Uncommon Knowledge

Recent Episodes

Catching Cold (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010
Run Time: 3:00
Cold season is finished yet and as you know, you can catch a cold anytime of the year. Listen as Jay and Janet explain what causes the common cold, why it's probably called a "cold" and what you can do to avoid catching a cold.

Infinity Paradox (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010
Run Time: 3:00
Infinity can be a difficult concept to grasp, especially when trying to count numbers to get "there." In this episode from October, Jay and Janet and an ISU mathematician help explain a paradox associated with infinity

Earth Tilt/Moon Formation (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010
Run Time: 3:00
Jay and Janet answer a question from a podcast listener about why the earth is tilted. Oh...and how the moon formed. The answers are related.

The Four Color Theorem (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010
Run Time: 3:00
From the title, you may be able to figure out the minimum number of colors for a map to ensure the same color states or countries don't touch. Jay and Janet share the story of the Four Color Theorem.

2 Cold 2 Snow (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010
Run Time: 3:00
Myth or truth: It can get so cold it can't snow. Jay and Janet help explain the meteorological truth in this seasonal episode.

New Year's Day (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010
Run Time: 3:00
New Year's Day is January first. Oh yeah, says who? In this encore episode, Jay and Janet explain why the first day of the 2010 was January 1st.

Man on the Moon -- Telescopes (encore) (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009
Run Time: 3:00
Man landed on the moon July 20, 1969. It's a fact. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Jay and Janet debunk the "evidence" some think prove the landings never happened. In this episode from mid-2009, they ask why a telescope hasn't simply zoomed in on the moon landing sites and snapped a picture.

Man on the Moon -- Radiation (encore) (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009
Run Time: 3:00
It was 40 years ago this year (July 20, 1969) that man landed on the moon. Since then a conspiracy theory that the landing was a hoax has gained momentum. This month to celebrate mankind's first steps on the lunar surface (yes, we believe) Jay and Janet debunk the "evidence" some think prove the landings never happened. This time they tackle whether astronauts could have survived cosmic radiation.

Man on the Moon -- Flag (encore) (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009
Run Time: 3:00
To celebrate mankind's first steps on the lunar surface (yes, we believe) Jay and Janet debunk the "evidence" some think prove the landings never happened. In this episode first broadcast in July 2009, they tackle the "waving flag" planted on the moon.

Man on the Moon -- Stars (encore) (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009
Run Time: 3:00
It was 40 years ago this year (July) that man landed on the moon. Since then a conspiracy theory that the landing was a hoax has gained momentum. This month to celebrate mankind's first steps on the lunar surface (yes, we believe) Jay and Janet debunk the "evidence" some think prove the landings never happened. In this episode, first broadcast earlier this year, they tackle the starless moon sky.

Geography of Europe -- The Euro (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009
Run Time: 3:00
Uncommon Knowledge and the Illinois Geography Alliance team up to celebrate Geography Action Week with a month long series on the geography of Europe. Learn more about the Euro and how symbolism on the currency celebrates unity AND diversity.

Geography of Europe -- Soccer (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009
Run Time: 3:00
Uncommon Knowledge and the Illinois Geography Alliance team up to celebrate Geography Action Week with a month long series on the geography of Europe. Discover the geography of the world's most popular sport and how it spread from Europe.

Geography of Europe -- Venice (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009
Run Time: 3:00
Uncommon Knowledge and the Illinois Geography Alliance team up to celebrate Geography Action Week with a month long series on the geography of Europe. Find out why Venice, Italy is sinking and what's being done to hold back the water.

Geography of Europe -- The E.U. (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009
Run Time: 3:00
Uncommon Knowledge and the Illinois Geography Alliance team up to celebrate Geography Action Week with a month long series on the geography of Europe. Discover how the European Union is drawing countries together and pushing them apart at the same time.

Encryption (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009
Run Time: 3:00
The computer coded language of spies is more often used for everyday business, like accessing your bank account. Jay and Janet explain encryption in this episode of Uncommon Knowledge.

Old Water (mp3)
Air Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009
Run Time: 3:00
It's easy to take the "everyday" for granted. For instance, the water that flows from the tap. As you'll hear in this episode from earlier this year, uou may be drinking ancient water, not easily replenished.