Certified Nonsense

About Certified Nonsense

Certified Nonsense is a podcast dedicated to the strange, the absurd, and the questions that absolutely do not need answers—but get them anyway. Every episode begins with a random thought that wandered into my brain and refused to leave. Then we pull on the thread and see where it goes. From hidden tides in puddles and the Great Emu War to maritime superstitions about rabbits, bananas, and Fridays, Certified Nonsense explores real science, history, and curiosity through questions most people would never think to ask. If you've ever lost thirty minutes wondering about something completely ri

Publisher

Chief Nonsense Officer

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 May 2026

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Social Security: The Program That Changed Growing Old in America

   Today, Social Security is woven into the fabric of American life, providing financial support to millions of retirees, disabled workers, and surviving family members. But before its creation, growing old in America often meant facing poverty, dependence on relatives, or life in a poorhouse. In this episode of Certified Nonsense, we explore the history of Social Security, why it was created, and how it became one of the most influential government programs in American history. We'll travel back to the early twentieth century, when industrialization weakened traditional family support systems and most workers had little protection against the financial realities of aging. The Great Depression exposed this vulnerability on a national scale as millions lost their jobs, homes, and life savings, leaving countless elderly Americans with nowhere to turn. The episode follows President Franklin D. Roosevelt's efforts to address this crisis through the Social Security Act of 1935, a groundbreaking program designed not as welfare, but as a system of social insurance funded through contributions from workers and employers. We'll examine how the program operates, why Social Security numbers were created, and how payroll taxes support benefits for current retirees. We'll also explore how Social Security evolved beyond retirement benefits to include disability insurance and survivor benefits, helping transform it into one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in U.S. history. Finally, we'll discuss the demographic challenges facing the system today, including longer life expectancies and changing workforce trends, and why debates about its future remain so important. At its heart, Social Security represents a simple but profound question: what responsibility does a society have to those who have spent their lives contributing to it? This is the story of how America answered that question and forever changed what it means to grow old in the United States.

2. 

   2 Oct 2026

   The Praying Mantis Marriage Problem: Love, Death, and Dinner

   Praying mantises are among the most fascinating predators in the insect world, combining incredible hunting abilities, remarkable camouflage, and one of nature's most infamous mating rituals. In this episode of Certified Nonsense, we explore the biology, life cycle, and survival strategies of these alien-looking hunters while separating fact from fiction about their notorious reputation. We'll examine how praying mantises grow from eggs protected inside a hardened ootheca, develop through a series of molts, and mature into highly specialized ambush predators. With heads that can rotate nearly 180 degrees and some of the best vision found among insects, mantises rely on patience, camouflage, and lightning-fast strikes to capture prey. While most feed on insects such as flies, beetles, and bees, larger species have been known to catch frogs, lizards, and even hummingbirds. The episode then tackles the famous "marriage problem" that has made mantises legendary. Popular culture often portrays female mantises as ruthless mates that always consume their partners, but the reality is far more complex. We'll explore the science behind sexual cannibalism, why it occurs, the evolutionary advantages it may provide, and how environmental conditions influence the behavior. Along the way, we'll uncover one of the strangest facts in biology: in some cases, mating can continue even after the male has lost his head. Finally, we'll look at the role mantises play in the ecosystem, both as predators and prey, and discover how scientists are studying their vision and strike mechanics to inspire advances in robotics and biomechanics. Far from being villains, praying mantises are highly specialized survivors shaped by millions of years of evolution. Join us as we explore the strange world of the praying mantis—an insect that proves nature can be far stranger than fiction.

3. 

   25 Sept 2026

   The Explorers Club: From the North Pole to the Moon

   Founded in New York City in 1904, The Explorers Club became the gathering place for some of history's greatest adventurers, scientists, and pioneers. Created during the Heroic Age of Exploration, the organization was established to support those who ventured into the field to expand human knowledge, whether in the Arctic, the deepest oceans, remote jungles, or eventually outer space. In this episode of Certified Nonsense, we explore the origins of the club, its mission to advance scientific exploration, and the remarkable individuals who helped build its legendary reputation. From Roald Amundsen's journey to the South Pole and Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mount Everest to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's footsteps on the Moon, the club's membership reads like a who's who of exploration history. We also examine the work of renowned researchers such as Jane Goodall and Jacques Cousteau, whose discoveries transformed our understanding of the natural world. The episode also delves into two of the club's most famous traditions: the iconic Explorers Club Flag, carried on expeditions from Everest to the lunar surface, and the legendary annual dinner that celebrates the adventurous spirit of its members. Finally, we look at how exploration continues in the modern era through deep-ocean research, climate science, cave exploration, archaeology, and space missions. We'll also explain what it takes to join The Explorers Club and why it remains one of the world's most respected organizations for those dedicated to discovery. From the polar ice caps to the stars, this is the story of an organization built on humanity's endless desire to find out what lies beyond the next horizon.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.