Curiosityness
Showcasing the Fun, Fascinating, & Curious! Join host, Travis DeRose, as he interviews guests like the Inventor of the Waterbed, a Star Wars visual Effects artist, the Apollo 13 flight controller, & even a woman who taught her dog to talk, just to name a few.
info_outline
119 This Is GWAR | Scott Barber
08/16/2022
119 This Is GWAR | Scott Barber
If you've never heard of the band GWAR, please listen to this episode! If you know the band GWAR, you're probably already listening to this episode! For episode 119, I'm joined by Scott Barber, director of This is GWAR. In the documentary, Scott follows the heavy metal band GWAR, through its early days coming up through the late '80s to near-commercial success, including dark times and triumph over adversity. Watch This is GWAR on Shudder at Try out with the promo code THISISGWAR for 14 days free. -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/24044487
info_outline
118 The Unsolved Disappearance of the Man Who Invented Motion Pictures | Paul Fischer
03/29/2022
118 The Unsolved Disappearance of the Man Who Invented Motion Pictures | Paul Fischer
Louis Le Prince was the first person to create moving pictures—but just weeks before unveiling his invention to the world, he mysteriously disappeared. Three and a half years later, Thomas Edison, Le Prince’s rival, made the device public, claiming to have invented it himself. And the man who had dedicated his life to preserving memories was himself lost to history—until now! Grab your copy of The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures by Paul Fischer... From Indiebound at On Bookshop.org at On Amazon at (affiliate link) -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/22603673
info_outline
Quick Update on the Curiosityness Podcast
12/29/2021
Quick Update on the Curiosityness Podcast
Hello everybody, this is just a quick update on the Curiosityness podcast and where I've been. The CliffNotes version is that I'm still here but also spending a lot of time making content for YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel here: Thanks for listening and sticking with me! - Travis
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/21621701
info_outline
117 Route 66: California | Scott Piotrowski
10/26/2021
117 Route 66: California | Scott Piotrowski
This is Part IV of this Route 66 series because we're finally doing the full Route 66 — 28 days in the RV from Chicago to LA! So, of course, I had to get the full breakdown on the history of Route 66, the must-see attractions, and what essentials we need to make the trip. To get the complete lowdown on Route 66 in California, I'm joined by Scott Piotrowski, President of the California Historic Route 66 Association! For more information on the California Historic Route 66 Association, visit Find the California Historic Route 66 Association on Facebook at Check out to follow along with our trip, watch tours of the attractions we visit, and see more interviews with folks who are quintessentially Route 66! -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20490047
info_outline
116 Route 66: Oklahoma | Rhys Martin
10/12/2021
116 Route 66: Oklahoma | Rhys Martin
This is Part III of this Route 66 series because we're finally doing the full Route 66 — 28 days in the RV from Chicago to LA! So, of course, I had to get the full breakdown on the history of Route 66, the must-see attractions, and what essentials we need to make the trip. To get the complete lowdown on Route 66 in Oklahoma, I'm joined by Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association! For more information on the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, visit Find the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association on Facebook: Check out to follow along with our trip, watch tours of the attractions we visit, and see more interviews with folks who are quintessentially Route 66! -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20458439
info_outline
115 Route 66: Kansas | Renee Charles
09/28/2021
115 Route 66: Kansas | Renee Charles
This is Part II of this Route 66 series because we're finally doing the full Route 66 — 28 days in the RV from Chicago to LA! So, of course, I had to get the full breakdown on the history of Route 66, the must-see attractions, and what essentials we need to make the trip. To get the complete lowdown on Route 66 in Kansas, I'm joined by Renee Charles, President of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association! For more information on the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, visit Find the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association on Facebook at Along with Cars on the Route at Check out to follow along with our trip, watch tours of the attractions we visit, and see more interviews with folks who are quintessentially Route 66! -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20424674
info_outline
114 Route 66: History, Attractions, & Road Trip Essentials | Jim Hinckley
09/14/2021
114 Route 66: History, Attractions, & Road Trip Essentials | Jim Hinckley
We're finally doing the full Route 66 — 28 days in the RV from Chicago to LA! So, of course, I had to get the full breakdown on the history of Route 66, the must-see attractions, and what essentials we need to make the trip. To get the complete lowdown, I'm joined by Route 66 Author, Tour Guide, and Advocate, Jim Hinkley! Tune in to learn… -Why Route 66 exists, -How Route 66 transformed from a road to an American icon, -About the must-see attractions, -What Route 66 resources, apps, and books are essential for your trip, -What vehicle is the best for traveling Route 66, -& so much more! Visit and find Jim on Facebook for more Route 66 & travel info from Jim Hinckley. This is the beginning of a short Route 66 series I'll be doing for the podcast. Check out to follow along with our trip, watch tours of the attractions we visit, and see more interviews with folks who are quintessentially Route 66! -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20408141
info_outline
113 Regenerative Grazing: Farming Done Right! | Pete Huff
08/31/2021
113 Regenerative Grazing: Farming Done Right! | Pete Huff
What if instead of our livestock and crops destroying our farm land, they actually improved the soil? That's the idea behind regenerative grazing and it is a big deal, even for non-farmers like us! To learn more about this, I'm joined by Pete Huff. Pete is the Co-Director of the Wallace Center, where he oversees the Resilient Agriculture & Ecosystems Initiative and the Pasture Project. Tune in to learn… -How regenerative grazing works, -The issues of traditionally managing livestock, -What this is important even for non-farmers like you & me, -What we as individuals can do to help, -& so much more! Visit and for more info And find the Wallace Center on... Facebook at YouTube at -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20315519
info_outline
112 The World's First Talking Dog! | Christina Hunger
08/10/2021
112 The World's First Talking Dog! | Christina Hunger
I think every dog owner, myself included, has wanted their dog to talk at one time or another. Well buckle up because Christina has taught her dog to talk and you can too! In this episode I'm joined by Christina Hunger who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using over 50 simple paw-sized buttons programmed to say different words. It's kinda similar to the way Stephen Hawking used a device to communicate. Tune in to learn… -How to teach your dog to talk, -How Christina took her knowledge as a speech-language pathologist and applied that to her dog, -How long it took Stella to learn to talk, -If Stella gets annoying and talks all day, -How Christina & Stella's relationship has deepened by having the ability to communicate more clearly, -& so much more! Watch some videos of Stella talking & get tips for teaching your own dog to talk... on Instagram , on Facebook at , on Youtube at , and on their website at Grab your copy of Christina's book, How Stella Learned to Talk: The Groundbreaking Story of the World's First Talking Dog... at , on Indiebound at , or on Amazon at (affiliate link). Get the Talking Pet Starter Set... at , or on Amazon at (affiliate link). -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/20088359
info_outline
111 The Truth (& Lies) About How Baseball Happened | Thomas Gilbert
07/27/2021
111 The Truth (& Lies) About How Baseball Happened | Thomas Gilbert
I'm admittedly not a massive baseball fan but I do enjoy a good origin story and some outrageous fiction. This episode has both! I'm joined by Tom Gilbert, author of the book, How Baseball Happened: Outrageous Lies Exposed! The True Story Revealed. The wrongness of baseball history can be staggering. You may have heard that Abner Doubleday or Alexander Cartwright invented baseball. Neither did. You may have been told that a club called the Knickerbockers played the first baseball game in 1846. They didn’t. You have read that baseball’s color line was uncrossed and unchallenged until Jackie Robinson in 1947. Nope. You have been told that the clean, corporate 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings were baseball’s first professional club. Not true. They weren’t the first professionals; they weren’t all that clean, either. You may have heard Cooperstown, Hoboken, or New York City called the birthplace of baseball, but not Brooklyn. Yet Brooklyn was the home of baseball’s first fans, the first ballpark, the first statistics—and modern pitching. For more info and to grab your copy of How Baseball Happened visit -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/19936937
info_outline
110 The Art of LEGO | Nathan Sawaya
06/15/2021
110 The Art of LEGO | Nathan Sawaya
A few weeks ago I got to visit an art exhibit called The Art of the Brick and was blown away! I got to see recreations of famous art pieces like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and even a full scale Easter Island head. Oh and these recreations are entirely made out of standard LEGO bricks! For this episode, I reached out to the artist, Nathan Sawaya, and he agreed to come on the show! Tune in to learn… -How Nathan went from a lawyer to full-time LEGO artist, -How many LEGO bricks he keeps on hand at a time, -What his process is for building a piece, -& so much more! For more info and The Art of the Brick exhibit schedule visit For photos of his creations and more, find Nathan on Instagram -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/19478432
info_outline
109 A History of Howard Johnson's | Anthony Sammarco
06/01/2021
109 A History of Howard Johnson's | Anthony Sammarco
If you remember the orange-roofed, twenty-eight flavored Howard Johnson's empire that stretched along roadways from coast to coast, you're gonna love this nostalgic and historical episode! If the name Howard Johnson's is only vaguely familiar to you (like it was to me), you're also gonna love this episode! In this episode, I'm joined by Boston historian and author of the book, A History of Howard Johnson's, Anthony M. Sammarco. Tune in to learn… -Who Howard Johnson was, -Why he is called the "Father of the Franchise Industry", -What made Howard Johnson's restaurants so unique and successful, -How Howard's son spearheaded the extinction of this once thriving restaurant chain, -& so much more! Grab a copy of Anthony's book, A History of Howard Johnson's: How a Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became an American Icon... On Indiebound at , On Amazon at (affiliate link) Find Anthony on Facebook at , & check out his Lost Boston Facebook group at Check out my visit to an old Howard Johnson's still with the original A-frame roof and "Simple Simon & The Pie Man" Logo Weathervane: -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/19266344
info_outline
108 A History of the World in 6 Glasses | Tom Standage
05/18/2021
108 A History of the World in 6 Glasses | Tom Standage
Beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola! In this episode I'm joined by Tom Standage for a dive into the history of the world through the lens of what (and why) people were drinking at the time. You may never look at your favorite drink the same way again! Tune in to learn… -What the first drink was (besides water), -How beer was accidentally invented, -Why the Ancient Greeks and Romans watered down their wine, -How the London Stock Exchange started as a tea shop, -About the Soviet military leader who drank Coke disguised as vodka, -& so much more! Grab a copy of Tom's book, A History of the World in 6 Glasses... On Indiebound at On Amazon at (affiliate link) -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/19100327
info_outline
107 This Fruit is Bananas! | Dan Koeppel
04/20/2021
107 This Fruit is Bananas! | Dan Koeppel
B-A-N-A-N-A-S! Have you ever wondered why there's only one variety of banana but a dozen or more varieties of apples at your grocery store? How about why bananas, grown across oceans, are half the price of locally grown apples? To get these answers, and to learn more about the most fascinating fruit in the supermarket, I'm joined by Dan Koeppel in this episode. Dan is the author of the book, Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World. Tune in to learn… -How a seedless fruit continues to reproduce, -Why your grandpa's banana was different than your banana, -How & where you can try different varieties of bananas, -If the apple consumed by Eve in the Garden of Eden was actually a banana, -If bananas will still exist as we know them in the future, -& so much more! Grab a copy of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World... On Indiebound at On Amazon at (affiliate link) -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/18757040
info_outline
106 Are Algorithms Turning us all into Bigots? | Dr Robert Elliott Smith
03/30/2021
106 Are Algorithms Turning us all into Bigots? | Dr Robert Elliott Smith
I love learning about new tech and how it can enhance our lives! But perhaps we are beginning to place too much confidence and reliance on things like AI and algorithms. In this episode I'm joined by Dr Robert Elliott Smith, author of the book, Rage Inside the Machine: The Prejudice of Algorithms, and How to Stop the Internet Making Bigots of Us All. Tune in to learn… -About the role algorithms play in the divisiveness of social media; -How algorithms may be more entrenched in your life than you realize; -If algorithms are prejudiced; -Why we are seeing increasing incidences of machine bigotry, greed, segregation and mass coercion; -If we can replicate human intelligence with artificial intelligence; -& so much more! Grab a copy of Rage Inside the Machine... At On Indiebound at On Amazon at (affiliate link) Find Dr Robert Elliott Smith on Twitter: -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/18493250
info_outline
105 Behind the Scenes of "The Magnificent Seven" | Brian Hannan
03/16/2021
105 Behind the Scenes of "The Magnificent Seven" | Brian Hannan
I've started to develop quite a love for Western films lately and The Magnificent Seven is definitely among the top. But aside from being a great film, there is an incredible story behind The Magnificent Seven which could have been a movie in itself! In this episode I'm joined by Brian Hannan, author of The Making of The Magnificent Seven, to talk about this unbelievable story behind the movie. Tune in to learn… -About the 3 hour, 1954 Japanese film that The Magnificent Seven is based on, -About the Mexican government interference that literally rewrote the script, -Why it was a flop on release and later a box office hit, -About the scene-stealing antics among the 7 actors, -& so much more! Grab a copy of The Making of The Magnificent Seven: Behind the Scenes of the Pivotal Western... On Indiebound at On Amazon at (affiliate link) Check out Brian's website, , for more info on films of the 1960s. -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/18311990
info_outline
104 How to Wake Up Your Dreams with Lucid Dreaming | Stef from HowToLucid.com
02/09/2021
104 How to Wake Up Your Dreams with Lucid Dreaming | Stef from HowToLucid.com
Lucid dreaming is the ability to CONTROL your dreams. A lucid dream feels like a normal dream but you’re aware of the fact that it’s a dream WHILE you’re actually in the dream, meaning you can guide it and control what you do, and what you experience. You can fly across alien planets, overcome nightmares and live the impossible. Anyone can learn how to lucid dream by following proven techniques, it’s perfectly safe, easy and fun to learn! Tune in to this episode with Stef from How To Lucid to learn… -What lucid dreaming is, -The benefits of lucid dreaming, -How to start lucid dreaming yourself, -How to check if you're in a dream or reality, -& so much more! Learn How to get started Lucid Dreaming at Find Stef on YouTube: Visit / Check out Stef's Lucid Dreaming Podcast: -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/17843249
info_outline
103 The Scrappy Origin Story of the Personal Computer | Sean Haas
01/26/2021
103 The Scrappy Origin Story of the Personal Computer | Sean Haas
Personal computers are everywhere! When was the last time you even saw a desk without a computer on it? But how did the personal computer rise up to become so ubiquitous and intertwined with our daily lives? In this episode I'm joined by Sean Haas, host of the Advent of Computing podcast, for a wild ride through the rise of the personal computer! Tune in to learn… -Why computers are just 1's and 0's, -How Xerox was instrumental in developing the personal computer, -About the origins of the mouse, -If Apple stole the idea for the Macintosh, -Why computers used to be so massive, -Why the microprocessor was such a breakthrough, -& so much more! Check out Sean's podcast, Advent of Computing, wherever you listen to podcasts including , , and . Visit Find Sean and Advent of Computing on Twitter: -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/17655683
info_outline
102 Adventures in Astronomy | Emily Levesque
01/12/2021
102 Adventures in Astronomy | Emily Levesque
Astronomy sounds like an awesome career choice — spend your nights sitting under the stars with a massive telescope finding new astronomical objects in the sky. But that's only the half of it, there's so much more... In this episode I'm joined by Emily Levesque, astronomer and author of the book, The Last Stargazers: The Enduring Story of Astronomy's Vanishing Explorers. Emily shares how astronomers in this scrappy and evolving field are going beyond the machines to infuse creativity and passion into the stars and space and inspires us all to peer skyward in pursuit of the universe's secrets. Tune in to learn… -What an astronomers sees when they look though a telescope, -What it's like to work at observatories in extremely remote areas, -How easy it is to ruin a night of observing, -What astronomers do most of the time (it's not looking through telescopes), -About the guy who shot a telescope, -About the telescope mounted in the back of a modified 747 plane, -& so much more! Grab your copy of The Last Stargazers from... IndieBound at Amazon at (affiliate link) Visit / for more info Find Emily on Twitter: And visit her website: -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/17511536
info_outline
101 Becoming Santa: Inside the Harvard of Santa Schools | Tom and Holly Valent
12/15/2020
101 Becoming Santa: Inside the Harvard of Santa Schools | Tom and Holly Valent
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus? Me too — That's why, in this episode, I'm joined by Tom and Holly Valent. Tom and Holly are the deans of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. Founded in 1937, it is the oldest continuously run santa school in the world and is widely considered the Harvard of Santa schools. Tune in to learn… -If you have to have a real beard to be Santa, -The history of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, -What makes a perfect Santa suit, -How to vocalize the ideal "Ho Ho Ho," -The Santa school curriculum, -& so much more! Visit for more info on the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/17170091
info_outline
100 An Astronaut — Yes, an Actual Astronaut! | Terry Virts
12/08/2020
100 An Astronaut — Yes, an Actual Astronaut! | Terry Virts
Astronauts are cool - It's just a fact. That's why I'm so excited to share this episode with NASA astronaut, Terry Virts! Terry piloted the Space Shuttle Endeavor, assumed command of the International Space Station (ISS), and spent more than seven months in space! This is such a fun interview where I got to ask everything you ever wanted to ask an astronaut! Tune in to learn… -How to become an astronaut, -What astronaut training is like, -How to build up the mental dexterity being an astronaut requires, -What the Grand Canyon looks like from Space, -About the dangers of radiation in space, -What the space shuttle launch feels like, -About the space tourism coming soon, -What the best space films are, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Terry’s book, How to Astronaut: An Insider's Guide to Leaving Planet Earth... On IndieBound at And on Amazon at (affiliate link) Get more info on Terry's film, One more Orbit, at / And find all of Terry's past, present, & future work at / P.S. This is the 100th episode of Curiosityness so stick around for some commentary on that milestone! -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/17070767
info_outline
099 Uncovering the Real Pilgrim Story: 400 Years Later | John G. Turner
11/17/2020
099 Uncovering the Real Pilgrim Story: 400 Years Later | John G. Turner
It's the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower! Maybe you learned about the Pilgrims back in grade school but, if you’re like me, haven’t really thought about it much since. This episode is a great refresher on the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. But, more importantly, it’s also a deep dive to understand the whole story that they didn’t tell you in grade school. In this episode I’m joined by John G. Turner, author of They Knew They Were Pilgrims: Plymouth Colony and the Contest for American Liberty. Tune in to learn… -What the first Thanksgiving was really like, -Why Thanksgiving became a holiday -The real reason the Pilgrims left England, -Why the Pilgrims went to the Netherlands before North America, -Why the Pilgrims Chose North America for their new colony, -What Colony was actually before Plymouth, -& so much more! Grab your copy of John’s book, They Knew They Were Pilgrims... From the Pilgrim Hall Museum at / It's also available on IndieBound at And on Amazon at (affiliate link) -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16778687
info_outline
098 The Bizarre History of Soda | Tristan Donovan
10/20/2020
098 The Bizarre History of Soda | Tristan Donovan
How did soda, just flavored fizzy water, become so ubiquitous in today’s society? To find out, let’s dive in to the history of soda; It’s an astonishing tale featuring drugs, Roman baths, “curative” medicinal uses, and more! In this episode I’m joined by Tristan Donovan, author of Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the World. Tune in to learn… -If Coca-Cola actually had cocaine in it, -About the “curative” properties of soda, -How the soda fountain began, -About the time people were afraid to drink cold drinks, -Why soda fountains were in drug stores, -How Coca-Cola began as a knock-off, -Where the cola flavor comes from, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Tristan’s book, Fizz: How Soda Shook Up the World. Available on IndieBound at And on Amazon at (affiliate link) -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16312667
info_outline
097 Seaweed Farming: Healthy, Sustainable, & Freaking Awesome! | Bren Smith
10/13/2020
097 Seaweed Farming: Healthy, Sustainable, & Freaking Awesome! | Bren Smith
Imagine taking an entire farm and putting it underwater in the ocean. Now imagine that the crops you grow don't need to be watered and don’t need pesticides, fertilizer, feed, or soil to grow. Then imagine that this farm soaks up loads of carbon and nitrogen to help mitigate global warming. And then imagine that the food it creates is a nutrient-dense superfood that’s low in fat and calories. That’s the power of regenerative ocean farming! In this episode I’m joined by author and ocean farmer, Bren Smith. Bren pioneered the development of regenerative ocean farming and was named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “25 People Shaping the Future” as well as being featured in TIME magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2017”. He's also the co-founder of GreenWave, a non-profit that trains and supports regenerative ocean farmers. Tune in to learn… -How a seaweed supplement fed to cows reduces their methane emitting burps, -About the McDonald’s Seaweed Burger from the 90’s, -That kelp is full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, omega-3 fats, and fibre, -How to start your own ocean farm (& make a good living too), -How to cook with seaweed, -Where to by seaweed, -& so much more! Learn more at Grab your copy of Bren’s book, Eat Like a Fish: My Adventures as a Fisherman Turned Restorative Ocean Farmer. Available on IndieBound at And on Amazon at -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16253741
info_outline
096 The Future of Democracy | David Stasavage
10/06/2020
096 The Future of Democracy | David Stasavage
You’ve probably been told that democracy is the ultimate, indisputable, best type of governance. But modern democracy is less than 250 years old―It’s largely an experiment with no previous track record! Myself, and most others, would say that democracy is arguably the best form of governance. But perhaps there are ways to tweak and improve it so that the people ultimately have the power! That’s what get’s me excited about this episode with David Stasavage. David is the author of the book, The Decline and Rise of Democracy: A Global History from Antiquity to Today. Delving into the prevalence of early democracy throughout the world, David Stasavage makes the case that understanding how and where these democracies flourished―and when and why they declined―can provide crucial information not just about the history of governance, but also about the ways modern democracies work and where they could manifest in the future. Tune in to learn… -Where democracy originated from (It’s not what you were taught in school), -What democracy actually means, -Why democracies tend to thrive & crumble, -About the democratic experiment occurring in the United States, -Why America may not have actually been a democracy until 1965, -& so much more! Grab your copy of David’s book, The Decline and Rise of Democracy: A Global History from Antiquity to Today, on Amazon at Visit David’s website at -------------------------------- If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider ? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. For more episodes visit Connect with Curiosityness... YouTube: Instagram: Twitter: Facebook: Get your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find Travis, the host of Curiosityness, on Instagram: Or send him an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16242218
info_outline
095 The World of Plymouth Plantation | Carla Gardina Pestana
09/29/2020
095 The World of Plymouth Plantation | Carla Gardina Pestana
It's the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower! Maybe you learned about Plymouth and the Mayflower back in grade school but, if you’re like me, haven’t really thought about it much since. This episode is a great refresher on the story of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1620. But, more importantly, it’s also a deep dive to understand the whole story that they didn’t tell you in grade school. To get a sense of real life for the pilgrims at Plymouth and to set the colony properly within global history, I’m joined by Carla Gardina Pestana. Carla is the author of the book, The World of Plymouth Plantation. Tune in to learn… -Why the pilgrims left England, -Why the Mayflower Compact was created out of desperation, -About the first Native American interactions (& peace treaty), -Who Squanto really was, -What the Pilgrims actually wore, -If the Pilgrims ate turkey for Thanksgiving, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Carla’s book, The World of Plymouth Plantation, at -------------------------------- Connect with Curiosityness... Instagram: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Claim your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find me, the host of Curiosityness on Instagram: Or send me an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16099481
info_outline
094 Sealand: The Swashbuckling Story of the World’s Smallest Country | Dylan Taylor-Lehman
09/22/2020
094 Sealand: The Swashbuckling Story of the World’s Smallest Country | Dylan Taylor-Lehman
This is the story of Sealand, a micronation established on an abandoned WWII fort in international waters, seven miles off the shores of Britain! Roy Bates, the visionary Prince of Sealand, and his 'micro Royal Family’ declared the Principality of Sealand in 1967. The founding of this country was marked by the raising of a newly designed flag, a declaration of independence, and the signing of its own constitution. Following this, Sealand issued passports to its nationals, commissioned its own stamps, and has even minted official currency. To get the facts on this micro-nation and share the adventurous story of Sealand, I’m joined by Dylan Taylor-Lehman in this episode. Dylan is the author of the book, Sealand: The True Story of the World’s Most Stubborn Micronation and Its Eccentric Royal Family. Tune in to learn… -How Sealand began, -How big (or small) Sealand is, -If Sealand is actually a recognized sovereign nation, -How they were able to claim an abandoned WWII fort as their own country, -What it’s like to live on Sealand, -About the coup and kidnapping of prince Michael, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Dylan’s book, Sealand: The True Story of the World’s Most Stubborn Micronation and Its Eccentric Royal Family, at Visit Dylan’s website at And find Dylan on Twitter at And on Instagram at -------------------------------- Connect with Curiosityness... Instagram: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Claim your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find me, the host of Curiosityness on Instagram: Or send me an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/16027079
info_outline
093 LiDAR for iPhones, Undiscovered Ancient Ruins, & Autonomous Cars | Todd Neff
09/15/2020
093 LiDAR for iPhones, Undiscovered Ancient Ruins, & Autonomous Cars | Todd Neff
LiDAR is becoming more ubiquitous. You’ve probably heard the term thrown around in regards to autonomous vehicles or as a feature of new iPhones and iPads. But what the heck is LiDAR? To understand what LiDAR is and how it’ll affect us, I’m joined by Todd Neff in this episode. Todd is the author of the book, The Laser That's Changing the World: The Amazing Stories behind Lidar, from 3D Mapping to Self-Driving Cars. Tune in to learn… -How LiDAR works, -The ancient ruins LiDAR is finding in the Amazon Forest! -LiDAR vs Radar vs Sonar, -How LiDAR scanning is being used for Hollywood’s CGI special effects, -The history of LiDAR beginning in the 1930’s, -How LiDAR factors into autonomous vehicles (and why Elon Musk think’s it is a crutch), -What LiDAR in your smartphone will do, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Todd’s book, The Laser That's Changing the World: The Amazing Stories behind Lidar, from 3D Mapping to Self-Driving Cars, at Visit Todd’s website for more info and photos at -------------------------------- Connect with Curiosityness... Instagram: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Claim your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find me, the host of Curiosityness on Instagram: Or send me an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/15986120
info_outline
092 Understanding Genetically Modified Food | Robert Saik, author of Food 5.0
09/08/2020
092 Understanding Genetically Modified Food | Robert Saik, author of Food 5.0
GMO sounds scary! Most of us associate genetically modified food as a bad thing and think organic is inherently better. But is that even the case? To help answer those questions I’m joined by Robert Saik, the author of Food 5.0: How We Feed the Future. Tune in to learn… -If organic farming still uses pesticides, -If Non-GMO labels are deceiving you, -If COVID19 is affecting our food supply, -About farm automation & tech, -If organic farming is sustainable, -How genetically modified corn has a built-in insecticide, -If GMO is a bad thing, -& so much more! Grab your copy of Rob’s book, Food 5.0, at Visit Rob’s website at Check out his TEDx talk, Pushing Boundaries in Agriculture, at And check out for more info -------------------------------- Connect with Curiosityness... Instagram: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Claim your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find me, the host of Curiosityness on Instagram: Or send me an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/15899669
info_outline
091 Griffith Observatory | Deputy Director Mark Pine
09/01/2020
091 Griffith Observatory | Deputy Director Mark Pine
You know the Griffith Observatory! It’s in the movie Rebel Without a Cause, Arnold Schwarzenegger walked across it naked for The Terminator, and it’s a freaking Los Angeles landmark! If you haven’t been to the Griffith Observatory, this episode will make you want to go. If you have been to the Griffith Observatory, this episode will make you appreciate it so much more! Join me in this episode with Mark Pine, the deputy director of the Griffith Observatory, to learn all about this fascinating L.A. icon. Tune in to learn Who Griffith J. Griffith was, Why Mr. Griffith shot his wife in the head, Why nobody wanted to accept Mr. Griffith’s gift of the observatory until after he was dead, Why this became the world’s first public telescope, About Griffith's two telescopes and planetarium, and so much more! To learn more or visit the Griffith Observatory visit And find the Griffith Observatory on Facebook at On Twitter at & on Instagram at -------------------------------- Connect with Curiosityness... Instagram: Website: Facebook: Twitter: Claim your FREE Curiosityness sticker at Find me, the host of Curiosityness on Instagram: Or send me an email to
/episode/index/show/campersinvans/id/15755726