NO SUCH THING
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<p>Join Manny, Noah, and Devan — three best friends and journalists — as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research. </p> <p>Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. <em>Why don’t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? </em>Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.</p> <p>NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can’t agree on. If you’ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.</p> <p>New episodes on Wednesdays.</p> <p>For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at <a href="http://www.nosuchthing.show">www.nosuchthing.show</a>.</p> <p>And if you have any questions you’d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> or leave a voicemail: (860) 325-0286.</p>
Recent Episodes
20 episodesWhy did Taylor Swift stop singing in a country accent?
On today’s episode, we’re tackling a question from a listener named Joel: Why do singers lose their accents when they sing? Our guest this week is New Yorker writer Kelefa Sanneh. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore identity in country music, why Taylor Swift stopped singing with a twang, how Drake changed the way people think about authenticity in hip-hop, and why Adele and Harry Styles don’t sound British when they sing. Want to hear all the music from this episode? Check out our newsletter for a playlist. Check out Kelefa’s book Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres If you’re new here, listen to episode 36: Is Taylor Swift bigger than Michael Jackson? and check out our NST starter pack. Fill out our NST listener survey here. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Does micromanaging actually work?
This week’s topic came from a listener who asked if micromanaging is a more productive work-style than a more “free range” approach. We talk about our own work experiences, and answer a few other miscellaneous work questions about performance improvement plans (“PIPs”), handling an incompetent boss, office odors, and more. Our guest this week is Erik Baker, historian at Harvard, editor at The Drift, and author of Make Your Own Job: How the Entrepreneurial Work Ethic Exhausted America, who walks us through the history of the corporate work structure and evolution of management styles. Check out our newsletter for links to research and more. Fill out our NST listener survey here. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 2)
Growing up, we were told to always recycle plastic to save the planet. But does recycling actually do anything? In this special two-part investigation, we explore the history of recycling, the rise of “disposable” plastics, and find out how effective recycling actually is. In part one (with the help of Nayeema Raza, host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions), we hear from Davis Allen, PhD, Senior Investigative Researcher at the Center for Climate Integrity, who alleges that plastic recycling is a deceptive story engineered by fossil fuel and petrochemical companies to make us feel guilty for using the very plastics they profit from. Davis says recycling is a distraction from the real problem. Listen to part one: Apple, Spotify, Others In part two, we visit a recycling center and speak to Kara Napolitano, Education Director at Circular Services to find out how recycling actually works, learn the amount of bottles that actually make it to the recycling facility, and reckon with our own individual impact to determine if recycling is a viable solution to our climate crisis or simply a feel-good placebo in an ever-expanding consumer culture. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Fill out our NST listener survey here. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 1)
Growing up, we were told to always recycle plastic to save the planet. But does recycling actually do anything? In this special two-part investigation, we explore the history of recycling, the rise of “disposable” plastics, and find out how effective recycling actually is. In part one (with the help of Nayeema Raza, host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions), we hear from Davis Allen, PhD, Senior Investigative Researcher at the Center for Climate Integrity, who alleges that plastic recycling is a deceptive story engineered by fossil fuel and petrochemical companies to make us feel guilty for using the very plastics they profit from. Davis says recycling is a distraction from the real problem. In part two, we visit a recycling center and speak to Kara Napolitano, Education Director at Circular Services to find out how recycling actually works, learn the amount of bottles that actually make it to the recycling facility, and reckon with our own individual impact to determine if recycling is a viable solution to our climate crisis or simply a feel-good placebo in an ever-expanding consumer culture. Listen to part two: Apple, Spotify, Others For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Fill out our NST listener survey here. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kids can’t read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)
Are we in the midst of a reading crisis? News outlets are constantly reporting on the death of reading. School test scores by measures like the “Nation’s Report Card” say math and literacy levels are down to their lowest rates since the early 1990s. Schools aren’t even assigning full books in class anymore. We talk to children’s book author Jason Reynolds, an active teacher in Chicago public schools, and a professor who’s looked into the actual research and says the literacy crisis doesn’t even exist. Our guests this week are author Jason Reynolds (buy his new book Soundtrack here), professor Paul Thomas, and teacher Kelsey Clodfelter. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. If you liked this episode, check out: Do audiobooks count as reading? and Should schools ban phones? Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ http://www.nordvpn.com/nst Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guaranteeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eggs in the fridge, expired meds, loud sneezes, and more (Mailbag)
On today's episode of NO SUCH THING, Manny, Noah, and Devan, jump into the mailbag. Should you keep your eggs in the fridge? Why do some people sneeze so loudly? Where did we get the 24 hour day from? Why and how does medicine expire? And what's the traditional jelly in a PB&J: grape or strawberry? ICYMI: Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TINY CAMERAS!?! We found out what those customer satisfaction buttons actually do
This week we’re answering a question from a listener named Emma: What do those smiley-face customer-satisfaction buttons you see in airport bathrooms actually do? We track down the Finland-based company behind them, HappyOrNot, and uncover a hidden world of analytics, cameras, and AI. Our guest this week is Scott Erickson, HappyOrNot’s VP of US Sales and Global Channels. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Like this episode? Check out Is your phone listening to you ... and should you care?DEV-ITORS NOTE: After the interview, HappyOrNot clarified that cameras are standard on their touchscreen devices, but the button devices don’t have them. ICYMI: Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should athletes be allowed to bet on themselves?
Manny wrote a book and you can check it out here! It's called Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, and it's a collection of essays about the ways that time wraps itself around our most personal moments. If you're around NYC, the boys will be discussing the book in a live event on March 29th, order tickets here. Now, on today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan discuss the sports betting takeover happening in the United States and around the world, and are joined by Danny Funt, the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling. They also debate whether athletes should be allowed to bet on themselves, since they're already incentivized to win their games. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was Benjamin Franklin a fraud?
We know Benjamin Franklin as a founding father, crucial in the establishment of the United States, discoverer of electricity, kooky writer of almanacs, and inventor of much, much more. But is it possible that good old Benny is actually a complete scammer? We investigate a conspiracy theory that Mr. $100 is not all he’s cracked up to be. Our guest this week is Claire Aubin, historian and host of This Guy Sucked, with a special thanks to our instigating debaters Kelsey and Rich. Buy Manny's Book, Colored People Time, and see NO SUCH THING in conversation about the book on March 29 in NYC. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are dentists scamming us? We investigate
On today’s episode, we tackle a question we’ve all wondered: Are dentists scamming us? We dive into the dark history of dentistry, find out why dental insurance sucks, hear from someone who uncovered a dentist drilling teeth for profit, and talk to a startup founder who’s looking to upend the whole industry. Lilly Kaplan — licensed therapist and Reality Test newsletter author — sits in for Manny this week. Listen to: Do you need therapy? (ft. Lilly) Our guests this week are: AJ Jacobs, journalist and New York Times bestseller. Dr. Sarah Stuefen, general dentist in Iowa and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Dr. Cheryline Pezzullo, general dentist and clinical associate professor. Dr. Brandon Zeidler, doctor of dental surgery. Tyler Burnett, cofounder of Wally Health. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer or a dentist story you want to share? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why are there so many twin films?
On this week's episode, the boys chat with Chris and Lizzie, the hosts of the What Went Wrong podcast about why Hollywood produces so many "twin films," movies that have very similar concepts and that release within a year of each other. They also debate whether A Bug's Life or ANTZ is the better movie, and talk through some controversial Hollywood development rumors. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should the internet be a public utility?
Why is it such a hassle to deal with internet service providers? Spotty service, hidden price increases, and only one company servicing my neighborhood. Am I up against a local monopoly? And what’s the deal with 5G home internet? I’ve been battling my ISP for years, and it’s time to find some answers. Our guest this week is Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Business Insider. Also featuring guest co-host Rachel Askenazi, journalist and founder of Throwing Spaghetti Media. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will AI take our jobs?
Is AI actually coming for your job? This week, we take a peek under the hood of autonomous AI tools. What they do well, where they still fall short, and how much we can expect them to improve in the future. Investigative reporter and Shell Game host Evan Ratliff joins us alongside AI researcher and Shell Game technical advisor Maty Bohacek to break it all down. Listen to Shell Game >> Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do divorced guys act like that?
What happens to our brains and bodies after a breakup? Semafor media reporter and Mixed Signals co-host Max Tani joins the pod to unpack “Divorced Guy Energy,” from Justin Trudeau and Kanye West to Breaking Bad’s Walter White — and what psychology and sociology say about how men change after divorce.Our guests this week are psychologist and YouTuber Maika Steinborn and sociologist Jessica Calarco, author of Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net, we dig into the science, sociology, and cultural forces behind divorce, masculinity, and midlife reinvention.The Cut: The Most Divorced Guys of 2025, in Order Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are outdoor cats happier than indoor cats?
This week, Kate Lindsay—ICYMI host, Embedded author, and proud cat lover—sits in for Manny, and we go deep on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cats. Our expert this week is Dr. Mikel Delgado, a cat behaviorist, scientist, and author of Play With Your Cat! Listen to:• Are suburban dogs happier than city dogs? • Why can’t adults order from the kids’ menu? For pics of Kate’s very cute cats, check out our newsletter — and follow us on Instagram for video clips and behind-the-scenes moments. Have a question you want us to answer or have feedback for the show? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can humans be cloned?
Why are there so many celebrity clone conspiracy theories? Is there really a Melania Trump body double? Have scientists actually tried to clone humans? And, how does cloning actually work? We hear from an alleged clone himself, and talk to a biosciences expert to find out how feasible these theories actually are. This week features Chelsey Weber-Smith, whose show American Hysteria covers all sorts of strange hoaxes, moral panics, and odd misunderstandings. Also featuring Hank T. Greely, director of Stanford University’s Center for Law and the Biosciences. For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. And listen to our clone playlist on Apple Music or Spotify. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Presenting Mind Games | The Guru’s Guru
We’ll be back next week. In the meantime, check out the first episode of a show we’re super excited about. Listen to Mind Games Check out our newsletter. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should politicians be funny? (with Mike Birbiglia)
On today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan chat about the use of humor in politics. Using Gavin Newsom's recent mocking of Donald Trump as a jumping off point, the boys assess how effective humor can be as a political strategy. They hear from humor historian Mark Rolfe, of the University of New South Wales in Australia, and then Manny talks to Mike Birbiglia, host of the Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out podcast, to get thoughts from an actual comedian. Be sure to check our website for more about each episode, and if you have a question you'd like us to answer, email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NST Picks: The best of 2025 (and our best arguments)
2025 is coming to a close, which means it’s time for our second annual end-of-year wrap-up. Here are our favorite music, movies, TV shows, and NST moments of the year. Head to nosuchthing.show where you’ll find links to everything we reference in this episode, along with an NST-curated playlist in Devan–Noah–Manny order. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do horses actually hate running? (Remastered)
Today, we're throwing a NST classic back in your feed. This time remastered. What if this ONE thing we’ve always been told about horses isn’t true at all? What if it’s a lie we’ve told ourselves so that we can enjoy our horseback riding vacations and Kentucky Derbies without guilt? To answer this question we speak with Ren Hurst, a former professional horse trainer and author of “The Wisdom of Wilderness.” And we venture to New Jersey to spend some time with horses at the Bergen County Horse Rescue. The end credits music is "I’ve Always Been the First (to Say I Love you)" by Certain Self. For more, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.