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Ep 358Botox for the Young

When you think of Botox, your mind may wander to aging Hollywood stars who've become strange versions of their younger selves. But data shows Botox isn't just for people with wrinkles any longer. Botox is trending for pre-wrinkled younger people, and it may be a mixed bag.Then, who's using cannabis? Since the drug has been legalized in most of America, we wanted to know how it's going. R. Lorraine Collins of @UBuffalo joins to check in on the state of legal weed. With so much rapid change, who is using it now and how much are they using?Finally, what are those college kids drinking?! Well, this week's fun fact tells us what was the popular college beverage was back in 1939!

Aug 16, 202427 min

Ep 357The Truth About Childless Cat Ladies

Kamala Harris has picked Tim Walz as her running mate and the DNC is right around the corner. The race is on and our new poll with NPR and PBS News shows things have changed quite a bit since Joe Biden left the race.Then, speaking of vice presidential candidates, JD Vance's comments about "childless cat ladies" has made waves. Plenty of people were offended but there is truth to the notion that there are more childless Americans than there used to be. Michigan State's Jennifer Watling Neal joins to discuss her research of Americans who've chosen not to have kids.And, finally, a sendoff for one of our favorite student producers, Delaney Hayes, who is off to law school and then ruling the world!

Aug 9, 202429 min

Ep 356News, Nonsense, and TikTok

We're asking a crucial question: Is it news or nonsense? With more people getting their news from social media platforms and AI-produced visuals flooding the zone, there is a lot of room for misinformation. This week, we bring Marist Journalism professor Kevin Lerner back on the show to help us break down how to spot misinformation and find credible news sources.Then, tens of millions of Americans use this platform for entertainment and endless scrolling, but, for some, it's a full-time job. The U.S. government is pushing the Chinese-run company to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States, but what does this mean for everyday Americans? We are joined by TikTok influencer Maddie (m00bie) Schrader to discuss the ban President Biden signed into law and its implications for both users and influencers.We finish with a Lee-less fun fact. Can we even do that? It's about something so ubiquitous that we barely think about it, even though most of us had never heard of it 30 years ago.

Aug 2, 202432 min

Ep 355Madam President?

Joe Biden ended his campaign and Kamala Harris very quickly became the almost-certain Democratic nominee. The next day, we asked Americans in a one-day survey with NPR and PBS News what they thought. The results say a lot but we're also discussing why a one-day poll can tell us only so much.Then, the COVID pandemic exposed deep flaws in our country's nursing homes, but what is being done to fix them? We talk with R. Tamara Konetzka from the University of Chicago to get a better sense of what's wrong with the system and whether the huge batch of ageing boomers might change that.Finally, what will you be watching during the Paris Olympics? We find out what America has to say in this fun fact!

Jul 25, 202432 min

Ep 354Cryptic Cryptocurrency

The Republican National Convention is over and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump is already fading from the headlines, so what to make of the next set of polls? Our NPR/PBS News survey released last week helps show why you probably shouldn't read too much into the next set of polls...even ours!Next, we're looking at cryptocurrency. You've probably heard of Bitcoin but, if you're like many Americans, you don't really know what crypto is or what is can do. So... we have Bina Ramamurthy @BinaUB from @UBuffalo on to break down cryptocurrency and the future of virtual money! And. if you're looking for more, check out her Blockchain ThinkLab and Coursera courses on the topic.Finally, this week's fun fact covers the best time of year -- summertime -- and the best food of all. Ice cream! What's your favorite flavor? It starts there and we go way afield.

Jul 19, 202434 min

Ep 353Post-Debate Polls: What Do They REALLY Say?

There has been a whirlwind of post-debate polling around Biden vs. Trump, but how accurate are they? We have @FiveThirtyEight's @gelliottmorris on with us to sort the good from the bad...and all the in-between.Next, natural disasters only seem to be increasing with climate change, but are we prepared to give people warnings about them? We have @k_e_gray @unewhaven on to talk about our potential vulnerabilities as a nation facing disasters.And, as summer hits its stride, step outside. Do you smell sunscreen, grass, or bbq? This week's fun fact tackles the smells of summer.

Jul 11, 202428 min

Ep 352SCOTUS, the Debate, and What Changes

How will the Supreme Court's historic ruling on Presidential immunity from criminal prosecution impact the race for the White House? And, how with the historically bad debate between Biden and Trump impact the election? We're looking at the early polls and exploring whether ANYTHING will change what people think of these two historically unpopular candidates.Then, as we celebrate Independence Day, we're looking at how Americans think about patriotism and the flag. And...no surprise...it's complicated by partisan differences.Finally, do you know how many nicknames there are for the American flag? This week's fun fact looks at the fan favorite!

Jul 2, 202423 min

Ep 351Is College Still Worth the Cost?

Our latest NPR/PBS News poll asks a hypothetical: Do you want your kid to grow up to be president? Perhaps after this week's debate, you won't be surprised what a majority of Americans think.Then, Harvard's David Deming helps us sort through the growing debate about whether college is still worth it as costs -- and debt -- soar.Finally, summer is concert season and this week's fun fact posits another hypothetical: who would you see if they were still touring?maristpoll.com/podcast

Jun 28, 202434 min

Ep 350College Athlete Revenue Revolution

A June presidential debate has never happened but that's about to change. With that in mind, we're looking into the data from our new NPR/PBS News poll about Biden v. Trump and a whole lot more. Including how they're tied on a very unenviable metric.Next, should we pay college athletes? Student athletes already do get some compensation in some cases, but recent court rulings and settlements have blown the discussion wide open. We look at what Americans think and then get some expert insights from sports law attorney Luke Fedlam.Finally, pull out your crystals and Yanni CDs for our fun fact...

Jun 21, 202431 min

Ep 349Teen Screen Time Trouble?

Our first polls of the cycle are out, and we are discussing all the numbers from the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. These two states could determine control of the U.S. Senate.Then, is technology ruining our children? We have seen a concerning rise in technology usage amongst the younger generations, especially boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. How will this impact generations to come?Finally, we wrap up with Lee's fun fact, perfectly timed for the hot summer days ahead. And it sparks a bit of a debate.

Jun 14, 202428 min

Ep 348Economy Disconnect: Are We Maxed Out?

Nearly every piece of economic data says the same thing: The US is enjoying one of the strongest economies in our history. So, why do a majority of Americans think we're in a recession? There are a lot of theories about where this disconnect comes from, but here's a thought: Maybe so many of us maxing out our credit cards has something to do with it.Next, nearly every piece of data also shows that, while married women have nearly closed the earnings gap, they're still getting the short end of the stick in other ways. Plus, what's happening in same-sex marriages?Finally, for this week's fun fact, we're getting the good stuff. Just in time for the summer heat.

Jun 7, 202423 min

Ep 347Every 68 Seconds

The race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump remains very stable in our latest poll with NPR and the PBS NewsHour but that changes in potentially surprising ways once we bring third-party candidates into the mix. We're digging into these and other results from the survey.Then, one study reports someone in the US is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. As college graduation season winds down, we're looking at the data and polls on sexual assault and harassment on college campuses. Kelly Yough, Title IX Coordinator at Marist College, joins to discuss how schools are trying to deal with the problem.Finally, we wrap up with a comedic fun fact. Are you Team President Colbert, President Stewart, or President Fey?

May 31, 202433 min

Ep 346A Nation on Edge?

Since early October, Americans, especially younger ones, have been vocal about the Israel-Hamas war, leading to college protests and mixed reactions from the public, but what do the rest of Americans think? We break down this complex issue.Then, are you concerned about the possibility of another Civil War? Nearly 160 years after the first ended, you wouldn’t be the only one! America is increasingly divided, but has it reached the point where differences in opinion have become fighting words?And, our fun fact this week is more of an ethical dilemma. What would you do if you found out your child was switched at birth?

May 24, 202421 min

Ep 345GenNext: A New Marist Poll Project

GenNext is a brand-new project from the Marist Poll in which young Americans ask young Americans about topics they care about. This entirely new type of youth survey launches with the work of two Marist students who wanted to understand how their peers are thinking about abortion and charitable giving compared with older generations.Neel Viswanathan and Krystyna Lubrano join to talk about the experience of learning how to design and conduct a statistically valid survey AND what they thought of their results.Then, we look ahead to what we're planning for GenNext -- especially since this generation of young Americans is the largest in US history and is already making themselves heard.Finally, we celebrate National Rescue Dog Day through our fun fact. And, with a panel full of animal lovers, you know how this is going to go!

May 17, 202433 min

Ep 344Family Dinners Matter

Can eating dinner as a family make your life better? Data shows families ARE still eating together despite decades of changes in technology (TV, smartphones) and that it could be improving health.Then, we are looking into the mental health crisis among Gen Z. Most experts say it's real but we're looking at whether it's just Gen Z that's in a funk -- or is the problem more widespread.And, we end with Lee's fun fact that is well timed for his recent birthday (which he treats like a national holiday). Think of it as a gift to you, our listeners. And, think of that as a clue!

May 10, 202431 min

Ep 343Losing Our Religion?

Our latest poll with NPR/PBS NewsHour is out and behind the horserace numbers is some really interesting -- and some would say worrying -- data about how Americans are thinking about our democracy. We're asking what the results are telling us about which candidate is more likely to preserve democracy and about American's fear of fascism and extremism.Next, are we becoming an R.E.M. song and losing our religion? There's a growing population in America that is identifying less with religion, particularly organized religion. Does this mean we're becoming less religious, as well? And, what does it mean for pollsters who use the religion of respondents to help better analyze opinion data?And, after all that weighty stuff, our fun fact is all about a treat that, in excess, is surely weighty, as well: Donuts!

May 3, 202426 min

Ep 342School Crisis? Americans AND Teachers Agree

Our latest poll got plenty of attention in part because other polls released at the same time all show the same thing. Biden is doing better than he was just a month ago and there are several key reasons why. We look into our data to explain what we think is happening.Next, we're exploring new survey results that show Americans are pretty displeased with the state of our public education system AND that teachers are pretty displeased with their jobs. They say they're not appreciated, overworked, and underpaid.And, our fun fact asks a question that may not be providing the most accurate answers. Is the decade you think was best determined by your age at the time?

Apr 26, 202424 min

Ep 341Women in Sports: Show Them the Money

In our latest survey of New York State residents, we found a lot of pessimism about a lot of things -- except legalized recreational marijuana. We're unpacking the findings and what they say about the current Empire State of mind.Then, after the NCAA women's college basketball final beat the men's final in the ratings, a lot of people are saying women's sports have finally arrived. While players like Caitlin Clark are changing the game, as we now see with her new WNBA contract, they are still be paid almost 3 times less than their male counterparts -- at best.And, we end with a delicious and indulgent fun fact: Do you have a food you know is bad for you, but you eat anyway? We have A LOT of answers on this one.

Apr 19, 202427 min

Ep 340A Deeper Dive into Our Data

Last episode, we dug into the results of our latest poll with NPR and the PBS NewsHour, but we didn't get to a bunch of questions we think are really interesting. So, we're going back for more and digging deeper.Next, did you go out to watch the eclipse? Turns out a lot of Americans did but what did our producers find when they went searching for polling data on past eclipses. We were VERY surprised.Finally, this week's fun fact asks a question that had us trotting out our very best Austin Powers impressions.

Apr 12, 202423 min

Ep 339Is Gen Z Really All That Different from Boomers?

What do Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and single use plastics have in common? They're all part of our latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll and we're diving deep into the data to explain some surprising results.Next, could Gen Z stay politically liberal as they age? The Washington Post's Philip Bump is our guest to help us dig into this theory. Gen Z is the biggest generation since the Boomers but, at least right now, they are displaying some very different behaviors from those of the generation now passing the torch.And, our fun fact goes back millions (many millions) of years. Are we misremembering history due to a popular franchise movie? This week's fun fact tests our dinosaur knowledge.

Apr 5, 202433 min

Ep 338Too Much TikTok?

We're digging into our first-of-the-season Texas poll to see if Democrats can break the decades-long GOP hold on the Lone Star State. Our data suggests Biden may not pull that off, but could Colin Allred turn Texas a little less red?Next, we've turned Poll Hub over to our Gen Z student producers for a segment on TikTok. Why? For starters, the rest of us aren't really on it...or so we thought. The debate over whether the Chinese-owned app should be allowed to continue operating in the U.S. has made for some strange political alliances but what do American think?We finish the way every good meal does -- with dessert! But, our fun fact reveals a lot of strong feelings about one very American sugary treat.

Mar 29, 202430 min

Ep 337Will AI Change the Classroom?

The 2024 election may, like those in 2016 and 2020, come down to the results in a handful of battleground states. We love polling these states and our first of this year are Georgia and North Carolina. It's early but the data tells a lot about the opportunities and challenges Joe Biden and Donald Trump face.Then, we have an awesome extended segment on AI in education. Some teachers and college professors worry about Chat GPT being more like "Cheat" GPT but others are embracing the technology. We're bringing our two student producers together with Marist Assistant Professor of Communications Dr. Qihao Ji to talk about how he requires it in classroom!And, we finish with Lee's fun fact about the times of our lives. What are the best times of life? What are the worst? A 1971 survey has us talking.

Mar 22, 202447 min

Ep 336Hybrid Work is Here to Stay

History shows the State of the Union address rarely provides presidents with a lasting bounce in the polls so, while Joe Biden may have been hoping for one after his widely praised speech, that it didn't happen is not a surprise. It's also not a surprise that the coverage around it and the cringey GOP response from Alabama Sen. Katie Britt fit the new normal: political journalism as sports coverage.Next up, with the pandemic in the rear-view mirror, office life for white collar workers has changed. While work from home has been scaled way back, most workers are not in the office 5 days a week and they like it that way. But, is it good for careers, companies, or workers?Finally, as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we dig up a poll from 1994 that shows a majority of Americans just aren't that green.

Mar 14, 202425 min

Ep 335What's Up With That NY Times Poll?!?!

The latest NYTimes/Siena Poll has been getting a lot of attention, but not all the good kind. Plenty of Democrats are upset about what it shows and how the Times covered it. Others used the numbers to bolster arguments about Biden's age or Trump's electability.But, we argue the REAL problem is the poll's methodology itself. It's a novel way of trying to solve issues that plague polling but it's an experiment with no control group and it's reported as gospel...Then, we relax as Lee returns for his Fun Fact from 1939 -- and it takes an unexpected twist!

Mar 8, 202432 min

Ep 334Dating Apps & Gen Z: No Honeymoon?

Online dating has been around for nearly 30 years, but what is it like today? We're looking at data showing how, who, and why Americans are online dating. Are there plenty of fish in the online sea?Next, the opioid crisis has nearly vanished from the headlines, but it's deadlier than ever. One solution is the life-saving drug Narcan that can stop overdoses, and Americans support making it widely available. So why isn't it?We finish we our fun fact: As the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and allergy season kicks off, what is your favorite things about spring? This week's fun fact is getting ready to give winter the boot!

Mar 1, 202437 min

Ep 333Fear of Vaccines on the Rise?

In its first year, the RSV vaccine has had what appears to be fairly low vaccination rates, but its appearances may be deceiving. Dr. William Schaffner from Vanderbilt College School of Medicine joins to help answer how the pandemic has affected confidence in vaccines.Then, new data shows Gen Z is going to bed early, eating dinner early, and listening to more jazz. Are they young people who are old at heart? We have two of our own Gen Z students join us to get to the bottom of it.What is the best pizza topping? Who knew a simple fun fact could be so controversial!

Feb 23, 202429 min

Ep 332Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in America

In our latest poll, we asked Americans how they feel about race relations and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts in education and business. As part of our recognition of Black History Month, Marist's VP of DEI, Dr. Edward Antonio, is here to talk about it from an "inside" perspective.Then, a fun fact that might leave you craving delivery. What is the best takeout food?

Feb 16, 202429 min

Ep 331Has Polling Changed For Good?

Our latest poll w/NPR and the PBS NewsHour looks at the numbers on Biden, Trump, Congress, and big 2024 election issues. We're looking deep into the crosstabs!Next, the field of polling has gained some new techniques, lost some old ones, and is paving the way to a new era of polling. Our guest, CNN's Ariel Edwards-Levy, joins us to discuss what has changed in polling, what's working, and what's not.We finish with a fun fact for the moment: Are you Team Super Bowl or Team Valentine's Day?

Feb 9, 202429 min

Ep 330Groundhog Love...and Science

Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather since the 1800s. That's a long track record and our team is looking back at his history to see just how accurate the weatherman groundhog really is...and how he compares with other animal prognosticators!Next, it's been a terrible couple of weeks for journalism with multiple layoffs and closures across big and small outlets. Ad revenue is the main issue, but it doesn't help that Americans' opinions of the profession has fallen. We're looking at polling data that compares the attitudes about the media of all Americans with those of journalists themselves. Marist's Dr. Kevin Lerner joins to help us sort through it all.We finish with this: Which animal is most intelligent? The results of this poll leave dog and cat lovers at odds...as usual!

Feb 2, 202432 min

Ep 329Marist Students Hit New Hampshire!

With Trump's wins in New Hampshire and Iowa, is the GOP nomination sewn up? Nikki Haley doesn't think so but, based on polling in the next primary states -- AND data from the exit polls, it's hard to see any other end game for her than "game over."Then, 34 of our very own Marist students travelled with us to the New Hampshire primary to experience retail politics firsthand. Three of them join us to discuss what they saw, what they learned, and what surprised them most.And, we finish with this: Will bagels, pizza, or hamburgers be around in the next century? This fun fact will hopefully stand the test of time.

Jan 26, 202433 min

Ep 328Et Tu, New Hampshire?

Trump swept the GOP field in Iowa and now it's on to famously contrarian New Hampshire. Some polls suggest Nikki Haley might take a big bite out of the MAGA momentum but what does our brand new survey of New Hampshire voters tell us?Finally, do you believe in ghosts or UFOS? How about Bigfoot? This week's fun fact is all about the unbelievable.

Jan 19, 202423 min

Ep 327New Weight Loss Drug Phenomenon

A new class of weight loss drugs have the potential to dramatically improve the health of hundreds of millions of obese and overweight people. But they're costly, require forever use, and do not have long track records of safety. What do Americans think of these new drugs?Then, pollsters often ask Americans who they're going to vote for. Some also ask about candidates and babysitting or bungee jumping. Really! Are pollster's alternative questions another way to find out support?Finally, we end with a fun fact that'll have you questioning what you're willing to give up for a whole year!

Jan 12, 202422 min

Ep 326What We're Watching in 2024

New year, new attitude? Apparently, not according to our latest poll showing Americans head into 2024 as pessimistic as we've ever seen them. Why so bummed, especially with a historically great economy? We have some thoughts.Then, we ask if that sour mood will impact the 2024 election, which is well under way. What things are we going to be watching this year to better understand what happens in November?Finally, the team breaks down their rather interesting New Years resolutions and look at an almost 100-year-old trend. Spoiler alert: It involves green grapes.

Jan 5, 202425 min

Ep 325Poll Hub Wrapped - The Best of 2023

We had Poll an amazing 2023 filled with incredible guests, interesting (to us!) topics, and some crazy fun facts. What many people may not realize is also how our student producers transformed Poll Hub in this, our sixth, season.To celebrate, the team is reminiscing on our most memorable moments and listening back to clips.And, we end with one last fun fact for 2023. Would you rather head into an adventure with James Bond or Sherlock Holmes? What about Harry Potter or Lara Croft?

Dec 21, 202341 min

Ep 324Can Gender Roles in the Workplace Really Change?

Our new poll with NPR and the PBS NewsHour goes deep into a bunch of issues, that in any normal presidential election year, would be getting a lot of attention: abortion, EVs, entitlement programs, funding wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, immigration, and more. But this isn't a normal election year...Next, we're discussing new research on women in the workforce with Dr. Kristin Bayer, Chair of the History Department and the Director of the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program here at Marist.And, just in time for Christmas, we have an extra fun fact. Is Santa a classical fan, an easy music listener, or a punk rocker?

Dec 15, 202325 min

Ep 323Standardized Testing in Higher Education... Is it Necessary?

Is marijuana public opinion changing? New York state has announced the opening of new dispensaries after several lawsuits, but does this show progress in approval nationwide?Are standardized tests like the SATs becoming unnecessary in higher education? We have expert Cathy Engstrom on to discuss what the future holds for test requirements.Finally, we end with a holiday fun fact for our Christmas lovers. What is your favorite part of the season?

Dec 8, 202323 min

Ep 322Is Every Day Casual Friday?

Has the pandemic changed office attire for good? Data shows that dressing for the workplace has gotten much more casual, but not for everyone. There are gender and generational gaps. But, the business suit is, for all intents and purposes, mainly gone.Then, do Americans value friendship? For several decades, some research has shown we've been steadily losing our social connections, but a new Pew Poll suggests something different. Most of us have a LOT of "close" friends.And, we finish with a very odd question about the movies. It pits Disney against 007. Lee has a great explanation for the seemingly strange results.

Dec 1, 202322 min

Ep 321New York Quality of Life

Has the quality of life in New York gone down? Our latest New York State poll asks the question. How are the leaders of New York holding up? Are Hochul, Santos, Adams, and other politicians holding up to New Yorker's standards?This week's episode ends on a special 'tis-the-season fun fact that will have you debating turkey or stuffing.

Nov 22, 202315 min

Ep 320Revisiting the Tipping Point

What's behind the interesting numbers we found on a growing isolationism in light of wars in Israel and Ukraine? We explore that, what Americans think of using government shutdowns as political weapons, and a growing belief that politicians -- not the system -- that's the problem with our politics.Next we head back to a segment from a February episode about what, at the time, seemed like a new reality of out-of-control tipping. New data has been released and we're revisiting the topic of tipping.And we finish with a fun fact that explores reincarnation! What animal would you want to be?

Nov 17, 202321 min

Ep 319Our AI Future

AI now has the ability to write convincing spam emails, mimic human voices, create false images and even videos. Have we entered a scary science fiction movie come to life?Next, autonomous vehicles -- think driverless taxis -- are becoming more common in some cities, but do Americans really trust them? Timothy B. Lee from the Understanding AI newsletter joins us to discuss the implications of AI in vehicles.And, we finish with the week's fun fact jumping back in time to see what people of the 60s thought about changes in technology. Were they scared or excited for the future we're now living in?

Nov 10, 202324 min

Ep 318Will This Time Be Different?

On October 25th, the deadliest shooting in Maine occurred in Lewiston. Since the attack, Maine politicians have been put in the hot seat over their opposition to gun control measures including an assault weapon ban. And one of them did shift his position. Is it the beginning of a change, or just an aberration in our never-changing, stalled debate on America's mass shooting epidemic?Can a difference in a degree really shorten your life? New research looks at the difference between the life expectancies of those with college degrees and those without. The gap is shocking... and growing. One of the study's authors, Sir Angus Deaton, joins to break down what this says about our society and what it could mean for the future. See more on the research here.We end with cryptids. What? Spooky animals unbeknownst to science, but very big in popular culture. Which is the best? This creepy fun fact crowns a cryptid.

Nov 3, 202330 min

Ep 317The Great Phantom Crime Wave

More Americans than every fear crime is going up. But it's not. In fact, it's historically very low and, in most categories, fell quite a bit in 2022. Why the disconnect? We're digging into the data to see if Americans are equating crime with feelings of safety.Then, in today’s job market, getting that first post-grad gig can be easier said than done. Many believe internships are a big plus and, while some data backs up that notion, does it therefore follow that colleges should require them? The Director of Marist College's Center for Civic Engagement and Learning, Dr. Melissa Gaeke, explains why this might not benefit all students.And, we finish with our fun fact that asks a sort of weird question: what is your least favorite holiday? The answers may spook you!

Oct 27, 202325 min

Ep 316Spoiler Alert! RFK Jr. Could Upend 2024

Third party candidates have a mixed history of swaying elections towards one candidate over another. Ross Perot and Jill Stein are fairly recent examples of candidates who may have swung elections but is RFK Jr. in their league? Our new polling with NPR and the PBS NewsHour suggests he might be, but not necessarily in the way you might think.Then, luck of the lotto has a strong appeal for many Americans, especially with the proliferation of billion-dollar jackpots. How have we gone from no state lotteries in 1973 to massive multi-state games 50 years later? And, what's the difference between what Americans say they would do if they won, and what happens to many actual winners?This week's fun fact debates an American staple... peanut butter!

Oct 19, 202324 min

Ep 315The (New) Middle East War

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in what is being termed "Israel's 9/11." The terrorist attacks on civilians, including barbaric killings of children and a massacre at a music festival, have shocked the world. In the past, Americans have not had strong opinions on the conflict in the Middle East. But the most recent polling, from just before the attacks, showed Democrats have growing support for Palestine and Republicans are still hard set on supporting Israel. Will that change now?Then, Republicans may have a hard time agreeing on a new Speaker of the House, but their constituents don't seem to love what they've done by kicking out Kevin McCarthy. Actually, most Americans don't support the move, but do they actually care?

Oct 13, 202320 min

Ep 314A Very Meta Podcast About...Podcasts

Our new poll with NPR and the PBS NewsHour is out and the data covers how Americans feel about the Republican candidates, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and the legal battles of both. The results show Americans making an interesting comparison.Then, a silly question considering you're reading this: Are you a fan of podcasts? More and more Americans are but, with their success, comes a common modern media problem: misinformation. Melissa Kiesche from Edison Research helps us answer if we can trust podcasts like the one you're listening to now!And, we finish with the fun fact that is perfectly suited for the season.

Oct 6, 202324 min

Ep 313Strikes, Unions, and America's Relationship with Substances

First, writers and actors walked out in Hollywood and now auto workers are picketing car factories. The companies involved have noted how much these strikes cost Americans in terms of missing entertainment and potentially higher car prices, but a majority of Americans appear to be on the side of the strikers. Maybe more so now than at any time in past half-century.Then, new research shows there are big generational divides over the perception of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Not surprising, perhaps, but some of the details are.And we end with a fun fact from the same universe: At what age did high schoolers have their first alcoholic drink back 1957? We get into a side discussion on what "have" means!

Sep 29, 202324 min

Ep 312Americans Avoiding Marriage

Federal government shutdowns are new, but they've become increasingly common as our politics has become ever-more polarized. But shutdowns during Clinton, Obama, and Trump all reflected much more poorly on one party. If House Speaker Kevin McCarthy shuts things down, will he help seal his party's fate in 2024?Then, Americans are heading to the altar much less often than we did just a few decades ago. What's up? We're digging into a heap of data to understand why the bloom is off the (marriage) roses.This week's fun fact has us wondering, would you go see the movie of your life?

Sep 22, 202321 min

Ep 311Future of Affirmative Action and Parenting for the Digital Age

Affirmative action has been overturned, so... what now? Barbara Mistick (@barbaramistick), president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, joins the team to discuss what this could mean for the future of colleges, diversity levels, and the job applicant pool.Is parenting harder now than it was 20 years ago? New data says parents think it is. Dr. Kathleen Vigil, professor of education at Marist College, joins us to explain that, while parenting has never been easy, adding rapidly evolving technology into the mix seems to have created a perfect storm. And, special thanks to Katie Ferrara for her song "Apple Picking"...we love it!

Sep 15, 202321 min

Ep 310Old Politicians and Bad Questions

Age. A tricky topic, especially in politics. A lot is being made of Joe Biden's age, but also that of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Donald Trump. Polls show Americans want younger leaders but...they keep electing old ones. Maybe it's not just about age...Then, a new paper by some polling industry researchers has us asking their question: Are we asking the wrong questions in our polls? When nearly everything is viewed through a partisan (or tribal!) lens, how can we get respondents to tell us the truth? Maybe they actually already are.And, we finish with a question that seems very dated. It's about a million dollar lottery. A million bucks? Isn't that what a scratch off is nowadays?

Sep 8, 202323 min

Ep 309Student Loan Forgiveness and Sex Work (Not related!)

Joe Biden ran on a platform of dealing with the huge burden of student debt that impacts tens of millions of Americans -- many in their 30s and 40s. But now that the courts have killed his cancellation plan, will the administration's latest plan for trying to limit the damage so much debt is doing to families and the economy as a whole, actually work? And where do Americans land on these questions?Then, a subject that's little discussed but is as old as time. Sex work. Technology has dramatically changed some things about sex work -- but not others. Dr. Samantha Majic from the John Jay Scholl of Criminal Justice and Dr. Melissa Hope Ditmore join us to discuss what's happening.Finally, we are ending off on a meatless note. Our fun fact looks at vegans and vegetarians, are they going out of style?

Sep 1, 202326 min