Brain Worms

In this episode, we’re diving into the history of the Academy Awards—from its early days to the drama, controversies, and iconic moments that made it what it is today. Then we switch gears into the story of Esperanto, the ambitious attempt to create a language that could unite the world.Sources:Wikipedia - Academy Awards The Oscars Explained: History, Iconic Moments & Fun Facts with Professor Bob Thompson by Syracuse University on YoutubeWikipedia: Esperanto — broad overview, linguistics, history, speakersWikipedia: History of Esperanto — timeline focusWikipedia: Native Esperanto Speakers — denaskulojWikipedia: Volapük — the predecessorWikipedia: Esperanto in the Soviet Union — Soviet persecution in depthWikipedia: Homaranismo — Zamenhof's philosophyWikipedia: Ido — the 1907 schismThe American Scholar: "A Visit to Esperantoland" — best narrative piece, highly recommendedPublic Domain Review: "Truth, Beauty, and Volapük" — best piece on the Volapük questionSmithsonian Magazine: "Why Hitler and Stalin Hated Esperanto" — accessible, well-sourcedJewish History Institute: Zamenhof piece — Jewish identity and motivationZamenhof.info biography — dedicated biographical siteFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle#podcast #historypodcast #academyawards #oscars #filmhistory #hollywoodhistory #esperanto #language #linguistics

Hello!! Thank you for tuning in to another episode! Today we're talking about the EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional), a leftist political and militant group in Chiapas, Mexico and Hobonichi Techo, and the origins of Japanese stationery. We hope you enjoy it! Sources:https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/about/ https://fujinote.com/blogs/main/japanese-stationery-history-culture-innovationhttps://www.jetpens.com/blog/Hobonichi-Interview-Hobonichi-s-History-Designs-and-Future/pt/1028https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq6mP-WfikI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatista_Army_of_National_Liberationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZapatismoFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hello!! We're so happy to be back from hiatus! Today, we're sharing a new episode, which was recorded before our break in August of 2025. We hope you enjoy it and will join us for future episodes as well. Today, we're talking about the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and Thomas Sankara, the former president of Burkina Faso. Enjoy! Check out the video version on our YouTube channel!Sources:The Born Again Comedian Who Pretended To Be A Satanist - YouTubeDEVIL WORSHIP: Exposing Satan's Underground: Part 3 - YouTube McMartin Preschool: Anatomy of a Panic | Retro Report | The New York Times - YouTube Satanic Panic: How Metal Was Targeted & How Music Is Targeted Today - YouTubeDungeons & Dragons: Satanic Panic | Retro Report | The New York Times - YouTubeThomas Sankara - WikipediaFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hello, we're back (and on video!) Today we're diving into some of our favorite books/authors. We talk about the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher and Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of books such as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and many more. Please leave us some comments about your favorite books! We hope you enjoyed this episode!Follow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podTikTok: @branworms.podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hi there! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please let us know what you think in the comments. See you next time!Sources:https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/world-of-darkness/discover-world-of-darkness/vampire-the-masqueradeChespirito - WikipediaEl Chavo del Ocho - WikipediaLos Supergenios de la Mesa Cuadrada - WikipediaFlorinda Meza criticizes the Chespirito bio-series – InfobaeChespirito bio-series coverage – AP NewsChespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo – Spanish WikipediaMaría Antonieta de las Nieves and La Chilindrina rights – CNN EspañolFollow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod and on TikTok @brainworms.pod!About Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hi everyone! We hope you enjoyed this educational distraction. This week, we decided to cover two really important topics related to immigrant rights. We'll also link some resources and organizations that serve the communities affected by these recent events. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)Esperanza Immigrant Rights ProjectThe Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)Sources: Morales, Manuel R. Bracero: Manuel R. Morales and the Mexican Guest Worker Program. 1990.González, Gilbert G. Harvest of Loneliness: The Bracero Program. 2015.Gutiérrez, David G. The Bracero Program: A History of U.S. Immigration Policy. 1996.García y Griego, Manuel. “The Bracero Program: A History of United States-Mexico Labor Migration.” Hispanic American Historical Review, 1980.Smithsonian Institution. “Bracero History Archive.” Bracero Archive Website.https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/09/17/551490281/dolores-huerta-the-civil-rights-icon-who-showed-farmworkers-si-se-puedehttps://www.nps.gov/places/the-forty-acres.htmhttps://libraries.ucsd.edu/farmworkermovement/ufwarchives/meister/21%20UFWMeister70-2-Victory.doc.pdfFollow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod!About Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hiii! Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please leave a comment letting us know what you think! Sources:The Imagineering Story, Episode 4 - Hit or MissDefunctland: The History of Disney's Worst Attraction Ever, Superstar LimoThe Downfall of Disney's Superstar LimoSuperstar Limo WikipediaDungeons & Dragons WikipediaMurray, H. J. R. (1913). A History of ChessTresca, Michael J. (2010), The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing GamesMorgan, Griffith (Director) (Aug 18, 2019). The Secrets of Blackmoor (Motion picture). Minnesota: The Fellowship of the Thing. Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. pp. 17–18. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.Follow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod!About Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hi there! This week we're talking about The Real Housewives, and George Danton, The Giant of the French Revolution. Hope you enjoy the episode!Sources:Hollywood Demons - Streaming on MaxJunkee Article: “How Dare You Underestimate ‘The Real Housewives’, You Beast” by Ky StewartHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Real Housewives by Broey DeschanelRevolutions Podcast, Mike Duncan, revolutions podcast.comMorley, John (1911). "Danton, George Jacques". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 817–819.David Lawday, Danton: The Giant of the French Revolution. London: Jonathan Cape, 2009.Follow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod!About Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Hi!! Welcome to our first episode! Today we're talking about donuts and labubu. We hope you enjoy!Sources:Why are doughnut boxes pink? The answer could only come out of Southern CaliforniaThe Homer Simpson Donut and its Interesting History 2023Who is Labubu? The Story Behind Pop Mart's Global PhenomenonA fluff ball with a monster face: what explains the luxury appeal of Labubu dolls?Why We Love Labubuthe cult of blind boxes and the rise of labubu Follow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod!About Brain Worms: Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustleLicense code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8F

Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.See you on Episode 1!Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustleLicense code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8F