The Atlas Obscura Podcast

4.8 (4)
PLACES & TRAVEL
UPDATED DAILY

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.

1 DAY AGO

Atlas Obscura Presents Sound Influence: Los Rivera Destino and Jaquira Díaz

This week and next, we’re presenting Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico. The Río Piedras-based comedy band Los Rivera Destino talk about their musical childhoods, how making a music video in Bayamón changed their lives and careers forever, and the extremely unlikely place that has become their source of inspiration. Award-winning author Jaquira Díaz shares how salsa, bacalaítos and coquís defined her time growing up in the east coast towns of Humacoa and Fajardo. We also hear the wild story her grandmother told about aliens in El Yunque, and Jaquira describes the incredible sense of adventure she feels every time she explores the island. Subscribe to Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico wherever you get your podcasts.

26 min
2 DAYS AGO

Atlas Obscura Presents Sound Influence: Rita Moreno and Pachyman

Today and tomorrow, we’re presenting Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico. Legendary actress, singer, dancer and EGOT winner Rita Moreno shares memories of sugar cane, coquís and parrandas during her idyllic childhood in Humacao and Juncos. We hear about her recent trips back with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and how she almost turned down West Side Story because of her loyalty to the island. Dub star innovator Pachy García (aka Pachyman) opens up about growing up in Guaynabo’s vibrant reggae scene, the integral role Puerto Rico plays in his music now that he lives in Los Angeles, and the “unmistakable breeze” that greets him every time he comes back home to the island. Subscribe to Sound Influence: The Art and Soul of Puerto Rico wherever you get your podcasts.

29 min
3 DAYS AGO

Riding with Dilla

Producer Gabby Gladney sees her South Side Chicago neighborhood in a new light thanks to Mahogany Bus Tours, a local company sharing hidden histories around the city.

14 min
4 DAYS AGO

Is This America’s Ugliest Statue?

In the 1880s, an eccentric California dentist gave away free public water fountains in the hopes they would encourage people to drink less alcohol. One of them went to the small town of Rockville, Connecticut, where it was… not well received. In fact, it was torn down, thrown in a local lake, torn down again… and so on.

16 min
5 DAYS AGO

The Places We’re Thankful For

Listener stories about the places we’re thankful for – from a beloved neighborhood, to an odd and out-of-place house down the block, to a library that inspired one listener to become a writer herself. Plus, we want to hear your stories of memorable encounters with strangers. Give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave us a message telling us your story. Or better yet, record a voice memo and email it to us at hello@atlasobscura.com.

11 min
22 NOV

The Blue Whale of Catoosa (Classic)

Catoosa, Oklahoma is the cite of a massive landlocked whale - and possibly the greatest anniversary gift ever.

14 min
21 NOV

Bohemians, Bootleggers, and Bogus Bottles: A History of Absinthe

Journalist and food writer Evan Rail considers himself a beer guy, but when a mysterious bright green spirit started shaking up the scene in the Czech Republic (where he lives) in the 1990s, he knew he had to learn more. His latest book “The Absinthe Forger: A True Story of Deception, Betrayal, and The World’s Most Dangerous Spirit” looks back at the history of absinthe, why it was banned across Europe almost 100 years ago, and how its return to the market has inspired collectors, connoisseurs…and even conmen.

21 min
20 NOV

The Integratron

In August 1953, airstrip operator George van Tassel claimed he was woken up in the middle of the night by an intelligent lifeform from outer space named Solganda. George says Solganda told him to build an energy rejuvenation machine – so that’s exactly what he spent the rest of his life doing…

17 min

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TRAILER

Introducing: The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Coming March 15: A new audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places.

26/02/2021

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3 min

4.8

out of 5

4 Ratings

So interesting!

21 Oct

kiwi at the bay

Excellent topic selection from around the world and great story-telling. Perfect for curious listeners. I’ve added many Atlas Obscura places to my must-visit list. Thanks!

An audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters explore a new wonder every day, Monday through Thursday. In under 15 minutes, they’ll take you to an incredible place, and along the way, you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Our theme and end credit music is composed by Sam Tyndall.