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Surprisingly Awesome

by Gimlet

A show that delves into topics that seem mundane, annoying and sometimes downright boring - to reveal that they're surprisingly awesome.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Apr 14, 2026. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. The Lo Life

    Gimlet Media has a new podcast all about the beautiful and complicated dimensions of Black life. It's called The Nod, and it's hosted by best friends (and Blackness' biggest fans) Eric Eddings and Brittany Luse. In this episode, Eric tells Brittany all about his love for Polo Ralph Lauren—and the...

  2. The Hide Rug of the Plant World

    Every Little Thing, hosted by Flora Lichtman, is a show about the joy of finding things out. In this episode, learn about where office plants come from and what they're secretly communicating.

  3. A Message from Gimlet CEO Alex Blumberg

    A goodbye from Surprisingly Awesome. And hello to Every Little Thing.

  4. Update

    Our theme music is by Nicholas Britell. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser, produced by Christine Driscoll, and mixed by Zac Schmidt. If you want to subscribe to Twice Removed (you do!) you can use this link, or search for it wherever you get your podcasts:...

  5. Your Holiday Binge Listen

    Hey Surprisingly Awesome listeners - we think you'll love Homecoming, a fiction thriller from Gimlet Media. It was written by Eli Horowitz and Micah Blumberg, and stars some talented people you may have heard of, like Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, David Schwimmer, David Cross, and Amy Sedaris.…

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  6. Surprise Surprise!

    Hey Surprisingly Awesome listeners - we think you'll love Undone, a new show from Gimlet Media. It's about how the big stories we thought were over, were actually the beginning of something else. Hosted by Pat Walters and developed with help from the documentary series Retro Report, Undone...

  7. #23 The Wedding

    Something borrowed, something blue, something that explains why weddings look the way they do. The Facts Our theme music is by Nicholas Britell and our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser, and produced by Christine Driscoll, Elizabeth Kulas, and Rikki...

  8. #22 Wedding Planning

    This week: It's awesome in the sacred sense - but stressful in the practical sense. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Additional music came from Kyle Morton, Sex Life, and Xolo We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser,...

  9. #21 Postal Addresses

    4 billion people in the world don't have standard addresses - so how do they get mail? The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is by Nicholas Britell and our ad music is by Build Buildings. They were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser. Peter Clowney weighed in too. The show was produced...

  10. #20 Crying

    THE FACTS: Surprisingly Awesome’s Theme Music is “This is How We Do” by Nicholas Britell and our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser, Alex Blumberg, and produced by Rachel Ward, Christine Driscoll and Elizabeth Kulas. We were mixed by Andrew Dunn.…

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  11. #19 Cardboard

    The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s Theme Music is “This is How We Do” by Nicholas Britell and our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser, and produced by Rachel Ward, Christine Driscoll and Elizabeth Kulas. Andrew Dunn mixed the episode. Additional music…

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  12. Surprise Surprise!

    Don't fret - we'll have a regularly scheduled Surprisingly Awesome for you next week, but this week, we wanted to share something special with you, since Surprisingly Awesome listeners love learning new things. It's a new Gimlet Media show called Science Vs., that pits the facts against…

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  13. #18 Yoga

    This week, we found many surprising twists, turns, and holds in the story of modern yoga. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s Theme Music is “This is How We Do” by Nicholas Britell and our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser, and produced by Rachel Ward,...

  14. #17.5 Untangling Flossgate 2016

    Is it really true that you never need to floss again? The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Andrew Dunn and Austin Thompson mixed this episode. This episode was edited by Annie-Rose Strasser and produced by Rachel Ward...

  15. #17 Flossing

    The Facts This week, we're joined by comedian Maeve Higgins. Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Andrew Dun mixed this episode.This episode was edited by Annie-Rose Strasser, and Peter Clowney and produced by Rachel Ward,...

  16. #16 Follow-ups

    Journey with us back in time - but also forward in time because this is a new episode, revisiting old topics. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme song is by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser. We were produced by Christine...

  17. #15 Extinct Hockey

    John Hodgman learns that the advantage of extinct hockey is that it can't break your heart. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme song is by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. We were edited this week by Annie-Rose Strasser. We were produced by Kalila Holt and Rachel Ward....

  18. #14 I Told You Sos

    To all the haters, and all the doubters, we told you we could make anything awesome. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Andrew Dunn mixed the episode.This episode was edited by Annie-Rose Strasser and Alex Blumberg,...

  19. #13 Insults

    Yo mama so fat we did a whole podcast about her. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Annie-Rose Strasser, and produced by Rachel Ward and Kalila Holt. Isabel Angell, Jacob Cruz, James…

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  20. #12 Mattresses

    Adam and Adam get chased out of a mattress store. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Original music in this episode was composed by Trouble Books, and Nick DePrey and Louis Weeks. This episode was edited by…

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  21. #11 Boredom

    The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Nick DePrey and Louis Weeks composed original music for this week's episode. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg and Annie-Rose Strasser. It was produced by Kalila Holt and...

  22. #10 Circle of Fifths

    What one idea from music theory can tell us about culture, biology, math, physics and The Simpsons. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg and Annie-Rose Strasser. It was…

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  23. #9 Pigeons

    The greatest love story ever told: humans and rats with wings. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Our credits theme was composed by Cobey Bienert and Jacob Boll, featuring Kevin Sparks, and produced by Matthew Boll....

  24. #8 Frequent Flyer Miles

    The world in a cup of pudding - or rather, 12,000 cups of pudding. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg, Caitlin Kenney, and Annie-Rose Strasser. It was produced by Kalila Holt...

  25. #7 Adhesives

    If you want perfect stickiness, look to gecko feet - not a crayfish straightjacket. The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg and Caitlin Kenney, and produced by Rachel Ward and...

  26. #6 Broccoli

    The epic struggle of parents versus kids. Yummy versus gross. Humans versus broccoli! The Facts Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is “How We Do” by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg and produced by Travis Larchuk and Rachel Ward, with...

  27. #5 Interest Rates

    Just because it has the word "interest" in it doesn't mean it's interesting to a teenage girl. The Facts: Surprisingly Awesome’s theme music is "How We Do" by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. This episode was edited by Alex Blumberg and Peter Clowney and produced by Chris…

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  28. #4 Tubthumping

    A 1990s pop hit reveals how the Adams feel about capitalism. The Facts Our theme music is “How We Do,” written, performed, and produced by Nicholas Britell. Our ad music is by Build Buildings. Sponsors Audible.com PC Does Whaaaat?!

  29. #3 Concrete

    From the dawn of human civilization, to the end of days: Concrete will outlast us all. The Facts The Reverend John DeLore and Michael Garafalo mixed this episode. John performed music for this episode, along with his bandmates, Jordan Scanella, Sam Merrick, Isamu McGregor, Jon LaDeau, Dominic...

  30. #2 Free Throws

    Adam McKay helps Adam "Who Cares about Sports" Davidson conquer the free throw. The Facts The Reverend John DeLore mixed this episode, and wrote and performed music for it, along with his bandmates, Jordan Scanella, Sam Merrick and Isamu McGregor. Our theme music is “How We Do,” written…

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  31. #1 Mold

    Mold giveth, and mold taketh away. The same not-quite plant, not-quite animal that causes cancer can also cure infections and unite long-lost family members. The Facts Original music for this episode by Mark Phillips and Elori Kramer Our theme music is "How We Do," written, performed, and…

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  32. Surprisingly Awesome Trailer

    A new show hosted by Adams Davidson and McKay that reveals the hidden awesomeness in everyday things. From Gimlet Media.

About this show

A show that delves into topics that seem mundane, annoying and sometimes downright boring - to reveal that they're surprisingly awesome.

Hosted by

Gimlet

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Surprisingly Awesome have?

Surprisingly Awesome has 32 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on October 6, 2017.

What is Surprisingly Awesome about?

A show that delves into topics that seem mundane, annoying and sometimes downright boring - to reveal that they're surprisingly awesome.

How often does Surprisingly Awesome release new episodes?

Surprisingly Awesome publishes monthly, based on its 32 episodes since November 2015.

Who hosts Surprisingly Awesome?

Surprisingly Awesome is created and hosted by Gimlet.
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