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The Atlas Obscura Podcast

SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura
New York City
Maine
California
World War I
Star Trek
Los Angeles
Nebraska
Ghosts
World War II
Turkey
Fasnacht
Travel Stories
Eastern Hellbender
New York
Mexico City
Motel
Locke
Baseball
Sea Lamprey

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1376Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Latest Episodes

The story of how a former nuclear missile silo in Wamego, Kansas became the site of the largest LSD bust in US history (allegedly). Fore more information, check out author Dennis McDougal’s website and Rolling Stone’s interview with Leonard Pickard. more

Beverly Gage is a Pulitzer Prize award winner and a professor of history at Yale University.

Her new book This Land Is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S History is a travelogue that takes us on the road into America's past as she travels to visit 1... more

In this episode, we explore Smither Park, an artistic oasis in Houston where self-taught artists transform a humble park into a mesmerizing gallery.

This episode is part of our ongoing coverage of the soccer world championship. In each episode, we t... more

Pea Island is a wildlife refuge, and one of the most untouched parts of the Outer Banks. But a century ago, this small piece of land was the site of one of the most remarkable water rescues to date. And it was thanks to a man who, just 30 years after... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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

Don Merritt
Museum Curator for Oregon State Parks
Oregon State Parks
Episode: Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum (Classic)
Kevin Hoffman
Minneapolis reporter, former editor-in-chief of City Pages
City Pages
Episode: The Minnesota-Shaped Forest (Classic)
Becky Lean
DNR liaison and former colleague of Bill Lochner
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Episode: The Minnesota-Shaped Forest (Classic)
Bill Lochner
Retired forester who masterminded the Minnesota-shaped forest
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Episode: The Minnesota-Shaped Forest (Classic)
Cindy Brennecke
Owner of Where Pigs Fly Farm and Pigs Aloft Museum
Where Pigs Fly Farm / Pigs Aloft Museum
Episode: Beyond the Game: In Missouri, America’s Largest Pig Museum
Rebecca Bonilla-Myers
Program Director, Beacon Food Forest
Beacon Food Forest
Episode: Beyond the Game: Seattle’s Beacon Food Forest
Tara Phillips
James Baldwin super fan and executive director of La Maison Baldwin
La Maison Baldwin
Episode: The Last Baldwin House (Classic)
Suzannah Herbert
Filmmaker and co-creator of Natchez
Suzannah Herbert (Filmmaker)
Episode: The Complicated History of Natchez, Mississippi
Darcy McKinnon
Filmmaker and co-creator of Natchez
Darcy McKinnon (Filmmaker)
Episode: The Complicated History of Natchez, Mississippi

Hosts

Dylan Thuras
Host of Atlas Obscura podcast, co-founder of Atlas Obscura
Kelly McEvers
Host of Atlas Obscura podcast, Atlas Obscura

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Pollution

    Imagine how much carbon dioxide The gates of hell produce so I’d say it contributes to a lot of pollution

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    good enouf
    Canadaa month ago
  • WAY too short

    It's just not worth the effort of listening. These podcasts are way too short in duration. This isn't even a taste the amount of info givren is so meager! Not worth my time.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    manayunk wall
    United States2 months ago
  • Great!

    This is an excellent podcast. I would like some more European content though!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the tech nerd 77789
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Fiesta bean cake episode

    So disappointed in this episode. Not up to AO standards at all. A cake recipe reviewed by a total non-baker who has little knowledge and none of the right tools to make this cake. And when it didn’t work out, the recipe writer is condemned? Nah….

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SMASUE
    United States3 months ago
  • Vocal fry

    Love the topics and stories on this show but some of the hosts have vocal fry that makes it hard to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    FrankieB92
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show's bite-sized, wonder-filled stories and wide range of topics.
A portion note vocal fry and ads as distractions in a few episodes.
Some listeners wish for more international content and fewer ads.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Complicated History of Natchez, Mississippi
Q: How did you find Rev., the tour guide who differs from the usual plantation tour narrative?
Rev was at the Visitor Center recruiting people for his tour; his approach offered a starkly different history that immediately captured attention and framed how the rest of Natchez history could be explored.
Beyond the Game: In Missouri, America’s Largest Pig Museum
Q: I thought it was one of those radio show pranks. I thought, why are you pranking me in the morning like this?
Cindy explains how the dart-on-a-map phone call with a radio host led to considering Ross Hansa's pig collection and ultimately led to moving and displaying the pigs, turning it into a public attraction.
Beyond the Game: San Francisco’s Sutro Baths
Q: Why did you hone in on the Sutro Baths as one of the things you wanted to focus on and write about?
Martini explains that his proximity and personal history with San Francisco, plus a lack of a comprehensive written history, motivated him to detail the baths and their significance for both local memory and broader urban development.
How Superstar Lionel Messi Returned to Argentina
Q: How did Messi's time abroad shape his relationship with Argentina upon his return?
Return by a globally recognized star highlighted both admiration and resentment; the coach's system emphasized teamwork over individual brilliance to integrate Messi's talents into a unified national effort.
AO Mailbag: Five Friends, Three Nights, One Bathroom
Q: What is the best book you've read where the setting or the place is a main character?
The hosts discuss Moby-Dick and The Secret History as prime examples where the setting and atmosphere drive the narrative, with detailed descriptions that transport the reader and shape characters' experiences.

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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast

What is The Atlas Obscura Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program showcases short, story-driven explorations of unusual places, people, and historical events around the world, blending firsthand interviews with archival material and evocative descriptions. Episodes commonly thread curiosity with cultural, scientific, or historical context, featuring intimate portraits of creators, researchers, and local experts who illuminate how fascinating sites and artifacts came to be. A standout trait is the diverse roster of guests and subjects—from scientists and authors to museum directors and local historians—delivering accessible narratives in under 15 minutes that encourage wonder and travel-minded learning.

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How many listeners does The Atlas Obscura Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Atlas Obscura Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Atlas Obscura Podcast 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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Atlas Obscura Podcast:

1. Sidedoor
2. 99% Invisible
3. Twenty Thousand Hertz
4. Radiolab
5. the memory palace

How many episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast are there?

The Atlas Obscura Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1376 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 The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Atlas Obscura Podcast?

Recent guests on The Atlas Obscura Podcast include:

1. Don Merritt
2. Kevin Hoffman
3. Becky Lean
4. Bill Lochner
5. Cindy Brennecke
6. Rebecca Bonilla-Myers
7. Tara Phillips
8. Suzannah Herbert

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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