Did Christopher Columbus really discover America? Think again! In this episode, journey back over 1,000 years to the Age of Vikings and uncover the incredible story of Leif Erikson, the intrepid Viking explorer who reached North America nearly five centuries before Columbus.

You'll explore how Leif, son of the famous Erik the Red, was inspired by a merchant's tale and set sail into uncharted waters without maps or a compass. Discover the distinct lands he found, including the lush Vinland ("Wine Land"), and learn about the groundbreaking archaeological discovery at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland that proved his historic feat. Hear why Leif earned the nickname, "Leif the Lucky", and why his legacy of courage and discovery is celebrated today.

This episode delves into the extraordinary life of Hans Christian Andersen, tracing his journey from a poor shoemaker's son in Odense, Denmark, who made puppet costumes from scraps and created worlds beyond his humble single-room home, to a celebrated literary giant.

Discover how Andersen's imagination and resilience, evident in his unique paper-cut art, allowed him to overcome early rejections and hardships in Copenhagen. His bittersweet yet universally resonant fairy tales, like "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Mermaid," transformed his personal experiences into stories that speak to the soul, making him one of the first truly global authors.

Our latest episode explores the fascinating and often surprising look into the world of jawbreakers, also known as gobstoppers, a classic candy that has delighted generations but also comes with some unexpected quirks.

You'll uncover their 19th-century origins and the mystery behind their "jawbreaker" name, which originally referred to a hard-to-pronounce word.

Discover how Ferrara Pan Candy Company helped popularize these rock-hard treats, which are made through a surprisingly intricate and time-consuming "hot panning" process that can take anywhere from four days to several weeks for larger sizes. While they are over 90% sugar and famed for their long-lasting nature, parents should be aware that jawbreakers are "not so great for crunching" and have been humorously dubbed as "Frustrating dentists since 2008" due to their toughness.

More seriously, you'll learn about bizarre incidents involving exploding jawbreakers that caused burns, emphasizing the importance of proper storage and avoiding temperature extremes like refrigeration or microwaving.

Finally, we'll explore their significant impact on popular culture, from Roald Dahl's "Everlasting Gobstoppers" to their central role in Ed, Edd n Eddy and even inspiring a 1999 teen comedy.