Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchEXTRA: Fireworks Stands
How does an industry built on roadside pop-ups make billions of dollars in two weeks of the year? Zachary Crockett gets pyrotechnical.
SOURCES:Alex Z…
6 months, 1 week ago
Car Washes (Replay)
Episode 21
Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood.
RESOURCES:"Private…
6 months, 1 week ago
97. Elevators
Episode 97
Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk.…
6 months, 2 weeks ago
96. School Buses
Episode 96
Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back.
SOURCES:Keit…
6 months, 3 weeks ago
95. Airplane Food
Episode 95
Everyone loves to complain about it — but preparing a meal that tastes good at 35,000 feet is harder than you might think. Zachary Crockett will have…
7 months ago
94. Fireworks Shows
Episode 94
Every year, America celebrates its independence with millions of dollars worth of explosives imported from China. Zachary Crockett lights a fuse and …
7 months, 1 week ago
93. Pearls
Episode 93
These glistening round gemstones have come a long way since your grandmother's time, but procuring them is still a lot of work. The world is Zachary …
7 months, 2 weeks ago
Little League (Replay)
Episode 52
Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peer…
7 months, 3 weeks ago
92. Data Centers
Episode 92
Where is “the cloud,” anyway? It’s in a bunch of nondescript warehouses all over the country. Zachary Crockett serves up the story.
SOURCES: Chris Ki…
7 months, 4 weeks ago
91. Roller Coasters
Episode 91
A new thrill ride can cost an amusement park $20 million or more — but roller coasters attract customers like nothing else. Zachary Crockett must be …
8 months ago