9 Crazy Stories About Debt (Including when you could pay your rent in Eels?!)

9 Crazy Stories About Debt (Including when you could pay your rent in Eels?!)

What’s more fun than financial debt? Honestly, just about anything! But the team here has a knack for finding the silly side of any subject, and the history of people owing money to each other is no exception. Today, the guys share some out-of-the-box ideas for settling a debt, including paying your rent with a bunch of dead eels (looking at you, medieval England!) and recording an IRS-themed country album (looking at you, Willie Nelson!). They also discover why a small town in Oregon decided to foot the bill for the Boston Tea Party, and reveal which country is the most reliable debtor in the EU (hint, they’re also big into saunas).

Check out Dr. Greenlee’s Eel-Rents Project at historiacartarum.org!

Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email higeniuses@gmail.com or leave us a message at (302) 405-5925.

Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya via Unsplash. Thanks, Towfiqu!

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Episoder(421)

Why Are We Obsessed with World Records?

Why Are We Obsessed with World Records?

There’s a reason records books are routinely stolen from libraries! Learn just how hard it is to grow the world’s longest fingernails; why India’s lone records judge has the hardest job in the world, and how chainsawing apples out of your mouth can lead to glory. Featuring Dan Rollman. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Jul 201745min

Your Weird Summer Travel Guide!

Your Weird Summer Travel Guide!

Guess what happens when we try to pick the top 8 U.S. museums to visit? (Spoiler: we accidentally end up with 11 on the list.) From a mecca of Kazoos to a dinner theater in a mine, here are the places you shouldn’t miss. Plus, facts about SPAM! Featuring Dylan Thuras. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Jul 201744min

Is Flavor Really All In Your Brain?

Is Flavor Really All In Your Brain?

Why heavier bowls, a pair of headphones and an electronic lollipop can trick your mind grapes into making food tastier. Plus, the legend of the PB and Mayo sandwich. (And one very cute pepper to avoid!) Featuring Bob Holmes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Jun 201739min

Who's our Weirdest President?

Who's our Weirdest President?

Will and Mango plan to build a new Rushmore. But who deserves to be on it? Chester "too many pants" Arthur? Calvin "Vaseline Head" Coolidge? Or just the legendary M Van B? Featuring Cormac O'Brien. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Jun 201737min

Can We Feed 10 Billion?

Can We Feed 10 Billion?

It won’t be long before we get more roommates on Planet Earth. But how will we feed them? Here are some of the weirdest solutions: from Teddy Roosevelt’s Hippo scheme, to bunny balls, to the miracle hiding in the Congo. Featuring William MacAskill. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Jun 201742min

Let's Build the Ultimate Superhero Animal!

Let's Build the Ultimate Superhero Animal!

Sure, cheetahs are fast, and blue whales are big. But when it comes to skills, those chumps have nothing on platypus honkers and salamander brains. Meet the animals who deserve Marvel spin-offs. Featuring Emily Graslie. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Jun 201740min

Why is Ayn Rand a Political Rock Star?

Why is Ayn Rand a Political Rock Star?

Rand consistently tops polls of influential authors. Libertarians worship her; teens can’t stop reading her. But what makes her so compelling? Also, why was she obsessed with Morris the Cat? Featuring John Green. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Jun 201750min

How Clean Should We Be?

How Clean Should We Be?

Is our obsession with cleanliness keeping us from peak health? Also, can hookworm cure allergies? Will harvesting panda poop make you rich? And why Amish dust is superior to other dust (seriously!). Featuring Penny Sarchet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Jun 201740min

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