# Part-Time Genius Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You're one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we'll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and… Page: Feed: --- ## [How Have Rats Outsmarted Us for So Long?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/why-have-rats-outsmarted-us-for-so-long-1) _2026-08-18_ Rats! For centuries, we've tried (and failed) to keep them under control, because not only are rats brave enough to swim out of toilets, they're also kind of brilliant. Find out how they foiled Pablo Escobar, why some rat owners let their pets play dentist, and why tiny trousers are their kryptonite. Featuring author and longtime friend of the show AJ Jacobs. This episode originally aired on June… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/e1912c8b-1b56-41b9-947e-b4a600135ba2/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [Are Cow Burps Hurting the Environment?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/are-cow-burps-hurting-the-environment-1) _2026-08-14_ From making cows a little less gassy, to seasoning your clouds with salt, to creating floating pastures and hospitals, communities and scientists have come up with a whole lot of ingenious solutions to deal with climate change. Today Will and Mango explore the sunnier side of climate resilience. This episode originally aired on March 21, 2025. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/b3908d17-37a3-4ba7-a814-b4a200de51d3/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [9 Weird Championships You Can Win!](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/9-weird-championships-you-can-win) _2026-08-11_ Are you a careful observer of seagulls? Do you have a passion for paddling in shallow, murky water? Could you spend an entire month circling the same city block? Do you like oatmeal? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, great news: there's a world championship event for you. Grab your entry forms and be sure to let us know how it goes! Got a question or idea for the show? Call our… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/37bb30bd-9eb0-406e-8b5c-b4a3001b9b4c/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [What's the Science of Invisibility?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/whats-the-science-of-invisibility-1) _2026-08-07_ Sure, invisibility is about magic cloaks and invisible inks. But it's so much more than that! From the way butterflies see a secret world of light that humans can't, to the real reason polar bears are completely undetectable to infrared cameras, there's a whole big world you ought to hear about… even if you can't see it. Featuring author Bob Berman. This episode originally aired on September 1,… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/f0503780-915f-41d1-b7ee-b49800ea210e/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [Can Spicy Foods Make You Live Longer?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/can-spicy-foods-make-you-live-longer) _2026-08-04_ Does a fondness for spicy foods mean you've got an aggressive personality? Did putting spices on food help cavemen avoid illnesses? Is it true that super-spicy diets are linked to longevity? And what's the most effective way to soothe the heat if you bite off more than you can chew, tolerance-wise? This episode originally aired on May 2, 2018. Speaking of living longer, be sure to check out… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/8ee8112a-043b-4847-95da-b49800e6173e/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [Why Do Rich People Love Lobster, Squash, and Monograms?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/why-do-rich-people-love-lobster-squash-and-monograms) _2026-07-31_ Once upon a time, lobster was considered trash meat, monograms were seen as tacky, squash was played in rundown back alleys, and the only people doing Pilates were prisoners. So how did these things turn into expensive status symbols, beloved by the world's elites? Plus: How business casual made its way into boardrooms. This episode originally aired on October 25, 2018. Got a question or idea for… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/29a0341c-ab36-497d-b496-b49100f0893f/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [How Did a Surfer Create SpongeBob SquarePants?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/how-did-a-surfer-create-spongebob-squarepants) _2026-07-28_ From the heartwarming origin of everyone's favorite undersea-pineapple resident, to lingo like 'gidget' and 'big kahuna,' to business suits designed for catching waves, surfing has made a massive splash in the world. Get ready to ride a wave of stories, because today Will and Mango have nine surfing facts for you! This episode originally aired on August 21, 2024. Got a question or idea for the… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/8820e827-4185-477d-9ec1-b49100ec7980/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [Who Built the First Swimming Pool?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/who-built-the-first-swimming-pool-1) _2026-07-24_ Want to know what makes the only swimming pool on the National Registry of Historic Places so special? Or who built the first pool specifically for swimming? Or the strange reason Boston invested in an indoor public pool? From the secret pool hiding in the White House to New York's zaniest swim team, Will and Mango dip into the surprisingly refreshing history of pools. This episode originally… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/0d8f44c3-2012-479d-ab43-b48d0138b805/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [How Did Dolly Parton Become Such a Legend?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/how-did-dolly-parton-become-such-a-legend-1) _2026-07-21_ Everyone loves Dolly Parton. The American country singer has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, and her career has included six decades of chart-topping songs. But how did Dolly become Dolly? Where does she find inspiration for her lyrics? And why is she extra-popular in Zimbabwe? This episode originally aired on August 13, 2018. Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302)… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/8f4b43ae-2b33-47eb-a19f-b4750006bb8b/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206) ## [Refer a Friend, Earn Rewards (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/kRPOqwqVj8Sg) _2026-07-21 · **Sponsored**_ Earn rewards when friends get the Graphite Business Card through your referral. ## [What Does Stress Really Do to Our Bodies?](https://omny.fm/shows/part-time-genius/what-does-stress-really-do-to-our-bodies-1) _2026-07-17_ You've heard the saying "stress kills." But are there good and bad stresses? Why does stress affect our appetites? And why do scientists think that mowing the lawn can make you less tense? Will and Mango take a carefree dive into the science of stress, from why it can help us to how we can get rid of it. This episode originally aired on April 20, 2018. Got a question or idea for the show, or a tip… [Listen](https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/tracking.swap.fm/track/DfXIxNL4FlhsFXtrke08/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/3330cb46-e122-4797-bc0c-ae32006cd1f8/1a18b054-e360-49f4-98ec-b4750002cc88/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=bcfb0fa6-e85d-4c5f-a52f-ae32006cd206)