Cool Stuff Ride Home
In just 15 minutes, the coolest stuff that happened in the world today. Science, progress, life-hacks, memes, exciting art and hope. The antidote to depressing headlines. Smart stuff in podcast form. Cool news, as a service.
Recent Episodes
June 14, 2024
The First Individual to Spend 1,000 Days in Space & This Day in History: the Player Piano is Patented.
The first individual to spend at least 1,000 days in space, and what it means for our understanding of human capabilities beyond this planet. And on This Day in History: the player piano is patented, bringing on-demand music…
June 13, 2024
Wild Horses Return to Kazakstan After 200 Years & on TDIH: The First Roundtrip Flight Between Two Major Cities.
The world’s last truly wild horses return to the steppe of Kazakstan. And, on This Day in History, the first roundtrip flight between two large cities. Wild Horses Return to Kazakhstan Plains After Two Centuries of Absence T…
June 12, 2024
A New Study Says Elephants Call Each Other by Name, Weird Wednesday Features a 97-Year-Old High School Graduate, a Longstanding Class Reunion, and a 'Sugar Glider' on a Plane. TDIH: Harry Houdini's Iconic Straight Jacket Escape over NYC
A new study suggests elephants call each other by name. Weird Wednesday features a 97-year-old high school graduate, a longstanding class reunion, and a 'sugar glider' on a plane. On This Day in History, Harry Houdini perfor…
June 11, 2024
Edible Beads to Combat Cirrhosis & TDIH: The First Distinguished Flying Cross is Awarded for One Famous Flight
The edible beads that could combat cirrhosis and other gut conditions. And on This Day in History; The First Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for one famous flight. Edible Carbon Beads Can Reduce Cirrhosis Liver Disease…
June 10, 2024
The Amazing Health Benefits of Pomegranates Include Combatting Alzheimer's & TDIH: The First Modern, Public Zoo Opens in France
Pomegranates have been known to possess a wide range of health benefits and new research indicates they may help combat Alzeheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions. On 'This Day in History,' the first public zoo open…
June 7, 2024
Battery Powered Trains Set to Take Off in the UK, A Cat Missing for 12 Years Returns Home & TDIH: The Reel-to-Reel Home Video Recorded
Battery-powered 'bi-mode' trains in the UK could save A LOT of money, and help the environment. A Friday feel-good sees a long-lost cat make its way home after 12 years, and on This Day in History, we harken back to the reel…
June 6, 2024
Stegosaurus Goes to Auction, The Spoon That Makes Food Taste Saltier, and TDIH - The Largest Volcanic Eruption Ever Witnessed
A massive stegosaurus is set to go to auction … and in turn, make one man rich. Japan rolls out a spoon that makes food taste saltier … without adding any more salt. Plus, on This Day in History, the largest volcanic eruptio…
June 5, 2024
Ancient Roman Artifacts Discovered in Egyptian Pet Cemetery, Weird Wednesday: A Pringles Thief, An Elusive Peacock and A Fish Out of Water & TDIH: Bananas Arrive in the US via the World's Fair
Letters Written by Ancient Roman Commanders Have Been Found in a Pet Cemetery in Egypt Supplemental: Relics Found in Egyptian Pet Cemetery Weird Wednesday: Pringles thief told police 'once you pop, you can't stop' Animal con…
June 4, 2024
Innovative Retractable Field, Implantable Light Therapy for Better Healing, and TDIH - Transcontinental Express Trip in 83 Hours
Retractable sports fields are nothing new – but in Spain, they’ve found an incredibly innovative new way of storing and caring for the country’s most revered plot of grass, a new, implantable light therapy could promote bett…
June 3, 2024
5-Year-Old Gets Bionic Arm, Ancient Egyptian Cancer, and TDIH - The First American Spacewalk
A five-year-old from New York becomes the youngest ever to be fitted with a bionic arm, Ancient Egyptians appear to have known more about cancer than previously suspected. Plus This Day in History - America’s first space wal…
May 31, 2024
Forecasting Solar Storms, A 16-Year-Old's Medical Research Breakthrough & a Cereal History Lesson; Dr. John Harvey Kellog Invents Corn Flakes
A better understanding of our sun leads to more accurate processes for predicting future solar storms like the one experienced earlier in May, a 16-year-old from Kentucky secures a sizable cash prize for her medical research…
May 30, 2024
Death Valley Fish Makes Comeback, Vulcan Confirmed Not to Exist, Japan Tourist Mesh Screen Update, and TDIH - The First Motor Car Accident
An endangered fish found only in Death Valley makes a comeback. The planet Vulcan is once again confirmed to ONLY be the work of science fiction. And an update on the mesh screen in Japan, designed to keep tourists in line –…
May 29, 2024
90-Year-Old Astronaut, Weird Wednesday (Old Truck Driver, Odd Races, and GWR), plus TDIH - The Turkey Trot Gets Women Fired
At age 90, Astronaut training finally pays off for Ed Dwight with an adventure six decades in the making. Weird Wednesday brings us the oldest truck driver, odd races, and Guinness World Record “professional” David Rush is a…
May 28, 2024
New Planet That Could Support Life, The Library of Things, and TDIH - The First Indoor Pool Opens
A new planet discovered that could support human life – and it’s only 40 million light years away. The Library of Things makes some tasks easier than ever. Plus, on This Day in History, the first indoor pool opens. New Plane…
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About the Host
Jackson Bird
Host, Kottke Ride Home
Jackson Bird is a writer and internet creator dedicated to demystifying the transgender experience. A YouTube NextUp Creator and GLAAD Rising Star Digital Innovator, Jackson shares his and others’ stories on his YouTube channel, jackisnotabird, and in his debut book Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Vulture, The Advocate, and more, and his TED Talk "How to talk (and listen) to transgender people" has been viewed over one and a half million times. Jackson lives in New York City, where he hosts the daily podcast Kottke Ride Home. You can follow him online @jackisnotabird.
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