

Endless Thread
WBUR
Untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other jaw-dropping stories online and IRL. Hosted by Ben Brock Johnson & Amory Sivertson.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 1, 2023 • 34min
NPC Streams! So Good! Mmm, So Good!
TikTok livestreamers mimicking NPCs for money, rise of NPC streaming, monetizing live streaming through microtransactions, political right's use of NPC as an insult, exploring the concept of NPC streaming, connecting NPC streaming to real life, gender dynamics and potential misogyny in NPC streaming.

Nov 24, 2023 • 24min
The Vault (from the vault)
We're going underground into what might be the most important vault in the world. What's inside? A treasure that originates with a Russian scientist during WWII.

Nov 17, 2023 • 23min
Women are from Venus, men are from... the Roman Empire?
Within a few months, the question "how often do men think about the Roman Empire?" conquered Instagram, TikTok and countless group chats — and then morphed into something else. What links this to other memes of the moment? Do all roads lead to Rome, or is something else at the root of the Roman Empire, girl math, and girl dinner?

Nov 10, 2023 • 31min
The Grand Can-Spiracy
In 1909, the Arizona Gazette ran an article titled "Exploration in Grand Canyon." It said that an explorer by the name of G.E. Kincaid went into the National Park for the Smithsonian and found caves full of mummies and ancient Egyptian treasures that put everything we thought we knew about civilization on its head.
Well, the Smithsonian called the articles bunk reporting that Kincaid never worked for the institution. And it turns out he never existed! So how can a conspiracy that has been repeatedly debunked for decades, survive for so long?
Endless Thread finds out.

Nov 3, 2023 • 33min
Introducing ICYMI: "How a Substack Revived the Dracula Fandom"
Writer Cyrena Touros discusses the success of her newsletter Dracula Daily, which emails passages from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula to over 235,000 readers. The hosts explore the enduring popularity of Dracula, themes of loneliness and fear, and the vibrant fandom on Tumblr.

Oct 27, 2023 • 30min
Endless Dread: Campfire Chills
Three hair-raising tales are shared in this episode of Endless Thread. The hosts discuss creepy happenings in the woods, a terrifying encounter with an AI bot, and a spooky story about a mysterious hole in a girl's house.

Oct 25, 2023 • 40min
Episodes We Love: Listener beware… it’s ‘Goosebumps The Musical’
Discover the journey of 'Goosebumps The Musical' from books to Broadway. Explore the unusual release of a cast recording for a show yet to be produced. Dive into the success of Goosebumps and a surprising discussion about the Second Amendment. Get thrilled by the hosts' excitement for the musical adaptation and the nostalgia surrounding Goosebumps.

Oct 20, 2023 • 30min
Freaky Furby Friday
World-renowned scientist Dr. Frankenstein discusses the creepy and paranormal corners of Furby internet, including haunted and cursed Furbies, one that hunts ghosts, and the weird world of long Furbies.

Oct 13, 2023 • 33min
The Spider Web
The podcast explores the impact of the digital age on the arachnid industry, from fears to fascination with spiders. It covers the emergence of websites and platforms for spider enthusiasts, the ethical implications of the spider pet trade, and the influence of the internet on collectors' desire for new spider species. The hosts also share their experiences with tarantula keeping and say goodbye to their last pet spider.

12 snips
Oct 9, 2023 • 40min
Introducing 'The Gun Machine' Ep. 1: The U.S. gun industry's surprising origin story
Explore the surprising origin and rapid growth of the U.S. gun industry, the impact of interchangeable parts on American manufacturing, hidden financial influence of the gun industry, and the dissatisfaction with current gun policy in America


