The Atlas Obscura Podcast

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Spruce Pine, Global Chokepoints, and the Future of Manufacturing

The small mountain town of Spruce Pine provides nearly all of the ultra-pure quartz used to make the world’s semiconductors. When Hurricane Helene nearly wiped out the mines, it provided a stark wake-up call. Journalist Ed Conway joins Dylan to discuss what we can learn from this near-miss.

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  Bohemians, Bootleggers, and Bogus Bottles: A History of Absinthe

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  The Integratron

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  St. Paul Island vs. the Rat

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  The Internet, IRL

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  We want your stories of places you're grateful for!

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  The Wren’s Nest (Classic)

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  Nate DiMeo’s Personal Memory Palace

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  Malaria Bat Roosts

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  The Sul Ross Desk

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  San Juan Sounds (Classic)

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  Weed Week: The International Church of Cannabis

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  Weed Week: San Francisco Cannabis Buyers’ Club

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  Weed Week: Jirzankal Cemetery

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  Weed Week: Dope Lake

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  Weed Week: Get Inside the CannaVan

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  Spooky Week: The Gray Man (Classic)