by Why This Exists
Why This Exists is a collection of strange, memorable stories about the world — the kind that start with a simple question and spiral into psychology, history, economics, and human behavior. Each episode picks one idea, habit, or phenomenon and follows it somewhere unexpected, uncovering how it came to be and why it stuck. If something has ever made you pause and think “how did that happen?”, drop us a comment — we’re always looking for the next good question.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/4/2026
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
February 17, 2026
<p>Two countries share a border — but somehow leave a giant hole in the middle.<br>In this episode of Why This Exists, we unpack how mismatched colonial maps, legal stubbornness, and a much more valuable neighboring coastline created <strong>Bir Tawil</strong>, the only habitable land on Earth nobody wants.<br>Along the way, we’ll meet self-declared kings, ignored flags, and the strange logic that keeps a piece of desert officially ownerless.</p>
February 16, 2026
<p>A whisper, a tap, a brush of sound — and suddenly your whole body relaxes.<br>In this episode of Why This Exists, we trace how a strange, nameless “brain tingle” went from obscure internet posts to a massive online industry, and why our brains respond to these sounds like care.<br>Along the way, a few surprising connections reveal why this modern obsession may be rooted in something ancient.</p>
February 15, 2026
<p>In 1518, a woman stepped into the street — and couldn’t stop dancing.<br>In this episode of Why This Exists, we unpack the Dancing Plague of 1518, why hundreds of people in <strong>Strasbourg</strong> danced for weeks without rest, and how fear, famine, and belief turned panic into a deadly social contagion.<br>Along the way, we’ll explore how stress can hijack the human body — and why this bizarre medieval disaster still feels unsettlingly familiar today.</p>
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Why This Exists is a collection of strange, memorable stories about the world — the kind that start with a simple question and spiral into psychology, history, economics, and human behavior.
Each episode picks one idea, habit, or phenomenon and follows it somewhere unexpected, uncovering how it came to be and why it stuck.
If something has ever made you pause and think “how did that happen?”, drop us a comment — we’re always looking for the next good question.
This podcast updates daily.
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.