Superstitions...and Penny Problem Solving

Send us Fan Mail A stubborn cold, a cursed bottle cap, and a Halloween cape with a thousand wrinkles set the stage for a conversation about the tiny beliefs that steer our choices. We laugh our way through dubious trends like “hot chocolate” electrolytes and the red-wine-on-ice-cream craze, then stop cold at a time capsule from 1916: a message in a bottle penned by two Australian soldiers on their way to war. That letter, hopeful and human, unlocks the real heart of the episode—why we cling to rituals when life gets unpredictable. From there, we chart how yesterday’s taboos became today’s habits: no shoes on the bed, avoid ladders, toss salt, knock on wood. We trace ladders back to Egyptian sacred geometry, salt to ancient protection rites, and tapping wood to tree spirits that once stood in for luck. Along the way, we own our personal rituals—phone solitaire during turbulence, pre-show handshakes that flip nerves into focus—and talk about the moment a superstition helps rather than rules. Then we go global: Sweden’s no-keys-on-the-table rule, Turkey’s no gum at night, Japan’s tucked thumbs by graveyards, Australia’s “rabbit rabbit” for monthly luck, and feng shui warnings about mirrors facing the bed. Each one is a window into how cultures turn uncertainty into something you can hold. We even discuss the recent penny shortage! If pennies cost more than they’re worth to mint, do they disappear—and does a lucky find still count? Whether it’s a coin on the sidewalk or a whispered Hail Mary when sirens wail, we’re all trying to stitch meaning into the noise. Hit play for stories, history, and a clear-eyed take on when superstition is wisdom in disguise. If this conversation made you smile, nod, or text a friend “rabbit rabbit,” follow the show, leave a quick review, and share your favorite superstition with us. Mike Haggerty Buick GMC Right on the corner, right on the price! Head down to 93rd & Cicero & tell them the Noras sent you! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.