Cool Weird Awesome with Brady Carlson Podcast
1) For Some Of Us, New Year’s Eve Is The Time To Put On Some Red Undies
New Year’s Eve is full of traditions, including several in different parts of the world where people wear red underwear for luck as one year ends and the next begins. Plus: in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, t...Show More
2) We Could Turn The Bits Of Tomatoes We Don’t Eat Into Jet Fuel
ToFuel is a research project in Europe that aims to collect the stems, leaves and other uneaten tomato bits into an alternative and more eco-friendly fuel for jets. Plus: today in 1941, a photograph f...Show More
3) A German Doctor Once Tried To Turn Hawaii Into A Russian Colony
Today in 1962, the US designated Hawaii's Fort Elizabeth as a National Historic Landmark. The fort was the idea of Georg Schäffer, who thought it might be step one in making Hawaii a colony of Russia....Show More
4) Watch Out, The Greek Christmas Goblins Are About To Run Amok
If you’re in Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria or several other countries in southeastern Europe today, be careful and keep your wits about you. This is when Christmas goblins are on the loose again. Plus: if ...Show More
5) Axel Bjorklund, Boston's "Hot Dog Santa Claus"
Merry Christmas! If you lived in Boston in the 1920s, you might have come across a hot dog vendor who decided to give hungry kids a special treat on December 25. He became known as the city's "Hot Dog...Show More
6) Clement Clarke Moore Wasn’t Always Looking To Have His Name On “A Visit From St. Nicholas”
It's said that today in 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote the verses to what is now the most famous Christmas poem of all time. But the eminent professor wasn't always thrilled that this poem was his m...Show More
7) The Real-Life Festivus Holiday Was Maybe Even Weirder Than The One On “Seinfeld”
According to Seinfeld, December 23 is Festivus. It's a made-up TV holiday that has roots in a real family's tradition, though it may be even more inexplicable than the famous version. Plus: December 2...Show More
The Real-Life Festivus Holiday Was Maybe Even Weirder Than The One On “Seinfeld”
03:31 | Dec 23rd, 2025
8) The First Electric Christmas Lights Were On A Rotating Tree
Today in 1882, a big moment in holiday decorations: thanks to inventor Edward H. Johnson, for the first time, a Christmas tree festooned with colorful electric lights. Plus: Iceland has a fascinating ...Show More
9) Fred Thomas Played In The World Series While He Was On Active Duty In The US Navy
Today in 1892, the birthday of Fred Thomas, who had the unusual distinction of being an active duty member of the military while playing in baseball’s World Series. And his two jobs helped lead to a p...Show More
Fred Thomas Played In The World Series While He Was On Active Duty In The US Navy
03:42 | Dec 19th, 2025
10) Americans Accidentally Broke Plymouth Rock In Two - More Than Once
Today in 1620, people aboard the English ship Mayflower dropped anchor supposedly at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. Only the story of the rock came much later, and then people had a hard time keeping...Show More