While You Were Pooping

Why We Say Goodbye

“Goodbye” comes from “God be with you”—but it’s more than just a word. Here’s why saying goodbye matters. That's a wrap for seasons one of While You Were Pooping. Thanks for tuning in each day as we learned new, fun, odd, and exciting things about history, our bodies, the world, and the universe. Stick around to the end of the episode for a fun surprise.

Origins: Post-it® Notes

Post-it® notes were born from a failed super glue and a choir singer’s frustration. Here’s how an accidental invention became a sticky success.

Ancient Roman Takout

No kitchen? No problem. Ancient Romans grabbed meals on the go from thermopolia— fast food counters that look shockingly modern, minus the plastic cups.

Your Stomach Eats Itself

Your stomach acid is powerful enough to digest you— so your body replaces its lining every few days. Here’s how it survives its own attack.

Origins: Mirrors

From polished obsidian to high-def reflections, here’s how humanity went from staring at puddles to inventing the modern mirror.