HowStuffWorks

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• To maximize happiness, what should you spend money on?

  BrainStuff

  30 Jan 2012 | 1:50 pm

  They say that money can't buy happiness, but it can definitely contribute to your well-being. So what exactly should you spend your money on to maximize your happiness? Stuff? Experiences? Marshall Brain investigates in this episode.

• The Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain

  The Coolest Stuff on the Planet

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:52 pm

  Who participates – and why? Where’s the best place to watch? What should you do if you are trampled by a bull? Join Kathryn and Sarah as they take a closer look at this thrilling (and dangerous) tradition.

• World of Coca-Cola

  The Coolest Stuff on the Planet

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am

  How did Coca-Cola help invent marketing? And reinvent Santa Claus? What’s the worst tasting soda out there? Tune in for a closer look at the iconic World of Coca-Cola.

• Are soft drinks killing us?

  Stuff Mom Never Told You

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:51 am

  Could a 1-cent soft drink tax really save millions of lives? What are the health impacts of drinking soda? Are diet soft drinks better for you? Join Cristen and Caroline as they look at the relationship between soft drinks and health.

• 10 Countries with Perfect Climates

  HowStuffWorks Daily Feed

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:15 am

  A perfect climate means different things to different people. These 10 countries span the globe and offer a wide range of climates to satisfy any taste -- hot, cold or in-between.

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  HowStuffWorks Daily Feed

• 10 Countries with Perfect Climates

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:15 am

  A perfect climate means different things to different people. These 10 countries span the globe and offer a wide range of climates to satisfy any taste -- hot, cold or in-between.

• How to Back Up a Hard Drive

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:15 am

  Your computer's hard drive has all your stored music, pictures and everything you've worked on for the past few years. What would you do if your hard drive crashed?

• The Ultimate Famous Bad Investments Quiz

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:15 am

  Fluctuating stock markets and human nature make it easy for regular folks to lose money on investments all the time. Even the rich aren't immune. How does your investment record measure up? Take the Ultimate Famous Bad Investments Quiz to find out.

• How Gorilla Glass Works

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:15 am

  Many portable electronics manufactured these days feature touch-screen interfaces. They're very useful, assuming you don't drop and break them. How do you make abuse-resistant glass? Ask Corning.

• Some Assembly Required: Gibson Guitars

  7 Feb 2012 | 3:00 am

  Learn how guitars get their shiny glaze at the Gibson Guitar Factory on Discovery Channel's "Some Assembly Required."

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  BrainStuff

• Why is a popsicle called a quiescently frozen confection?

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:12 pm

  Popsicles are also called "quiescently frozen confections" because of the way they're frozen. Learn more about how flavored ice treats are made -- and what distinguishes them from ice cream -- in this episode.

• How do people pull large objects with their teeth?

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:47 pm

  Have you ever seen those folks that can pull a whole truck with their teeth? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains the physics behind pulling large objects with your teeth in this episode.

• How do polymer crystals work, and why do they absorb so much water?

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:19 pm

  Polymer crystals are extremely absorbent, and that's why you'll often find them in disposable diapers. Marshall explains how polymer crystals are able to absorb large quantities of liquids -- and keep you cool and dry -- in this episode.

• To maximize happiness, what should you spend money on?

  30 Jan 2012 | 1:50 pm

  They say that money can't buy happiness, but it can definitely contribute to your well-being. So what exactly should you spend your money on to maximize your happiness? Stuff? Experiences? Marshall Brain investigates in this episode.

• How does WikiLeaks work?

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  WikiLeaks is a controversial "not-for-profit media organization" that disseminates secret, leaked information to the public. But how exactly does this group work? And why does it exist? Marshall Brain takes a look at WikiLeaks in this episode.

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  The Coolest Stuff on the Planet

• The Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:52 pm

  Who participates – and why? Where’s the best place to watch? What should you do if you are trampled by a bull? Join Kathryn and Sarah as they take a closer look at this thrilling (and dangerous) tradition.

• World of Coca-Cola

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am

  How did Coca-Cola help invent marketing? And reinvent Santa Claus? What’s the worst tasting soda out there? Tune in for a closer look at the iconic World of Coca-Cola.

• The Painted Beauties of Bucovina

  20 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pm

  Who created these monasteries in Romania? Why is the Voronet monastery called the Sistine Chapel of the East? Why are there different colors predominating on different buildings? Join Kathryn and Rachel as they take a closer look at Romania.

• A Taste of Tassie

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:20 am

  Where exactly is Tasmania, and why does it have the cleanest air on Earth? What is the Tasmanian devil? Is there really a Tasmanian tiger? How many islands make up Tasmania? Join Kathryn and Rachel as they take a closer look at Tasmania.

• Walking on the Moon in Idaho

  6 Jan 2012 | 10:36 am

  How did the Craters of the Moon National Monument get its name? Why did NASA pilots visit? Why did early pioneers call this place “the devil’s vomit?" Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in this episode.

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  CarStuff

• What are vehicle wraps?

  7 Feb 2012 | 10:20 am

  You've probably seen a wrapped vehicle before, cruising down a crowded street, covered in advertising. The typical wrap can last for years, and it can also be taken off without damaging the car. Learn more about the use of vehicle wraps in this episode.

• What's a rally car?

  2 Feb 2012 | 9:46 am

  As soon as Scott and Ben realized they'd spent a month without any racing podcasts, they buckled down and took a look at the fascinating world of rally cars. Listen in and learn more about rally cars in this listener-inspired episode.

• Car Survival Kits

  31 Jan 2012 | 8:47 am

  Whether you're worried about weather or long trips, a car survival kit may make the difference between life and death. Learn more about the basics of survival kits -- and how these can be modified for your needs -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

• How do manufacturers test cars?

  26 Jan 2012 | 11:14 am

  By the time a car model hits the market, it's been through thousands of extensive tests. Every year, car companies spend millions of dollars ensuring a vehicle's reliability before it reaches consumers. Learn more in this episode.

• Should I buy or lease a car?

  24 Jan 2012 | 9:43 am

  To lease or not to lease, that is the question. Finding the answer depends on many factors, such as an individual's daily driving habits and level of financial commitment. Learn more about the pros -- and cons -- of each choice in this episode.

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  Stuff Mom Never Told You

• Why does my hoo-ha hurt?

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:10 pm

  What is vulvodynia? How many women suffer from vulvodynia? How do vulvodynia treatments work? Tune in to learn more in this episode.

• Are bromances better than female friendships?

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:21 pm

  Are there gender differences in friendship patterns? Join Caroline and Cristen as they explore famous bromances throughout history, as well as challenges to making man friends. Tune in to learn more about bromances.

• Are female friendships more fraught with frenemies?

  30 Jan 2012 | 12:30 pm

  In this episode, Cristen and Caroline explore the etymology of the term "frenemy," the psychology of female friendships and women's evolutionary tendencies toward cultivating friendships. Tune in to learn more.

• Are soft drinks killing us?

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:51 am

  Could a 1-cent soft drink tax really save millions of lives? What are the health impacts of drinking soda? Are diet soft drinks better for you? Join Cristen and Caroline as they look at the relationship between soft drinks and health.

• Do men or women exercise more?

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm

  Sure, men and women have different exercise motivations -- but which group exercises more? Join Caroline and Cristen as they look at gender and exercise, from why single men exercise more than anyone else to why men’s exercise pays off more than women’s.

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  The Stuff of Genius

• TV Remotes

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:51 pm

  Modern TV viewers use remote controls to channel surf from the comfort of their seat -- but it wasn't always this easy. Learn more about the convenience -- and consequence -- of Robert Adler's Stuff of Genius in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

• Mr. Alexanderson and the Long-Range Radio

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:31 am

  Before Ernst Alexanderson designed the high-frequency alternators that transmitted radio broadcasts in a continuous wave, radio was not usable over long distances. Tune in and learn more Stuff of Genius in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

• Peter Henlein and the Wristwatch

  20 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm

  Nowadays, wristwatches aren't anything to write home about... but this wasn't always the case. Learn how locksmiths like Peter Henlein miniaturized the dubious clocks of the day to create portable timepieces in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

• How Willis Carrier Made the World a Little Cooler

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am

  When Willis Carrier set out to solve inking problems for a local printing press, he didn't set out to change the world. Luckily for us, he did. Tune in and learn the story behind the modern air conditioning unit in this podcast.

• John Shepherd-Barron and the ATM

  6 Jan 2012 | 10:35 am

  John Shepherd-Barron usually stopped by his local bank on Saturdays to cash checks. But when he arrived one minute after they closed, he was out of luck. Tune in and learn how John's irritating experience led to the Stuff of Genius in this episode.

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  Stuff You Missed in History Class

• Jack Johnson and the Fight of the Century

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:15 pm

  During Jack Johnson's time, the heavyweight championship was unofficially a whites-only title. Despite discrimination, he fought title-holder Tommy Burns in 1908. Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion, but some questioned his legitimacy.

• Sir Stamford Raffles and the Conquest of Java

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:24 pm

  By the early 19th century, the Dutch controlled of most of the East Indies. Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles fought to oust the Dutch from the area. He also tried to enact radical reforms in Java, but he was fired by British East India Company. Why?

• There’s Always a Seat for Queen Nzinga

  30 Jan 2012 | 12:36 pm

  The warrior queen Nzinga used wily tactics to maintain her kingdom’s independence during colonization. Born in the Ndongo Kingdom, Nzinga staged a coup, harbored runaway slaves, and kept a harem of men. Tune in to learn more about queen Nzinga.

• H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 2

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:55 am

  In the first part of this episode, Deblina and Sarah covered Herman K. Mudgett's early life, including how he first became known as H.H. Holmes. But how did Holmes manage to complete his murder castle? What happened to him afterwards? Tune in to find out.

• H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 1

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:21 pm

  As a student, Herman K. Mudgett used corpses to commit insurance fraud. In 1886, he moved to Chicago under the alias H.H. Holmes. In 1888, Holmes started constructing a building with secret passageways and an airtight vault. So, what was it for?

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  Stuff You Should Know

• Pickpockets: Artists or Crooks?

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:53 am

  There aren’t many criminal pursuits that are as storied as pickpocketing, and some people fondly reminisce over its heyday. Learn why some consider pickpocketing an art form, how to protect yourself from this art and more in this episode.

• What’s the 10,000 Year Clock?

  2 Feb 2012 | 9:45 am

  In a desert in Texas a 200-feet-tall clock is being constructed deep inside a mountain. Once completed, it will keep time for the next 10,000 years, even if there are no humans around to use it. Tune in as Chuck and Josh get to the bottom of the Long Now.

• How Magic Mushrooms Work

  31 Jan 2012 | 8:45 am

  For thousands of years, humans have used hallucinogenic mushrooms for spiritual reasons. Today, however, having them can get you thrown in prison. How do magic mushrooms do what they do? Can they help the mentally ill? Find out in this far out episode.

• How Floods Work

  26 Jan 2012 | 11:18 am

  Floods happen when more water is introduced to an area than can be quickly removed. That’s about it, but there's more to floods, what causes them and the havoc they can wreak. Join Josh and Chuck in this super-saturated episode of Stuff You Should Know.

• How Human Trafficking Works

  24 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am

  Despite worldwide prohibitions, slavery still exists. Slaves are forced or coerced into prostitution or made to work in deplorable factory conditions. Yet there’s still debate over how widespread the problem is. Learn about modern slavery in this episode.

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  TechStuff

• Jonathan Visits CES 2012

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:14 pm

  What were the hot items on the show floor at CES 2012? What trends did Jonathan notice? Which celebrities showed up at the event? Join Chris and Jonathan as they take a closer look at CES.

• TechStuff Plays with the Commodore 64

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:22 pm

  What was the original focus of Commodore before computers? Who founded Commodore? Why was the Commodore 64 such a popular personal computer? Listen in as your favorite tech gurus get to the bottom of the Commodore 64.

• The HP Story: Part Three

  30 Jan 2012 | 12:33 pm

  When did HP get into the business of making personal computers? Who were the executives in charge when HP started to have trouble? What exactly happened to HP in 2011? Listen in and learn more in the third part of Chris and Jonathan's HP episode.

• The HP Story: Part Two

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:54 am

  How did HP transition into new kinds of electronics? What was HP’s first computer? Did HP invent the term personal computer? Tune in for the second part of TechStuff's HP episode.

• The HP Story: Part One

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:19 pm

  Who were Hewlett and Packard? When did they form the company? What was their first product? Join your favorite tech gurus as they look back at the origin of Hewlett-Packard in the first segment of this two-part episode.