Interesting Things with JC #1116: "Mansa Musa" Explore the extraordinary story of Mansa Musa, the 14th-century ruler of the Mali Empire and the wealthiest person in history. With an entourage of 60,000 and 18 tons of gold, his pilgrimage to Mecca destabilized economies and forever changed global perceptions of Africa. Discover how his wealth built Timbuktu into a center of learning, reshaped trade routes, and left a legacy that still resonates today.

Interesting Things with JC #1115: "The Mother of Thanksgiving: Sarah Josepha Hale" - Yo, did you know Thanksgiving wouldn’t even be a thing without Sarah Josepha Hale? The author of Mary Had a Little Lamb was straight-up FIRE, hustling for 17 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Talk about an OG influencer—she was built different!

Interesting Things with JC #1114: "How Do You Cook a Turkey in a Deep Fryer?" - Curious about how to deep-fry a turkey? Let's reveal some essentials for a legendary meal!

Interesting Things with JC #1113: "The Secret Underground Network of Mycelium" - Beneath our feet lies a vast, interconnected network of mycelium, forming the "Wood Wide Web." This fungal marvel connects trees, redistributes nutrients, helps forests thrive, and is older than any known civilization!

Interesting Things with JC #1112: "Forgotten Female Explorers" - Bold, brilliant, and often overlooked! Lets meet the women who reshaped history through exploration. From the Amazon to the Arctic, their achievements defied expectations and expanded our understanding of the world.

Interesting Things with JC #1111: "Lost Civilization of Cahokia" - the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, thrived with monumental mounds and a bustling society. But why did it vanish?!?!

Interesting Things with JC #1110: "Time Crystals – A New Phase of Matter" - Time crystals, a groundbreaking discovery, oscillate perpetually without energy loss, defying the laws of thermodynamics!

Interesting Things with JC #1109: "The Strength of Shapes" - Shapes are more than just designs—they’re the foundation of strength in structures. Shapes are essential in both nature and engineering!

Interesting Things with JC #1107: "Vendée Globe: A Race Around Antarctica" - Explore the thrilling world of the Vendée Globe, a solo, nonstop sailing race encircling Antarctica enhanced by modern technology! This extreme maritime challenge pushes sailors to their limits, confronting them with towering waves, intense isolation, and freezing temperatures.

A big thank you to TechEdTeacher for inspiring this episode!

Interesting Things with JC #1107: "White Ship Disaster" - A maritime catastrophe in 1120 that changed England forever. Discover how this tragedy shaped medieval history.

Interesting Things with JC #1106: "Sarcophagus of Pakal" - The Great and Legendary Mayan King of Palenque, whose burial site in the Temple of the Inscriptions has sparked debates ranging from archaeology to ancient astronaut theories. Discover the rich symbolism in the carvings and what they reveal about Mayan beliefs about the afterlife.

Interesting Things with JC #1105: "Blue Men of the Minch" - Explore the chilling tale of the Blue Men of the Minch, supernatural beings who haunt the waters between Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Learn how these blue-skinned spirits challenge sailors with riddles and why they remain a captivating part of Scotland’s folklore.

Interesting Things with JC #1104: "The Flawed Gatekeeping of Knowledge on Wikipedia" - How do Wikipedia's rules affect our understanding of history? Learn how its strict policies exclude credible historical sources, leading to biased narratives and knowledge loss. Why does this matter for our grasp of human history?

Interesting Things with JC #1101: "The Schwabenland Expedition" - Nazi Germany’s 1938 Antarctic mission blended resource acquisition, geopolitical goals, and scientific exploration. It's a fascinating historical account of this mysterious, controversial, and often forgotten expedition.

Interesting Things with JC #1100: "E. Howard Hunt" - CIA operative and Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt lived a life of espionage, intrigue, and mystery. From toppling governments to being implicated in JFK conspiracy theories, his career is a puzzle still unsolved.

Interesting Things with JC #1099: "Conflict Disrupts Sleep" - You’ve had a heated argument, and now you’re staring at the ceiling, wide awake. Turns out, conflict is more than an emotional drain; it's a sleep destroyer that can lead to mental health issues or death!

Interesting Things with JC #1097: "Marines vs. Pirates - The Battle of Derna" - In 1805 at Battle of Derna U.S. Marines and their allies pulled off a bold win against Barbary pirates. From the brutal desert trek, the smart strategies used, and the first time the U.S. flag was raised on foreign soil, this battle changed the Marines forever.

Episode #1096: "The Great Boston Fire of 1872" - Explore the story of the Great Boston Fire, a devastating event that reshaped Boston’s downtown, and led to lasting changes in fire safety and urban planning. From the destruction of landmarks to the birth of new safety codes, this episode dives into the far-reaching impact of this historic fire on the city and beyond.

Interesting Things with JC #1095: "What is Musk?" - Musk, historically sourced from animals, is a powerful scent with a rich, earthy profile. Prized in perfumery, it now exists mostly in synthetic form, blending ancient fragrance traditions with modern ethics.

Interesting Things with JC #1094: "The Predictions of Elon Musk" - Elon Musk’s forecasts are transforming the conversation on AI, space, and humanity's future. Delve into his predictions and their possible impact.