Midnight Facts for Insomniacs

Harrowing True Stories of Wilderness Survival

Stranded in the Andes. Lost in the jungle. Trapped in the desert with nothing but a questionable grasp of hydration. History is packed with jaw-dropping survival stories—some inspiring, some terrifying, and a few so ridiculous they strain credibility. In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the wildest tales of human endurance, sheer luck, and occasionally, just really poor life choices.
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And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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After Midnight Livestream: The Top 5 Unsolved Mysteries of All Time (Sample)

Which mysterious occurrences would be in your top 5? Tell us in the Discord...
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Trenches, Tactics, and Total Chaos: World War I Explained

It was the war to end all wars…until it wasn’t. In 1914, a tangled mess of alliances, ancient grudges, and questionable facial hair decisions erupted into one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. From the assassination that lit the fuse to the bizarre weapons and plot twists, this episode unpacks the chaos, carnage, and sheer absurdity of World War I.
Strap in for a deep dive into the Great War—where history meets hilarity, and no mustachioed monarch is safe.
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
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And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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Shane Goes Rogue! The History of Boxing

Gloves on, mouthguards in—this week, Shane and Duncan are stepping into the ring to throw hands with the Sweet Science. How did a sport that started as an all-out brawl become a highly regulated, multi-billion-dollar industry? Who was the first true boxing superstar? And why do boxing matches always seem to spark as much controversy outside the ring as inside it? Lace up, listen in, and get ready for a heavyweight history lesson.
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
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And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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The Greatest Unsolved Internet Mystery: Cicada 3301

For years, an enigmatic online puzzle known as Cicada 3301 has baffled cryptographers, hackers, and conspiracy theorists alike. Was it a recruitment tool for a top-secret organization? A test designed by rogue intelligence agencies? Or just the most elaborate internet scavenger hunt ever devised? Join Shane and Duncan as they dive into the mystery, decode the clues, and attempt to unravel one of the internet’s greatest unsolved riddles.
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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The History and Psychology of Gambling

From ancient dice games to high-tech slot machines, the allure of risk and reward has shaped human behavior for centuries. In this high-rolling episode, unravel the history and psychology of gambling—how it started, why our brains are wired for it, and what keeps us coming back for more. Is it luck, skill, or just pure delusion? Place your bets and tune in for a deep dive into the science of chance, the origins of casinos, and the sneaky tricks that keep gamblers hooked.
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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The History and Evolution of Cats

Join Shane and Duncan as they dig their claws into the captivating history and evolution of our feline friends. From the revered temple cats of ancient Egypt to the superstition-shrouded mousers of the Middle Ages, and finally to the pampered companions of today, the duo traces the journey of cats through time. Whether you’re a cat lover or simply curious about humanity’s most mysterious semi-domesticated animal, this episode will leave you feline fine. Get ready to unravel the secret lives of cats, one fact at a time!
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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Useless Technology (Throwback Encore)

From umbrellas that distribute rain to radios that print the news, here are the most useless pieces of technology ever foisted an unsuspecting public.
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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In this episode:  
Radio Newspaper
Xybernaut POMA
Kerastese Hair Coach
Umbrella Drone
Vacuum Cleaner Shoes
iSmell
Amazon Astro
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Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
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The Origins of Common Idioms, Phrases, and Figures of Speech (Redux)

Have you ever wondered why we "turn a blind eye," "pull out all the stops," or "fly off the handle"? In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the quirky, surprising, and sometimes downright bizarre origins of the phrases we use every day. From ancient customs to historical mishaps, discover the stories behind the words—and how they’ve stood the test of time. Get ready to uncover the ‘writing on the wall’ about your favorite idioms and figures of speech!
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
Midnight Merch
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Encore: The Pagan Origins of Christmas

Merry Christmas, insomniacs! Here's a blast from the past. We hope you're having an amazing holiday season. 
 
How is Santa Claus connected to cannibalism? Which Christmastide holiday commemorates the slaughter of children? How should you decode the cryptic numerology message 20+C+M+B+22? And what's with all of those airborne reindeer? Welcome to Ghosts of Christmases Past, in which Shane and Duncan explore how tree-worship and animal sacrifice evolved into the bizarre, festive, highly commercialized holiday we know today. So whether you're feeling the Christmas spirit or just feeling jaded and grinchy, grab a cup of heavily-spiked eggnog, get cozy by the yule-log, and join the boys as they unpack the fascinating pagan history of Christmas.
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Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON
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Join the MFFI community and vote on episode topics via DISCORD
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In this episode:  
Christmastide
Christmas Eve
The Feast of Saint Stephen, Protomartyr
Childermas, The Feast of the Holy Innocents
Herod the Great
The Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, Octave of the Nativity, Solemnity of Mary
The Feast of the Holy Family
12th Night, Epiphany Eve
Chalking the Door
Saturnalia
The Holiday of Yule
Yule Boar, Yule Goat, Yule Log
Anglican Revelers vs. Puritan Grinches
The Story of the Nativity
December 25th Becomes the Arbitrary DOB
Christenmas, Christ Mass, and Xmas
Christmas Trees
Saint Nicholas of Myra, aka Saint Nick, aka Nicholas the Wonderworker
Sinterklaas 
Christmases Around the World
Reindeer
Thomas Nast
Haddon Sundblom and Coca-Cola
 
~Join the Midnight Masses!
Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas. 
And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word! 
Midnight Merch
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