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Artwork for 99% Invisible

99% Invisible

Roman Mars
Robert Moses
New York City
Climate Change
The Power Broker
Urban Planning
Robert Caro
Constitution
Los Angeles
California
Covid-19
Infrastructure
Urban Design
Congress
Video Games
Chicago
Tennessee Valley Authority
Supreme Court
Homelessness
Environmental Law
Design

Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes800Founded16 years ago
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ArtsDesign

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Artwork for 99% Invisible

Latest Episodes

Canada reshaped its music industry with a quirky radio rule that changed who got heard.

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In the early 20th century, nothing quite fit — fire hoses couldn't connect to one another, football teams played with different balls, traffic lights meant different things in different states. Then World War II exposed the deadly cost of incompatibi... more

What started as a revolutionary treatment for river blindness became something far messier.

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In 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story — to be opened a century later. Roman Mars and historian Jill Lepore trace its long wait, from Reconstruction to Watergate, and the surprising, unsettling contents that eme... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. David Bulwer
Professor of medicine and infectious disease physician
University of Minnesota
Episode: Drug Story: Ivermectin
Satoshi Omura
Scientist whose work led to ivermectin development
Kita Sato Institute, Merck collaboration
Episode: Drug Story: Ivermectin
William Campbell
Merck researcher who helped develop ivermectin
Merck
Episode: Drug Story: Ivermectin
Pierre Corey
Physician involved in ivermectin-related COVID-19 research
Active Six NIH/Duke program
Episode: Drug Story: Ivermectin
Scott Piergrosi
Head of Creative at Brand Institute
Brand Institute
Episode: Ask Your Doctor About
Arlene Teck
Brand naming veteran with decades of experience
Independent naming expert
Episode: Ask Your Doctor About
Cory Doctorow
Novelist, activist, journalist
Independent/Writer
Episode: Enshittification
Scott Gurian
Frequent contributor to 99% Invisible; producer of Far From Home
Far From Home
Episode: Citizen of the World
Dr. Alondra Nelson
Scholar of technology and social science; former acting director of the White House OSTP
Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton; former OSTP Director
Episode: Constitution Breakdown #9: Alondra Nelson

Hosts

Roman Mars
Host of 99% Invisible; design and architecture journalist and commentator
Delaney Hall
Host of Service Request; on-site reporting and hosting for the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 45.7k ratings
  • Stop with the “guest podcasts”

    If I wanted to listen to another show, I would. But I don’t. Stop playing episodes from other shows. Stupid trumplanders.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    I'm a man, but I can change
    Canada8 days ago
  • Very good

    I listened to 400+ episodes, and there are probably more that aren’t being counted. You’d genuinely miss out on something that is amazeballs.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    da boi aka the dog
    Canada13 days ago
  • Hi

    Love the show. I learns a lot of new facts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ……….,,,,,7590
    Canada13 days ago
  • Most shared

    By far, this is the podcast I’ve shared with the most people for the widest variety of reasons. Give it a go, you’ll never turn back.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frondofplants
    Canadaa month ago
  • "Music"

    Usually very interesting, even about subjects that on the face of it should hold no interest for mel. Case in point, episode about robot baseball umpires. I care nothing for sport and this is about a game played by school girls in the UK and grown men in the US, I am neither a British schoolgirl or an American but the episode was good, except. What is the purpose of all the background music? Pointless distraction.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Second Varity
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the sound design and topic variety, from design to policy to history.
Some listeners push back on political commentary and advertising choices.
Listeners praise the mix of rigorous research and engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
Q: Do you have some advice for telling the history of the United States through objects, given the imperfect archive we have?
Lepore emphasizes the need to look beyond official records, engage with various voices, and balance sensational artifacts with quieter, personal objects to repair gaps in the historical record.
100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
Q: And so we're kind of picking things out, you know, to represent the United States. Should we even be trying to do this?
Jill Lepore suggests it is important to recognize that the past is largely a chronicle of misery and that any history based on surviving objects must contend with unequal records, but that exploring discarded objects can still reveal meaningful stories about the country.
Ask Your Doctor About
Q: How do naming teams start the process of naming a drug?
They collect broad linguistic material, then generate hundreds of initial options, focusing on pronounceability, marketability, and regulatory safety, before narrowing to viable candidates.
RoboUmp Hits the Big Leagues
Q: What has been the reaction from players and fans to the robot umpire system so far?
Most players and fans have embraced the added recourse and drama of challenges, while some worry about the pace of the game and the loss of human nuance; early experiences show it can heighten tension and engagement in a positive way.
RoboUmp Hits the Big Leagues
Q: How does the ABS challenge process work during a game?
A player can challenge a call, the ABS will determine whether the ball or strike fell inside the designed strike zone, and the call is overturned if the system confirms the challenge; the umpire signals the decision and the game continues.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About 99% Invisible

What is 99% Invisible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A design-forward show that treats architecture, infrastructure, and everyday objects as storyable systems. Episodes cover naming drugs, digital rights and repair, constitutional history, urban design, and public services, often featuring historians, policy experts, and industry practitioners. Highlights include in-depth conversations with Jill Lepore and Dr. Alondra Nelson, along with hands-on investigations into municipal workflows, traffic systems, and private towing practices—showcasing how design, policy, and technology shape daily life. The format blends rigorous research with engaging storytelling and strong sound design, making complex topics accessible and surprisingly broad in appeal.

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Which podcasts are similar to 99% Invisible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 99% Invisible:

1. Articles of Interest
2. Radiolab
3. This American Life
4. Twenty Thousand Hertz
5. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

How many episodes of 99% Invisible are there?

99% Invisible launched 16 years ago and published 800 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 99% Invisible?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 99% Invisible?

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What guests have appeared on 99% Invisible?

Recent guests on 99% Invisible include:

1. Dr. David Bulwer
2. Satoshi Omura
3. William Campbell
4. Pierre Corey
5. Scott Piergrosi
6. Arlene Teck
7. Cory Doctorow
8. Scott Gurian

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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