Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

Ep 198 - 100 Meters with Coach Carl Lewis

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paula, Adam, and the gang have run their 100 meter dashes. Who won? And how can we all improve? The legendary Carl Lewis is here to cool us down… an...

Ep 197 - Crypto 2: The Return of Jill Schlesinger!

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Remember when we booked our friend Jill Schlesinger to explain cryptocurrency, but she canceled, so we had Bonnie and Toni do it instead? Well, all du...

Ep 196 - Unpacking the Court

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What’s so supreme about the Supreme Court? What was it supposed to be, what has it become, and where can we get those chic robes? Author, expert, an...

Ep 195 - Every Buggy Wants to Rule the World

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you do the numbers, it’s the insects’ world and we’re just living in it. So we’d might as well get to know ‘em. Fortunately we’ve got...

Ep 194 - The Plastic (Oh No!) Land

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our world is swimming in plastic - and so are our fish. That stuff covers our land, too. How bad is it? And is there any good news? Answers: It’s ba...

Ep 193 - Everything Compares 2 U

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How are we doing? How do we measure up to the competition? Or is the better question - should we measure up to the competition? Psychologist Dr. Art...

Ep 192 - The Electoral College Dropout

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is the Electoral College, how does it work, and how can we make it stop working like that? Professor Kermit Roosevelt is here to help us unrave...

Ep 191 - Oy, the Vault!

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Remember banks? Those places where you used to store your cash and fantasize about robbing? Well, they still exist, even though they’re no longer es...

Ep 190 - The Oyster is Your World

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to love someone or something that you know almost nothing about? It’s VERY possible if we’re talking about oysters. But today we’...

Ep 189 - The Climes They Are a-Changin’

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ep 189 - The Climes They Are a-Changin’ What’s driving climate change, and is the answer literally “Driving?” Paula and Adam welcome climate ...

Ep 188 - Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger go Outside the Actors Studio

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What? You read the title. Shouldn’t that be enough? Meredith and Patton, who now have a podcast of their own (“Did You Get My Text”) are here, a...

Ep 187 - Decrypting Crypto

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you as confused about cryptocurrency as we are? Well, we’ve booked returning champion Jill Schlesinger to explain it all for us! At least, that’...

Ep 186 - Project Funway

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You what’s totally in right now? Well, we don’t. We don’t have a clue. Fortunately, we DO have fashion designer Hogan McLaughlin on hand to scho...

Ep 185 - Paula’s Podcast of Horror!

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. But fear itself can be pretty damned scary! What is fear? What’s it good for (besides Stephen K...

Ep 184 - This Is The Story Of The Hurricane

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You know what really blows? Hurricanes! And we’ve got the Hurricane Man himself, Josh Morgerman, to tell us all about the most destructive of all st...

Ep 183 - Henry Winkler Goes Outside the Actor’s Studio

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

He might play an acting teacher on “Barry,” but tonight Henry Winkler actually gets to teach the craft to Paula. Yes, you read that right - we’...

Ep 182 - The Money of Colors

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The thing about priceless art is that there is always a price. But who decides what that price is? And how do the deciders decide what they decide? Fo...

Ep 181 - Between The Rock and “Love Hard” Place

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our holiday movie festival continues with a review of another Netflix Original, “Red Notice.” Are The Rock and Ryan Reynolds worth all that money?...

Ep 180 - The Fall of the RomCom Empire

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On a Very Special Holiday Episode, Paula and Adam review a brand new movie so you can decide whether to brighten your holiday with it or not. The movi...

Ep 179 - We Serve You Billie Jean King!

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, you read it right. Billie Jean King - tennis legend, women’s sports pioneer, activist and social icon… she’s on the show! Also, if there’...

Ep 178 - Lit Crit - Hit It or Quit It?

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our beloved Book Club has already featured one Great Novel that was kind of a snooze, and one International Bestseller that completely sucked. But who...

Ep 177 - It’s Our 177th Episode!!

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wow! Episode 177 - what a milestone! We kick off the celebration with some big birds - crows, to be precise. Ornithologist Dr. Brian O’Shea drops by...

Ep 176 - Stacks and Stones

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If this “comedy” thing doesn’t work out for her, could Paula make it as a librarian? Adam may think he already has that answer, but the only o...

Ep 175 - Fiona Hill Told You So

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Remember the impeachment? No, the first one. The one where the former president told Ukraine, “Nice country. Shame if anything should happen to it…...

Ep 174 - Our Ethics Investigation

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Yes, your favorite podcast is caught up in an ethics investigation… in that we are investigating ethics! UCLA Philosophy Professor Pamela Hieronymi ...

Ep 173 - How Doesn’t Your Garden Grow?

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to tending our gardens, Paula and Adam have two left thumbs. Each. So, a total of four non-green thumbs. But MSU’s Dr. Nate Walton is ...

Ep 172 - I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen…

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paula’s been sounding the alarm about screen addiction for years, but nobody listened, because, well, nobody listens to Paula Poundstone. Also we we...

Ep 171: The One with Jon Lovett

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Lovett, from the wonderful “Pod Save America” and “Lovett or Leave It” podcasts takes a break from podcasting to be on our podcast! And wh...

Ep 170 - John Cleese is On This Show!

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The legendary John Cleese joins us for In— Wait, why are you even reading this? John Cleese is on this show! Go listen to it! It’s John Cleese, fe...

Ep 169 - Difficult People (not us!)

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re going back into the world after a long pandemic. And it’s great. Except… how do we deal with… you know… people? Dr. Jonathan Bowman re...

Ep 168 - Filling Our Tank

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all think, but only some of us are paid to do so in a tank. What IS a think tank? Are their good tanks and bad tanks? Do they come with cute miniat...

Ep 167 - A Money Thing Happened on the Way to the Podcast

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should Paula try to pick up that hard-to-get-at dime? Okay, and should she audit the Fed? Emmy and Gracie Award-winning Business Analyst Jill Schlesin...

Ep 166 - Feelin’ Groomy

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paula loves her pets, of course, and you can’t put a price tag on love — or can you!? Can she turn her pet fancy into a fancy career as a dog gro...

Ep 165 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Poundstone

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As much as Paula and Adam might like to, they can’t actually go to school at Hogwarts. But they can go to school about Hogwarts - Dr. Adriane Ivey...

Ep 164 - Secrets of the Master Debaters

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone knows we’re “more divided than ever,” and everyone’s arguing these days, but nobody seems to be GOOD at it. We all seem to suck at co...

Ep 163 - I Must Tell The Birds…

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pigeons! Are they dirty, filthy, disgusting rats with wings? Or are they our clever, feathery friends whom we created to be our urban pals? Our dear f...

Ep 162: Suddenly, Last Summer

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paula and Adam are heading out on vacation, but they wanted to leave you all with Something Old and Something New. First, as “Jeopardy” finally ch...

Ep 161 - Lonely? You’re Not Alone!

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of us are lonely these days. Hm. We wonder why. Is there some kind of profoundly isolating world event going on? But whether you’re lonely in ...

Ep 160 - In the Land of Dicks, See?

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We reckon it’s a time for reckoning, and General (and Professor) Ty Seidule is here to help us reckon with America’s most dubious Confederate monu...

Ep. 159: CTRL + F9

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should you drive off your quarantine cliff and go to the movie theatre to see “F9”? Paula and Adam review not "Fate of the Furious", "Furious 7", ...

Ep 158 - Royal Pains

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s time to say “Yaaas Queen… um… Elizabeth. Your Majesty.” Because we’re talking about the Royals with someone who should know, one of t...

Ep 157 - The Witching Hour

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s witchcraft? And which witchcraft? Wiccan witchcraft? Why? Well, because we have Dr. Tanya Luhrman from Stanford University here to tell us wh...

Ep 156 - Don't Touch That Trial!

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paula finally finds good use for her “Perry Mason” addiction when she discusses law, both real and - well - Perry Mason-y with former US Attorney ...

Ep 155 - Pew Will Buy?

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re featuring the results of some VERY big surveys. First, we’ve got Claudia Deane, VP of research at the Pew Research Center, here to tell us a...

Ep 154 - Suffragette Succotash

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now that the US Mint is suddenly interested in putting “significant women” on coins, how much do we know about the first significant woman to be c...

Ep 153 - Outside the Actor’s Studio with Jane Lynch

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who can put Paula through the rigorous acting coaching she needs? How about if the amazing Jane Lynch dons her trademark tracksuit and puts Paula thro...

Ep 152 - Mime is Money

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Could Paula make it in the high-stakes world of professional pantomime? Peter Daniel Straus, AKA Pierre the Mime, walks through the wind to get to our...

Ep 151 - The Meaning of Meaning

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do words mean and how do their meanings change over time and why is “might” one of the most complicated and interesting words out there? USC’...

Ep 150 - Coming Soon to Your Aria

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve had a singing lesson, a harmony lesson, and Paula can play one song on the glockenspiel. Clearly she’s ready for the logical next step: Gran...

Ep 149 - OCD and U

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is OCD? More importantly, why is OCD? And what can you do to stop doing that thing you can’t stop doing? Michelle Massi, the director of Anxi...

Ep 148: Gone Vishin’

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can you spot a scam? If so, you should enter our scam-spotting contest and a chance to win one million dollars! Just send us your email address, Socia...

Ep 147 - Look Out Below (Decks)!

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Of al the jobs in the world, could Paula cut it as... a bosun? Yes, Eddie Lucas, the bosun from Toni Anita Hull’s favorite show, Below Deck, is he...

Ep 146 - You Can’t Handle The Tooth!

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, Paula’s job relies on using her mouth, but how would she do working on somebody else’s ....as a dental hygienist? Temple University’s Dr. ...

Ep 145 - Pushing Up (More) Daisies

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, we’re all going to die, but does that mean we can’t still be useful? Like, afterwards? We tackle the sensitive issue of human composting w...

Ep 144 - You Don’t Snooze, You Lose

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How important is sleep? Why does Paula love it so much, and why can’t Adam get any? Dr. Christina McCrae from the University of Missouri’s Sleep R...

Ep 143 - A Hot Pile of Garbage!

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly is composting? Okay, how ‘bout vermicomposting - what’s that, and what kind of wine should you pair it with? North Carolina State Uni...

Ep 142 - Great Expectorations

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the deal with Paula’s chronic cough, and can it be cured? More importantly, can it be be cured without giving up Double Stuf Oreos? Well, d...

Ep 141 - Is You Being Served?

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now that restaurants have returned... can Paula find gainful employment as a hostess in a high-end establishment? Former NYC top-drawer hostess Tracy ...

Ep 140 - It’s Migraine And I’ll Cry If I Want To

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Headaches can be a real headache. But what causes them, and why? Dr. Stephanie Nahas is on hand to help us get our heads examined. Also, the Book Club...

Ep 139 - Cult Classics

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s a cult? How do you know if you’re in one? Is your Leader’s devotion to Butterfingers a warning sign? Therapist Rachel Bernstein is on han...

Ep 138 - Nobody Listens to Polar Poundstone

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Does Paula have what it takes to be a polar explorer? Actual polar explorer Ann Bancroft drops by to tell us what it’s like up there, and give us th...

Ep 137 - Dying is Easy; Taxes are Hard

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If death and taxes are the two certainties, why are taxes so much more complicated to do? USC Professor Nicolas Duquette returns to walk us the the in...

Ep 136 - Outside the Actors Studio with Betsy Brandt

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Paula’s extreme “Breaking Bad” jones is satisfied by an appearance from none other than Marie Schrader - actress Betsy Brandt comes by to serve ...

Ep 135 - Species in Pieces

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is biodiversity, why is it important, and does it have a beat you can dance to? Dr. Lauren Oakes comes by to tell us why diversity isn’t just f...

Ep 134 - Paula Masters Space and Time

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How can Paula make the best use of her time? How can Adam de-clutter his space? Efficiency expert Gwynnae Byrd helps us unravel the secrets of managin...

Ep 133 - Judy Woodruff and the 100th Caller

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you report information in the disinformation age? Judy Woodruff tells us the truth about lies. Plus - Book Club! The first rule of Book Club is...

Former President Trump's Press Conference.

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are live in front of the Gator Christian Church off the I-95 in Florida for Former President Trump's first press conference since leaving of...

Ep 132 — Drop Science, Not Bombs

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wait - so flies are deadly to soldiers, but maggots are good for them? And why is it so hard to find a donor for a genital transplant these days? Mary...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference January 15, 2021

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 131 - Going Viral

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know that contact tracing is vital these days, but how does it work? Who’s doing it? Well, Dr. Marta Induni, for one! She’s the Principal Inves...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference January 8, 2021

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for French Trump's first broadcast of 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 130 - Hire Power

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a world where people can’t congregate, what’s a live performer supposed to do for a living? Tim Lo, founder of Your Next Jump, helps Paula and ...

Ep 129 - Wring Out the Old

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody is DONE with 2020, so Paula and the crew are here with stories of memorable New Year's Eve, from the before time, when we could remember stu...

Paula and Adam are back LIVE on Stereo!

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Paula and Adam are live on the Stereo app, taking listener questions and comments! Go to Stereo.com to download the app and follow Paula and Adam to j...

Ep. 128 - Santa’s (Terrifying) Little Helpers

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Christmas, and you’re wondering whether to watch “Wonder Woman 1984.” Paula and Adam are here to help out by reviewing “Gremlins.” Pl...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference December 18, 2020

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 127 - Cranberries and Toni (and) Romo

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Paula talks with cranberry farmer Leo Cakounes to find out why the business is bogged down. And with our beloved Toni Anita Hull on the injured list, ...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference December 11, 2020

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 126 - The Aunts Go Marching

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spider expert Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice was so nice we wanted to have her twice. She’s back to talk about her other insect obsession: Ants! Paula indu...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference December 4, 2020

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 125 - Hosting the Host

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome Dulcé Sloan, Daily Show correspondent, host of “That Blackass Show,” to our whiteass show. Also, we explore the mystery of Reese’s P...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference November 26, 2020

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, French Trump wishes the country a very happy #THANKSFRENCHTRUMP holiday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 124 - Sociable Distancing

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The NLPP crew celebrates a potluck Thanksgiving, with some unforeseen problems. Our listeners share their best stories from the holiday. And we presen...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference November 20, 2020

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference live from the historic Watergate Yard Irrigation Solutions building. Learn more ...

Ep 123 - People, People Who Move People...

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When Paula Wants to visit Adam, what’s her best option? The subway? The bus? The Los Angeles Monorail which doesn’t exist but maybe SHOULD? Public...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference November 13, 2020

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference live from the historic Watergate Yard Irrigation Solutions building. Learn more ...

Ep 122 - Toy Story Story

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When most people think of Pixar, they probably think about the small but crucial role that Paula Poundstone had in “Inside Out.” But it turns out ...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference November 6, 2020

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 121 - All the Presidents’ Menus

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What did people used to eat, and why did they eat it, and how did humanity make it all the way to the 20th century without Doritos? Max Miller, host o...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference October 30, 2020

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 120 - The Amazing Races

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s race, and what’s ethnicity? And are they different? And do they matter? Teacher Aviva Alvarez-Zakson is on hand to sort it. And us. Plus ou...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference October , 2020

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 119 - Your Favorite Godcast

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Phillip Picardi, host of the “Unholier Than Thou” podcast from Crooked Media, drops by to talk God, religion, the difference between ‘em, the im...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference October 16, 2020

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 118: The Nitty Grit-ty

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What is “true grit?” What’s false grit? What’s grit, and how do you help your kids get some (without Photoshopping them onto a horse)? Author ...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference October 9, 2020

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 117: O Say Can You Chi?

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Is your luck running out? I mean, literally running out your door? Feng Shui expert and architect Anjie Cho comes by to instruct Paula and Adam how ...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference October 2, 2020

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 116: The Right Brain At The Wrong Time

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

That whole “right brain/left brain” thing — is that a thing? Neuroscientist Dr. Christof Koch is on hand to answer that and help us unravel othe...

French Trump Weekly Press Conference September 25, 2020

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for this live broadcast of French Trump's weekly press conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices