Podcast

Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone is a comedy field guide to life, or at least a set of IKEA assembly instructions. Where else can you find advice on topics from "How To Keep a Friend" to "How To Translate Your Verizon Bill?" Or even "What do I do if I encounter a Bear" and "Should I Get a Penis Piercing?"

Paula and her co-host Adam Felber bring on leading expert guests and use their unique comedic sensibility to help us navigate life in the 21st century. Along the way, Paula attempts to explains existence through her kaleidoscopic perspective, and Adam tries to interject some rationality.

Paula Poundstone is a nationally known comedian, legendary for her smart spontaneous humor. She and Adam are regular panelists on NPR's #1 show, Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

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Jul 20, 2021
Ep 158: Royal Pains
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 the reigning queens of journalism, Patt Morrison! And after we’ve dissected all the hidden messages in royal behavior, demeanor and attire, we share our own sartorial adventures ... Read More
Jul 13, 2021
Ep 157: The Witching Hour
What’s witchcraft? And which witchcraft? Wiccan witchcraft? Why? Well, because we have Dr. Tanya Luhrman from Stanford University here to tell us what’s what in witchery. Plus, buckle up, Nobodies, it’s time for Mailbag! Captain Crinkle Edition. You have stuff to say about Bonnie Burns! She’s listening. Kind of. Guest ... Read More
Jul 6, 2021
Ep 156: Don’t Touch That Trial!
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 and host of the #SistersInLaw podcast, Barbara McQuade! Also, an update on Toni’s whereabouts, and get ready to hear who said what when… it’s ... Read More
Jul 6, 2021
Don’t Touch That Trial!
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 and host of the #SistersInLaw podcast, Barbara McQuade! Also, an update on Toni’s whereabouts, and get ready to hear who said what when… it’s ... Read More
Jun 29, 2021
Ep 155: Pew Will Buy?
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 all about how the gold standard in public polling organizations gets its results. But just as impressively, OUR survey of listeners who played Oliver ... Read More
Jun 22, 2021
Ep 154: Suffragette Succotash
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 coined? Deborah L. Hughes from the National Susan B. Anthony House and Museum drops by to tell us about the iconic freedom fighter whose ... Read More
Jun 15, 2021
Ep 153: Outside the Actor’s Studio with Jane Lynch
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 through her paces? That’ll work for you, right? Plus – you sent us more show descriptions. We love ‘em! Thanks! GUEST Jane Lynch HOUSE BAND ... Read More
Jun 8, 2021
Ep 152: Mime is Money
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 Career Corner. Also, our Book Club finally finishes “Moby Dick!” And we add to last week’s foodsplorations with YOUR worst misdeeds – it’s “True ... Read More
Jun 1, 2021
Ep 151: The Meaning of Meaning
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’s Deniz Rudin leads us through the best stoned dorm-room conversation ever, just without drugs and pizza and WITH a genuine linguistics professor! Plus… ... Read More
May 25, 2021
Ep 150: Coming Soon to Your Aria
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: Grand opera! The LA Opera’s Jeremy Frank returns to transform Paula into a diva. Also, “significant women” are being put on the US quarter. What ... Read More
May 18, 2021
Ep 149: OCD and U
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 Anxiety Therapy LA, is here to explain. Plus, a certain shadowy figure has allegedly been spotted… by at least one of you… on television. Is ... Read More
May 11, 2021
Ep 148: Gone Vishin’
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, Social Security number, and… No, seriously, scams are everywhere now, and cyber security expert Joe Neumann is here to tall us all about ... Read More
May 4, 2021
Ep 147: Look Out Below (Decks)!
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 here to instruct Paula in the ways of… bosuning. Or bosunology. Whatever, Eddie’s here for our Career Corner, and Toni is… flabbergasted. Also – break ... Read More
Apr 27, 2021
Ep 146: You Can’t Handle The Tooth!
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. Susan Chialastri joins us for a perfectly al dente edition of Career Corner. Plus – everyone makes mistakes, and man, do you guys love it when WE do! ... Read More
Apr 20, 2021
Ep 145: Pushing Up (More) Daisies
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 with the CEO of a company that does just that — Katrina Spade of “Recompose.” Plus, we’re somehow soaring up the comedy charts in Thailand! No, really. ... Read More
Apr 13, 2021
Ep 144: You Don’t Snooze, You Lose
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 Research Center comes by to put all our questions… to rest. Also, we’re lunching a brand new contest. Enter to win a Zoom party ... Read More
Apr 6, 2021
Ep 143: A Hot Pile of Garbage!
What exactly is composting? Okay, how ‘bout vermicomposting – what’s that, and what kind of wine should you pair it with? North Carolina State University’s Rhonda Sherman, um, breaks it all down for us! Plus, Toni and Bonnie find themselves censured by our Book Club – we must have order! And get ... Read More
Mar 30, 2021
Ep 142: Great Expectorations
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, due to unforeseen circumstances, we lost our guest Cough Expert for this one, so Dr. Bonnie “Captain Crinkle” Burns* and Dr. Toni Anita Hull* ... Read More
Mar 23, 2021
Ep 141: Is You Being Served?
Now that restaurants have returned… can Paula find gainful employment as a hostess in a high-end establishment? Former NYC top-drawer hostess Tracy Willet breaks it down on our “Career Corner.” Plus another, um, cosmopolitan take on “Moby Dick“ and a guided tour of Ireland with Toni and Cap’n Crinkle! GUEST ... Read More
Mar 16, 2021
Ep 140: It’s Migraine And I’ll Cry If I Want To
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 takes an unexpectedly cosmopolitan turn, and… Mailbag! GUEST Dr. Stephanie Nahas  Associate Professor, Jefferson University Director, Headache Medicine Fellowship Program HOUSE BAND ... Read More