HowStuffWorks_Culture

This week on SYSK Animated, Josh and Chuck tell you how to start your own country. Make your own laws! Settle old scores! But is starting your own country really all it's cracked up to be?

Have you ever heard the phrase "Let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater," or variations? This week on Trapped in a Meeting, Josh schools Chuck on the origins of this odd expression.

Sada Abe is a notorious figure in Japanese history, known for her shocking acts which included everything from murder to castration and even necrophilia. Tune in to find out more about this infamous case.

Did Ivan the Terrible rule Russia and have the architects of the cathedral gouged? Josh reveals the truth about Ivan the Terrible in this episode of Don't Be Dumb.

Stuff You Should Know: Stuff You Should Know Animated: The Digestive System

On October 8, 1918, then-Corporal Alvin C. York was pinned down by German machine gun fire on a hillside in France. Acting alone, York climbed the hill and single-handedly killed 28 German soldiers. Learn more on This Day in History.

Throughout parts of Europe, April 30 is Walpurgis Night, a Halloween companion holiday of sorts. So where does the name come from, and how does one go about celebrating? Josh and Chuck have got you covered.

In our new Stuff You Should Know Animated series, join Josh and Chuck (and their cartoon counterparts) for a fun and unique take on the podcast. In this episode, Josh and Chuck explain the finer points and history of duels.

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you dropped a penny off the Empire State Building? Josh has, and he's here to tell you all about it. Settle in and get ready for another installment of Don't Be Dumb.

Everyone knows about Abraham Lincoln's assassination, and that of JFK. But do you know the story behind the first ever attempt on an American president's life? Find out the crazy details on this week's Trapped in a Meeting.

On This Day In History, Ellis Island, the gateway to America for millions of immigrants, closed for business. Learn about the symbol of immigration to America in the 20th century in this episode.

The idea for Personal Rapid Transport goes as far back as 1953, with the thought of combining taxicabs with subways. Join Josh and Chuck from Stuff You Should Know as they ponder the feasibility of this idea.

Maybe you're one of those people who likes to sound smart by using the Latin abbreviations e.g. and i.e. If so, brother, you'd better be using them right because that kind of thing makes people want to gun for you.

Do you think the Great Wall of China is the only manmade structure that is visible from space? Think again, Jack. You can't even see that thing. Get set straight by Josh here in this video.

In this week's installment, Chuck tells Josh about a creature known as the toothpick fish, and relates some helpful advice in regards to swimming in the Amazon river. If it's Monday, it must be Trapped in a Meeting.

People with mirror-touch synesthesia literally feel the pain of others -- but why? Tune in as Josh and Chuck explain the fascinating mechanics of mirror neurons in this exclusive video from HowStuffWorks.com and the Science Channel.

Have you ever heard the expression "It's hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk"? Did you wonder if that's actually possible on a typical hot day? Josh did, and he's here to give you the skinny on it in another episode of Don't Be Dumb.

Why do some people sneeze when confronted by direct sunlight? Josh fills you in on the science behind this strange phenomenon in this episode of Don't Be Dumb.

Do you know the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? Turns out it's pretty arbitrary. Learn the distinction in this episode and impress your meteorologically inclined friends. Plus, Chuck discusses Typhoon Tip, the largest typhoon in history

Have you heard that the "door close" button on an elevator doesn't work? Well, in some amazing twist of a twist, it turns out that is probably an urban legend. Or is it? We'll find out here. Or will we?

This week on SYSK Animated, Josh and Chuck look at the historic myths behind vampire stories from Lamastu to Lilith all the way up to today's popular vampire movies and TV shows.

April 9, 2013 is National Equal Pay Day, but it should really fall on December 31st. Why is that? It's not a holiday, it's a day to raise awareness of an important issue. Tune in and let Josh and Chuck fill you in on the rest!

Stuff You Should Know: Don't Be Dumb: Wine Corks

In the final behind the scenes installment, Chuck joins special guest Matt Frederick of Stuff They Don't Want You to Know for a walkthrough of the audio studio.

Shark Week has arrived and with it comes a special edition of Trapped in a Meeting! Josh patiently tries to school Chuck on the magnificent and terrifying creature known as the megalodon, but Chuck can't seem to get past how cool the name sounds.