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.

In this episode of Surface Knowledge, we take a closer look at the disturbing world of cults. What actually defines a cult? Why do people join, and why do they stay? We’ll explore how cults operate, the psychology behind control, and some of the most infamous leaders and movements in modern history, from Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate to lesser-known groups like NXIVM and Twelve Tribes.

We also look at how cult tactics have evolved in the internet age, how high-control groups show up in unexpected places, and what cults ultimately reveal about the human need for belonging, meaning, and certainty.

It’s a deep but digestible dive into belief, manipulation, and the systems that make cults thrive.

What makes ships vanish, planes go silent, and compasses spin out of control? In this episode, we chart the mystery, myth, and science behind the Bermuda Triangle, one of the most infamous stretches of ocean on Earth.

We’ll explore the origins of the legend, the mysterious disappearances of Flight 19 and the USS Cyclops, paranormal theories involving Atlantis and aliens, and the science that pushes back against the myth. From magnetic anomalies to vile vortices around the world, this episode separates fact from folklore while embracing the mystery that keeps the legend alive.

Whether it’s supernatural forces, strange geography, or just a really good story, the Bermuda Triangle remains a mystery we can’t seem to let go of.

Why do we dream? What’s going on in your brain when you’re chasing flying jellyfish through a maze made of childhood trauma and IKEA furniture?

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of dream science. From brain activity during REM sleep to the top theories behind why we dream in the first place. You’ll learn how dreams may help us process emotions, store memories, or just run mental fire drills. We’ll also bust some common myths (no, dying in a dream won’t kill you) and explore how dreams have influenced everything from Frankenstein to the periodic table.

Plus: ancient beliefs, cultural perspectives, dream mysteries, and the out-there theories people still swear by today. Whether you lucid dream, sleepwalk, or barely remember your pillow hit, this is your crash course in what your brain’s really up to while you sleep.

From steel-driving legends to swamp-dwelling spirits, this episode explores the uniquely strange and powerful world of American folklore.

We’re diving into the myths, heroes, creatures, and oral traditions that helped shape the U.S. not just as entertainment, but as a way of passing on values, resistance, and cultural identity.

In this episode, you’ll meet:

John Henry – the folk hero who took on a steam drill and became a symbol of dignity through labor

White Buffalo Calf Woman – a sacred Lakota figure who gifted spiritual rites and promised unity

High John the Conqueror – the trickster spirit of resistance, hope, and clever rebellion during slavery

The Jersey Devil – a cryptid born from colonial myth, political smear campaigns, and Pine Barrens lore

Each story is followed by surface-level facts to round out your knowledge and explore the cultural impact of folklore across regions and communities.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand a nation isn’t through its history books…it’s through the stories it whispers after dark.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Sacred Pipe and Lakota Seven Rites

Hoodoo traditions and conjure culture

Tricksters in folklore (Br’er Rabbit, Coyote, Esu)

American cryptids like Mothman, Bell Witch, and Wendigo

Why oral storytelling matters across cultures

All of this is covered within 26 minutes!!!

Like what you hear? Follow and rate the show, and check out @surfaceknowledgepod on YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky, and Instagram for more daily facts and weird history drops.

Got a local legend you think deserves some surface knowledge? Email gottillfive@gmail.com.

Presenter: Max Kurton

Intro Voiceover: John Raynar

Proudly part of the GT5 Network

In October 2017, something strange passed through our solar system, which was fast, silent, and not from around here.

Meet ʻOumuamua: the first confirmed interstellar object ever detected in our skies. Was it a comet? An asteroid? A giant hydrogen snowball? Or, as one Harvard astrophysicist controversially suggested… something else entirely?

In this episode of Surface Knowledge, we explore the mystery of ʻOumuamua:

How it was discovered (just in time)

Why its shape, spin, and movement baffled scientists

The wild scientific theories about what it could be

Avi Loeb’s bold claim that it might be alien technology

The legacy it left behind — and why it still matters

It’s a story that sits perfectly between science and science fiction. A reminder that even with all our tech, the universe still throws curveballs.

If you love weird space stories, unsolved mysteries, or challenging what we think we know... this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Pan-STARRS Telescope (Hawaii)
• Extraterrestrial by Avi Loeb
• The Galileo Project
• Project Lyra
• LightSail & solar sail technology
• Interstellar objects and future missions

Follow us for bite-sized facts and behind-the-scenes content:

@surfaceknowledgepod on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube

Got questions, theories, or corrections? Email: gottillfive@gmail.com

Don’t forget to rate and follow the show — it helps more curious minds find us!

Presenter: Max Kurton

Intro Voiceover: John Raynar

Proudly part of the GT5 Network