Podcast

Dec 14, 2021
Ep 179: We Serve You Billie Jean King!
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’s time, we’ll get to another iconic woman in history: It’s Mailbag! Captain Crinkle Edition GUEST Billie Jean King https://www.billiejeanking.com/  HOUSE BAND Rajnar Vajra http://rajnarvajra.com/  Learn ... Read More
Dec 7, 2021
Ep 178: Lit Crit – Hit It or Quit It?
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’s to say? What makes a book great, and what makes it “a classic,” and – most importantly – how can we sound smart at parties ... Read More
Nov 30, 2021
Ep 177: It’s Our 177th Episode!!
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 to fill us in on those ubiquitous, clever creatures. Then – sure we’ve done 177 episodes together, and that’s a special thing, but ... Read More
Nov 23, 2021
Ep 176: Stacks and Stones
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 opinion that matters is that of our guest – Librarian Emily Aaronson joins us for “Career Corner!” Plus, you’ve got some constructive criticism, and we’re ... Read More
Nov 16, 2021
Ep 175: Fiona Hill Told You So
Remember the impeachment? No, the first one. The one where the former president told Ukraine, “Nice country. Shame if anything should happen to it…” Yes, that one. Fiona Hill remembers, and she’s here to tell us about her White House memories. Also… what? Do you need more? Push “Play!” GUEST ... Read More
Nov 9, 2021
Ep 174: Our Ethics Investigation
Yes, your favorite podcast is caught up in an ethics investigation… in that we are investigating ethics! UCLA Philosophy Professor Pamela Hieronymi is here to discuss where our ideas of Right and Wrong come from, and what to do with those ideas once we have ‘em. Also – at long ... Read More
Nov 2, 2021
Ep 173: How Doesn’t Your Garden Grow?
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 here to help us weed out all our bad gardening ideas. And get out your magnifying glass – it’s time for another ... Read More
Oct 26, 2021
Ep 172: I Screen, You Screen, We All Screen…
Paula’s been sounding the alarm about screen addiction for years, but nobody listened, because, well, nobody listens to Paula Poundstone. Also we were too busy staring at our phones. But we’ve got Dr. Hillarie Cash from the reSTART Center on hand to help us navigate this now-undeniable problem. Also, after ... Read More
Oct 19, 2021
Ep 171: The One with Jon Lovett
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 what do we talk about? Podcasting! But also other stuff, like government and politics and the possibility of an inter-show basketball league. But remember, OUR ... Read More
Oct 12, 2021
Ep 170: John Cleese is On This Show!
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, fer godsakes! John. Cleese. Go! GUEST Corey Feldman (just kidding it’s JOHN CLEESE!) uniquelives.com/john-cleese-america HOUSE BAND Lindsey Goodman (who can be heard ... Read More
Oct 5, 2021
Ep 169: Difficult People (not us!)
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 returns to the show to help us deal with people now that we have to. Also, what have other people said about stuff? Find out ... Read More
Sep 28, 2021
Ep 168: Filling Our Tank
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 miniatures of divers, or is that just fish tanks? Brett Theodos from the Urban Institute is here ... Read More
Sep 21, 2021
Ep 167: A Money Thing Happened on the Way to the Podcast
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 Schlesinger is here to answer all our economic questions, both macro and, well, SUPER micro. And, if that’s not enough learnin’ for ya, it’s also time for ... Read More
Sep 14, 2021
Ep 166: Feelin’ Groomy
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 groomer? Pro groomer Leila Parks joins our “Career Corner” to instruct us on her trade; the good, the bad, ... Read More
Sep 7, 2021
Ep 165: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Poundstone
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 teaches a Harry Potter course at Emory University, and she’s here to tell us all about it. And then we let you tell us all ... Read More
Aug 31, 2021
Ep 164: Secrets of the Master Debaters
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 convincing people that we’re right. Well, except for Neal Katyal, former acting Solicitor General, who’s here to instruct us on the lost art of ... Read More
Aug 24, 2021
Ep 163: I Must Tell The Birds…
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 friend Dr. Emily Spicer Rice is here to set us straight! Plus, it’s time to choose a new book for our Book Club! And ... Read More
Aug 17, 2021
Ep 162: Suddenly, Last Summer
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 chooses its new host, we wanted to remind you of The Man himself, with our May, 2020 conversation with the great Alex Trebek… which was ... Read More
Aug 10, 2021
Ep 161: Lonely? You’re Not Alone!
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 a crowd or happily alone, Dr. Jeremy Nobel, founder of the Unlonely Project, has some insights. Also, we’re a lot less lonely, because Toni ... Read More
Aug 3, 2021
Ep 160: In the Land of Dicks, See?
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 monuments. And if that’s not enough of rummaging through our sordid pasts, then buckle down… for True Confessions: Childhood Edition! GUEST Ty Seidule Author, ROBERT E. ... Read More