# James O'Brien's Mystery Hour A podcast by Global. If you've ever wondered "why", then this is the hour for you. Sometimes simple, sometimes intelligent, but almost always entertaining, probably the best hour of radio you could ever download! You can email the show below and get involved at any time jamesobrienshow@global.com for regular listeners or jamesobrienPlus@global.com for subscribers. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/james-obriens-mystery-hour/ ## Latest episodes - [Welcome to James O'Brien Plus](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/c6f6a123dec3) (2026-10-26, 2 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2c28fc88-22fc-427b-a121-66ed5192e484.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=2c28fc88-22fc-427b-a121-66ed5192e484 - [My dogs' strange relationship with the butchers?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/e10877183b94) (2026-10-22, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/81ada95f-a666-4184-9661-79b6ccf499e9.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=81ada95f-a666-4184-9661-79b6ccf499e9 - [Isn't this a motoring question?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/3e51ecdaba13) (2026-10-15, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4c012401-2b72-4813-94a4-ff71e6bbe7d8.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=4c012401-2b72-4813-94a4-ff71e6bbe7d8 - [Why is three the magic number?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/c0d192fad5c4) (2026-10-08, 46 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/aceae497-21f7-437c-9d1a-efc1f38cb961.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=aceae497-21f7-437c-9d1a-efc1f38cb961 - [How did ancient buildings end up buried?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/8c03d909dcf7) (2026-10-01, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d4de407f-819d-4dbd-b952-0e1e09ef1cf5.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=d4de407f-819d-4dbd-b952-0e1e09ef1cf5 - [Who's filtering these callers?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/d28d16b52ae9) (2026-09-24, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/c3aedcca-5944-43e8-bdb2-7b07265e8138.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=c3aedcca-5944-43e8-bdb2-7b07265e8138 - [What makes a crisp a crisp?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/5ff0b2efdf74) (2026-09-17, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/85821fd7-96b9-4a77-98d3-80f1a6aff3e5.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=85821fd7-96b9-4a77-98d3-80f1a6aff3e5 - [I've got to smell my dog's paws](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/3b7746a4bf52) (2026-09-10, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e2ef4ce3-7357-405d-a5dd-d47f2f9a69a8.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=e2ef4ce3-7357-405d-a5dd-d47f2f9a69a8 - [What's the point of bay leaves?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/61f1f1efdca0) (2026-09-03, 51 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3b6fb919-9b36-4bf6-88c5-2776f930d9d1.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=3b6fb919-9b36-4bf6-88c5-2776f930d9d1 - [Smallest living thing in the human body?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/e8ed3fe58acb) (2026-08-27, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d40f0c6f-4bae-4840-a9fe-09d33fc82623.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=d40f0c6f-4bae-4840-a9fe-09d33fc82623 - [Why can we smell rain before it falls?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/4864be75ad5c) (2026-08-20, 46 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f6fb0d27-faf7-4da1-9baf-fa89751a9db3.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=f6fb0d27-faf7-4da1-9baf-fa89751a9db3 - [Why does posh slang stay the same?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/a10d26d0e268) (2026-08-13, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/04db7c8d-cdea-4286-a4b9-28f79916f9f5.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=04db7c8d-cdea-4286-a4b9-28f79916f9f5 - [Walking around in a see-through dress?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/afe09e31f739) (2026-08-06, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/af843da0-86ac-4665-99fc-81f391a50b94.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=af843da0-86ac-4665-99fc-81f391a50b94 - [Harmonica making my dog howl](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/c25c5c129d2b) (2026-07-30, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/26cc99b5-1666-493a-8626-47b6299893e3.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=26cc99b5-1666-493a-8626-47b6299893e3 - [Do crabs have a dominant claw?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/27d9a22781b9) (2026-07-23, 51 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/07fedd08-d3dc-47f2-bb1d-286ba489c4de.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=07fedd08-d3dc-47f2-bb1d-286ba489c4de - [Are my polished nails suffocating?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/566688e9dcb8) (2026-06-25, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d2f833f9-d692-440f-9831-e7cf50ec4339.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=d2f833f9-d692-440f-9831-e7cf50ec4339 - [Do birds herd sheep?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/8c0ea274d0d7) (2026-06-18, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4e6f1ae1-4e11-48cd-b898-0f6fb747f13a.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=4e6f1ae1-4e11-48cd-b898-0f6fb747f13a - [Ducks in the sea?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/4e6154685937) (2026-06-11, 47 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ac10bfa8-c7d9-4fc7-8a0d-27ef18c95e6b.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=ac10bfa8-c7d9-4fc7-8a0d-27ef18c95e6b - [Can mosquitoes get drunk?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/ef98104b9d58) (2026-06-04, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d5f086ab-c5c6-48ed-b8ee-e0be099209e2.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=d5f086ab-c5c6-48ed-b8ee-e0be099209e2 - [Why is popcorn a cinema snack?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/448fc1075899) (2026-05-28, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9179dd05-aca8-49b6-a44d-240c2ca554ac.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=9179dd05-aca8-49b6-a44d-240c2ca554ac - [How do football commentators remember players?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/33eef7998648) (2026-05-21, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/55e9dfac-e645-4f25-8504-258a07cc77ed.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=55e9dfac-e645-4f25-8504-258a07cc77ed - [When did people start Mexican waving?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/43fca6d2167e) (2026-05-14, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/94fbb98d-34cc-46ba-8812-07a709e423a7.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=94fbb98d-34cc-46ba-8812-07a709e423a7 - [Why are slugs coming for my dishwasher?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/6bea92693d26) (2026-05-07, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ddd8fd7e-6257-437c-bb89-393ffcfff37b.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=ddd8fd7e-6257-437c-bb89-393ffcfff37b - [Why has my bagel got a hole in it?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/18b658586129) (2026-04-30, 47 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f17b28e4-3137-4857-80ab-65abbeda7822.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=f17b28e4-3137-4857-80ab-65abbeda7822 - [What colour is his ball?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/58123ad9601c) (2026-04-23, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/4ebd0b4f-55f8-46da-81c8-9ff7f5759c0f.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=4ebd0b4f-55f8-46da-81c8-9ff7f5759c0f - [Why is the luggage all over the place?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/c92d0776effb) (2026-04-16, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/04a1fb2e-5732-4149-93ac-e155cdc09f16.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=04a1fb2e-5732-4149-93ac-e155cdc09f16 - [Easter eggs: what's all that about?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/30b3cde342b3) (2026-04-02, 46 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8b047ee6-7dc2-43da-8216-3e159ff93de5.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=8b047ee6-7dc2-43da-8216-3e159ff93de5 - [Why are there so many breads?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/9fbc380a3bde) (2026-03-26, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/89b19146-2b3f-42a8-bfdb-0eddfd09c5f7.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=89b19146-2b3f-42a8-bfdb-0eddfd09c5f7 - [Why don't I burn when I'm cycling?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/d3187ace6007) (2026-03-26, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d8f6e97b-f91b-4712-ae09-8191cc5dd2c3.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=d8f6e97b-f91b-4712-ae09-8191cc5dd2c3 - [Why are letters shaped like that?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/cd226763d41b) (2026-03-12, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/da756135-911c-4a20-b159-ff14718d63be.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=da756135-911c-4a20-b159-ff14718d63be - [Sniffing empty bottles?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/bd0cc200f356) (2026-03-05, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2f60785c-0b22-4569-9d29-f17809974ce3.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=2f60785c-0b22-4569-9d29-f17809974ce3 - [Why is my hamster so ungrateful?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/c18e92fcc215) (2026-02-26, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f7623b25-c3e1-4315-a947-88f7ef55f735.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=f7623b25-c3e1-4315-a947-88f7ef55f735 - [Where did they get the water from for the canals?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/9ffab2fd4e04) (2026-02-12, 47 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/10379ffa-5ce9-41d8-89eb-266f960e6df6.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=10379ffa-5ce9-41d8-89eb-266f960e6df6 - [Why won't my glasses blow off?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/3ac7bbb8436a) (2026-01-29, 45 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3a8658f1-55ca-4107-a57e-61190ae5ea55.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=3a8658f1-55ca-4107-a57e-61190ae5ea55 - [An insult to science](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/d8b538a2f6d3) (2026-01-22, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/70a4af7c-cb17-40c7-83fe-72743deace0c.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=70a4af7c-cb17-40c7-83fe-72743deace0c - [Can you feel the tension in a room?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/77dcbe302f71) (2026-01-15, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/1e43302c-9627-4ddc-bdac-277a03d015e0.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=1e43302c-9627-4ddc-bdac-277a03d015e0 - [Is some music too hard to play?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/4f729850292c) (2026-01-08, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/1a47f5f0-2f16-463b-84bf-156ed569f384.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=1a47f5f0-2f16-463b-84bf-156ed569f384 - [My kitten won't listen to me](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/85c6aa990348) (2025-12-18, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5b1e3735-4f12-4f29-a212-881db38ad3a7.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=5b1e3735-4f12-4f29-a212-881db38ad3a7 - [Mystery Hour Travel Edition: It's in a tin](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/8917be532702) (2025-12-11, 47 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/855053fc-37fe-4e60-b32b-84bb4e0962f4.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=855053fc-37fe-4e60-b32b-84bb4e0962f4 - [How genetically related am I to Farage?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/cbc6585a2503) (2025-12-04, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7c68d56c-3722-47a1-b37b-7e3b2812bf57.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=7c68d56c-3722-47a1-b37b-7e3b2812bf57 - [Raw meat, leaves and that?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/012293f7e9a5) (2025-11-27, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5dc68e69-e263-4f3a-9e9d-f9e08d78d7bc.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=5dc68e69-e263-4f3a-9e9d-f9e08d78d7bc - [Who invented the suit?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/5315d50c5b00) (2025-11-20, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/1f6c5474-fbdf-47f0-bc37-dc551ed419d6.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=1f6c5474-fbdf-47f0-bc37-dc551ed419d6 - [Where did "Geordies" come from?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/11ffa68b26f4) (2025-11-13, 51 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f822ffce-9476-4d1c-83a1-a66e48f12528.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=f822ffce-9476-4d1c-83a1-a66e48f12528 - [A major induction hobs dispute](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/8f606b07b6da) (2025-11-06, 48 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8cdf4d71-a1cf-42a4-b58f-553945099479.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=8cdf4d71-a1cf-42a4-b58f-553945099479 - [Unbelievable bee content](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/f56acbecb226) (2025-10-30, 51 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/778885e6-2b0d-4eff-a762-16e3ddf7646f.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=778885e6-2b0d-4eff-a762-16e3ddf7646f - [The truth about Guinness](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/4763823c7a6f) (2025-10-23, 51 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/2baa5eda-591f-4545-a3dc-f6e39c76e82e.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=2baa5eda-591f-4545-a3dc-f6e39c76e82e - [Big Boxer's Beards](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/b26fbadb171f) (2025-10-16, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9d457942-12e7-4044-b614-6f014ed47030.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=9d457942-12e7-4044-b614-6f014ed47030 - [Why do journalists shout questions on Downing Street?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/618838e1bd8e) (2025-10-09, 49 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/f09c4199-e417-4cb7-a23a-ba752c2dbcba.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=f09c4199-e417-4cb7-a23a-ba752c2dbcba - [One question hijacks Mystery Hour](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/92c8d6043795) (2025-09-25, 50 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/44d205c9-76c0-47ad-82b3-000d0d22683e.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=44d205c9-76c0-47ad-82b3-000d0d22683e - [Running the marathon with a fridge](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/666751844/8f8fa3d6a86d) (2025-09-18, 46 min): audio https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/aff536c4-f042-4ae6-8ef4-d60c69733963.mp3?aw_0_1st.showid=440e25b1-172f-47c5-8f97-732f37e90572&aw_0_1st.episodeid=aff536c4-f042-4ae6-8ef4-d60c69733963 Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. 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