Sidedoor podcast

Sidedoor

More than 154 million treasures fill the Smithsonian’s vaults. But where the public’s view ends, Sidedoor begins. With the help of biologists, artists, historians, archaeologists, zookeepers and astrophysicists, host Lizzie Peabody sneaks listeners through the Smithsonian’s side door, telling stories that can’t be heard anywhere else. Check out [si.edu/sidedoor ] (https://www.si.edu/sidedoor) and follow @SidedoorPod for more info. 

More than 154 million treasures fill the Smithsonian’s vaults. But where the public’s view ends, Sidedoor begins. With the help of biologists, artists, historians, archaeologists, zookeepers and astrophysicists, host Lizzie Peabody sneaks listeners through the Smithsonian’s side door, telling stories that can’t be heard anywhere else. Check out [si.edu/sidedoor ] (https://www.si.edu/sidedoor) and follow @SidedoorPod for more info. 

 

#235

A Mold with a Grudge

It started with a messy lab and a mysterious mold. But turning “mold juice” into the world... more

10 Dec 2025

39 MINS

39:07

10 Dec 2025


#234

The Secret of Lincoln's Watch

A mystery hidden in time. Wrapped in gold. Stowed secretly in Lincoln's pocket. We dig int... more

26 Nov 2025

30 MINS

30:27

26 Nov 2025


#233

It's Season 12!

Sidedoor returns for its twelfth season on Wednesday, November 26th!

19 Nov 2025

01 MINS

01:48

19 Nov 2025


#232

A Message Regarding the Shutdown

Please be advised that new episodes will not be released during the government shutdown. F... more

10 Oct 2025

00 MINS

00:15

10 Oct 2025


#231

Monkey Mystery: The Case of the Capuchin Kidnappers

Why are capuchin monkeys kidnapping howler monkey babies in Panama? We investigate this bi... more

01 Oct 2025

23 MINS

23:14

01 Oct 2025


#230

The Music of Jeopardy! From a Lullaby to $100,000,000

It’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t origin... more

17 Sep 2025

23 MINS

23:40

17 Sep 2025


#229

Extreme Botany

Ana María Bedoya's work takes her to some unlikely places: steep cliffs, river rapids, and... more

03 Sep 2025

34 MINS

34:19

03 Sep 2025


#228

Back to School: Origins of the Pledge

Children say it every day in school, but have you ever wondered why we recite the pledge o... more

20 Aug 2025

31 MINS

31:30

20 Aug 2025


#227

Bear Trouble

When a black bear in Minnesota woke up from hibernation in the middle of winter and attack... more

06 Aug 2025

17 MINS

17:20

06 Aug 2025


#226

Shellshocked II: Turtle Thieves

Turtles are built like tiny tanks—ancient, armored, and famously tough. But in the modern ... more

23 Jul 2025

30 MINS

30:28

23 Jul 2025


#225

Shellshocked I: Turtles vs. The World

Turtles have been around for 200 million years—outliving dinosaurs, surviving ice ages, an... more

09 Jul 2025

31 MINS

31:23

09 Jul 2025


#224

Bloodsuckers!

Leeches don’t get a lot of love. They’re slimy, wriggly, and, well, they suck—blood that i... more

25 Jun 2025

30 MINS

30:33

25 Jun 2025


#223

The Giving Game

The Gilded Age was a time of unparalleled wealth and prosperity in America — but it was al... more

11 Jun 2025

34 MINS

34:05

11 Jun 2025


#222

Space Jams

If you were curating a mixtape that might be heard by aliens billions of years from now - ... more

28 May 2025

41 MINS

41:47

28 May 2025


#221

Zoo's Clues

The Curious Case of the Dizzy Kudu. Rhinos with an unexplained skin disease. A lion that c... more

14 May 2025

41 MINS

41:21

14 May 2025