The Atlas Obscura Podcast

4.5 (1.5K)
PLACES & TRAVEL
UPDATED DAILY

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.

1D AGO · BONUS

We Want to Know: What’s a Place You Love That Has Defied Its Bad Reputation?

We want to hear about a place you love that has defied its bad reputation. Maybe there’s a drab local mall that’s full of chain stores and overpriced frozen yogurt that strangely gives you a sense of comfort. Maybe you love eating at chain restaurants while traveling. Maybe all your high school friends dunk on your hometown, but it’s the place you want to live forever. Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message telling us your name and story. Our mailbox will cut you off after two minutes so please call in if you get disconnected. Or you can record a voice memo and email it to us at hello@atlasobscura.com.

2 min
2D AGO

Pyramid of Djoser

Travel to the world’s oldest intact pyramid in Egypt - and learn about the genius who also influenced the fields of architecture, astronomy, medicine.

14 min
3D AGO

A Glass Palace in the Arizona Desert

In September 1991, eight people moved into Biosphere 2, a nearly airtight glass and steel complex in the Arizona desert. The half-acre farm at its centre would supply all their food. Plants, algae and photosynthesizing microorganisms would supply all their oxygen. If things went according to plan, they would have everything they needed to survive inside for two years – but a lot of people were betting against them. Mark Nelson wrote a book about his time in Biosphere 2 called Pushing Our Limits. Archival footage in this episode was provide by the Institute of Ecotechnics.

25 min
4D AGO

The Last Home Napoleon Would Know

In the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, on the tiny island of Saint Helena, sits the Longwood House. It was the final home of Napoleon Bonaparte. And while there – amidst the serenity Saint Helena has to offer – the former emperor of France became a more reflective person.

14 min
5D AGO

The Cave Below Minneapolis

An urban explorer ventured deep below downtown Minneapolis in search of Schieks Cave. He discovered more than he bargained for.

13 min
6D AGO

The 6-Day Race

For a brief window in the late 1800s, America’s favorite sport was walking in circles over and over and over. The biggest sporting events in the country were “6 Day Races” – days-long tests of endurance where competitive walkers competed to see who could log the most miles. Check out our guest Matthew Algeo’s book “Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America’s Favorite Sport.” And if you’re so inclined here is a selection of 6 Day Races that you can still compete in today: The Old Six Day, Six Days in the Dome, Across the Years (and a variation on the theme, the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race).

15 min
MAR 29

Times Square Hum (Classic)

Producer Johanna Mayer travels to Times Square in NYC, in search of particular sound that may sometimes go overlooked.

12 min
MAR 28

President Heads (Classic)

What to do when you have 20-foot-tall busts of nearly every U.S. President and nowhere to put them? This episode was produced in partnership with Visit Williamsburg.

11 min

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TRAILER

Introducing: The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Coming March 15: A new audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places.

02/26/2021

•

3 min

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SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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COMEDY
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COMEDY
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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COMEDY
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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DOCUMENTARY
Rotten but still a little sweet! Rotten Mango is a true crime + all things spooky podcast. We love doing deep dives into the darkest crimes and we tend to not leave out any details - which can get a little rotten at times. If you want deep dives in the psychology of killers, no holding back storytelling of crimes, and stories of lesser known criminals from around the world this is the place for you. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Rotten Mango ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

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TRUE CRIME

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4.5

out of 5

1,517 Ratings

Delightful inspiration

2d ago

NKayeB

I love all the quirky places and experiences that are highlighted on the podcast. I love traveling, and try to work in seeing something I’ve heard about. We just visited PistachiolLand in Alamogordo, NM and the Casa de Azucar in El Paso, TX.
The Best Way to Impress People at Dinner Parties

Mar 15

gigglygirl64

I love learning new things, whether it’s new places or fascinating creatures or strange places, I feel like my mind can never take in enough information! I also love impressing my friends with stories but not having to do any of the research! Seriously, I’ve been a faithful listener for years. I love that the information is in digestible language and length, and I feel like the hosts are friends. Thank you for making us curious about the world!!
Clever topics, too many add.

2d ago

Harvey Lime

The juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Kudos!

Mar 13

DvtedFan

Fascinating, curious, unusual stories that will make you marvel at the wonders of the universe and uniqueness of humankind

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.