Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

“Congressional Ethics” sounds like an oxymoron, which is why Former Deputy Chief Counsel for the Office of Congressional Ethics Paul Solis’ old job is so important. And why some congressmen are trying eliminate it, naturally. He’s here to talk all about it. And after we unravel that riddle, it’s time for another round of the Poundstone Riddle Invitational - now with YOUR riddles! GUEST Paul Solis...

The history of film is too long and deep to be captured by any one source… — plot twist! — OR IS IT!? We’ve got Randy Haberkamp, the EVP of the library and archives of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to talk about all the classic movies Adam won’t let Paula review. Plus, speaking of history, Toni and Bonnie buoy us all up when they lend their support to a particularly uplifting top...

Actual rocket scientist Julie Zingerman is here to tell us all about how to make a graceful exit from the Earth’s atmosphere and go bang, zoom, to the moon! And then we go somewhere arguably more dangerous, as Toni Anita Hull finally hits that local watering hole - it’s Toni’s Big Bar Adventure! GUEST Julie Zingerman @juliezingman HOUSE BAND Kevin Kelso kelsotunes.com @kevtunes Learn more about yo...

What’s it like on the front lines of in-flight passenger interaction? How do you deal with the angry guy in seat 17D? Why don’t they bring on ice that’s pre-chopped? Former flight attendant/instructor David Johnson flies in to answer our questions. Plus… dim the lights, slip on something comfortable, and think of that special someone in your life… and how much he/she loves bookmarks! It’s Toni’s C...

First, we don’t officially use the term “MacArthur Genius.” Second, there’s a lot more to know about the MacArthur fellows Program, and it’s director, Marlies Carruth is here to tell us all about it! And then, speaking of genius, you, our lovable and perceptive listeners have some expert advice on how to improve our show. It’s “Mailbag! Constructive Criticism Edition.” GUEST Marlies Carruth Direct...

We talk about career changes a lot, but how do you really make it happen? How do you manage your life and your money? We have no idea, but returning champion (and author of the new book “The GreatMoney Reset”) Jill Schlesinger does! Plus - we’ve thrown Quote Parties, but what about all those famous quotations that were neversaid? It’s our first Misquote Party! GUEST Jill Schlesinger, CFP® CBS News...

The amazing Michael McKean has to draw on all his experience - from “Laverne and Shirley” to “This is Spinal Tap,” all the way to “ Better Call Saul” - in order to help Paula in her quest to finally nail an audition. Will Paula finally find that thin line between clever and stupid? Fingers crossed! GUEST Michael McKean michaelmckean.com @MJMcKean (twitter) thisismichaelmckean (facebook) HOUSE BAND...

Could Paula find a home on the range, ranging around as a ranger? We arrange to speak to real-life Grand Canyon park ranger Della Yurcik to find out if Paula has what it takes to rescue wanderers and protect pic-a-nic baskets! Plus, we’ve got facts for you - but a few of them are fictions. It’s “Potluck Info Party: George Santos Edition.” GUEST Della Yurcik Grand Canyon National Park Ranger www.np...

How secure is our Social Security? Is it being squandered or is it being kept safe in some kind of lock box? Is it a Ponzi scheme, and if so, how do we use it to get rich quick? The AARP’s John Waggoner explains it all for us. Plus, Bonnie and Toni explore the amazing and troubled life of a man who never made it to retirement age… it’s time for “Al Capone: The B&T Biography.” GUEST John Waggoner S...

We love mustard, but what IS it? Where does it come from? Why is it always on shirts and chins? Barry Levenson, curator of the National Mustard Museum, is here to demystify our most mystifying common condiment. And then - we have a show, you have… helpful hints. It’s Mailbag! Listener Notes Edition. GUEST Barry Levenson Curator of the National Mustard Museum mustardmuseum.com HOUSE BAND Donnie Sca...

Should you see the new movie musical “Matilda?” To help you decide, we screen the 1980 musical mess “Xanadu,” starring Olivia’s Newton John, Gene Kelly, the music of ELO, and more roller skates than you’ll ever want to see on one screen. They call it “Xanadu.” Paula calls it… something else entirely! HOUSE BAND Pam Stohrer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our annual Holiday Movie Review, and this time we have a special one - the unexpected Netflix smash hit, Lindsay Lohan’s “Falling for Christmas!” She fell off a mountain and lost her memory, and - SPOILER ALERT - you’ll wish you had too! The happiest of holidays to all our Nobodies! HOUSE BAND Jacob Miller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it all hits the fan, how do we turn off the fan? Dr. Caroline Hackerott, professor of Emergency Management and Disaster Science is here to ride out the storm with us. And then… they said it, and now we’re saying they said it. It’s the return of Quote Party! GUEST Dr. Caroline Hackerott, North Dakota State University https://www.ndsu.edu/emgt/faculty_and_staff/caroline_hackerott/ Book Recommen...

We love basketball, but how does the pick and roll work when you are actually rolling? Wheelchair athlete and coach Alvin Malave stops by to give us the Xs and Os on how the game is played on wheels. And then we keep on a-rolling, right into the Simi Valley for Mailbag! Captain Crinkle Edition. GUEST Alvin Malave: Angel City Sports http://angelcitysports.org HOUSE BAND JP Stohrer This episode is s...

Everybody’s doing it - the hot ol’ dance they call The Gerrymander. But how do we get states to STOP doing it and redistrict fairly? Returning champion Ben Sheehan is here to explain it all. Plus, how can we woo new listeners in Portugal? Maybe with a brand new Toni and Bonnie’s Oral Report! GUEST Ben Sheehan blackdogandleventhal.com/contributor/ben-sheehan/ @bensheehan on instagram @thatbensheeha...

Paula serves her fans beautifully, but could she serve… as a butler? Star butler Andrew Lowrey puts her through her paces. And then, what does every stately home also need? Peacock puppets, of course, and you’ll learn to make them, courtesy of Toni’s Craft Corner. GUEST Andrew Lowrey precisehome.com HOUSE BAND Andra Bohnet www.andrabohnet.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Remember Aly Moore, who came on our show and fed us bugs? We’ll, she’s back with her new venture, Chapul Farms, working to create a farming ecosystem where bugs turn waste into soil and chicken feed! And if that all seems like a complicated conundrum, wait until we stump you with our first ever Poundstone Riddle Invitational! GUEST Aly Moore: CCO of Chapul Farms Website: www.chapulfarms.com Facebo...

What’s happening with our climate, and exactly how screwed are we at this point? Author and scientist Michael Mann comes by with the bad news and some surprisingly hopeful predictions. Then, prepare yourself to seek the truth. And the other truth. That’s right, it’s the return of Two Truths and Lie! GUEST Dr. Michael E. Mann Author of THE NEW CLIMATE WAR michaelmann.net HOUSE BAND David Bragger ww...

Ep 225 - Kicking Asteroid: Are We Ready to Defend the Planet?  Invaders from space are touching down on Earth all the time, but how are we going to deal with The Big One? Planetary Defense expert Ralph Harvey breaks down how we can break down dangerous meteors - with or without Bruce Willis. And speaking of burning questions - you want to know more about us, and we’re finally ready to talk. It’s M...

Paula has investigated a bunch of other jobs, but how do the pros approach career transitions? We’ve got Aurora Meneghello from “Repurpose Your Purpose” to lay it out for us. And then - we’re finally getting to Bonnie and Toni’s report on Ben Franklin! Is it worth the wait? Find out in the new B&T Biography! GUEST Aurora Meneghello https://repurposeyourpurpose.com/ Aurora Meneghello Linked In RYP...

What is the Department of Education? What does it do? And why do so many Republicans run on the idea of getting rid of it? Former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan drops by to drop some knowledge on us. GUEST Arne Duncan www.chicagocred.org HOUSE BAND Zip Dagger @zipdagger on instagram Zip Dagger’s experimental short films Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You listeners have questions about bugs - and our friend Dr. Eleanor Spicer-Rice is back to answer them all! And speaking of the natural world, Bonnie Burns and her green(ish) thumb are here to offer handy horticultural tips in another installment of “Garden Time with Captain Crinkle!” GUEST Dr. Eleanor Spicer-Rice verdantword.com The University of Chicago Press HOUSE BAND John Stohrer Learn more...

How can anything be extra virgin? Although that’s definitely how some of us felt in high school. But olive oil is different, and olive oil sommelier Marisa Bloch Gaytan is here to tell us all about its tasty and nutritious world. Plus - brace yourselves - Bonnie and Toni explore the life of beloved entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in our very first “B & T Biography.” GUEST Marisa Bloch Gaytan www.pasol...

Studies show that when you share an article that you haven’t read, it actually makes you think you know more than you do. Don’t bother reading any further - you’re already an expert on this podcast! Share it! But if you’re still reading, know that we’ve got returning champion Dr. Art Markman on the show to discuss this phenomenon. And then it’s time for some real nitty-gritty knowledge - with our...

We all know that this year’s campaigns are heating up, but what’s it like from the inside? What are the rules nowadays, and more importantly, are there rules nowadays? Author, political consultant, and recovering Republican TIm Miller drops in to drop some knowledge. And then… how would you describe our show? Well, you tell us - it’s a fresh round of Show Descriptions! GUEST Tim Miller Why We Did...