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The United Steaks of America
Why does every summer holiday smell like meat on a grill? In this episode, we dive into the smoky, sacred world of the American backyard barbecue. From ritual timing t...
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The Pittsburgh Left: Driving Neighborly in the Neighborhood
The Pittsburgh Left: where courtesy outruns the rulebook. Discover how this neighborly traffic quirk became folklore - and why Mr. Rogers would’ve waved you through.
Birthday Cake, Moon Magic, and Flaming Wishes
Why do we put fire on cake, make a wish, and then blow lung air all over dessert? From moon goddesses to magical forcefields to Betty Crocker, birthday cake has a surp...
Rituals of the Rind
There you are, standing in the grocery store, surrounded by bins of green watermelons. You knock. You thump. You lift one like it’s a newborn and whisper, “Are you the...
America the Boom-tiful
Why do we celebrate the birth of the United States by blowing up a bunch of pretty stuff in the sky? In this episode, we look at how fireworks became our go-to celebra...
From Handshake to Hashtag to Holiday
Ever wonder how an annual backyard barbecue turns into a three-day weekend? In this episode, we trace the journey of holidays from folk traditions to federal recogniti...