Episodes

4d ago

Trees are more than decoration — they’re living economic assets, with measurable costs and benefits for cities and neighborhoods. Zachary Crockett takes a walk on the shady side of the street. SOURCES: Geoffrey Donovan , owner of Ash & Elm Consulting. Jana Dilley , urban forester for the city of Seattle. Kathleen Wolf , social scientist, former researcher at the University of Washington. RESOURCES: " Extreme Heat Is Worse For Low-Income, Nonwhite Americans, A New Study Shows ," by Deepa Shivaram (NPR, 2021). " US Urban Forest Statistics, Values, and Projections ," by David Nowak and Eric Greenfield (Journal of Forestry, 2018). " The role of trees in urban stormwater management ," by Adam Berland, Sheri Shiflett, William Shuster, Ahjond Garmestani, Haynes Goddard, Dustin Herrmann, and Matthew Hopton (Landscape and Urban Planning, 2017). " Urban trees and the risk of poor birth outcomes ," by Geoffrey Donovan, Yvonne Michael, David Butry, Amy Sullivan, and John Chase (Health & Place, 2011). " Calculating the Green in Green: What's an Urban Tree Worth? ," by Gail Wells (Science Findings, 2010). " The Effect of Trees on Crime in Portland, Oregon ," by Geoffrey Donovan and Jeffrey Prestemon (Environment and Behavior, 2010). EXTRAS: i-Tree Tools . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 8

Grab a simple bouquet from your local grocery store and you're activating a global network of farms, shipping companies, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Zachary Crockett stops to smell the roses. SOURCES: Bob Mellano , vice president of wholesale operations for Mellano & Company. Jasmine Gomez-Gonzalez , chief operations officer at OC Wholesale Flowers. RESOURCES: " From Colombia with love: The journey of a Valentine’s Day bouquet ," by Júlia Ledur and Fabiola Ferrero (The Washington Post, 2015). " Your Valentine’s Day bouquet probably came a long way ," by Daniel Ackerman (Marketplace, 2015). " A Brief History of Specialty Cut Flower Production ," by Ben Bergmann (NC State Extension ). Mellano & Company . OC Wholesale Flowers . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 1

Shoe repair shops are a dying breed — but for those that remain, demand is higher than ever. Zachary Crockett goes in for a shine. SOURCES: Jim McFarland , owner of McFarland’s Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida. RESOURCES: " Shoe cobbler becomes unlikely TikTok star ," (NBC News, 2024). " Cobblers face extinction - and are busier than ever ," by Diana Nelson James (AP, 2019). Shoe Service Institute of America . EXTRAS: America's Cobbler (Jim McFarland) , (YouTube). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 24

The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn. SOURCES: Ed Currie , founder and president of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. Stephanie Walker , associate professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist at New Mexico State University RESOURCES: " Pepper X Dethrones Carolina Reaper as World’s Hottest Chili Pepper ," by Sanj Atwal ( Guinness World Records, 2023). " The Shocking, Stupendous Rise of Superhot Chillies: ‘The Stomach Cramps Can Last for 14 Hours ,’" by Tim Dowling ( The Guardian, 2023). " 14-Year-Old Dies After Trying The Paqui ‘One Chip Challenge ,’" by Bruce Y. Lee ( Forbes, 2023). " Beyond Neuronal Heat Sensing: Diversity of TRPV1 Heat-Capsaicin Receptor-Channel Functions ," by Yaroslav M. Shuba ( Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2021). " Training Your Tongue to Love Spicy Food Benefits More Than Your Taste Buds ," by Maddie Oatman ( Mother Jones, 2019). " Fire-Eaters ," by Lauren Collins ( The New Yorker, 2013). " The Arms Race to Grow World's Hottest Pepper Goes Nuclear ," by Spencer Jakab ( The Wall Street Journal, 2013). EXTRAS: " Why Do People Love Horror Movies? " by No Stupid Questions (2022). Hot Ones , YouTube talk show. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 17

How much does it cost to design and build a mini-golf course? And what’s it like to run one? Zachary Crockett putts things in perspective. SOURCES: Katie Conaboy , CEO and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf. Sal Conaboy , president and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf. Mike Matsinger , owner of Surf's Up Mini Golf. RESOURCES: " The Evolution of Miniature Golf ," (National Golf Foundation, 2022). " Who Made Mini-Golf? " by Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubinstein (New York Times, 2012). EXTRAS: Harris Miniature Golf . Surf's Up Mini Golf . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 10

How do flavorists capture the essence of a fruit and put it in a can of sparkling water, or a tub of yogurt? Zachary Crockett takes a bite. SOURCES: Terry Miesle , master flavorist at Sensient Technologies Corporation. RESOURCES: " Flavor and Well‐Being: A Comprehensive Review of Food Choices, Nutrition, and Health Interactions ," by Sakhawot Hossain, Abdul Wazed, Sharmin Asha, Alomgir Hossen, Nur Muhammad Fime, Shamiha Tabassum Teeya, Lubna Yeasmin Jenny, Diptho Dash, and Islam Shimul (Food Science & Nutrition, 2025). " What is artificial banana flavor made of? A food neuroscientist reveals the truth ," by Elana Spivack (Inverse, 2024). " Are ‘Natural Flavors’ Really Natural? " by Roni Caryn Rabin (New York Times, 2019). " The Inexorable Rise Of Synthetic Flavor: A Pictorial History ," by Nadia Berenstein (Popular Science, 2015). " The Flavor Industry: From 1945-1995 ," (Chemical Sources Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 3

A day on the job includes hundreds of quarters, giant balls of lint, and fishing weird stuff out of machines. Zachary Crockett throws in a load. SOURCES: Jordan Berry , owner of Laundromat Resource. RESOURCES: " Appliances in U.S. homes, by housing unit type, 2020 ," (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023). " How the Washing Machine Liberated The Masses ," by Allen Therisa (Culturescape, 2023). " Industry Overview ," (Coin Laundry Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 27

Running a campground isn’t all eating s'mores around the campfire. Zachary Crockett fans the flames. SOURCES: Mark Lemoine , owner, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground; sr. vice president, franchise operations at Kampgrounds of America. RESOURCES: " The Economic Impact of Parks ," (National Recreation and Park Association, 2023). " Campground Industry Analysis ," (CHM Government Service, 2020). EXTRAS: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 24

When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from? Zachary Crockett pulls up to the pump. SOURCES: Garrett Golding , assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Jeetander P. Sethi , founding member of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association. Kai Trimble-Lea , owner of a B.P. gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. RESOURCES: " Top Numbers Driving America's Gasoline Demand ," by Lem Smith ( American Petroleum Institute , 2022). " Electric Cars Are Coming. How Long Until They Rule the Road? " by Brad Plumer, Nadja Popovich and Blacki Migliozzi ( The New York Times, 2021). " Petroleum & Other Liquids ," (U.S. Energy Information Administration ). EXTRAS: " In the 1890s, the Best-Selling Car Was … Electric ," by Freakonomics Radio (2022). " Is it Too Late for General Motors to Go Electric? " by Freakonomics Radio (2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 20

Every year, thousands of products are recalled from store shelves. How does the process work — and who foots the bill? Zachary Crockett gets a refund on his frozen shrimp. SOURCES: Chris Harvey , senior vice president at Sedgwick. RESOURCES: " FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm ," (FDA, 2025). " U.S. product recalls reach second-highest level in six years during 2024 ," (Sedgwick, 2025). " Lot Codes For Food Tracing: How Are They Used? " by Thomas Burke (Forbes, 2021). " How Globalization Challenges Safety In The Food Supply Chain ," by Elliot Maras (Food Logistics, 2015). EXTRAS: " Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts ," (FDA). " Recalls & Public Health Alerts ," (USDA). " Recalls & Product Safety Warnings ," (CPSC). " Check for Recalls ," ( NHTSA ). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 13

In a sport that generates more than $3.5 billion a year, teams compete in cars that cost $70 million to develop and build — and a split-second to crash. Zachary Crockett assesses the damage. SOURCES: Steve Cripps , chief financial officer at Williams Racing. RESOURCES: " Everything you need to know about F1 – Drivers, teams, cars, circuits and more ," (Formula 1, 2025). " How Williams, F1’s ultimate underdog, found success — and might again ," by Madeline Coleman (New York Times, 2025). " How fast do F1 cars go? " by Amanda Clark (Red Bull, 2024). " Aerodynamics in Formula 1 | F1 Explained ," (Formula 1 Youtube, 2024), " Williams Racing ," (Formula One History). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 6

The world’s oldest advertising medium has reconfigured itself for the digital age. Zachary Crockett looks up. SOURCES: Anna Bager , president and C.E.O. of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America. Dan Levi , chief marketing officer at Clear Channel Outdoor. RESOURCES: " Advertising Proves Resilient Amidst Economic Uncertainty, " ( Magna Global , 2025). " Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. Reports Results for the First Quarter of 2025 ," ( Clear Channel Investor Relations , 2025). " The Bigger, The Bolder: Outdoor Advertising ," by Judy Gonyeau ( Journal of Antiques and Collectibles , 2024). " How Digital Billboards Target Passersby (Hint: It's Cellphone Data) ," by Karen Duffin ( NPR , 2020). " The hottest advertising trend of 2018? Billboards. " by Zachary Crockett ( The Hustle , 2019). " Model Legislation for Banning Billboards ," ( Scenic America ). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 29

Some singles choose to skip the apps and get fixed up the old-fashioned way — but it doesn't come cheap. Zachary Crockett puts himself out there. SOURCES: Maria Avgitidis , C.E.O. of Agape Match and author of Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love. RESOURCES: " Dating Apps Have Hit a Wall. Can They Turn Things Around? " by J. Edward Moreno (New York Times, 2024). " Love, (un)automated: Human matchmaking in the era of online dating ," by Liesel Sharabi ( Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2024 ). " The New Old Dating Trend ," by Faith Hill (The Atlantic, 2023). " What It’s Like to Work With a Matchmaker ," by Alyson Krueger (New York Times, 2021). " New York State Dating Service Consumer Bill of Rights ." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 22

They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate. SOURCES: Julie Roys , founder of the Roys Report. Scott Thumma , professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. RESOURCES: " The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across the country ," by Scott Neuman (NPR, 2023). " Million Dollar Homes Become Status Symbols of Televangelists and Pastors ," by Barry Bowen (Trinity Foundation, 2022). " Megachurch 2020 ," by Scott Thumma and Warren Bird (Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 2020). Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches , by Scott Thumma and Dave Travis (2007). " Ministers' Compensation & Housing Allowance ," (IRS). MinistryWatch . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 15

Pure maple syrup can be five times as expensive as “pancake syrup,” but maple farmers — and breakfast connoisseurs — say it’s worth it. Zachary Crockett pours it on thick. SOURCES: Emma Marvin , co-C.E.O. of Butternut Mountain Farm. David Marvin , founder of Butternut Mountain Farm. RESOURCES: " Crop Production ," by National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, 2025). " Why Americans Overwhelmingly Prefer Fake Maple Syrup ," by Christopher Ingraham (The Washington Post, 2015). " History of Maple ," (UVM Libraries). Butternut Mountain Farm . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 8

Why did it take so long to invent a longer-lasting bulb? Zachary Crockett finds the answer illuminating. SOURCES: Heather Dillon , mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Tacoma. Jane Brox , author of the 2010 book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light. Markus Krajewski , philosopher and historian of technology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. RESOURCES: " Thomas Edison, tinkerer ," by Eric Gilliam (Works in Progress, 2023). " It's Official: Stores Can No Longer Sell Most Incandescent Lights ," by Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times, 2023). " The Mystery of the Centennial Bulb: an Incandescent Light Bulb ," by Martin Kykta (MAK Electro-Optics, 2021). " The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy ," by Markus Krajewski (IEEE Spectrum, 2014). " Compact Fluorescent Lighting in America: Lessons Learned on the Way to Market ," by L.J. Sandahl, T.L. Gilbride, M.R. Ledbetter, H.E. Steward, and C. Calwell (U.S. Department of Energy, 2006). EXTRAS: " Why Do Candles Still Exist? " by Freakonomics Radio (2025). " The Story of Byron the Bulb ," by Thomas Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow, 1973). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 4

How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer. SOURCES: Eric Goldman , professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. RESOURCES: " Canadian Court Rules 👍 Emoji Counts as a Contract Agreement ," by Michael Levenson (New York Times, 2023). " Former Bed Bath & Beyond investor Ryan Cohen must face emoji-inspired shareholder suit ," by Rob Wile (NBC News, 2023). " My Declaration Identifying Emoji Co. GmbH as a Possible Trademark Troll ," by Eric Goldman (Technology & Marketing Blog, 2021). " Bardales v. Lamothe ," by Middle District of Tennessee (2019). " Emojis and the Law ," by Eric Goldman (Washington Law Review, 2018). EXTRAS: OpenMoji FAQ . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 1

How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain. SOURCES: Meredith Baer , founder of Meridith Baer Home. Cindy Lin , founder and lead instructor at Staged4more School of Home Staging. Karen Prince , author and home staging consultant. RESOURCES: " How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Real Estate Game ," by Kate Dubinski ( C.B.C. News, 2023). " Will Virtual Staging Replace Traditionally Staged Rooms? " by Barbara Ballinger ( Realtor Magazine, 2022). " Open Houses and Sticky Fingers ," by Alix Strauss ( The New York Times, 2022). " Profile of Home Staging ," by the National Association of Realtors Research Group (2021). Secrets of Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster , by Karen Prince (2021). " How Meridith Baer Runs Her $100 Million Home Staging Business ," by Jenna Wang ( Forbes, 2019). " Designer Meridith Baer’s Home-Staging Empire Began With a Plant Storage Dilemma ," by Arielle Paul ( Los Angeles Times, 2019). " The Twilight Zone of Home Staging ," by Peter Haldeman ( The New York Times, 2016). " The Story Seller ," by Mark Oppenheimer ( The New York Times Magazine, 2009). Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money , by Barb Schwarz (2006). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 25

They expose fraud, catch cheating spouses, and track down missing assets — but they don’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett takes the case. SOURCES: Ashley Wardlow , chief operating officer at Nathans Investigations. RESOURCES: " Eugène-François Vidocq and the Birth of the Detective ," by Daisy Sainsbury (The Public Domain Review, 2024). " The Pinkerton Story - Chapter 1 ," (The Pinkerton Foundation, 2017). " Expectation of Privacy ," (Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute) . " Evidence & Private Investigators ," (Dugas Law Firm) . EXTRAS: " Private Investigation Equipment (Detective Store)." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 18

There are now nearly 12,000 satellites orbiting Earth. What does it cost to put them there, and how do they make money? Zachary Crockett launches an investigation. SOURCES: Tim Farrar , president of TMF Associates. Rachel Jewett , managing editor of Via Satellite. RESOURCES: " How geostationary small satellites are providing strategic access to space ," by Steve Collar (World Economic Forum, 2025). " State of the Satellite Industry Report ," ( Satellite Industry Association, 2025). " Elon Musk Dominates Space Launch. Rivals Are Calling Foul. " by Eric Lipton (New York Times, 2024). " Kessler Syndrome and the space debris problem ," by Mike Wall (Space, 2022). " BlackRock Says Satellite Images Can Help Track Chinese Companies ," by Lisa Pham (Bloomberg, 2017). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 11

How does a museum place a value on a priceless work of art? And how much does it cost to keep it safe? Zachary Crockett appraises the situation. SOURCES: Glenn Lowry , director of the Museum of Modern Art. RESOURCES: " Why Climate Activists Are Still Throwing Food and Paint at Famous Artworks ," by Tala Ansari (Wall Street Journal, 2023). " The Woman Who Made van Gogh ," by Russell Shorto (New York Times, 2021). " The Lillie P. Bliss collection ," (MoMA Collection, 1934). " May Belfort ," by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (Cleveland Museum of Art, 1895). " Still Life with a Bottle ," by Paul Cézanne (Pola Museum, 1890). " The Starry Night ," by Vincent Van Gogh (MoMA Collection, 1889). " Portrait of Victor Chocquet Seated ," by Paul Cézanne (1877). EXTRAS: " Hotel Art ," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2025). " The Hidden Side of the Art Market ," by Freakonomics Radio (2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 4

Performing for passersby takes more than talent. Buskers have to cope with hecklers, civic regulations, aggressive competitors — and uncertain pay. Zachary Crockett passes the hat. SOURCES: Brett Dallas , professional street performer. RESOURCES: " Differentiating busking from begging: A psychological approach ," by Robbie Ho and Wing Tung Au (PLOS One, 2021). " Freeing Buskers’ Free Speech Rights: Impact of Regulations on Buskers’ Right to Free Speech and Expression ," by John Juricich (Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law, 2017). Street Arts and Buskers Advocates . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 28

They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail. SOURCES: Paul Bradley , president of ROC USA. Blaer Roberts, former chef and mobile home resident. Frank Rolfe , co-owner of Mobile Home University. Cheryl Streberger, retired nurse and mobile home resident. RESOURCES: "‘ We’re All Afraid’: Massive Rent Increases Hit Mobile Homes ," by Abha Bhattarai ( The Washington Post, 2022). " Investors Are Buying Mobile Home Parks. Residents Are Paying a Price ," by Sophie Kasakove ( The New York Times, 2022). " Mobile Home Parks Move From Mom-and-Pop to Corporate ," by Jennifer Brown and Kevin Simpson ( A.P. News, 2019). " The Cold, Hard Lessons of Mobile Home U ," by Gary Rivlin ( The New York Times, 2014). " Goldman Alum Gives Up Funds to Become Trailer-Park Mogul ," by Anthony Effinger and Katherine Burton ( Bloomberg, 2014). " Carlyle Jumps Into Niche Space ," by Dawn Wotapka ( The Wall Street Journal, 2013). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 21

What goes into creating an episode of The Economics of Everyday Things ? And how do shows like this one make money? Zachary Crockett turns the mic on himself. SOURCES: Gabe Tartaglia , vice president of podcast and satellite monetization at SiriusXM. Gabe Roth , editorial director of the Freakonomics Radio Network. Sarah Lilley , senior producer of The Economics of Everyday Things. Jeremy Johnston , audio engineer at the Freakonomics Radio Network. Daniel Moritz-Rabson , fact-checker at the Freakonomics Radio Network. RESOURCES: " Digital Ad Revenue Surges 15% YoY in 2024, Climbing to $259B, According to IAB ," (International Advertising Bureau, 2025). " Cost per Thousand (CPM) Definition and Its Role in Marketing ," by Will Kenton (Investopedia, 2024). " Podcast Statistics You Need To Know ," (Backlinko). APM Music — Licensing . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 14

We send 10 billion of them every day. Where do they come from? Zachary Crockett hearts this topic. SOURCES: Jennifer 8. Lee , co-founder of Emojination. RESOURCES: " Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replaces It With A Squirt Gun ," by Carl Franzen (Popular Science, 2021). " Ford’s secret fight for a pickup truck emoji ," by Mark Dent (The Hustle, 2019). " The WIRED Guide to Emoji ," by Arielle Pardes (WIRED, 2018). " How the iPhone won over Japan and gave the world emoji ," by Sam Byford (The Verge, 2017). " About Emoji ," (Unicode Consortium). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 7

When security cameras and facial recognition tools fail, law enforcement investigators fall back on a witness's memory and an artist's hand. Zachary Crockett's nose was a little bigger than that. SOURCES: Lois Gibson , forensic artist. David Sarni , adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. RESOURCES: " Fighting Crime With Pencil and Paper ," by J. David Goodman (New York Times, 2013) " Something Sketchy About Identifying Suspects ," by Stephen Owsinski (National Police Association ). " Forensic Art Certification Scope and Role ," (International Association for Identification) . " Forensice Art Composites ," (Samantha Steinberg) . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 2

How does an industry built on roadside pop-ups make billions of dollars in two weeks of the year? Zachary Crockett gets pyrotechnical. SOURCES: Alex Zoldan , vice president of Phantom Fireworks. RESOURCES: Phantom Fireworks 2025 Wholesale Price List . " The Explosive Growth Of The Fireworks Market ," by Greg Rosalsky, Darian Woods, and Julian Ritchey (NPR, 2023). " Directory of State Laws for Consumer Fireworks, " (American Pyrotechnics Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 30

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood. RESOURCES: " Private Equity Wants to Wash Your Car ," by Miriam Gottfried ( The Wall Street Journal, 2022). " California Labor Commissioner Recovers $282,000 for Car Wash Wage Citations ," State of California Department of Industrial Relations News Release (2022). " Sgt. Clean’s Future Shines Bright Thanks to Subscription Model, Strong Reputation ," by Vince Guerrieri ( Crain's Cleveland Business, 2018). " One California Drought Winner? The Local Car Wash ," by Lauren Sommer ( Marketplace, 2015). Sonny's CarWash College . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 23

Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk. SOURCES: Frank Christensen , president of the International Union of Elevators Constructors. Shannon Moore, service mechanic for the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 8. Brian O'Connell , senior vice president of the Eastern U.S. at Otis Elevators. Stephen Smith , executive director of the Center for Building in North America. RESOURCES: " Elevators ," by Stephen Smith (Center for Building in North America, 2024). " Elevator and Escalator Fact Sheet ," (National Elevator Industry, 2020). " The Evolution of Elevators: Physical-Human Interface, Digital Interaction, and Megatall Buildings ," by Stephen Nichols (Frontiers of Engineering, 2017). Lifted: A Cultural History of the Elevator , by Andreas Bernard (2014). EXTRAS: " Up and Then Down ," by Nick Paumgarten (The New Yorker, 2008). " World's Tallest Towers ." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 16

Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back. SOURCES: Keith Corso , co-founder and CEO of BusRight. Marc Medina , transportation supervisor for the Farmingdale School District in Long Island. Jada Melendez, school bus driver in Burlington County, New Jersey. RESOURCES: " How St. Louis parents are dealing with school bus driver shortages ," by Gabrielle Hays (PBS, 2024). " The school bus driver shortage remains severe ," by Sebastian Martinez Hickey and David Cooper (Economic Policy Institute, 2023). " ‘End of the Line’: School Bus Industry in Crisis Because of the Coronavirus ," by Pranshu Verma (New York Times, 2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 9

Everyone loves to complain about it — but preparing a meal that tastes good at 35,000 feet is harder than you might think. Zachary Crockett will have the fish. SOURCES: Molly Brandt , innovation chef for North America at Gategroup. Chris Kinsella , chief commercial officer for North America at Gategroup. Guillaume de Syon , professor of history at Albright College. RESOURCES: " No Thanks, Grandma, I’m Saving Room for Airplane Food ," by Christine Chung (New York Times, 2023). " The Golden Age of airplane food is over. The future: Snacks and sustainability ." by Natalie Comptom (The Washington Post, 2019). " Why does food taste different on planes? " by Katia Moskvitch (BBC, 2015). " And to Penny-Pinching Wizardry ," by Claudia Deutsch (New York Times, 2001). " The Pioneering Years: Commercial Aviation 1920–1930 ," by Rich Freeman (U.S. Centennial of Flight) . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 2

Every year, America celebrates its independence with millions of dollars worth of explosives imported from China. Zachary Crockett lights a fuse and backs away quickly. SOURCES: JJ Brau , fireworks coordinator for J&M Displays. Mark Johnson , vice president of J&M Displays. RESOURCES: " The explosive history of fireworks, from ancient China to Revolutionary America ," by Joe Hernandez (NPR, 2024). " July 4 fireworks fiasco solved – technically ," by Jonathan Horn (The San Diego Union-Tribune, 2016). " The Fireworks King ," by Damian Paletta and Emily Rauhala (The Washington Post, 2018). " Exploding The Mystery Of Blue Fireworks ," by Short Wave (2013). " How Do Fireworks Make Shapes? " by Natalie Wolchover (Live Science, 2011). EXTRAS: " Agreement Between The City of Rapid City and J&M Displays, Inc. for Annual Fireworks Displays " (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 26

These glistening round gemstones have come a long way since your grandmother's time, but procuring them is still a lot of work. The world is Zachary Crockett’s oyster. SOURCES: Jeremy Shepherd , C.E.O. of Pearl Paradise. James Brown , owner of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. RESOURCES: " Pearls Have Acquired a New Luster Among Young Designers ," by Victoria Gomelsky (New York Times, 2024). " The Value of Pearls: A Historical Review and Current Trends ," by Akitsugu Sato and Laurent Cartier (GemGuide, 2022). " From Single Source to Global Free Market: The Transformation of The Cultured Pearl Industry ," by Russell Shor (Gems & Geology, 2007). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 19

Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. SOURCES: Linda Flanagan , author. Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop. R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad. John Miller , journalist and baseball coach. RESOURCES: " The Cost of Youth Baseball Is Getting Absurd ," by Adam Minter ( Bloomberg , 2024). " Perfect Game Sees Prosperity Thanks To New Investments In Youth Sports ," by Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. ( Forbes , 2024). " How America Sold Out Little League Baseball ," by John W. Miller ( America Magazine , 2022). " In Youth Sports, Talent Helps but Money Rules ," by Roman Stubbs ( The Washington Post , 2022). Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters , by Linda Flanagan (2022). " State of Youth Sports: Parents, Policymakers Better Appreciate Physical Activity, Face Barriers to Help Kids Play ," by Jon Solomon ( The Aspen Institute , 2022). EXTRA: Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters , by Linda Flanagan (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 12

Where is “the cloud,” anyway? It’s in a bunch of nondescript warehouses all over the country. Zachary Crockett serves up the story. SOURCES: Chris Kimm , senior vice president of global customer care and customer experience at Equinix. Raul Martynek , C.E.O. of DataBank. Clayton Rosati , associate professor of geography at Bowling Green State University. RESOURCES: " How Data Center Alley Is Changing Northern Virginia ," by Mac Carey ( Oxford American , 2025). " Noisy, Hungry Data Centers Are Catching Communities by Surprise ," by Sean Patrick Cooper ( The New York Times , 2024). " As Data Centers for AI Strain the Power Grid, Bills Rise for Everyday Customers ," by Evan Halper and Caroline O'Donovan ( The Washington Post , 2024). " Data Plantation: Northern Virginia and the Territorialization of Digital Civilization in 'The Internet Capital of the World' ," by Clayton Rosati, Aju James, and Kathryne Metcalf ( Online Media and Global Communication , 2023). " A New Front in the Water Wars: Your Internet Use ," by Shannon Osaka ( The Washington Post , 2023). EXTRAS: " Why Is It So Hard (and Expensive) to Build Anything in America? " by Freakonomics Radio (2023). Data Center Map . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 5

A new thrill ride can cost an amusement park $20 million or more — but roller coasters attract customers like nothing else. Zachary Crockett must be at least this tall to host this episode. SOURCES: Korey Kiepert , engineer and partner at The Gravity Group. Dennis Spiegel , owner and founder of International Theme Park Services. RESOURCES: " These two amusement park giants just merged. Rollercoaster fans are nervous ," by Nathaniel Meyersohn (CNN, 2024). " 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster may soon be a reality ," by Brady MacDonald (Seattle Times, 2024). " A Century of Screams: The History of the Roller Coaster ," (PBS) . " The Business of Building Roller Coasters ," by Zachary Crockett (Priceonomics, 2014). Roller Coaster Census Report . The Gravity Group . EXTRAS: " January 1884: First U.S. Patent for a Roller Coaster ," by LaMarcus Thompson (Advancing Physics, 2004). American Coaster Enthusiasts . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 28

It takes a highly skilled stenographer — and some specialized equipment — to transcribe TV dialogue in real time at 300 words per minute. Will A.I. rewrite the script? Zachary Crockett tries to keep up. SOURCES: Doug Karlovits , general manager at Verbit. Katie Ryan, live steno captioner at Verbit. RESOURCES: " The Long Case for Machine Shorthand ," by Sam Corbin (New York Times, 2024). " Caption This: Why Subtitling Is Big Business Amid the Content Boom ," by Kirsten Chuba (The Hollywood Reporter, 2023). " Everyone Watches TV with Subtitles Now. How’d That Happen ?" by Wilson Chapman (IndieWire, 2023). " When is Captioning Required ?" (National Association of the Deaf). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 21

The ability to get into any home, car, or safe can be lucrative — but fixing locks is a tough business. Zachary Crockett gets the key information. SOURCES: Wayne Winton , owner of Tri-County Locksmith Service. Philip Mortillaro Sr. , co-owner of Greenwich Locksmiths. Philip Mortillaro Jr. , co-owner of Greenwich Locksmiths. RESOURCES: " Tools of the Trade, " by Tim O'Leary (Locksmith Ledger International, 2022). " KeyMe Plans To Use New $35 Million Funding Round To Build 10,000+ Retail Locations, " by Marley Coyne (Forbes, 2020). Tri-County Locksmith Service . Greenwich Locksmiths . EXTRAS: LockPickingLawyer Youtube Channel . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 14

Those tiny treats that predict your future may come free at the end of a Chinese meal, but they’re big business (and not Chinese). Zachary Crockett will go on a long journey. SOURCES: Jennifer 8. Lee , documentarian and author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles. Norman Wong , C.E.O. of Wonton Food. RESOURCES: " Canadian Influencer’s Amazement at Absence of Fortune Cookies in China Restaurants Triggers Amusing Online Discussion About Origins of Snack ," by Yating Yang (South China Morning Post, 2024). " Fortune Cookies: They’re Japan’s Best-Kept Secret! " by Thalia Harris ( Sakuraco , 2023). " What I Learned Eating at 8,000 Chinese Restaurants ," by Zhaoyin Feng ( BBC News , 2021). The Fortune Cookie Chronicles , by Jennifer 8. Lee (2008). " Lottery Winners Find Good Fortune in Cookies ," ( NBC News , 2005). EXTRAS: " Girl Scout Cookies ," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 7

When you hit the slopes, you might not be thinking about water rights, controlled avalanches, and liability insurance — but someone has to. Zachary Crockett shreds the pow. SOURCES: Andrew Gast , general manager of Mt. Ashland Ski Area. Rob Goodell, chief operating officer at Loveland Ski Area. RESOURCES: " State of the U.S. Ski Industry " (National Ski Areas Association, 2024). " U.S. Ski Resorts in Operation During 2023/24 Season " (National Ski Areas Association, 2024). " Snowmaking 101 " (Snow State) . Loveland Ski Area . Mt. Ashland Ski Area . EXTRAS: " What it Takes to Run a Nonprofit Ski Hill ," by Lily Ritter (Ski, 2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 31

We reach for it twice a day — without thinking about the decades of research and engineering that went into that squeezable tube of minty goo. Zachary Crockett extracts the last bit. SOURCES: Stephan Habif , chief technology officer at Colgate-Palmolive. Sergio Leite , global head of Oral Care R&D at Colgate-Palmolive. Peter Miskell , professor of international business history at the University of Reading. EXTRAS: " History of Toothpaste " (Delta Dental of Arkansas, 2019). " Cavity Protection or Cosmetic Perfection? Innovation and Marketing of Toothpaste Brands in the United States and Western Europe, 1955–1985 ," by Peter Miskell ( Business History Review, 2011). RESOURCES: " 9,000-Year-Old Dentistry ," by WIRED Staff (WIRED, 2006). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 24

When a Fortune 500 company needs a new leader, it turns to a well-connected headhunter who assesses candidates with psychological tests and mock TV interviews. Zachary Crockett activates his network. SOURCES: Julian Ha , partner at the executive recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles. Jane Stevenson , global vice chair of board and CEO services at Korn Ferry. RESOURCES: " The Transformation of the CEO, " by Stephen Langton, Rusty O'Kelley, Laura Sanderson, and Sean Roberts (Russell Reynolds Associates, 2024). " Executive Paywatch " (AFL-CIO, 2023). " Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact, " by Dame Vivian Hunt, Sundiatu Dixon-Fyle, Celia Huber, María del Mar Martínez Márquez, Sara Prince, and Ashley Thomas (McKinsey & Company, 2023). " CEO Tenure Rates, " by Joyce Chen (Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governenance, 2023). " Best Industries to Recruit for in the US " (Precision Global Consulting) . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 17

Security guards make malls feel safer, but what can they do when there’s trouble? Zachary Crockett observes and reports. SOURCES: Gus Parsons, mall cop in the San Diego area. David Levenberg , owner of Center Security Services. RESOURCES: " Mall of America's security team will start using facial recognition software as part of safety plan, " by Derek James (CBS News, 2024). " The Problems Inside North America’s Largest Security Firm—and Third-Biggest Employer, " by Alana Semuels (Time, 2023). " Malls Work on Their Security, but Keep It in the Background, " by Ronda Kaysen (New York Times, 2013). Center Security Services. EXTRAS: " NYPD subway robot, Knightscope, gets sacked after two-month pilot program, " by Vineet Josan (The Ticker, 2024). " The State of the American Mall, " by Sapna Maheshwari (New York Times, 2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 10

How do TV producers decide how much money to give away? A little psychology and a lot of math. Zachary Crockett phones a friend. SOURCES: Bowen Kerins, math teacher and former contestant on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. Arthur Smith , CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions and author of "Reach: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television." Aaron Solomon, television producer. RESOURCES: " ‘The Price Is Right’ Celebrates 10,000 Episodes With Extra Big Wins for Contestants That Top Off at $100,000! " by Rosemary Rossi (Variety, 2025). " Why haven’t more game show prizes been adjusted for inflation? " by Janet Nguyen (Marketplace, 2023). " Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Payoff Game Show, " by Thierry Post, Martijn J. van den Assem, Guido Baltussen, and Richard Thaler (American Economic Review, 2008). " Why Game Shows Have Economists Glued to Their TVs, " by Charles Florelle (Wall Street Journal, 2006). EXTRAS: " Bowen Kerins on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire " (2000). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 3

A fast-food burger has to taste the same — and cost the same — thousands of times a day at restaurants across the country. Zachary Crockett mans the fryer. SOURCES: John Karangis , vice president of culinary innovation at Shake Shack. Walter Zuromski , owner and chief culinary officer of the Chef Services Group. RESOURCES: " How Shake Shack’s New Test Kitchen Is Shaping the Future of the Brand, " by Stefanie Tuder (Eater, 2018). EXTRAS: " Truffles, " by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 24

American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else’s business opportunity. Zachary Crockett hits the links. SOURCES: Todd Hutchinson , president and owner of BallHawker. Lashan Wanigatunga , founder of Two Guys With Balls. RESOURCES: " BallHawker, Challenge Enterprises Turn Wayward Golf Shots Into Successful Endeavor ," Natalie Gilstrap ( Clay Today, 2023). " Temecula Golf Ball Diver Nets $100,000 a Year ," by Jeff Zevely ( CBS8, 2022). " Golf’s Recycled Ball Market is Big Business ," by Erik Matuszewski ( Link, 2021). " The Inside Story of What the Original Titleist Pro V1 Launch Was Really Like ," Andrew Tursky ( Golf Digest, 2020). " Head of Golf Ball Retrieval Company Sentenced for Manslaughter After Diving Death at Wales Golf Course ," by Alex Myers ( Golf Digest, 2017). " Man Dies While Illegally Diving for Golf Balls ," by Alex Myers ( Golf Digest, 2015). EXTRAS: " Greg Norman Takes On the P.G.A. Tour ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 17

Before a guide dog can help a blind person navigate the world, it has to pass a series of tests, then go through $75,000 worth of training. Zachary Crockett sniffs around. SOURCES: Peggy Gibbon, director of canine development at The Seeing Eye. Charles Pat McKenna, assistant division director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. RESOURCES: " Why Seeing Eye Dogs Are So Expensive To Breed and Train, " by Abby Tang and Emily Christian (Business Insider, 2024). " For decades, the blind have used canes to get around. Now a special wristband gives them a ‘sixth sense. '" by Peter Holley (Washington Post, 2017). The Seeing Eye. " History of Guide Dogs, " by The International Guide Dog Federation. " Facts and Figures " by The International Guide Dog Federation. EXTRAS: " Morris Frank, " by The International Guide Dog Foundation (Vimeo, 2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 10

Behind that 70% off sign, there’s a liquidation consultant trying to maximize retailer profits. Zachary Crockett seeks a deal. SOURCES: Bradley Snyder, executive managing director at Tiger Group. Zac Rogers, associate professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University RESOURCES: " What Went Wrong: The Demise of Toys R Us, " by Angie Basiouny (Knowledge at Wharton, 2018) " Retail apocalypse 2024: All the once-popular stores and restaurants that shuttered locations this year, " by Sarah Bregel (Forbes, 2024) " BBB Tip: Avoid bogus bargains at going out of business sales " by Better Business Bureau (2024) " There’s a science and art to running a going-out-of-business sale. (And business is booming.) " by Courtney Reagan (CNBC, 2018) EXTRAS: " I don't wanna grow up: The first day of the end of our childhoods, " by Mike Higdon (Reno Gazette-Journal, 2018) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 3

Picture day is an annual tradition for American families — and, for the companies that take the photos, a lucrative one. Zachary Crockett smiles for the camera. SOURCES: Ken Murphy , C.E.O. of Lifetouch Jeremy McColm , senior manager of photography at Lifetouch RESOURCES: " The money and stress and failed hairdos of school picture day, " by Kaitlyn Tiffany (Vox, 2019) " The School Photo Industry Is a Master Class in Drama, " by David Gauvey Herbert (New York Times, 2019) " With Lifetouch Acquisition, Shutterfly Claims Leadership In Picture Memories Market, " by Pamela Danziger (Forbes, 2018) " Exclusive School Photography Agreement " (Vernon Public School District, 2019) EXTRAS: " Money Schools Earn From Student Portraits Varies Widely, " by Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough, and Jeff Piper (NBC News Washington, 2016) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 27

They're not always the nicest places to go — but for their owners, portable toilets are a lucrative revenue stream. Zachary Crockett lifts the lid. SOURCES: Ron Inman , vice president of Honey Bucket Veronica Crosier , executive director of Portable Sanitation Association International RESOURCES: " Providing Toilets for 39,000 Runners, " by John Branch (New York Times, 2008) " Platinum Equity-owned United Site Services weighs $4B sale – Reuters, " by Pam Rosacia (S&P Global, 2021) " Renting Portable Units, " by Portable Sanitation Association International PolyJohn History EXTRAS: " The Porta-Potty King of New York City Faces a Threat to His Throne, " by David Gauvey Herbert (Intelligencer, 2019) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 20

You can be a top model and still not get recognized on the street — as long as you keep your cuticles healthy and your moons white. Zachary Crockett points a finger. SOURCES: Dani Korwin , managing director of Parts Models. Ellen Sirot , hand model. RESOURCES: SAG-AFTRA Network TV Code 2024 - 2025 Extension Agreement Rates . " How to Become a Hand Model ," by Jack Smart ( Backstage, 2024). " Meet New York’s Top Hand and Foot Model Agent (It’s a Real Thing!) ," by Christian Allaire ( Vogue, 2021). EXTRAS: " The Puffy Shirt " S5.E2 of Seinfeld (1993). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 13

A watercolor of a harbor? A black-and-white photo of a pile of rocks? Some hotels are trying to do better. Zachary Crockett unpacks. SOURCES: Melanie Kettring , director of studio design at Best Western Hotels. Jessica Poundstone , visual artist. Gavi Wolf , founder and C.E.O. of Indiewalls. RESOURCES: Indiewalls . Best Western . EXTRAS: " Used Hotel Soaps ," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023). " The Hidden Side of the Art Market ," series by Freakonomics Radio (2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 6

Before beef ends up at your favorite steakhouse, it passes through the hands of a trained specialist with an encyclopedic knowledge of bovine anatomy. Zachary Crockett chews the fat. SOURCES: Bryan Flannery , co-owner of Flannery Beef. Katie Flannery , co-owner of Flannery Beef. RESOURCES: " National Weekly Boxed Beef Cutout And Boxed Beef Cuts — Negotiated Sales ," U.S.D.A. Agricultural Marketing Service ( U.S.D.A. Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News, 2025). " Understanding Beef Carcass Yields and Losses During Processing ," ( Penn State Extension Articles, 2022). " Beef Cow-Calf Production ," by Cheryl A. Fairbairn, Lynn F. Kime, Jayson K. Harper, and John W. Comerford ( Penn State Extension Articles , 2020). " Major Supermarket Chains Changed How They Label Meat, Surprising Customers and USDA ," by Roberto A. Ferdman ( The Washington Post, 2014). " What’s Your Beef — Prime, Choice or Select? " by Larry Meadows ( U.S.D.A Blog, 2013). " From Calf to Kitchen: The Journey of a Beef Cow ," by Dave Eames and Mike McGraw ( The Kansas City Star, 2012). EXTRAS: " The Future of Meat ," by Freakonomics Radio (2019). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 30, 2024

How did a little green nut become a billion-dollar product, lauded by celebrities in Super Bowl ads? Zachary Crockett cracks open the story. SOURCES: Sawyer Clark , director of asset management at Gold Leaf Farming. Diana Salsa , vice president of marketing for Wonderful Pistachios. RESOURCES: " Almond Acreage Decline Prompts Industry Introspection ," by Mitch Lies ( West Coast Nut, 2023). American Pistachio Industry 2021 Annual Report , by American Pistachio Growers (2023). " California’s Agricultural Water Policies Are Nuts ," by Douglas R. Noble ( The Gainesville Sun, 2021). " Amid Drought, Billionaires Control a Critical California Water Bank ," by Chloe Sorvino ( Forbes, 2021). " Wonderful Pistachios Achieves Billion-Dollar Brand Milestone ," press release by The Wonderful Company (2020). " Pistachios: The Quirks of Agricultural Trade in a Nutshell ," by Andrea Durkin ( Global Trade, 2020). " California Pistachios With Perfect Timing ," by Mark Blackburn ( The New York Times, 1979). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 23, 2024

Once a luxury good, the soft fiber is now everywhere — which has led to a goat boom in Mongolia. Zachary Crockett tugs at the thread. SOURCES: Myagmarjav Serjkhuu , manager of the Mongolian Sustainable Cashmere Platform for the United Nations Development Programme. Carolyn Yim , designer and owner of Ply-Knits. RESOURCES: " Sandstorms and Desertification in Mongolia, an Example of Future Climate Events: A Review ," by Jie Han, Han Dai, and Zhaolin Gu ( Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2021). " How Sustainable Cashmere Is Reversing Land Degradation in Mongolia ," by Mariana Simões (United Nations Development Programme, 2021). " Exploding Demand for Cashmere Wool Is Ruining Mongolia's Grasslands ," by Kathleen McLaughlin ( Science, 2019). " From H&M to Gucci, Fashion Rethinks Cashmere, Citing Environmental Harm ," by Matthew Dalton ( The Wall Street Journal, 2019). " 2018 Annual Cashmere Market Report ," by Marco Spina (The Schneider Group, 2019). " How This Brand Made a Cashmere Sweater for $75 Ethically ," by Esha Chhabra ( Forbes, 2018). " Pastoral Nomadism in the Forest-Steppe of the Mongolian Altai Under a Changing Economy and a Warming Climate ," by D. Lkhagvadorj, M. Hauck, Ch. Dulamsuren, and J. Tsogtbaatar ( Journal of Arid Environments, 2013). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 16, 2024

Behind almost every character you see displayed on a page or a screen, there’s a complex — and sometimes lucrative — web of licensing deals. Zachary Crockett is just your type. SOURCES: Lucas Czarnecki , creative director of Type Network. Gerry Leonidas , professor of typography at the University of Reading. Chantra Malee , co-founder and C.E.O. of Sharp Type. Lucas Sharp , professional font designer and co-founder of Sharp Type. RESOURCES: " What Fonts Are Used by The New York Times? " by Nona Blackman ( Envato Tuts+, 2024). " Legendary Type Foundry Monotype Sold to Private Equity for $825 Million ," by Suzanne LaBarre ( Fast Company, 2019). " Calibri’s Scandalous History ," by Ross Arbes ( The New Yorker, 2017). " This Was The First Computer Font ," by John Herrman ( BuzzFeed News, 2012). " Manuscripts and Special Collections ," by the University of Nottingham. EXTRA: " Are Our Tools Becoming Part of Us? " by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 9, 2024

Americans throw away 320 million books every year. How do some of them find a second life? Zachary Crockett is just browsing. SOURCE: Francisco Hernandez, owner of Leaves bookstore. RESOURCES: " Reinventing Retail: The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores ," by Ryan L. Raffaelli ( Harvard Business School Working Paper, 2020). Gravity's Rainbow , by Thomas Pynchon (1973). The Bluest Eye , by Toni Morrison (1970). Leaves bookstore . EXTRA: " Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard ," by Freakonomics Radio (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 2, 2024

The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they want to convey. Zachary Crockett is thinking of you on your special day. SOURCES: Mia Mercado , writer and former editor at Hallmark. George White , president of Up With Paper and former president of the American Greeting Card Association. RESOURCES: 34th Louie Awards - Finalists & Winners , (2022-2023). " Season’s (and Other...) Greetings ," by Maria Ricapito ( Marie Claire, 2020). " Hallmark Greeting Cards Have Adjusted to the Digital Revolution ," by Trent Gillies ( CNBC, 2017). " Testimony of Don Hall, Jr. President and CEO of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Before a Joint Hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security and the House, Postal Service and the District of Columbia " (2010). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 25, 2024

It’s unreactive, lighter than air, and surprisingly important to the global economy. Zachary Crockett goes up an octave. SOURCES: Sophia Hayes , professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis. Phil Kornbluth , president of Kornbluth Helium Consulting. Bo Sears , C.E.O. of Helix Exploration PLC. RESOURCES: " Why Semiconductor Growth Will Drive Helium Demand ," by Kitty Wheeler ( Technology Magazine, 2024). " The World Is Running Out of Helium. Here's Why Doctors Are Worried ," by Caroline Hopkins ( NBC News, 2022). " Nothing on Earth Can Replace Helium — and It’s in Peril ," by Joseph DiVerdi ( The New York Times, 2019). Selling the Nation's Helium Reserve , by the National Research Council (2010). " Discovery of Helium in Natural Gas at the University of Kansas ," by the American Chemical Society (2000). EXTRAS: " Is Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset? " by Freakonomics Radio (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 22, 2024

How did Florida International University’s new football stadium come to be named after the rapper and singer Pitbull? Adrian Ma and Wailin Wong of The Indicator from Planet Money explain. SOURCES: Scott Carr , director of athletics at Florida International University. Adrian Ma , co-host of The Indicator from Planet Money. Wailin Wong , co-host of The Indicator from Planet Money. RESOURCES: The Indicator from Planet Money Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 18, 2024

Mannequins may be made out of plastic or fiberglass, but for retailers they’re pure gold. Zachary Crockett strikes a pose. SOURCES: Stacie Bornn , vice president of sales, marketing, and creative at Fusion Specialties. Judi Henderson , C.E.O. and president of Mannequin Madness. RESOURCES: " How This Oakland Business Gives Mannequins New Life (Almost) ," by Christopher Beale ( KQED, 2024). " Nike's Controversial Plus-Size Mannequin Is a Brilliant Business Decision ," by Kate Taylor ( Business Insider, 2019). " A Glance at History of Store Mannequins ," by Anne D'Innocenzio ( AP News, 2014). " Making a Fashion Statement, With or Without Clothes ," by Elisabetta Povoledo ( The New York Times, 2011). " Stores Demand Mannequins With Personality (Heads Optional) ," by Stephanie Clifford ( The New York Times, 2011). " Body Design, Variable Realisms: The Case of Female Fashion Mannequins ," by Sara K. Schneider ( Design Issues, 1997). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 11, 2024

Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports from North Carolina. SOURCES: Laura Appleman , professor of law at Willamette University. Christopher Barnes, inmate at the Franklin Correctional Center. Lee Blackman , general manager at Correction Enterprises. Brian Scott, ex-inmate, former worker at the Correction Enterprises printing plant. Louis Southall , warden of Franklin Correctional Center. RESOURCES: " Prisoners in the U.S. Are Part of a Hidden Workforce Linked to Hundreds of Popular Food Brands ," by Robin McDowell and Margie Mason ( AP News, 2024). " Ex-Prisoners Face Headwinds as Job Seekers, Even as Openings Abound ," by Talmon Joseph Smith ( The New York Times, 2023). " Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers ," by the American Civil Liberties Union and the University of Chicago Law School Global Human Rights Clinic (2022). " Bloody Lucre: Carceral Labor and Prison Profit ," by Laura Appleman ( Wisconsin Law Review, 2022). " Prison Labor Is on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic ," by Eliyahu Kamisher ( The Appeal, 2020). Correction Enterprises . EXTRAS: " Can Data Keep People Out of Prison? " by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 4, 2024

It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit. SOURCES: Lee Blackman , general manager at Correction Enterprises. Gene Hawkins , senior principal engineer at Kittelson and professor emeritus of civil engineering at Texas A&M University. Renee Roach, state signing and delineation engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. RESOURCES : " Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th Edition ," by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (2023). " Who Picks the Businesses on Highway Exit Signs? " by Janet Nguyen ( Marketplace, 2022). " The Road to Clarity ," by Joshua Yaffa ( The New York Times Magazine, 2007). EXTRAS: " Do People Pay Attention to Signs? " by No Stupid Questions (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 28, 2024

When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages. SOURCES: Hollie Colahan , deputy director of the Birmingham Zoo and chair of the AZA's Animal Population Management Committee. Dwight Lawson , executive director and C.E.O. of the Oklahoma City Zoo. RESOURCES: " Oklahoma City Zoo Announces Near-Total Redesign in 2024 Master Plan ," by Sam Royka ( The Oklahoman, 2024). " Panda Diplomacy: What China’s Decision to Send Bears to the US Reveals About Its Economy ," by Chee Meng Tan ( The Conversation, 2024). " Oklahoma City Zoological Trust Financial Statements ," (2023). " Modern Zoos Are Not Worth the Moral Cost ," by Emma Marris ( The New York Times, 2021). " The Tiger King of the 19th Century ," by Betsy Golden Kellem ( Slate, 2020). Animal Population Management Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 21, 2024

Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. SOURCES: Bill Giorgis , president of Mike’s Wrecker Service. Max Karimi , co-owner of H&M Roadside. Teresa Murray , director of the Consumer Watchdog Program at U.S. Public Interest Research Group. RESOURCES: " Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow - Part II ," by Jacob van Cleef and Teresa Murray (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2022). " Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow ," by Grace Brombach (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2021). " Beware of Car Towing Companies That Patrol Private Parking Lots ," by Ann Carrns ( The New York Times, 2021). " After a Wave of Injuries, Tow Truck Drivers Want Us All to Slow Down ," by Kristian Foden-Vencil ( Oregon Public Broadcasting, 2021). " AAA’s Grip Forcing West Coast Tow Companies Out of Business, Owners Say ," by Annie Sciacca ( East Bay Times, 2016). r/Hookit . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 14, 2024

Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett is not fiddling around. SOURCES: Frank Almond , professional violinist. Ziv Arazi , co-owner of Rare Violins of New York. Bruno Price , co-owner of Rare Violins of New York. RESOURCES: " When It Comes to String Instruments, Stradivariuses Are Still Pitch Perfect ," by Ted Scheinman ( Smithsonian Magazine, 2022). " Study Confirms Superior Sound of Stradivari Is Due to How Wood Was Treated ," by Jennifer Ouellette ( Ars Technica, 2021). " The Case of the Stolen Stradivarius ," ( FBI News, 2015). " A High-Strung Market ," by E. H. B. ( The Economist, 2013). " Violins For Music — And Investment Returns ," by Michael S. Fischer ( Financial Advisor, 2013). " Stradivarius Fetches Record $16 Million in Charity Sale ," ( Reuters, 2011). EXTRA: A Violin's Life , album series by Frank Almond (2013). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 7, 2024

Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet? Zachary Crockett doubles down. SOURCES: "Ben," former professional card counter. Bill Zender , co-founder of Bill Zender and Associates casino consulting firm. RESOURCES: " Blackjack Player Sues Ameristar Casino, City of Black Hawk Over Alleged Detainment for Card Counting ," by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton ( The Denver Post, 2023). " Why Does the House Always Win? A Look at Casino Profitability ," by J. B. Maverick ( Investopedia, 2023). " Counting the Cost ," by Bill Zender ( GGB News, 2022). " Nevada Supreme Court Orders Casino To Pay Card Counter ," by I. Nelson Rose ( Gambling and the Law, 2017). " Counting Cards Is Legal, But ... " by Mark Pilarski ( Detroit Free Press, 2016). " Card Counter Sues Planet Hollywood Over Detention, Confiscated Casino Chips ," by Carri Geer Thevenot ( Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2015). " Real People Behind Story of '21' Discuss Film's Facts ," by Ed Symkus ( The State Journal-Register, 2008). Blackbelt in Blackjack: Playing 21 as a Martial Art , by Arnold Snyder (1997). EXTRAS: " How to Make Your Own Luck ," by Freakonomics Radio (2020). " The Economics of Sports Gambling (Replay) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2020). " Could the Next Brooklyn Be … Las Vegas?! " by Freakonomics Radio (2015). 21 , film by Robert Luketic (2008). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 30, 2024

Making money in the stock image business requires a sharp eye for trends, a very specific type of model, and a race against A.I. Zachary Crockett takes his shot. SOURCE: Yuri Arcurs , C.E.O. and founder of PeopleImages. RESOURCES : " The Last Stock Photographers Await Their Fate Under Generative A.I. ," by Katie Deighton ( The Wall Street Journal, 2024). " The Impressive 100-Year History of Stock Photography: From Analog to A.I. ," by Ivanna Attié ( Stock Photo Secrets, 2024). " How Much Can You Make Selling Stock Photos? — It’s Not as Profitable as it Used to Be ," by Matic Broz ( Photutorial, 2024). " Confessions of a Stock Photography Model ," by Andrew Kimler ( Vox, 2016). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 23, 2024

How does a fresh tuna get from Japan to Nebraska before it goes bad? And how does its journey show up in the price of your spicy tuna rolls? Zachary Crockett gets schooled. SOURCES: Sasha Issenberg , journalist and author. David Utterback , owner of Yoshitomo and Ota sushi restaurants. Nobu Yamanashi , president of Yama Seafood. RESOURCES: " Wild or Farmed? Pacific or Atlantic? Here’s What to Know About Bluefin Tuna ," by Jean Trinh ( Los Angeles Times, 2023). " The Untold Story of Sushi in America ," by Daniel Fromson ( The New York Times Magazine, 2021). " The Intricacies of Tuna Grading ," ( Luke's Lobster Blog, 2020). " Sushinomics: How Bluefin Tuna Became a Million-Dollar Fish ," by Svati Kirsten Narula ( The Atlantic, 2014). The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy , by Sasha Issenberg (2007). Yoshitomo . EXTRAS: " Is the Future of Farming in the Ocean? " by Freakonomics Radio (2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 16, 2024

Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world’s deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised. SOURCES: Dana Berkowitz , sociologist and author. Jean Carruthers , pioneer of cosmetic Botox, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, and owner of Carruthers Cosmetic. Steven Williams , president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and owner of Tri Valley Plastic Surgery. RESOURCES: " Botox Is More Affordable Than Ever. Is That A Good Thing? " by Krista Bennett DeMaio ( Women's Health, 2024). " Early Development History of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) ," by Alan B. Scott, Dennis Honeychurch, and Mitchell F. Brin ( Medicine, 2023). " How Barely-There Botox Became the Norm ," by Jessica Schiffer ( The New York Times, 2021). Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America , by Dana Berkowitz (2017). " Billions and Billions for Botox ," by Vauhini Vara ( The New Yorker, 2014). " Botox is Destroying Hollywood Acting ," by Johann Hari ( HuffPost, 2011). " The Botox Boom ," by David Noonan ( Newsweek, 2002). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 9, 2024

Almost everyone who buys a home spends thousands of dollars on title insurance. Most of them don’t understand it, and almost none of them use it. So why does it exist? Zachary Crockett closes the deal. SOURCES: Christy Bieber , personal finance writer. Laurie Goodman , institute fellow at the Urban Institute Housing Finance Policy Center. Kathy Kwak , chief operating officer of Proper Title. RESOURCES: " Remarks of President Joe Biden — State of the Union Address As Prepared for Delivery ," (The White House Briefing Room, 2024). " Fannie Mae Expands Use Of Attorney Opinion Letters (AOLs) As Title Insurance Alternatives ," by Christine Stuart ( National Mortgage Professional, 2023). " U.S. Private Auto Insurers Break Premium, Loss Ratio Records in Q1 ," by Kris Elaine Figuracion and Tyler Hammel ( S&P Global, 2023). EXTRA: " 'Insurance Is Sexy.' Discuss ," by Freakonomics Radio (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 2, 2024

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent. SOURCES: Jason McKinney , co-founder and C.E.O. of Truffle Shuffle. Besart Morina, truffle dealer. RESOURCES: " Dogs Pay the Price in Italian Truffle War ," by Margherita Stancati ( The Wall Street Journal, 2022). " How Truffles Took Root Around the World ," by Federico Kukso ( Smithsonian Magazine, 2022). " Has the American-Grown Truffle Finally Broken Through? " by Rowan Jacobsen ( Smithsonian Magazine, 2021). " Sonoma County Farm Strikes Black Truffle Gold After 9 Years of Waiting ," by Jenn Harris ( Los Angeles Times, 2021). " In Nicolas Cage’s ‘Pig,’ How Much Is the Truffle Hog Worth Anyway? " by Victoria Petersen ( The New York Times, 2021). " Predicted Climate Change Will Increase the Truffle Cultivation Potential in Central Europe ," by Tomáš Čejka, Miroslav Trnka, Paul J. Krusic, Ulrich Stobbe, Daniel Oliach, Tomáš Václavík, Willy Tegel, and Ulf Büntgen ( Nature Scientific Reports, 2020). " Inside the Exceptionally Shady World of Truffle Fraud ," by Ryan Jacobs ( Eater, 2019). " Truffle Thieves Face Paramilitary Threat ," by Kim Willsher ( The Guardian, 2012). " The Hidden Life of Truffles ," by James M. Trappe and Andrew W. Claridge ( Scientific American, 2010). " Cultivation of Black Truffle to Promote Reforestation and Land-Usestability ," by José Antonio Bonet, Christine R. Fischer, and Carlos Colinas ( Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2006). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 26, 2024

Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs. SOURCES: Andrew Blechman , journalist and author. David Champagne , owner of Bird Busters, Inc. RESOURCES: " Racing Pigeon Sells For A Record-Breaking $1.9 Million At Auction ," by Carlie Porterfield ( Forbes, 2020). " Feathers of Honor: U.S. Army Signal Corps Pigeon Service in World War I, 1917–1918 ," by Frank A. Blazich Jr. ( Army History, 2020). " Pigeon Wars ," by Jon Mooallem ( The New York Times, 2006). Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird , by Andrew Blechman (2004). " Pigeons Have Magnets ," by Charles Walcott, James L. Gould, and J. L. Kirschvink ( Science, 1979). " The Pigeon as a Quality-Control Inspector ," by Thom Verhave ( American Psychologist, 1966). EXTRAS: " Freakonomics Radio Live: 'Jesus Could Have Been a Pigeon ,'" by Freakonomics Radio (2018). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 19, 2024

How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money. SOURCES: Patrick McKenzie , fraud prevention expert and strategic advisor at Stripe. Kerry Myers , associate professor of instruction at the University of South Florida and former F.B.I. special agent. RESOURCES: " National Assessments of Money Laundering Risks: Stumbling at the Start ," by Joras Ferwerda and Peter Reuter ( Risk Analysis, 2024). " Hacker 'Washes' $25M in Stolen Crypto Through Magic: The Gathering Card Scheme ," by Oliver Dale ( Blockonomi, 2023). " Money Spending or Money Laundering: The Fine Line between Legal and Illegal Financial Transactions ," by Matthew R. Auten ( Pace Law Review, 2013). " HSBC to Pay $1.9bn in US Money Laundering Penalties " ( BBC News, 2012). " How a Big US Bank Laundered Billions From Mexico's Murderous Drug Gangs ," by Ed Vulliamy ( The Guardian, 2011). EXTRAS: " Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone? " by Freakonomics Radio (2023). " Kafkaesque ," S3.E9 of Breaking Bad (2010). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 12, 2024

Thanks to online booking platforms, the way we make reservations has changed — but a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is still a valuable commodity. Zachary Crockett books a four-top for 7 p.m. SOURCES: Lisa Blount , director of marketing and public relations at Antoine’s Restaurant. Adam Iscoe , writer. RESOURCES: " Why You Can’t Get a Restaurant Reservation ," by Adam Iscoe ( The New Yorker, 2024). " New York Passes Bill to Make the Restaurant Reservation Black Market Illegal ," by Emma Orlow ( Eater, 2024). " When Canceling Your Reservation Costs as Much as Dinner ," by T.M. Brown ( The New York Times, 2024). " 65% Of Diners Go Directly To A Restaurant’s Website To Book A Reservation ," by Tessa Zuluaga ( Toast, 2024). " No-Show Diners by the Numbers ," by OpenTable (2021). " Selling Reservations Democratizes the Dining Experience ," by Tyler Cowen ( The New York Times, 2015). Antoine's Restaurant . EXTRAS: " Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant ," by Freakonomics Radio (2018). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 5, 2024

There are more firefighters than ever — and fewer fires for them to fight. So the job has changed. Zachary Crockett slides down the pole. SOURCES: Joshua Hurwitz , lecturer in economics at Tufts University. Eric Mackintosh , administrative battalion fire chief for San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. Steve Pegram , retired fire chief and township administrator in Ohio. RESOURCES: " The Dire Shortage of Volunteer Firefighters in the US ," by Sam Becker ( BBC, 2024). San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department 2023 Annual Report (2024). " Essays on the Economics of U.S. Firefighting ," by Joshua Hurwitz (Harvard University doctoral dissertation, 2021). " Over Last 20 Years, Annual Fires in the US Declined by About 50% While Career Firefighters Increased More Than 50%? " by Mark J. Perry ( AEIdeas, 2015). EXTRAS: " Getting Old, Adventurously ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 29, 2024

How did love stories about vampires, cowboys, and wealthy dukes become the highest-grossing fiction genre in the world? Zachary Crockett gets swept away. SOURCES: Delaney Diamond , romance novelist. Danielle Flores, high school math teacher and avid romance novel reader. Brenda Hiatt , romance novelist. Diane Moggy , vice president of editorial at Harlequin. RESOURCES: " Even as Overall Book Sales Are Declining, Romance Novels Are on the Rise ," by Elena Burnett, Sarah Handel, and Juana Summers ( All Things Considered, 2023). " Key Takeaways from the Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey ," press release by the Authors Guild (2023). " How Amazon Turned Everyone Into a Romance Writer (and Created an Antitrust Headache) ," by Ann Kjellberg ( Observer , 2022). " Vivian Stephens Helped Turn Romance Writing Into a Billion-Dollar Industry. Then She Got Pushed Out ," by Mimi Swartz ( Texas Monthly, 2020). " A Brief History of the Romance Novel ," by Amanda Pagan ( New York Public Library Blog, 2019). " How Harlequin Became the Most Famous Name in Romance ," by Kelly Faircloth ( Jezebel, 2015). " Fifty Shades of Amish: A Strange Genre of the Romance Novel ," by Leah McGrath Goodman ( Newsweek, 2015). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 22, 2024

Performing at a strip club can be lucrative, but it requires financial and psychological savvy — and an eye for social trends. Zachary Crockett takes a look. SOURCES: Layla , stripper. Dave Manack , publisher and editor-in-chief of Exotic Dancer. RESOURCES: " A Look at Washington State’s ‘Strippers’ Bill of Rights’ ," by Aimee Ortiz ( The New York Times, 2024). " These L.A. Strippers Won a Union. But the Dance Isn’t Over ," by Suhauna Hussain ( Los Angeles Times, 2023). " Dancers at Northwest Portland Strip Club Vote to Form City’s First Strippers Union, Second in U.S. ," by Kristine de Leon ( The Oregonian, 2023). " 'Everyone and Their Mum Is on It': OnlyFans Booms in Popularity During the Pandemic ," by Matilda Boseley ( The Guardian, 2020). EXTRAS: " Why is Everyone Having Less Sex? " by No Stupid Questions (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 15, 2024

Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out. SOURCES: Steve Anderson , emergency medicine business unit leader at BTG Pharmaceuticals. Nick Brandehoff , professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and executive director of the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation. Sean Bush , emergency physician and president of the North American Society of Toxinology. Nitin Deshpande , business consultant with Premium Serums & Vaccines. Jack Facente , owner-operator of AGRITOXINS Venom Production Laboratory. RESOURCES: " This New Antivenom Defangs the Toxins of Cobras, Black Mambas and More ," by Cassandra Willyard ( Scientific American, 2024). " Perspectives on Snakebite Envenoming Care Needs Across Different Sociocultural Contexts and Health Systems: A Comparative Qualitative Analysis Among U.S. and Brazilian Health Providers ," by Eleanor Strand, Felipe Murta, Anna Tupetz, Charles J. Gerardo, et al. ( Toxicon: X, 2023). " Access to Antivenoms in the Developing World: A Multidisciplinary Analysis ," by Julien Potet, David Beran, David J. Williams, et al. ( Toxicon: X, 2021). " The Lab Saving the World From Snake Bites ," by Myles Karp ( Smithsonian Magazine, 2020). " Why Competition Hasn't Brought Down The High Price Of Snakebite Treatment ," by Carmen Heredia Rodriguez ( NPR, 2019). " Summer Bummer: A Young Camper’s $142,938 Snakebite ," by Carmen Heredia Rodriguez ( KFF Health News, 2019). " The Amazing Science Behind Fatal Snake Bites ," ( BBC News, 2015). " Southern Californians See a Rise in Venomous Snakes ," by Rebecca Fairley Raney ( The New York Times, 2006). Venom Week . EXTRAS: Venom Hunters , TV series (2016). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 8, 2024

Online companies promised to bring transparency to the mattress-buying experience. Did that work out? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the sheets. SOURCES: Derek Hales , founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab.com. Joe Megibow , C.E.O. of Casper Sleep. RESOURCES: " Drake Has a $400,000 Bed − We Asked Why and Where You Can Buy It ," by Emilia Hitching ( Homes & Gardens, 2024). " Casper Tests a New Store Design as It Rethinks Its Retail Strategy ," by Anna Hensel ( Modern Retail, 2024). " Is The Direct-To-Consumer Bedding Business Turning Into A Bad Dream? " by Warren Shoulberg ( Forbes, 2019). EXTRAS: " Are We in a Mattress-Store Bubble? " by Freakonomics Radio (2016). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 1, 2024

Channeling the voices of celebrities can be a lucrative career — one that requires empathy and discretion as well as literary chops. Zachary Crockett checks the acknowledgements. SOURCES: Valerie Frankel , ghostwriter. Madeleine Morel , President and Lead Agent of 2M Communications. Daniel Paisner , ghostwriter. RESOURCES: " Ghostwriting History: Churchill, Kennedy and the Authenticity of Authorship ," by Andrew Mumford ( The International History Review, 2024). " Column: How many ways can a political memoir backfire? Ask Kristi Noem ," by Robin Abcarian ( Los Angeles Times, 2024). " Notes from Prince Harry’s Ghostwriter ," by J. R. Moehringer ( The New Yorker, 2023). " Confessions of a Celebrity Ghostwriter ," by Dina Gachman ( Texas Monthly, 2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 24, 2024

How did mobile kitchens become popular with hipster gourmands? And just how much money can a popular truck make from a lunch shift? Zachary Crocket drops some napkins. SOURCES: Mariel-Leona Edwards , senior operations manager for Señor Sisig. Matthew Geller , founding president of the National Food Truck Association and C.E.O. of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association. Evan Kidera , C.E.O. and co-owner of Señor Sisig. RESOURCES: " Seed Planted in SF State MBA Program Grows Into Mini-Filipino Food Empire ," by Jamie Oppenheim ( SF State News, 2022). " Inside Señor Sisig, the First Restaurant for a Pioneer of Filipino-American Cuisine ," by Luke Tsai ( Eater, 2019). " Tamales, L.A.’s Original Street Food ," by Gustavo Arellano ( Los Angeles Times, 2011). EXTRAS: " Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Update) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2019). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 17, 2024

Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. SOURCES: Linda Flanagan , author. Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop. R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad. John Miller , journalist and baseball coach. RESOURCES: " The Cost of Youth Baseball Is Getting Absurd ," by Adam Minter ( Bloomberg , 2024). " Perfect Game Sees Prosperity Thanks To New Investments In Youth Sports ," by Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. ( Forbes , 2024). " How America Sold Out Little League Baseball ," by John W. Miller ( America Magazine , 2022). " In Youth Sports, Talent Helps but Money Rules ," by Roman Stubbs ( The Washington Post , 2022). Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters , by Linda Flanagan (2022). " State of Youth Sports: Parents, Policymakers Better Appreciate Physical Activity, Face Barriers to Help Kids Play ," by Jon Solomon ( The Aspen Institute , 2022). EXTRA: Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters , by Linda Flanagan (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 10, 2024

Why do we use a specific kind of tree-bark tissue to seal up 70 percent of wine bottles? Zachary Crockett takes a sniff and gives the waiter a nod. SOURCES: Carlos De Jesus , director of communications at Amorim Cork. RESOURCES: " This Ancient Material Is Displacing Plastics and Creating a Billion-Dollar Industry ," by Marta Vidal ( The Washington Post, 2024). " Troubled Times For Wine In 2023: Global Production And Consumption Shrinking ," by Per and Britt Karlsson ( Forbes, 2024). " Three Studies Take A Look At Various Wine Bottle Closure Preferences ," by Thomas Pellechia ( Forbes, 2019). " How Millennials (Almost) Killed the Wine Cork ," by John Gifford ( The Atlantic, 2016). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 3, 2024

Grocery stores have turned shoppers into cashiers. Zachary Crockett runs two bags of chips and a Gatorade over the scanner. SOURCES: Sara Alloy , experience retail lead for North America at Publicis Sapient. Christopher Andrews , professor of sociology at Drew University. Phil Lempert , founder and C.E.O. of SupermarketGuru. RESOURCES: " Feeling Rewarded and Entitled to Be Served: Understanding the Influence of Self- Versus Regular Checkout on Customer Loyalty ," by Farhana Nusrat and Yanliu Huang ( Journal of Business Research, 2024). " It’s Not Just You: Self-Checkout Is Awful. These Retailers Finally Agree ," by Sarah Bregel ( Fast Company, 2023). " 'I'm Banned From Walmart Over a Bag of Reese's,' Houston-Area Woman Says After Self-Checkout 'issue ,'" by Matthew Seedorff ( Fox26, 2023). " Self-Checkout Is a Failed Experiment ," by Amanda Mull ( The Atlantic, 2023). The Overworked Consumer: Self-Checkouts, Supermarkets, and the Do-It-Yourself Economy , by Christopher Andrews (2018). " The Banana Trick and Other Acts of Self-Checkout Thievery ," by Rene Chun ( The Atlantic, 2018). " Self-Service Checkouts Can Turn Customers Into Shoplifters, Study Says ," by Christopher Mele ( The New York Times, 2016). " Check This Out: A Revolution in the Supermarket ," by Daniel P. Puzo ( Los Angeles Times, 1987). EXTRAS: " How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War ," by Freakonomics Radio (2019). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 27, 2024

Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up. SOURCES: Matthew Gryczan , retired journalist and engineer. Elliot Simmons, former carnival game worker. Olivia Turner , general manager of Redbone Products. RESOURCES: " AG Platkin Announces 10-Year Ban of Amusement Games Licenses and a Fine for Wildwood Games Operator ," by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (2023). " N.H. Man Loses Life Savings on Carnival Game ," ( C.B.S. News Boston, 2013). " Carnival Games: Walking the Line Between Illegal Gambling and Amusement ," by J. Royce Fichtner ( Drake Law Review, 2012). " Carnivals: Law Enforcement on the Midway ," by Bruce Walstad ( F.B.I. Law Enforcement Bulletin, 1997). Carnival Secrets: How to Win at Carnival Games, Which Games to Avoid, How to Make Your Own Games , by Matthew Gryczan (1988). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 20, 2024

With industries relying on them and profits to be made, weather forecasts are more precise and more popular than ever. But there are clouds on the horizon. Zachary Crockett grabs an umbrella. SOURCES: Steve Adelman , head of Adelman Law Group, PLLC and vice president of the Event Safety Alliance. Peter Neilley , director of weather forecasting sciences and technologies for The Weather Company. RESOURCES: " Traders Have Turned Betting on the Weather, a Technique Pioneered by Enron, Into a Booming $25 Billion Market ," by Dylan Sloan ( Fortune, 2024). " Why Your Weather Forecasts May Soon Become More Accurate ," by Dan Stillman ( The Washington Post, 2023). " The High-Tech Race to Improve Weather Forecasting ," ( The Economist, 2023). " Study: Climate Change Has Increased Atmospheric Instability Over Past 40 Years ," by University at Albany ( Phys.org, 2023). " Beyoncé Concert In D.C. Suburb Highlights Complex Weather Challenges ," by Marshall Shepherd ( Forbes, 2023). " Forecast Process ," by the U.S. National Weather Service. EXTRAS: " How Will We Handle the Heat? " by Freakonomics Radio (2022). " The Folly of Prediction ," by Freakonomics Radio (2011). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 13, 2024

A fraternity’s budget includes broken windows, liability insurance, chili dog breakfasts, and the occasional $40,000 DJ. Zachary Crockett crashes the party. SOURCES: Anthony Anderson, member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Danielle Logan , owner of Fraternity Management. Charlie O’Neill, member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Stephen J. Schmidt , professor of economics at Union College. RESOURCES: " If Student Deaths Won't Stop Fraternity Hazing, What Will? " by Ben Kesslen ( NBC News, 2021). " Social Animal House: The Economic And Academic Consequences Of Fraternity Membership ," by Jack Mara, Lewis Davis, and Stephen Schmidt ( Contemporary Economic Policy, 2018). " How Fraternities Exacerbate Inequality ," by Jillian Berman ( MarketWatch, 2017). " 18 U.S. Presidents Were in College Fraternities ," by Maria Konnikova ( The Atlantic, 2014). Inside Greek U.: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of Pleasure, Power, and Prestige , by Alan D. DeSantis (2007). EXTRAS: " Freakonomics Radio Goes Back to School ," series by Freakonomics Radio (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 6, 2024

How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money. SOURCES: Joshua Page , professor of sociology and law at the University of Minnesota. Steven Zalewski , criminal defense attorney and co-owner of Affordable Bails New York. RESOURCES: " Does Bail Reform Increase Crime in New York State: Evidence from Interrupted Time-Series Analyses and Synthetic Control Methods ," by Sishi Wu and David McDowall ( Justice Quarterly, 2023). " Profit Over People: The Commercial Bail Industry Fueling America’s Cash Bail Systems ," by Allie Preston and Rachael Eisenberg ( Center for American Progress, 2022). " All Profit, No Risk: How the Bail Industry Exploits the Legal System ," by Wendy Sawyer ( Prison Policy Initiative, 2022). " A Debt of Care: Commercial Bail and the Gendered Logic of Criminal Justice Predation ," by Joshua Page, Victoria Piehowski, and Joe Soss ( RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 2019). " The Economics of Bail and Pretrial Detention ," by Patrick Liu, Ryan Nunn, and Jay Shambaugh ( The Hamilton Project, 2018). " Selling Off Our Freedom: How Insurance Corporations Have Taken Over Our Bail System ," by Color Of Change and ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice (2017). " Inside the Wild, Shadowy, and Highly Lucrative Bail Industry ," by Shane Bauer ( Mother Jones, 2014). EXTRAS: " To Catch a Fugitive ," by Freakonomics Radio (2011). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 29, 2024

So many vehicles on the road today are white, black, or gray — but automotive designers find that consumer preferences may be changing lanes. Zachary Crockett surveys the lot. SOURCES: Tom Crockett, classic car enthusiast. Mark Gutjahr , global head of design at BASF. Nikkie Riedel , carline planning manager at Subaru of America. RESOURCES: BASF Color Report 2023 for Automotive OEM Coatings . " Beige on an S.U.V. Will Cost You, but for Pickups It’s Golden ," by Roy Furchgott ( The New York Times, 2021). " A Brief History Of Car Colors — And Why Are We So Boring Now? " ( Consumer Reports, 2018). " The Link Between the Colour of Cars and the Economy ," ( The Economist, 2018). EXTRA: " Car Washes ," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 22, 2024

Americans love to buy new stuff and hate to get rid of old stuff, which is why storing it all has become a $45 billion business. Zachary Crockett cleans out the garage. SOURCES: Zachary Dickens , executive vice president and chief investment officer of Extra Space Storage. Anne Mari DeCoster , self-storage consultant. Kara Kolodziej, self-storage unit tenant. RESOURCES: " A Fifth Of Americans Rent Self Storage, With Millennials Overtaking Gen Xers In Generational Storage Wars ," by Francis Chantree ( Storage Cafe, 2024). " Lessors of Mini Warehouses and Self-Storage Units Show Significant Financial Gains During COVID-19 Pandemic ," by Ben Chandler and Robin Enlow (United States Census Bureau, 2024). " The Fate of Oversupplied Self-Storage Markets and How to Pull Back From the Brink ," by Frank DeSalvo and David Perlleshi ( Inside Self Storage, 2023). " A Pandemic Space Race: Self-Storage Roars Back ," by Ellen Rosen ( The New York Times, 2021). " Need to Store That? Booming Self-Storage Industry Says No Problem ," by Liam Pleven ( The Wall Street Journal, 2015). EXTRAS: Storage Wars , TV series (2010-present). Auction Hunters , TV series (2010-2015). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 15, 2024

The background noises you hear in film and TV — from footsteps to zombie guts — are produced in specialized studios by professionals known as Foley artists. Zachary Crockett makes some noise. SOURCE: Gregg Barbanell , foley artist at Universal Studios. RESOURCES: " The Weird, Analog Delights of Foley Sound Effects ," by Anna Wiener ( The New Yorker, 2022). " The Strangest Foley Sounds in Cinema ," by Amber Gibson ( ACMI, 2021). " The Man Who Makes Hollywood’s Smallest Sounds ," by Zachary Crockett ( Priceonomics, 2015). EXTRA: " No Hollywood Ending for the Visual Effects Industry ," by Freakonomics Radio (2017). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 8, 2024

Those letters at the end of web addresses can mean big bucks — and, for some small countries, a substantial part of the national budget. Zachary Crockett follows the links. SOURCES: Vince Cate , technical contact for the .ai domain in Anguilla. Kim Davies , Vice President of Internet Assigned Numbers Authority Services and President of Public Technical Identifiers at ICANN. Tianyu Fang , contributing editor at Reboot. RESOURCES: " The Two-Decade Fight for Two Letters on the Internet ," by Jacob Judah ( The New York Times, 2024). " Whose Domain Is It? " by Tianyu Fang ( Reboot, 2023). " How a Tiny Pacific Island Became the Global Capital of Cybercrime ," by Jacob Judah ( MIT Technology Review, 2023). " The Tropical Island With the Hot Domain Name ," by Rachel Metz ( Bloomberg, 2023). " The Never-ending ccTLD Story ," by Peter K. Yu ( SSRN, 2003). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 1, 2024

The verdant lawns promise everlasting rest — but what does it mean to sign a lease for all eternity? Zachary Crockett finds out where the bodies are buried. SOURCES: Terry Arellano , co-founder and president of Cemetery Property Resales, Inc. Jeff Lindeman , C.E.O. and General Manager of Mountain View Cemetery. Tanya Marsh , professor of law at Wake Forest University. Maureen Walton , founder and president of The Cemetery Exchange. RESOURCES: " Los Angeles Burial Crypt Near Marilyn Monroe, Hugh Hefner on Sale for $2 Million ," by Stephanie Nolasco ( Fox 10 Phoenix, 2023). " Why the Brooklyn-Queens Border Is Full of Dead People ," by Keith Williams ( The New York Times, 2017). " Death in the City: What Happens When All Our Cemeteries Are Full? " by Ana Naomi de Sousa ( The Guardian, 2015). " Our First Public Parks: The Forgotten History of Cemeteries ," by Rebecca Greenfield ( The Atlantic, 2011). " Selling a Burial Plot is a Grave Decision ," by Erin Peterson ( Kiplinger, 2010). EXTRAS: " How to Be Better at Death ," by Freakonomics Radio (2021). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 25, 2024

Relocating halfway across the world is hard enough for humans. For pets it can require a specialist. Zachary Crockett waits at the airport, holding a sign saying "Fluffy." SOURCES: Amelia Barklow , owner of two pet ducks, Wobbles and Bean. Mike Gays , managing director of Global Pet Relocation. Gemma Tappin , pet relocation consultant team leader at Global Pet Relocation. RESOURCES: " Service Dogs Are Allowed on Planes, but There Are Some Requirements to Get Them There ," by Zach Wichter ( USA Today, 2023). " More Dogs Die on United Than on Any Other Airline. Here’s Why ," by Martine Powers ( The Washington Post, 2018). " Emotional support peacock denied flight by United Airlines ," by Daniella Silva ( NBC News, 2018). " Banned by Many Airlines, These Bulldogs Fly Private ," by Christine Haughney ( The New York Times, 2011). Pet Travel information , by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. EXTRAS: " Should You Trust Private Equity to Take Care of Your Dog? " by Freakonomics Radio (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 18, 2024

More and more Americans rely on prostheses. They’re custom-fitted, highly personal, and extremely expensive. Zachary Crockett investigates. SOURCES: Jordan Beckwith , YouTuber and advocate. Eric Neufeld , owner and medical director of Agile Orthopedics. RESOURCES: " Medicare Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & Other Devices ," by Medicare (2024). " Limb Loss in the U.S. ," infographic by the Amputee Coalition (2022). " A Robot Hand Helps Amputees 'Feel' Again ," by Jeffery Delviscio ( Scientific American, 2019). " Differences in Myoelectric and Body-Powered Upper-Limb Prostheses: Systematic Literature Review ," by Stephanie L. Carey, Derek J. Lura, and Jason Highsmith ( Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 2015). " Local Coverage Determination: Lower Limb Prostheses ," from the Medicare Coverage Database (effective 2015). " Variation in the Care of Surgical Conditions: Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease ," by Philip P. Goodney, Nino Dzebisashvili, David C. Goodman, and Kristen K. Bronner ( Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care Series, 2014). " Estimating the Prevalence of Limb Loss in the United States: 2005 to 2050 ," by Kathryn Ziegler-Graham, Ellen J. MacKenzie, Patti L. Ephraim, Thomas G. Travison, and Ron Brookmeyer ( Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2008). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 11, 2024

Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows a few seeds. SOURCES: Justin Hancock , director of research and development at Costa Farms. Brian Williams , co-owner of Brian's Botanicals. Sarah Williams, co-owner Brian's Botanicals. RESOURCES: " Bidding Wars and $1,000 Succulents: The Wild World of Rare Houseplants ," by Hannah Holland ( The Washington Post, 2023). " Houseplants Boomed During the Pandemic. Gen Z and Millennials Say the Popularity Is Here to Stay ," by Lucia Starbuck ( KUNR, 2022). " The Most Iconic Houseplant Trends Through the Decades ," by Wretched Flowers ( Architectural Digest, 2021). " Meet the Plantfluencers ," by Penelope Green ( The New York Times, 2018). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 4, 2024

Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary Crockett laces up. SOURCES: Mike Leong , owner of Bel Mateo Bowl. Devon Stewart , head coach of Florida State University bowling team, C.E.O. of Bowl Connect, and consultant with the Hansell Group. RESOURCES: " Cornhole and Bowling Are the Sports Most Americans Played Last Year ," by Mallory Newall, Johnny Sawyer, Charlie Rollason, and Tyler Ivey ( Ipsos, 2023). " Overview of the Bowling Industry ," by The Hansell Group (2022). " How Bowling Alleys Made a Comeback ," by Justin Fox ( Bloomberg, 2019). " New Look Keeps Bel Mateo Bowl Thriving ," by Curtis Driscoll ( The Daily Journal, 2017). " Inside the Ugly Road Bowlmor Took to Make Bowling Cool ," by Gabrielle Fonrouge ( New York Post, 2017). " The (Short) History of the National Bowling League ," by Bob Johnson ( United States Bowling Congress News, 2015). EXTRAS: " Is It Harder to Make Friends as an Adult? " by No Stupid Questions (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 26, 2024

Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on it. Zachary Crockett checks the mailbox. SOURCES : Brett Chamberlin , program manager at Catalog Choice. Aaron Gordon , journalist. Mike Gunderson , president of Gunderson Direct. RESOURCES : " U.S. Postal Service Reports Fiscal Year 2023 Results ," by the U.S. Postal Service (2023). " How We Ended Up With All This Junk Mail ," by Aaron Gordon ( Vice, 2020). " Here Are the Data Brokers Quietly Buying and Selling Your Personal Information ," by Steven Melendez and Alex Pasternack ( Fast Company, 2019). " How to Stop Junk Mail and Save Trees — and Your Sanity ," by Elisabeth Leamy ( The Washington Post, 2018). " How The Post Office Sells Your Address Update To Anyone Who Pays (And The Little-Known Loophole To Opt Out) ," by Adam Tanner ( Forbes, 2013). The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 . EXTRAS : " Is It Worth It for Charities to Harass Their Donors? " by No Stupid Questions (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 19, 2024

If you can make it through three years of law school, you too might end up on a billboard. Zachary Crockett makes the case. SOURCES: Jason Abraham , managing partner of Hupy & Abraham. Nora Engstrom , professor at Stanford Law School. Kyle Hebenstreit , C.E.O. of Practice Made Perfect. RESOURCES: “ Personal Injury Settlement Amounts Examples (2024 Guide) ,” by Jeffrey Johnson ( Forbes Advisor, 2022). “ Low Ball: An Insider’s Look at How Some Insurers Can Manipulate Computerized Systems to Broadly Underpay Injury Claims ,” by Mark Romano and J. Robert Hunter ( Consumer Federation of America, 2012). “ A Century of Change in Personal Injury Law ,” by Stephen D. Sugarman ( UC Berkeley Public Law Research Paper, 2000). Bates v. State Bar of Arizona , in the Supreme Court of Arizona (1977). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 12, 2024

Why do you have to pay $4 to get $40 cash at a bar? And who does it go to? Zachary Crockett checks his balance. SOURCES: Bernardo Batiz-Lazo , professor in the Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University. Patricia Tuz , president of New York ATM. Jon Weilbaker , general manager of New York ATM. Sasha Weilbaker , freelance writer and daughter of Patricia and Jon. RESOURCES: " The Number of ATMs Has Declined as People Rely Less on Cash ," by Jim Carlton ( The Wall Street Journal, 2023). " Survey: ATM Fees Hit Record High While Overdraft and NSF Fees Fell Sharply ," by Karen Bennett and Matthew Goldberg ( Bankrate, 2023). " More Americans Are Joining the ‘Cashless’ Economy ," by Michelle Faverio (Pew Research Center, 2022). " Thieves Target ATMs Flush With Cash During Covid-19 ," by Scott Calvert ( The Wall Street Journal, 2021), " Locational Study of ATMs in the US by Ownership ," by Lian An, Christopher Baynard, Chriadip Chatterjee, and Chun-Ping A Loh (2018). " A Brief History of the ATM ," by Bernardo Bátiz-Lazo ( The Atlantic, 2015). EXTRA: " Why Are We Still Using Cash? " Freakonomics Radio (2016). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 5, 2024

Why is it separate from medical insurance? And is it really insurance at all? Zachary Crockett goes in for a cleaning. SOURCES: Brad Bolman , postdoctoral member of the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz , prosthodontist and chief editor for Dental Economics. Wendell Potter , president of the Center for Health and Democracy; former executive at Cigna. RESOURCES: " Dental Medical Loss Ratios: Understanding the Landscape in Massachusetts and Beyond ," by Shaza Stevenson, Megan D’Alessandro, Sandra Wilkniss, and Nicole Evans ( National Academy for State Health Policy Blog, 2023). " Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2021 ," by Katherine Keisler-Starkey and Lisa N. Bunch ( U.S. Census Bureau Reports , 2022). " Medicare and Dental Coverage: A Closer Look ," by Meredith Freed, Nancy Ochieng, Nolan Sroczynski, Anthony Damico, and Krutika Amin ( KFF, 2021). " Dentists’ Group Fights Plan to Cover Dental Benefits Under Medicare ," by Julie Bykowicz ( The Wall Street Journal, 2021). " Antisocial Dentistry ," by Brad Bolman ( Hypocrite Reader, 2021). EXTRAS: " 'Insurance Is Sexy.' Discuss ," by Freakonomics Radio (2023). " Does Health Insurance Make You Healthier? " by Freakonomics, M.D. (2022). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 29, 2024

Those low-priced staples on grocery-store shelves — where do they come from? Zachary Crockett finds out at a national convention for private-label manufacturers. SOURCES: Kusum Ailawadi , professor of marketing at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Eric Beringause , C.E.O. of Winland Foods. Ryan Boyle , vice president of sales at Kitchen Innovations. Samantha Burd , co-owner of Lady Burd Cosmetics. Dean Erstad , senior vice president of sales at Seneca. Harry Overly , president and C.E.O. of Flagstone Foods. RESOURCES: " The Backlash to Price Hikes Is Building ," by Julia Waldow ( Modern Retail, 2024). " For U.S. Consumers, It’s a Matter of ‘And’ — Not ‘Or ,'" by Kari Alldredge and Warren Teichner ( McKinsey & Company, 2023). " Those Doritos Too Expensive? More Stores Offer Their Own Alternatives ," by Julie Creswell ( The New York Times, 2023). " Why Private Label Brands Are Having Their Moment ," by Errol Schweizer ( Forbes, 2022). " The Hidden Makers of Costco’s Kirkland Signature and Trader Joe’s O’s ," by Nathaniel Meyersohn ( CNN Business, 2022). " Pursuing the Value-Conscious Consumer: Store Brands versus National Brand Promotions ," by Kusum Ailawadi, Scott A. Neslin, and Karen Gedenk ( Journal of Marketing, 2001). " The Effect of Generic Products on Consumer Perceptions and Brand Choice ," by John J. Wheatley ( NA - Advances in Consumer Research, 1981). EXTRAS: " Should America Be Run by … Trader Joe’s? " by Freakonomics Radio (2018). " How to Save $1 Billion Without Even Trying ," by Freakonomics Radio (2014). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 22, 2024

Behind these steamy sequences, there are body doubles, pubic wigs, legal documents, and dedicated choreographers who make sure everyone is comfortable. Zachary Crockett fast-forwards straight to the good parts. SOURCES: Alicia Rodis , intimacy coordinator. Matthew Swanlund , founder and principal attorney at Aesthetic Legal. RESOURCES: " Romance or Nomance? Adolescents Prefer to See Less Sex, More Friendships, Platonic Relationships on Screen ," by Elizabeth Kivowitz ( UCLA Newsroom, 2023). " You're Not Seeing Things —'Nudity Creep' in Streaming TV Reveals More of Its Stars ," by Neda Ulaby ( All Things Considered, 2023). " Jennifer Aniston Rejected Offer for an Intimacy Coordinator in Sex Scenes with 'Gentleman' Jon Hamm ," by Esther Kang ( People, 2023). " How the Sausage Gets Made: Inside Hollywood's Prosthetic Penis Craze ," by Emma Fraser ( Thrillist, 2022). " The Disturbing Story Behind the Rape Scene in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris, Explained ," by Anna North ( Vox, 2018). " Two James Francos. Porn. 1970s New York. The Deuce Could Go So Wrong — but It Doesn't ," by Emily St. James ( Vox, 2017). " Shooting Film and TV Sex Scenes: What Really Goes On ," by Melena Ryzik ( The New York Times, 2015). " Sexually Explicit Casting Contract for HBO’s ‘Westworld’ Extras Has SAG-AFTRA Concerned ," by Jonathan Handel ( The Hollywood Reporter, 2015). EXTRAS: " Why is Everyone Having Less Sex? " by No Stupid Questions (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 15, 2024

American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else’s business opportunity. Zachary Crockett hits the links. SOURCES: Todd Hutchinson , president and owner of BallHawker. Lashan Wanigatunga , founder of Two Guys With Balls. RESOURCES: " BallHawker, Challenge Enterprises Turn Wayward Golf Shots Into Successful Endeavor ," Natalie Gilstrap ( Clay Today, 2023). " Temecula Golf Ball Diver Nets $100,000 a Year ," by Jeff Zevely ( CBS8, 2022). " Golf’s Recycled Ball Market is Big Business ," by Erik Matuszewski ( Link, 2021). " The Inside Story of What the Original Titleist Pro V1 Launch Was Really Like ," Andrew Tursky ( Golf Digest, 2020). " Head of Golf Ball Retrieval Company Sentenced for Manslaughter After Diving Death at Wales Golf Course ," by Alex Myers ( Golf Digest, 2017). " Man Dies While Illegally Diving for Golf Balls ," by Alex Myers ( Golf Digest, 2015). EXTRAS: " Greg Norman Takes On the P.G.A. Tour ," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 8, 2024

The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn. SOURCES: Ed Currie , founder and president of the PuckerButt Pepper Company. Stephanie Walker , associate professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist at New Mexico State University RESOURCES: " Pepper X Dethrones Carolina Reaper as World’s Hottest Chili Pepper ," by Sanj Atwal ( Guinness World Records, 2023). " The Shocking, Stupendous Rise of Superhot Chillies: ‘The Stomach Cramps Can Last for 14 Hours ,’" by Tim Dowling ( The Guardian, 2023). " 14-Year-Old Dies After Trying The Paqui ‘One Chip Challenge ,’" by Bruce Y. Lee ( Forbes, 2023). " Beyond Neuronal Heat Sensing: Diversity of TRPV1 Heat-Capsaicin Receptor-Channel Functions ," by Yaroslav M. Shuba ( Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2021). " Training Your Tongue to Love Spicy Food Benefits More Than Your Taste Buds ," by Maddie Oatman ( Mother Jones, 2019). " Fire-Eaters ," by Lauren Collins ( The New Yorker, 2013). " The Arms Race to Grow World's Hottest Pepper Goes Nuclear ," by Spencer Jakab ( The Wall Street Journal, 2013). EXRAS: " Why Do People Love Horror Movies? " by No Stupid Questions (2022). Hot Ones , YouTube talk show. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 1, 2024

Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet? Zachary Crockett doubles down. SOURCES: "Ben," former professional card counter. Bill Zender , co-founder of Bill Zender and Associates casino consulting firm. RESOURCES: " Blackjack Player Sues Ameristar Casino, City of Black Hawk Over Alleged Detainment for Card Counting ," by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton ( The Denver Post, 2023). " Why Does the House Always Win? A Look at Casino Profitability ," by J. B. Maverick ( Investopedia, 2023). " Counting the Cost ," by Bill Zender ( GGB News, 2022). " Nevada Supreme Court Orders Casino To Pay Card Counter ," by I. Nelson Rose ( Gambling and the Law, 2017). " Counting Cards Is Legal, But ... " by Mark Pilarski ( Detroit Free Press, 2016). " Card Counter Sues Planet Hollywood Over Detention, Confiscated Casino Chips ," by Carri Geer Thevenot ( Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2015). " Real People Behind Story of '21' Discuss Film's Facts ," by Ed Symkus ( The State Journal-Register, 2008). Blackbelt in Blackjack: Playing 21 as a Martial Art , by Arnold Snyder (1997). EXTRAS: " How to Make Your Own Luck ," by Freakonomics Radio (2020). " The Economics of Sports Gambling (Replay) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2020). " Could the Next Brooklyn Be … Las Vegas?! " by Freakonomics Radio (2015). 21 , film by Robert Luketic (2008). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 25, 2023

Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett squints at the menu. SOURCES: Nick Kokonas , founder and co-owner of The Alinea Group. Charlie Mitchell , executive chef and co-owner of Clover Hill restaurant. RESOURCES: " Michelin Announces 2022 Stars for New York City ," by Ryan Sutton and Luke Fortney ( Eater, 2022). " What’s Wrong With the Michelin Guide? " by Tim Hayward ( Financial Times, 2021). " Eating A 6-Course Dinner From The Best Restaurant In The Country ," by Number Six With Cheese (2020). " Expert Opinion and Restaurant Pricing: Quantifying the Value of a Michelin Star ," by Carly Shin ( Stanford Economic Review, 2018). " Here's How Michelin Stars Actually Affect the Restaurant Business ," by Hillary Eaton ( Food & Wine, 2017). " Three-Star Chef Asks Michelin Guide To Leave Him Out: 'I Will Be Able To Feel Free,' " by Laurel Wamsley ( The Two-Way, 2017). " Lunch with M. ," by John Colapinto ( The New Yorker, 2009). " Alinea ," review by the Michelin Guide. EXTRAS: " Why You Shouldn’t Open a Restaurant (Update) ," by Freakonomics Radio (2019). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 18, 2023

The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they want to convey. Zachary Crockett is thinking of you on your special day. SOURCES: Mia Mercado , writer and former editor at Hallmark. George White , president of Up With Paper and former president of the American Greeting Card Association. RESOURCES: 34th Louie Awards - Finalists & Winners , (2022-2023). " Season’s (and Other...) Greetings ," by Maria Ricapito ( Marie Claire, 2020). " Hallmark Greeting Cards Have Adjusted to the Digital Revolution ," by Trent Gillies ( CNBC, 2017). " Testimony of Don Hall, Jr. President and CEO of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Before a Joint Hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security and the House, Postal Service and the District of Columbia " (2010). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 11, 2023

How does the blood of a 450-million-year-old arthropod help prevent lethal infections in humans? And could we exhaust the supply? Zachary Crockett wades in. SOURCE: Dina Fine Maron , senior wildlife crime investigative reporter at National Geographic. RESOURCES: " When the Horseshoe Crabs Are Gone, We’ll Be in Trouble ," by Deborah Cramer ( The New York Times, 2023). " Horseshoe Crab Blood Is Vital to Modern Medicine. A New Lab-Made Alternative Could Save the Species ," by Kristoffer Whitney, Jolie Crunelle, and The Conversation ( Fortune, 2023). " Horseshoe Crab Blood Saves Lives. Can We Protect These Animals From Ourselves? " by Dina Fine Maron ( National Geographic, 2022). " For Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs, Love Is a Battlefield ," by Dina Fine Maron ( National Geographic, 2022). " Horseshoe Crab Blood: The Miracle Vaccine Ingredient That's Saved Millions of Lives ," by Katie Pavid ( Natural History Museum, 2020). " The Role of Horseshoe Crabs in the Biomedical Industry and Recent Trends Impacting Species Sustainability ," by Jordan Krisfalusi-Gannon, Anthony L. Dellinger, et al. ( Frontiers in Marine Science, 2018). " Video: Horseshoe Crabs Mate in Annual Beach 'Orgy ,'" by Heather Duner MacAdam ( National Geographic, 2014). " Crash: A Tale of Two Species ," S26.E7 of Nature (2011). EXTRAS: " Baby Blue Blood Drive ," by Radiolab (2020). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 4, 2023

How did love stories about vampires, cowboys, and wealthy dukes become the highest-grossing fiction genre in the world? Zachary Crockett gets swept away. SOURCES: Delaney Diamond , romance novelist. Danielle Flores , high school math teacher and avid romance novel reader. Brenda Hiatt , romance novelist. Diane Moggy , vice president of editorial at Harlequin. RESOURCES: " Even as Overall Book Sales Are Declining, Romance Novels Are on the Rise ," by Elena Burnett, Sarah Handel, and Juana Summers ( All Things Considered, 2023). " Key Takeaways from the Authors Guild’s 2023 Author Income Survey ," press release by the Authors Guild (2023). " How Amazon Turned Everyone Into a Romance Writer (and Created an Antitrust Headache) ," by Ann Kjellberg ( Observer , 2022). " Vivian Stephens Helped Turn Romance Writing Into a Billion-Dollar Industry. Then She Got Pushed Out ," by Mimi Swartz ( Texas Monthly, 2020). " A Brief History of the Romance Novel ," by Amanda Pagan ( New York Public Library Blog, 2019). " How Harlequin Became the Most Famous Name in Romance ," by Kelly Faircloth ( Jezebel, 2015). " Fifty Shades of Amish: A Strange Genre of the Romance Novel ," by Leah McGrath Goodman ( Newsweek, 2015). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 27, 2023

Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out. RESOURCES: " The Knack Sue Run-DMC Over 'It’s Tricky' Riff ," ( Rolling Stone, 2006). Clip of "My Sharona" in the film Reality Bites (1994). " The Knack: Where Are They Now? " by David Fricke ( Rolling Stone, 1986). " Top Singles of the Year ," ( Billboard, 1979). " My Bologna ," by Weird Al Yankovic (1979). " My Sharona ," by The Knack (1979). EXTRAS: " What’s Wrong with Being a One-Hit Wonder? " by Freakonomics Radio (2023). SOURCES: Sharona Alperin , real-estate agent and namesake of the 1979 hit-single "My Sharona." Berton Averre , lead guitarist and co-writer in musical group The Knack. Michael Closter , founder and president of Reach Music. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 20, 2023

Is graffiti public art, or public nuisance? It depends who you ask. Zachary Crockett tags in where it all started. RESOURCES: " Philadelphia Graffiti Pier: A Love Letter to the City’s Underground Arts ," by Honora Feinberg ( Guide to Philly, 2023). " USA TODAY Names Philadelphia 'Best City for Street Art ,'" ( Visit Philadelphia, 2023). " Cornbread, the First Graffiti Artist, Shows New Work at Philadelphia Gallery ," by Peter Crimmins ( WHYY, 2019). " Porch Light Program: Final Evaluation Report ," by Jacob Kraemer Tebes, Samantha L. Matlin, Bronwyn Hunter, Azure B. Thompson, Dana M. Prince, and Nathaniel Mohatt ( Yale School of Medicine, 2015). " Graffiti Triggers Crime, Littering, Study Shows ," by Jeanna Bryner ( NBC News, 2008). " Problem-Oriented Guides for Police: Graffiti ," by Deborah Lamm Weisel ( D.O.J. Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2004). EXTRA: " Urinetown ," by Tell Me Something I Don't Know (2017). SOURCES: Thomas Conway , deputy managing director of the City of Philadelphia's Community Life Improvement Program. Jane Golden , executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. REPOZ , graffiti artist. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 13, 2023

Executives shell out millions of dollars for the privilege of flying private — but that convenience comes at a steep cost to the rest of us. Zachary Crockett prepares for takeoff. RESOURCES: " High Flyers 2023: How Ultra-Rich Private Jet Travel Costs the Rest of Us and Burns Up the Planet ," by Chuck Collins, Omar Ocampo, and Kalena Thomhave (joint report by The Patriotic Millionaires and the Institute for Policy Studies, 2023). " French Green MPs Want to Ban Private Jet Flights, to 'Bring the Rich Back Down to Earth ,'" by Stéphane Mandard ( Le Monde, 2023). " Markey, Velázquez Announce Legislation to Make the Rich Pay for the Public Costs of Private Jet Pollution ," press release by Senator Edward J. Markey (2023). " Private Planes and Luxury Yachts Aren’t Just Toys for the Ultrawealthy. They’re Also Huge Tax Breaks ," by Paul Kiel ( ProPublica, 2023). " A Teenager Tracked Elon Musk’s Jet on Twitter. Then Came the Direct Message ," by Neil Vigdor ( The New York Times, 2022). " This Article is More Than 1 Year Old: A 17-Minute Flight? The Super-Rich Who Have ‘Absolute Disregard for the Planet ,’" by Oliver Milman ( The Guardian, 2022). " Private Jets — the Achilles Heel of EU Air Traffic Security? " by Crina Boros and Juliet Ferguson ( EUobserver, 2018). " In Defence of the Ever-Unpopular Corporate Aircraft ," by Joe Nocera ( Financial Post, 2017). EXTRAS: " Freakonomics Radio Takes to the Skies ," series by Freakonomics Radio (2023). SOURCES: Chuck Collins , program director on "Inequality and the Common Good" at the Institute for Policy Studies. Anthony Tivnan , founder and president of Magellan Jets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 6, 2023

How did a little green nut become a billion-dollar product, lauded by celebrities in Super Bowl ads? Zachary Crockett cracks open the story. RESOURCES: " Almond Acreage Decline Prompts Industry Introspection ," by Mitch Lies ( West Coast Nut, 2023). American Pistachio Industry 2021 Annual Report , by American Pistachio Growers (2023). " California’s Agricultural Water Policies Are Nuts ," by Douglas R. Noble ( The Gainesville Sun, 2021). " Amid Drought, Billionaires Control a Critical California Water Bank ," by Chloe Sorvino ( Forbes, 2021). " Wonderful Pistachios Achieves Billion-Dollar Brand Milestone ," press release by The Wonderful Company (2020). " Pistachios: The Quirks of Agricultural Trade in a Nutshell ," by Andrea Durkin ( Global Trade, 2020). " California Pistachios With Perfect Timing ," by Mark Blackburn ( The New York Times, 1979). SOURCES: Sawyer Clark , director of asset management at Gold Leaf Farming. Diana Salsa , vice president of marketing for Wonderful Pistachios. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 30, 2023

In the final part of our series, Zachary Crockett talks to a man with a storied — and controversial — career in the body parts business. RESOURCES " Inside the Largely Unregulated Market for Bodies Donated to Science: 'It's Harder to Sell Hot Dogs on a Cart ,'" by Justin Sherman ( CBS News, 2023). " Bilirakis, Fletcher, Murphy and Tillis Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Stop Brokering of Body Parts, Preserve Integrity of Organ Donation Process ," press release by the office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis (2023). " Sunset Mesa Funeral Home Operators Sentenced to Federal Prison For Illegal Body Part Scheme ," press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado (2023). " Cashing in on the Donated Dead: The Body Trade ," series by Reuters (2017). Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Bone$: A Personal Account of a 'Body Broker's' Thirteen Year Journey Through the Legal and Lucrative Body Parts Business , by Philip Guyett (2011). EXTRAS " Cadavers – Part 1 ," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023). SOURCES: Philip Guyett , land surveyor and former body broker. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 23, 2023

In the first of two episodes, Zachary Crockett digs into the strange and discomfiting history of cadavers, and the industry that has emerged around them. RESOURCES: " From Grave Robbing to Giving Your Own Body to Science – A Short History of Where Medical Schools Get Cadavers ," by Susan Lawrence and Susan E. Lederer ( The Conversation, 2023). " Box of Human Heads Stolen From Truck in Denver ," by Carly Moore ( FOX4, 2022). " A Body Donated to Science - but Used to Test Bombs ," by Rozina Sini ( BBC News, 2019). " How an American Company Made a Fortune Selling Bodies Donated to Science ," by John Shiffman and Brian Grow ( Reuters, 2017). " From Sacrilege to Privilege: The Tale of Body Procurement for Anatomical Dissection in the United States ," by Raphael Hulkower ( The Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine, 2011). The Anatomy Murders , by Lisa Rosner (2010). SOURCES: Kaylan Goodwin , vice president of marketing at Science Care. Susan Lawrence , professor and head of the history department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 16, 2023

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood. RESOURCES: " Private Equity Wants to Wash Your Car ," by Miriam Gottfried ( The Wall Street Journal, 2022). " California Labor Commissioner Recovers $282,000 for Car Wash Wage Citations ," State of California Department of Industrial Relations News Release (2022). " Sgt. Clean’s Future Shines Bright Thanks to Subscription Model, Strong Reputation ," by Vince Guerrieri ( Crain's Cleveland Business, 2018). " One California Drought Winner? The Local Car Wash ," by Lauren Sommer ( Marketplace, 2015). Sonny's CarWash College . SOURCES: Brian Krusz , co-founder and director of growth & development at Sgt. Clean Car Wash. Eric Wulf , C.E.O. of the International Carwash Association. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 9, 2023

More people than ever before are getting tattoos — but social media has flipped the trade’s business model on its head. Zachary Crockett dips into the ink. RESOURCES: " 32% of Americans Have a Tattoo, Including 22% Who Have More Than One ," by Katherine Schaeffer and Shradha Dinesh ( Pew Research Center, 2023). " Tattoo Removal Business Draws Up High-Growth Potential ," by Tim Clark ( Forbes, 2023). " The Secret, Chronic Pain of Tattoo Artists ," by Devon Abelman ( Allure, 2020). The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change Among Tattoo Workers , by David C. Lane (2020). " How Instagram Revolutionized the Tattoo Industry ," by Salvador Rodriguez ( CNBC, 2020). " How Do Tattoo Artists Get Paid? " by Erica Salvalaggio ( Inside Out, 2019). " Hey, Pro Athletes: Your Tattoo Is Going to Get You Sued ," by Ira Boudway ( Bloomberg, 2013). SOURCES: Tyler Adams , tattoo artist and owner of Grizzly Tattoo. Stacey Martin Smith , tattoo artist. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 2, 2023

There’s more than meets the eye to the box that stores the pie. Zachary Crockett cracks the lid. RESOURCES " Who Is the Fastest Pizza Box Folder?! World Pizza Games 2021 ," video by The Laughing Lion (2021). " Pizza Box Contamination Doesn’t Impede Recyclability, Association Says ," by Megan Smalley ( Recycling Today, 2020). " Scott's Pizza Chronicles: A Brief History of the Pizza Box ," by Scott Wiener ( Serious Eats, 2018). " Apple Patented a Pizza Box, for Pizzas ," by Jacob Kastrenakes ( The Verge, 2017). " We Eat 100 Acres of Pizza a Day in the U.S. ," by Lenny Bernstein ( The Washington Post, 2015). Pizza Tiger , by Thomas Monaghan (1986). SOURCES: Patrick Kivits , president of corrugated packaging at WestRock. Eric Nelson , green business program manager for Johnson County, Kansas. Scott Wiener , founder of Scott's Pizza Tours. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 25, 2023

Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? Zachary Crockett discovers what happens when we love ’em and leave ’em. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 18, 2023

They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11, 2023

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 4, 2023

Who makes the stacks of fake cash used in movies — and how do they stay clear of counterfeit law? Zachary Crockett follows the money. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 28, 2023

How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 21, 2023

How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett digs in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 14, 2023

The most popular song of the 20th century — and a key part of a ubiquitous American ritual — was also the subject of a years-long legal battle. Zachary Crockett blows out the candles. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 7, 2023

Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 31, 2023

Most sports bars rarely screen women's games. Zachary Crockett taps into the strategy of one woman who changed the channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 24, 2023

Once a luxury good, the soft fiber is now everywhere — which has led to a goat boom in Mongolia. Zachary Crockett tugs at the thread. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 17, 2023

Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett squints at the menu. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 10, 2023

Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary Crockett laces up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 3, 2023

Vanity plates might be 2KUL4U, but in the Blue Hen State, low-digit plates command high-digit prices. Zachary Crockett sums up a big market in a small state. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 26, 2023

One creature’s trash is another’s cash. Zachary Crockett flushes out the numbers with a man who found profit in pee. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 19, 2023

How do they emerge from the Upper Cretaceous period to end up in natural-history museums and private collections? Zachary Crockett digs for answers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 12, 2023

We’re not sure what that creature cavorting on the sidelines is — but it doesn’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett gets the ballpark figures on everyone’s favorite ballpark figures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 13, 2023

Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? Zachary Crockett discovers what happens when we love ’em and leave ’em. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feb 6, 2023

Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 30, 2023

How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett digs in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 23, 2023

In our first episode, host Zachary Crockett sidles up to the pump to ask: Who owns your local gas station, and where do their profits really come from? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 19, 2023

A new show is coming to the Freakonomics Radio Network. Stay tuned for The Economics of Everyday Things, hosted by Zachary Crockett. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.