PODCAST · education
A Vague Knowledge of Everything
by Rosemary Cusson-O'Brien and Hope Collins
A conversational podcast which talks about a different topic every week that we only had a vague knowledge of before. From the CDC, to the Electoral College, to the difference between Polygamy and Polyamory, we aim to learn as much as possible about the world around us.
Episodes
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Induction Part 2: Birth Story
In this episode, Rosy breaks down the story of the birth of her daughter. This is for all the people out there who want to hear more about the process of birth than "It's a miracle" and "It's all worth it in the end!" We talk about how her induction worked, some gory details about childbirth, the...
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Labor Induction: Natural and Medical Methods
Rosy just had her baby, and she wants to talk about induction! In this episode, we discuss many methods that induce labor, or claim to. From pineapple and red raspberry leaf tea to Cervidil and Pitocin, we cover the way that labor is induced in the hospital, as well as the many ways people try to...
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What's it Like to Get an IUD? Hope Explains it All!
In this episode, Hope tells us the stories of getting each of her IUDs. What it's supposed to be like, what it was like for her, and why it's still her preferred method of birth control!
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Pregnancy Part 3: Free Stuff for Pregnant People! Plus a Small Rant
Surprise! You can get free stuff for being pregnant! In this episode, we mostly talk about free welcome boxes connected to registries, how to get a free pump, should you need or want one, and where to look for new but reduced price baby gear. Please forgive us for the rant about parents judging...
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Pregnancy Part 2: What to Expect in a Prenatal Appointment, Plus Weird Pregnancy Side Effects
In this episode, we discuss the basics of a prenatal appointment: Why are they always doing urine and blood tests? What do they test for, and why? What can you expect from a midwife or OB? Rosy didn't know any of this before pregnancy, and no one really explained it, so here's a crash course! We...
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Pregnancy Part 1: Inclusive Language and Weight Stigma in Pregnancy Care
This is part one of our pregnancy series. It was going to be one episode, but it turns out Rosy has a lot to say. In this episode, we talk about the reasons to use inclusive language when talking about pregnancy, what that really sounds like, and why it's not taking anything away from us as...
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The Origins of Christmas with Dr. Sandra Collins!
Hope's mom joins us once again to talk about the origins of Christmas! Dr. Collins is a professor of Sacred Scriptures at Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh, PA. Happy Holidays from A Vague Knowledge of Everything!
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A Christmas Carol: History, Context, and our Dream Casting Choices
This episode is a discussion of the story A Christmas Carol, the history and context in which it was written, and the contradictory values of its writer, Charles Dickens. We also thought it would be fun to share our dream casting choices!
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The Racist Roots of Tipping in the US (But Why it's Very Necessary... for Now)
Tipping, like many customs in the US, has roots in racism. Strange, but true. And today, tips do not function as extra money for a job well done, as many people believe. Rather, they are factored into the equation as part of a tipped worker's overall pay. It's a messed up system all the way, and...
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Paris Hilton and the Utah Troubled Teen Industry
Paris Hilton is one of the many people who are coming forward with claims of abuse they experienced as children and teens at residential "schools" and "treatment programs" in Utah. These allegations of abuse are widespread and very upsetting, but they may be leading to reform in some areas. We…
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Weed Gummies+Halloween Candy? Don't Believe the Fear-Mongering
In this episode we discuss the few instances where Halloween candy has been tampered with, and spoiler alert: There has never been a verified instance of anyone giving out cannabis edibles in the history of the United States! To explain why the fear-mongering around this possibility is silly, we...
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Therapy in the Media: the Good, the Bad, and the Completely Inaccurate
In this episode, we talk about the way therapy and therapists are portrayed (often incorrectly) in TV and other media. Specific examples include House, This is Us, 50/50, The Haunting of Hill House, Ted Lasso, and Life in Pieces.
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Olympics, Part 3: Olympians to Celebrate!
After learning so many negative things about the Olympics, we decided it was time to focus on some good stuff. In this episode, we tell some uplifting stories about Olympians standing up for themselves and each other, even when it might result in harsh consequences.
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Abortion History in the US, and What the Hell Just Happened in Texas??
This episode is about the history of abortion in the United States, and it may surprise you. It turns out abortion has only fairly recently become taboo in US history (even in religious communities). Given this historical background, we also discuss the impact of recent abortion legislation in...
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Olympics, Part 2! Surya, Tonya, and Simone
In this episode, we discuss how many Olympians, particularly women, are exploited and pitted against each other in ways that have nothing to do with their chosen sports. From Surya Bonaly's amazing and illegal backflip, to Tonya Harding's vilification, to Simone Biles' courage in the face of...
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The Misdeeds of Tom Cruise: Some Very Good Reasons to Boycott Top Gun 2
Tom Cruise smiles a lot, but that doesn't mean he's a very nice dude. Over the past few years, we've learned some things that make us want this man to be de-platformed. From the company he keeps, to allegations of of creepy arranged relationship, to even more allegations of recent arrogant and...
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Mulan 2020 Vs. Mulan 1998!- Which is Better and Why?
Hope got angry while watching one of the versions of Mulan, and we decided that we had to talk about it! We'll be comparing and contrasting symbolism, themes, feminism (or lack thereof) in both movies, plus much more! Disclaimer: Neither of us is Chinese, so we kept the culture-specific critiques...
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The Olympics Are Really Messed Up!- An Introduction
In this episode, Hope gives us a brief overview of how completely messed up the Olympics are (and always have been). For a very long time, the Olympics have ignored political violence in their host countries, caused massive destruction to the people living in spaces that were made into Olympic...
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The Case for Cannabis: Ep 4, 1940s to Present (US)
This episode is a quick run through of the laws and attitudes around cannabis use in the US after the 1937 Marihuana Tax Act through today. It is by no means comprehensive, rather it is an overview of how attitudes towards cannabis have changed, or, more commonly, stayed the same over the years.…
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#girlboss, part 2: 5 MLMs to AVOID!
In our previous MLM episode, we went over the structure of multi level marketing companies, the insidious ways they target and mislead vulnerable groups, and some of the people who sing their praises. This episode, we will be providing examples, by counting down Rosy's top 5 MLMS to avoid. All...
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#GirlBoss - MLMs and the Problematic People Who Support Them
This episode discusses multi-level marketing companies. We go over the differences between MLMs and Pyramid Schemes, the problematic structures that often lead to people going into debt, and profile just a few of the ardent supporters of this business model. DISCLAIMER: This is absolutely not...
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"Masculinity and Fatherhood"- A Conversation with Mark Collins
In honor of Father's day, this episode is all about fatherhood and masculinity. Hope's dad, Mark, tells us all about his experiences with fatherhood, and how how raising three daughters shaped him into the man he is today. And stay tuned until the end to hear a throwback clip of Rosy's dad, Paul,...
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"If You Like it, You're a Fan" - Combatting Gatekeeping in the Gamer Community
In this episode, we invite Hope's ex-boyfriend (AKA husband), Griffin, and our good friend Rob, to talk to us about gatekeeping as it relates to video games and gaming culture. We discuss the reasons people gatekeep, the harm it does, the implicit or explicit sexism involved, and how to recognize...
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From Vagina Candles to Energy Healing: A Brief History of Goop (Including Goop Lab)
This episode was meant to be two parts, but the editing didn't seem to work out, so its coming at you as a supersized podcast. First we discuss Gwyneth Paltrow, the origin of Goop, and its meteoric rise. Then we take the second half to talk about the very problematic Netflix show that came out of...
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The Case For Cannabis: Ep. 3 - Codifying Racism: The US 1937 Marihuana Tax Act
In this episode, we discuss the early use of cannabis in the US and the overt racism that led to its prohibition. Its a pretty wild ride, and Harry Anslinger is at wheel. Join us for a dive into the origins of the United States' embarrassing and anti-factual stance on cannabis.
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"I'm Crying Tears of Empowerment"- Captain Marvel and Sexist Double Standards
In this episode, Hope takes us through the story of how some comic book "fans" tried to tank Captain Marvel before it even came out. We also discuss the sexist double standards faced by any female actor playing a superhero, especially in a standalone movie.
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"F*** You, Beau Brummel!"- The Fascinating and Frustrating Roots of Modern Masculinity with Capt. Brendan
Our good friend Brendan Reed joins us this week to talk about masculinity. From the Stoics, to chivalry, to Beau Brummel and beyond, the history of what we call masculinity, is a complicated story that gives meaningful context to the way we view men in society today, and the way they view...
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The Case for Cannabis, Ep 2- Trichomes, Terpenes, and the Endocannabinoid System
In this episode, we discuss how cannabis works in the human body. We go over the basic compounds found in cannabis and how each of these can be helpful (or harmful in some cases). Also, Rosy shares her experiences as a cannabis user in the US, how it varies state to state, and what she had to do…
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JK Rowling's Misinformation and Prejudice Against Trans People- A Mini Dive/Factcheck
In this episode Hope and Rosy talk about why people are calling JK Rowling transphobic. We discuss her activity on Twitter, in addition to the essay she posted on her website, breaking down the timeline, and talking about the difference between her version of events and what actually took place....
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The Case for Cannabis: Part 1 - Medical Marijuana Basics (US)
As a medical marijuana patient, Rosy is very passionate about legalizing cannabis. This series will discuss different aspects of the conversation, starting with the medicinal benefits that many people get from medical marijuana.
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The History of Easter With Dr. Sandra Collins!
Before Easter, we sat down with our resident Theology expert, Hope's Mom! Don't worry, she's a real expert, and has a wealth of knowledge on the topic. She told us about the history of Easter, and the spread of Christianity in the Western world.
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Bad Science, Dangerously Misapplied- The Story of the BMI
In this episode we talk about the history of the Body Mass Index, and why it should absolutely not be a metric by which to measure individual health. We also get into medical bias, fat-shaming, and why methodology in scientific studies is super important. Have fun getting angry with us!
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"Who Hurt You, Alton Brown?"- Competition Cooking Shows
In this episode we discuss our shared love of The Great British Bakeoff, explore whatever the hell Cutthroat Kitchen is, and Rosy forgets the existence of the word disguise.
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Stop Saying People are "Drinking the Kool-Aid" - Jonestown and the People's Temple
This episode focuses on the story of the massacre of Jonestown. We talk about the methods through which Jim Jones amassed hundreds of followers, and how their "Father" became their collective tormentor. We compare Jones methods with NXIVM and Scientology, breaking down the things that led to the...
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Community Guidelines Mean Nothing if Companies Won't Play by Their Own Rules
We created this episode to address the growing number of fake or plagiarized YouTube videos out there, giving people "life hacks" that are more trouble than they are worth, or creating baking videos that will never yield the promised result. After discussing that, we took a trip to YouTube's...
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"This is Why We Have a Code of Ethics!" - Henrietta Lacks and HeLa Cells
In this episode, Hope explains the story of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose extraordinary cells have been used to fuel medical research for decades. As we make our way through the story, as told by Rebecca Skloot, in her book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," we discuss the importance of...
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"Wait, Are You a Big Deal?" - An Interview with One of the Founders of Valve Games
Ever meet someone in one context, then realize later that, in a different context, that person is kinda famous? Well, that happened for Rosy this month, when she contacted an old friend she was pretty sure was a video game designer. As it turns out, he was one of the founders of Valve, and did a...
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"Pack Yourself Up, and Move On"- A Conversation About Gender Expression and Healthcare in the Trans Community
In this Episode, we talked to Brogan McGowan, a new/old friend of Hope's. We talked with them about their experiences being mistreated by the medical community, and their efforts since to grow awareness about the lack of access to, or traumatic experiences within the US Healthcare system....
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"You Have to Answer in a Timely Manner!" - Weddings, Part 1, Proposals and Engagement Rings
In this episode, Hope and Rosy talk marriage! Not to each other, to our partners. We cover our proposal stories, our thoughts on engagement rings, and how much Rosy loves to be right.
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The US Capitol Insurrection and Weimar Germany
We are once again joined by Capt. Ryan Downs! After a discussion of the recent attack on the capitol building, Ryan breaks down the parallels between the current US political climate and that of Germany after WWI. Digressions include Eddie Izzard, Jim Jones, and our friend Brendan, who we just...
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Sorry, but... You're Wrong About Corsets
In this episode, Rosy rants to Hope about how corsets get a bad rap. We go into the history of corsets, stays, bust bodices, and other structured undergarments, talking about the history, how these garments were made and worn, and why so many people assume they were torturous symbols of…
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Pets as Presents?- What to Consider Before Gifting an Animal
In this episode, Hope and Rosy gush about their pets, past and present, and we bust a very common myth about Animal adoption around the holidays. Also in this episode is a rundown of what should be considered before adopting an animal (dogs in particular), plus Selkie the podcat makes her (tiny,...
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"Please, Sir, May I Have a Dollar?" -Non-profits with Mark Scibinico
This week, Hope and Rosy are joined by Mark Scibinico, the Director of Maritime Operations for the Galveston Historical Foundation, to talk about non-profit organizations. What are they, what are they allowed to do, and what are they prohibited from doing? Why did the NFL used to be one? All this...
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Addicts Matter- Addiction and Recovery
In this episode, Hope and Rosy talk about addiction and recovery with Hope's sister, Faith. Faith tells her story, and we discuss how drug addiction is dealt with in the US, versus other countries who have had great success adopting a harm reduction model. Also, there's a good story about a...
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Politicizing Public Health- The CDC
In this episode, Hope and Rosy compare and contrast the origins of the CDC with how it functions today. We also briefly discuss the TV show "The Crown" and how Hope discovered gravity!
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"Everybody Loves a Leo! And #NotAllVirgos" -The Astrology Episode
This episode takes a departure from our usual more serious fare to explore the fascinating world of astrology! We talk about why people like astrology, and how even skeptics (like us) can still have fun with it. Rosy talks about different astrological systems around the world, then Hope expands...
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"When We Fight, We Win"- Labor Unions with Capt. Ryan Downs
Capt. Ryan Downs (Instagram @captainluddite) joins us to talk about Labor Unions. We discuss the reasons they came about, their sometimes problematic history, and what they have done and continue to do for their members, from the 18th century to today. We also take a brief interlude to talk about...
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Pills, Patches, Womb Veils, and all the Poor Eugenes- The Birth Control Episode!
In this episode, Hope and Rosy discuss birth control. The focus today is on hormonal methods, and we talk about the history that led to the creation of the birth control pill (surprise: racism!), the way it actually works, and the side effects that often come from it. We also have some bad news…
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Trickle Up!- Federal, State, and Local Governments
In this episode, Hope and Rosy discuss the levels of government, their roles, and their responsibilities. We talk about state constitutions, ALEC, and why Parks and Recreation's Councilman Jeremy Jamm is way more relevant to our lives than we previously realized.
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"Monagamous, in this economy?" Ep. 2- Polyamory
Hope and Rosy learn about polyamory, and have a conversation with a triad (3 partner relationship), about their journeys, separately and together.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A conversational podcast which talks about a different topic every week that we only had a vague knowledge of before. From the CDC, to the Electoral College, to the difference between Polygamy and Polyamory, we aim to learn as much as possible about the world around us.
HOSTED BY
Rosemary Cusson-O'Brien and Hope Collins
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Vague Knowledge of Everything have?
A Vague Knowledge of Everything currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Vague Knowledge of Everything about?
A conversational podcast which talks about a different topic every week that we only had a vague knowledge of before. From the CDC, to the Electoral College, to the difference between Polygamy and Polyamory, we aim to learn as much as possible about the world around us.
How often does A Vague Knowledge of Everything release new episodes?
A Vague Knowledge of Everything has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Vague Knowledge of Everything?
You can listen to A Vague Knowledge of Everything on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Vague Knowledge of Everything?
A Vague Knowledge of Everything is created and hosted by Rosemary Cusson-O'Brien and Hope Collins.
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