Secretly Incredibly Fascinating-logo

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Comedy

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Location:

United States

Genres:

Comedy

Description:

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

Twitter:

@sifpod

Language:

English

Contact:

3154204100


Episodes
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Garlic

2/9/2026
Alex Schmidt and special guest Ellen Weatherford explore why garlic is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:09:09

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The Number 13

2/2/2026
Alex Schmidt and special guest Robert Brockway explore why the number 13 is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:08:09

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Crossing Your Fingers

1/26/2026
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why "fingers crossed" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:05:55

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Baby Bottles

1/19/2026
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why baby bottles are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:10:48

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Sliced Bread

1/12/2026
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why sliced bread is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:13:36

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Toilet Paper

1/5/2026
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why toilet paper is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:12:02

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a holiday hello, and an invitation to enjoy an unstuck-in-time "Inspectors Inspectors" episode!

12/29/2025
Happy holidays from us (Alex and Katie)! Please enjoy this holiday hello. Please also enjoy a new "The Inspectors Inspectors" episode in MaxFun bonus feeds. And see you in 2026! To hear all six episodes of "The Inspectors Inspectors", support us and grab your bonus feeds at maximumfun.org/join

Duration:00:06:27

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Peppermint

12/22/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why peppermint is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:02:52

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Toothpicks

12/15/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why toothpicks are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:15:11

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Interrobangs

12/8/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why interrobangs are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:11:28

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The United Nations

12/1/2025
Alex Schmidt, Katie Goldin, and special guest Jason Pargin explore why The United Nations is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:40:52

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Spurs

11/24/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why spurs are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:01:11:24

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Credit Scores

11/17/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why credit scores are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5 Visit http://sifpod.store/ to get shirts and posters celebrating the show.

Duration:01:20:04

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"Yakety Sax"

11/10/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the song "Yakety Sax" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:01:05:55

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Chopsticks

11/3/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why chopsticks are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:01:15:34

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Pumpkins

10/27/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why pumpkins are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:01:14:33

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Bonus Show: "The Mohawk Skywalkers Who Build New York City -- And The Former Mohawk Neighborhood In Brooklyn"

10/23/2025
We make a special bonus show EVERY WEEK for Maximum Fun members. Get them all by supporting the podcast at https://maximumfun.org/join/. And please enjoy this special public release of the bonus show for Episode 267 ("Lunch Atop A Skyscraper"). Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore the obviously incredibly fascinating topic of Mohawk ironworkers who build (and rebuild) New York City, the Montreal bridge project that sparked their community's ironwork traditions, and the little-known recent past of Boerum Hill. RESEARCH SOURCES: How Mohawk ‘Skywalkers’ Helped Build New York City’s Tallest Skyscrapers (History.com)A Wigwam in Brooklyn (WNYC Public Radio)Little Caughnawaga (The Brooklyn Rail)Skywalkers: A Portrait of Mohawk Ironworkers at the World Trade Center (9/11 Memorial & Museum)10 Fascinating Facts About the Photograph ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ (Mental Floss)Victoria Bridge (Canadian Society for Civil Engineering)When Little Italy Was Big (PBS Channel Thirteen New York City)Exhibitions: Native New York (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian)

Duration:00:24:05

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"Lunch Atop A Skyscraper"

10/20/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the photograph "Lunch Atop A Skyscraper" is secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:01:13:13

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Speed Bumps

10/13/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why speed bumps are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:00:56:08

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Flamingos

10/6/2025
Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why flamingos are secretly incredibly fascinating. Visit http://sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode. Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: https://discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Duration:00:58:50