Episodes

  • Joy Dolo debates: Watermelon vs Cotton Candy

    Joy Dolo debates: Watermelon vs Cotton Candy
    Oct 14 2026
    Today we're sharing an episode of our sister show Smash Boom Best! In today’s debate, we’ve got two sweet treats that are delights to eat. We have Forever Ago host Joy Dolo arguing for watermelon, the colorful fruit that’s hydrating to boot. And Brant Miller is repping cotton candy, magical confection that’s like an edible cloud! Which side will our judge crown the Smash Boom Best? After you listen, head to smashboom.org and vote for whichever side you think won!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    40 mins
  • What's the history of chocolate?

    What's the history of chocolate?
    Oct 7 2026
    Chocolate. You know it. You love it. You can’t get enough of it. Today, we think of chocolate as a sweet treat, but for most of human history, it was actually a bitter drink. This week Joy and co-host Camila go coo-coo for cocoa history and learn how indigenous people in Mesoamerica were the first to create the chocolate craze. All that and an extra chocolatey First Things First. Break me off a piece of that sweet sweet history!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    39 mins
  • Sneak peek: The history of pineapple pizza

    Sneak peek: The history of pineapple pizza
    Oct 5 2026
    This is a sneak peak of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass members. It’s a follow up to our Forever Ago episode on the history of pizza. In this one, we look at the man who made pineapple on pizza a thing. Plus, we tell the story of how pineapple pizza created drama between two nations. To hear the whole, ad-free episode, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org.
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    9 mins
  • More slang words: Aura, OK and glitch

    More slang words: Aura, OK and glitch
    Sep 30 2026
    This week Joy and co-host Xenia are back with another slang episode that’s the pig’s elbow (trust us, it’s a good thing). Learn about how “aura” went from meaning a cool breeze, to getting cool points– and how one of our most common slang words started as a typo joke in a newspaper. And don’t forget, a swaggy new First Things First!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    34 mins
  • Wizard of Oz mystery: Who stole the ruby slippers?

    Wizard of Oz mystery: Who stole the ruby slippers?
    Sep 23 2026
    We’re not done with Wizard of Oz history yet! Today it’s the tale of Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers. A pair of these famous movie props went missing years back, and it took the FBI and local authorities working together to get them back. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they investigate this case, and play a game of First Things First.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    33 mins
  • What's the history of the Wizard of Oz?

    What's the history of the Wizard of Oz?
    Sep 16 2026
    The Wizard of Oz is one of the most influential stories around. What started as a children’s book went on to inspire countless other books, movies and musicals. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they wiggle down the Jell-O brick road and meet a sassy witch who knows the 411 on all things Oz. Together, they’ll learn more about how this iconic story got its start over 100 years ago, plus hear more about Judy Garland and of course, how the Wicked movies came to be. All that and a dazzling new First Things First. There’s no place like Forever Ago!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    31 mins
  • The rise and fall of fancy men

    The rise and fall of fancy men
    Sep 9 2026
    We can learn a lot about what a culture thinks is important through its fashion. These days, most men don't wear makeup to work, or lace collars, or powdered wigs, but that wasn't always the case! Joy and co-host Max go on a journey to the history spa, where they get a 1770s makeover from Frank, the macaroni maven. (What's a macaroni? Not just a noodle!) Listen as they learn about the ancient history of makeup (we're talking Egypt here) and why being a fancy man eventually fell out of style. Plus, there's a new First Things First! Do you think neon clothes, baseball caps, or bellbottom pants came first in history?Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    30 mins
  • How pizza took over the world

    How pizza took over the world
    Sep 2 2026
    Pizza is a food loved around the world. It started as a local dish served by street vendors in Naples, Italy. Not everyone loved it right away. But over time, pizza changed, and the world fell in love. Join Joy and co-host Zsa Zsa as they learn the fascinating history of this fantastic food. Plus we hear your slogans for pizza and play First Things First.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
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    29 mins