Sofa King Podcast

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the strange occurrence of sleepwalking. Though it mostly involves innocent movement in someone’s sleep, it can lead a host of more troubling symptoms such as sleep eating (we’re looking at you Brent), sleep talking, and even having sex while asleep. All with no knowledge! So, what causes sleep walking? How can you prevent it? What can you do to safeguard your house, and how did it lead to Brent almost bleeding out and dying one night? Listen, laugh, and learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleepwalking/symptoms-causes https://www.buzzfeed.com/feynman12/these-sleep-walking-talking-stories-are-iconic-hilarious https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepwalking https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21730-sleep-related-eating-disorders https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14292-sleepwalking https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleepwalking https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-related-eating-disorders https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sexsomnia

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about one of the most important and often misunderstood living beings on the planet. That’s right, we talk about trees. At first, this seemed like a boring topic, but once the research started, our minds were blown. The big reveal was that trees have a fungal network weaved into their root systems that trees use talk to each other and share nutrients and resources. There are also things called “Mother Trees” that have a memory of good and bad times stored in their DNA, and they use this fungal network to upload this DNA into younger trees to “teach them” if a threat arises. From talking to birds when they need to eliminate bugs, to alternate alien worlds and what they would look like without lumber, we go deep on this one. Visit our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree https://www.arborday.org/trees/treefacts/ https://www.treehugger.com/facts-about-trees-4868798 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mother-trees-are-intelligent-they-learn-and-remember/ https://e360.yale.edu/features/are_trees_sentient_peter_wohlleben https://www.treepeople.org/2023/04/14/fungi-and-trees-plants

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we continue our ongoing conversation about The State of Artificial Intelligence. Since GPT came out, AI has exploded into every facet of our lives, and we continue our discussion of what has happened most recently. We talk about Elon Musk’s Neuralink and how it may align with his robot the Optimus. It may be our first chance to see true human cyborgs. We talk about what happens when the entire work force gets displaced by AI and robotics and the merits and dangers of the government provided living wage. We also look at the future of music when a computer is better than your local garage band. There is a lot more and maybe even some fart jokes…AI fart jokes? You’ll have to wait and see. If you want to hear us get all high techie, this is the one for you.

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the US Navy’s Operation Highjump. Just a year after WWII, the famous explorer, Admiral Richard Byrd, launched an operation of 70 ships, 33 aircraft, and 4700 men to establish a base in Antarctica. Why? Well, ‘Merca! Also, rumors persisted that the Nazis had laid claim to some land down there and some leaders (maybe old Adolf himself) escaped to a secret base (in Nazi UFOs?). Regardless of why, Highjump became the start of legitimate research in Antarctica. It was the precursor to the strange Antarctic Treaty of 1959. But it is a continent of mystery. Did the US detonate 3 nukes there in the 1950s? Why do some think the entrance to the Hollow Earth is found here? What does the mysterious missing diary of Admiral Byrd say he found? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://longnow.org/ideas/the-truth-about-antarctica/ https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/technology/highjump/AntarcticFOIA.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Highjump https://cgaviationhistory.org/1946-operation-high-jump/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/operation-highjump-18223476/ https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/search/site/operation%20highjump https://www.nature.com/news/2007/070326/full/news070326-14.html https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/attach/49/49783_.pdf https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_Treaty_System

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the magical kings of Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy. Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn were a magician and animal handler who moved from crappy cruise ships to Sinatra’s Vegas and then dominated the town for over thirty years with their insane, extravagant illusions. They were known for their magical pets, the legion of white tigers and lions that they raised, trained, lived with, and included in their magic. This duo were at times romantic partners, at times business partners, and always—somehow—friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their empire came to an end, however, when a tiger named Manticore attacked Roy on stage one night. How much damage did the attack do? What did the main animal trainer say? What was their reputation in the magician community? What happened to the tiger? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siegfried_%26_Roy https://www.biography.com/celebrities/roy-horn https://www.biography.com/celebrities/siegfried-fischbacher Guardian Article Here People Article Here New Atlantic https://facts.net/celebrity/16-surprising-facts-about-siegfried-and-roy/ https://www.magicana.com/news/blog/take-two-21-siegfried-roy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_the_Pride

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about one of the biggest True Crime cases of the 1990s, that of Lorena and John Bobbitt. In June of 1993, Lorena famously cut off John’s penis with a Ginsu knife, threw it in a field, and later helped the police find and reattach it. The media circus that followed was intense. Cameras were allowed in the court room and listened to Lorena and a majority of the witnesses back up her claims of domestic abuse and rape. We do our half assed best to figure out what really happened, but it ends with John starring in one of the highest grossing pornos of all time and Lorena playing herself in a documentary series by Jordan Peele. Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/crime/lorena-bobbitt https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_and_Lorena_Bobbitt https://time.com/5317979/lorena-bobbitt-today-anniversary-interview/ https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/battered-woman-syndrome-it-enough-not-guilty-reason-insanity-plea https://www.nickiswift.com/380822/the-most-bizarre-things-about-the-lorena-bobbitt-case/ https://commons.und.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5068&context=theses

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the colorful life of Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Randy was one of the all-time greats of wrestling. His character work and wrestling promos are among the most bizarre and hysterical of all time. He had a famous love affair with his manager (and actual wife) Miss Elizabeth, and helped to make WrestleMania, perhaps more than even Hulk Hogan did. Some say he was paranoid and intense, protecting Elizabeth from rivals he didn’t have, and he fell into a 9 year feud with Hogan and an even longer one with Vince McMahon. What turned him into a global pop culture phenomenon? What tore him and Vince apart? What famous wrestler was his brother? Why do they call him one of the best in the history of the business? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/athletes/macho-man-randy-savage https://www.wwe.com/superstars/randysavage https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Randy_Savage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Savage https://nationaltoday.com/birthday/randy-savage/ https://play.aetv.com/shows/biography-wwe-legends/season-1/episode-3 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/513498/9-things-you-might-not-know-about-macho-man-randy-savage https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/ohhhhh-yeah-10-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-mad-life-of-macho-man-randy-savage/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnBUbRowRgM

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we dig into the biography of the one and only Dan Aykroyd. He earned his chops as one of the original cast members on Saturday Night Live, but this cultural legend has brought to life some of the most important characters in all of film. He blew the roof off the joint in 1984 with his film The Blues Brothers, and a few years later, he changed the world of comedy by writing and starring in Ghostbusters. And Ghostbusters was no accident for this man who is a spiritualist and firmly believes in ghosts, UFOs, and the paranormal. What UFO sightings has he had? Why did he create the spirit brad Crystal Skull Vodka? How much money is he worth for all his ghosts and spirits? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/dan-aykroyd-3412.php https://elevatesociety.com/dan-aykroyd/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Aykroyd https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/culture/ghostbusters-dan-aykroyd-ufo-sighting-b2475454.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rvxPNHf-z4 https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/-it-was-a-vivid-sighting-actor-dan-aykroyd-claims-he-had-spectacular-ufo-encounters-four-times-101704794103774.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Head_Vodka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya0DQwWCO3o

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the life of an understated comic genius, John Candy. For two decades Candy was in some of the best comedies that Hollywood had to offer. But it all started with the famous comedy troupe Second City and his involvement with Emmy winning comedy show, SCTV. In his early years, he befriended and worked with comedians like Dan Aykroyd and Rick Moranis, and eventually became close friends the film legend John Hughes. From Stripes to Uncle Buck and from Home Alone to Planes Trains and Automobiles, this everyman of comedy dominated the scene. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/actors/john-candy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Candy https://www.secondcity.com/people/other/john-candy/ https://variety.com/2023/film/news/john-candy-documentary-amazon-colin-hanks-ryan-reynolds-1235517899/ https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/610983/john-candy-actor-facts https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/25-fun-facts-about-john-candy-and-the-comedians-legendary-career https://facts.net/celebrity/18-mind-blowing-facts-about-john-candy/ https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/actors/john-candy-net-worth/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtayB-vIyfY

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about one of the largest cults in Japan—the Happy Science Cult. Yes, that’s really their name. They were founded by Ryuho Okawa who was the key rival to the Aum Shinriko cult (who tried to kill Okawa with poison gas in his car). The Happies believe that Okawa is the embodiment of the god El Cantare who was born on Venus millions of years ago. Their leader channels people like Jesus, Buddha, Socrates, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and even Michael Jackson to write books for him. They produce tons of horrible anime, try to influence elections, and of course take all the money they can. Why does Okawa’s son claim he is a fraud? How many books have they written? Why are they called Happy Science? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Happy_Science https://www.vice.com/en/article/jmvan4/my-afternoon-with-a-failed-japanese-cult https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Science https://theworld.org/stories/2022-11-30/japan-s-infamous-happy-cult-sets-sights-united-states https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230302-japan-happy-science-cult-leader-okawa-dies-media https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Death-of-the-founder-of-Happy-Science,-a-controversial-Japanese-religious-sect-57887.html https://gamerant.com/japanese-cult-happy-science-anime/

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we explore one of the worst regimes in the West: the dictatorship of Papa Doc Duvalier. François Duvalier came to be the sadistic president for life of the island of Haiti, running the island through a regime of terror, voodoo, and secret police for 14 years. He had a murder squad called the Tontons Macoutes, named after a Haitian boogey man who would eat children for breakfast. He killed tens of thousands of Haitians during his dark reign, claimed to have killed President Kennedy through voodoo, once had every black dog in the country killed, and kept the head of an enemy on ice in a special closet, so he could talk to it. If you like them bloody and crazy, it doesn’t get much better than Papa Doc. Visit Our Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/23/archives/papa-doc-a-ruthless-dictator-kept-the-haitians-in-illiteracy-and.html https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/papa-doc-duvalier-the-voodoo-president-who-killed-kennedy/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Duvalier https://www.doctorsecrets.com/papa-doc-duvalier-haiti-s-voodoo-doctor https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/papa-doc-the-voodoo-tyrant-of-haiti-654a41a68474 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_occupation_of_Haiti

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the career of the one and only Conan O’Brien. Conan went from utterly unknown to become one of the all-time greats of late night television. He had a major feud with Jay Leno (who screwed him out of his dream job), but nothing could dampen his impact on American comedy. From amazing remotes to unbelievable characters (I’m looking at you, Masturbating Bear), his late night shows were among the best. We talk about his crazy pranks he pulled at Harvard, his podcast, and even his classic moments with Norm McDonald. Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_O%27Brien https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/conan-obrien https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/conan-obrien/bio/3030386650/ https://histlit.fas.harvard.edu/people/people/alumni/conan-obrien https://www.universallifechurchministers.org/celebrities/conan-obrien https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-conan-obrien/jacob-shelton https://www.cracked.com/article_37683_60-conan-obrien-trivia-tidbits-on-his-60th-birthday.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpIEyn9G6_8&t=371s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKmadR4Ye54&t=1s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-MJy7w69EU

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we say a hearty “Live from New York…It’s Saturday Night.” That’s right. We talk all things Saturday Night Live. This American television institution has been responsible for discovering some of the most important comic voices over the past five decades. It has been a bastion for counter culture, political satire, musical discovery, and dicks in boxes. It was created by Lorne Michaels who has succeeded in keeping the show somehow relevant, fresh, funny, and on the air all these years. Whether you like old school SNL like the Blues Brothers or dig Michael Che and Colin Jost, we’ve got you covered. Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/saturday-night-live-debuts https://snl.jt.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorne_Michaels https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/harry-shearer-interview-simpsons-spinal-tap-b2456903.html https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/69730/facts-about-saturday-night-live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEKul4088ug https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Saturday_Night_Live_cast_members https://ew.com/music/sinead-oconnor-pope-photo-snl/

On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the ultimate case of forbidden love—the story of Mary Kay Letourneau. Letourneau was made (in)famous in the late 1990s when she had a love affair with a student of hers named Vili Fualaau. Why would this propel her to the heights of tabloid fame? Because she was 35, and he was only 13. She gave birth their first daughter while still awaiting trail for child rape, and she broke the rules of her parole and got pregnant by him again almost the instant she got out of prison. So, how long did she serve time? How long did they stay together? How did marijuana cause them to get a divorce? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/crime/mary-kay-letourneau https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kay_Letourneau https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/mary-kay-letourneau-may-december-true-story-1234918355/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/07/obituaries/mary-kay-letourneau-dead.html https://www.crimelibrary.org/criminal_mind/psychology/marykay_letourneau/1.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RezOEn0daNU https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/mary-kay-letourneau-vili-fualaaus-interview-inspired-film/ https://facts.net/celebrity/39-facts-about-mary-kay-letourneau/

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the amazing underground city of Derinkuyu. This tomb of a city is in modern day Turkey and dates back thousands of years. Nobody is sure when they started building it, but at its peak, it held a sustainable population of 20,000 people. It held its own food stores, animal farms, churches, wine makers, you name it. It had giant stone doors that no attacker could budge, and it was used over the centuries by multiple cultures and religious groups. In fact, it wasn’t fully abandoned until the early 1920s and rediscovered by accident in the 1960s. If you like the cities of the dwarves and underground catacombs, this one is for you. Visit Our Sources: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220810-derinkuyu-turkeys-underground-city-of-20000-people https://sometimes-interesting.com/derinkuyu-the-underground-cities-of-cappadocia/ https://tomorrow.city/a/elengubu-derinkuyu-underground-city-thousands-of-people https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/derinkuyu-turkey-underground-city-strange-maps https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derinkuyu_underground_city

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the many lives of Sacha Baron Cohen. He won awards as Ali G and took over the world as Borat, all through his unique style of comedy. Sacha Baron Cohen develops humor that plays off the prejudice, politeness, and ignorance of people. He takes shots at celebrities, politicians, racists, and an anti-Semites in the most scathing way possible. He even took down Rudy Giuliani in a now infamous scene with his fake daughter. If you don’t know his work, what the hell’s wrong with you?!? He’s a master of comedy, and we spit all his facts for you on this episode. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/actors/sacha-baron-cohen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacha_Baron_Cohen https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/sacha-baron-cohen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Baron-Cohen https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/553524/facts-about-sacha-baron-cohen https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/sacha-baron-cohen-net-worth/ https://www.adl.org/resources/news/sacha-baron-cohens-keynote-address-adls-2019-never-now-summit-anti-semitism-and-hate https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/sacha-baron-cohen-the-man-behind-the-mustache-249539/#ixzz3qN0WPVcv

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we take a look an activist group called MOVE, and how they were eventually assaulted, murdered, and bombed by Philadelphia police via helicopter in the 80s. MOVE started out as a strange group that people considered one part Black Panthers and one part green-loving hippies. They fought for social justice and justice for all living beings, black, white, animal, you name it. But they were loud, and they swore through megaphones, and they had weapons. Some say they were an innocent activist group who was persecuted by the police. Others say they were a dangerous cult, and that the Philly police pulled a Waco on them. Give it a listen, learn the facts of the MOVE bombing, and judge for yourself! Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOVE_(Philadelphia_organization) https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/8/8/20747198/philadelphia-bombing-1985-move https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_MOVE_bombing https://collaborativehistory.gse.upenn.edu/stories/move-osage-avenue https://www.newyorker.com/news/essay/saying-her-name https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=jmurj https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03ErYGB4Kk https://leavingmove2021.blogspot.com/

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk the red planet, Mars. There is a lot to unpack here. I mean, yes, it is super cool that errors in interpreting early photos led us all to think Mars was covered in canals and highways. This lead to fiction such as The War of the Worlds. But more than that, Mars has always been an important symbol to humanity. For early humanity, it was a mystery—a star that was a red and had a funky orbit. For modern humanity, it is a curiosity, one which we spend billions of dollars on, sending probes and satellite cameras to help unlock its secrets. So, what is the atmosphere and surface of mars like? Can we make it livable? Why should we want to? What is Elon Musk’s big plan for red neighbor? Listen, laugh, learn! Get yo’ ass to our sources: https://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/mystique/history/early/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mars_observation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_canals https://www.space.com/47-mars-the-red-planet-fourth-planet-from-the-sun.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars https://news.usc.edu/173755/mars-human-history-culture-usc-experts-2020-launch/ https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/ https://www.spacex.com/human-spaceflight/mars/ https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-ready-mars-humanity-ready https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=921VbEMAwwY&t=1s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cydonia_(Mars)#%22Face_on_Mars%22

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about one of the most unique visionaries in all of Hollywood, Tim Burton. It’s hard to even start with his biggest hit since there are so many—Batman, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. His movies aren’t just financial blockbusters, they are cult favorites, adored by millions. His visual style, animation, and soundtracks are just as iconic as some of his characters. Come along as we take a look inside the mind of a maestro. Visit our Sources: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000318/bio/ https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/tim-burton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Burton https://www.ranker.com/list/fascinating-facts-about-tim-burton/collin-flatt https://vocal.media/geeks/25-facts-about-tim-burton-and-some-of-his-movies https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/directors/tim-burton-net-worth/ https://chrislacy1990.medium.com/revisiting-princes-batman-1989-retrospective-tribute-ed09e692be02#:~:text=While%20assembling%20a%20rough%20cut,convinced%20Burton%20to%20contact%20Prince.

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the ultimate brain baller, Archimedes. He was born in 287 BC, but he was a genius the likes of which the world has seldom known. The cool stuff was his machines. He created giant claws that could scoop attacking ships out of the sea, advanced catapults, ballista that could throw whole trees, and allegedly a heat ray that set ships on fire, as well as the world’s first analog computer. But his real genius was in mathematics. He is said to be one of the all-time greats, a thousand years or more ahead of his time. The inventions and discoveries of Archimedes make him one of the smartest humans in the history of the species. Visit Our Sources: http://archimedespalimpsest.org/about/history/archimedes.php https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v86Yk14rf8 https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/archimedes-archimedes https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/archimedes-ancient-greek-genius-ahead-his-time-003690 https://explorable.com/archimedes-war-machines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism