Hi all! No, we don't have a new Miss Info for you all (so sorry), but we do have a new project from Lauren and our podcast brother Neal from Triviality. It's called Curated by Chance and each episode, Lauren and Neal harness the power of a randomizing algorithm named Chance to generate unique prompts that drive their discussions.  From exploring the unexpected intersections between film and visual art to dissecting the curious ways randomness shapes artistic expression, this dynamic duo invites listeners to ponder the influence of chance in the creative process.

We hope that you enjoy this fun new podcast!

Hello! Bonjour! Hej! (You didn't think we'd just let a Eurovision pass without recording our thoughts about it, right?) Join Julia and Lauren for a recap of this year's Eurovision Song Contest 2024 hosted in Malmö, Sweden. (Big shout out to Baby Lasagna and Croatia's best-ever result at Eurovision--Čestitamo!) Later, take a quiz called "Breaking the Code."

P.S. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for some fun news on the horizon!

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[Music: 1) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license. 2) Xylo-Ziko, "Code," 2022. Courtesy of Xylo-Ziko, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.]

[We’re] comin' out … with a brand new episode about the legendary Ms. Diana Ross and her long and storied career. Later, take a quiz about animal babies!

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[Music: 1) William Ross Chernoff's Nomads, "Four-Way," 2017. Courtesy of William Ross Chernoff's Nomads, CC-BY 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We're joined by Nathan Walker, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) in the United States Navy, and his wonderful wife Kerrie for this whale of an episode. Nathan has served in the "Silent Service" aboard submarines for more than 15 years; he patiently answers all of our questions about life underwater while giving us a detailed history of the U.S. Submarine Force. Later, enjoy a quiz called "The Submariner's Pastime!"

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[Music: 1) Al Stewart, "Life in Dark Water," 1978; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Hello, and welcome to Mister Information– an offshoot trivia podcast for gents [and ladies] who kind of enjoy trivia but also sticking it to annoying teams at pub quiz.  In this very special episode, Steve and Josh examine two in-demand pantry staples: beans and rice. Actually, it's not so much "rice" as it is "the films of Wes Anderson". There's a connection there, really! Then, a new segment entitled "In the Not-Too-Distant Past-Perfect", and a quiz on rice, Weses, and Andersons.

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[Music: 1) The Creation, "Making Time," 1966 ; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Our recent sojourn to the Windy City reminded Julia about the brilliant writer/producer/director John Hughes-- so allow yourself to be transported to the suburbs of Chicago to recall some of the greatest coming-of-age comedy films from the 1980s-1990s. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Pretty in Pink"!

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[Music: 1) Simple Minds, "Don't You (Forget About Me)," 2010; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Salevete! Travel back with us to the Roman Empire to discover the Original Bad Boy of the Pax Romana: Caligula. Learn all about his weirdo proclivities, his god status, and his hated nickname. Later, take a quiz on shoes called "Little Boots"!

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[Music: 1) Little Boots, "New in Town," 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

PRESS START! This week, Julia visits one of the most heavily-trafficked collections in the archives at The Strong to give you the rundown on pioneering video game company Atari. We'll talk video arcades, famous games, the shift to home consoles, and of course, the Video Game Crash of 1983. Dig out those spare tokens you have in your junk drawer-- we're going to the arcade! Later, enjoy a quiz called "Go, Dog, Go!"

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[Music: 1) David Crane's Pitfall II: Lost Caverns, Activision for Atari 2600, "Main Theme," 1984; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's a Series of Series again here on Miss Information! Today, immerse yourself in the high fantasy of J.R.R. Tolkien's universe of men, hobbits, elves, and dwarves--and finally learn who is The Lord of the Rings! Later, test yourself with a quiz on rings!  Enjoime! [...That's Elvish for "Enjoy!"]

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[Music: 1) Leonard Nimoy, "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins," 1968; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

This week's topic goes under the microscope as Julia presents the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known organisms. [Get ready to be hyper-aware of what's going on inside your body.] We discuss organelles, cell division, types of cells in humans, and much more. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Cell Block Tango"!

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[Music: 1) John C. Reilly, "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago, 2001; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Yeah yeah, you know about the chicken wings and the snow and the football team...but what's the real story about that Queen City on the Lake? Today, learn all about the blue collar town with the chip on its shoulder: Buffalo, NY! Later, take a quiz on Rust Belt cities, and bask in the flat "A's" of Lauren's Northern Lakes accent!

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[Music: 1) Scott Kemper, "Shout" (Buffalo Bills song); 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

If you're a very important person with many leather-bound books [and especially if your apartment smells of rich mahogany], then this episode is for you. Julia presents many of the annual literary medals, prizes, and awards, along with their most recent winners. Later, enjoy a quiz called "And the First Runner Up..."!

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[Music: 1) Les Hayden, "Book on a Shelf," 2017. Courtesy of Les Hayden, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

For this pre-Valentine's Day episode, we're joined by special guest Shea Henry, chocolate enthusiast [and curator at the Maple Ridge Museum in British Columbia, Canada]. Shea covers the history of chocolate in detail--so grab yourself some snacking chocolate for the full sensory experience. Later, enjoy (!!!) a quiz called "Is It Chocolate... Or Is It Poop?"

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[Music: 1) Christina Aguilera, "Candyman," 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Let's journey across the pond to learn all about the Bloomsbury Group-- a sordid literary and artistic crew who "lived in squares, painted in circles, and loved in triangles." [They make the Algonquin Round Table seem like a bunch of amateurs.] But our REAL focus is on feminist author Virginia Woolf. Later, enjoy a quiz called "In Bloom"!

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[Music: 1) Jahzzar, "Bloom," 2018. Courtesy of Jahzzar, CC BY-SA license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Class is in session again! Continue your entry-level education in museum work with more museum terminology and some worldwide examples of science museums! Later, take a quiz on zoo animals [because zoos-- are-- museums]!

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[Music: 1) Alvin Silvestri, "Night at the Museum," 2006; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Ever wonder what actually happened during that infamous "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" [which seems to pop up in trivia situations a lot more than you'd expect]? Don't worry, Pardnuh, Julia's wobblin' jaw has you covered. We skedaddle over to Tombstone, Arizona to discuss the events of October 26, 1881 at 3:00pm [...and you know what that means...]. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Um, Actually..."!

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[Music: 1) Gold Rush Studio Orchestra, "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," 2017; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Somehow, we've spent 2.5 years on this podcast and haven't yet covered museums! Shame on us. Today's ep gives you everything you ever wanted to know about museums and museum work, but were afraid to ask. Later, take a quiz about the things people collect!

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[Music: 1) Jim Dale, "The Museum Song," 1992; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

And now for something completely different... Julia journeys all the way to Shaolin [a.k.a Staten Island] to become better versed in a hip-hop group about which she previously knew nothing: the world-famous Wu-Tang Clan. Learn about the members, their early history, famous albums and songs, and a lot of Wu-Tang trivia along the way. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Leggo My Logo!"

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[Music: 1) Lobo Loco, "Kung Fu Fighters March - Fast (ID 833)," 2019. Courtesy of Lobo Loco, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

*Whew*! We're free from the holiday season [and concurrent theme months], so let's start the new year off with a good old-fashioned episode about Agatha Christie! Learn all about her life, mysterious disappearance, and her famous character with a magnificent mustache. Later, grab some fries and some beard balm and take a quiz on Belgium and facial hair styles! .

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[Music: 1) Christopher Gunning, "The Belgian Detective (From Poirot)," 2013; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We end the remarkably uplifting [/sarcasm] month of *DICTATOR DECEMBER* with a look at the first European head of state to ever be prosecuted for genocide and war crimes: Serbian nationalist Slobodan Milošević. Come with us on a journey to Yugoslavia and the Balkan States as we cover the Bosnian War. Later, have a much grander time with a quiz called "New Year, New YOU-goslavia!"

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[Music: 1) Freddie Mitchell Orchestra, "Auld Lang Syne Boogie," 1949; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's a Holiday in Cambodia with our penultimate episode in Dictator December! Discover the complexities of the Indochina Wars, the Vietnam War, and the mysteries of Cambodian Dictator Pol Pot. Later, soothe your soul with a quiz on vacation destinations!

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[Music: 1) Dead Kennedys, "Holiday in Cambodia," 1980; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

You'll probably want a daiquiri or mojito after this episode about longtime Cuban "leader"--he wouldn't call himself a dictator--Fidel Castro. Learn about guerilla warfare in Cuba, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro's dairy obsession, and more. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Havana Ooh Na Na (Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye)!"

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[Music: 1) Steam, "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," 1969; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Are you ready for more Dictator Data? This week, get into the Spanish spirit with our episode on Francisco Franco. Learn all about the Spanish Civil War, Franco's role in WWII, and more! Later, cleanse your brain with a quiz on San Francisco and Famous Franks!

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[Music: 1) Judy Garland, "San Francisco," 1962; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's the start of *DICTATOR DECEMBER*! This week, Julia covers Very Bad Person™ Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Learn how this poor boy from Georgia [...the country...] became one of the most feared leaders of the 20th century. Later, please enjoy a quiz on a completely different topic: "Universally Adored Humans"! .

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[Music: 1) Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, "Nutcracker Suite," 1892; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Nowadays, the Fox Sisters get a bad rap-- but that wasn't always the case! Lauren tells the tale of Maggie and Kate Fox, two Western New Yorkers who sparked the Spiritualism movement in America by "communicating" with the dead. Later, take a quiz on ghosts!

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[Music: 1) 8bit Betty, "Spooky Loop," 2010. Courtesy of 8bit Betty, CC BY-NC 3.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

*Content warning: Cannibalism*

Oh, did you enjoy Gorge Day in the U.S.? For this Black Friday special, we're joined in-studio by three of the coolest librarians covering a topic by which we're all truly fascinated: cannibalism. Cassie Guthrie, Beth Merkle, and Laura Osterhout are here to tease their December 13th fundraiser event in the Rochester area: Christmas with the Donner Party: A History Happy Hour with Historian Maya Rook. [All proceeds benefit New Yorkers for Better Libraries.] Today, we discuss cannibalism in literature, television, film, historical events, and [obviously] serial killers. Later, enjoy a quiz called "The Opposite of Cannibalism"!

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[Music: 1) Hall & Oates, "Maneater," 1982; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

For total RPG newbies like Julia and Lauren, this episode with listener (and Dungeon Master!) Jamie Kusack totally opened our eyes. Learn all about how to create your character and go on an adventure in America's most popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. Later, enjoy a quiz about... well, dungeons and dragons!

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[Music: 1) No More Kings, "Critical Hit," 2009; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

All rise...it's an episode about the Queen Bey herself, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter! Take a trip down memory lane with great pop-culture info about Destiny's Child, the career of Beyoncé, and some piping hot celebrity gossip. Later, test your knowledge with a quiz about bees!

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[Music: 1) Beyoncé, "Countdown," 2011; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Take a deep cleansing breath as you prepare to learn about the world's third largest religion. Julia covers the aims of human life, major Hindu texts, the caste system, Hindu deities, and [best of all] festivals. Later, enjoy a quiz called "A Passage to India"!

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[Music: 1) Veena Kinhal, "Haratanaya Sree," 2009. Public domain license. 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Back by popular demand... we have another math episode! This time, guest host Bailie has us covered on prime numbers, factorials, and whole bunch of important mathematicians [...some with more functioning eyeballs than others]. Later, enjoy a quiz about other interesting math tidbits!

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[Music: 1) Mos Def, "Mathematics," 1999; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We've heard your requests, and today's the day. Time for a episode on--say it with us--TSGYOUBNEPHR-CULILLOSSEAS! [Whoops: Tuberculosis. It's tuberculosis.] This week, Lauren takes us through the symptoms and history of [maybe!] humanity's first known disease, which also happens to make you soooo good lookin'. Later, enjoy a quiz on poets and poetry. [And cover your mouth when you cough! ]

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[Music: 1) Van Morrison, "T.B. Sheets," 1967; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Take everything you thought you knew about the Defenestrations of Prague--and, well, throw it out the window. Julia dives head first into the religious feuds of Renaissance-era Bohemia and clues us into the multiple times that Bohemians attempted to solve all their problems by defenestrating their enemies. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Windows to the Soul"!

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[Music: 1) R. A. Dvorsky Orchestra, "Pod Nasim Oknem," c. 1930s; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Are we lunatics? [If by "lunatic" you mean "crazy about the Moon," then heck yeah!] Learn all about Earth's natural satellite [and BFF] in the realms of science, culture, and history... And once and for all, we'll learn the difference between a Blue Moon, a Strawberry Moon, a Harvest Moon, and a SUPERMOON. Later, test your knowledge of holidays with a quiz entitled "Movable Feast"! .

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[Music: 1) Joseph Arthur, "Honey and the Moon," 2007; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We hope you're sitting down for this one, because the story of Alma Mahler, "The Most Beautiful Woman in Vienna," is a REAL doozy. This episode has everything: art, music, sex, death, Nazis, literature, insanity, more Nazis... Julia paints a portrait of this Austrian lady who bewitched the most famous men of her day. And later, enjoy a quiz called "Gustav and Walter and Franz"!

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[Music: 1) Tom Lehrer, "Alma," 1965;  2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It’s been a long time coming, folks. Hopefully this biographical episode will appease its subject: shock-rocker, golf enthusiast, and our personal demon, Alice Cooper. Learn all about the origins of the Alice Cooper Group, its indefatigable lead singer of the same name, and some surprising friends and events in his life. The man has truly done and seen everything [--please don’t hurt us]. Later, enjoy a quiz entitled “Alices and Coopers”!

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[Music: 1) Alice Cooper, "School's Out," 1972;  2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Um, what exactly ARE those super expensive lumps hailed as "the diamond of the kitchen"? Julia hunts down all the information on truffles that you'll ever need [and maybe make you a little bit hungry in the process]. Later, take a quiz called "Truffle Shuffle"!

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[Music: 1) Rod Hamilton, "Mushroom," 2013. Courtesy of Rod Hamilton, CC BY-NC 3.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

GUESTEMBER concludes with a pair of brilliant guests. Joining us are Kat Thompson and Jill Martiniuk, who reveal a trio of stories about Bad-Ass Women throughout Russian history. Sit back and relax [maybe with some vodka?] as we talk about Olga of Kiev [#DownWithTheDrevlians!], Catherine the Great, and the 588th Night Bomber Regiment from WWII. Later, enjoy a quiz on even more bad-ass Russian women!

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[Music: 1) Ivan Larionov, "Kalinka," orig. 1860. Courtesy of YouTube user Only4Russian; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

GUESTEMBER [bwa-da-DAH-daaaaah] continues as we're joined in-studio by All-Star Canadian listener, Corinne Atkinson, who works as a "vampire" [or if we're being less hyperbolic: a medical laboratory technician]. Learn about that Super Important Goo Inside You, common blood and other fluid tests, and why you should really listen to your doctor when they tell you to fast. [**Squeamish folks, don't worry-- Julia got through this, and so can you!**] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Cats and Matt Damon and Firefighting"!

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[Music: 1) Drake, "Started from the Bottom," 2013; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's our second installment of GUESTEMBER! We're joined by Eric Siy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who helps to dissolve our math anxiety. Play along at home, and commit to memory some Mathematicians You Should Know. Later, enjoy a quiz called "I Was Told There Would Be No Twinks"!

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[Music: 1) Tom Lehrer, "That's Mathematics," 2010; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

It's GUESTEMBER, y'all! We're joined by Holly Ahronheim, who uses her Jeopardy! experience to expose us to World's Fairs-- in particular, the 1967 International and Universal Exposition. Later, enjoy a quiz on things that debuted at a World's Fair! .

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[Music: 1) Young Canada Singers, "Expo 67 - Canada (The Centennial Song)," written by Bobby Gimby, 1967; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Everything in moderation! Julia serves up another helping of treats. [This week, we're featuring cookies and biscuits, meringues, frozen desserts, and Truly American Desserts.] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Bake-Off"!

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[Music: 1) The London Film Score Orchestra, Tom Howe, Music Featured in the TV Program The Great British Bake-Off, "Signature Cakes / Sparkle / Happy Pizza / Organic Mix," 2014;  2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

By popular demand-- Julia dishes out heaping portions of knowledge about some of the world's best baked goods. This week, it's cakes, custards, and pastries. [No soggy bottoms here!] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Great, British"!

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[Music: 1) The London Film Score Orchestra, Tom Howe, Music Featured in the TV Program The Great British Bake-Off, "Signature Cakes / Sparkle / Happy Pizza / Organic Mix," 2014;  2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Lauren admits that she loves listening to the music of the night in this episode: a journey through the career of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Commit these famous musicals to memory as we shine a spotlight on both the highs [Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats] and the lows [Aspects of Love, Love Never Dies, Cats] of The Right Honourable Lord Lloyd-Webber. Later, enjoy a quiz called "Andrews, Lloyds, and Webers"!

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[Music: 1) Carl Anderson, "Superstar" from Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice Jesus Christ Superstar, Universal Pictures Film Music, 1973; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We are joined by Garrett Cosenza, winemaker at Pope Valley Winery in Napa Valley, California, for this magnum-sized episode. Let the history of winemaking wash over your tastebuds [or earbuds?] as you learn how wineries take a boring ol' grape and turn it into bottled poetry. Impress your friends with all your newfound wine know-how! Later, enjoy a quiz on Fun Facts about Wine!

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[Music: 1) Dean Martin, "Little Ole Wine Drinker, Me," 1967; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Julia dances circles around the competition as she discusses the most elegant and graceful of all topics. Learn about types and methods of ballet, famous dancers and choreographers, Ballets You Should Know, vocabulary terms, and everything in between. [Don't get tutu stressed out, okay?] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Dance Like Nobody's Watching!" .

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[Music: 1) Philadelphia Orchestra performing "Danses des petits cygnes," from Swan Lake, Peter Tchaikovsky, 1963; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Lauren lets loose a lecture on the 1976 Legionella pneumophila outbreak in the City of Brotherly Love. [Just when you thought it was safe to stay indoors...!] Later, enjoy (?!) a quiz on Philadelphia and Infectious Diseases!

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[Music: 1) The Decemberists, "The Legionnaire's Lament," 2002; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

This one's for all the art photographers out there. Today, Lauren dips into 20th century art history with a glimpse into the life and work of the great photographer Diane Arbus ( ... no fur involved). Later, however, take a quiz on furry things!

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[Music: 1) Georgii Cherkin, "Für Elise," 2008, orig. composed by Ludwig van Beethoven; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Julia dusts off her binoculars and sun hat this week to survey the world's deserts: how they're formed, where they're located, which places you should avoid, and much more. [If you thought that deserts were just a bunch of sand, then you're in for quite a treat.] Later, enjoy a quiz called "Desert Rose"!

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[Music: 1) Little Glass Men, "Desert Castles," 2015. Courtesy of Ryan Claus/Little Glass Men, CC BY 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Lauren returns to her favorite category to spin a yarn all about French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. [You might know her Spider sculptures, but hoo-ee, there is much more of her Surrealist and Feminist art to cover.] Later, enjoy a quiz about the bourgeoisie and arachnids!

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[Music: 1) U2, "Sunday Bloody Sunday," 1983; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

We're joined by Katie Sekelsky of The Inkling, who brings us the tragic tale of the Johnstown Flood in 1889. [Thanks a lot, Robber Barons! </end sarcasm>] Learn about a few more historic floods--and why it's important to have, say, actual trained professionals build your reservoirs. Later, enjoy a quiz called "That Damn Dam!"

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[Music: 1) Bertha Chapin, "Johnstown Flood," 1955; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]