Stuff You Should Know - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I have been listening to SYSK for three years and am almost caught up on all the episodes. At least three times a day I start a sentence with “So Josh and Chuck said…” or “I was listening to Josh and Chuck and…” I also recommend SYSK whenever anyone asks for podcast recs, or even if they don’t.
Thanks for being the people in my ears as I have been going to therapist school the past few years, SYSK has been a breath of fresh air and one of the few things I have done “for me” during this time. I love sneaking in an episode while I’m getting ready for the day, driving to work, or cooking dinner. It makes mundane things feel fun, which is important when you don’t have time for real fun things. Almost done with the MSW, but not even close to being done with being an SYSK army member 🫡

I’ve been listening to SYSK for 5 years, been to one live show and am going to another one this year! The camaraderie between Josh and Chuck is both endearing and hilarious. Personally, I love the tangents. It adds to it for me. I feel like I’m part of the conversation, and we’re chatting, and being nerdy amongst friends. But mostly... it’s stuff you should know. It’s well researched from reputable sources. They are presenting facts, and if they accidentally misrepresent the info, they will humbly acknowledge that. That doesn’t mean there’s not opinions... BUT they encourage listeners to take the info and form their own opinions. “We’re just touching the surface” of info here. The breadth of topics will give you plenty of hours listening... and leaping off points for doing your own research. Fun, easy, informative, addictive listen!

That Stuff You Should Know podcast is both informative and entertaining, making it the perfect companion for hours of learning. My spouse and I enjoy listening on long drives, turning every trip into a fun educational experience. Josh and Chuck’s witty banter keeps things light and engaging. They make learning fun as they breakdown complex subjects in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether it’s history, science, or quirky facts, the podcast keeps you engaged and often you are laughing as much as you are learning. Plus, it’s a great way to stay awake and entertained at work! Whether you’re on the road or at the office, this podcast is a must!

These guys are it. This show has gotten me through boredom, depression, anxiety, grief, quitting smoking, getting fired, the pandemic, family illness, family wellness, family trauma, new jobs, breaks ups, breakthroughs, breakdowns and most recently, ELECTION FATIGUE. I come away from every episode with just a little more information than I started with. Do I retain every grain of data? No way, but just comb through the episodes! You’re guaranteed to find something to fascinate you while waiting for: bus, plane, Uber, train, self driving taxi, pizza delivery, baby delivery, dentist’s appointments, doctor’s appointments, therapy appointments, basically any kind of appointment. Heck, there’s an episode devoted to most of the stuff I listed. It’s the show about EVERYTHING. You cannot go wrong. Just go listen. Want a first episode recommendation? How The Great Train Robbery Worked. Not to be missed. Do something good for your psyche. Give “Stuff” a CHANCE.

Oof, do not bother. The secondhand embarrassment alone for their attempts at humor is next level. Thought I’d start strong with a “classic” episode but couldn’t make it 5 minutes in. Just a couple exceedingly boring and unlikable guys unconcerned with correct pronunciation, accuracy on the topic, sensitivity to kids getting fatally hurt... you get it. Hard pass.

This pod is my regular listen, I can always count on new episodes and some interesting content. For the younger crowd (me) - it can get a bit boring during some of the host’s tangents, as they are all references to old guy bands and culture, but usually still good vibes all around. My main criticism is that although they are usually pretty with the times, they can be a bit sexist (and racist) - for example they always make sure to caveat anecdotes in episodes featuring historical women as “probably not true, or could be made up” but for men they usually just say “wow this guy is so amazing!” (see the latest episode on Grand Canyon explorer who they took anecdotal stories told about him as face value). They also sometimes go overboard trying to excuse racist behavior as “a sign of the times” for historical figures in some episodes (see the latest episode about Dr. Suess. Like, we know it was a long time ago, that doesn’t make it not racist…). Overall I would recommend this podcast to most of my friends.