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Artwork for Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Alex Schmidt
Climate Change
Diabetes
Christianity
Insulin
Caffeine
Microsoft Excel
United Nations
Penny-Farthing
Copper
VHS Tapes
Cathode Ray Tubes
World War II
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
California
Clouds
Tally Marks
Pistachios
Maximum Fun Drive
Machetes

A weekly podcast about the history, science, lore and surprises that make everyday things secretly incredibly fascinating. Hosted by comedy writer, emoji creator, and ‘Jeopardy!‘ champion Alex Schmidt. Join Alex & his co-host Katie Goldin for a joyful deep dive into seeing the world a whole new way! (For research sources, bonus episodes, and how you can support the podcast, visit sifpod.fun.)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes332Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

Latest Episodes

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the days of the week are secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: discord.gg/wbR96n... more

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why hot dogs are secretly incredibly fascinating. (Plus, a special message from Robert Brockway and Seanbaby, who founded 1900HOTDOG.com)

Visit sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus e... more

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why backgammon is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: discord.gg/wbR96nsGg5

Visit... more

Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why the planet Mercury is secretly incredibly fascinating.

Visit sifpod.fun/ for research sources and for this week's bonus episode.

Come hang out with us on the SIF Discord: discord.gg/wbR96nsGg... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jamie Loftus
Comedian, podcaster, best-selling author
Bechtelcast
Episode: Pressed Pennies
Jason Pargin
Best-selling novelist; guest on episode
Author (There Are No Giant Crabs in This Novel)
Episode: Ladders
Ben Harrison
Guest, Best known for Greatest Generation, Greatest Trek
Max Fun network
Episode: 23 Skidoo
Adam Pranica
Guest, Star Trek writer/host
Max Fun network
Episode: 23 Skidoo
Christian Weatherford
Guest, from Max Function, Just the Zoo of Us
Max Function / Just the Zoo of Us
Episode: family leave week: two curated SIF bonus shows about bison
Mark Bramhill
Host of Welcome To Macintosh
Welcome To Macintosh
Episode: family leave week: "1 Way To Make An Emoji (the bison emoji podcast)" Episode 1
Alex Schmidt
Host of Secretly Incredibly Fascinating appearing as a guest on Creature Feature
Secretly Incredibly Fascinating
Episode: family leave week: "Creature Feature: Think Outside The Butt"
Andrew Ti
Returning guest; co-host of Suboptimal Pods network shows such as Yo Is This Racist and Starter Track
Suboptimal Pods
Episode: Human Teeth
David Bell
Co-host of Fox Mulder is a Maniac and writer/producer
Gamefully Unemployed
Episode: The Color Yellow

Hosts

Alex Schmidt
Host of the show, introduces segments and guides discussion
Katie Goldin
Co-host, contributes questions and insights

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.5k ratings
  • Love the show!

    I enjoy all the little details behind all the topics. I wish Alex wouldn’t fake laugh so hard, it’s off putting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Harvey Lime
    United States21 days ago
  • Interesting and Random!

    Love how random the episodes are! I always learn something secretly incredibly fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MessiJess
    United States22 days ago
  • Hosts are fairly insufferable

    If you are going to be so condescending and pompous you should at least have your facts down. I listen to so many podcasts and there are so few I bother to write a review on, but this podcasts loose use of false facts coupled with their smartest kid in the room feel was a total turn off. Ugh.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    THElisafer
    United States3 months ago
  • Love!

    Congrats on the babies!!! One of my favourite podcasts, I much prefer the episodes with just Katie and Alex but all episodes are brilliant!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thesqueakshrine
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Alex is a shepherd of enthusiasm for learning.

    I love SIF. probably took longer to find this than it should have. this show, small beans, game fully unemployed, 1-900-hotdog. Some more news. funny edutainment is back!

    Audible
    5
    Steve L
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Show is praised for breadth and accessibility of topics.
Guest episodes are a strong draw and add variety.
Some listeners feel occasional factual missteps or condescension; opinions vary.
Hosts are engaging and fun; facts and humor mix well.
Overall, audience views hosts as knowledgeable and approachable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

23 Skidoo
Q: What are the leading theories about where 23 Skidoo came from?
The hosts describe two dominant theories: one ties the phrase to the wind-blown dresses around New York's Flatiron Building, implying a perverse escape moment when police moved in; the other links the term to Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and Irish American slang, suggesting a cultural blending that celebrated quick exits and linguistic flair.
family leave week: "Creature Feature: Think Outside The Butt"
Q: What makes comb jellies' reproductive/defecation strategy notable, compared to other jelly-like creatures?
They open a new anal pore when they need to, effectively giving them a fresh butt with each digestion cycle, which is both visually striking and biologically efficient.
family leave week: "Creature Feature: Think Outside The Butt"
Q: Why do some animals end up with multiple butts or openings, like the flatworm example?
It's an evolutionary puzzle; researchers consider benefits beyond a single exit strategy, but conclusive evidence is still scarce, so the hosts encourage seeking expert input.
Jim Thorpe
Q: Joey, what is your relationship to or opinion of Jim Thorpe?
Joey describes Thorpe as a towering native figure who looms large in Indian country, noting his multi-sport genius and the way his life and experiences illuminate Native history beyond sports.
Alex joins MFD Spring Break
Q: Thatcher, what were the circumstances of your Spring Break death?
Thatcher recounts mixing tequila, Celsius, and falling from a collapsing balcony, which led to his 14 minutes of being legally dead.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Secretly Incredibly Fascinating

What is Secretly Incredibly Fascinating about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, curiosity-driven show that blends science, history, and quirky culture through accessible storytelling and playful banter. Episodes span topics from mercury, ferns, and nails to urban design, nocturnal tech, and everyday objects, all explored with vivid anecdotes, research notes, and a knack for making obscure facts feel surprisingly relevant. The duo's rhythm—sharp questions, humorous digressions, and clear takeaways—often features guests, cross-disciplinary connections, and a talent for turning technical details into engaging narratives. It's particularly notable for its breadth of topics, approachable science communication, and a breezy, entertaining approach that still backs up claims with sources and curiosity. Potential liste... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Secretly Incredibly Fascinating?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Secretly Incredibly Fascinating:

1. Quick Question with Soren and Daniel
2. Gamefully Unemployed
3. E Pluribus Motto
4. Let's Learn Everything!
5. The Dogg Zzone by 1900HOTDOG

How many episodes of Secretly Incredibly Fascinating are there?

Secretly Incredibly Fascinating launched 6 years ago and published 332 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Secretly Incredibly Fascinating?

Recent guests on Secretly Incredibly Fascinating include:

1. Jamie Loftus
2. Jason Pargin
3. Ben Harrison
4. Adam Pranica
5. Christian Weatherford
6. Mark Bramhill
7. Alex Schmidt
8. Andrew Ti

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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