Recently, the Louvre was in the headlines when at least 4 audacious thieves stole priceless jewels in broad daylight. But did you know that it wasn't the first time something incredible had been stolen from the Louvre? Join Trini and Monica as they explore the history of the world's most iconic painting, and how an unlikely thief made an otherwise overlooked painting the most famous in the world.

If you like the show, please be sure to leave us a review. And if you have a suggestion for a future episode, you can email us at piquedpodcast@duck.com

Sources:

(2025, February 3). The Mona Lisa Was Stolen - And Nobody Noticed. Missed History. Retrieved November 28, 2025, from https://missedhistory.com/1915/the-mona-lisa-was-stolen-and-nobody-noticed/

(2025, November 21). 1911 Theft of Mona Lisa: The Heist that Made the Painting Famous. Historical Crime. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://historicalcrime.com/1911-theft-of-mona-lisa-the-heist-that-made-the-painting-famous/

Andrews, E. (2025, October 24). The Heist that Made the Mona Lisa Famous. History Channel. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.history.com/articles/the-heist-that-made-the-mona-lisa-famous

Bedworth, C. (2024, August 4). Mona Lisa Missing! The Most Famous Theft in Art History. DailyArt Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2025, from https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/the-story-of-the-stolen-mona-lisa/

Bueno, B. (2024, February 23). The True Story of the Mona Lisa: From Italy to France. Tuscany Tips. Retrieved November 28, 2025, from https://tuscany.tips/story-of-the-mona-lisa/#how-the-mona-lisa-ended-up-in-france

Jones, J. (2019, February 20). How the Mona Lisa Went From Being Barely Known, to Suddenly the Most Famous Painting In the World. Open Culture. Retrieved November 26, 2025, from https://www.openculture.com/2019/02/how-the-mona-lisa-went-from-being-barely-known-to-suddenly-the-most-famous-painting-in-the-world-1911.html

King, R. (2025, October 20). A Brief History of Heists and Robberies at the Louvre. Town and Country Magazine. Retrieved November 28, 2025, from https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a69093619/louvre-museum-heists-history-explained/

Leath, M. (2025, October 25). A History of Heists at the Louvre: From the Mona Lisa to Napoleon's jewels. ABC News. Retrieved November 27, 2025, from https://abcnews.go.com/International/history-heists-louvre-mona-lisa-napoleons-jewels/story?id=126680032https://abcnews.go.com/International/history-heists-louvre-mona-lisa-napoleons-jewels/story?id=126680032

Rehs Galleries, Inc (2025, November 13). Louvre Security & The Theft of the Mona Lisa. Rehs Galleries. Retrieved November 28, 2025, from https://rehs.com/eng/2025/11/louvre-security-the-theft-of-the-mona-lisa/

Vincenzo Peruggia. (2025, November 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Peruggia

Wakeman, G. (2025, July 15). Why Pablo Picasso Was a Suspect in the 'Mona Lisa' Heist. History Channel. Retrieved

November 25, 2025, from https://www.history.com/articles/mona-lisa-heist-pablo-picasso-suspect

We're back in the Himalayas this week, exploring the mysterious Yeti. From ancient assistants to modern yak attacks, join Trini and Monica as they discuss what the yeti could really be as well as the cultural and psychological holes the myth of the yeti might help fill.

Be sure to like and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Reviews help new listeners find our show.

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, or a comment you'd like to share, please email us at piquedpodcast@duck.com, or follow us on Instagram and Bluesky @piquedpodcast.

Sources:

(n.d.). Bigfoot Vs. Yeti. Mythical Creatures. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://mythical-creatures.com/bigfoot-vs-yeti-comparing-the-worlds-most-famous-cryptids/

Butler, S. (2023, May 3). Tracking Down the Yeti in the Himalaya. Geographical. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://geographical.co.uk/culture/tracking-down-the-yeti-in-the-himalaya

Gigantopithecus. (2025, October 16). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantopithecus

Homo Floreresiensis. (2025, November 15). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis#

Pangboche Hand. (2025, April 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangboche_Hand

Spiegel, L. (2011, November 21). Yeti Evidence Falls Flat: Scientist Claims Local Officials Stage Siberian Snowman Hunt for Publicity. HuffPost. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/yeti-siberian-snowman-evidence_n_1100497

(2024, September 19). The Yeti Myth: Evidence, Disproof, and the Enduring Mystery. Mythology WorldWide. Retrieved November 15, 2025, from https://mythologyworldwide.com/the-yeti-myth-evidence-disproof-and-the-enduring-mystery/

Yeti. (2025, November 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeti

Ever wonder how builders get around the 13th floor in high rises? Or why thirteen is considered unlucky in the first place? Join Monica and Trini as they dig into the psychological and historical origins of why 13 gets such a bad rap.

Sources:

13 (Number). (2025, October 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_(number)

Britannica Editors. "Why Is 13 Unlucky?". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Aug. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Why-Is-13-Unlucky. Accessed 11 November 2025

Andersen, C. H. (2025, June 12). Here's Why Skyscrapers Don't Have a Thirteenth Floor. Reader's Digest. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.rd.com/article/why-skyscrapers-dont-have-13th-floors/

Cleveland Clinic (2023, February 22). Phobias. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24757-phobias

Cleveland Clinic (2025, October 13). The Psychology Behind a Superstition. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24757-phobias

Dunnell, T. (2024, October 24). Why is 13 Considered an Unlucky Number. History Facts. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://historyfacts.com/arts-culture/article/why-is-13-considered-an-unlucky-number

Friday the 13th. (2025, October 31). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th

Fritscher, L. (2023, December 11). Triskaidekaphobia. VeryWellMind. Retrieved November 14, 2025, from https://www.verywellmind.com/triskaidekaphobia-2671880

Marazani, B. (2025, May 28). What's So Unlucky About the Number 13. History.com. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.history.com/articles/whats-so-unlucky-about-the-number-13

Perrin, J. (2023, January 13). The Lost Egyptian Origins of the Superstitious Numbers 13 and 18. Ancient-Origins. Retrieved October 27, 2025, from https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/number-13-0017792

Triskaidekaphobia. (2025, October 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triskaidekaphobia

Content Warning: This episode does describe instances of death on the mountain, along with how the bodies are treated on the mountain. Listener discretion is advised.

Everyone's heard of Mount Everest, but have you ever learned about the actual makeup of the mountain? Or what the most common route up the mountain looks like? Join Monica and Trini as they explore the world's highest (but not largest) mountain.

Episode note: Trini misspoke during this episode. While 2024 was one of the most deadly years on the mountain, the current deadliest year on record was actually 2023 when a series of avalanches saw the death of 18 climbers, including Sherpas.

If you liked the show, please be sure to like and subscribe! Also, find us on Instagram and Bluesky (PiquedPodcast on both platforms) to stay up to date on our latest episodes and see photos of the mountain.

Sources:

Britannica Editors (2025, May 28). Sherpa. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sherpa-people

Future Us Inc. (2023, November 3). Mt. Everest - Why Do People Keep Climbing it? LiveScience. Retrieved November 7, 2025, from https://www.livescience.com/45041-mt-everest-why-do-people-keep-climbing-it.html

Gurung, P. (2025, July 24). Mount Everest, the Highest Peak in the World. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from https://www.discoveryworldtrekking.com/blog/mount-everest

Hillary Step. (2025, October 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Step

Himalayatra (2025, July 25). Everest - A Jewel of the Himalaya. Retrieved November 7, 2025, from https://himalayatra.com/everest-a-jewel-of-the-himalaya/

Impacts of Tourism. (2025, November 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impacts_of_tourism#Mount_Everest

Limbu, S. (2024, April 24). Amongst Growing Mountain Tourism in Nepal, Mount Everest Confronts the Perils of Pollution. Earth.org. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://earth.org/amidst-growing-mountain-tourism-in-nepal-mount-everest-confronts-the-perils-of-pollution/

National Geographic Society (2025, April 10). Mount Everest. National Geographic. Retrieved November 7, 2025, from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/mount-everest/

Saunders, T. (2023, July 1). What is the tallest mountain in the world? No, it's not Mount Everest. BBC Science Focus Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2025, from https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/what-is-the-tallest-mountain-in-the-world

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of naval warfare, including some examples of casualties. It also contains two instances of adult language.

When you studied the second World War in school, did you ever learn about the turning point of the Pacific campaign when essentially a single US battleship with a real badass of an admiral forced an entire contingent of Japanese ships to turn tail and run? Or about the smaller destroyers that fought alongside the battleship, before two of them sunk, leaving hundreds of men floating in shark infested waters overnight? Join Trini and Monica this week as they explore this story that when Trini first heard of it from her in-laws, she was convinced it had to be a slight exaggeration. Spoilers: it was not.

If you like the show, please be sure to leave us a review and subscribe. Your reviews help other people find our show!

If you have an idea for a future podcast, feel free to email us at piquedpodcast@duck.com

Sources

Content warning: This episode has the occasional swear, a few references to decaying meat, and a discussion regarding the origin of a mass hysteria event that lead to the death of hundreds of people. If any of this is not your jam, please feel free to skip over this week and join us back here next time.

Monica takes the helm this week for our 10th episode! Join the ladies as they dart around the zany, wonderful pathways that connect everything from beets to beef showers to moving rocks and the dance party to end all dance parties (for one small town in England, anyways).

If you like the show, please be sure to leave us a review and tell your friends.

And as always, if you have anything you're curious to learn more about, be sure to email us at piquedpodcast@duck.com!

Did you ever wonder how the cinnamon you find in the store gets made? Or where it comes from? Join Monica and Trini as they dive into the origins and history of cinnamon usage. They'll learn all about the traditional techniques still used today to harvest this spice, along with having a taste test to differentiate the different varieties.

Side note: This episode has a special third host, however she doesn't talk much yet. If you're easily distracted or don't enjoy listening to a baby babble in the background, you might want to skip this episode. While we try as hard as possible to record without interruption, our families will always come first. Thanks in advance for your understanding!

Also there is a small content warning for one use of strong language.

Sources:

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/plant/cinnamon

https://www.premiumspices.co.nz/blogs/news/history-of-cinnamon-tracing-ancient-origins-and-early-uses

https://spice.alibaba.com/spice-basics/cinnamon-showdown-vietnamese-cinnamon-vs-the-rest-of-the-world#flavor-differences

https://www.srilankabusiness.com/blog/difference-between-cassia-and-ceylon-cinnamon.html

https://cookedbytaste.com/how-do-they-harvest-cinnamon-sticks/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0882401018305667

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9269353/

https://www.jcehrlich.com/blog/ants/mythbusters-ants-and-cinnamon

https://www.childrensmn.org/educationmaterials/parents/article/14035/is-the-cinnamon-challenge-dangerous/

Do you want to know the wild (and slimy) origin of purple dye? Or why the Egyptians wore green pigment around their eyes? Or how blue was one of the first synthetic colors to be produced by scientists? Join Trini and Monica as they dive into the cool spectrum and learn about the history and psychology of the second half of the rainbow spectrum.

Be sure to follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠! And don't forget to leave a rating and review!

Sources:

Black. (2025, October 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black

"Blue." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Oct. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Cherry, K., MSEd (2025, April 17). The Psychology of Black. Verywell Mind. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-black-2795814

Cherry, Kendra MSEd. "The Color Blue - Meaning, Color Psychology and Effects." Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2024, www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-blue-2795815. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Cherry, K., MSed (2024, December 10). The Color Psychology of Green. Very Well Mind. Retrieved October 9, 2025, from https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-green-2795817#toc-green-color-meaning-and-psychology

Cherry, Kendra MSEd. "The Color Psychology of Purple." Verywell Health, 16 Sept. 2024, www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-purple-2795820. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

(n.d.). The History of the Color Purple - A Discovery Worth More Than Gold. Color Meanings. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.color-meanings.com/history-color-purple/

"Egyptian Blue." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Aug. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_blue. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Green. (2025, October 9). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green

"History of the Color Blue." Art in Context, 21 Feb. 2025, artincontext.org/history-of-the-color-blue/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Oleson, J., MSEd (n.d.). The History of the Color Black: Mystery, Death and Beauty. Color Meanings. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.color-meanings.com/history-color-black/

"Purple." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Oct. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Shay, M. (2024, June 21). The Meaning and Symbolism of Green. Color Cypher. Retrieved October 9, 2025, from https://www.colorcypher.com/green/