If you're going over the river and through the woods these days, it seems like you have to have an iPod, Zune, or video player on hand. If you're tired of being disconnected from each other on family outings, I highly recommend How Stuff Works, especially Stuff You Should Know and Stuff You Missed in History Class.
On a recent family outing, we listened to a story about Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution, followed by How Whale Sharks Work, ending with the riveting and sad tale of Into the Ghastly Blank with Burke and Wills.
The stories are five to 30 minutes long, and most are 10-20 minutes in length. I get mine free from iTunes. Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, the amiable hosts of Stuff You Should Know, tell their tales in a relaxed yet compelling way, and the topics are engrossing. Katie and Sarah's cheeky take on history brings old stories to life. Listening to either podcast series is a great way to break up a traffic jam or generate conversation on a long road trip, while learning a little something.
So, turn off the talk radio, stow the iPod, and find out about the 1916 shark attacks that were the basis for the book Jaws. Learn whether Nazi criminals are still walking free. Find out about "Harry Houdini, Master Mystifier." Is there is a worst way to die? Why do people blush? Was there really an Atlantis? It's a safe bet these guys have the details about something you did not know, but want to learn.
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