In 2007, a 'Declaration of Reasonable Doubt' was released by scholars and actors alike and it stated that there was 'room for reasonable doubt about the identity of William Shakespeare.' This week Clarke takes us behind the curtain of the myste

Building Central Park and the Unicorn Obsession (Season 2: Episode 2)

Oct 10th, 2019 1h 1m

What was Central Park before it was the groomed, touristy lawns that we know today? Well, it was a shanty town and some rocks. Justin tells us how Central Park became one of the most famous parks in the world and the ups and downs throughout it

The Success of Mcdonalds and Cod Wars (Season 2: Episode 1)

Sep 30th, 2019 57m 27s

The Softbrains are back for Season 2 with a delicious mix of fast food and fresh fish. Clarke details the history and marketing of Mcdonalds that has made it the golden arched beast that we know today. Not only how they became so successful but

Kentucky Bourbon and the World's Most Famous Restaurants (Episode 31)

Mar 9th, 2019 1h 1m

Are you ready to get drunk and hungry? In this weeks episode of the Softbrains, Justin takes us down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. He tells us exactly what this amber-coloured alcohol is made out of, its history and the weird rules and guidelines

The Franklin Expedition and Sumo Wrestlers (Episode 30)

Mar 2nd, 2019 1h 2m

In 1858, two ships headed for the search of the Northwest Passage disappeared. The Franklin Expedition is one of Canada's most enduring mysteries, it's the story of a determined wife, possible cannibalism, and a sprinkle of the paranormal. The

Rain Man's Savant Syndrome and the Disney Cruise Disappearance (Episode 29)

Feb 11th, 2019 1h 1m

Savant Syndrome, a condition where an individual excels in a specific skill like art, music or math. Only about 75 people in the world today are deemed as 'mega-savants,' but the syndrome is not without its drawbacks. Justin tells us all about

BATTLE OF THE SEXES- The Softbrains Board Game Special

Feb 4th, 2019 1h 11m

The Softbrains decided to do something a little bit different this week. We've been busy with a move to a different city and didn't have time to produce a full episode this time around SO instead, feel free to enjoy listening to us play the dat

America's Weirdest Bank Robber and the Chocolate Industry (Episode 28)

Jan 28th, 2019 1h 8m

Cowboy Bob was a notorious bank robber in the early 90's in Texas. He hit multiple banks in the Irving area and stole thousands of dollars. He always wore a 10 gallon hat, a beard and sunglasses and no one knew that under all that, it was actua

Detroit's Purple Gang and the Northern Lights (Episode 27)

Jan 21st, 2019 1h 1m

Detroit, 1920's, prohibition is in full swing and a juvenile street gang is started up by the Burnstein brothers. Abe, Joe, Raymond and Izzy call it 'the Purple Gang.' Justin details the purple gangs involvement in several turf wars, bootleggin

Waco Siege (Part 2) and the Mary Celeste Disappearance (Episode 26)

Jan 14th, 2019 1h 3m

Federal agents did everything they could to drive the Branch Davidians out of the Mount Carmel Centre in the 1993 Waco Siege. Recordings of rabbits being slaughtered, flash grenades, and finally, tear gas to drive out the David Koresh and his f

Invasive Species and the Waco Siege: Part 1 (Episode 25)

Jan 7th, 2019 58m 57s

'Unwelcomed pests, invasive three Save yourselves is natures plea'Justin shares with us his poetic side in episode 25 of @thesoftbrains, he tells us all about the damage of three invasive species. The zebra mussels, dandelions and the Norwegian

The Tiny Water Bear and Sesame Street Controversies (Episode 24)

Dec 22nd, 2018 58m 41s

The water bear, the moss piglet, the tardigrade has had many names in the past. And despite it's small microscopic stature it's one of the most resilient creatures on Earth. It has survived Earth's mass extinctions, extreme temperatures and eve

Jackie Chan and Russia's Toughest Prison (Episode 23)

Dec 15th, 2018 1h 1m

The life of Jackie Chan or Chan Kong-Sang is one full of Kung Fu, organized crime and softcore porn. This week, Clarke tells us all about Jackie Chan and his escapades over the years including working with Bruce Lee, releasing 20 musical albums

The Tragedy of Armero and The Cobra Effect (Episode 22)

Dec 8th, 2018 1h

Natural disasters happen, it is an inevitability of living on Earth. What we choose to do when presented with warning signs of impending doom can make the difference between life and death. In 1985, there was a small town named Armero in Columb

Star Wars Matte Paintings and the Power of Milk (Episode 21)

Dec 1st, 2018 1h

Everyone remembers that famous scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The movie is finishing up, the bad guys just got their faces melted off, and the government worker is wheeling the lost ark into the depths of a huge warehouse. Or is it a huge wa

Board Game History (Part 2) and Sixgill Sharks (Episode 20)

Nov 24th, 2018 1h 3m

Episode 20 of The Softbrains has arrived! This week, we get right into the swing of things with part 2 of Justin’s investigation into Board Game history. The largest game manufacturer in the world didn’t get there by just making games; they bec

Pyramid Tomb Robbing and Board Games: Part 1 (Episode 19)

Nov 17th, 2018 1h

Ancient Egyptian tombs have been around for thousands of years and for thousands of years, they’ve sat empty and desecrated due to extreme grave robbing. Some pharaohs made it out relatively unscathed, like King Tut… but why? Why was King Tuts

Greyhound Racing and the Havana Syndrome (Episode 18)

Nov 10th, 2018 59m 54s

Greyhounds have been around for thousands of years. Humans have been racing them since 1876. Florida recently banned all dog racing in the recent US midterm elections. Thousands of dogs are set to be homeless or worse. After the greyhounds, the

The Costume Institute and Nails, Phalanges and Tippi Hedren (Episode 17)

Nov 3rd, 2018 1h 5m

This week we talked about the MET Gala, how to conserve synthetic polymers according to the costume institute, nail health, Tippi Hedren's visit to a Vietnamese refugee camp and so much more! Spoiler alert, there's a dress made out of bird skul

The Softbrains Halloween Spooktacular Special (Episode 16)

Oct 26th, 2018 1h 2m

Ladies and Germs, Boys and Ghouls, welcome to The Softbrains Halloween Spooktacular Special! We have a fantastic treat for our listeners this week; everything is a little extra spooky, with some creepy topics, some disturbing stories, and thril

How to be a Superhuman and Adidas' Weird History (Episode 15)

Oct 19th, 2018 1h

Is Lebron James a superhuman? Where in the world do people live the longest? Was Adidas invented by a Nazi? All these questions and a whole lot of stupidity on this week's episode of The Softbrains: Episode 15 - How to be a Superhuman and Adida

Cashmere and Cocktails, Cocktails, Cocktails! (Episode 14)

Oct 12th, 2018 1h 10m

Between jokes and premium banter, we discuss Cashmere wool and the problems it’s created, and delved into the history of cocktails! We had a great time recording this episode and if you’re looking for some good laughs, tune in to Episode 14: Ca

Cirque du Soleil Performers and the Making of Sausage (Episode 13)

Oct 5th, 2018 1h 8m

Ain't no such thing as unlucky #13! Clarke learns us some tidbits about Cirque du Soleil and their wonderful performers. Justin's first love, the humble sausage, is investigated. In detail.Tune in!

Animal Heroes and the Phenomenon Known as KISS (Episode 12)

Sep 28th, 2018 1h 20m

What an eclectic mix this week! Justin tells us a little about some heroic animals receiving the Dickin Medal for galantry, and Clarke explores some rock and roll legends that go by the name of KISS. Tune in and let us know what you think!

The Giant's Causeway and the Tunguska Event (Episode 11)

Sep 21st, 2018 1h 1m

Boy did episode 11 turn into a rockin' good time. Clarke explores the Giant's Causeway and all its wonders, and Justin takes us to Siberia to investigate the Tunguska Event. Tune in for some great laughs!