Best Allan Kent Podcasts (2025)

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The World’s First Livestream: Trojan Room Coffee Pot 42:12

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3h ago42:12

42:12

Long before YouTube, before Twitch, before livestreams were everywhere, the first webcam pointed at something we'd consider boring by today's standards: a coffee pot. In this episode, Michael tells the story of how a small convenience in a Cambridge lab changed the internet forever. Then we chat with Comedian Dan Wilbur! Did you know The Internet S…

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Mid-Week Mini: The Moon Has Moonquakes 2:19

3h ago2:19

2:19

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how the Earth's moon has moonquakes. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/Michael…

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Operation Paul Bunyan: The Most Expensive Tree Trimming in History - REWIND 24:16

2d ago24:16

24:16

Originally released November 29, 2021. In 1976, a skirmish at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea led to the brutal murders of two Americans. The skirmish began over the trimming of a tree. The result was the most expensive tree-trimming in history. America and South Korea returned to the tree with all of their military might in a …

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Mid-Week Mini: A Day is Longer Than a Year on Venus 2:06

8d ago2:06

2:06

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how on Venus, a day is longer than a year. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/M…

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Infinity Now: Endless Déjà Vu Experience 43:07

10d ago43:07

43:07

In this episode we journey through the strange terrain of persistent déjà vu—the case of a 23-year-old British man whose life was overtaken by the feeling that every moment had already happened. From his early anxieties, through the medical investigations that turned up nothing though his suffering was very real, to the theories that may explain wh…

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Mid-Week Mini: The U.S. Flag Was Designed by a 17-Year-Old 2:34

15d ago2:34

2:34

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how the United States Flag was designed by a 17-year-old. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http:…

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Terminal Identity: 18 Years in an Airport 44:01

17d ago44:01

44:01

In this episode we explore the remarkable life of Mehran Karimi Nasseri — born in Iran, studying in England, losing critical documents, and spending 18 years living in Charles de Gaulle Airport. We track how he carved out a life on red plastic benches, declined legal offers, clung to identity, and inspired films like Lost in Transit and The Termina…

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Mid-Week Mini: Lobsters Taste With Their Feet 1:44

21d ago1:44

1:44

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about how lobsters taste with their feet. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelK…

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Hidden Soldiers: Trans Lives in the Civil War 50:12

30d ago50:12

50:12

During the Civil War, hundreds of people assigned female at birth served in male disguise. Some did it out of patriotism, some for love, and for others, it was about living as the gender they knew themselves to be. In this episode, we uncover the stories of Albert D.J. Cashier, Lyons Wakeman, Frank Thompson, Samuel Blalock, Mollie “Melvin” Bean, an…

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Mid-Week Mini: Bubble Wrap Was Invented for Your Walls 1:52

1M ago1:52

1:52

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about the origin bubble wrap. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For spec…

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Silent Stride: Breaking Gender Barrier 48:32

1M ago48:32

48:32

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer made history as the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. But it wasn’t without drama — a furious race official tried to drag her off the course in front of photographers. This episode dives into Switzer’s groundbreaking run, the earlier efforts of Bobbi Gibb, and the lasting impact they had on women’s sports …

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Mid-Week Mini: Wombats Poop Cubes 2:45

1M ago2:45

2:45

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about wombat poop. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available at http://Patreon.com/MichaelKent For special discoun…

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Coincidences: Lincoln Meets Kennedy 43:56

1M ago43:56

43:56

You’ve probably seen the list of spooky coincidences between Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy — the elections, the assassins, the secretaries. But which of them are true, and which are myths? This week, we trace the origins of one of America’s favorite trivia lists and separate fact from fiction. Then we chat with Las Vegas Headlining Magician, …

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Mid-Week Mini: Jiffy is An Actual Unit of Time 1:48

2M ago1:48

1:48

In this week's Mid-Week Mini Episode, we talk about the origin of the word "Jiffy" as it pertains to measuring time. Did you know The Internet Says It's True is now a book? Get it here: https://amzn.to/4miqLNy Review this podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-internet-says-it-s-true/id1530853589 Bonus episodes and content available a…

1
Native American Vengeance: Grass in His Mouth 40:47

2M ago40:47

40:47

In this episode we explore the chilling moment when a heartless comment—“let them eat grass”—became a spark that ignited a war. We trace the starvation, the politics, the desperate plea for help, and the grim vengeance that followed. This isn’t just history—it’s a powerful reminder of consequences, words, and human failure. We talk about Myrick, hi…

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Operation Beaver Drop: Conservation in Freefall 50:00

2M ago50:00

50:00

In 1948, Idaho faced a strange wildlife problem: too many beavers in the wrong place. Their solution? Strap parachutes to them and drop them from planes. In this episode, we dive into the bizarre-but-true history of the Idaho Beaver Drop, one of the weirdest wildlife relocation stories ever. In this episode, we tell the story about Idaho's "Beaver …

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Fish Fraud: Chilean Sea Bass is a Lie 44:17

2M ago44:17

44:17

When you go to a restaurant and order Chilean Sea Bass, you're not getting what you think. It’s not Chilean, it’s not a bass, and the name was made up to help sell a fish no one wanted to eat. In this episode, we dive into the surprising marketing success of the Patagonian toothfish - from obscurity to fine dining stardom - and what happened when d…

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Frozen Legacy: The Battle Over Kasem’s Corpse 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

He was the voice of America’s Top 40 – but after Casey Kasem died, a bizarre battle broke out over his body. From courtrooms to Norway to Howard Stern’s radio show, the story gets stranger at every turn. This week on The Internet Says It’s True, we tell the story, then chat with Comedy Writer Jimmy Mak! Pre-Order The Book Here: https://amzn.to/4miq…

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Edgar Allan Poe and the Cabin Boy, Richard Parker - REWIND 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

Originally released October 10, 2022. When Edgar Allan Poe wrote his only novel in 1838, he included a grim story about a young cabin boy who was killed and eaten at sea so that other sailors could survive. 46 years later, an uncanny coincidence took place. This episode is all about the case of Richard Parker. We welcome back Comedian and Writer Ja…

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Talk to Your Plants: The Weird Science Behind It (It Really Works) 51:30

3M ago51:30

51:30

You’ve probably heard that singing to your plants helps them grow - but is that actually true? In this episode, we dig into the science behind the myth, from CIA lie detector experiments on houseplants to a MythBusters greenhouse filled with heavy metal. The answer turns out to be more complicated - and more fascinating - than you'd expect. What do…

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Mr. & Mrs. Stephenson: Kitchen Table Baseball Scheduling 48:32

3M ago48:32

48:32

For over 20 years, the fate of every baseball game on the calendar wasn't in the hands of some software or spreadsheets in MLB offices. It was in the hands of a married couple working from their living room in Martha's Vineyard. In an age before AI and software optimization, Henry and Holly Stephenson built each MLB season by hand—one pencil mark a…

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Concrete Decisions: When Race Determined Routes 52:25

3M ago52:25

52:25

What do Rondo, Hayti, Storyville, and Humboldt Park have in common? They were thriving minority communities - until the U.S. built highways through them. In this episode, we look at how a 1950s infrastructure project tore through Black and immigrant neighborhoods, and what’s being done to make things right. Then we chat with Comedian Natasha Samren…

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The Spirit Scam: Houdini’s Capitol Hill Showdown 36:36

4M ago36:36

36:36

Did the world’s greatest magician take on psychics in Congress? In 1926, Harry Houdini testified in Washington to outlaw spiritualist fraud. What he said—and what happened next—might surprise you. In this episode, we tell the story of Houdini's efforts and then speak with United States Congressman, Mark Pocan. Congressman Mark Pocan was sworn in as…

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Jailing Political Opponents: Abraham Lincoln and Habeas Corpus - REWIND 35:00

4M ago35:00

35:00

Abraham Lincoln is known as "The Great Emancipator." But not many people know that during the Civil War, he jailed as many as 2,000 political opponents without charges or trial. The story in this episode revolves around what happened in Baltimore, Maryland in 1861 and why it led to the Mayor, the Police Chief, the entire City Council and many more …

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Orangutan, M.D.: Rakus and the First Wild Animal Wound Treatment 21:24

4M ago21:24

21:24

In the depths of the Sumatran rainforest, scientists witnessed something no one had ever seen before—and it might rewrite what we thought we knew about medicine. A wild orangutan got injured… and what he did next left researchers stunned. Was it instinct? Intelligence? Or something else entirely? This one’s wild—literally. Review this podcast at ht…

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Battle of Blair Mountain: The War on American Workers 43:44

4M ago43:44

43:44

In 1921, over 10,000 coal miners marched through the mountains of West Virginia with rifles, pistols, and dynamite. They dug trenches, wore uniforms, and exchanged gunfire with machine-gun nests and private planes dropping homemade bombs. It was the largest labor uprising in American history — and the largest domestic conflict since the Civil War. …

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Poisoned: 344 Meals and a Miracle 40:26

4M ago40:26

40:26

A luxury flight packed with Coca-Cola executives turns into a mid-air disaster when nearly 200 people fall violently ill — and it wasn’t a virus, or turbulence. It was breakfast. This week, we uncover the true story of the worst food poisoning outbreak in airline history, and how one kitchen mistake nearly caused an aviation catastrophe. It’s a chi…

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Peter Conover Hains: From Fife and Drums to Planes and Tanks 38:30

5M ago38:30

38:30

Peter Conover Hains was born before the Civil War and still wore a U.S. Army uniform in World War I. He fired one of the Civil War’s first naval shots, built ports and canals, and returned to active duty at age 77. His legacy spans over half a century of American warfare — and four generations of service. This Memorial Day, we’re telling the story …

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Measuring Misfortune: The Pirate Who Stole America’s Metric System 41:11

5M ago41:11

41:11

In the late 18th century, America was THIS close to adopting the metric system. Washington wanted it. Jefferson wanted it. France was helping by sending a ship with official metric weights and measures. But the entire plot was ruined by British Pirates. In this episode, we tell the story of America's closest flirt with the metric system, how the pl…

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Malicious Compliance: The Car Company That Sabotaged the Nazis 46:16

5M ago46:16

46:16

Sometimes, the best resistance looks like obedience. During the Nazi occupation of France, the Citroën automobile factory seemed to be cooperating — manufacturing trucks for the German military like any other commandeered facility. But behind the scenes, the French workers were quietly waging a war of their own. This episode tells the story of how …

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The Cincinnati Zoo’s Darkest Exhibit: Native Americans on Display 54:07

5M ago54:07

54:07

In 1896, Native Americans were put on public display at the Cincinnati Zoo as part of a fabricated "village" exhibit. It wasn't just Cincinnati—similar human exhibitions took place around the world, reinforcing damaging stereotypes. But how did these events happen, and why do their impacts still linger today? This week, we dig into one of the most …

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The Lufthansa Heist: Millions Stolen, Millions Missing 36:10

6M ago36:10

36:10

In 1978, a group of mobsters pulled off the largest cash robbery in American history — and thought they’d gotten away clean.But almost immediately, the heist started to unravel in the bloodiest way possible. Millions disappeared. Bodies started piling up. This is the unbelievable true story of the Lufthansa Heist. In this episode, we tell the whole…

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Painless Parker and the Bucket of Teeth 14:34

6M ago14:34

14:34

He pulled teeth in the middle of the street while a marching band played behind him. He claimed to make dentistry painless—and got sued for saying so. But instead of backing down, he built a dental empire and changed his name to beat the system. This is the bizarre true story of the man who turned dentistry into a circus: Painless Parker. Review th…

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Real Life Jaws: The 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks 47:57

6M ago47:57

47:57

In the scorching summer of 1916, terror lurked beneath the waves as a mysterious sea predator turned the Jersey Shore into a hunting ground. Over twelve harrowing days, swimmers vanished in a frenzy of blood and panic, and even an inland creek wasn’t safe from the carnage. What followed was a nationwide shark hysteria—an event so chilling, it would…

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A Secret German Plot: The Zimmerman Telegram 52:44

6M ago52:44

52:44

A secret message, a bold promise, and a fateful mistake—when Germany reached out to Mexico with a shocking proposal, they never expected British spies to be listening. As the telegram’s explosive contents made headlines, outrage swept across America. What happened next would change the course of World War I forever. In this episode, we talk about t…

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The U.S. Government Killed 10K People with Alcohol - REWIND 47:46

7M ago47:46

47:46

Originally released April 11, 2022. Bootlegging was an inevitable result of 1920s Prohibition in the U.S. And when the government tried to solve the problem, they ended up with a solution that killed at least 10,000 Americans through poisoned, denatured industrial ethyl-alcohol. In this episode, we tell the story and then talk with Comedian Leslie …

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Bucket List: The Internet Can’t Believe This Mandela Effect - REWIND 41:06

7M ago41:06

41:06

Originally released February 28, 2022. The Internet has been blowing up recently with people who can't believe this claim: That the phrase "Bucket List" originated with the 2007 Rob Reiner buddy film of the same name. In an apparent "Mandela Effect," or mass false memory, everyone seems to think they've been using the phrase in their lives long bef…

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The Most Kissed Girl in the World - REWIND 43:20

7M ago43:20

43:20

Originally released Sept. 20, 2021. When the Laerdal Toy Company was tasked with creating the very first mannequin for practicing CPR, they used a familiar face - it was that of "L'Inconnue de la Seine" - a famous mask supposedly cast from an unknown drowning victim discovered in the River Seine in the late 1880s. In this episode, we explore the st…

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Mutiny in Space - The 1973 Skylab Incident 48:24

7M ago48:24

48:24

In 1973, the three astronauts aboard Skylab 4 staged NASA’s first (and only) space mutiny, rebelling against an overwhelming workload and mission control’s rigid oversight. For one dramatic day, they cut off communications, taking time to enjoy the view of Earth and reset their own schedule. When contact was reestablished, tensions ran high—but wha…

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Bat Bombs: A Crazy Military Idea that ALMOST Happened 42:00

8M ago42:00

42:00

During World War II, the U.S. military developed a top-secret plan to unleash thousands of bats carrying tiny incendiary bombs over Japan, using their natural roosting instincts to ignite entire cities. The idea was bizarre—but in testing, it worked a little too well, with one fiery accident nearly turning the experiment into a disaster. In this ep…

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Eternal Neighbors: Nick Beef and Lee Harvey Oswald 48:10

8M ago48:10

48:10

In Fort Worth, Texas, an inconspicuous grave marker in Shannon Rose Hill Chapel & Cemetery says "OSWALD." It's the final resting place of Lee Harvey Oswald, the man charged with the assassination of President Kennedy. But next to that simple marker is another strange one. It reads, "NICK BEEF." Who is Nick Beef and why is this marker there? In this…

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Graham Crackers: Invented for WHAT?! - REWIND 23:00

8M ago23:00

23:00

You won't believe why graham crackers were invented. When Sylvester Graham invented this snack in the 19th century, it had nothing to do with hunger. Well, at least not THAT kind of hunger. In this episode, we learn about the "Grahamites," Sylvester Graham, and the invention of the snack that bares his name. Then we play the Quick Quiz with Mindrea…

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Tarrare: The Man Who Ate Everything - REWIND 44:32

8M ago44:32

44:32

Originally released July 10, 2023. Tarrare was a French 18th century man who is known to history for having the largest appetite known to man. He would regularly eat ridiculous amounts of food without ever gaining weight. This included entire baskets of fruit, piles of garbage, rocks, corks, dogs, cats, a quarter of a cow, and - reportedly - an ent…

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Cobra Invasion: The Springfield Snake Scare of 1953 49:44

8M ago49:44

49:44

In 1953, as many as 11 Indian Cobras were discovered in the most unlikely of locales: Springfield, Missouri! They were discovered over the course of several months in the fall of that year and it wasn't until decades later that this mystery was solved. In this episode, we talk about the "Springfield Cobra Scare," the pandemonium it caused and then …

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The Cobra Effect: Unintended Consequences in British India - REWIND 27:00

9M ago27:00

27:00

Originally released October 4, 2021. The Cobra Effect is a story of unintended consequences. In British-controlled India, the government tried to offer an incentive to help curb the rampant deadly cobra problem. Their solution backfired. This is the story of the model that economist & sociologists call the "Cobra Effect." Then comedy writer Jimmy M…

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Puffin Patrol: Throwing Puffins off a Cliff 49:44

9M ago49:44

49:44

Every fall in Iceland, local residents throw baby puffins off a cliff. It sounds cruel, but it's actually part of a conservation strategy. These "Puffling Patrols" are actually helping to mitigate human-caused disruptions to the Atlantic Puffin's natural migration patterns. In this episode, we talk about "humans being bros," the Atlantic Puffin, th…

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Crowd Sourcing World War II: The Normandy Photo Contest 38:00

9M ago38:00

38:00

The Military Intelligence required to land on the beaches of Normandy France in 1944 was massive. And while Allied Forces were up to the task in gathering terrain maps, soil samples and German defensive positions, a TON of valuable information was gained through a BBC Photography contest and photos submitted by the public. In this episode, we talk …

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Fake Stories & Real Items: Kurt Russell and the Guitar 40:08

9M ago40:08

40:08

Occasionally an item makes its way onto a movie set that has real-world value outside of the "silver screen." In a world where most props are manufactured or procured strictly to serve a purpose in a film, these real-world items have been seen on major feature films. In this episode, we'll talk about a few of these, and a mishap that ended in one o…

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New Years Eve: The TRUE History of the NYE Ball Drop - REWIND 22:47

10M ago22:47

22:47

Originally released January 4th, 2021. The dropping of the ball in NYC's Times Square on New Years Eve is a tradition seen by billions of people around the world. But did the tradition of dropping a ball start in New York? In this episode, we explore the real history of the dropping ball and quiz my friend, magician Peter Boie! Review this podcast …

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The German Christmas Pickle: Tradition or Marketing? REWIND 12:32

10M ago12:32

12:32

Originally released December 28, 2020. It's an age-old tradition on The Internet Says it's True! The Pickle Episode! Many Americans have heard of the age-honored German tradition of hanging Pickle-shaped ornament on the Christmas Tree. But is it really a tradition in Germany? This episode explores the truth and myths behind this German "tradition."…