Podcast Episodes

39. Houseplants

Episode 39

Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows a few seeds.

 

SOURCES:…

1 year, 10 months ago

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Bowling Alleys (Replay)

Episode 9

Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary …

1 year, 10 months ago

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38. Junk Mail

Episode 38

Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on it. Zachary Crockett checks the mai…

1 year, 10 months ago

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37. Personal Injury Lawyers

Episode 37

If you can make it through three years of law school, you too might end up on a billboard.  Zachary Crockett makes the case.

 

SOURCES:Jason Abraham, m…

1 year, 10 months ago

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36. ATMs

Episode 36

Why do you have to pay $4 to get $40 cash at a bar? And who does it go to? Zachary Crockett checks his balance.

 

SOURCES:Bernardo Batiz-Lazo, professo…

1 year, 10 months ago

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35. Dental Insurance

Episode 35

Why is it separate from medical insurance? And is it really insurance at all? Zachary Crockett goes in for a cleaning.

 

SOURCES:Brad Bolman, postdocto…

1 year, 11 months ago

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34. Store-Brand Products

Episode 34

Those low-priced staples on grocery-store shelves — where do they come from? Zachary Crockett finds out at a national convention for private-label ma…

1 year, 11 months ago

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33. Sex Scenes

Episode 33

Behind these steamy sequences, there are body doubles, pubic wigs, legal documents, and dedicated choreographers who make sure everyone is comfortabl…

1 year, 11 months ago

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32. Used Golf Balls

Episode 32

American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else’s business opportunity. Zachary Crockett hits the links.

 

S…

1 year, 11 months ago

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31. Superhot Chili Peppers

Episode 31

The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn.

 

SOURCES:Ed Currie, founder and president of the PuckerBut…

2 years ago

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