Lookie here, smart cookies! Are you hungry for a new podcast to sink your teeth into that’ll teach you something you never learnt at school? Well, you’re in luck since we managed to find a couple of lovely podcasts that do just that – without skimping out on entertainment. These podcasts handle meaty topics about history, science, celebrities and our online world in accessible and often hilarious ways, so we can guarantee that what you’ll find out from them can become great fodder for icebreakers or dinner party discussions. Spy our list below!

NO SUCH THING AS A FISH Did you know that salmon are more closely related to camels than hagfish? That’s an example of something you might learn from this aptly titled podcast, which is produced and hosted by the researchers behind the hit British TV show QI. Since 2014, the show has reached 500+ episodes, each exploring bizarre and unexpected facts relating to pretty much anything you can think of – and we mean anything. Give it a listen by popping over to their Spotify page.

YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT As it turns out, we might not actually know all the facts about some of the most famous (and infamous) moments in history and pop culture. This podcast, hosted by journalists Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall, dissects all the info related to a specific topic that has been misremembered or lost to the annals of time (or bastardised by tabloid journalism). Some exceptional episodes include the legacies of Anna Nicole Smith, Tonya Harding and Princess Diana, as well as research into broader topics such as the obesity epidemic, the Challenger disaster and the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s. Listen to their episodes here. 

DO YOU F*CKING MIND? Hosted by neuroscientist and author Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, this podcast releases episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to discuss anything brain-related from the psychology of friendship to caffeine's effects on our mental health. With facts backed by science and a no-holds-barred approach to topics (there be no cheesy mantras 'round these parts), Do You F*cking Mind manages to educate, inspire and entertain in one sweep, which we really dig. Here are the episodes, if you fancy a listen.

ENDLESS THREAD If you’ve ever found yourself deep in a rabbit hole of endless Google searches and obscure Wikipedia articles, you’re not alone. This podcast is hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson, who deep dive into internet-based discussions such as the ethics of family vloggers, the history of specific memes and other topics that have been making waves on the World Wide Web. Whether you’re chronically online or a grass-touching normie, we reckon you’ll love listening to Ben and Amory’s opinions and findings on why people on the internet are so dang weird. Take a listen this-a-way.

DISGRACELAND Even the biggest and most beloved stars in the world have their seedy secrets, which you’ll soon come to discover by tuning into this podcast. Primarily focused on musicians, bands and singers, Disgraceland is hosted by Jake Brennan who helps uncover some of the most infamous or unknown criminal happenings that these star-studded celebs have been involved in. From Mariah Carey living under constant surveillance in her own home to Debbie Harry hitching a ride from notorious serial killer Ted Bundy and how a conspiracy theory led to the emancipation of Britney Spears, this podcast will let you in on celebrity drama that delves deeper than any gossip mag ever will. Check it out over here.