Podcast

May 14, 2024
Ep 305: Learning About Learning with David Steiner
Ep 305 – Learning About Learning with David Steiner It’s been 2 decades since President George W Bush had the courage to ask the question, “Is our children learning?” So now, all the years later, we must have the courage to ask the followup: Well, has they? Is our children ... Read More
May 7, 2024
Ep 304: The Wealth Gap with Matthew Desmond
It turns out the wealth gap in this country isn’t just between us and Joe Rogan. It’s everywhere, and we’ve got author Matthew Desmond here to discuss the dynamics between the haves, the have-nots, and the have-a-podcasts. And then, get set for a crafty Mother’s Day – it’s a very ... Read More
Apr 30, 2024
Ep. 303: We Get Unreal with Jonathan Taplin
Author Jonathan Taplin is here to talk about his book, “The End of Reality” and the four billionaires who are trying to bring on that end. And speaking of ends, we’re on the receiving end of your thoughts, and they go straight to our head. It’s “Mailbag! Concussion Edition.” GUEST ... Read More
Apr 23, 2024
Ep 302: Disinformation with Barbara McQuade!
We’ve got former US attorney and author of “Attack from Within,” Barb McQuade here to give us all the info on disinfo! And once you’ve gotten the word, how about 10 more? It’s Password: Part Deux! GUEST Barbara McQuade barbaramcquade.com HOUSE BAND Lisa Ford Hirayama Learn more about your ad ... Read More
Apr 16, 2024
Ep 301: Out Of The Blue (Voter Guide)
Voting should be less complicated, right? Well, now it IS, thanks to our guests Wayne Liebman and Sharon Lord Greenspan of BlueVoterGuide.org! And once you’ve fixed your ballot, fix everything else – it’s a new round of Life Hacks With Captain Crinkle (and YOU)! GUESTS Wayne Liebman & Sharon Lord ... Read More
Apr 9, 2024
Ep 300: Could Paula Be A Sous Chef?
It’s the return of our Career Corner, wherein Paula explores her exciting possible future job with sous chef Mary Cranberry! And then get ready to vent about that commercial you loathe – or at least the ones that WE loathe – it’s our very first Bad Ad Confab! GUEST Mary ... Read More
Apr 2, 2024
Ep 299: Blessed Are The Cheesemakers
We separate the curds from the whey, Miss Muffet-style, with Galen Jones, the proprietor of Crowley Cheese, the oldest cheese factory in the US! And then – stay parked right there on that tuffet as our listeners hit us with a brand new round of Show Descriptions! GUESTS Galen Jones ... Read More
Mar 26, 2024
Ep 298: Land of the (Very) Bad
Ep 298 – Land of the (Very) Bad Should you hit the theaters to see “Land of the Bad?” Not before you hit this special movie review podcast and hear Paula and Adam’s review of the 1967 classic (?) “Valley of the Dolls!” And once you’re hooked on dolls, we’ll ... Read More
Mar 19, 2024
Ep 297: It’s All Fun and Games…
On an (intentionally!) guest-free episode, Paula and Adam lead their mighty teams (comprised of Toni and Bonnie, respectively) in a cutthroat round of “Password.” And then, you pass the words (of wisdom) to us – it’s “Quote Party: Audience Edition!” HOUSE BAND Tim Crump https://m.soundcloud.com/tim-c-832653476 Learn more about your ad ... Read More
Mar 12, 2024
Ep 296: Shark Week! with Dr. Nick Whitney
What’s friendly, cuddly, and surprisingly like us? Just about anything, compared to sharks. And we’ve got an expert here to help us understand everyone’s favorite ancient predator (no, not our former president!). And then it’s time for another deep dive… into our Mailbag! GUESTS Dr. Nick Whitney neaq.org drnickwhitney.com HOUSE ... Read More
Mar 5, 2024
Ep 295: Finding the Votes
We know we can win this coming election— we just need to find a few extra votes. Like… two or three million of them. Luckily, we’ve got Field Team 6 with us tonight to do just that! And then, prepare your primate brains for primary education – it’s “Bonnie and ... Read More
Feb 27, 2024
Ep 294: Jon Lovett Rings Our Bell!
We’ve got Jon Lovett from “Lovett or Leave It” at our door, and he won’t leave it until he teaches Paula how to go door-to-door as a political activist. And then we set ourselves down on the front stoop to pluck the mini-banjos we just made – it’s the return ... Read More
Feb 20, 2024
Ep 293: The Surgeon General’s Challenge!
Dr. Vivek Murthy advised us to check out his “5 for 5 Challenge” to improve our connection to other humans. Today… we launch upon it! Plus, we tackle the big questions in “Paula Poundstone’s Ethicspalooza!” HOUSE BAND Kristen LeJeune kristenviolin.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ... Read More
Feb 13, 2024
Ep 292: The Road to Wellness with Rina Raphael
Ep 292 – The Road to Wellness with Rina Raphael We’re feeling well, thanks. What we’re not feeling, though, is wellness, and journalist Rina Raphael joins us to help separate the fads from the scams from the cults. And then, feeling healthy yet? Well, prepare to help your plants do ... Read More
Feb 6, 2024
Ep 291: Love Gone Bad
With yet another guest leaving us at the altar, Paula and the crew recount their own sordid tales of romantic failure – it’s “Love Gone Bad.” And just in case WE were the problem all along, YOU have ideas on how we can be better, in “Mailbag! Fixer-Upper Edition.” GUEST ... Read More
Jan 30, 2024
Ep 290: Constructing Crosswords with Andrea Carla Michaels
What’s an eight letter word for “Poundstone podcast fans?” We find out with legendary New York Times puzzle constructor Andrea Michaels! And then we discover all the peaceful applications for high explosive, as we receive Bonnie and Toni’s Oral Report on Alfred Nobel! GUEST Andrea Carla Michaels andrea-carlamichaels.squarespace.com HOUSE BAND ... Read More
Jan 23, 2024
Ep 289: the Return of Social (Media) Anxiety!
Last month Toni and Bonnie filled in for our missing guest, expert Sunny Hunt, and explained social media to Paula, and what could be better than that? How about actually having Sunny Hunt on the show? Yes! That would be better. And then – tales of our former athletic triumphs. ... Read More
Jan 16, 2024
Ep 288: Heather Cox Richardson Explains It All For You!
Sure the events of the past few years are unprecedented. Except for all the precedents. Historian and world’s greatest contextualizer Heather Cox Richardson is here to put today’s events in perspective! Plus, improve your world in the New Year with a new round of Life Hacks With Captain Crinkle… and YOU! ... Read More
Jan 9, 2024
Ep 287: Career Corner with Talent Manager Bonnie Burns
If comedy doesn’t work out, does Paula have what it takes to make it as a talent manager? Does Bonnie have what it takes to help Paula answer that question? Find out on Career Corner! Plus, what do YOU need from us in 2024? It’s Mailbag! New Years Edition. GUEST ... Read More
Jan 2, 2024
Ep 286: Aquaman and The Poseidon Adventure!
Should you shell out your hard-earned clams for “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom?” The only sure way to keep your powder dry is to decide based on our review of 1972’s blockbuster “The Poseidon Adventure.” Why? It’s not clear. But trust us as we conclude our Holiday Movie Spectacular! HOUSE BAND ... Read More