All Episodes
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 in total
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...
The Forecast Calls for Thunder Dad
Did your dad rule the thermostat like an ancient deity? He might be playing out the archetypical sky father motif from folklore.This episode tackles the father of all ...
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...
School Spirit, Urban Legend Style
Why do the Roy High Royals wear black and gold, and why is the Box Elder Bee purple? According to local legend, it all started with a uniform mix-up no one bothered to...
Knock on Wood
In this episode, host Aaron Crawford explores the curious and oddly universal ritual of knocking on wood after saying something optimistic—just in case. Although many ...