Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

At a time when athletes are using their platform to advance real causes, we take a moment to talk about the man who basically built that platform: Muhammad Ali. Professor and author Randy Roberts steps into the ring to tell us all about Ali’s amazing life. And speaking of amazing - Toni has convinced us to do another crafting segment! This time it’s pinwheels, only on Toni’s Craft Corner! GUEST Pr...

What makes that song you like… a song that you like? Nolan Gasser, the brains behind Pandora’s Music Genome Project, is here to tell us how he broke music down its core components. And then he helps Paula continue her quest to write a hot Christmas song that’ll knock Mariah Carey off her perch! And speaking of music - or “music” - it’s time for Mailbag! Glockenspiel Edition. GUEST Nolan Gasser htt...

In the wake of recent decisions, we revisit the great-granddaddy of Supreme Court injustices - Plessy vs. Ferguson. Dr. Peter Irons returns to break down this historic moral breakdown. GUEST Dr. Peter Irons WHITE MEN'S LAW: The Roots of Systemic Racism HOUSE BAND Jay Clanin roadrunnerproductions.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting fads aside, what’s the real science behind weight loss? Is Paula’s Dorito and Oreo diet medically sound? Professor Clare Collins is here to weigh in on weight loss. Plus, get ready to know slightly more about the Red Sea - it’s Bonnie and Toni’s Oral Report. But without Toni. Which should be… interesting! GUEST Professor Clare Collins https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/clare-collins HOUS...

Should you go see the #1 movie in America, “Bullet Train?” Paula and Adam are here to help you decide by reviewing that other gigantic vehicle-based movie, 1997’s “Titanic!”  HOUSE BAND Ben Cassil https://redcircle.com/shows/totallyrad https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/totally-rad/id1527946974 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation is rampaging through the land, raising prices and taking names. But what is it? What caused it? Who do we blame? One of our favorite guests, Jill Schlesinger is back to explain this whole economic kerfuffle. (Yes, we said it - kerfuffle!) Also, for your information, we’re throwing another Potluck Info Party! GUEST Jill Schlesinger https://www.jillonmoney.com HOUSE BAND Kevin Kelso http:/...

Ep 212 - So Long, Long Covid! Now that seemingly everyone’s getting COVID-19, the question we’re all thinking about is “How do you STOP having it?” Dr. John Barrata from UNC’s Covid Recovery Clinic is here to talk about “long Covid” and how we’re learning to beat it. Plus, our listeners throw off their crutches and testify to the healing powers of our podcast. It’s Mailbag! Miracles Edition! GUEST...

It’s summer movie season, and Paula and Adam are here to help you decide whether to see “Where the Crawdads Sing.” How? By screening 1987’s “Jaws 4: The Revenge,” of course! Hear all about the fine film about which Michael Caine raved, “It paid for my house!” HOUSE BAND James Ross on the French Horn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. But those who don’t know comedy history are doomed to repeat it wrong, and completely screw up the punchline! Journey Gunderson, who runs the National Comedy Center, comes by to spread the word about her amazing new institution. Plus - looking for some simple gardening tips? Okay, well, how about some really complicated and confusing ones? It’s...

How can you protect yourself from being scammed? Well, you could send us $49.95 for our exclusive NLTPP Anti-Scam Beads. Or… you could listen to fraud expert John Breyault, who’s seen ‘em all. We recommend both; John AND the beads! And then… which lucky Hollywood stars will get the honor of playing us in “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone: The Motion Picture?” You help us decide! GUEST John Breya...

When Toni and Bonnie offered their oral report on Antarctica to attract fans from there, we had no idea that we already had an Antarctic fan! Nobody and Antarctic researcher Ralph Harvey is here to set us straight about the bottom of the world! Also, you asked for it - and SHE asked for it relentlessly - get out your scissors and paper, it’s the return of Toni’s Craft Corner! GUEST Ralph Harvey Sc...

Sure it’s summertime, but Christmas IS coming, and if Paula wants to dethrone Mariah Carey with her own blockbuster holiday hit, she has get started! Musical guru Niall Ferguson is here to launch Paula on her Yuletide song-crafting adventure. Plus - you guys sure have a lot to say about that part of the show we don’t do anymore. It’s Mailbag! Cold Open Edition. GUEST Niall Ferguson nialltaro.com H...

Lt. Col. Amy McGrath took on the role of fighter pilot, then she took on Mitch McConnell, and now she’s taking on the job of saving Democracy itself. She’s here to discuss her “American SOS Project.” And speaking of SOS, it’s time to Salute Our Show with another round of your Show Descriptions! GUEST Lt. Col. Amy McGrath The American SOS Project https://americansos.org HOUSE BAND Colin Miller Lear...

Well, we all trained hard (more or less) and ran the 100 meters again (or didn’t), and now Coach Carl Lewis is back to find out: Who is the fastest human on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone? How well did we apply his lessons? Did Bonnie ever actually run? All is revealed! Plus: get ready to be showered - in facts. It’s the return of our Potluck Info Party! GUEST Carl Lewis www.carllewis.com HOUS...

How can we communicate effectively and emotionally in this cold digital age? And can it be done without smiley faces and lewd fruits and vegetables? Because Paula hates emojis!  Our friend Jonathan Bowman returns to communicate communication skills. Plus, you Nobodies have been reviewing us… now it’s our turn to review those reviews! GUEST Jonathan Bowman www.sandiego.edu Jonathan Bowman: Amazon A...

Comedy is a shaky business, so could Paula shore up her career with some metaphorical 2x4s and some good carpenter nails? We mean: Could she run a hardware store? Aaron Lutz from Lutz Hardware joins us to measure Paula’s mettle for our Career Corner. Plus, in Toni’s absence, is it a good idea to have Bonnie go it solo and give us an Oral Report on our potential new listener base in New Zealand? Yo...

If you can’t tell fantasy from reality, you’re either a)psychotic, or b)a typically confused modern media consumer. What’s real and what’s not out there? How can we tell? Peter Adams from the News Literacy Project is here to help us sort the facts from the merely fact-flavored. Plus: Aw, gosh, stop it, we’re blushing… it’s Mailbag! Flattery Edition. GUEST Peter Adams https://newslit.org HOUSE BAND...

How broken is the Senate? How can it be fixed? Is Ted Cruz something you can spray for, or do we have to tent the place? Al Franken is here to discuss! Plus, as a great man (probably) once said, “It’s time for another round of Quote Party!” GUEST Al Franken alfranken.com The Al Franken Podcast HOUSE BAND Justin Berkobien instagram.com/jbmale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...

Last week we explored the incredible talents of dogs. This week we give equal time to explore the question: Do cats HAVE any talents? And if so, can they be persuaded to, you know, use them? For good? Can Paula’s cats be taught to think INSIDE the box? Mikel Delgado helps us get inside the feline mind! Also, in our quest to find new listeners, we’re heading to Antarctica. For some reason. It’s Ton...

Are dog’s noses really that great, or do they just have a great PR team? What can and can’t they help us sniff out? Author and cadaver dog expert Cat Warren knows where all the bodies are buried, and she’s here to help us track down the truth. And speaking of tracking, our worldwide manhunt continues - we”ve got an update on your efforts to find missing survivalist Thomas Coyne! GUEST Cat Warren h...

Paula, Adam, and the gang have run their 100 meter dashes. Who won? And how can we all improve? The legendary Carl Lewis is here to cool us down… and warm us up for our next race! Plus, Bonnie’s Dave Grohl Pillow Giveaway has selected a winner - but it’s not that simple. Why? Because Bonnie, that’s why. GUEST Carl Lewis www.carllewis.com HOUSE BAND Casey Bozell www.keepclassicalweird.com www.casey...

Remember when we booked our friend Jill Schlesinger to explain cryptocurrency, but she canceled, so we had Bonnie and Toni do it instead? Well, all due respect to their fine work, but now we’ve got Jill back to make sense of it all! Plus, we choose a new book for our booky-booky-Book Club! GUEST Jill Schlesinger, CFP® CBS News Business Analyst The Dumb Things Smart People Do withTheir Money www.ji...

What’s so supreme about the Supreme Court? What was it supposed to be, what has it become, and where can we get those chic robes? Author, expert, and activist Dr. Peter Irons is here to explain it all. Plus, if you don’t have anything nice to say… you’re not our listeners. You guys have plenty of nice. It’s Mailbag! Sweet Love Edition. GUEST Dr. Peter Irons A People's History of the Supreme Court...

When you do the numbers, it’s the insects’ world and we’re just living in it. So we’d might as well get to know ‘em. Fortunately we’ve got our returning champion, the delightful Dr. Eleanor Spicer-Rice here to answer all our (and your) questions! Plus, it’s the return of our favorite party game - “Two Truths and a Lie!” GUEST Dr. Eleanor Spicer-Rice HOUSE BAND Mark Towns from Los Angeles, CA. http...

Our world is swimming in plastic - and so are our fish. That stuff covers our land, too. How bad is it? And is there any good news? Answers: It’s bad, and yes. Dianna Cohen founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition is here to help sort all that plastic out. Plus, get out your magnifiers - it’s The Department of Fine Print! GUEST Dianna Cohen Artist and Activist Founder and CEO of the Plastic Poll...