 1970s to the early 1990s a patch of land in Hong Kong the size of just a few football fields was the most densely-populated area in the world – and by a longshot. Even more remarkable, it was an outlaw land that somehow formed a tight community.

From the 1970s to the early 1990s a patch of land in Hong Kong the size of just a few football fields was the most densely-populated area in the world &ndash; and by a longshot. Even more remarkable, it was an outlaw land that somehow formed a tight community.

How the Kowloon Walled City Worked

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bef4287f-4b80-4792-bf8b-b40a0137fc48/transcript

Movies on planes have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Today, we'll go over how this stuff works. 

Movies on planes have changed a lot in the last couple of decades. Today, we'll go over how this stuff works.&nbsp;

Short Stuff: In-Flight Entertainment 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c575958b-8e39-412a-97b6-b4090104e795/transcript

What happens when a career grifter tries to throw a "luxury" music festival in only six months? Not much it turns out.This was the Fyre Festival.

What happens when a career grifter tries to throw a "luxury" music festival in only six months? Not much it turns out.This was the Fyre Festival.

The Fyre Festival Fiasco 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/281aeb92-4646-4dfb-9558-b409000c8b5f/transcript

Something spooky was born on the American frontier in the mid-19th century: the idea that people’s personalities survive death and that some gifted individuals can communicate with them. It developed into a religion that some still practice today.

Something spooky was born on the American frontier in the mid-19th century: the idea that people&rsquo;s personalities survive death and that some gifted individuals can communicate with them. It developed into a religion that some still practice today.

Selects: How Spiritualism Works

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7019ab19-7c75-4170-ac37-b40500fd6983/transcript

Before the internet could show you anything in the universe - including stuff it made up - people had few opportunities to have their minds blown. But every few years, somewhere in the world nations would gather and show off the cool stuff they invented.

Before the internet could show you anything in the universe - including stuff it made up - people had few opportunities to have their minds blown. But every few years, somewhere in the world nations would gather and show off the cool stuff they invented.

Let's All Go to the World's Fair

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/456c6102-0e96-4ec8-ac1b-b40400e4b8a2/transcript

You might be familiar with the outlaw Johnny Ringo from the movie Tombstone. He was indeed a real-life black hat gunslinger, and a tragic figure at that.

You might be familiar with the outlaw Johnny Ringo from the movie Tombstone. He was indeed a real-life black hat gunslinger, and a tragic figure at that.

Short Stuff: Johnny Ringo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/717993a6-6930-44e1-8659-b40101477e0a/transcript

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Stuff You Should Know

Whether Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods yet or not – or even if it’s Fall where you are (looking at you, Australia) – The SYSK Think Spring Playlist will make you want to get your overalls on, get outside, and get your hands in the dirt.

Whether Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods yet or not &ndash; or even if it&rsquo;s Fall where you are (looking at you, Australia) &ndash; The SYSK Think Spring Playlist will make you want to get your overalls on, get outside, and get your hands in the dirt.

The SYSK Think Spring Playlist

Ever since Cabbage Patch Kids came along in 1983, there’s been an annual holiday frenzy around one particular toy – the must-have Christmas toy of the year. But what makes a toy a must-have toy? Josh and Chuck investigate (and kick off the holidays).

Ever since Cabbage Patch Kids came along in 1983, there&rsquo;s been an annual holiday frenzy around one particular toy &ndash; the must-have Christmas toy of the year. But what makes a toy a must-have toy? Josh and Chuck investigate (and kick off the holidays).

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: What Makes a Must-Have Christmas Toy?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/88b2ed27-a79e-49bb-a470-b3b001264aee/transcript

Do you love Play-Doh? Chuck and Josh certainly love to talk about it, from its interesting history as a wall cleaner, to its more scientific chemical properties. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the pliable children's toy.

Do you love Play-Doh? Chuck and Josh certainly love to talk about it, from its interesting history as a wall cleaner, to its more scientific chemical properties. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the pliable children's toy.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: How Play-Doh Works

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2cec91da-51c2-4b60-a6d4-b3b001467b9d/transcript

You may have played with a yo-yo before -- perhaps you've even walked the dog -- but do you know about the physics behind what makes a yo-yo sleep and wake up? Learn all about inertia, angular momentum and the history of the yo-yo in this episode of SYSK.

You may have played with a yo-yo before -- perhaps you've even walked the dog -- but do you know about the physics behind what makes a yo-yo sleep and wake up? Learn all about inertia, angular momentum and the history of the yo-yo in this episode of SYSK.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: How Yo-Yos Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6cffe812-1cc4-417d-a448-b3b001467376/transcript

Action figures have a long and glorious history. From GI Joes to Star Wars figures, these offshoots of dolls came along at just the right time to capture the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Learn all about the partial history of action figures right here.

Action figures have a long and glorious history. From GI Joes to Star Wars figures, these offshoots of dolls came along at just the right time to capture the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Learn all about the partial history of action figures right here.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: A Partial History of Action Figures

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b9911361-1c96-4fa4-8828-b3b0012d7f82/transcript

Surprisingly, Cabbage Patch Kids have turned up on SYSK almost as much as the Nazis or Seinfeld. It’s finally time to dive all the way into CPKs, from their controversial origins to the Christmas craze of ‘83 to their alter egos, Garbage Pail Kids.

Surprisingly, Cabbage Patch Kids have turned up on SYSK almost as much as the Nazis or Seinfeld. It&rsquo;s finally time to dive all the way into CPKs, from their controversial origins to the Christmas craze of &lsquo;83 to their alter egos, Garbage Pail Kids.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: Cabbage Patch Kids: Must-Have Toy of the Century

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/845db4e3-ec9e-4ff1-9c1f-b3b001266bf0/transcript

We've covered our fair share of pop-culture icons and here is another - Hula-Hoops. They've been around since ancient time in some form or another, but made their name in during the Hoop Boom of the 1950s. Learn all about this popular fad and more.

We've covered our fair share of pop-culture icons and here is another - Hula-Hoops. They've been around since ancient time in some form or another, but made their name in during the Hoop Boom of the 1950s. Learn all about this popular fad and more.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: Hula-Hoops: The Toy That's A Shape

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a13f11a7-66c0-4153-baad-b3b0012666d8/transcript

Since more than 1 billion people have played it, you're probably familiar with the board game Monopoly, but we bet you don't know its secret origins as a left-wing socialist teaching tool. Learn about the history, rules and cultural impact of Monopoly.

Since more than 1 billion people have played it, you're probably familiar with the board game Monopoly, but we bet you don't know its secret origins as a left-wing socialist teaching tool. Learn about the history, rules and cultural impact of Monopoly.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: How Monopoly Works

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0fde7bba-8460-45d6-825a-b3b001266238/transcript

The world has seen a lot of weird investment bubbles in its time, but few of them rival the fever that gripped the world in the 90s after Beanie Babies took off. Let’s visit this strange chapter in toy history together.

The world has seen a lot of weird investment bubbles in its time, but few of them rival the fever that gripped the world in the 90s after Beanie Babies took off. Let&rsquo;s visit this strange chapter in toy history together.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: Beanie Babies: Reigning Toy Craze Champion

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/daf7567a-8479-4ed1-bff7-b3b001265d25/transcript

The Etch A Sketch is yet another classic toy that Josh and Chuck love and respect. Learn all about this Hall of Fame entry today.

The Etch A Sketch is yet another classic toy that Josh and Chuck love and respect. Learn all about this Hall of Fame entry today.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: Etch A Sketch!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8b834add-c364-4a47-8d8f-b3b001265788/transcript

For the holidays in 1986 (and ’87) (and ’88) the most stupendous, most wanted, most amazing thing any kid could possibly get – outside of a pony, *maybe* – was the NES. That year, video games came back from the dead and changed forever.

For the holidays in 1986 (and &rsquo;87) (and &rsquo;88) the most stupendous, most wanted, most amazing thing any kid could possibly get &ndash; outside of a pony, *maybe* &ndash; was the NES. That year, video games came back from the dead and changed forever.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys: How the Nintendo Entertainment System Changed Gaming Forever

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c86704c4-0548-42f6-802e-b3b001263c47/transcript

The holidays are here and that means a new playlist is under the tree. Pour up a cup of spiced cider and dive into our 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist from Josh and Chuck.

The holidays are here and that means a new playlist is under the tree. Pour up a cup of spiced cider and dive into our 12 Days of Christmas Toys playlist from Josh and Chuck.

SYSK's 12 Days of Christmas… Toys

James Bond, the most infamous secret agent ever to grace the silver screen, originated in the pages of British author Ian Fleming's novels. Amateur agents Josh and Chuck uncover all sorts of Bond trivia in this action-packed episode.

James Bond, the most infamous secret agent ever to grace the silver screen, originated in the pages of British author Ian Fleming's novels. Amateur agents Josh and Chuck uncover all sorts of Bond trivia in this action-packed episode.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: What's the deal with Bond, James Bond?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24b46800-c1f8-4163-8f06-b3090165307c/transcript

There have been many inventions that have advanced filmmaking, but maybe none as important as the steadicam. Invented in the mid-70s, it literally changed the way movie making happened, and made the impossible possible. Learn about the fascinating history behind this amazing technology today.

There have been many inventions that have advanced filmmaking, but maybe none as important as the steadicam. Invented in the mid-70s, it literally changed the way movie making happened, and made the impossible possible. Learn about the fascinating history behind this amazing technology today.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How Steadicams Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0b48ac7f-5496-42a2-8c13-b3090180be7e/transcript

You may be surprised to learn those ubiquitous ratings, from G to NC-17, put on movies in America are actually handed down by anonymous employees of a secretive organization that serves as a lobbying firm for Hollywood's six biggest studios.

You may be surprised to learn those ubiquitous ratings, from G to NC-17, put on movies in America are actually handed down by anonymous employees of a secretive organization that serves as a lobbying firm for Hollywood's six biggest studios.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How the MPAA Works

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81cab512-2a11-4ca6-b57e-b30901749e47/transcript

Once in a while a movie comes along that's so forward-thinking it changes the way that horror is done. A new subgenre is spawned, new tropes are established, and audiences are more terrified than ever.

Once in a while a movie comes along that's so forward-thinking it changes the way that horror is done. A new subgenre is spawned, new tropes are established, and audiences are more terrified than ever.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: Josh and Chuck's List of Horror Movies that Changed the Genre

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/90a3971f-aa65-4cad-8f9e-b309016a5de0/transcript

Special effects have been around since the first movies. In fact, the techniques the earliest filmmakers created are still around today, we just use computers to do them faster and cheaper. Put on your beret and get ready for SYSK film class.

Special effects have been around since the first movies. In fact, the techniques the earliest filmmakers created are still around today, we just use computers to do them faster and cheaper. Put on your beret and get ready for SYSK film class.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: Special Effects: A Short History

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e2b60075-3cec-4857-8073-b309016a5dde/transcript

An estimated 50,000 films were made worldwide in 2009 alone. Many are surely clunkers, but in this episode Chuck and Josh talk about the ones that emerged throughout cinema history to change the course of all movies that followed. Get your popcorn and lean back while you enjoy this classic episode.

An estimated 50,000 films were made worldwide in 2009 alone. Many are surely clunkers, but in this episode Chuck and Josh talk about the ones that emerged throughout cinema history to change the course of all movies that followed. Get your popcorn and lean back while you enjoy this classic episode.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: Some Movies That Changed Filmmaking 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48130da6-9b1d-4f9f-8d02-b309016a5dde/transcript

They get blown up, shot, drowned and thrown out of windows on the silver screen - and we don't even know their names. Stuntpeople are the unsung heroes of the movie industry. Learn the ins and outs of the stunt world and how one becomes a stunt person.

They get blown up, shot, drowned and thrown out of windows on the silver screen - and we don't even know their names. Stuntpeople are the unsung heroes of the movie industry. Learn the ins and outs of the stunt world and how one becomes a stunt person.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How Stuntmen (and -women) Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/02ff086b-3040-4444-9ba1-b309016530b5/transcript

In today's SYSK Select episode, we learn about exploitation films. During the 1930s-80s, the work of directors operating in the shadows of Hollywood led to explorations in sexuality and violence that mainstream cinema wouldn't touch. Join Chuck and Josh as they explore the seedy underbelly of grindhouse flicks.

In today's SYSK Select episode, we learn about exploitation films. During the 1930s-80s, the work of directors operating in the shadows of Hollywood led to explorations in sexuality and violence that mainstream cinema wouldn't touch. Join Chuck and Josh as they explore the seedy underbelly of grindhouse flicks.

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: How Exploitation Films Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9bfb66de-e43d-47f0-ba1d-b30901653081/transcript

In 2018, director Spike Lee brought the story of Ron Stallworth to the big screen to great effect. Today, Josh and Chuck discuss the true story behind the Oscar nominated film. 

In 2018, director Spike Lee brought the story of Ron Stallworth to the big screen to great effect. Today, Josh and Chuck discuss the true story behind the Oscar nominated film.&nbsp;

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: The True Story of BlacKkKlansman

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6b3ee00a-c543-41cd-b188-b3090165307d/transcript

Titicut Follies is a documentary made famous by its banning. But why was it banned? And what was it even about? Listen in to learn all you need to know about this infamous doc. 

Titicut Follies is a documentary made famous by its banning. But why was it banned? And what was it even about? Listen in to learn all you need to know about this infamous doc.&nbsp;

SYSK’s Summer Movie Playlist: Why was Titicut Follies banned?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9599f80a-ab15-484e-b06a-b3090165307e/transcript

The best part of summer is watching a truly great movie in a darkened movie theater. We don’t make movies, but we do make podcasts so here’s our Summer Movie Playlist to get you ready for the real thing.

The best part of summer is watching a truly great movie in a darkened movie theater. We don&rsquo;t make movies, but we do make podcasts so here&rsquo;s our Summer Movie Playlist to get you ready for the real thing.

Stuff You Should Know

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

2,755 clip(s)

0 clip(s)

12 clip(s)

15 clip(s)