Podcast

Jun 28, 2022
Ep 207: Paula’s Summer Christmas Spectacular!
Sure it’s summertime, but Christmas IS coming, and if Paula wants to dethrone Mariah Carey with her own blockbuster holiday hit, she has get started! Musical guru Niall Ferguson is here to launch Paula on her Yuletide song-crafting adventure. Plus – you guys sure have a lot to say about ... Read More
Jun 21, 2022
Ep 206: The Coup, Part Deux
Lt. Col. Amy McGrath took on the role of fighter pilot, then she took on Mitch McConnell, and now she’s taking on the job of saving Democracy itself. She’s here to discuss her “American SOS Project.” And speaking of SOS, it’s time to Salute Our Show with another round of ... Read More
Jun 14, 2022
Ep 205: Fast Times: The Return of Carl Lewis! – V2
Well, we all trained hard (more or less) and ran the 100 meters again (or didn’t), and now Coach Carl Lewis is back to find out: Who is the fastest human on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone? How well did we apply his lessons? Did Bonnie ever actually run? All ... Read More
Jun 7, 2022
Ep 204: Emo’ Letter Blues
How can we communicate effectively and emotionally in this cold digital age? And can it be done without smiley faces and lewd fruits and vegetables? Because Paula hates emojis!  Our friend Jonathan Bowman returns to communicate communication skills. Plus, you Nobodies have been reviewing us… now it’s our turn to review ... Read More
May 31, 2022
Ep 203: If I Had a (Reasonably Priced) Hammer…
Comedy is a shaky business, so could Paula shore up her career with some metaphorical 2x4s and some good carpenter nails? We mean: Could she run a hardware store? Aaron Lutz from Lutz Hardware joins us to measure Paula’s mettle for our Career Corner. Plus, in Toni’s absence, is it ... Read More
May 24, 2022
Ep 202: I Read Fake News Today, Oh Boy…
If you can’t tell fantasy from reality, you’re either a)psychotic, or b)a typically confused modern media consumer. What’s real and what’s not out there? How can we tell? Peter Adams from the News Literacy Project is here to help us sort the facts from the merely fact-flavored. Plus: Aw, gosh, ... Read More
May 17, 2022
Ep 201- Al Franken and the Very Dysfunctional Senate
How broken is the Senate? How can it be fixed? Is Ted Cruz something you can spray for, or do we have to tent the place? Al Franken is here to discuss! Plus, as a great man (probably) once said, “It’s time for another round of Quote Party!” GUEST Al ... Read More
May 10, 2022
Ep 200: Right Here, Right Meow
Last week we explored the incredible talents of dogs. This week we give equal time to explore the question: Do cats HAVE any talents? And if so, can they be persuaded to, you know, use them? For good? Can Paula’s cats be taught to think INSIDE the box? Mikel Delgado ... Read More
May 3, 2022
Ep 199: Scents and Scent Abilities
Are dog’s noses really that great, or do they just have a great PR team? What can and can’t they help us sniff out? Author and cadaver dog expert Cat Warren knows where all the bodies are buried, and she’s here to help us track down the truth. And speaking of ... Read More
Apr 26, 2022
Ep 198: 100 Meters with Coach Carl Lewis
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… and warm us up for our next race! Plus, Bonnie’s Dave Grohl Pillow Giveaway has selected a winner – but it’s not ... Read More
Apr 19, 2022
Ep 197: Crypto 2: The Return of Jill Schlesinger!
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 due respect to their fine work, but now we’ve got Jill back to make sense of it all! Plus, we choose a new book for ... Read More
Apr 12, 2022
Ep 196: Unpacking the Court
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, and activist Dr. Peter Irons is here to explain it all. Plus, if you don’t have anything nice to say… you’re not our listeners. You guys have ... Read More
Apr 5, 2022
Ep 195: Every Buggy Wants to Rule the World
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 our returning champion, the delightful Dr. Eleanor Spicer-Rice here to answer all our (and your) questions! Plus, it’s the return of our favorite ... Read More
Mar 29, 2022
Ep 194: The Plastic (Oh No!) Land
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 bad, and yes. Dianna Cohen founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition is here to help sort all that plastic out. ... Read More
Mar 22, 2022
Ep 193: Everything Compares 2 U
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 Markman is here to discuss our need to compare ourselves to others, but are we really the best podcast he’s been on? We’re worried! ... Read More
Mar 15, 2022
Ep 192: The Electoral College Dropout
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 unravel US democracy’s oldest, knottiest problem. And then it’s time to share our – and your – worst employee experiences in “Tales From The Service ... Read More
Mar 8, 2022
Ep 191: Oy, the Vault!
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 especially good for storing your cash OR robbing! Banker David Patrone is here to tell us all about it. Then we go from billions to Brazilians ... Read More
Mar 1, 2022
Ep 190: The Oyster is Your World
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’re going to fix that. International oyster expert Julie Qiu is here to set us all straight about everyone’s favorite (or second favorite) bivalve mollusk. Plus, ... Read More
Feb 22, 2022
Ep 189: The Climes They Are a-Changin’
Ep 189 – The Climes They Are a-Changin’ What’s driving climate change, and is the answer literally “Driving?” Paula and Adam welcome climate scientist Peter Kalmus to give us the latest on the ongoing disaster. But don’t worry – there are also jokes! Also, there’s “Who’s Miss Quotey-Pants Now?” – ... Read More
Feb 15, 2022
Ep 188: Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger go Outside the Actors Studio
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, and they’re ready to help take Paula’s acting game to the next level. Plus – spoiler alert – there’s another segment that we ... Read More