Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

We all think, but only some of us are paid to do so in a tank. What IS a think tank? Are their good tanks and bad tanks? Do they come with cute miniatures of divers, or is that just fish tanks? Brett Theodos from the Urban Institute is here to answer all our questions. And then we answer all YOUR questions - it’s the first NLTPP Q&A! GUEST Brett Theodos Senior Fellow and Director of the Community...

Should Paula try to pick up that hard-to-get-at dime? Okay, and should she audit the Fed? Emmy and Gracie Award-winning Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger is here to answer all our economic questions, both macro and, well, SUPER micro. And, if that’s not enough learnin’ for ya, it’s also time for our Potluck Info Party! GUEST Jill Schlesinger Emmy Award Winning and Gracie Award Winning Business Ana...

Paula loves her pets, of course, and you can’t put a price tag on love — or can you!? Can she turn her pet fancy into a fancy career as a dog groomer? Pro groomer Leila Parks joins our “Career Corner” to instruct us on her trade; the good, the bad, and the incredibly gross! Also, you have problems with us, and we’re going to do our best to really hear you this time - we return to our Department of...

As much as Paula and Adam might like to, they can’t actually go to school at Hogwarts. But they can go to school about Hogwarts - Dr. Adriane Ivey teaches a Harry Potter course at Emory University, and she’s here to tell us all about it. And then we let you tell us all about… us! It’s time for your latest Show Descriptions! GUEST Dr. Adriane Ivey Associate Professor Emory University HOUSE BAND Cas...

Everyone knows we’re “more divided than ever,” and everyone’s arguing these days, but nobody seems to be GOOD at it. We all seem to suck at convincing people that we’re right. Well, except for Neal Katyal, former acting Solicitor General, who’s here to instruct us on the lost art of persuasion. And speaking of persuasion, “Eat, Pray, Love” tries to win us over — does it succeed? And then it’s our...

Pigeons! Are they dirty, filthy, disgusting rats with wings? Or are they our clever, feathery friends whom we created to be our urban pals? Our dear friend Dr. Emily Spicer Rice is here to set us straight! Plus, it’s time to choose a new book for our Book Club! And speaking of ongoing problems, it’s also time for True Confessions: Pet Peeve Edition. GUEST Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice Researcher https:/...

Paula and Adam are heading out on vacation, but they wanted to leave you all with Something Old and Something New. First, as “Jeopardy” finally chooses its new host, we wanted to remind you of The Man himself, with our May, 2020 conversation with the great Alex Trebek… which was followed by a surprise cameo by Carol Burnett! Plus, we say a fond goodbye to our friend and producer Tyler Burke… if he...

A lot of us are lonely these days. Hm. We wonder why. Is there some kind of profoundly isolating world event going on? But whether you’re lonely in a crowd or happily alone, Dr. Jeremy Nobel, founder of the Unlonely Project, has some insights. Also, we’re a lot less lonely, because Toni has returned! Plus, it’s a grab bag of listener feedback when we dip into our Mailbag! Gallimaufry Edition! GUES...

We reckon it’s a time for reckoning, and General (and Professor) Ty Seidule is here to help us reckon with America’s most dubious Confederate monuments. And if that’s not enough of rummaging through our sordid pasts, then buckle down… for True Confessions: Childhood Edition! GUEST Ty Seidule Author, ROBERT E. LEE AND ME: A Southerner's Reckoning with the Myth of the Lost Cause https://www.tyseidul...

Should you drive off your quarantine cliff and go to the movie theatre to see “F9”? Paula and Adam review not "Fate of the Furious", "Furious 7", or "Fast & Furious 6".... but Fast 5” to let you know if "F9" is worth the risk. In the words of Dom,"Let's get to work." House Band Harry Terrell from Los Angeles, California  Drums Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time to say “Yaaas Queen… um… Elizabeth. Your Majesty.” Because we’re talking about the Royals with someone who should know, one of the reigning queens of journalism, Patt Morrison! And after we’ve dissected all the hidden messages in royal behavior, demeanor and attire, we share our own sartorial adventures in “True Confessions: Fashion Edition!” Does Captain Crinkle’s uniform have an actual...

What’s witchcraft? And which witchcraft? Wiccan witchcraft? Why? Well, because we have Dr. Tanya Luhrman from Stanford University here to tell us what’s what in witchery. Plus, buckle up, Nobodies, it’s time for Mailbag! Captain Crinkle Edition. You have stuff to say about Bonnie Burns! She’s listening. Kind of. Guest  Dr. Tanya Luhrmann (she/her) Albert Ray Lang Professor in the Stanford Anthropo...

Paula finally finds good use for her “Perry Mason” addiction when she discusses law, both real and - well - Perry Mason-y with former US Attorney and host of the #SistersInLaw podcast, Barbara McQuade! Also, an update on Toni’s whereabouts, and get ready to hear who said what when… it’s the return of our Quote Party! GUEST Barbara McQuade  Professor at University of Michigan, former U.S. Attorney,...

We’re featuring the results of some VERY big surveys. First, we’ve got Claudia Deane, VP of research at the Pew Research Center, here to tell us all about how the gold standard in public polling organizations gets its results. But just as impressively, OUR survey of listeners who played Oliver in “Oliver” and are willing to record themselves singing “Who Will Buy?”… is starting to yield some surpr...

Now that the US Mint is suddenly interested in putting “significant women” on coins, how much do we know about the first significant woman to be coined? Deborah L. Hughes from the National Susan B. Anthony House and Museum drops by to tell us about the iconic freedom fighter whose legacy is SO much bigger than a poorly-designed silver dollar. And speaking of valuable, tasty knowledge, it’s time fo...

Who can put Paula through the rigorous acting coaching she needs? How about if the amazing Jane Lynch dons her trademark tracksuit and puts Paula through her paces? That’ll work for you, right? Plus - you sent us more show descriptions. We love ‘em! Thanks! GUEST Jane Lynch HOUSE BAND Jackson Keith Cello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Paula make it in the high-stakes world of professional pantomime? Peter Daniel Straus, AKA Pierre the Mime, walks through the wind to get to our Career Corner. Also, our Book Club finally finishes “Moby Dick!” And we add to last week’s foodsplorations with YOUR worst misdeeds - it’s “True Confessions: Food Edition: Listener Edition!”  GUEST Peter Daniel Straus Pierre the Mime https://pierret...

What do words mean and how do their meanings change over time and why is “might” one of the most complicated and interesting words out there? USC’s Deniz Rudin leads us through the best stoned dorm-room conversation ever, just without drugs and pizza and WITH a genuine linguistics professor! Plus... we let you know about our weirdest dining habits in “True Confessions: Food Edition!” GUEST Deniz R...

We’ve had a singing lesson, a harmony lesson, and Paula can play one song on the glockenspiel. Clearly she’s ready for the logical next step: Grand opera! The LA Opera’s Jeremy Frank returns to transform Paula into a diva. Also, “significant women” are being put on the US quarter. What about insignificant women? We have some suggestions for the mint... GUEST Jeremy Frank Associate Chorus Master an...

What is OCD? More importantly, why is OCD? And what can you do to stop doing that thing you can’t stop doing? Michelle Massi, the director of Anxiety Therapy LA, is here to explain. Plus, a certain shadowy figure has allegedly been spotted... by at least one of you... on television. Is it really him? It’s Mailbag! The Thomas Coyne edition  GUEST Michelle Massi, LMFT Director, Anxiety Therapy L.A....

Can you spot a scam? If so, you should enter our scam-spotting contest and a chance to win one million dollars! Just send us your email address, Social Security number, and... No, seriously, scams are everywhere now, and cyber security expert Joe Neumann is here to tall us all about the latest in phishing and vishing and what you can do to protect yourself. Plus, get out your granny glasses - it’s...

Of al the jobs in the world, could Paula cut it as... a bosun? Yes, Eddie Lucas, the bosun from Toni Anita Hull’s favorite show, Below Deck, is here to instruct Paula in the ways of... bosuning. Or bosunology. Whatever, Eddie’s here for our Career Corner, and Toni is... flabbergasted. Also - break out you favorite factoids, it’s time for another Potluck Info Party! GUEST Eddie Lucas Everyone’s Fav...

Sure, Paula’s job relies on using her mouth, but how would she do working on somebody else’s ....as a dental hygienist? Temple University’s Dr. Susan Chialastri joins us for a perfectly al dente edition of Career Corner. Plus - everyone makes mistakes, and man, do you guys love it when WE do! So it’s time to pay another visit to our Department of Corrections. GUEST Dr. Susan Chialastri Chair and P...

Sure, we’re all going to die, but does that mean we can’t still be useful? Like, afterwards? We tackle the sensitive issue of human composting with the CEO of a company that does just that — Katrina Spade of “Recompose.” Plus, we’re somehow soaring up the comedy charts in Thailand! No, really. Our crack research staff (Captain Crinkle) gives us a full report on our new fans’ homeland. GUEST Katrin...

How important is sleep? Why does Paula love it so much, and why can’t Adam get any? Dr. Christina McCrae from the University of Missouri’s Sleep Research Center comes by to put all our questions... to rest. Also, we’re lunching a brand new contest. Enter to win a Zoom party with Paula and Adam! And — “Mailbag! Insider Edition,” featuring a very special guest. GUEST Dr. Christina McCrae Professor,...