“This Day” takes you beyond the head-spinning headlines of today and into the unexpected historical moments that have shaped American politics. Hosted by Jody Avirgan (538), and historians Nicole Hemmer (Vanderbilt), and Kellie Carter Jackson (Wellesley), each episode explores a moment from that day in U.S. political history to uncover its lasting impact. On Sunday episodes, Jody, Niki and Kellie react to current news with their usual mix of humor, analysis, and historical perspective. New e ...
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On this podcast we believe that all albums are either summer albums or winter albums. But what defines them? The lyrics, the music, your personal relationship with the record? Summer Album/Winter Album is a musical debate podcast with Jody Avirgan (538, 30 for 30, Radiotopia) and Craig Finn (The Hold Steady). Each episode, Jody and Craig offer their opening arguments, and then with the help of a guest, explore one of the greatest records of all time. Then: a verdict from the artist. New epis ...
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Finally, your daily puzzle fix—in audio form! Every day, New York Times bestselling author A.J. Jacobs and his celebrity guests will puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old puzzle favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask Chat GPT” and audio rebuses. Plus, Chief Puzzle Officer Greg Pliska joins A.J. each week to present new puzzles from the Puzzle Lab. And there’s a daily Extra Credit Puzzler for our Puzzlers at home. (Answers revealed in ...
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A show about our data age. Each week, Jody Avirgan brings you stories and interviews on how data is changing lives.
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Ask Roulette is a conversation series in which strangers ask each other questions, live on stage. It's a mix of conversation, comedy, and storytelling -- there's also music. David Plotz of Slate calls it "great" and the Observer says it's one of NYC's 10 Best Podcasts. The podcast features highlights from our live events at Housing Works Bookstore in New York, including appearances by special guests. Past guests have included Robert Krulwich of Radiolab, Kurt Braunohler, Julie Klausner, Bara ...
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We can't play ultimate, but we can talk about it. Coach Speak brings you one-on-one interviews with the top coaches in Ultimate about how to find success on and off the field. Each installment focuses on one aspect of the game — planning practice, in-game adjustments, selecting Team USA — and goes deep on what players, coaches, and all of us can learn. Hosted by Jody Avirgan (FiveThirtyEight, 30for30, Radiotopia), former PoNY player and coach at the high school, national, and Team USA levels ...
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There's no better way to understand our world than through sports. Epic wins. Heartbreaking losses. The feeling you get when you look a teammate in the eye. Sports reveal the strange and fascinating psychology that competition brings out in all of us. Good Sport dives into worlds like F1 racing, table tennis, NBA shooting, and beyond. Asking questions like: Is "the zone" a real place? What are talent hotbeds, and how do we create them? And… is it still baseball if you're wearing a giant bana ...
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The Wolf Den focuses on starting and growing a new business and interviews others who are influencing the business of new media. Part of the fun is hearing about the behind the scenes building of Earwolf.
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Rembert Browne, writer and former New York Magazine and Grantland journalist, hosts a 24-hour podcast at the Anchor HQ to raise money for his former youth tennis camp, Coach Wink's NJTL, in Atlanta to attend the US Open. The podcast features conversations with various special guests recorded over 24 hours straight and published in one-hour episodes. Tune in all day and night starting Thursday, August 30th. You can donate to the cause at advantagekids.co/donate
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"Éclaircissement and Old Apartments!" w/ A.J. & Greg
19:55
19:55
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19:55Hello, Puzzlers! Today, A.J. and Greg give you a little peek behind the curtain and take you on a tour of the Puzzle Lab. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler …
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Juneteenth, Federal Holidays, And Writing History In Real Time
11:38
11:38
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11:38It's June 19th. Today is Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States marking the end of slavery. We're bringing you an episode from 2020 on the history of the date and the holiday -- but before that some thoughts from Jody about how this very recent holiday reflects the way history is getting written before our eyes. Sign up for our newslett…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: crossword constructor Brendan Emmett Quigley! Check out his new game for The Boston Globe: Align! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscrib…
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"iHeartbeat" w/ Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur
17:35
17:35
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17:35Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: hosts of the "Part-Time Genius" podcast, Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler pod…
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50 Years Of JAWS Terrifying Everyone (1975)
18:26
18:26
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18:26It's June 17th. This day in 1975, Steven Spielberg's JAWS is in theaters -- it is the first proper summer blockbuster, and also has a massive political and cultural effect. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how the movie ruined the reputation of sharks, and also served as a parable for late-1970s American malaise. Sign up for our newsletter! Get your …
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"True True False False" w/ Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur
20:57
20:57
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20:57Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: hosts of the "Part-Time Genius" podcast, Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler pod…
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"Earbuses" w/ Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur
18:53
18:53
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18:53Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: hosts of the "Part-Time Genius" podcast, Will Pearson and Mangesh Hattikudur! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler pod…
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Bonus Episode: "Gen Z Slang" w/ Nicky Pliska
21:45
21:45
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21:45Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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1
LBJ Puts Thurgood Marshall On The Court (1967)
23:03
23:03
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23:03It's June 12. This day in 1967, President Johnson nominates Thurgood Marshall as the first Black Supreme Court justice. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss Marshall's stories legal career up until this point -- but why Johnson was still taking a major risk in putting him forward. Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands on This Day merch! Find out mor…
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"Waiter, There's a Bee in my Beef" w/ Zane Jacobs
19:49
19:49
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19:49Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Is This It? The Strokes. 2001. Our special guest: Jack Coyne, host of Trackstar and Public Opinion. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Special thanks to Carmel Holt. Be sure to check out "The Road To Joni" from Sheroes. Weigh in and …
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It's June 9th. This day in 1933, the Roosevelt administration is asking Americans to turn their gold into the government -- or be jailed. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss how FDR sought to stabilize the economy, how Americans reacted to the order to turn in their heavy metals -- and how this moment led the US to become less and less reliant on the go…
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Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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Hello, Puzzlers! This week, A.J. and Greg celebrate Father's Day by puzzling with their kids! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get you…
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LA, The National Guard, Immigration and the Zoot Suit Riots (Some Sunday Context)
27:07
27:07
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27:07Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, Jody offers some thoughts on the story playing out in Los Angeles where the Trump administration has called in the national guard, over the objections of local officials. This is the first time something like that has happened since 1965. We've done a number of stories that include the moment wher…
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"Tall Tales, Coins, and Conundra!" w/ A.J. & Greg
20:35
20:35
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20:35Hello, Puzzlers! Today, A.J. and Greg give you a little peek behind the curtain and take you on a tour of the Puzzle Lab. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler …
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1
The U.S. Deports A Chinese Scientist (1950)
19:21
19:21
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19:21It's June 5th. This day in 1943, the United States is in the process of deporting Qian Xuesen, a Chinese aerospace engineer who had lived in the US for decades and contributed significantly to WWII-era scientific research. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how Qian came to the U.S. in the first place, rose the scientific and political ranks -- but the…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: our very own Chief Puzzle Officer, Greg Pliska. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your pod…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: sports journalist and host of the first ever daily women's sports podcast, iHeart's "Good Game with Sarah Spain," Sarah Spain! Sarah's first book, Runs in the Family, comes out this week from Simon and Schuster. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old …
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It's June 3rd. This day in 1913, boxer Jack Johnson is sentenced under the Mann Act, a vice law that sought to curb prostitution -- though many saw the sentencing as targeing Johnson for being a prominent and outspoken Black athlete. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Johnson's boxing career, the many "great White hope" boxers he defeated, and how his …
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: sports journalist and host of the first ever daily women's sports podcast, iHeart's "Good Game with Sarah Spain," Sarah Spain! Sarah's first book, Runs in the Family, comes out this week from Simon and Schuster. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old …
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: sports journalist and host of the first ever daily women's sports podcast, iHeart's "Good Game with Sarah Spain," Sarah Spain! Sarah's first book, Runs in the Family, comes out this week from Simon and Schuster. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old …
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Inside Airline Cockpits (Some Sunday Context) w/ Ganesh Sitaraman
29:10
29:10
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29:10Today, another in our "Some Sunday Context" series, where we bring you new conversations and episodes from the archives that try to help us make sense of life here in 2025. Nathan Fielder's "The Rehearsal" -- unexpectedly -- has many of us thinking about airline safety and aviation policy. His show is concerned with the interpersonal dynamics insid…
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"Audio Connections" w/ Mina Kimes [Best-Of Episode]
20:13
20:13
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20:13The Puzzler team is taking a short break, and in the meantime we're bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes soon! Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: ESPN analyst and podcaster Mina Kimes. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old…
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The Forgotten Resistance To Indian Removal (1830)
18:06
18:06
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18:06It's May 28th. This day in 1830, President Andrew Jackson has signed the Indian Removal Act into law, leading to the forcible removal of Native Americans in Georgia and elsewhere, culminating in the Trail of Tears a couple years later. But despite Jackson getting his way, there was widespread resistance at the political, legal, cultural and moral s…
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"Sanders' Sand" w/ Sam Sanders [Best-Of Episode]
20:06
20:06
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20:06The Puzzler team is taking a short break, and in the meantime we're bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes soon! Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: journalist, podcaster, and host of "The Sam Sanders Show," Sam Sanders! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–t…
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"Chilly Chili" w/ Alex Edelman [Best-Of Episode]
18:56
18:56
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18:56The Puzzler team is taking a short break, and in the meantime we're bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes soon! Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: award-winning comedian Alex Edelman! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old f…
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It's May 26th. This day in 1970, Richard Nixon is hosting a group of labor leaders at the White House, where they present him with a hard hat. A few weeks earlier, in New York City, construction workers had attacked tens of thousands of anti-war protesters in lower Manhattan, cheered on by Wall Street workers. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss how the…
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"Levitt or Leave It" w/ Joseph Gordon-Levitt [Best-Of Episode]
17:55
17:55
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17:55The Puzzler team is taking a short break, and in the meantime we're bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes soon! Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, Joseph Gordon-Levitt! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way throu…
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"In the Form of a Question" w/ Katie Nolan [Best-Of Episode]
18:03
18:03
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18:03The Puzzler team is taking a short break, and in the meantime we're bringing you some of our favorite episodes from the archives. We'll be back with brand new episodes soon! Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: Emmy-winning sports comedy personality and host of the brand-new podcast "Casuals", Katie Nolan! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests a…
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Lana Del Rey's "Norman F***ing Rockwell" with Avery Trufelman
1:09:55
1:09:55
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1:09:55Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" Lana Del Rey. 2019. Our special guest: Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in…
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"The Mamas and the Papas" w/ Susan Dominus
20:34
20:34
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20:34Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: New York Times staff writer and author of The Family Dynamic, Susan Dominus! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podc…
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It's May 21st. This day in 1904, a fight over taxing margarine reaches the Supreme Court. It's a key moment in the long fight between traditional butter and its margarine subsitute. Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss why the fight has been so contentious, and some of the more absurd ways in which Big Butter has tried to stop the spread of margarine. Si…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: our very own Chief Puzzle Officer, Greg Pliska. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your pod…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: actor and podcaster, Joshua Malina! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The …
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The MeckDec - North Carolina's Favorite Myth (1775) w/ Jeremy Markovich
25:58
25:58
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25:58It's May 20th. This day in 1775, the town of Mecklenburg, North Carolina went ahead and declared independence from Britain, before anywhere else in the country had formally done so. Or, at least, that's the story that North Carolina likes to tell about itself. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Jeremy Markovich to discuss the Mecklenburg Declarat…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: actor and podcaster, Joshua Malina! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The …
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: actor and podcaster, Joshua Malina! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The …
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Malcolm X Turns 100 (Some Sunday Context)
20:05
20:05
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20:05Monday, May 19th would have been Malcolm X's 100th birthday. Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, we bring you an episode we did last year about his assasination. There are a number of new books and lots of coverage about X's 100th birthday -- the story and context around his death tells us a lot about his life and legacy. We'll be b…
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"Kentucky Derby, 9 Puzzles, and HBCUs!" w/ A.J. & Greg
20:47
20:47
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20:47Hello, Puzzlers! Today, Greg tells A.J. about the latest puzzle news! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler…
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It's May 14th. This day in 1980, Miami is seeing the biggest racial uprising of the 70s or 80s, as riots and violence erupt with the acquittal of police officers accused of killing a man by the name of Arthur McDuffie. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why the violence broke out, how it echoes so many of the uprisings of the 1960s and 1990s -- but why…
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"Everyone Should Have a Ron Vara" w/ A.J. & Greg
20:48
20:48
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20:48Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: our very own Chief Puzzle Officer, Greg Pliska. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your pod…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: director Michael Showalter! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler …
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An Early Climate Change Warning Ignored (1957) w/ Amy Westervelt
29:12
29:12
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29:12It's May 13th. This day in 1957, oceanographer Roger Revelle offered testimony to Congress about the perilous effects of carbon in the Earth's atmosphere. Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by climate journalist Amy Westervelt to discuss how the warnings about climate change were being presented much earlier than we may realize, and how voices like …
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: director Michael Showalter! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler …
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Hello, Puzzlers! Puzzling with us today: director Michael Showalter! Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler podcast wherever you get your podcasts! "The Puzzler …
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SINNERS And The Deep History Of The Mississippi Delta (Some Sunday Context)
24:32
24:32
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24:32SINNERS is the hit movie of the year so far, and Ryan Coogler's epic has a lot of people looking into the history of the Mississippi Delta in the first decades of the 20th century. There aren't real vampires, but from the music to the cultural mix, the region's history deserves a deeper look. Today, as part of our "Some Sunday Context" series, we'r…
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Hello, Puzzlers! Today, A.J. and Greg give you a little peek behind the curtain and take you on a tour of the Puzzle Lab. Join host A.J. Jacobs and his guests as they puzzle–and laugh–their way through new spins on old favorites, like anagrams and palindromes, as well as quirky originals such as “Ask AI” and audio rebuses. Subscribe to The Puzzler …
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