Brain Worms

Episode 9: The History of the Oscars & Esperanto

In this episode, we’re diving into the history of the Academy Awards—from its early days to the drama, controversies, and iconic moments that made it what it is today. Then we switch gears into the story of Esperanto, the ambitious attempt to create a language that could unite the world.Sources:Wikipedia - Academy Awards The Oscars Explained: History, Iconic Moments & Fun Facts with Professor Bob Thompson by Syracuse University on YoutubeWikipedia: Esperanto — broad overview, linguistics, history, speakersWikipedia: History of Esperanto — timeline focusWikipedia: Native Esperanto Speakers — denaskulojWikipedia: Volapük — the predecessorWikipedia: Esperanto in the Soviet Union — Soviet persecution in depthWikipedia: Homaranismo — Zamenhof's philosophyWikipedia: Ido — the 1907 schismThe American Scholar: "A Visit to Esperantoland" — best narrative piece, highly recommendedPublic Domain Review: "Truth, Beauty, and Volapük" — best piece on the Volapük questionSmithsonian Magazine: "Why Hitler and Stalin Hated Esperanto" — accessible, well-sourcedJewish History Institute: Zamenhof piece — Jewish identity and motivationZamenhof.info biography — dedicated biographical siteFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle#podcast #historypodcast #academyawards #oscars #filmhistory #hollywoodhistory #esperanto #language #linguistics

Episode 8: The Zapatistas (EZLN) & Hobonichi Techo

Hello!! Thank you for tuning in to another episode! Today we're talking about the EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional), a leftist political and militant group in Chiapas, Mexico and Hobonichi Techo, and the origins of Japanese stationery. We hope you enjoy it! Sources:https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/about/ https://fujinote.com/blogs/main/japanese-stationery-history-culture-innovationhttps://www.jetpens.com/blog/Hobonichi-Interview-Hobonichi-s-History-Designs-and-Future/pt/1028https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq6mP-WfikI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapatista_Army_of_National_Liberationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZapatismoFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own. License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Episode 7 : Satanic Panic & Thomas Sankara (We're Back!!)

Hello!! We're so happy to be back from hiatus! Today, we're sharing a new episode, which was recorded before our break in August of 2025. We hope you enjoy it and will join us for future episodes as well. Today, we're talking about the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and Thomas Sankara, the former president of Burkina Faso. Enjoy! Check out the video version on our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BrainWormsPJ]!Sources:The Born Again Comedian Who Pretended To Be A Satanist - YouTubeDEVIL WORSHIP: Exposing Satan's Underground: Part 3 - YouTube McMartin Preschool: Anatomy of a Panic | Retro Report | The New York Times - YouTube Satanic Panic: How Metal Was Targeted & How Music Is Targeted Today - YouTubeDungeons & Dragons: Satanic Panic | Retro Report | The New York Times - YouTubeThomas Sankara - WikipediaFollow us!Instagram: @brainworms_podAbout Brain Worms:Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own.License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8FMusic from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Episode 6: The Dresden Files & Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hello, we're back (and on video!) Today we're diving into some of our favorite books/authors. We talk about the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher and Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of books such as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and many more. Please leave us some comments about your favorite books! We hope you enjoyed this episode! Follow us! Instagram: @brainworms_pod TikTok: @branworms.pod About Brain Worms: Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own. License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8F Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle

Episode 5: TTRPG's (that are not D&D) & Chespirito

Hi there! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please let us know what you think in the comments. See you next time! Sources: https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/world-of-darkness/discover-world-of-darkness/vampire-the-masquerade [https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/world-of-darkness/discover-world-of-darkness/vampire-the-masquerade] Chespirito - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chespirito] El Chavo del Ocho - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Chavo_del_Ocho]Los Supergenios de la Mesa Cuadrada - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Supergenios_de_la_Mesa_Cuadrada] Florinda Meza criticizes the Chespirito bio-series – Infobae [https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2025/06/16/florinda-meza-arremete-contra-chespirito-sin-querer-queriendo-falsea-los-hechos-solo-para-vender/] Chespirito bio-series coverage – AP News [https://apnews.com/article/fd3aa30fd02648ce92ffff4b2d343b42]Chespirito: Sin Querer Queriendo – Spanish Wikipedia [https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chespirito:_Sin_querer_queriendo]María Antonieta de las Nieves and La Chilindrina rights – CNN Español [https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2016/12/01/maria-antonieta-de-las-nieves-la-chilindrina-sigue-vigente-con-su-personaje/] Follow us on Instagram @brainworms_pod and on TikTok @brainworms.pod! About Brain Worms: Welcome to Brain Worms—a podcast about the things we can’t stop thinking about. We’re Joe and Paola, a married couple with years of experience doing internet deep dives and info dumping on each other. Each episode, we’ll share one of our latest obsessions: from weird history to pop culture chaos, to oddly specific internet rabbit holes. We hope you’ll stick around and catch a few brain worms of your own. License code: DT6JKLPBNEFWFG8F Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/bossa-hustle