The Roman Empire is everywhere — in our language, our laws, our cities, and even our calendars. But how did this ancient civilization rise, rule, and eventually collapse? In this episode of Surface Knowledge, we trace the full arc of Rome — from kingdom to republic to empire — breaking down the major events, emperors, inventions, and influences that shaped the modern world. Whether you’re a first-time history learner or just trying to understand why your friend thinks about the Roman Empire every day, this is your concise, engaging, 30-minute tour through more than a thousand years of power, politics, and legacy.

In this episode of Surface Knowledge, we descend into Earth’s final frontier, the deep ocean.

You’ll learn how the ocean is divided into five mysterious zones, from sunlit shallows to lightless trenches. We explore the alien creatures that thrive without sunlight, the strange ecosystems powered by underwater volcanoes, and the bizarre technologies used to reach the bottom of the world.

We also dive into why so little of the ocean has been explored, how scientists are changing that, and the growing threats from mining, pollution, and overfishing, even in places no human has ever been.

From glowing fish to bone-eating worms, crushing pressure to global impact, this is your surface knowledge of the deep ocean.

In this episode of Surface Knowledge, we delve into the Cold War, a global conflict marked by the absence of bullets, yet characterized by nukes, spies, proxy wars, and intense political tension that nearly brought the world to the brink.

From how it started after WWII to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Stanislav Petrov, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, we explore the real-world stakes, strange spycraft, cultural influence, and eerie near-misses that made the Cold War one of the most dangerous and fascinating chapters in modern history.

It’s espionage, ideology, and mutually assured destruction — all in under 30 minutes.