Sidedoor

Smithsonian Institution

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 and follow @SidedoorPod for more info.

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Our Editor's Take

The Smithsonian Institute's Sidedoor podcast is a dream come true for the curious. And that's especially if they can't get to “the” Smithsonian in Washington, DC (or a Smithsonian affiliate) anytime soon. Sidedoor is like a VIP pass. Listeners get an inside view of one of the world's most magnificent museum collections.

The less science-inclined needn't worry that Sidedoor is boring, either. It lacks any stuffiness thanks to host Lizzie Peabody, who also produces the show. Peabody is a former teacher and onstage performer, so she knows how to engage and entertain. She's charming and relatable and tells science stories in a clear, playful manner.

Peabody focuses on the stories and people who provide more meaningful background information. It's almost as if the fact that a related item happens to live in a Smithsonian museum is of secondary concern. This makes sense: the podcast makes listeners want to visit the museum. And when they show up, they know what they're looking at much more intimately.

For example, an episode entitled “Hubble Trouble” discusses the Hubble Space Telescope. The episode debuted right after the launch of Hubble's successor, the James Webb Space Telescope. It makes use of interviews, sound clips, and crisp storytelling. By the end, listeners have experienced a few enriching moments. And, oh yes: listeners learn they can view a test module that is a near-exact replica of Hubble—at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.

Listeners can hear Sidedoor every other Tuesday. Episodes are around 30 minutes, and all are available now on Amazon Music.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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It’s Season Nine!

It’s Season Nine!

Sidedoor returns for its ninth season on Wednesday, March 1st!

Episodes

The Birds and the Beans

The Birds and the Beans

"God in a cup." "Perfection." "The world's best coffee." Panamanian geisha coffee has been called many things, but never Smithsonian Bird Friendly certified. That might soon change, however, as researchers from Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Migratory Bird Center find new ways to grow coffee in harmony with migratory songbirds. Join us for this fully caffeinated romp through Panama’s coffee farms as we learn all about the birds and the beans. Guests: Ruth Bennett, research ecologist at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Migratory Bird Center Katherine Araúz Ponce, fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and PhD student at The University of Georgia Maria Ruiz, owner of Ruiz Coffee Distributors Ratibor & Aliss Hartmann, owners of Finca Hartmann, specialty coffee and ecotourism Price Peterson, owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda

Dude, Where’s my Carbon?

Dude, Where’s my Carbon?

If you’ve bought a plane ticket recently, you’ve probably had the option to pay a few extra dollars to offset your carbon emissions. That money might go toward planting some trees… but how many trees? Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute are trying to answer this very question by hand-measuring trees, weighing wood, and climbing to the top of the canopy. We tag along to see how carbon is measured, and why so much ends up in tropical forests. Guests: Joshua Tewksbury, director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama Helene Muller-Landau, senior scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute researching tropical forests and ecosystems, leader of ForestGEO Global Carbon Program David Mitre, research manager for ForestGEO at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Sergio dos Santos, project manager for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s Hydro-Meteorological and Oceanographic Monitoring Program in Panama Luisa Fernanda Gómez Correa, intern at the Forest Carbon Lab at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Eline De Loore, graduate student at Ghent University conducting research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Milkmaid Spy

The Milkmaid Spy

Virginia Hall dreamed of being America’s first female ambassador. Instead, she became a spy. Joining the ranks of the U.S.’s first civilian spy network, she operated alone in occupied France, where she built French Resistance networks, delivered critical intelligence, and sold cheese to the enemy. All on one leg. Guests: Sonia Purnell, author of “A Woman of No Importance: the Untold Story of the American Spy who Helped Win World War II.” Randy Burkett, CIA Staff Historian Christina Gebhard, museum specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History

Auld Lang What?

Auld Lang What?

It’s a song we often hear at the start of the new year. But what does “auld lang syne” even mean? And how did it come to be associated with New Year's Eve? With a little musical sleuthing, we find Charlie Chaplin might have something to do with it… Guests: James Deutsch, curator of folklife and popular culture at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Welcome Back, Otter

Welcome Back, Otter

North American River Otters are popping up in places they haven't been seen in decades and nobody really knows why. As we search for answers we discover a trail of fish heads, poop splats and cuddle parties. Guests: Katrina Lohan, head of the Coastal Disease Ecology Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Alejandra Morales Picard, psychologist at Montgomery College Rebecca Sturniolo, assistant curator of the America Trail at the Smithsonian National Zoo Patty Storms & Morty Bachar, otter neighbors

Wrinkled Radicals

Wrinkled Radicals

When Maggie Kuhn was forced to retire from the job she loved at age 65, her colleagues gave her a sewing machine as a parting gift. Outraged, she shut the sewing machine in a closet and, instead, stitched together the first-ever movement against ageism in the U.S. The Gray Panthers would galvanize gray haired citizenry and youth alike to challenge the way Americans think about aging. Guests: Katherine Ott, curator and historian in the Division of Medicine and Science at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Emily Krichbaum, founding director for the Center for Girls' and Young Women's Leadership at Columbus School for Girls and scholar of women’s history Paul Nathanson, founder and former executive director of Justice in Aging (formerly the National Senior Citizens Law Center), a national advocacy group for the elderly poor Jack Kupferman, president of Gray Panthers NYC

Farewell Giant Pandas

Farewell Giant Pandas

All three Giant Pandas are leaving the Smithsonian's National Zoo for China by the end of the year. What's up with that?! We sat down with the director of the Zoo, Brandie Smith, to find out why the pandas are leaving, and whether China plans to send more. This might truly be the end of a beara ... we mean era! Guests: Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Stephen Powers, panda fan

Resurrected: Spooked at the Smithsonian

Resurrected: Spooked at the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institution was founded on principles of reason and scientific inquiry. So why is the Smithsonian home to countless tales of unexplained phenomena and—dare we say—ghost sightings? Inspired by an apparition at the National Museum of American History, we creak across museum attic floorboards, sneak into an old house in the woods, and even travel back in time to bring you a collection of spooky stories that can only be found at the Smithsonian. Guests: Molly Horrocks, Collections Manager, Division of Political and Military History at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Pamela Henson, Institutional Historian at the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Cpl. Ronald Howlin, Security Officer at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Deborah Hull-Walski, Collections Manager, Education Collections at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Melissa Johnson, daughter of Deb Hull-Walski and former skeptical teenager Kim Dixon, former volunteer at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

CSI: Southern Pacific

CSI: Southern Pacific

Looks like these criminals used correct postage, 'cause justice is about to be delivered. Okay, there are no snappy one-liners in this crime scene investigation, but there are explosions, collisions, manhunts and even a cow who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. On the centennial of "The Last Great Train Robbery," we re-examine the evidence to find out how U.S. Postal Inspectors tracked down a band of old school outlaws using cutting edge criminal forensics...and postmarked them for prison. Guests: Lynn Heidelbaugh, curator at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Chelsea Rose, Director of the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology Kate Winkler Dawson, author of American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics and the Birth of American CSI

Cellphones Rock

Cellphones Rock

Cellphones put the power of the world at our fingertips. With the touch of a finger, you can instantly connect with your doctor, have food delivered to your office or simply obliterate your niece at Words with Friends. And it's all made possible by rocks formed millions of years ago, deep underground. Join us as we bust open our devices to figure out how these stones power our phones. Guests: Joshua A. Bell, curator of globalization at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History Michael Wise, geologist in the department of mineral sciences at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Josh Lepawsky, professor of geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland

The 'Gentle Anarchy' of the Muppets

The 'Gentle Anarchy' of the Muppets

Icky Gunk. Moldy Hay. Kermit. You might recognize one of these names. Before Kermit joined Miss Piggy and Big Bird, he was kicking it with Sam and Friends — a local tv show in Washington, D.C. that launched Jim Henson's career. We journey back to 1955 to figure out how this eccentric cast of puppets built the foundation for everything Jim Henson would do afterwards, from Sesame Street, to The Muppet Show and even Labyrinth (we see you, David Bowie fans). And we venture into the conservation labs to learn what it took to revive these crumbling hunks of foam and fabric when they landed at the Smithsonian. Guests: Ryan Lintelman, curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Sunae Park Evans, senior costume conservator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History Bonnie Erickson, a director of The Jim Henson Legacy; creator of Miss Piggy Craig Shemin, author of Sam and Friends: The Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show

It's Season 10!

It's Season 10!

Sidedoor returns for its tenth season on Wednesday, September 13th!

A Wild Ride on the Pony Express

A Wild Ride on the Pony Express

In 1860 the fastest way to get a message to a family member, partner, or colleague wasn’t by text but by hoof…specifically, a pony’s. In just ten short days the Pony Express delivered mail between St. Louis and Sacramento. To find out what it was like to travel this legendary trail, there’s only one way: get on a horse and follow all 2,000 miles of it. That’s what writer Will Grant did, retracing the route from Missouri to California over four and half months. This guest episode of the Outside podcast brings you an epic camping tale in the name of history. We’ll be back with new episodes of Sidedoor in September! If you enjoyed this episode, find more stories from Outside at https://www.outsideonline.com/podcast

The Hungerford Deed

The Hungerford Deed

When a 200-year-old legal document anonymously arrived at his office, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives conservator William Bennett assumed it would be full of boring legal jargon. Instead, he found a juicy tale of family betrayal that would forever change what we thought we knew about the founding of the Smithsonian. In honor of the Smithsonian’s 177th birthday, we’re sharing one of our favorite stories from the Sidedoor collection. Guests: William Bennett, conservator at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries and Archives Social: @rwilliab (Instagram), @SirWilliamB (Twitter) Heather Ewing, author of The Lost World of James Smithson, and Associate Dean at New York Studio School Social: @HPealeEwing Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large