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NO SUCH THING

NO SUCH THING

68 episodes — Page 1 of 2

Should we still circumcise babies?

May 13, 20261h 14m

Why did Taylor Swift stop singing in a country accent?

May 6, 20261h 7m

Does micromanaging actually work?

Apr 29, 20261h 2m

Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 2)

Apr 22, 202634 min

Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 1)

Apr 22, 202642 min

Kids can’t read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)

Apr 15, 202659 min

Ep 58Eggs in the fridge, expired meds, loud sneezes, and more (Mailbag)

On today's episode of NO SUCH THING, Manny, Noah, and Devan, jump into the mailbag. Should you keep your eggs in the fridge? Why do some people sneeze so loudly? Where did we get the 24 hour day from? Why and how does medicine expire? And what's the traditional jelly in a PB&J: grape or strawberry? ICYMI: Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 8, 202644 min

Ep 57TINY CAMERAS!?! We found out what those customer satisfaction buttons actually do

This week we’re answering a question from a listener named Emma: What do those smiley-face customer-satisfaction buttons you see in airport bathrooms actually do?  We track down the Finland-based company behind them, HappyOrNot, and uncover a hidden world of analytics, cameras, and AI.  Our guest this week is Scott Erickson, HappyOrNot’s VP of US Sales and Global Channels. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Like this episode? Check out Is your phone listening to you ... and should you care?DEV-ITORS NOTE: After the interview, HappyOrNot clarified that cameras are standard on their touchscreen devices, but the button devices don’t have them. ICYMI: Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 1, 202635 min

Ep 56Should athletes be allowed to bet on themselves?

Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. If you're around NYC, the boys will be discussing the book in a live event on March 29th, order tickets here. Now, on today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan discuss the sports betting takeover happening in the United States and around the world, and are joined by Danny Funt, the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. They also debate whether athletes should be allowed to bet on themselves, since they're already incentivized to win their games. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 202648 min

Ep 55Was Benjamin Franklin a fraud?

We know Benjamin Franklin as a founding father, crucial in the establishment of the United States, discoverer of electricity, kooky writer of almanacs, and inventor of much, much more. But is it possible that good old Benny is actually a complete scammer? We investigate a conspiracy theory that Mr. $100 is not all he’s cracked up to be.  Our guest this week is Claire Aubin, historian and host of This Guy Sucked, with a special thanks to our instigating debaters Kelsey and Rich.  Buy Manny's Book, Colored People Time, and see NO SUCH THING in conversation about the book on March 29 in NYC. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 20261h 0m

Ep 54Are dentists scamming us? We investigate

On today’s episode, we tackle a question we’ve all wondered: Are dentists scamming us? We dive into the dark history of dentistry, find out why dental insurance sucks, hear from someone who uncovered a dentist drilling teeth for profit, and talk to a startup founder who’s looking to upend the whole industry.  Lilly Kaplan — licensed therapist and Reality Test newsletter author — sits in for Manny this week. Listen to: Do you need therapy? (ft. Lilly)  Our guests this week are:  AJ Jacobs, journalist and New York Times bestseller.  Dr. Sarah Stuefen, general dentist in Iowa and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Dr. Cheryline Pezzullo, general dentist and clinical associate professor.  Dr. Brandon Zeidler, doctor of dental surgery. Tyler Burnett, cofounder of Wally Health. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter.  Have a question you want us to answer or a dentist story you want to share? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 202657 min

Ep 53Why are there so many twin films?

On this week's episode, the boys chat with Chris and Lizzie, the hosts of the What Went Wrong podcast about why Hollywood produces so many "twin films," movies that have very similar concepts and that release within a year of each other. They also debate whether A Bug's Life or ANTZ is the better movie, and talk through some controversial Hollywood development rumors. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 4, 202646 min

Ep 52Should the internet be a public utility?

Why is it such a hassle to deal with internet service providers? Spotty service, hidden price increases, and only one company servicing my neighborhood. Am I up against a local monopoly? And what’s the deal with 5G home internet? I’ve been battling my ISP for years, and it’s time to find some answers. Our guest this week is Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Business Insider. Also featuring guest co-host Rachel Askenazi, journalist and founder of Throwing Spaghetti Media.  For links to research and more, check out our newsletter.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 25, 202634 min

Ep 51Will AI take our jobs?

Is AI actually coming for your job? This week, we take a peek under the hood of autonomous AI tools. What they do well, where they still fall short, and how much we can expect them to improve in the future. Investigative reporter and Shell Game host Evan Ratliff joins us alongside AI researcher and Shell Game technical advisor Maty Bohacek to break it all down. Listen to Shell Game >>  Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 18, 202649 min

Ep 50Why do divorced guys act like that?

What happens to our brains and bodies after a breakup? Semafor media reporter and Mixed Signals co-host Max Tani joins the pod to unpack “Divorced Guy Energy,” from Justin Trudeau and Kanye West to Breaking Bad’s Walter White — and what psychology and sociology say about how men change after divorce.Our guests this week are psychologist and YouTuber Maika Steinborn and sociologist Jessica Calarco, author of Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net, we dig into the science, sociology, and cultural forces behind divorce, masculinity, and midlife reinvention.The Cut: The Most Divorced Guys of 2025, in Order Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 11, 202648 min

Ep 49Are outdoor cats happier than indoor cats?

This week, Kate Lindsay—ICYMI host, Embedded author, and proud cat lover—sits in for Manny, and we go deep on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cats. Our expert this week is Dr. Mikel Delgado, a cat behaviorist, scientist, and author of Play With Your Cat! Listen to:• Are suburban dogs happier than city dogs? • Why can’t adults order from the kids’ menu? For pics of Kate’s very cute cats, check out our newsletter — and follow us on Instagram for video clips and behind-the-scenes moments. Have a question you want us to answer or have feedback for the show? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 4, 20261h 0m

Ep 48Can humans be cloned?

Why are there so many celebrity clone conspiracy theories? Is there really a Melania Trump body double? Have scientists actually tried to clone humans? And, how does cloning actually work? We hear from an alleged clone himself, and talk to a biosciences expert to find out how feasible these theories actually are. This week features Chelsey Weber-Smith, whose show American Hysteria covers all sorts of strange hoaxes, moral panics, and odd misunderstandings. Also featuring Hank T. Greely, director of Stanford University’s Center for Law and the Biosciences.  For links to research and more, check out our newsletter.  And listen to our clone playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 28, 202651 min

Presenting Mind Games | The Guru’s Guru

We’ll be back next week. In the meantime, check out the first episode of a show we’re super excited about. Listen to Mind Games Check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 21, 202644 min

Ep 47Should politicians be funny? (with Mike Birbiglia)

On today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan chat about the use of humor in politics. Using Gavin Newsom's recent mocking of Donald Trump as a jumping off point, the boys assess how effective humor can be as a political strategy. They hear from humor historian Mark Rolfe, of the University of New South Wales in Australia, and then Manny talks to Mike Birbiglia, host of the Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out podcast, to get thoughts from an actual comedian. Be sure to check our website for more about each episode, and if you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 7, 202646 min

Ep 46NST Picks: The best of 2025 (and our best arguments)

2025 is coming to a close, which means it’s time for our second annual end-of-year wrap-up. Here are our favorite music, movies, TV shows, and NST moments of the year. Head to nosuchthing.show where you’ll find links to everything we reference in this episode, along with an NST-curated playlist in Devan–Noah–Manny order. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 31, 202553 min

Do horses actually hate running? (Remastered)

Today, we're throwing a NST classic back in your feed. This time remastered. What if this ONE thing we’ve always been told about horses isn’t true at all? What if it’s a lie we’ve told ourselves so that we can enjoy our horseback riding vacations and Kentucky Derbies without guilt? To answer this question we speak with Ren Hurst, a former professional horse trainer and author of “The Wisdom of Wilderness.” And we venture to New Jersey to spend some time with horses at the Bergen County Horse Rescue. The end credits music is "I’ve Always Been the First (to Say I Love you)" by Certain Self. For more, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 24, 202538 min

Ep 45Does religion make you happier?

This week, the boys grapple with the big questions: Is there a God? What happens after you die? Does bowling make you happier than Catholic Mass? We speak to a researcher who’s studied health outcomes of faith-based practices to find out if religious people are happier than others, and what it means for worldwide wellbeing when religiosity is on the decline overall.  Our guests this week are Dr. Harold G. Koenig, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University, and Rabbi Jason Klein of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.  For more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 17, 202538 min

Ep 44NST Hotline: B-list wedding invites, hallway storage, and more

On today's episode of NO SUCH THING, it's the NST Hotline. Listeners have called in to the show asking for advice, and the boys hand out some sage wisdom. Is it bad to send B-list wedding invites? Should you side with your family or your spouse in a conflict? Is it okay to store things in the hallway outside of your apartment? That, and more, followed by the NST Holiday Gift Guide for 2025. For more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 10, 202555 min

Ep 43Why do Tesla door handles suck? (Devan Design Week)

Welcome to Devan Design Week, a one-episode celebration of the stuff Devan cannot stand the design of. From Tesla’s confusing door handles, to microwaves with too many buttons, and sad modern couches. Our guests this week are: WIRED’s Aarian Marshall, Kill Switch host and part-time microwave engineer Dexter Thomas, and design expert and Snake newsletter writer Sami Reiss.We reached out to Tesla about the claims that its electronic door handles are dangerous, but we haven't heard back. Head over to nosuchthing.show to see some of the visuals from this episode and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 3, 202550 min

Ep 42Why can’t men find anything?

Why do men have so much trouble finding everyday items in their own homes? It’s a common sitcom trope, but is there actually something to it. This week, for the sake of the women in our lives, we dig into the research to find out if “male refrigerator blindness” is real, explore if it dates all the way back to our hunter-gatherer roots, and find out what we can do about it.  Our guest this week is Dr. Albert Postma, leader of the Memory & Space Lab at Utrecht University. For more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 202536 min

Ep 41Could you get away with murder?

Nearly half of homicide cases go unsolved in the US, and in today's episode, the boys try and get to the bottom of why that is. Joining NO SUCH THING this week are criminologist Dr. Brian Forst and homicide detective Chris McDonough. After learning about the importance of "community policing," Manny makes Noah and Devan concoct plans to whack each other, and presents said plans to the detective to see if they might get away with it. For more, check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 19, 202551 min

Ep 40Are you doing your laundry wrong?

By popular demand, we answered all of your laundry questions: Do you really need to separate lights from darks? How much detergent should you use? Are front-loading machines better than top-loading? What do dry cleaners actually do? And much, much more.  Our guest this week is Patric Richardson, author of Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore. For more, check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 202541 min

Ep 39How did celebrity rumors spread before social media?

For this week’s episode, we collaborated with Ryan Broderick and Grant Irving from Panic World to go deep on three middle school rumors. We’ll investigate the false rumor that Ciara announced she was intersex, the “jenkem” panic of the 90s, and the rumor that Marilyn Manson had a rib removed so that he could…you know.   Listen to Panic World and subscribe to Garbage Day. Head over to nosuchthing.show to see some of the visuals from this episode and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 5, 202549 min

Ep 38How often do you actually need to shower?

For this episode, we make our way back into the bathroom as we go deep on showering. How often should you actually shower? What’s the proper way to do it? Do you actually need to wash your legs every time? How long should your shower last? Should you be using a loofah — or are they actually bad for you? Our guests this week are Katherine Ashenberg, author of The Dirty on Clean: An Unsanitized History and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lisa Akintilo. For more, check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 202545 min

Ep 37What happens to a property after a murder?

On today's episode, we're putting on our true crime hats to get to the bottom of what happens to properties after high-profile murders occur inside of them. We talk to journalist Catherine Fenollosa, who shared with us her interview with Randall Bell, A.K.A. the “Master of Disaster.” For decades, it’s been Randall’s job to manage and help sell the property where these kind of tragedies happen. From Nicole Brown Simpson’s condo, to the “Heaven’s Gate” mansion, to the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Randall has seen it all, and shared some incredible insights into this kind of work. This episode was produced with the help of America’s Crime Lab, a podcast on our network at Kaleidoscope. Follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter at nosuchthing.show. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 202538 min

Ep 36Is Taylor Swift bigger than Michael Jackson?

So everyone knows Taylor Swift is one of the most popular musicians of all time, but how does she stack up to giants of the past like Michael Jackson and The Beatles? No matter how many reports of new chart records, we can’t shake the feeling that someone like MJ just had a larger cultural impact worldwide. This week, we crunch the numbers to see the true size of the Swiftdom we live in. Our guest this week is Chris Dalla Riva, author of Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us about the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves. For more, check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.  Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 202543 min

Origin Stories: Yousef Srouji on Three Promises

Hey, folks. This week, NO SUCH THING is hosting Origin Stories, a new podcast from Campside Media. Each week, veteran journalist Matthew Shaer talks to a different writer or director about the creation of a work close to their own hearts, and this episode is the perfect example. Palestinian filmmaker Yousef Srouji is the creator of the critically-acclaimed documentary "Three Promises," which uses his mother’s old home video footage to tell an intimate story of life during the Second Intifada. Srouji talks to Matthew about coming to documentary film as a newbie and learning the tools of the trade on the job. He also discusses the difficulty of finding distribution for “Three Promises,” despite the project being largely apolitical. Listen to Origin Stories. NO SUCH THING will be back next week! Don't forget to cast your votes for the Signal Awards. We've been nominated for: Best Buddy Podcast and Activism, Public Service, & Social Impact for our episode about Online Pedophile Hunters.  Follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter at nosuchthing.show Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at  or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 8, 202532 min

Ep 35What happened to Kanye West?

This week, we’re asking: what do you do when your favorite artist becomes a self-proclaimed N*zi? And we dive into the new documentary In Whose Name?, which claims to show Kanye in a new light.  Don't forget to cast your votes for the Signal Awards. We've been nominated for: Best Buddy Podcast and Activism, Public Service, & Social Impact for our episode about Online Pedophile Hunters. Follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter at nosuchthing.show. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 1, 202553 min

Ep 34Why are modern statues so bad?

Why does it seem so common that modern sculptures of iconic figures look so bad? Soccer star Ronaldo, NBA legend Dwyane Wade, and even the great Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. have been frankly disgraced by sub-par and strange renditions. Is creating a great statue a lost art, or are we being unfair? This week, we talk to a real sculptor to find out.  Our guest this week is John Belardo.  To follow along with the sculptures in the episode, check out our newsletter or Instagram. Some exciting news, we’ve been nominated for two (2) Signal Awards: Best Buddy Podcast and Activism, Public Service, & Social Impact for our episode about Online Pedophile Hunters. If you’re feeling generous, head over to those links and vote for us :)) Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 24, 202539 min

Ep 33Do you need therapy?

What is therapy exactly, and what is it supposed to do? How do you know if you need therapy? If you’re in therapy, how do you know if it’s working? NO SUCH THING talks to Lilly Kaplan, therapist and author of the Reality Test newsletter, who gracefully demystifies the practice of therapy for us and answers a barrage of questions. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 202545 min

Ep 32Was that actually food poisoning?

Why do some people seem to suffer the ills of foodborne illness at an alarming frequency, while others cruise through rare steaks unimpeded? In this episode, we bravely (or foolishly) ask: does food poisoning actually exist? This week, we talk to food safety experts to find out what food poisoning actually is, where it comes from, and what  you can do to avoid it. Also discussed: Did your family have a dedicated bowl to vomit in? Will leftover rice kill you? And do you have to wash your chicken?  Our guests this week are Dr. Ben Chapman, Extension Food Safety Specialist at North Carolina State University, and food safety lawyer Bill Marler.   Check out Ben’s podcast Food Safety Talk. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 202541 min

Ep 31Are the weather apps getting worse?

This week, we’re turning our attention to our weather apps. Are they getting worse? Are Trump’s DOGE cuts to blame? Why don’t we use feels like as the default temp? And what does the percentage of precipitation (PoP) actually mean? Then, we answer a listener's question on how Spotify’s shuffle feature actually works. Check out Heather McCalden’s “The Observable Universe.” The last track in this week’s episode is from Certain Self’s  “Girl in the Walls” from his new EP You Look Tired. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show and follow us on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 3, 202543 min

Ep 30NST Mailbag: The RIGHT way to load a dishwasher (& more)

This week we settle your dumb arguments. Yup, it’s mailbag time. We’ll argue about the RIGHT way to load a dishwasher, revisit a right-wing conspiracy theory about cat litter in schools, solve an intersection conundrum involving a funeral procession and a school bus, and finally reveal how this beautiful friendship actually began. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show and follow us on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 27, 202541 min

Ep 29Is dating an AI chatbot cheating?

In this episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan revive a debate from almost a decade ago, albeit with modern framing: if you're in a relationship, and you're romancing an AI chatbot, should that be considered cheating? They chat to Tatum Hunter, tech reporter for the Washington Post, and couples therapist Jeff Guenther, better known as Therapy Jeff. And finally, they decide to try it for themselves, and go on a date with an AI chatbot. Check out Tatum's work here, and scroll through Therapy Jeff's Instagram for wisdom and advice. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 20, 202553 min

Ep 28Inside the violent world of online pedophile hunters

You might remember To Catch a Predator with Chris Hansen, but now streamers are making their own version, and they’re a lot more violent. New York Times reporter Aric Toler takes us inside the world of modern-day “pedophile hunters,” while Stefan Turkheimer, VP of Public Policy at RAINN, shares what justice could—and should—look like for survivors. Check out Aric's visual investigation on online pedophile hunters. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), chat at hotline.RAINN.org, or text "HOPE" to 64673.  Additional music for this episode by Zeno Pittarelli, check out his new project You Look Tired. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show and follow us on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 202547 min

Ep 27Why can’t adults order from the kids menu?

This week, we take a deep dive into the frustrating conundrum of the kids menu. Why would a restaurant show me they’re capable of making a delicious and adorably small offering of chicken nuggets, only to restrict it to those fortunate to be 12 years old or younger? Are these restrictions an economic necessity, a moralizing judgment, or something else? We speak with a few industry insiders to learn the history of the kids menu and put these limits to the test.  Our guest this week is Kate Lindsay, longtime sufferer at the hands of Big Kids Menu, host of Slate’s internet culture podcast ICYMI and writer of the newsletter Embedded. Thank you to our restaurant industry expert Lori Rakoczy from Technomic, and our anonymous movie theater server.  If you liked this episode, check out Ep. 11: Can you cure picky eating? (w/ Search Engine) Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286‬ For more, subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.showSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 6, 202532 min

Ep 26Why we're sick of franchise movies

On this episode, we discuss the fatigue people have been feeling around franchise movies, particularly the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But where did franchise movies come from, and how did virtually all of Hollywood become so fixated on this kind of film? Walt Hickey, author of You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything, walks us through the weeds on this, and gets to the bottom of our questions. Walt is also the author of Numlock News. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and bonus content. Have a question you want us to tackle? Email us: [email protected] or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286. NO SUCH THING is a production of Kaleidoscope Content, executive produced by Kate Osborn and Mangesh Hattikudur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 202531 min

Ep 25Are siblings more influential than parents?

Today’s episode was inspired by Susan Dominus’ new book “The Family Dynamic.” The book profiles six families with multiple successful siblings and analyzes the factors that have contributed to their success.  Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and bonus content: www.nosuchthing.show  Have a question you want us to tackle? Email us: [email protected] Or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 1, 202541 min

Ep 247-footers & the case for universal healthcare

There’s a wild stat that’s floated around basketball circles for a long time: A 7-foot (or taller) American man has a 17% likelihood of being an NBA player. This week, we try to find out if this statistic holds true, and along the way we learn how extremely rare it is to be so tall, why the number of seven-footers in the league saw a dip, and… the case for socialized medicine? Our guests this week are Barry Bogin, Björn Quanjer, Guillaume Lettre, Stereogum’s Tom Breihan, and The F5’s Owen Phillips. Check out Owen’s basketball newsletter, The F5: https://thef5.substack.com/  Tom Breihan, “On Being a Giant” & his book: The Number Ones For more, please subscribe to our newsletter www.nosuchthing.show  Have a question you want us to tackle? Email us: [email protected] Or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286‬See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17, 202532 min

Ep 23Ask NST: Coupon etiquette, plus ones, and bad dogs

Many of you called our hotline and sent emails seeking our advice, and we are here to help. From party invitation etiquette, to a coupon fiasco straight out of a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, the boys give their takes and dole out some help. And for more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. If you have a question you want us to answer or want to be featured in our next advice episode, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (860) 325-0286‬.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 10, 202539 min

Ep 22Why did people used to look older?

It’s not just nostalgia or low-res photos—there may actually be biological and cultural reasons why people in the past looked so old. To get to the bottom of it, I spoke with Dr. Caroline Hudson, a facial plastic surgeon based in Chicago and co-author of Analysis and Assessment of Facial Aging.  To see the images we reference, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. Want advice from Manny, Noah, and Devan? Leave a message at (860) 325-0286‬ or email us at [email protected]. Like this episode? Check out Why does Dasani water taste like that? Follow Dr. Caroline Hudson on Instagram. Original music for this episode produced by Zeno Pittarelli.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 20, 202533 min

Ep 21Can you change the mind of a conspiracy theorist?

Some conspiracy theories are fun, but many end up being dark and concerning. When someone is in too deep, what would it take to pull them out of the rabbit hole? Journalist Zach Mack ventured to find out in his show, Alternate Realities over at NPR, and on today's episode, he debriefs us. Listen to Zach's show Alternate Realities on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And for more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. If you have a question you want us to answer, email us at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 13, 202541 min

Ep 20Is the pullout method fine actually?

Our whole lives, we’ve been told the pullout or withdrawal method is not a legitimate form of birth control and a fast-track way to becoming a parent. Some have even referred to it as the pull-and-pray method. But reproductive health researcher Andréa Becker makes the argument that the pullout method “is not the enemy of public health it’s been made out to be” if done correctly.  Pre-order Andréa’s book Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy. For more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show, and if you have an argument you want us to settle, email us at [email protected]. Like this episode? Check out Episode 3: Why are slurs making a comeback? Original music for this episode produced by Zeno Pittarelli.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 6, 202534 min

Ep 19Is your phone listening to you… and should you care?

Most people have experienced the creepy feeling of getting ads that feel a little bit too targeted, for products they haven’t ever searched for but have maybe talked about IRL. With Amazon announcing a rollback on privacy protections, and the Trump administration ramping up mass surveillance as a scare tactic, it might be time to take stock of what privacy even means anymore. With some help from Andrew Couts, senior editor of security and investigations at WIRED, we get a clear-eyed view of how voice-assisted tech actually works, and why you should care.    For more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show, and if you have an argument you want us to settle, email us at [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 29, 202535 min

Ep 18Is RFK Jr. right about anything?

Today’s episode is about RFK Jr., a man who has a completely baffling political trajectory. How does a guy go from “champion of the environment” to joining the most anti-environment administration ever? Thanks to our guest, Derek Beres, that pipeline becomes much clearer, as RFK Jr’s worldview has a lot of overlap with science that is at best, shoddy, and at worst, straight up disinformation. For more, check out our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show, and if you have an argument you want us to settle, email us at [email protected]. Original music for this episode produced by Zeno PittarelliSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 22, 202530 min