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The Story Behind

The Story Behind tells the extraordinary history of the ordinary. Everyday objects are more closely examined, from their ancient beginnings through the present—all within 5-10 minutes.

Ranked #1

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Mechanical Keyboards | From Typewriters to PC Gaming (TSB049)

Mechanical Keyboards | From Typewriters to PC Gaming (TSB049)

You know how people are fond of a certain pen? Like, I happen to have a preference for the Pilot Precise V5s, while my h... Read more

6 Apr 2017

8mins

Ranked #2

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The Luck of the Irish | Four-Leaf Clovers, Irish Luck, Leprechauns (TSB043)

The Luck of the Irish | Four-Leaf Clovers, Irish Luck, Leprechauns (TSB043)

Ever wonder why a four-leaf clover is considered lucky? Or what, exactly, luck of the Irish is and why are the Irish ass... Read more

16 Mar 2017

7mins

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Ranked #3

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We Didn't Start the Fire 1959-1960: Buddy Holly through Belgians in the Congo (TSB057)

We Didn't Start the Fire 1959-1960: Buddy Holly through Belgians in the Congo (TSB057)

If you’re hearing this episode around the time it comes out, it means I’m taking some time off after the birth of my son... Read more

4 May 2017

8mins

Ranked #4

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The Story Behind 30 Random Things | Trivia and History Galore! (TSB030)

The Story Behind 30 Random Things | Trivia and History Galore! (TSB030)

This episode was decided by listeners who responded to a poll I put up last week on Twitter asking if I should do a regu... Read more

30 Jan 2017

11mins

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Ranked #5

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Theater Superstitions | Break a Leg, The Curse of Macbeth, Whistling Backstage (TSB040)

Theater Superstitions | Break a Leg, The Curse of Macbeth, Whistling Backstage (TSB040)

Ever wonder why actors say “Break a leg” instead of “Good luck?” Or why Macbeth is supposedly cursed? Or why you shouldn... Read more

6 Mar 2017

7mins

Ranked #6

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Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen | Freddie Mercury, The Music Video, Wayne's World (TSB1112)

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen | Freddie Mercury, The Music Video, Wayne's World (TSB1112)

I’ve only done one other episode of The Story Behind about a song, and that was The Story Behind Imagine by John Lennon.... Read more

10 May 2018

8mins

Ranked #7

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Mad Hatters | From Mercury Poisoning to Johnny Depp (TSB029)

Mad Hatters | From Mercury Poisoning to Johnny Depp (TSB029)

This week’s theme was inspired by the title of my favorite song from Elton John, which is Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. Yo... Read more

26 Jan 2017

8mins

Ranked #8

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Nathan Bedford Forrest | Forrest Gump February (TSB031)

Nathan Bedford Forrest | Forrest Gump February (TSB031)

In 1994, a story came along about a man of low intelligence who happens to hit a few lucky breaks, weaving himself in an... Read more

2 Feb 2017

10mins

Ranked #9

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Forrest Gump (With Nick from The Epic Film Guys) | Forrest Gump February (TSB038)

Forrest Gump (With Nick from The Epic Film Guys) | Forrest Gump February (TSB038)

In 1994, a movie came along about a man of low intelligence who happens to hit a few lucky breaks, weaving himself in an... Read more

27 Feb 2017

15mins

Ranked #10

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Matches | Alchemy, Phossy Jaw, and the Matchstick Girls Strike (TSB124)

Matches | Alchemy, Phossy Jaw, and the Matchstick Girls Strike (TSB124)

I honestly didn’t think I would be as interested in the history of today’s topic when I first started reading about it. ... Read more

13 Sep 2018

10mins

Ranked #11

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Christmas Traditions | Santa, Reindeer, Christmas Lights, Candy Canes, A Christmas Story (TSB019)

Christmas Traditions | Santa, Reindeer, Christmas Lights, Candy Canes, A Christmas Story (TSB019)

This episode is a bit different from regular episodes of The Story Behind. Instead of one topic, I explore the story beh... Read more

22 Dec 2016

4mins

Ranked #12

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Boston Baked Beans | Traditional New England Fare (TSB130)

Boston Baked Beans | Traditional New England Fare (TSB130)

If you follow @StoryBehindPod on Instagram, you may have seen that I went to Boston last weekend for the Sound Education... Read more

8 Nov 2018

8mins

Ranked #13

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America's Bald Eagle | Lies from Sesame Street and The West Wing (TSB075)

America's Bald Eagle | Lies from Sesame Street and The West Wing (TSB075)

When you sign up for a social media account, once you’ve established your username and profile, what’s one of the first ... Read more

6 Jul 2017

8mins

Ranked #14

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S'mores | The (Awkward) History of Graham Crackers, The Medicinal Marshmallows, and All About Milton Hershey (TSB121)

S'mores | The (Awkward) History of Graham Crackers, The Medicinal Marshmallows, and All About Milton Hershey (TSB121)

This episode will be told in layers. The tasty summer treat I’m talking about has three ingredients, and while they’re a... Read more

9 Aug 2018

10mins

Ranked #15

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Lullabies | The Art of Sleeping Like a Baby (TSB063)

Lullabies | The Art of Sleeping Like a Baby (TSB063)

The Story Behind Lullabies Spotify Playlist As you can imagine, much of my baby break was spent getting used to having ... Read more

25 May 2017

9mins

Ranked #16

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Las Vegas | Early Settlers, Quickie Divorces and Weddings, Casinos, and the Fabulous Sign (TSB092)

Las Vegas | Early Settlers, Quickie Divorces and Weddings, Casinos, and the Fabulous Sign (TSB092)

If you’re listening to this the week it comes out, I’m going to break away from the usual format of the show to editoria... Read more

5 Oct 2017

9mins

Ranked #17

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Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | A Combination of Epic Proportions (TSB099)

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups | A Combination of Epic Proportions (TSB099)

I made the mistake of researching and writing this episode with my 6-year-old daughter next to me. And at 8:30 in the mo... Read more

30 Oct 2017

7mins

Ranked #18

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Roller Coasters | From Russian Ice Slides to Disneyland to the Psychology Behind Thrill Seekers (TSB122)

Roller Coasters | From Russian Ice Slides to Disneyland to the Psychology Behind Thrill Seekers (TSB122)

For us in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer is pretty much reaching the end. And, as a parent, I’m pretty happy about ... Read more

30 Aug 2018

12mins

Ranked #19

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Pantyhose

Pantyhose

Even though the topic of today’s episode isn’t necessarily exercise-related, it would be safe to say it gave me a bit of... Read more

17 Jan 2019

8mins

Ranked #20

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Ping-Pong | Forrest Gump February (TSB034)

Ping-Pong | Forrest Gump February (TSB034)

In 1994, a movie came along about a man of low intelligence who happens to hit a few lucky breaks, weaving himself in an... Read more

13 Feb 2017

10mins

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