191 episodes

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

Sidedoor Smithsonian Institution

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 2K Ratings

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

    Monkeyin' Around on the Devil's Island

    Monkeyin' Around on the Devil's Island

    It started as a rumor in the cafeteria of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama: monkeys on an island in the Pacific were doing something no one had ever seen them do before. But when researchers went searching for these elusive capuchin monkeys, they discovered more questions than answers.

    Guests:

    Claudio Monteza, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow and researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

    Brendan Barrett, researcher at the University of Konstanz and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior

    Meg Crofoot, director of the Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Former Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute fellow

    • 28 min
    Face Value

    Face Value

    Money is power. But who's on our money - or isn’t - can be just as powerful. While Lady Liberty has graced American coins and dollars for most of our history, it wasn’t until the 1970s that a real woman appeared on a circulating American coin. But that's about to change. Congress recently authorized the creation of twenty new quarters featuring American women from history. But how do we decide whose likeness gets engraved in our national story? And who makes these decisions? We’ll follow the money to find out.

    Guests:

    Jennifer Schneider, former program manager at Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, current assistant registrar of outgoing and government loans at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

    Tey Marianna Nunn, former director of the American Women’s History Initiative at the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, current associate director for content and interpretation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino

    Ellen Feingold, curator of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

    Joseph Menna, chief engraver at the United States Mint

    Tim Grant, public affairs manager at the United States Mint

    Dave Clark, supervisor of blanking annealing and upsetting at the United States Mint

    • 31 min
    Jeepers Leapers!

    Jeepers Leapers!

    Did you know a person born on February 29 is called a "leapling"? This special episode is hopping with Leap Day trivia! Like, why do we need an extra day every four years anyway? And will I get paid for working an extra day in February? It's the lowdown on Leap Day in an episode that's as off-kilter as the earth's axis.

    Guest:

    Bob Craddock, Geologist at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies

    • 13 min
    Til Death Do Us Part?

    Til Death Do Us Part?

    They say love is eternal. What about heartbreak? This Valentine’s Day, we bring you some of Japanese theater’s most popular tales of scorned lovers seeking vengeance from beyond the grave — with a burning passion.

    Guests: 
    Frank Feltens, Curator of Japanese Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
    Kit Brooks, Japan Foundation Assistant Curator of Japanese Art at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art

    • 29 min
    To Sidedoor, With Love

    To Sidedoor, With Love

    From brontosauruses with bronchitis to birds on a wire to flying space rocks and a botched heist at 20 thousand feet. In this episode, Lizzie and Sidedoor producer James run all around the Smithsonian to answer listeners' questions from the Sidedoor mailbag.

    Guests:

    Lynn Heidelbaugh, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum

    Sara Hallager, curator of birds at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

    Jim Nollman, composer and pioneer of the “interspecies music” genre, conceptual artist, and environmental activist

    Cari Corrigan, research geologist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and curator of the Antarctic Meteorite Collection

    Sharon Bryant, marketing specialist at the Smithsonian’s Office of Communications and External Affairs

    Matthew Carrano, research geologist and curator of Dinosauria at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

    • 36 min
    Tails of Bravery

    Tails of Bravery

    As long as there have been wars, animals have joined their human companions on the battlefield. But a few have served so bravely they’ve been memorialized at the Smithsonian. In honor of these furry and feathered war heroes, we bring you the tales of dogs, cats and birds who went above and beyond the call of duty. 

    Guests: 

    Jennifer Jones, curator of military history at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History 

    Frank Blazich, curator of military history at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History 

    Ann Bausum, author of Stubby the War Dog and Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win WWI and Stole the Heart of a Nation 

    Scot Christenson, author of Cats in the Navy 

    Chris Willingham, president of the United States War Dogs Association

    • 46 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
2K Ratings

2K Ratings

ncogbno ,

Calm and interesting

I feel like the world is interesting and mormal when I listen

Ratingron ,

Best podcast ever!

This podcast has taught my daughter so much I definitely recommend this podcast

CJEagleheart ,

Captivating + Educational

This podcast brings bits of history to life.

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