Podcast Episodes

How to keep a high passenger rating

Episode 789

Today's story: You thought only the passengers rated the drivers? Think again: drivers rate passengers, too. And a low passenger rating might cost you. But it's not hard to earn a high passenger rati…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Three words to say exactly where you are

Episode 788

Today's story: A company called what3words has divided the world into 57 trillion squares, each three meters by three meters, and labeled each square with a unique three-word combination. This makes …

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Which way is home? It’s complicated

Episode 787

Today's story: In many parts of the world, buildings don't have formal, complete addresses that can be identified on a map. Locals often use landmarks to explain where they live. But these improvised…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The five-star rating system isn’t working [Archive episode]

Episode 419

Leaving a five-star review has become customary for any experience that is excellent, good, average, or even acceptable, and anything below five-stars means terrible in the world of online reviews. A…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The resurgence of the mullet haircut [Archive episode]

Episode 505

Archive episode: Today, we're opening up the Plain English archives to revisit the only episode we've ever done about...a haircut.

The mullet hairstyle is known for looking like business in the front,…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Gut feeling: the microbiome and our health

Episode 786

Today's story: The gut microbiome is home to trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that help us digest food, regulate our immune systems, and even influence our mental health. Social media is full…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Nate Bargatze’s clean brand of comedy

Episode 785

Today's story: Nate Bargatze rose to fame by rejecting edgy or controversial comedy in favor of clean, relatable humor. His everyman style and family-friendly jokes have made him one of America’s mos…

Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago

Breakfast: should you or shouldn’t you?

Episode 784

Today's story: The classic advice that breakfast is the "most important meal of the day" may be overstated. But eating a morning meal can bring important benefits to your nutrition, metabolism, and e…

Published on 3 months ago

Teaching in the age of ChatGPT

Episode 783

Today's story: As students use ChatGPT to write essays, solve problems, and complete assignments, teachers are left with difficult choices. Should they try to catch cheaters? Ban devices? Or embrace …

Published on 3 months ago

ChatGPT has upended education

Episode 782

Today's story: In just a few short years, ChatGPT has transformed what it means to be in school. Students can use AI to for help in their homework, or to do their assignments from start to finish. Ed…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago