Shows
Factoid PodcastBirth of Hip Hop/Operation Flagship/T24 FestivalChris is out this week, so Payton is joined by guests Kenton Steiner and Mark Artrip. Mark names his Mount Rushmore of Hip Hop. Kenton finds a sweepstakes too good to be true. Payton discovers the master of tent-pitching. They also discuss the surprising origins of Wayne County, Ohio.
Billboard's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time
The Best Rapper Alive, Every Year Since 19792025-02-0359 min
Factoid PodcastSaturnalia/Figgy PuddingPayton looks to Ancient Rome for new Christmas traditions. Chris struggles to understand the appeal of figgy pudding. They also discuss misleading thermometers on store-bought turkeys.2024-12-2328 minFactoid PodcastJon Breaks Bad News/Space Jam WebsiteChris brainstorms ideas for a new side gig. Payton explores ambitious web design trends from the 90s. They also discuss Denmark’s unorthodox use of cinnamon.2024-12-0943 minFactoid PodcastBlue LED Invention/Radio ManPayton discovers why lighting technology took so long to evolve. Chris dreams of becoming a background actor after studying one man’s unlikely path to stardom. They also discuss a cologne that smells like WD-40.2024-11-2533 minFactoid PodcastAudi Lease Hack/New Zealand Airport HugsChris finds a loophole for saving money on electric vehicles. Payton sets the record straight on the science behind hugs. They also discuss a prison guarded by geese.2024-11-1143 minFactoid PodcastKevinismus/Got2Go NYCPayton discovers the baggage associated with being named Kevin in Germany. Chris finds a map of New York’s best free toilets. They also discuss the merits of being considered unremarkable.2024-10-2833 minFactoid PodcastThe Snowplow Game/Fritz-KolaChris learns about an extremely unfair football game. Payton reports on the state of the German soda industry. They also discuss how Spanish grocery stores became the newest dating craze.2024-10-1436 minFactoid PodcastExcel Esports/Speed GolfPayton decides if competitive spreadsheets are greater than the =SUM of their parts. Chris debates if his love for golf is strong enough to make him tolerate running. They also discuss a secret cause of bad breath.2024-09-3037 minFactoid PodcastPhreaking/Democracy SausagesChris learns how to hack old phones using a box of Captain Crunch cereal. Payton eats too many hot dogs and learns why they are considered patriotic in Australia. They also discuss the best ways to spend a $2 bill.2024-09-1640 minFactoid PodcastThe Factoid Lightning RoundToday, we deliver 20 factoids to you with speed and efficiency! Find out who loses the competition and has to wear their clothes inside-out for a day.2024-09-0244 minFactoid PodcastChechen BPM Ban/Sailing SongbirdPayton falls in love with Eurovision and learns how Chechnya censors music based on tempo. Chris tracks the progress of a music teacher trying to circumnavigate the globe. They also discuss fixing your car by burying it underground.
Link to Lezginka music2024-08-1942 minFactoid PodcastHuy Fong Sriracha/Hobby HorsingChris recounts the fight that led to a change in his favorite hot sauce. Payton finds a new alternative to Olympic Equestrian. They also discuss the etymology of Chips Ahoy! cookies.2024-08-0539 minFactoid PodcastThe Running of the Interns/The Shed at DulwichPayton chronicles the annual race to deliver Supreme Court rulings. Chris finds the fanciest fake restaurant in London. They also discuss the snowboard's original (and much worse) name.2024-07-2237 minFactoid PodcastCheeseball Man/Earl of SandwichChris participates in an all-you-can-eat shrimp contest and finds a man who eats junk food for entertainment. Payton learns about the British nobility and how they influenced the common sandwich. They also discuss hiring a hermit to live in your garden.2024-07-0842 minFactoid PodcastJapanese Restaurant Reviews/MSCHF PT CruiserPayton chickens out of leaving a 3-star review and learns why that’s not a bad score in Japan. Chris discovers an unreliable ride-share alternative. They also discuss a South Park episode hidden inside a video game.2024-06-2441 minFactoid PodcastLargemouth Bass Record/ToxoplasmosisWe recorded today’s episode while fishing! Chris investigates a 90-year-old record with a fishy past. Payton discovers the parasite behind crazy cat ladies. They also discuss why the Midwest smells like a wet dog.2024-06-1051 minFactoid PodcastOud Fragrance/The Roller Coaster KingPayton watches The Devil Wears Prada and searches for his signature scent. Chris’s dad meets a legendary theme park guest. They also discuss the best way to throw a Pringle.2024-05-2746 minFactoid PodcastCourt TV Pranks/Urban TornadoesChris discovers a man who pretends to sue his friends. Payton takes shelter in his basement and wonders why his city never gets hit by tornadoes. They also discuss Target's advanced forensics division.
You can listen to Buck's podcast episode about tornadogenesis here.2024-05-1338 minFactoid PodcastPareidolia/The BallhawkPayton begins to see hidden faces in everyday objects. Chris studies a baseball fan’s strategy for catching 12,000 game balls. They also discuss how to be a successful video game pacifist.2024-04-2946 minFactoid PodcastListener Factoids Part 3We're back with more of your questions, including:
Why do we say adjectives in a very specific order?
What is the meaning behind handing someone a white feather?
What is the smallest crime I can commit on a cruise ship to be considered a pirate?
Thanks to everyone who wrote in!2024-04-1540 minFactoid Podcast808 Cowbell/Tony DeliversPayton tries his hand at music production and discovers a strangely widespread sound effect. Chris highlights a small business disrupting the food delivery industry. They also discuss a potato-based scoring metric for electric vehicle reviews.2024-04-0138 minFactoid PodcastBig Mac Obsession/Serbian BasketballChris learns that eating Big Macs for 50 years may not be that bad for your health. Payton practices his dunking skills and realizes why Serbian basketball players are better off without it. They also discuss the time when Roman calendars occasionally had 13 months.2024-03-1840 minFactoid PodcastOpen-Source Pancreas/Day of the GeesePayton searches for our biohacking future and finds it in an unlikely place. Chris learns practical (and impractical) ways to butcher poultry. They also discuss the accuracy of a Pokémon pedometer.2024-03-0438 minFactoid PodcastPrivate Jet Finance/Code GrandmaChris breaks down the minimum income needed to fly in style. Payton schemes up the best way to spread human ashes at Disney. They also discuss movie awards only eligible to old people.2024-02-1946 minFactoid PodcastDeath Row DnD/Tetris Kill ScreenPayton discovers how prisoners learn financial management by playing Dungeons & Dragons. Chris marvels at the wild hand dexterity it takes to truly win a game of Tetris. They also discuss a phone that survived a 16,000 ft drop.2024-02-0550 minFactoid PodcastLondon Bridge Thrifting/Maple Syrup SweatChris explores how a popular nursery rhyme resulted in an Arizona tourist trap. Payton adjusts his body chemistry to make his armpits smell faintly of pancakes. They also discuss how to build a second brain.2024-01-2242 minFactoid PodcastSnake Detection Theory/The Pucker FactorPayton experiences firsthand how well humans can spot a snake in the wild. Chris discovers the lengths skydivers will go for the ultimate adrenaline rush. They also discuss one of General Electric’s bizarre business ventures.
Enter our Factoid Christmas Giveaway at chrisandpayton.fun2024-01-0832 min
Factoid PodcastChristmas FactoidsGather ’round the virtual fireplace and learn something new about Christmas! Chris learns why fruitcake has such a bad reputation. Payton traces the history of Batman’s inclusion in Jingle Bells parodies. They also discuss how poop plays a major role in Spanish Christmas traditions.
Enter our Factoid Christmas Giveaway at chrisandpayton.fun2023-12-2545 minFactoid PodcastRat Utopia/Pulped FictionPayton learns about societal collapse through a lab rat experiment. Chris discovers a man recycling old copies of The DaVinci Code into new copies of 1984. They also discuss how a lady once bought a new car for 1,395 bananas.2023-12-1126 minFactoid PodcastListener Factoids Part 2We answer more of your burning questions, including:
Which kind of turkeys are the tastiest?
Who decided Peggy was a good nickname for Margaret?
Why do men think about the Roman Empire so much?
Thanks to everyone who wrote in!2023-11-2737 minFactoid PodcastThe Hodag/Cheese RollingChris hunts down the truth about a legendary cryptid in Wisconsin. Payton discovers a dangerous sport where competitors pursue a cheese wheel down a steep hill. They also discuss a frying pan allegedly forged in 30,000° heat.
Our next Listener Episode is on Cyber Monday, so send your questions to whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-11-1338 min
Factoid PodcastHalloween FactoidsWe get a bit spookier today in our Halloween-themed episode! Payton warns us about phrogging and the people who may secretly live undetected in your home. Chris tries to understand why we're all afraid of clowns while grappling with the fact that he himself exhibits many clownlike behaviors. They also discuss the lethal dose of candy corn and a soda-based serial killer.2023-10-3035 minFactoid PodcastChuck E. Cheese Lore/Ancient Fart JokesChris dives into the real and fictional backstories of everyone's favorite animatronic mouse. Payton realizes humanity has been telling the same jokes for 5,000 years. We also discuss film festival standing ovations that somehow last for twenty minutes.
"The Story of Chuck E. Cheese" Ebook: https://issuu.com/chuckecheeses/docs/the_story_of_chuck_e?e=11869875%2F7768485
Mentioned Article: https://blog.adafruit.com/2018/05/10/robot-archeology-chuck-e-cheese-and-showbiz-pizza-animatronics-makerobotfriend-robots-adafruit2023-10-1631 minFactoid PodcastAmerican Horsemeat Consumption/The Jeep WavePayton is so hungry that he could eat a horse, but can't find anyone who can legally sell him horsemeat. Chris breaks down the social hierarchy behind who waves first when two Jeeps cross paths. They also discuss the upcoming shift in McDonald's drink-filling policy.2023-10-0237 minFactoid PodcastPigeon Data Transfer/Human EcholocationChris discovers a surprisingly effective way to send large amounts of data. Payton contemplates if we can truly know what it's like to be a bat. They also discuss a perpetual stew that's been cooking for 50 years.
Jeff Geerling's Pigeon Data Transfer Experiment2023-09-1830 minFactoid PodcastChicken Image Stabilization/JalapeñogatePayton considers adding a chicken to his video production workflow. Chris discovers why so many people accidentally grew the wrong peppers this year. We also discuss the Heinz Remix sauce vending machine.
Video of Payton testing a chicken's stabilization capabilities2023-09-0423 minFactoid PodcastArbitrary Code Execution/Japanese Guilty VerdictsChris learns how to warp straight to the credits of Super Mario World with a series of carefully-timed button presses. Payton's obsession with a video game about Japanese lawyers actually teaches him about injustices in the Japanese legal system. They also discuss how bulls and bears became the mascots of Wall Street.2023-08-2128 minFactoid PodcastGoat Lawn Care/GPS Traffic RedirectionPayton hires a goat to take care of a poison ivy infestation. Chris invents a new way to get more customers for your garage sale. He also steps into the world of bartering.2023-08-0726 minFactoid PodcastHatred For Nickelback/Asbestos Magic TricksChris discovers the real reason why everyone began to despise Nickelback. Payton teaches us how to use asbestos to impress your friends at a dinner party. We also discuss how the entire population of South Korea just got slightly younger.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-07-2435 minFactoid PodcastListener FactoidsToday we tackle topics that you wanted to know more about, including:
Why are killer whales attacking boats all of a sudden?
Why do we know so little about the mating habits of eels?
Why can't you wear white after Labor Day?
Why do so many English words have silent letters?
Thanks to everyone who wrote in!2023-07-1047 minFactoid PodcastThe Late-Night Flight of Tommy Fitz/Vampire GardenersChris gives a cautionary tale about how a competitive spirit can lead to drunken plane rides down the streets of New York. Payton learns the true origin of vampires and how to preoccupy one with tedious labor. We also give a warning to anyone planning a trip to Paris.
We have a special episode airing on July 10th where we'll discuss topics submitted by our listeners! Send your topic suggestions to whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-06-2624 minFactoid PodcastAntarctica Accent/StenographyPayton discovers a new accent forming in the research stations at the South Pole. Chris teaches us about the world's fastest typists who provide captions for live TV. He also shares a PSA for the seven people who buy Coke at Dunkin' Donuts.
We have a special episode airing on July 10th where we'll discuss topics submitted by our listeners! Send your topic suggestions to whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.
Further Reading
Quiznos Subs Commercial
Future American Accent2023-06-1227 minFactoid PodcastThe Barkley Marathon/Kim Jong Il's Perfect Game of GolfChris runs through the ridiculous rules for the world's most grueling ultramarathon. Payton tells the apocryphal tale of how a former North Korean dictator shot 38 under par on his first round of golf. We also discuss Bo Jackson's recent bout with the hiccups.
We have a special episode airing on July 10th where we'll discuss topics submitted by our listeners! Send your topic suggestions to whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-05-2929 minFactoid PodcastThe Laff Box/Underwater Internet TubesPayton tells the story of a machine that gave one man a 30-year monopoly on television laugh tracks. Chris takes us underwater to the cables that have connected the world for much longer than you would think. We also discuss new software that can hear what you're typing, but not very well.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.
Further Reading
Payton's Middle School Math Joke Monologue
Laff Box Demo Video2023-05-1545 minFactoid PodcastDead Pig Collectors/Philadelphia Battery ThrowersChris uncovers the black market that disposes of China's out-of-control dead pig population. Payton heads down to the ballpark with his trusty 9-volt to discuss Philadelphia's history of throwing batteries at athletes. We also discuss copyright law in the clown industry.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.
Further Reading
Clown Egg Registry
Dead Pig Collector Novel2023-05-0133 minFactoid PodcastUtah's Dirty Soda/5¢ Coca-ColaNo matter how hard we try, we can't stop talking about soda! Payton tries his first Dr. Pepper and learns the strange way Utah takes its soft drinks. Chris recounts the tale of Coca-Cola's desperate attempts to raise the price of their bottles above five cents.2023-04-1730 minFactoid PodcastThe Cannonball Run/Lava Lamp CybersecurityChris dives into a community known for illegal cross-country racing. Payton discovers how a tech company uses lava lamps in order to keep your data safe. We also speculate on the commercial availability of flying cars.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.
Further Reading
Honda Commercial
Ed Bolian's Book About His Cannonball Run
Ed's Cannonball Run
Prius Cannonball Solo Record
Cloudflare Lava Lamp Blog Post
Silicon Graphics' LavaRand
2023-04-0333 minFactoid PodcastVending Machines For Crows/Vending Machine HacksGrab a bag of Cheetos and listen to this episode all about vending machines! Payton teaches us about the burgeoning market of crow vending machines. Chris gets into the slugbusting scene and explores the history of hacking vending machines. Plus, we learn about fish who trade stocks and commit credit card fraud.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-03-2032 minFactoid PodcastDishwasher Salmon/Babe Ruth's Called ShotPayton learns a new cooking technique. Chris uncovers disputed baseball legends through the lens of The Sandlot.
Want to share a factoid of your own? Email us at whatsyours@factoidpodcast.com.2023-03-0727 min
Factoid PodcastFactoid Podcast TrailerWelcome to the Factoid Podcast! Join Chris Umphryes and Payton Gessel as they share all of their useless knowledge with you every other Monday.2023-03-0600 min