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Decoder Ring

Slate Podcasts
Coffee Shops
The Rules
Andrew Wyeth
Dating Culture
Slavery
Environmentalism
Black History
Celebrity Stylists
Art and Antiques Magazine
Helga Testorf
Feminism
Video Games
Freedom!
Dr. Pepper
Soda
1990s
Digital Platforms
Algorithms
Homogenization
Cafe Culture

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 Rin... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes234Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHistoryDocumentary

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Artwork for Decoder Ring

Latest Episodes

It’s a weird time for culture. There is more of it than ever before, it’s more accessible than ever before, but so little of it feels original. New movies are based on old stories, new songs are recycling old hooks, and fashion trends are cycling so ... more

We are really lucky to get lots of listener suggestions for the show, more good questions than we can possibly answer in a mailbag episode once or twice a year. So we’re starting a new segment we call… Decoder Rings Back! Every month, host Willa Pask... more

We can’t make this show without you, our listeners. Today, you can help support Decoder Ring – and get a really good deal. To join Slate Plus for just $59/year, visit slate.com/decoderplus on December 31st and type in the promo code DECODER50 at chec... more

Decoder Ring listeners write in with some excellent mysteries, and for our last episode of the year we’re solving three of them. Why do children play in boxes full of sand? Why do rock bands pretend like the show is over when everybody knows they’re ... more

Key Facts

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

Dustin Malek
A listener who works for Bank of America and poses a question about the Mona Lisa's fame
Episode: Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa?
Dazzling Dave Schulte
A national yo-yo master and inductee into the Yo-Yo Hall of Fame
Self-employed
Episode: Mailbag: Yo-Yos, Sandboxes, and Encores
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

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
  • Love the show. Could use a lot less "likes" as filler words. Drives me a little nuts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Brd3Lvr12
    5 days ago
  • Love the deep dives into small things!

    I had a yo-yo demonstration at my small school! I loved animatronic figures at pizza places!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nattyfond
    United States6 days ago
  • Rats

    I love the show normally but what was with the rats in Alberta episode? The ending implied that it’s weird that humans can live in a place that doesn’t have rats. Willa is aware that aboriginal people lived for millennia in the Americas without Eurasian rats, right? And in Alberta, they still do. Along with us settlers.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Bil6.0
    Canadaa month ago
  • Love It!

    Thanks for your hard work. I read some reviews that said there were too many ads but I don’t mind at all. Ads are how the podcast generates the revenue to support itself. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    animusmax
    United States2 months ago
  • Excelent!!!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Pedro K
    3 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.

Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa?
Q: How did the Mona Lisa become the most recognizable painting by far in the world?
The fame of the Mona Lisa is tied to its historical journey, including its theft in 1911, which turned it into a sensational news story, and its consistent presence in the Louvre, one of the world's premier art institutions.
Mailbag: Yo-Yos, Sandboxes, and Encores
Q: How did the encore evolve from when it first was started as a norm a long time ago to now where it feels like just a charade?
The encore has its roots in opera, where audiences would demand repeated performances of favorite arias, transitioning over time into a planned component of rock concerts, creating a commercial dynamic between performers and audiences.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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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Which podcasts are similar to Decoder Ring?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoder Ring:

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

How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?

Decoder Ring launched 8 years ago and published 234 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Decoder Ring?

Recent guests on Decoder Ring include:

1. Dustin Malek
2. Dazzling Dave Schulte
3. Steve Dworman
4. Julie Furman
5. Joe Pickett
6. Nick Pruer
7. Andrea Silenzi
8. Samantha King

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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