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Artwork for Sidedoor
Smithsonian
Turtle Trafficking
World War II
Woolly Dog
Black Holes
Coast Salish
Virginia Hall
Carbon
New Year
Conservation
Leap Year
Abraham Lincoln
Colonialism
Pledge Of Allegiance
NASA
World War I
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
United States
Cultural Heritage
Tropical Forests

More than 154 million treasures fill the Smithsonian’s vaults. But where the public’s view ends, Sidedoor begins. With the help of biologists, artists, historians, archaeologists, zookeepers and astrophysicists, host Lizzie Peabody sneaks listeners through the Smithsonian’s side door, telling stories that can’t be heard anywhere else. Check out si.edu/sidedoor and follow @SidedoorPod for more info... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes254Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Sidedoor

Latest Episodes

How do you stop being so afraid? Tracy Twombly had such a strong phobia of spiders, it was messing with her life — stressing her out while she was working at her native plant nursery or hiking through the woods. So, she embarked on a journey to make ... more

For more than two decades, the StoryCorps silver Airstream trailer has crisscrossed the country, recording the stories of everyday Americans. In this episode honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States, our friends at The StoryCorps Podcast i... more

In 1935, a diver searching Lake Champlain found something extraordinary: a nearly intact warship from the American Revolution. It was the Gunboat Philadelphia. In this episode, we dive into the story of how a ragtag American army built a fleet of shi... more

In the 1880s, a conservator at the Smithsonian set out for Montana to capture an American bison before the dwindling species vanished forever. He returned with six taxidermied bison that he displayed in the museum. 

The bison diorama wowed visitors ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Tracy Twombly
Native plant nursery owner and arachnophobia survivor
So Wild Native
Episode: A Nature Lover Confronts Her Fear of Spiders
Kirk Johnson
Director, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
Episode: The Missing Bison
Siobhan Starrs
Senior project manager and exhibition developer
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Episode: The Missing Bison
Jonny BearCub Stiffarm
Member of the Assiniboine Nation, former Buffalo Program Administrator at World Wildlife Fund
Assiniboine Nation / World Wildlife Fund
Episode: The Missing Bison
Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary of the Smithsonian
Smithsonian Institution
Episode: American Aspirations: A Nation in Pursuit
Roman Mars
Host and creator of 99% Invisible; author of A History of the United States in 100 Objects
99% Invisible / BBC
Episode: U.S. History in 100 Objects (with Roman Mars)
Tony Samara
Grandmaster of Escrima, early trainer in Stockton
Escrima community, Daguhoy Lodge
Episode: How Can You Forget Me
Sam Vong
Curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
Episode: How Can You Forget Me
Dillon Delvo
Executive director of Little Manila Rising, community advocate
Little Manila Rising
Episode: How Can You Forget Me

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • A great podcast.

    It’s a bit hard to follow along and have to rewind and replay many times but the content is great.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Blondie152
    United Statesa month ago
  • amazingly true

    thank you for all the true things you say...we understand that you continue to tell the truth of now but you always seek new information. when you know more you tell it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LeeLee Lauree
    United Statesa month ago
  • Like a perfect cup of coffee

    From the intro music to the host’s warm voice introducing the topic, you can enjoy this well crafted experience of Sidedoor from beginning to end.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    omqmeg
    United States2 months ago
  • History truly comes alive

    Thank you for sharing this interview with Lonnie!! I’m in tears at the sheer beauty of his work and his words. I so love this show and this episode is magnificent. These challenging times have been a sadness in this 250th year. Thank you for the stories which are inspiring a wee glimmer of hope.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Demi698
    United States2 months ago
  • Wonderful

    Wonderful, just wonderful.

    Favorites include:

    - Zoo’s clues

    - Shellshocked I & II

    - Dynamo Dot

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Strigaformes Pizzaria
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are described as informative, entertaining, and well-produced, often offering fresh museum perspectives.
Fans appreciate high-quality guests and broad topic coverage from artifacts to modern culture.
Listeners praise the show for making history engaging and accessible, with a strong host presence.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
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Notes from the Edge
Notes from the EdgeGamut Podcast Network
If Books Could Kill
If Books Could KillMichael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
Modern Wisdom
Modern WisdomChris Williamson

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

American Aspirations: A Nation in Pursuit
Q: In the digital age, why objects?
Objects create a tangible, human-scale connection that engages visitors in a dialogue about history, making abstract ideals concrete and memorable.
Extreme Botany
Q: What are the consequences for us when some aquatic plant species become endangered?
The extinction of these species can affect food production and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Extreme Botany
Q: How do aquatic plants breathe when submerged?
Aquatic plants have mechanisms that allow them to breathe, including leaves above the water surface and specialized tissues.
Extreme Botany
Q: What is extreme botany and why is it important?
Extreme botany involves studying plants in extreme ecosystems, which is essential for understanding their adaptations.
Extreme Botany
Q: How did you become a plant person?
I was born a plant person; I had a natural love for plants and chose to study biology.

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 Sidedoor

What is Sidedoor about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show curates narrative histories and museum-curated stories around American culture, technology, science, and identity, often anchored by objects, archives, and artifacts from the Smithsonian. Episodes mix scholarly context with engaging storytelling, featuring curators, researchers, Indigenous communities, and cultural critics to unpack how collections and exhibitions shape public memory. Notable strengths include high-profile museum leadership insights, rigorous archival storytelling, and a knack for turning complex history into accessible, emotion-driven episodes. It's likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy deep-dive history, design and photography of American industry, and behind-the-scenes museum perspectives, all delivered with ... more

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How many listeners does Sidedoor get?

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What are the audience demographics for Sidedoor?

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How many subscribers and views does Sidedoor have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Sidedoor has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Sidedoor?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sidedoor:

1. Antiques Roadshow Detours
2. 99% Invisible
3. The Atlas Obscura Podcast
4. Radiolab
5. Decoder Ring

How many episodes of Sidedoor are there?

Sidedoor launched 10 years ago and published 254 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Sidedoor?

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What guests have appeared on Sidedoor?

Recent guests on Sidedoor include:

1. Tracy Twombly
2. Kirk Johnson
3. Siobhan Starrs
4. Jonny BearCub Stiffarm
5. Lonnie G. Bunch III
6. Roman Mars
7. Tony Samara
8. Sam Vong

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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