Things I Learned Last Night
Things I Learned Last Night is a podcast that captures the experience of late-night internet rabbit holes, where curiosity leads to deep dives on topics like deep sea diving. Hosts Jaron Myers and Tim Stone explore obscure and fascinating subjects that keep people awake at night. The show is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. Each episode offers a mix of humor and surprising facts for curious listeners.
Episodes
The Loch Ness Monster | A Monk Started the Loch Ness Myth 1,500 Years Ago
What if the most famous monster in the world started as a 1,500-year-old tall tale told by a monk who used his own buddy as bait? Buckle up, because Nessie's origin story is wilder than you think.
Everybody's seen the blurry black-and-white photo, but almost nobody knows the insane backstory behind the Loch Ness Monster. In this episode, Jaron and Tim trace Nessie all the way back to 565 AD, wh
655,000 Men Went Into Russia. 93,000 Came Out | Napoleon Bonaparte
What if the guy history remembers as a tiny, insecure tyrant was actually an average-height military genius who reshaped the laws of 120 countries? Napoleon Bonaparte is way weirder — and way more consequential — than the "short man complex" meme.
This week Jaron and Tim go deep on Napoleon Bonaparte, and the first thing they have to blow up is the myth — the guy was 5'7", which was actually on
The War of 1812: America's Most Pointless War?
Ever wondered how a war can end a full month before its biggest, bloodiest battle even happens? Welcome to the War of 1812 — history's most confusing "second war for independence."
Jaron and Tim go deep on the War of 1812 — the war everybody's heard of and nobody actually understands. This is the "second war for independence," a messy tangle where Great Britain was still throwing its weight aro
Trustor | The Man Who Bought a Company With Its Own Money
What if you could buy an entire company without spending a single dollar of your own money — by using the company's own cash to pay for itself?
Ever wondered if you could buy a company using that company's own money? In the summer of 1997, a group of European businessmen did exactly that — and it's one of the wildest financial cons you've never heard of. This week the guys dig into the Trustor
Prospera | Rich People Trying to Takeover Honduras
What if a billionaire could just... buy a chunk of an island, wall it off, and write his own laws? No pesky government, no red tape, no rules.
Ever wondered what happens when a Nobel Prize-winning economist, a 16-year-old's sci-fi novel, and a pile of crypto billionaires collide on a beautiful island in Honduras? This week Jaron and Tim dive into Prospera — a real-life "charter city" on Roatan
Benjaman Kyle | This Man Forgot His Own Name For 11 Years
What if the only way to escape a mob hit was to erase yourself completely — no name, no memory, no identity — and hope the government would hand you a fresh start? For one man, that gamble became a decade-long nightmare.
In 2004, a Burger King employee in Richmond Hill, Georgia, showed up for the 5 a.m. shift and found a naked man behind the dumpster — no ID, severe cataracts, and no memory of
Mint Cakes | This Item Almost Destroyed Runescape
Ever heard of a mint cake? Not the candy — the digital dessert that triggered one of the wildest speculative financial bubbles in gaming history.
This week Jaron and Tim go deep — like 99 Fletching deep — into RuneScape, the game that was basically "a chat room with armor" for a generation of middle schoolers. But this isn't just nostalgia. It's the insane true story of the Mint Cake bubble, a
John Hanke | The Video Game That Was Secretly Mapping Your World
What if the summer you spent chasing Pikachu in the park was actually you volunteering to build a global military mapping system? Yeah. That happened.
Ever wondered where Google Earth actually came from? Buckle up, because this one goes to some wild places. This week Jaron and Tim dig into John Hanke, the University of Texas grad who helped build one of the very first MMOs (Meridian 59), then p
Percy Fawcett | Did They Just Find the City of Gold?
What happened to the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett? We dive into the disappearance of the man who obsessed over the mysterious Lost City of Z.
In this episode, we unpack the fascinating life and final expedition of Percy Fawcett, the British explorer who vanished in the Amazon rainforest while searching for the fabled Lost City of Z. Beyond the mystery, we examine Fawcett's real-world histor
Winchester Mystery House | She Built a House to TRAP Ghosts
Was the Winchester Mystery House a ghost-trapping labyrinth or a feat of architectural genius? We uncover the truth behind the Winchester legend.
In this episode, we dive deep into the mysterious history of the Winchester Mystery House, one of the most famous haunted attractions in America. Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester repeating rifle fortune, spent decades building a massive, sp
The Teen Wolf Of Wall Street
Discover the wild true story of Barry Minko, the teenage entrepreneur who built a $600 million corporate empire on a foundation of pure fraud. Dive into one of history’s most audacious Ponzi schemes.
In this episode, we break down the incredible life of Barry Minko, a man whose ambition at age thirteen spiraled into a nationwide criminal enterprise. Starting with a modest carpet cleaning busine
MacKenzie-Childs | She Paid $5.5 Million to Erase Them Completely
What happens when massive talent meets an absolute business nightmare? Discover the wild story behind the iconic MacKenzie-Childs brand.
In this episode of Things I Learned Last Night, we dive deep into the fascinating and chaotic history of MacKenzie-Childs. From a modest start as a husband-and-wife pottery duo in rural New York to a globally recognized brand fueled by maximalist aesthetics, t
The Luddites | 200 Years Ago, Workers Watched Machines Take Their Jobs.
Discover the true story behind the Luddites, the 19th-century workers who rebelled against industrialization to save their livelihoods. Were they just anti-tech Luddites, or was it something more?
In this deep dive into the history of the Industrial Revolution, we unpack the misunderstood legacy of the Luddites. While today the term 'Luddite' is often used as a pejorative for anyone skeptical of
Robert Chesebrough | The Nasty Goo Made Him Rich
Ever wondered how Vaseline, a byproduct of oil drilling, became a global household name? Discover the wild, true origin of petroleum jelly today.
In this episode of Things I Learned Last Night, we dive deep into the fascinating and slightly unnerving history of Robert Cheesebrough, the man behind Vaseline. You might know it as a simple skincare staple, but the story of how it was discovered in
Bricks & Minifigs | YouTuber Gets DESTROYED In $200k Lawsuit
Ever wonder how a simple Lego consignment spiraled into a viral legal nightmare? Dive into the wild saga of Bricks & Minifigs and the fight for a fortune.
In this deep dive, we break down one of the most convoluted store takeover stories in recent history involving a $200,000 Lego Star Wars collection. What began as a consignment deal in a local Bricks & Minifigs franchise quickly devolved into
Samuel Morse | The Most Famous Inventor You Know Nothing About
Ever wondered how Morse code was really invented? Explore the complicated history and surprising legacy of Samuel Morse beyond just the telegraph.
In this deep dive into history, we uncover the fascinating, often uncredited life of Samuel Morse—a man who struggled as an artist before finding fame with Morse code. While history remembers him as the primary inventor, the reality is a story of col
Howard Hughes | The Man Who Bought Vegas
What would you do with unlimited money, your own private air force, and absolutely nobody to tell you "no"? If you're Howard Hughes, you crash planes through Los Angeles neighborhoods, corporatize the Vegas mob, and eventually lock yourself in a hotel room wearing tissue boxes on your feet.
This week, Jaron and Tim dive into one of history's most fascinating eccentric billionaires. From inherit
The Business Plot | Wall Street Tried to Overthrow the Government
What would you do if Wall Street's richest men showed up at your door with a briefcase full of cash and a plan to overthrow the United States government? For one of the most decorated Marines in American history, the answer was: snitch immediately.
This week, Jaron and Tim dig into the wild life of Smedley Butler — the two-time Medal of Honor recipient who crawled through drainage pipes, took a
Crackas With Attitude | These Guys Hacked the CIA
Two teenagers managed to pull off the ultimate cybercrime: hacking the CIA, FBI, and NSA using nothing but clever social engineering. Discover the wild true story of the infamous 'Crackers with Attitude' and how they played the system.
In this episode of Things I Learned Last Night, we dive into the unbelievable true story of how two hackers, known as 'Justin' and 'Kane' (aka 'Crackers with Att
Gunther VI | The Scam Behind the World's Richest Dog
Meet Gunther, the world's wealthiest dog, worth $400 million. But is this German Shepherd a financial genius, or is the entire story a massive tax-evasion scam?
In this deep dive, we uncover the bizarre and true story of Gunther the Sixth, the dog famously reported to be the wealthiest animal on the planet. From his multi-million dollar real estate purchases, including Madonna's former estate,
American Heartland | God Told Me to Build a Theme Park
Discover the shocking true story behind the American Heartland theme park scam that bilked millions from an unsuspecting billionaire. This tale of greed, fake emails from 'God,' and massive construction fraud will leave you stunned.
In this deep dive, we investigate the rise and fall of the American Heartland theme park, a project that promised to bring a massive, world-class attraction to Vini
Limitarianism | Is It Wrong to Be Filthy Rich?
Is there a moral limit to how much wealth one person should accumulate? We dive into the controversial concept of limitarianism.
In this episode, we break down the provocative ideas found in Ingrid Robeyns' book 'Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth.' We explore the ethical, economic, and social arguments regarding why some believe that infinite wealth concentration undermines democra
Paul Dirac | What if Antimatter Was Cheap
Ever wondered if an 'anti-world' really exists? Discover the mind-bending reality of antimatter and how it could hold the key to our planet's future.
In this episode, we tackle the complex and fascinating world of antimatter. Ever feel like the universe has an 'upside down'? We break down the revolutionary physics of Paul Dirac, whose work unified Einstein’s theory of relativity with Schrodinge
Iodine | Can Salt Make You Smart?
Are you accidentally hindering your brain health? Discover why iodine deficiency is a silent epidemic and how your simple salt choice affects IQ.
In this episode, we dive into the surprising history and biological necessity of iodine, an essential chemical element that plays a critical role in human cognitive development. From its fascinating origins as a 'heavy metal' mineral to its vital func
Bad Grandpas | These Old Men Robbed a Bank
Ever wondered how a group of pensioners pulled off one of history's most audacious crimes? Discover the insane true story of the Hatton Garden heist.
In this episode, we dive deep into the infamous 2015 Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary, a crime so bold it feels like a movie script. Join us as we break down how a crew of career criminals, all in their 60s and 70s, used expert planning, heavy mac
Roswell | The Declassified Truth Behind the Crashed UFO
Was the infamous Roswell incident truly humanity's first contact with aliens, or is there a much more grounded explanation? Dive into the mystery behind the 1947 UFO crash.
In this episode, we unpack the legendary Roswell, New Mexico incident that sparked the global UFO phenomenon. We explore the initial reports of a flying saucer crash, the sudden government retraction of these claims, and the
Alfred Nobel | The Explosive Truth of the Nobel Peace Prize
Ever wondered why the inventor of dynamite created the Nobel Peace Prize? Discover the shocking history of Alfred Nobel and his quest for a better legacy.
In this episode of Things I Learned Last Night, we dive deep into the fascinating and ironic life of Alfred Nobel. Known primarily for establishing the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, Nobel’s origins are far more explosive than most people rea
The Panama Papers | How 11.5 Million Documents Ended a President
Ever wonder how the ultra-wealthy hide billions in offshore accounts? We're diving into the Panama Papers leak to uncover the truth behind shell companies.
In this episode, we break down one of the largest data leaks in history: the Panama Papers. You will learn how the law firm Mossack Fonseca organized shell corporations, acting as a gateway for global elites, politicians, and celebrities to mo
APRIL FOOLS SPECIAL
Is modern corporate greed preventing you from fixing your own electronics? Discover the hidden truth behind the 'Right to Repair' movement.
In this episode of Things I Learned Last Night, we dive deep into the fascinating, frustrating, and often absurd reality of the 'Right to Repair' movement. What started as a heartwarming tale about an inventor fighting back against a corporate giant turns into
Spruce Pine | How One Mineral From NC Protects Taiwan
Ever notice how one small town in North Carolina controls the global tech market? Discover how a hidden deposit of ultra-pure quartz runs everything.
In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating, high-stakes world of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and its critical role in our modern global economy. While most of the world focuses on flashy headlines, this small town holds the most significa
Snake Oil | The Wild West's Biggest Scam
Dive into the fascinating history of America's most famous 'snake oil salesman,' Clark Stanley. In this episode, we unpack the story of the 'Rattlesnake King,' who rose to fame at the 1893 World's Fair by peddling a miracle cure that contained no snake oil at all. We explore the remedy's true origins with Chinese railroad workers, Stanley's fraudulent marketing tactics, and how his empire of fake
Moltbook | An AI Built Its Own Social Media
What happens when AI bots create their own secret social network? We dive into the wild story of Moltbook and Clawbot, uncovering the truth behind this supposed Reddit for bots.
In this episode, we investigate the bizarre story of Clawbot, a powerful local AI agent that gives artificial intelligence full access to your personal computer, and its spin-off social media platform, Moltbook. We chart
Urantia | Sleep-Talking Cult Leader: The Urantia Book & Celestial Seasonings Tea
Ever wonder about the story behind your favorite Sleepy Time tea? Discover the shocking connection between Celestial Seasonings and a 2,000-page book allegedly channeled from a sleeping man.
In the early 1900s, a respected doctor made a discovery that would lead to a 2,000-page religious text—and eventually, a popular tea brand found in grocery stores across America. The story of Urantia and Cele
The Death Harvest | How 19 Deaths Saved Football
In 1905, Football faced its darkest season. That year became known as The Death Harvest because players were dying at an alarming rate. The game was brutal, chaotic, and barely regulated. Parents feared for their sons. Newspapers demanded change. And the future of Football hung in the balance.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim St
Was Tom DeLonge Right About Aliens?
Most people know Tom DeLonge as the guitarist and singer from Blink-182. He helped define pop-punk in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But over time, his name became connected to something very different: Aliens.
What started as a personal interest in UFO books turned into a public mission. Tom DeLonge claimed that Aliens are real, that the government knows more than it admits, and that he had pro
Why Watergate Changed America Forever
Watergate is one of the most important political scandals in American history. It reshaped how Americans view power, elections, and trust in government. What began as a small break-in at an office complex slowly uncovered corruption at the highest level of the presidency. At the center of it all was Nixon, whose actions during Watergate led to consequences no president had ever faced before.
Th
This Invention Made Billions, but He Only Got Paid $180? | Blue Light
Blue Light is everywhere today. It shines from our phones, TVs, laptops, streetlights, and homes. Most people never stop to wonder where it came from or who made it possible. The story of Blue Light is not just about technology. It is about persistence, failure, and one scientist who refused to give up. That scientist was Shuji Nakamura.
This breakthrough changed how the world uses energy, how
3I/ATLAS | It's Official the Aliens Are Coming
For decades, scientists believed space was mostly predictable. Objects followed known paths. Light behaved in expected ways. Then discoveries like 3I/ATLAS challenged those assumptions. Suddenly, people began asking bigger questions about technology, space, and even aliens.
This story connects astronomy, advanced science, and human curiosity. It shows how one discovery can reopen debates we thoug
Project X Haren | The Real Story Behind 'Project X' Movie
In 2012, a teenage girl in the Netherlands planned a simple birthday celebration. She wanted friends, music, and a normal night at home. One mistake on Facebook changed everything. What followed became known as Project X Haren, one of the most infamous internet-driven events ever recorded.
This story shows how a single online error can spiral into real-world chaos. It also reveals how quickly a p
Stuxnet | How the US Started Cyber War
In 2010, cybersecurity experts uncovered a computer virus unlike anything seen before. This malware did not target personal computers or steal private data. Instead, it quietly sabotaged industrial machines, changing how the world thinks about cyber warfare. That computer virus, Stuxnet, is still felt today.
Unlike most malware, Stuxnet was designed for one specific mission. It targeted highly sp
Secret Mall Apartment | They Hid in the Mall for Four Years
In the late 1990s, a strange housing experiment unfolded in Rhode Island. It was not advertised or permitted. It existed quietly inside a busy shopping mall. This hidden space, known as the secret mall apartment, was built by artist Michael Townsend. What began as an art protest turned into one of the most unusual living experiments ever documented.
To protest the mall, Townsend and friends pla
Our Funniest Moments From 2025
This episode is a full look back at one of the wildest years in the history of the show. Tim and Jaron revisit their favorite moments, hardest laughs, and most unhinged conversations from the past year, all in one highlight-packed episode. From accidental reveals and bizarre school assemblies to cursed AI conversations and legendary debates, this episode pulls together the clips listeners still qu
Kevin McCallister | How this Kid Saved Christmas
The podcast tells the story of Kevin McCallister, a young boy who gets accidentally left behind when his family goes on a Christmas trip to France. While home alone, Kevin has to fend off two burglars called the “Wet Bandits,” who are trying to rob his house. Kevin sets up creative booby traps like heating doorknobs, putting ornaments by windows, and greasing the stairs to stop the bandits. The ba
The Matsukawa Derailment | How the CIA Rigged Japan's Democracy
In the early morning hours of August 17, 1949, a passenger train derailed near the town of Matsukawa in northern Japan. At first, the crash appeared to be a tragic accident, but investigators quickly discovered clear signs of sabotage. Bolts had been removed from the tracks, and the rails had been deliberately bent, making derailment unavoidable.
That single event became known as the Matsakawa in
Unknown Number | Cyberbullying Gone WAY too Far
Strange messages can shake even the strongest people. That is what happened in a small Michigan town when an Unknown Number began sending cruel texts to two young teens. What seemed like simple bullying slowly grew into something darker. This is the true story of how a community faced fear, confusion, and betrayal. All because of an Unknown Number.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational
Apollo 13 | This Is the Problem Houston Had
The Apollo 13 mission began as a routine trip to the moon. At first, many people barely paid attention. NASA had already reached the moon twice by then. But everything changed when an explosion put three astronauts in danger. What started as a quiet mission soon became one of the most dramatic rescue efforts in space history.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where be
Sarma Melngailis | He Told Her He'd Make Her Dog Immortal
The story of Sarma Melngailis is one of ambition, success, and a shocking scam that pulled her entire world apart. It begins with a bold dream in New York City and ends with a cross-country chase, unpaid employees, and millions of dollars missing. This tale shows how even the brightest people can be pulled into something they never expected.
Before any scam touched her life, Sarma Melngailis bu
Bat Bombs | The Atom Bomb Saved Thousands of Bats
The bat bomb was one of the most unusual ideas to emerge from the World War II era. It mixed wildlife, explosive science, and creative military strategy. This unusual weapon did not gain fame, yet it reveals how far nations will go during war. Today, we can look back and learn from its wild history.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and
How XI Jinping Took Control of China
For decades, China has stood as one of the most powerful nations on earth. At the center of that rise stands one man, Xi Jinping. His story isn’t just about politics; it’s about power, control, and the transformation of an entire country. Understanding how Xi Jinping came to lead modern China gives us a glimpse into how influence and ideology can reshape the world.
Things I Learned Last Night i
Lydia Fairchild | This Mom's DNA Didn't Match Her Kids
When Lydia Fairchild applied for child support in 2002, she thought it was a routine process. She was a young mother of two, pregnant with her third child, and wanted to ensure help from her children’s father. But what began as paperwork turned into one of the strangest legal and scientific mysteries in modern history: the case of Lydia Fairchild and her DNA.
To confirm paternity, officials req
The Roofman | Lived in Toys R Us for a Year
In the late 1990s, a man named Jeffrey Allen Manchester earned a strange nickname: the Roofman. His crime spree would go down as one of the most unusual and oddly polite series of robberies in American history. What started with a few break-ins quickly turned into a coast-to-coast pattern of fast-food heists, most often targeting McDonald’s restaurants.
The Roofman’s method was simple but clever.
The True Story Behind Moneyball
When most people think of baseball legends, they imagine home runs, golden gloves, and towering trophies. But Billy Beane became a legend not because of his swing—but because of his brain. The story behind Moneyball shows how one man’s data-driven strategy forever changed how baseball teams build winning rosters.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Ja
Theo Albrecht | How Aldi's Founder Got Kidnapped
In 1971, the unthinkable happened. Theo Albrecht was kidnapped outside his office in Germany. The crime was led by Heinz Joachim Ollenburg, a dishonest lawyer with a gambling problem, and an accomplice named Paul Kron, a former safe-cracker. Their motivation was simple: money. They knew Theo Albrecht and Aldi were worth billions and believed ransom would make them rich.
The plan, however, was
Rafael Perez | The Time Aliens Possessed a Pilot
In 1976, a student pilot named Rafael Perez took off on what was supposed to be a simple solo flight from Mexico City. The plan was to circle a nearby lake, make a brief landing in an open field, and return to the airport. It was meant to last about an hour.
But something went very wrong. Moments after takeoff, Rafael Perez disappeared from radar. Air traffic controllers couldn’t contact him. Hou
D.A.R.E | The Truth About Dare and Drugs
The 1980s and 1990s were filled with slogans warning kids to “just say no.” At the center of this effort was the Dare program, a nationwide campaign that claimed to stop young people from falling into drug abuse. But as history shows, the story of Dare is more complicated than its bold promises.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim
The Shaggs | This Is the Worst Band Ever
Some stories in music history are stranger than fiction. The rise of The Shaggs is one of them. What started as a father’s obsession with a palm reading became a band often labeled the worst band ever. Yet, against all odds, their legacy still echoes decades later.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics
The Lies About Balloonfest '86
In 1986, Cleveland made history with a bold and colorful idea. Organizers set out to release more balloons than anyone had ever attempted before. The event, known as Balloonfest 86, promised to unite the city and showcase its spirit on a national stage. What unfolded became one of the most unforgettable spectacles in Cleveland’s history.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podc
Ike Herschkopf | His Therapist Took His House
In the early 1980s, Marty Markowitz turned to psychiatrist Ike Herschkopf for help. Marty struggled with panic attacks and decision-making. At first, the therapy seemed to help. But instead of building Marty’s confidence, Ike worked his way deeper into every part of his life.
Sessions that began as short meetings grew into lunches, dinners, and late-night calls. Soon, Ike wasn’t just Marty’s doct
Lou Pearlman | He SCAMMED the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC
Lou Pearlman was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the pop music industry. His story begins far from the stage lights, but it would eventually shape the rise of some of the biggest boy bands in history.
The story of Lou Pearlman and boy band fame is a cautionary tale. He created icons, yet exploited them. His vision changed pop culture forever, but his greed ultimately dest
The Yellow Deli | The Truth About the Yellow Deli Cult
The Yellow Deli looks like a cozy sandwich shop at first glance. Its handmade wood furniture, rustic décor, and warm teas attract students, travelers, and locals alike. But behind the welcoming atmosphere lies a much deeper, and more controversial, story. The Yellow Deli is connected to the Twelve Tribes community, a religious group that many describe as a cult.
Things I Learned Last Night is a
Velocity Gnome | The Prank That Lasted 3 Years
It all started in the early 2000s when a teenager named Collin heard a knock at his door. A stranger knelt before him and handed over a scrapbook that seemed to predict Collin’s future. The book presented real photos of his life, followed by an imagined portrayal of him as humanity's savior in a war against robots.
The bizarre delivery was only the beginning. Collin shared the scrapbook online
Henry Davis | But I Am Telling You Right Now This Man Is Not Real
In the age of viral fame, few stories are stranger than that of Henry Davis and the Deep Fake allegations. Henry Davis became a social media sensation with over 700,000 Instagram followers, posting a mix of political commentary, strange personal tales, and celebrity encounters. But behind the carefully crafted image was a web of deception that would soon unravel.
The saga of Henry Davis and Deep
Balloon Boy | This Kid Got Stuck in a Balloon
In 2009, a strange news story caught the attention of millions across America. A silver balloon was floating through the sky, and many believed a six-year-old boy named Falcon Henne was trapped inside. This event quickly became known as the “Balloon Boy” incident, and the man at the center of it was Richard Henne.
The Balloon Boy story is a strange mix of media frenzy, family drama, and public co
Phoenix Jones | Seattle's Real Life Superhero EXPOSED
Not all superheroes live in comic books. One of them walked the streets of Seattle, in full costume, calling himself Phoenix Jones. While his origin was rooted in protecting the innocent, his story took many unexpected turns. This is the tale of how one man attempted to fight crime and ultimately blurred the line between hero and villain.
Phoenix Jones wanted to protect his city. He believed on
Elmer McCurdy | Real Dead Guy Found on TV Show Set
Elmer McCurdy was a failed outlaw whose story didn’t end with his death—it only got weirder. After a string of explosive robbery attempts that went hilariously wrong, McCurdy met his end in a shootout with law enforcement. But instead of being buried and forgotten, his body began a journey stranger than fiction.
For decades, McCurdy’s embalmed corpse was mistaken for a wax figure and passed throu
Pepsi Jet | Pepsi’s $37 Million Bet, It Almost Backfired
In the 1990s, Pepsi ran one of the wildest marketing campaigns ever. The company offered “Pepsi Points” for drinking their soda. People could collect these points and trade them for branded items like T-shirts and sunglasses. But one bold TV commercial took things too far—it ended with a teenager landing a military jet at school. The cost? Seven million Pepsi Points.
It was meant as a joke. But n
Hitchbot | The Robot That Died Trying to Make Friends
In 2013, two Canadian professors set out to answer a strange question: Can robots trust humans? The result was a robot named Hitchbot. It wasn’t high-tech or futuristic-looking. In reality, it looked more like a child’s craft project. But its mission was serious: to travel across countries using only the kindness of strangers.
Hitchbot was a mix of pool noodles, a bucket, rain boots, and a talki
Zheng He | Did China Almost Rule the World?
Imagine this: hundreds of massive ships rolling into your harbor. No gunfire, no war, just presence. That’s how Zhang He made nations bow. His fleet flexed power without destroying cities. Along the way, they also mapped the ocean and brought foreign leaders to meet the emperor. Zhang He and the ships became legends. They showed that China wasn’t just a land power. It ruled the seas, too.
Thing
Conan vs Leno: The Tonight Show Fight
Late-night TV has always been filled with laughs, interviews, and drama. But one of the biggest behind-the-scenes showdowns happened between Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno. This is the story of how two comedy giants clashed over one of television’s most iconic shows: The Tonight Show.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk abou
Alfred Packer Ate Five Guys, No Burgers
In the winter of 1874, six men entered the snowy Colorado mountains. Only one came out. That man was Alfred Packer, and what followed became one of the most chilling survival stories in American history.
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. If you like learning, and laug
The Cadaver Synod | He Put a Dead Pope on Trial
In 897 AD, a genuinely shocking event occurred in Rome. A dead pope was put on trial. You read that right. A corpse, dressed in full church robes, was placed on a throne and judged in front of an audience. This unusual and unforgettable event is known as the Cadaver Synod. It remains one of the most bizarre moments in church history. And yes, it really happened.
Things I Learned Last Night is a
McDonald’s Monopoly - The One That Jaron Doesn't Want to Do
For years, the McDonald's Monopoly game made people believe they could win big. From free fries to million-dollar prizes, millions of people peeled those little game pieces, hoping to strike it rich. But what if we told you that the biggest prizes were never actually up for grabs?
This is the true story of how Jerry Jacobson stole millions of dollars by rigging the McDonald’s Monopoly game. It’
Justin Posey | Tech Genius Starts Massive New Treasure Hunt
In the world of hidden riches, one man took things to a whole new level. His name is Justin Posey, and he’s not your average tech guy. He’s a software engineer, a collector, and a creative thinker. But what really sets him apart? His deep obsession with finding treasure. What started as a hobby turned into a years-long mission. Now, Justin Posey and treasure might go down in history together.
T
Forrest Fenn and His Deadly Treasure Hunt
Forrest Fenn was a decorated Air Force pilot, art dealer, and author who lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He collected rare artifacts from around the world. After surviving cancer in the late 1980s, he devised a wild plan: hide a treasure chest filled with valuable items and challenge people to find it.
Fenn published a book in 2010 titled The Thrill of the Chase. Inside it, he included a mysteriou
Joy Milne | The Woman Who Can Smell Parkinson’s
It all started at a science conference. A woman named Joy Milne stood up after a lecture on Parkinson’s disease and asked the speaker, “Why do people with Parkinson’s smell like that?”
The scientist, Dr. Tilo Kunath, was confused. He had never heard that Parkinson’s had a smell. But Joy was confident. She said she could smell it, and she had smelled it before anyone diagnosed her husband.
T
Who Was the Hollywood Con Queen
It all started with a phone call. A photographer in Colorado received an offer from a well-known Hollywood producer. She said she needed photos taken in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a Netflix pitch. The contract looked real. The emails were official. He was even reimbursed — or so he thought.
The photographer paid for flights, hotels, and drivers, expecting to be paid back later. But the producer kept
Le Corbusier | How This Architect Changed City Life Forever
When you look around your city today, you might notice that a lot of buildings look the same. Fast food restaurants, apartments, and office parks often blend together. One man played a significant role in initiating this trend. His name was Le Corbusier. He was an architect with grand ideas about how cities should be designed. Some people love what he did. Others think he made the world a little l
Rosie Ruiz | How to Win the Boston Marathon: Cheat
In 1980, Rosie Ruiz crossed the Boston Marathon finish line with a smile and a medal. She had just posted one of the fastest female marathon times ever. Cameras flashed. Reporters asked questions. But within days, the truth came out—Rosie Ruiz had cheated.
This is the strange and unforgettable story of how Rosie Ruiz became a marathon “winner” without running the whole race.
Things I Learned Las
Third Wave | Teacher Accidentally Starts a Fascist Cult
Ron Jones was a fun and popular history teacher at Cubberley High School. One day, a student asked him how people in Germany could follow someone like Hitler. Ron wanted to answer that question through a Social Experiment.
He set simple rules. Students had to greet him in a special way, sit quietly, and ask questions using three words or fewer. Jones promised good grades if they followed his rule
Dr. Bronner | This Man Turned Soap Into a Cult?
Soap may seem like an everyday item, but Dr. Bronner showed us it can carry powerful messages. Using his soapbox—literally standing on it to speak to crowds—he shared important lessons about life and caring for the planet... Maybe...
Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. I
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