Which songs would be in your top 5? Tell us in the Discord...

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From ancient dice games to high-tech slot machines, the allure of risk and reward has shaped human behavior for centuries. In this high-rolling episode, unravel the history and psychology of gambling—how it started, why our brains are wired for it, and what keeps us coming back for more. Is it luck, skill, or just pure delusion? Place your bets and tune in for a deep dive into the science of chance, the origins of casinos, and the sneaky tricks that keep gamblers hooked.

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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD

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Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas.

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word!

Midnight Merch

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Which games would be in your top 5? Tell us in the Discord...

~

Access the entire back catalog of After Midnights, plus bonus episodes and video livestreams over at the brand new MFFI Patreon:

PATREON

~

Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas.

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word!

Midnight Merch

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Join Shane and Duncan as they dig their claws into the captivating history and evolution of our feline friends. From the revered temple cats of ancient Egypt to the superstition-shrouded mousers of the Middle Ages, and finally to the pampered companions of today, the duo traces the journey of cats through time. Whether you’re a cat lover or simply curious about humanity’s most mysterious semi-domesticated animal, this episode will leave you feline fine. Get ready to unravel the secret lives of cats, one fact at a time!

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Midnight Merch

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From umbrellas that distribute rain to radios that print the news, here are the most useless pieces of technology ever foisted an unsuspecting public.

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In this episode:

• Radio Newspaper
• Xybernaut POMA
• Kerastese Hair Coach
• Umbrella Drone
• Vacuum Cleaner Shoes
• iSmell
• Amazon Astro

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Have you ever wondered why we "turn a blind eye," "pull out all the stops," or "fly off the handle"? In this episode, Shane and Duncan dive into the quirky, surprising, and sometimes downright bizarre origins of the phrases we use every day. From ancient customs to historical mishaps, discover the stories behind the words—and how they’ve stood the test of time. Get ready to uncover the ‘writing on the wall’ about your favorite idioms and figures of speech!

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Join the Midnight Masses!

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Midnight Merch

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Merry Christmas, insomniacs! Here's a blast from the past. We hope you're having an amazing holiday season.

How is Santa Claus connected to cannibalism? Which Christmastide holiday commemorates the slaughter of children? How should you decode the cryptic numerology message 20+C+M+B+22? And what's with all of those airborne reindeer? Welcome to Ghosts of Christmases Past, in which Shane and Duncan explore how tree-worship and animal sacrifice evolved into the bizarre, festive, highly commercialized holiday we know today. So whether you're feeling the Christmas spirit or just feeling jaded and grinchy, grab a cup of heavily-spiked eggnog, get cozy by the yule-log, and join the boys as they unpack the fascinating pagan history of Christmas.

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In this episode:

• Christmastide
• Christmas Eve
• The Feast of Saint Stephen, Protomartyr
• Childermas, The Feast of the Holy Innocents
• Herod the Great
• The Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, Octave of the Nativity, Solemnity of Mary
• The Feast of the Holy Family
• 12th Night, Epiphany Eve
• Chalking the Door
• Saturnalia
• The Holiday of Yule
• Yule Boar, Yule Goat, Yule Log
• Anglican Revelers vs. Puritan Grinches
• The Story of the Nativity
• December 25th Becomes the Arbitrary DOB
• Christenmas, Christ Mass, and Xmas
• Christmas Trees
• Saint Nicholas of Myra, aka Saint Nick, aka Nicholas the Wonderworker
• Sinterklaas
• Christmases Around the World
• Reindeer
• Thomas Nast
• Haddon Sundblom and Coca-Cola

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Crack open the door on one of the world’s most intriguing and controversial faiths: The Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Despite requiring members to give up holidays, patriotism, voting, birthday celebrations, popular music, any real chance of eternal life in heaven, and blood consumption (seriously), the church topped 8 million members in 2014 and continues to expand.

From apocalyptic roots and bold predictions to relentless evangelical hustle, find out how a tiny group of contrarian Bible students gradually built one of the largest doomsday cults on earth.

~

Support the show by becoming a Midnight Minion, Menace, or Maniac, and unlock exclusive bonus content over at PATREON

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Chat with fellow insomniacs and vote on episode topics via DISCORD

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Join the Midnight Masses!

Become an Insomniac by dropping a review, adding us on social media, and contacting us with episode ideas.

And we now have Midnight Merch! Show your Insomniac pride and pick up a tee shirt or coffee mug to spread the word!

Midnight Merch

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