Hyperfixed Podcast Episode Summary: "Casey Wants to Believe"
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Introduction
In the episode titled "Casey Wants to Believe," host Alex Goldman delves into an intriguing mystery presented by a listener named Casey. This episode showcases Alex's dedication to solving listeners' unique problems, blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling.
Meet Casey: The Obsessive Librarian
Casey, a librarian at a small liberal arts college, embodies the archetype of a "gentle giant" with a passion for obscure history. Described as having "real gentle giant vibes, kind of reminds me of a Viking" (03:51), Casey's enthusiasm for research is evident from the outset.
Notable Quote:
“I love research. That is a big part of why I became a librarian, as I, for as long as I've been on the Internet, have loved going down the rabbit holes.” – Casey [04:24]
Casey's dedication extends beyond typical librarianship; he avidly edits Wikipedia entries, focusing on lesser-known sports figures to enrich their online presence. His commitment to uncovering hidden narratives sets the stage for the central mystery of the episode.
The Mysterious Diarrhea Button
Casey's predicament revolves around a peculiar button he discovered during his internship at the Busy Beaver Button Museum in Chicago. Unlike standard museum artifacts, this button advertises "our new diarrhea inducing chili cheese fries," accompanied by specific curl text detailing an address: "Big Chub Chats Down Home Ranch Style Kitchen, 35th and Main, Custer City, Oklahoma" (09:37).
Notable Quote:
“I was looking at a list of buttons and just scrolling through because you got to pick randomly, and my eye caught the word diarrhea... I put my name next to it to claim it, and I'm off to the races on this thing.” – Casey [08:38]
The anomaly lies in the button's advertising language and the fictitious address, which Casey soon discovers does not exist upon further investigation. Despite multiple search attempts, including using quotation marks and exploring Google Maps, no trace of "Big Chub Chats Down Home Ranch Style Kitchen" or a 35th Street in Custer City, Oklahoma, is found (09:55).
The Investigation Begins
Determined to uncover the button's origins, Casey embarks on an exhaustive research journey. He explores newspaper archives and reaches out to local Facebook pages, but his efforts yield no results, deepening the mystery. This relentless pursuit fascinates Alex, who becomes enraptured by the enigmatic nature of the button.
Notable Quote:
“This is the problem I was born to solve.” – Alex Goldman [14:26]
The episode captures Alex's growing obsession, likening their quest to an Indiana Jones adventure, albeit grounded in the seemingly mundane world of button collecting.
Connecting with the Busy Beaver Button Museum
Emma Cortland, the producer of Hyperfixed, contacts Kristen Carter, co-founder of the Busy Beaver Button Museum. Kristen provides insights into the American history of buttons, highlighting their role as enduring souvenirs dating back to George Washington's inauguration (19:09).
Notable Quote:
“The goal of the button museum is to tell as much American history as possible through pin back buttons.” – Kristen Carter [19:33]
Despite the museum's extensive collection of 160,000 buttons, the specific "diarrhea inducing chili cheese fries" button remains elusive. Kristen reveals the challenges of cataloging such a vast collection with limited staff, explaining how the button's back text may have been intended to add authenticity and confusion for future discoverers (22:18).
Unveiling the Button's Creator
The breakthrough comes when Emma contacts Nick Rawley, the individual who created the infamous button. Nick shares the inspiration behind his unconventional design—a desire to craft a button that would perplex and amuse future finders.
Notable Quotes:
“I wanted to make a button that someone would find 25 years later and be like, what the hell is this? Why would any restaurant use the word diarrhea on a button?” – Nick Rawley [23:24]
Nick explains that the button was a creative experiment born from observing patrons who overindulged in spicy food, leading to uncomfortable consequences. By embedding a fictitious address, he ensured the button's back story would remain a tantalizing enigma.
Resolution and Legacy
With Nick's revelation, Casey's obsession finds closure. He receives a limited edition "Big Chub Chet's Ask Me about our Diarrhea Inducing Chili Cheese Fries" button, fulfilling his quest and immortalizing his dedication.
Notable Quote:
“I am so happy to have to have an end to this. Now I can go on to the next inane mystery that I need to solve.” – Casey [33:03]
In a heartwarming conclusion, the Busy Beaver Button Museum updates the button's entry to honor Casey's persistent investigation, ensuring his story becomes part of the museum's rich tapestry.
Conclusion
"Casey Wants to Believe" is a testament to the podcast's mission: unraveling the obscure and transforming minor annoyances into captivating narratives. Through Casey's story, Alex Goldman illustrates the allure of hidden histories and the profound satisfaction derived from solving intricate puzzles.
Final Notable Quote:
“With the blessing of everyone involved in this story, we've been given the go ahead to make a limited second pressing of the Big Chubb Chet's Ask Me about our Diarrhea Inducing Chili Cheese Fries button.” – Alex Goldman [33:18]
Listeners are invited to become Hyperfixed Premium members for exclusive content and memorabilia, continuing the tradition of engaging deeply with the show's unique investigative spirit.
Relevant Links:
- Get Your Button: hyperfixedpod.com/button
- Become a Premium Member: hyperfixedpod.com
- Busy Beaver Button Museum: internship@buttonmuseum.org
This episode of Hyperfixed is proudly part of the Radiotopia network by PRX. Discover more at radiotopia.fm.