In this special Christmas Day episode, we get cuddly with one of the all-time great holiday gifts, dolls! Where did they come from? Why are the so cute? Why are they sometimes creepy? Why do they tell us to do things we don’t want to with their minds?

In this special Christmas Day episode, we get cuddly with one of the all-time great holiday gifts, dolls! Where did they come from? Why are the so cute? Why are they sometimes creepy? Why do they tell us to do things we don&rsquo;t want to with their minds?

Dolls and Dolls, Guys! 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cf075383-0418-4046-9d15-b3aa01016323/transcript

Holly is waxy and super sharp, not exactly the kind of thing you'd want all over your house. Yet it happens every holiday season. Today we dig in to discover why.

Holly is waxy and super sharp, not exactly the kind of thing you'd want all over your house. Yet it happens every holiday season. Today we dig in to discover why.

Short Stuff: Why is holly a holiday thing?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/97e26341-59e5-489e-837b-b39a01466602/transcript

Deck your tidings and get your halls nice and gladded because it’s time for maybe the best episode of the year, where SYSK loosens our ties, puts on our smoking jackets and Santa hats and create holiday nostalgia in real time. Happy holidays, everybody!

Deck your tidings and get your halls nice and gladded because it&rsquo;s time for maybe the best episode of the year, where SYSK loosens our ties, puts on our smoking jackets and Santa hats and create holiday nostalgia in real time. Happy holidays, everybody!

SYSK's 2025 Holiday Extravaganza Christmas Special

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f51ce7a7-39b0-4407-ae88-b3bb00e49b9d/transcript

When your life is as outsized as the World’s Greatest Showman PT Barnum it’s pretty easy to - you know - gloss over the grimmer aspects when you turn it into an uplifting musical movie. But the way to understand a person is to look at them, warts and all. Josh and Chuck take a full accounting in this classic episode.

When your life is as outsized as the World&rsquo;s Greatest Showman PT Barnum it&rsquo;s pretty easy to - you know - gloss over the grimmer aspects when you turn it into an uplifting musical movie. But the way to understand a person is to look at them, warts and all. Josh and Chuck take a full accounting in this classic episode.

Selects: PT Barnum: More Complicated Than You've Heard

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4d5c9c19-c521-43da-a7e6-b3a9011b184c/transcript

The story of Doggerland is pretty fascinating. The idea is that mainland Europe and the UK were connected not only by a land bridge, but a place where plants, animals and even humans, thrived. 

The story of Doggerland is pretty fascinating. The idea is that mainland Europe and the UK were connected not only by a land bridge, but a place where plants, animals and even humans, thrived.&nbsp;

Doggerland: Lost at Sea

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/54e8d021-8073-4abe-8846-b3a9013fd522/transcript

At the end of WWII in Europe, one of the strangest battles of the war took place between German troops fighting alongside Americans and French to beat back an assault by the Nazi SS.

At the end of WWII in Europe, one of the strangest battles of the war took place between German troops fighting alongside Americans and French to beat back an assault by the Nazi SS.

Short Stuff: Battle of Itter Castle

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/db2b53ca-8cca-47c3-b8b5-b3a7016b0b3b/transcript

Everybody’s always bagging on pessimists and telling everybody they should be more optimistic. Well, nuts to that! There are plenty of benefits from being a pessimist. Although being an optimist still wins in basically every category ☹

Everybody&rsquo;s always bagging on pessimists and telling everybody they should be more optimistic. Well, nuts to that! There are plenty of benefits from being a pessimist. Although being an optimist still wins in basically every category ☹

Battle Royale: Optimists vs Pessimists

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/605f88a7-1582-4181-9f0a-b3a100ffab44/transcript

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in our annual special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.

Long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, George Lucas allowed the Star Wars Holiday Special to be made. What happened on the night of November 17, 1978 can never be fully explained, but we make our best effort in our annual special edition of SYSK. May the force be with us all.

Selects: Star Wars Holiday Spectacular

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5b25e8e2-8256-4823-ae24-b3a80167e7cd/transcript

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

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

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:

2,707 clip(s)

12 clip(s)

15 clip(s)