Podcast

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!  Thanks to Paula’s best friend in the whole world, french horn virtuoso, maestro Jim ... Read More
Mar 9, 2021
Ep 139: Cult Classics
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 hand to teach us how it all works and discuss some of the recent trends that seem to be Making Cults Great Again. Plus, we ... Read More
Mar 2, 2021
Ep 138: Nobody Listens to Polar Poundstone
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 the skinny on all the fatty meals Paula will need to eat! Plus – we’re sorry, our bad… it’s time for ... Read More
Feb 23, 2021
Ep 137: Dying is Easy; Taxes are Hard
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 ins, outs, and interesting history of everyone’s least favorite pastime. Plus – Quote Party! The whole group brings favorite quotations to amuse, astound, ... Read More
Feb 16, 2021
Ep 136: Outside the Actors Studio with Betsy Brandt
Paula’s extreme “Breaking Bad” jones is satisfied by an appearance from none other than Marie Schrader – actress Betsy Brandt comes by to serve as our acting coach! Also, our reading of “Moby Dick” might be progressing slowly, but our Book Club has some new officers. GUEST Betsy Brandt Actress ... Read More
Feb 9, 2021
Ep 135: Species in Pieces
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 for humans, and how maintaining it can help us all. Plus, our cast plumbs the depths of both Moby Dick and ... Read More
Feb 2, 2021
Ep 134: Paula Masters Space and Time
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 managing our worlds. Plus – we have new theme songs to play for you, new entries in one of our most popular — and ... Read More
Jan 26, 2021
Ep 133: Judy Woodruff and the 100th Caller
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 “Choose a Book for Book Club,” and we do just that. And believe it or not, we’re finally approaching the end of ... Read More