Miss Information: A Trivia Podcast
A trivia podcast for anyone who loves cool trivia and sticking it to annoying teams at pub quiz.
T’was brillig, and Julia supposed
that she would give a lengthy talk
About some very famous prose
(You should beware the Jabberwock!)
Get ready for a closer look at Lewis Carroll’s well-known nonsense poem Jabberwocky. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Through the Looking Glass”!
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[Music: 1) Donovan, “Jabberwocky,” 1971; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
It’s time to cast an eye around our galactic neighborhood and refresh your elementary-school science class memory with this episode on Our Solar System! [Find out what exactly the Oort Cloud is and which dwarf planet was named by an 11-year-old girl.] Later, slake that passion for fashion with a quiz on supermodels!
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[Music: 1) StoryBots, “We Are the Planets (The Solar System Song),” 2013; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
During this temporary sports hiatus, Julia brings you a list of famous plays from American football games [both professional and college-level] throughout history. By the end, you’ll finally “get” what situation sports commentators are referring to when they mention “The Catch” or “The Drive.” [Oh, and a preemptive apology to New York football fans– there are a few plays described here that might cause you some angst.] Later, enjoy a quiz called “Flag on the Play!”
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[Music: 1) Styx, “Renegade,” 1978; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Start your vocal warm-ups and stretch those hamstrings–it’s time to PUT ON A SHOWWWWWW! Today, we learn all about the godfather of musical theater: Stephen Sondheim. Hear about his life, his music, and why his songs are so damned hard to sing. Stick around later for “Into the Woods”– a quiz on things you’d find in the forest.
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[Music: 1) Original Broadway Cast of Company, “(Not) Getting Married Today,” 1970; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
We’re transported back to 14th century Africa to take a closer look at the Mali Empire and the emperor who was so rich he accidentally created a ten-year-long gold recession: Mansa Musa. Learn about his famous pilgrimage to Mecca [and the Five Pillars of Islam], the learning center at Timbuktu, and how the Mali Empire became so darn great. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Going for the Gold!”
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[Music: 1) Griot B & Schoolyard Rap, “Mansa Musa,” 2018; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
We’re joined this week by very special guest Father Brad Doyle of The Quizzical Papist podcast, who regales us with the highlights of his favorite city: New Orleans. Julia and Lauren attempt to keep the swears at a minimum while learning about the geography, history, music, food, culture, and quirks of the Crescent City. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Papal Potables”!
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[Music: 1) Johnny Horton, “Battle of New Orleans,” 1959; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Be sure to check out The Quizzical Papist on iTunes/Apple Podcasts here!
Try not to touch, breathe in, or otherwise consume this episode–we’re warning you! This week, Lauren covers some deadly poisons and toxins, and generally loses it about radiation sickness. Later, soothe the burn with a quiz on cure-alls!
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[Music: 1) Alice Cooper, “Poison,” 1989; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Quick– how many face cards in a standard deck of playing cards have only one eye showing? If the answer didn’t come to you immediately, you’re not alone. This week’s episode is all about playing card trivia: how cards are made, frequent questions, incredible factoids, and the rules to a card game that has mystified Julia for years. Later, enjoy a quiz called “House of Cards!”
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[Music: 1) Motörhead, “Ace of Spades, 1980; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
This week, we learn all about one of the celebrated heroes of the Polish Army during WWII [who just so happened to be a nearly 500-lb bear…]. Lauren tells us the fascinating story of one of history’s greatest mascots, and later gives us a quiz about the wonderful weirdness of MLB mascots!
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[Music: 1) Igor Stravinsky, “Peasant With Bear,” from Petrushka, 2008; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Welcome back to geography class! Today, we’re covering everyone’s favorite coastline formations: CAPES. [Where are they? What are they known for? And which ones are truly GREAT?] Later, enjoy a quiz called “If You Like Piña Coladas and Getting Caught in the Rain”!
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[Music: 1) Rupert Holmes, “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” 1979; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Finally! Today, by popular demand, we tackle the Grandfather of Masculine Literature: Ernest Hemingway! Learn all about Papa’s accident-prone, globe-trotting life, and get a rundown of his famous novels. Later, bulk up your knowledge on Oscar Wilde with a quiz entitled “The Importance of Being Ernest!”
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[Music: 1) Jimmy Buffet, Live at Wrigley Field, “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere,” 2006; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Think back to when you were 17– would you have been able to join a government-sanctioned journey to explore a couple thousand miles of wilderness? [No?] That’s exactly what Shoshone woman Sacagawea did in 1805 when she provided assistance to the Corps of Discovery. Refresh your recollection of the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the legacy of one of the most well-known and respected Native American women in American history. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Shoulda Made a Left at Albuquerque”!
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[Music: 1) Tommy Emmanuel, “Lewis & Clark,” 2006; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Our lives today are pretty surreal, folks, so what better time than now to educate you all in a little art history, hmmm? Today, we get into the true weirdness [and the rise and fall] of the Dada and Surrealism movements. Later, take a quiz on Dadas and Papas!
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[Music: 1) Daniel Varsano, Erik Satie’s “Gymnopédie No. 1,” orig. 1888, rec. 1979; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Wow–you’ve won second prize in a beauty contest! Collect $10! [ <– If this triggers memories of five-hour-long Monopoly games resulting in a flipped table, scattered pieces, and tears–well, you’re not alone.] We cover the history of the famous board game Monopoly, game-play basics, and the actual rules of the game [which have you in and out in under an hour, Julia swears]. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Advance to Go, Collect $200”!
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[Music: 1) YouTube user GBelair, “Monopoly (NES) Music – Title Theme,” 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
We’re all about nostalgia lately at Miss Information, so time to throw back all the way to Episode 8, to return to a topic we know and love: Strange Animals! Get your fill of our cute, weird, and gross animal friends that swim, scurry, and fly. Later take a quiz on creatures in film, literature, and folklore!
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[Music: 1) Gowan, “(You’re A) Strange Animal,” 1985; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
We’re joined by Nathan Walker, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in the United States Navy, and his wonderful wife Kerrie for this whale of an episode. Nathan has served in the “Silent Service” aboard submarines for more than 15 years; he patiently answers all of our questions about life underwater while giving us a detailed history of the U.S. Submarine Force. Later, enjoy a quiz called “The Submariner’s Pastime!”
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[Music: 1) Al Stewart, “Life in Dark Water,” 1978; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Our recent sojourn to the Windy City reminded Julia about the brilliant writer/producer/director John Hughes– so allow yourself to be transported to the suburbs of Chicago to recall some of the greatest coming-of-age comedy films from the 1980s-1990s. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Pretty in Pink”!
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[Music: 1) Simple Minds, “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” 2010; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
Salevete! Travel back with us to the Roman Empire to discover the Original Bad Boy of the Pax Romana: Caligula. Learn all about his weirdo proclivities, his god status, and his hated nickname. Later, take a quiz on shoes called “Little Boots”!
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[Music: 1) Little Boots, “New in Town,” 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
PRESS START! This week, Julia visits one of the most heavily-trafficked collections in the archives at The Strong to give you the rundown on pioneering video game company Atari. We’ll talk video arcades, famous games, the shift to home consoles, and of course, the Video Game Crash of 1983. Dig out those spare tokens you have in your junk drawer– we’re going to the arcade! Later, enjoy a quiz called “Go, Dog, Go!”
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[Music: 1) David Crane’s Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, Activision for Atari 2600, “Main Theme,” 1984; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
It’s a Series of Series again here on Miss Information! Today, immerse yourself in the high fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe of men, hobbits, elves, and dwarves–and finally learn who is The Lord of the Rings! Later, test yourself with a quiz on rings! Enjoime! […That’s Elvish for “Enjoy!”]
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[Music: 1) Leonard Nimoy, “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins,” 1968; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]
