Seemingly Unrelated

The Healing Power of Fake Creatures w/Phil W. Bayles

What if Nessie helped discover the influenza virus? Or if Bigfoot was a willing test subject on the futile quest to cure the common cold? It's a shame that mythical creatures can't really help us cure diseases...or can they? On this month's bonus Seemingly Unrelated, guest presenter Phil W. Bayles [https://philwbayles.com/] will take us to the moon and back on the quest to find one cryptid that may have already saved your life... Bibliography: * Branch, M.P. (2022). On the Trail of the Jackalope. Simon and Schuster. * ‌Mythology.net. (2017). Jackalope - Description, History, Myths & Interpretations. [online] Available at: https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/jackalope/ [https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/jackalope/]. * Native-languages.org [https://Native-languages.org]. (2020). Native American Indian Rabbit Legends, Meaning and Symbolism from the Myths of Many Tribes. [online] Available at: https://www.native-languages.org/legends-rabbit.htm [https://www.native-languages.org/legends-rabbit.htm] [Accessed 29 Apr. 2026]. * Shope, R.E. (1937). IMMUNIZATION OF RABBITS TO INFECTIOUS PAPILLOMATOSIS. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 65(2), pp.219–231. doi:https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.65.2.219 [https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.65.2.219]. * Simon, M. (2014). Fantastically Wrong: The Disturbing Reality That Spawned the Mythical Jackalope. [online] Wired. Available at: https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-jackalope/ [https://www.wired.com/2014/05/fantastically-wrong-jackalope/].  World Health Organization (2024). Human papillomavirus and cancer. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer]. Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture. 🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere [https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelated] 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@SeeminglyUnrelatedPod] 🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/SeeminglyUnrelated] Follow us on Substack [https://seeminglyunrelated.substack.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyunrelatedpod] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

What Terrible Event Made Instant Ramen Popular?

We are tackling two, yes TWO unrelateds that have to do with the very unexpected connects of popular food stuffs. Joining Andrew this month is the season 3 crew fresh off of recording it is of course Alicia Britt [https://www.aliciabrittpuppetry.co.uk/] and Producer Naomi [https://www.instagram.com/kaomiproductions/]! Up first we tackle the outsized influence that Scotch whiskey had on the establishment of the NHS. Along the way we get to the bottom of why Johnnie Walker has multi-coloured labels and how to best deal with snake oil salesmen...Red Dead Redemption style. Then we head over to Japan in the 70s to seek out the truly disturbing event that took instant ramen from obscurity to global dominance. The mystery has a lot to do with left wing radicals and once again the Mitsubishi corporation Bibliography: Brickman, Sophie. “The History of the Ramen Noodle.” Culture Desk. The New Yorker, May 21, 2014. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-history-of-the-ramen-noodle [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-history-of-the-ramen-noodle]. Bruce-Gardyne, Tom. “Dewar’s: A Brand History.” The Spirits Business, February 20, 2018. https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/02/dewars-a-brand-history/ [https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2018/02/dewars-a-brand-history/]. “Full Record for ‘HIGHLAND DOCTOR’ (0033) - Moving Image Archive - Catalogue.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0033 [https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0033]. Master Of Malt. “Dewar’s Whisky.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/dewars-branded-whisky/ [https://www.masterofmalt.com/distilleries/dewars-branded-whisky/]. McCrae, Morice. The National Health Service in Scotland: Origins and Ideals, 1900-1950. Tuckwell Press, 2003. McQueen, Craig. “Campaign to Celebrate Scot Who Laid Foundations of NHS 100 Years Ago.” Daily Record, July 2, 2012. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/campaign-to-celebrate-scot-who-laid-1115508 [http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/campaign-to-celebrate-scot-who-laid-1115508]. Murai, Shusuke. “Cup Noodles Slurping Strong, 45 Years On.” The Japan Times, August 22, 2016. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/22/reference/cup-noodles-slurping-strong-45-years/ [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/08/22/reference/cup-noodles-slurping-strong-45-years/]. “NRS Web Continuity Service.” Accessed April 5, 2026. https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20230324104912/http://www.ournhsscotland.com/ [https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20230324104912/http://www.ournhsscotland.com/]. South China Morning Post. “What’s the Story behind Instant Ramen Noodles?” April 1, 2020. https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3077785/whats-story-behind-instant-ramen-noodles-and-how-did. [https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3077785/whats-story-behind-instant-ramen-noodles-and-how-did.] Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture. 🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere [https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelated] 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@SeeminglyUnrelatedPod] 🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/SeeminglyUnrelated] Follow us on Substack [https://seeminglyunrelated.substack.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyunrelatedpod] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Where Did the X-Files Get All Its Ideas?

Everything from secret government experiments on aliens, implanted memories of sisters being kidnapped, extremely convenient bees...all of the things that filled the stories of the X-Files came from a 30+ year tradition of paranormal documentary style TV shows before it. But what real world trends inspired THOSE TV shows? Joining us this month to find out is the creator of the Accentricity podcast [https://www.accentricity-podcast.com/] and University of Glasgow lecturer Dr. Sadie Ryan! Go to patreon.com/seeminglyunrelated [https://www.patreon.com/posts/151330031] for the complete episode Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture. 🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere [https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelated] 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@SeeminglyUnrelatedPod] 🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/SeeminglyUnrelated] Follow us on Substack [https://seeminglyunrelated.substack.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyunrelatedpod] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Did Nintendo Start as a Criminal Organization?

Well...not entirely but...sort of? Welcome back to Seemingly Unrelated, while the main feed is on hiatus the bonus feed is still racking up coins and smashing our heads inexplicably into floating bricks. The full bonus episodes are available exclusively on Patreon for the low price of $2/month sign up now to find out what Nintendo has to do with Arab oil cartels, tobacco giants, and the Yakuza themselves... go to http://www.patreon.com/seeminglyunrelatehttp://www.patreon.com/seeminglyunrelated [http://www.patreon.com/seeminglyunrelated] to get the rest of this episode #nintendo  @NintendoJP  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCkH3CcMfqww9RsZvPRPkAJA] @beforemario  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCYO5_rwVY_TVqYrUPdMylZA] @GameHistoryOrg  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCicVsS0zrUPrA3RaOJO5oBg] #hanafuda #yakuza #darkhistory #videogamehistory Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture. 🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere [https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelated] 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@SeeminglyUnrelatedPod] 🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/SeeminglyUnrelated] Follow us on Substack [https://seeminglyunrelated.substack.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyunrelatedpod] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Terrifying Tale of Christmas Island w/Alice Fraser (preview)

Here is a little preview of our final bonus episode with Alice Fraser. Go to patreon.com/seeminglyunrelated [https://www.patreon.com/seeminglyunrelated] to unlock the rest of the episode for as little as $2. Also, you can book Alice Fraser to help you with your creative work just go to https://www.patreon.com/AliceFraser [https://www.patreon.com/AliceFraser] or https://www.alicecomedyfraser.com/ [https://www.alicecomedyfraser.com/] for details her workshops are exceptional and reasonably priced. Christmas Island is a really bad song, but not nearly as bad as what's been happening on Christmas Island. That means we needed to find someone extra good to help explore this history and we invited romance novelist [https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-passion-for-passion-a-delirious-love-letter-to-romance-alice-fraser/7761418?ean=9781800183629&next=t&affiliate=1174], prolific podcaster [https://www.thebuglepodcast.com/realms-unknown], comedian/lawyer and all around good egg Alice Fraser [https://www.alicecomedyfraser.com]to help us answer some questions about Christmas Island like: How boring was the naming of islands in the 17th/18th century? Is the British military responsible for giving a bunch of people cancer? How important is it to introduce your toddler to Godzilla? And of course: If Batman funded his vigilante life style with his own poo would we be so mad about all the punching of poor people? All this and more in our holiday bonus spectacular of Seemingly Unrelated [http://www.seeminglyunrelatedpod.com] Bibliography: Alexis-Martin, Becky. “The Atomic History of Kiritimati – a Tiny Island Where Humanity Realised Its Most Lethal Potential.” The Conversation, July 4, 2019. https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.uhxvuqp3p. [https://doi.org/10.64628/AB.uhxvuqp3p.] Australian Border Force Website. “Australian Border Force Website.” Accessed December 14, 2025. https://www.abf.gov.au/. [https://www.abf.gov.au/.] “Bird-Lore/Volume 01/No. 2/Suggestions for Bird-Day Programs - Wikisource, the Free Online Library.” Accessed December 14, 2025. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bird-Lore/Volume_01/No2/Suggestionsfor_Bird-Day_Programs. [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Bird-Lore/Volume_01/No2/Suggestionsfor_Bird-Day_Programs.] “Bugbog.Com/Kiribati_line/Christmas_island.Htm.” Accessed December 14, 2025. https://www.bugbog.com/kiribati_line/christmas_island.htm. [https://www.bugbog.com/kiribati_line/christmas_island.htm.] “Christms Island.” Accessed December 14, 2025. https://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/history-online/christmas-island.html. [https://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/history-online/christmas-island.html.] “Formerly Disputed Islands | U.S. Department of the Interior.” Site page. June 12, 2015. https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/disputedislands [https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/disputedislands]. Gómez-gallego, Tamara, Iván Sánchez-castro, Lázaro Molina, et al. “Phosphorus Acquisition by Plants: Challenges and Promising Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture in the 21st Century.” Pedosphere 35, no. 1 (2025): 193–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2024.05.002. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedsph.2024.05.002.] “Protecting Birds Where They Live and Migrate.” BirdLife International, March 22, 2021. https://www.birdlife.org/projects/ibas-mapping-most-important-places/. [https://www.birdlife.org/projects/ibas-mapping-most-important-places/.] The Andrews Sisters – The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. n.d. Accessed December 14, 2025. https://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-andrews-sisters/. [https://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-andrews-sisters/.] “TimesMachine: July 25, 1856 - NYTimes.Com.” Accessed December 14, 2025. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1856/07/25/77054566.html?zoom=14.61&pageNumber=8. [https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1856/07/25/77054566.html?zoom=14.61&pageNumber=8.] We Were but Sailing by – Early Impressions of Christmas Island. April 19, 2019. https://christmasislandarchives.com/we-were-but-sailing-by-early-impressions-christmas-island/. [https://christmasislandarchives.com/we-were-but-sailing-by-early-impressions-christmas-island/.] Seemingly Unrelated is a podcast all about exploring how everyday things connect to major movements in history, politics and culture. 🎵 Subscribe to the show everywhere [https://shows.acast.com/seemingly-unrelated] 📽️ Find the videos on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@SeeminglyUnrelatedPod] 🎰 Want even more? Get bonus episodes for as little as $2/month and a list of sources for this episode on our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/SeeminglyUnrelated] Follow us on Substack [https://seeminglyunrelated.substack.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyunrelatedpod] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyunrelatedpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.