Endless Thread

Endless Thread digs into a short Reddit post about Indigenous toolmaking and finds forgotten histories spanning the age of the solar system.

This week, Endless Thread presents an episode of Shared State — a podcast from the Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio — telling the story of a couple who came back from a vacation off the grid to discover that they were entangled in a viral political feud with one of Fox News' most controversial commentators.

In times like these, you've got to take joy wherever and however you can get it. Amory and Ben swap unexpected sources of joy they've bumped into recently — from a goblin-themed Reddit post, to the scariest toe talons on the internet, to a funky 1980's little-known bop about going to the beach on Massachusetts' North Shore.

This is the story of a shocking event that sent Endless Thread producer Quincy Walters, and countless others, down a disturbing and fascinating rabbit hole about a small, daring group of people called wing walkers and a woman who wanted to live her life "to its optimum."

"How to prepare your house for an active wartime?" This was the title of Eugene's Reddit post about a month ago. The 32-year old Ukrainian asked other users for advice in case Russia invaded. This week, Ben and Amory hear from Eugene about his life in the middle of war.

"I know how to take meat away from a dog. How do I take a dog away from meat?" This was a real question posed in Salon.com's Table Talk forum in 1999. What ensued from there played out like, well, a play. The Endless Thread team performs this early viral internet sensation, known as "Dogs in Elk."

Dwarf planets, data leaks, and (maybe) deception. When two separate astronomy teams took credit for the same discovery, an online message board started asking questions.

While you were tending to your quarantine sourdough starter, Chinese YouTube star Li Ziqi was growing mushrooms, making peach blossom crowns and listening to the sound of blooming roses. Join Amory and Ben as they explore Li Ziqi, and why millions of isolated people worldwide have been drawn to the quiet intricacy and beauty of her videos. 

Jack Murphy, or "Murph the Surf," is known for pulling off the biggest jewel heist in New York City history. But his legacy also contains a much darker chapter. This week, we bring you an episode from Last Seen — a podcast about people, places, and things that have gone missing — told by Endless Thread's Amory Sivertson.

"Unemployment for all, not just the rich!" That's the catchphrase of r/antiwork, a Reddit community of more than 1.7 million people who want to end work as we know it and reimagine its role in our lives. We hear from members of this fast-growing community, and about recent turmoil that has left some wondering if it will endure.