Sixteen-year-old Milly from Lancashire brought her best friend (a North Ronaldsay ram) to pick up her GCSEs, just months after the duo wowed the school prom in matching outfits. It’s not the first time sheep have stepped into classrooms — or headlines — and we’re taking you on a stroll through award-winning young shepherds, illegal lockdown pubs with livestock, and the French village where a flock of sheep literally saved a school.

Shepherd takes ‘therapy sheep’ to get GCSE results (BBC, Aug 21, 2025)

Sheep found as police raid Bacup drinking party (BBC, Feb 6, 2021)

Shear genius: French school enrols sheep to keep class open (Agence France-Presse, The Guardian, May 7, 2019)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Reading Rainbow is back, baby — and this time it’s got big hair and an even bigger smile. Beloved internet librarian Mychal Threets will host the new digital version of the iconic PBS show, launching October 4. The reboot honors the original format that made us want to read all summer long, while giving it a fresh lift for the next generation. We’ll revisit the legacy of LeVar Burton, the theme song wars (Chaka Khan vs. Tina Fabrique!), and why this show always felt like a field trip and a hug at the same time.

‘Reading Rainbow’ is back! Viral librarian Mychal Threets to host beloved series (Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, Sep 30, 2025)

‘Reading Rainbow’ returning after nearly 20 years; new host announced (Natalie Sierra, The Hill, Sep 30, 2025)

11 Educational Facts About Reading Rainbow (Stacy Conradt, Mental Floss, Aug 1, 2015)

Mychal Threets LinkedIn page (LinkedIn, accessed Sep 30, 2025)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

You might think roundabouts are just confusing circles of doom, but it turns out they’re saving lives and city budgets all over the world. We’re talking about why they’re safer, cheaper, and surprisingly elegant once you know the rules. We’ll swing by Carmel, Indiana—the roundabout capital of America—and detour to France and the legendary Magic Roundabout in Swindon. And if you’re nervous about your first time, don’t worry. Practice makes perfect!

Over 50M pounds of Jimmy Dean, State Fair items recalled for possible wood contamination (Melina Khan, USA Today, Sep 29, 2025)

How to navigate a roundabout (Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today / Detroit Free Press, Sep 27, 2025)

Understanding Traffic Rules for Roundabout (Joey Rosenberg, FirstTimeDriver (dot) com, accessed Sep 29, 2025)

How roundabouts transformed Carmel (Robert Steubenville, Public Square: A CNU Journal, Nov 21, 2024)

Circling the Drain: Tackling Europe’s Strangest Roundabout (Mike Duff, Road & Track, Mar 12, 2024)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my living room.

There's a growing trend of post-workout, post-hike, and post-marathon ice cream treats -- a trend I can get behind. A mystery man rewards hikers with surprise ice cream, and we discover a way to make ice cream yourself -- while you're on a run.

(Note: you don't HAVE to go on a run.)

‘Legend dairy’ man carries ice cream and dry ice up Colorado peak as treat for other hikers (Colleen Slevin, AP, Sep 4, 2025)

Making ice cream while running tutorial @trailswithzach (Instagram, accessed Sep 28, 2025)

Yay Labs SoftShell Ice Cream Ball Ice Cream Maker (Cabela’s, accessed Sep 28, 2025)

Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper (Salt & Straw, accessed Sep 28, 2025)

Sampaguita ice cream (official, accessed Sep 28, 2025)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

South Korea has built a market based on hangover cures, and we chat some of the best ones I've found. No hair of the dog here!

K-cure: South Korea’s booming market for traditional (and novel) hangover remedies (Raphael Rashid, The Guardian, Sep 27, 2025)

7 ways to cure your hangover (Howard E. LeWine, Harvard Health Publishing, May 22, 2023)

The Eater Staff Names Our Absolute Most Effective Hangover Cures (Francky Knapp and Eater Staff, Jul 21, 2025)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Scientists just confirmed that new bite-resistant wetsuits can lessen shark bite injuries -- and our fascination with these incredible sea creatures continues.

Scientists find new bite-resistant wetsuits can reduce shark bite injuries (Patrick Whittle, Yahoo / AP, Sep 26, 2025)

From Hawaii to Florida, a look at US shark attacks so far in 2025 (Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, Aug 8, 2025)

Shark Week 2025 Kicks Off July 20th (Discovery, accessed Sep 26, 2025)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

I visited the "Big E" -- a joint exposition of the New England states. It's a lot of maple and a lot of horses! If you're heading to a fair or festival, I also have some tips for making it through your day.

Flamin Hot Cheetos Corn (Elote) (Maxine Dubois, Cilantro Parsley, Jun 6, 2023)

Eden Honeycrisp Ice Cider (official, accessed September 25, 2025)

History (Eastern States Exposition, accessed Sep 25, 2025)

Draft Hitches 101 (Kim Klimek, Horse Illustrated, May 7, 2019)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in a hotel room.

Bill Nye, beloved scientist and television personality, just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- and that's not even his most impressive achievement.

Bill Nye reflects on receiving Hollywood Walk of Fame star in moving post (Angeline Jane Bernabe, Good Morning America, Sep 23, 2025)

14 Deductive Facts About Bill Nye, the Science Guy (Janet Burns, Mental Floss, Mar 16, 2016)

Bill Nye (Biography (dot) com, Jul 10, 2020)

Bill Nye (official, accessed Sep 24, 2025)

Frequently Asked Questions (Hollywood Walk of Fame, accessed Sep 24, 2025)

Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast

condensedsoup@proton.me

*This episode was recorded in a cruise ship cabin.