How It All Started: The First No Such Thing as a Fish Tees
Back in 2014, when the podcast was just finding its rhythm, merchandise was an afterthought. The first t-shirt designs were simple: a plain white tee with the show's logo in black text. Producer Anna Ptaszynski famously sketched the initial concept on a napkin after a live recording. These shirts were sold exclusively at physical shows, often at the back of a room with a folding table and a cash box. They were less about fashion and more about spreading the word. Early fans remember them as badges of honour - a way to spot fellow fact enthusiasts in the wild. The limited run meant that owning one felt special, even if the design was basic.
As demand grew, the team realised that listeners wanted more than just a logo. They wanted something that captured the show's quirky spirit. The first themed design appeared in 2015: a simple line drawing of a fish with the words "No Such Thing" in a playful font. It sold out in days. That success sparked a realisation - merchandise could be a creative outlet in its own right.
Iconic Designs That Defined Each Era
The Fact Era (2015-2016)
This period leaned heavily into the podcast's core offering: strange facts. Designs featured bold text like "Penguins have knees" or "Octopuses have three hearts". Each t-shirt became a conversation starter. The team would poll listeners for their favourite facts from recent episodes, then turn the winner into a limited run. The most famous of these was "The world's oldest known joke is from 1900 BC" - a design that still surfaces on eBay for collectors.The Crowd Era (2017-2018)
As the live shows became more interactive, the merch followed. Inside jokes emerged - references to the "Quizzical" segment, where audience questions often derailed the hosts. A popular design featured a question mark inside a circle, with the caption "Everything is strange if you think about it". These tees felt exclusive to those who attended live tapings, creating a sense of community.The Art Era (2019-2020)
Collaboration with illustrators brought a new level of artistry. Limited edition prints featured intricate drawings of the hosts as anthropomorphic fish, or stylised scenes from famous episodes. One design - a watercolour of a fish reading a newspaper with the headline "Fish Can't Read" - became a bestseller. The art era elevated the merch from souvenir to collectible.The Minimalist Era (2021-Present)
Recently, designs have shifted toward subtlety. A single line of text, a small fish icon, or a cryptic fact that only listeners would recognise. The idea is to make merch that feels like a secret handshake. The current bestseller is a plain navy blue tee with gold foil text: "I contain multitudes" - a reference to a fact about the number of bacteria in the human body.Fan Favorites and Why They Sold Out
Some designs have achieved legendary status. The "Fishy" design - a simple cartoon fish wearing round glasses - sold out three times before the team finally produced a permanent run. Why? It perfectly captured the show's blend of intellectual curiosity and humour. Another fan favourite was the "I Have a Fact" tee, which became a uniform at live shows. Listeners loved the directness of it.
The "Elephant in the Room" design from 2016 featured an elephant silhouette and the fact "Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump". It sold out within a week of the episode airing. The lesson for the team: tie merch directly to memorable moments from the show.
What's Next: Trends in Podcast Merch for 2027
Looking ahead, podcast merchandise is becoming more sustainable and interactive. The No Such Thing team is exploring organic cotton and recycled materials for upcoming runs. But the bigger shift is toward engagement. Imagine a t-shirt with a QR code on the tag that unlocks a bonus fact from the hosts - or a design that changes colour in sunlight. Personalisation is also on the horizon: customers could choose their own fact from a curated list to print on a tee. The goal is to make each piece feel even more connected to the listener's favourite moments. With the podcast's audience growing, the merch line is set to evolve from simple apparel to a full-fledged brand experience.
