News Sidequest

Why do people keep doing things that don’t work—and never seem to face consequences? In this episode of News Sidequest , we explore why personal attacks in politics continue despite failing to persuade voters, and what that says about how behavior actually changes. We also look at a striking survey showing how common dark thoughts really are—and why most people never act on them. Plus: a restauran...

Gen Z has a new “viral hack” to fix attention spans — and it’s surprisingly simple: put the phone down and do nothing. In this episode of News Sidequest , we explore why boredom might actually be the reset our brains need. We also look at a new survey finding that 58% of people say AI chatbots have influenced their opinions — and what that means for how we form ideas in 2026. Plus: a hospital pati...

A new study suggests reading negative reviews can actually make painful experiences feel worse — because our brains tend to believe the crowd. In this episode of News Sidequest , we look at how expectations shape the way we experience things. We also dive into research suggesting people who rely heavily on corporate buzzwords like “circle back” and “synergy” may actually be worse at their jobs. Pl...

A new study suggests memory and cognitive disability rates are rising among younger people — which raises an uncomfortable question: are modern distractions making it harder for all of us to focus? In this episode of News Sidequest , we look at what might be happening to our attention spans and share some practical ways people are trying to stay focused in a world full of notifications. We also ex...

Only about half of Americans went to a movie theater in 2025, according to a new Pew study — and some people say they’ve never seen a movie in a theater at all. In this episode of News Sidequest , we look at what might be driving the shift away from theaters and ask listeners about their most memorable movie-going experiences. We also explore the surprising rise in Tooth Fairy payouts, which now a...

Nearly a third of Americans say they believe the world will end in their lifetime. But what does that actually say about how we think about the future? In this episode of News Sidequest , we take a closer look at that surprising survey and ask listeners whether they feel more optimistic or pessimistic about the future than they did 10 or 20 years ago. We also explore the FAA’s plan to test flying...

Teens are spending hours on their phones during the school day—and it’s raising a big question about whether schools should ban them entirely. In this episode of News Sidequest , we look at what a new study found about phone use in classrooms and ask teachers, parents, and students to weigh in. We also explore the strange reason you can remember song lyrics from 25 years ago but forget why you wal...

Young people are rediscovering old-school hobbies to escape their phones, and a new study suggests open-plan offices might actually encourage workplace bullying. In this episode of News Sidequest , we explore why hobbies like gardening and woodworking might be making a comeback—and why the office layout designed for “collaboration” might be doing the exact opposite. Get full access to News Sideque...

A new study suggests difficult people in your life might actually make you age faster — which raises the question: who’s the most difficult person you’ve ever had to deal with? Meanwhile, research shows people who can laugh at their own mistakes tend to be more likable and easier to work with. Plus: taco seasoning used in a $40K theft, a couple trying to claim land with a garden gnome, salamanders...

A new international survey finds Americans are especially likely to view their fellow citizens as morally bad — raising the question of when we started becoming more suspicious of each other. Meanwhile, United Airlines is cracking down on passengers who blast audio without headphones, highlighting the growing problem of public etiquette. Plus: Girl Scouts selling cookies outside a dispensary, moon...

Record numbers of Americans are dipping into their 401(k) retirement savings just to get through the present — what does retirement planning actually look like for people right now? Plus, scientists are studying why people who take the psychedelic DMT often report seeing similar “entities,” raising fascinating questions about how the human brain constructs reality. We also cover Renaissance art my...

A 95-year-old traveler says staying curious and exploring the world is the secret to staying sharp — which raises the question: what does a good life at 95 actually look like? Plus, a new poll finds most Americans admit to being nervous about flying, even though it’s statistically one of the safest ways to travel. We also cover alien civilizations, Pokémon card heists, a baby spider monkey naming...

Teachers are working second jobs just to stay afloat — but is this really a teacher crisis, or a broader middle-class reality? Plus, a new blood test claims it can predict whether you’ll still be alive in two years. Would you want to know? We also cover deepfake phone calls, Gen Z finding love at wrestling matches, and a sinkhole that accidentally revealed a wine cellar. Get full access to News Si...

With major global headlines dominating the news cycle, today’s News Sidequest offers a brief detour. A new poll says more than half of Americans now consider health care, a weeklong vacation, and even a new car unaffordable — so what quietly feels out of reach in your life? Meanwhile, most Americans say they feel fine personally… but think the country is falling apart. Is that media-driven anxiety...

If America buried a time capsule for 250 years, what should go inside? A smartphone? A meme? A Costco receipt? And while we’re at it — should airports draw the line at pajama pants? Today on News Sidequest : how we want to be remembered, the great airport dress code debate, Neanderthal ancestry surprises, and why podcasts officially beat talk radio. We want your answers — email us at newssidequest...

Does having kids actually make you happier — or are we doing a terrible job selling parenthood? And in the dating world, is “ghostlighting” a real trend or just flaky behavior with better branding? Today on News Sidequest : parenting, modern romance chaos, dodgeball fitness for adults, why podcasts just beat talk radio, and a rare Florida nudist real estate opportunity. Parents and single people —...

A new study says you’d need $400,000 a year to make childcare “affordable” — so is parenthood becoming a luxury item? Meanwhile, police are increasingly using Google search histories to identify suspects, raising big questions about privacy in 2026. Today on News Sidequest : the cost of kids, searchable curiosity, rogue AI real estate monsters, and why Waffle House remains undefeated. Get full acc...

A new study says you’d need $400,000 a year to make childcare “affordable” — so is parenthood becoming a luxury item? Meanwhile, police are increasingly using Google search histories to identify suspects, raising big questions about privacy in 2026. Today on News Sidequest : the cost of kids, searchable curiosity, rogue AI real estate monsters, and why Waffle House remains undefeated. Get full acc...

Gen Z is hitting life milestones later — and more women are choosing to stay single by choice. What does “adulthood” even mean anymore? Today on News Sidequest : redefining grown-up life, the new relationship calculus, flirty chimpanzees, rogue robot vacuums, and why you should live your life in a way that doesn’t make jury selection impossible. Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.s...

A Republican senator backs his Democrat wife for office — and somehow that’s national news. Meanwhile, U.S. fighter jets can apparently be “jailbroken” like an iPhone. Today on News Sidequest : loyalty vs. party, military software at Mach 2, and why stealing an ambulance is harder to get away with than you’d think. Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on...

A new study says college students who spend 16 hours a week on social media are more likely to feel lonely — which raises an important question: what are you all doing for two hours a day? Meanwhile, a 32-year-old couple retired to live full-time on cruise ships for less than $10K a year. Today on News Sidequest : loneliness, logging off, boneless wing justice, pickle assault, kung fu robots, and...

Adults who still “play” are happier and less stressed — which is great news, because apparently we also need $2 million to retire. Today on News Sidequest , we talk about burnout, play, the future of retirement, and why waiting until you’re 70 to enjoy life might be a risky strategy. Plus: spicy chicken crimes, city-killer asteroids, automation anxiety, and one very good dog. Get full access to Ne...

Gird your loins for Friday the 13th. Naturally we’re talking about happiness and the American Dream. New research says the secret to happiness is feeling loved — while another study suggests more Americans feel the Dream is slipping out of reach. Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three out of four people are burned out… and apparently stressing about aging makes you age faster. Cool. On today’s News Sidequest , we talk survival strategies, mindset hacks, and the strange headlines that help us reset — from alien commentary to Olympic hockey fugitives. Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

Gird your loins for Friday the 13th. Naturally we’re talking about happiness and the American Dream. New research says the secret to happiness is feeling loved — while another study suggests more Americans feel the Dream is slipping out of reach. Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.