Cover image of Decoder Ring

Decoder Ring

Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means ... Read more

Podcast cover

Think Catchphrases Are Dead? Eat My Shorts.

Think Catchphrases Are Dead? Eat My Shorts.

Once you start listening for catchphrases in everyday life—you can’t stop hearing them. From the radio era’s “Holy macke... Read more

9 Aug 2023

40mins

Podcast cover

The Quest for a Homemade Hovercraft

The Quest for a Homemade Hovercraft

When Slate’s Evan Chung was a kid, he was obsessed with a mysterious advertisement that ran for decades in the scouting ... Read more

2 Aug 2023

42mins

Similar Podcasts

Podcast cover

A Brief History of Making Out

A Brief History of Making Out

Kissing—the romantic, sexual, steamy kind—is so ingrained in us that it just seems like a fact of life. Like breathing o... Read more

26 Jul 2023

36mins

Podcast cover

What's Really Going On Inside a Mosh Pit?

What's Really Going On Inside a Mosh Pit?

The mosh pit has a reputation as a violent place where (mostly) white guys vent their aggression. There’s some truth to ... Read more

19 Jul 2023

33mins

Most Popular Podcasts

Podcast cover

The Great Parmesan Cheese Debate

The Great Parmesan Cheese Debate

Parmesan is a food—but it’s not just a food. Italy’s beloved cheese is often paired with a deep craving for tradition an... Read more

12 Jul 2023

44mins

Podcast cover

Summer 2023 Teaser

Summer 2023 Teaser

Join Decoder Ring as we unlock a whole new season of cultural mysteries. First, we’ll sniff around Italy’s best-loved ch... Read more

5 Jul 2023

1min

Podcast cover

Who Owns the Tooth Fairy?

Who Owns the Tooth Fairy?

We pride ourselves on being grounded, rational beings, but flitting amongst us is a mystery: the Tooth Fairy. This flyin... Read more

10 May 2023

38mins

Podcast cover

Why You Can’t Find a Damn Parking Spot

Why You Can’t Find a Damn Parking Spot

Parking is one of the great paradoxes of American life. On the one hand, we have paved an ungodly amount of land to park... Read more

3 May 2023

37mins

Podcast cover

The Artist Who Was Both Loved and Disdained

The Artist Who Was Both Loved and Disdained

We bring you a special episode from Sidedoor, a podcast about the treasures that fill the vaults of the Smithsonian. Thi... Read more

26 Apr 2023

37mins

Podcast cover

The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania Part 2

The Curious Case of Columbo's Message to Romania Part 2

Last week, we put on the proverbial raincoat and made like Columbo to investigate Peter Falk’s claim that he recorded a ... Read more

19 Apr 2023

40mins

“Podium: AI tools for podcasters. Generate show notes, transcripts, highlight clips, and more with AI. Try it today at https://podium.page”