What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedStuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
If you loved Stuff You Should Know, start with Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (Carl Sagan, 1980) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to Stuff You Should Know across media.
What hooked you in Stuff You Should Know was the way curiosity transforms complex, often bizarre, real-world topics into accessible, conversational investigations.
Books on the same thread
How to Change Your Mind
Michael Pollan · Book
Explores: consciousness exploration, mental health reform, pharmacology.
Much like a deep-dive episode of Stuff You Should Know, this book explores the history and science of a misunderstood topic, bringing intellectual rigor to a fascinating, fringe subject.
The Nineties
Chuck Klosterman · Book · 2022
Explores: nostalgia, technological shift, generational identity.
Chuck Klosterman mirrors the inquisitive, pop-culture-obsessed energy of Stuff You Should Know by breaking down the societal shifts of a decade with the same conversational, analytical approach you enjoy.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari · Book · 2015
Explores: Human Evolution, Cognitive Revolution, Agricultural Revolution.
If you appreciate how Stuff You Should Know unpacks human history in bite-sized, engaging segments, you will enjoy this broader, equally curious examination of our species' development and evolution.
Cosmos
Carl Sagan · Book · 1980
Explores: Scientific Exploration, Humanism, Skepticism.
Carl Sagan shares the same infectious wonder that defines Stuff You Should Know, using a narrative style that makes the vast complexities of the universe feel deeply personal and understandable.
Films on the same thread
The Right Stuff
Film · 1983
Explores: Pioneering Spirit, Heroism and Ego, Technological Advancement.
This film captures the same spirit of discovery found in Stuff You Should Know, focusing on the human stories and technological hurdles behind monumental moments in history and science.
Idiocracy
Film · 2006
Explores: Anti-intellectualism, Future shock, Consumerism.
This satirical look at human evolution and societal decline echoes the humorous, observational tone that Stuff You Should Know often employs when discussing the weirder side of human behavior.
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Explores: wrongful imprisonment, hope, institutional corruption.
While a narrative drama, the meticulous attention to detail and systemic analysis found here will appeal to the same analytical brain that enjoys the deep dives of Stuff You Should Know.
Shoah
Claude Lanzmann · Film · 1985
Explores: Collective memory, Intergenerational trauma, The banality of evil.
This documentary shares the commitment to exhaustive, primary-source investigation found in Stuff You Should Know, prioritizing the human experience and detailed oral history over simple, surface-level facts.
Series on the same thread
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage
Carl Sagan · Series · 1980
Explores: Cosmology, Origin of Life, Scientific History.
Mirroring the educational mission of Stuff You Should Know, this series invites you to explore the origins of life and our place in the cosmos through clear, captivating explanations.
QI
John Lloyd · Series · 2003
Shares a thread with Stuff You Should Know: Trivia.
This show is the spiritual relative of Stuff You Should Know, rewarding the same kind of niche, intellectual trivia that makes learning about the world feel like a fun game.
Sesame Street
Lloyd Morrisett · Series · 1969
Explores: Early Childhood Education, Social Skills, Community.
This series shares the fundamental goal of Stuff You Should Know by making complex social and educational concepts approachable, engaging, and easy to digest for a wide audience.
Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends
Louis Theroux · Series · 1998
Explores: American Subcultures, Cultural Immersion, Social Outcasts.
Louis Theroux adopts a similar investigative curiosity to Stuff You Should Know, immersing himself in fringe subcultures to provide you with a clearer understanding of diverse human belief systems.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What kind of topics does Stuff You Should Know cover?
Stuff You Should Know covers a diverse range of subjects, including historical events like the Stonewall Uprising and Rosa Parks, scientific concepts such as chaos theory and El Nino, and various cultural or social phenomena like champagne, satanism, and true crime.
Who are the hosts of Stuff You Should Know?
The hosts of Stuff You Should Know are Josh and Chuck. They guide listeners through a wide variety of topics, explaining everything from complex scientific theories to significant historical moments and cultural curiosities in each episode of the podcast.
Is Stuff You Should Know a historical podcast?
Stuff You Should Know is not exclusively a historical podcast. While it features episodes on historical subjects like the Stonewall Uprising and Rosa Parks, it also explores scientific topics, cultural phenomena, and true crime, providing listeners with information on a broad spectrum of interests.
What is the premise of the Stuff You Should Know podcast?
The premise of Stuff You Should Know is to provide listeners with information on a vast array of topics. If you have ever wanted to learn about subjects ranging from LSD and chaos theory to champagne and satanism, the podcast offers a comprehensive look at these items.