Constellations | Can’t Sleep? Learn About the Night Sky

Castles were built to project power, control territory, and make attacking the people inside considerably more inconvenient. This episode explores how castles developed, how their walls, towers, gates, and defenses worked, and why they became such an important part of medieval life. Along the way, you’ll learn about different types of castles, the people who lived and worked inside them, the realities of castle sieges, and how these enormous fortified structures changed as warfare and technology evolved.

Ancient Greece shaped much of the modern world despite rarely being united about anything. This episode covers the rise of Greek civilization, the city states of Athens and Sparta, mythology, religion, warfare, philosophy, politics, art, and everyday life. You’ll learn how ideas about democracy, literature, science, and philosophy developed, along with the people and events that helped turn a collection of fiercely independent communities into one of history’s most influential civilizations.

Egyptian mythology turned the sun, the Nile, death, kingship, and even chaos into a sprawling cast of gods and stories.

Dolly Parton turned a childhood in rural Tennessee into one of the most recognizable careers in entertainment. This episode explores her early life, her beginnings in country music, her years with Porter Wagoner, and the songwriting that produced classics like Jolene and I Will Always Love You. Along the way, you’ll hear about her acting career, Dollywood, business ventures, philanthropy, and the larger-than-life image she built with plenty of rhinestones and a very good sense of humor.

The West Highland White Terrier was bred to be small, sturdy, and remarkably determined.