The Story Behind

Emily Prokop

The Story Behind tells the extraordinary history of the ordinary. Everyday objects are more closely examined, from their ancient beginnings through the present—all within 5-10 minutes.

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Top 10 The Story Behind Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Story Behind episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Story Behind for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Story Behind episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Clue: The Game | Clue Series: The Inventor, Changes to the Game, Different Versions, Strategies (TSB085)

The Story Behind

09/11/17 • 8 min

Welcome to The Story Behind: Clue Series. In every episode of this series, we talk about the history of one of the original weapons used in the game, “Clue.” This series may not be appropriate for all ages and listener discretion is advised.

This is the final episode of The Story Behind Clue Series. I hope you’ve all enjoyed talking about the weapons in the classic game, as well as talking about the 1985 movie. In this episode, we’re going back to the very beginning to talk about the game, itself.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Clue: The Game.

Learn more about Podcast Share at PodcastShare.net or by following @PodcastShare on Twitter.

The Clue Series Butler you heard at the beginning of the episode was played by Paul from Rick and Paul Heal the World.

Join The Story Behind Discussion Group on Facebook!

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

This episode was brought to you by The Story Behind Executive Producers who support the show through the Patreon Page at patreon.com/thestorybehind: Stargate Pioneer from GonnaGeek.com, Mat from the One Word, Go! Show, Sam Dunn, Diane from History Goes Bump, Scott Smith from Recovering from Religion, and newest Executive Producer Dan Brenic from Netflix N’ Swill.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

"Dance of Deception" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

"Happy Happy Game Show" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Music for Makers

Sources:

Clue & Cluedo - The Big Game Hunter

Get a Cluedo: The Wonderful Story of Everyone's Favorite Mystery Game - Mental Floss

How One British Soldier Turned a Parlor Game into Clue - Mental Floss

5 Classic Board Games With Disturbing Origin Stories - Cracked.com

The Clue Game History on Parker Brothers Letterhead - 1994 - The Art of Murder

Photographs of Anthony Pratt's Grave - The Art of Murder

How to Win at Clue (Cluedo) - The Spruce

Clue Versions - USAopoly

Hasbro Updates Clue With New Characters, Weapons - New York Daily News

The Mona Lisa | Stolen Art and a Mysterious Smile (TSB028)

The Story Behind

01/23/17 • 9 min

This week’s theme was inspired by the title of my favorite song from Elton John, which is Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. You don’t have to be familiar with the song to listen to the episodes, but if you haven’t, it’s one of the more underrated of his songs. Naturally, we’re starting the week talking about the famous painting and the even more famous smile painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.

In this episode, we’ll be talking about the real-life woman in the painting, how the painting may have achieved its fame because of being stolen and why the smile on the painting’s subject is so mysterious.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind The Mona Lisa

The role of Luc Maspero was played by Fee from The Ultra Podcast.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/62280/14-things-you-didnt-know-about-mona-lisa

http://www.ibtimes.com/why-mona-lisa-so-famous-310480

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/stolen-how-the-mona-lisa-became-the-worlds-most-famous-painting-16406234/

http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/mona-lisa-portrait-lisa-gherardini-wife-francesco-del-giocondo

http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/who-posed-for-leonardo-da-vincis-mona-lisa

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/secret-behind-mona-lisa-smile-discovered-326770

http://www.ibtimes.com/why-mona-lisa-so-famous-310480

http://www.livescience.com/4648-25-secrets-mona-lisa-revealed.html

http://www.livescience.com/32483-why-does-mona-lisas-smile-change.html

The Four Chords | From Pachelbel to Journey and Beyond (TSB020)

The Story Behind

12/26/16 • 7 min

When Australian comedic Band Axis of Awesome created a YouTube hit in 2011 with their song, “Four Chords,” many were amazed to realize just how many songs used the same chord progression. If you haven’t heard the song in it’s entirety, I encourage you to take a listen.

LINK TO Axis of Awesome’s “4 Chords”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ

In this episode, we’ll talk about why it’s possible to sing a number of different songs using the same four chords, why these four chords sound so good to our ears, and hopefully when this episode is over, you will continue to listen to podcasts instead of the radio, since you already know what most of the songs sound like.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind the Four Chords.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Pachelbel’s Canon

Axis of Awesome - 4 Chords

Four Chord Progression and Sensitive Female Chord Progression

Sources:

http://www.easyeartraining.com/learn/four-chords-and-the-truth/#

http://wmbriggs.com/post/2641/

http://web.archive.org/web/20100113080032/http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/12/31/striking_a_chord/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/01/14/country-music-mash-up-luke-bryan-blake-shelton-florida-georgia-line/21751561/

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThreeChordsAndTheTruth

http://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/why-do-songs-get-stuck-in-our-heads/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/9950143/Get-that-tune-out-of-your-head-scientists-find-how-to-get-rid-of-earworms.html

http://archive.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/12/31/striking_a_chord/

http://www.tdpri.com/threads/thought-of-the-day-on-chord-progressions.487939/

April Fool's Day "Remastered" | The Quotes Are Intentional ;)

The Story Behind

04/01/18 • 3 min

!yojnE

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----------------------Reverse----------------------

Last year, I released a special episode of The Story Behind April Fool's Day, and with all the practice I've gotten since then of editing podcasts (for myself and others), I wanted to try my hand a remastering an older episode. And this was the perfect one to try today.

Enjoy!

Join The Story Behind Discussion Group on Facebook!

Want to be a part of The Story Behind Book Tour?

I’d love to come to your city for bar trivia or game night at your house to meet you and other listeners! If you’re on the Eastern side of the U.S., reach out to me and let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in.

You can email me at [email protected] or visit TheStoryBehindPodcast.com/Contact.

Learn about Podcast Share at PodcastShare.net or by following @PodcastShare on Twitter.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Website

This episode was brought to you by The Story Behind Executive Producers who support the show through the Patreon Page at patreon.com/thestorybehind: Stargate Pioneer from GonnaGeek.com, Mat from the One Word, Go! Show, Sam Dunn, Diane and Denise from History Goes Bump, Dan Brenic from Netflix N’ Swill, Jarrod Dunham from TheHistoryphile.net, Heather Welch from Sunshine and PowerCuts, Jason Bryant from Mat Talk Online, Gerald and Andy from Two Peas on a Podcast, Bandrew Scott from The Bandrew Says Podcast and Podcastage YouTube Channel, Adam from Everyone Has a Podcast. and Barry G, Nick and Justin from Epic Film Guys, Jeremy Collins from Podcasts We Listen To, and the North Omaha History Podcast and Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting.

If you’re interested in freshening up your own show or starting a podcast, visit EPodcastProductions.com and use the promo code STORYBEHIND for $25 off a Strategy Session. Hope to talk to you soon!

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Proud supporter of #PodernFamily, #HumanitiesPodcasts & #LadyPodSquad on Twitter.

Speakeasies | Prohibition's Open Secret (TSB014)

The Story Behind

12/05/16 • 8 min

There are lots of experiments that have come and gone. And not just experiments you’ll find in science laboratories or chemistry classes.

For example, if you were around for the early days of Facebook, back when it was known as “THE Facebook,” you might remember the slogan “a social experiment.” But it wasn’t the first social experiment, and it certain won’t be the last. Prohibition, otherwise known as a constitutional ban on the making and selling of alcoholic beverages, was known as the Noble Experiment from 1920-1933.

It’s safe to say the experiment failed, considering many lost their jobs, restaurants and clubs were put out of business, and prohibition gave way to corruption and an increase in underground crime, not to mention an exorbitant amount of power wielded to mobsters and bootleggers like Al Capone.

Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys once said, "For every prohibition you create, you also create an underground."

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Speakeasies.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

The role of Jello Biafra was played by Mark from the Unskippable podcast, and Eleanor Roosevelt was played by Tammy Terwelp, General Manager of 91.5 KRCC, Southern Colorado's NPR Station.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jello_biafra.html

http://www.history.com/news/hungry-history/prohibition-speakeasies-and-finger-foods

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-prohibitionspeakeasy.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268971/Inside-speakeasies-1920s-The-hidden-drinking-spots-transformed-New-York-Citys-night-life-prohibition-era-beyond.html

http://www.blackpast.org/aah/cotton-club-harlem-1923

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/secret-bars-hard-to-find-speakeasies

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/20th-gangsters.html

https://parachute.mapquest.com/2016/03/16/five-hardest-speakeasies-to-get-into/

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1085.html

The Polygraph | On the Deceiving End (TSB018)

The Story Behind

12/19/16 • 8 min

We've seen them on TV, most notably on daytime shows like Maury, catching cheaters and making for over-dramatic television. But if lie detectors are so good? Why aren't they used in actual criminal cases?

In this episode, we'll talk about the invention of the lie detector test, how it works and even how to pass a lie detector test.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind the Polygraph.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

Special thanks to Jim Collison from Home Gadget Geeks at TheAverageGuy.TV, who played my polygraph tester in this episode.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.kidzone.ws/science/polygraph/historyofthepolygraphmachine.htm

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22467640

http://americacomesalive.com/2014/11/08/invention-polygraph/

http://www.engineersgarage.com/invention-stories/lie-detector-history

http://www.apa.org/research/action/polygraph.aspx

https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=31737

http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/defendants-rights/lie-detector-test.htm#

http://www.livescience.com/33512-pass-lie-detector-polygraph.html

http://www.npr.org/2014/10/27/359078315/the-man-behind-wonder-woman-was-inspired-by-both-suffragists-and-centerfolds

http://home.total.net/~galcar/html/brief_history_of_the_polygraph.html

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=polygraph

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/04/the-polygraph-has-been-lying-for-90-years.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-02/will-lie-detectors-ever-get-their-day-in-court-again-

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LieDetector

https://books.google.com/books?id=QI0S4XhXJ9wC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=Tony+Grignano+and+Cecil+Loniello&source=bl&ots=6LQ7Kd1bLN&sig=744rNkcgzT-VU1V4udK5qMO5D38&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQoeGuoODQAhUB1mMKHXF7CrAQ6AEIVjAM#v=onepage&q=Tony%20Grignano%20and%20Cecil%20Loniello&f=false

Madame Tussaud | Just the Wax, Ma'am (TSB015)

The Story Behind

12/08/16 • 6 min

Have you ever seen a human-like robot, doll or animatronic that was so lifelike it gave you the creeps? Maybe you feel uncomfortable seeing a clown or zombie but don’t know why. The uneasiness you may feel is known as the Uncanny Valley Phenomenon, which is noticeable when something is so close to being human, but lacks a certain something that’s hard to describe. If you saw the robot from the 1986 movie, “Short Circuit,” your brain would process it as just a regular robot and it wouldn’t set off any warning bells in your mind. But the more scientists try to add human features to a robot, the more negatively we respond to it.

This uncanny valley is why some people say they feel uncomfortable in wax museums. The characters are so incredibly lifelike, yet there’s something just off enough about them, our brains process them as being something to fear. Yet, wax museums have been popular tourist attractions for years. And it was one woman who became so skilled at her wax sculptures, her museums have attracted guests for more than 250 years.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Madame Tussaud.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/11/health/uncanny-valley-robots/

http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/european-art-1600-present-biographies/marie-tussaud

http://mentalfloss.com/article/25496/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-madame-tussauds-wax-museum

https://www.madametussauds.com/hollywood/en/about/about-us/

http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/death-madame-tussaud

https://ridiculouslyinteresting.com/2012/11/27/burnt-and-melted-wax-figures-after-the-1925-fire-at-madame-tussauds-in-london/

Wedding Luck & Superstitions | Wearing White, Bridesmaids, Rings, Rice, Cake and More (TSB047)

The Story Behind

03/30/17 • 8 min

Ever wonder why brides wear white or why they wear veils? Or maybe what the point of bridesmaids were and why they’re dressed alike? There are tons of wedding traditions you probably dismissed as being just that -- traditions, but in fact, many of them stemmed from superstitions.

It was hard to stick to just a few for this episode. So we’re going to touch on a bunch.

For the month of March, I’ll be looking at the stories behind common superstitions and symbols of luck.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Wedding Luck and Superstitions

This episode is dedicated to my friend Tracy and her soon-to-be husband Chris who are getting married in a few short weeks. (I have yet to consult Emily Post to see if dedicating a podcast episode is considered a good wedding present, though.)

Love this series? GET THE CD! The entire Luck & Superstitions series is available on CD -- the perfect gift for people who love trivia but aren't into podcasts (yet). http://kunaki.com/sales.asp?PID=PX00ZI65G5

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Like this series? BUY THE CD of the entire Luck & Superstition Series!

Got a favorite podcast? Use the hashtag #TryPod to let others know about it through the month of March.

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/queen-victoria-sparked-white-wedding-dress-trend-1840-180953550/

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/06/living/matrimony-superstitions/

http://superstitiondictionary.com/wedding-superstitions-good-and-bad-luck/

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a4572/ridiculous-wedding-superstitions/

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/customs/dress.asp

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/customs/notsee.asp

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/customs/bridesmaid.asp

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/customs/ring.asp

http://www.snopes.com/weddings/customs/cake.asp

http://mentalfloss.com/article/57821/21-historical-roles-and-responsibilities-wedding-party

http://www.brides.com/story/wedding-superstitions-what-they-mean

http://mentalfloss.com/article/18915/bizarre-origins-8-wedding-traditions

http://people.howstuffworks.com/groom-carry-bride1.htm

Forrest Gump (With Nick from The Epic Film Guys) | Forrest Gump February (TSB038)

The Story Behind

02/27/17 • 15 min

In 1994, a movie came along about a man of low intelligence who happens to hit a few lucky breaks, weaving himself in and out of the timeline of American history, and into the hearts of millions of movie-goers. That man was Forrest. Forrest Gump.

For the month of February, I focused episode topics on historical and pop culture references in the movie. This is the last episode of the series, in which we talk about the book that inspired the movie, the soundtrack everyone in my high school had and wore out, and the cultural impact of this modern-day classic. And, because I couldn’t just talk about this film by myself, I have a special guest with me for this episode.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, with Nick from the Epic Film Guys, and this is The Story Behind Forrest Gump.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website

Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one.

If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one.

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Media:

Music for Makers

Alan Silvestri - The Feather Theme from the "Forrest Gump" Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEY3o00LRHI

Sources:

http://www.mtv.com/news/1922408/forrest-gump-trivia/

http://mentalfloss.com/node/31001&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Partner&utm_campaign=allthatisinteresting

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-03-27/features/1995086082_1_forrest-gump-man-forrest-book-and-movie

http://www.mtv.com/news/1922456/forrest-gump-sequel/

http://www.slashfilm.com/911-killed-the-forrest-gump-sequel/

http://www.npr.org/2016/10/03/496412606/why-it-took-forrest-gump-author-nearly-20-years-to-write-a-new-novel

https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/03/10-songs-inspired-by-movie-characters.html

http://www.alansilvestri.com/movie-clips.htm

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/alan-silvestri-back-future-forrest-gump-and-his-hollywood-break/

http://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/gumpisms-wit-and-wisdom-forrest-gump/

http://www.laweekly.com/arts/we-need-to-talk-about-forrest-gump-5045629

http://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/gumpisms-wit-and-wisdom-forrest-gump/

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/01/movies/following-the-star-of-a-winsome-idiot.html?scp=28&sq=Forrest%20Gump&st=cse

The Traffic Light | Stop Right Now, Thank You Very Much (TSB113)

The Story Behind

05/17/18 • 10 min

As many of you know, The Story Behind is being turned into a book, which means I’m in the process right now of doing probably one of my favorite parts of making the podcast, which is doing a ton of research in preparation.

This week’s episode will be one of the chapters in the book, but the information and the inventor was one I found hard to keep to myself until the book came out. Even though we may curse at this week’s topic sometimes, it’s saved numerous lives and made driving much safer since its invention.

I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind the Traffic Light.

Help Support Livestream for the Cure!

Check out Emily’s other podcast, Hate to Weight!

Join The Story Behind Discussion Group on Facebook!

Learn about Podcast Share at PodcastShare.net or by following @PodcastShare on Twitter.

Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Website

This episode was brought to you by The Story Behind Executive Producers who support the show through the Patreon Page at patreon.com/thestorybehind: Stargate Pioneer from GonnaGeek.com, Mat from the One Word, Go! Show, Linguist Sam, Diane and Denise from History Goes Bump, Dan Brenic from Netflix N’ Swill, Jarrod Dunham from TheHistoryphile.net, Heather Welch from Sunshine and PowerCuts, Jason Bryant from Mat Talk Online, Gerald and Andy from Two Peas on a Podcast, Bandrew Scott from The Bandrew Says Podcast and Podcastage YouTube Channel, Adam from Everyone Has a Podcast, and Barry G, Jim Collison from The Average Guy Network, the North Omaha History Podcast and Dave Jackson from the School of Podcasting.

If you’re interested in freshening up your own show or starting a podcast, visit EPodcastProductions.com and use the promo code STORYBEHIND for $25 off a Strategy Session. Hope to talk to you soon!

Click here to support this podcast on Patreon.

Proud supporter of #PodernFamily, #HumanitiesPodcasts & #LadyPodSquad on Twitter.

Media:

Music for Makers

Sources:

Show more best episodes

The Story Behind

Emily Prokop

Top 10 The Story Behind Episodes

Clue: The Game | Clue Series: The Inventor, Changes to the Game, Different Versions, Strategies (TSB085)

The Mona Lisa | Stolen Art and a Mysterious Smile (TSB028)

The Four Chords | From Pachelbel to Journey and Beyond (TSB020)

April Fool's Day "Remastered" | The Quotes Are Intentional ;)

Speakeasies | Prohibition's Open Secret (TSB014)

The Polygraph | On the Deceiving End (TSB018)

Madame Tussaud | Just the Wax, Ma'am (TSB015)

Wedding Luck & Superstitions | Wearing White, Bridesmaids, Rings, Rice, Cake and More (TSB047)

Forrest Gump (With Nick from The Epic Film Guys) | Forrest Gump February (TSB038)

The Traffic Light | Stop Right Now, Thank You Very Much (TSB113)

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