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Decoder Ring

Slate Podcasts
Coffee Shops
The Rules
Andrew Wyeth
Dating Culture
Slavery
Black History
Celebrity Stylists
Art and Antiques Magazine
Helga Testorf
Climate Change
Feminism
Freedom!
Video Games
Soda
Dr. Pepper
1990s
Homogenization
Consumer Expectations
Social Media
Taste

Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means and why it matters. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Ri... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes185Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Decoder Ring

Latest Episodes

Videomate: Men was a VHS tape released in 1987 featuring 60 single men pitching themselves as dates to women on the other side of the TV screen: “The love of your life could be on your TV tonight!” the box reads. In retrospect, Videomate: Men is a bi... more

YouTube

Americans are currently besotted with protein. It’s touted as being good for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and much else besides. It’s sold to men, women, children, the elderly— you can even buy protein for your pets... more

Hark, the holiday season is upon us—and with it the most solemn of festive traditions: a gift guide! In this video and podcast special, Slate hosts Dana Stevens, Chris Molanphy, and Willa Paskin beam-in from their collective hearths to deliver unto t... more

Autumn may have more cozy signifiers than any other season—though we all have our own favorites. Maybe for you it’s sweater weather, football games, spooky season, apple picking, leaf peeping, or mainlining candy corn. Whatever it is, in today’s epis... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Steve Dworman
Creator and president of Videomate
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Julie Furman
Former matchmaker with experience at Great Expectations
Los Angeles Matchmaking
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Joe Pickett
Creator of the Found Footage Festival
Found Footage Festival
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Nick Pruer
Creator of the Found Footage Festival
Found Footage Festival
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Andrea Silenzi
Host of Longest Shortest Time, covering the dating world
Longest Shortest Time
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Samantha King
Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Queen's University
Episode: How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top
Gavin Weedon
Associate professor at Nottingham Trent University in the sociology of sport, health, and the body.
Nottingham Trent University
Episode: How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top
Don Martin
Writer and podcaster focused on food culture
Episode: Cozy Autumn Mysteries
Grace Dewey
Avid fan of Malamars and Grace's mother
Episode: Cozy Autumn Mysteries

Host

Willa Paskin
Host of the show, known for her engaging storytelling and deep dives into cultural phenomena.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • I have no words

    Just finished listening to your latest podcast and honestly I want to stop my journey to give you a round of applause. So interesting, so well thought through and so well tied together it was like a perfect drama. Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bjm19
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Thoughtful, articulate, unusual

    This show is almost “old fashioned” in how competent and well produced it is. It’s such a welcome centerpiece in my media diet, which i’ve had to whittle down to get rid of numbing politics, sensational true crime, rambling banter and other genres that have their place but are rotting my soul. In times like these, give me Decoder Ring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mari_hendrix
    United States2 months ago
  • So random and fun

    I almost never care about the topic listed and I always finish the episode because it is interesting, insightful, and fun. Especially love Willa!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    krcola
    United States2 months ago
  • Learning

    Many times, when I see a title of a show, I think “do I care?). Then I listen and learn amazing facts. This show is truly the best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SwtViolet
    United States2 months ago
  • My Favorite Podcast

    The host of this show has a fantastic delivery. Every podcast host should listen to her. This is how to voice a show. I wish there were more episodes, you can tell how much effort goes into each one. Great topics, love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MediaMogul99
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and well-produced narratives that engage them in cultural discussions.
Many commend the informative nature of each episode, often learning surprising facts from unexpected topics.
Critiques include a few opinions of superficiality in analysis, although the majority find it deeply engaging.
Some reviews express frustration with numerous ad breaks, indicating a need for balance between content and advertisements.
The host's delivery is frequently praised, with a call for more episodes reflecting the effort put into each one.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Off-the-Wall Stories of Off-Label Use
Q: What unexpected use has Pedialyte adopted among adults?
Pedialyte is now commonly used by adults as a hangover remedy, despite being originally designed for children.
Off-the-Wall Stories of Off-Label Use
Q: How did the Hitachi Magic Wand gain its popularity as a sex toy?
Influential sexual health advocates like Betty Dodson helped to popularize it beyond its intended use as a massager.
The Scratch-Off Ticket’s Instant Win
Q: How did the Scratch Off ticket hit the jackpot?
The Scratch Off ticket became successful by proving to be an innovative and secure form of gambling, appealing to the needs of the public and state lotteries.
Mailbag: Fruit Snacks, Waterbeds, and Lobster Tanks
Q: Why are lobsters the only things sold alive in grocery stores?
Jan Whitaker explains how historical perceptions of food safety and the uniqueness of lobsters led to the practice of keeping them in tanks, despite modern advancements in food preservation.
Mailbag: Fruit Snacks, Waterbeds, and Lobster Tanks
Q: What happened to waterbeds and how did they get so popular in the first place?
Charlie Hall discusses the inception and popularity of waterbeds during the 1960s sexual revolution as an evolution of comfort that eventually fell out of favor due to advances in mattress technology.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Decoder Ring

What is Decoder Ring about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring cultural phenomena, this podcast takes listeners on journeys through various curiosities, habits, and objects, dissecting their histories to uncover their significance and implications in modern society. Each episode features engaging storytelling that blends personal anecdotes, expert insights, and a thoughtful analysis of what these cultural mysteries reveal about humanity. From the intricacies of dating practices and culinary myths to broader societal narratives, the content is both entertaining and illuminating, often revealing surprising connections across different domains of life.

The unique format encourages deep reflection on seemingly mundane aspects of culture, potentially appealing to those interested in understanding... more

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How many listeners does Decoder Ring get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Decoder Ring has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Decoder Ring?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoder Ring:

1. Endless Thread
2. Articles of Interest
3. 99% Invisible
4. Search Engine
5. You're Wrong About

How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?

Decoder Ring launched 8 years ago and published 185 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Decoder Ring?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Decoder Ring?

Recent guests on Decoder Ring include:

1. Steve Dworman
2. Julie Furman
3. Joe Pickett
4. Nick Pruer
5. Andrea Silenzi
6. Samantha King
7. Gavin Weedon
8. Don Martin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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