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Artwork for 99% Invisible

99% Invisible

Roman Mars
Robert Moses
New York City
Climate Change
Urban Planning
The Power Broker
Robert Caro
Constitution
Los Angeles
California
Covid-19
Urban Design
Chicago
Congress
Video Games
Tennessee Valley Authority
Infrastructure
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 weeklyEpisodes842Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArts

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Artwork for 99% Invisible

Latest Episodes

This episode is sponsored by Acura.

From the outside, the building is a light gray spiral, and from the inside, the art is displayed on one long ramp that curves up towards a glass skylight in the ceiling. We’re going to take the greatness of this b... more

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A desert train built for Tony Hawk leads into the strange and thoughtful world of N.D. Austin, a designer of real-life experiences.

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Start a ... more

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Football helmets can prevent devastating injuries, but they may also help make an inherently violent game feel safer than it really is.

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Star... more

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A closer look at the messy, beautiful bricks hiding across Chicago.

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Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/pod... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

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Recent Guests

Will Quam
Chicago brick historian, founder of Brick of Chicago
Episode: (Not Just) Another Brick in the Wall
Jamie Loftus
Comedian, writer, and podcaster
Indie creator; guest on episode
Episode: 100 Objects #20: AA Sobriety Chip
Nadja Ras
Leading voice in Swiss yodeling
Yodeler Fest / Hochschule Luzern
Episode: Tootle of a Devilish Song
Adam Savage
Science communicator, former Mythbuster
Episode: 100 Objects #19: Western Electric 500 Series
Paul Farber
Director, Monument Lab
Monument Lab
Episode: The Rocky Statue
Laura Halsman
Art historian
Monument Lab / Philadelphia Museum of Art (as cited)
Episode: The Rocky Statue
Lori L. Tharps
Journalist and hair historian, co-author of Hair Story
Hair Story, Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America
Episode: 100 Objects #18: Hair Relaxer
Helen Zaltzman
Aved live-show creator and host, featured for Souvenirs
The Illusionist / Answer Me This (as referenced) and live-stage work
Episode: Doves Type
Martin Ostwick
Collaborator on Souvenirs, musician for the live adaptation
The Illusionist live show collaboration
Episode: Doves Type

Host

Roman Mars
Host of 99% Invisible

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 46.1k ratings
  • Extremely harmful

    The Jamie Loftus AA episode is literally going to kill people. Why would you make an episode specifically telling people they might not need AA? She says herself that it is by far the most effective treatment for SUD

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    dlazarjr
    United States20 days ago
  • AA Sobriety Chip

    Race, Gender, Sexuality race gender sexuality race gender sexuality. Ad nauseummmmmmm… and the AI ads devalue this podcast. Moving on

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SherrBher
    United States20 days ago
  • Another one bites the dust

    Another podcast that push ads of AI.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    gabinet.co.uk
    Poland21 days ago
  • Fantastic Show But Rethink Your Sponsorships

    I’ve always loved 99PI but lately the paid sponsorships from OpenAI have been leaving a bad aftertaste and discouraging me listening

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TomovonD
    South Africa23 days ago
  • Claude sponsorship?

    The Claude sponsorship is a little questionable? Aren’t they the ones who steal your content? Bit of a bummer for such an authentic long-standing podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    laurailse
    Netherlands24 days ago

Listeners Say

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

A few listeners enjoy the nerdy object deep-dives; others push back on ads and pacing.
Rigorous research, engaging interviews, and broad topic range.
Thoughtful design history storytelling that connects past and present.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#11
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#2
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#4
United States/Arts
Spotify
#18
United Kingdom/Arts
Spotify
#146
Canada/Trending

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Doves Type
Q: How does the live stage approach differ from traditional radio storytelling on this subject?
The stage approach uses musical cues and live performance to personify the two protagonists, creating an immediate, visceral sense of their emotional arc, rather than relying primarily on narration and archival voice. It emphasizes the emotional progression and memory through sound design, making the historical conflict feel more present and dramatized.
The Rocky Statue
Q: What did the statue symbolize for different groups in Philadelphia over the years?
For many residents it symbolized working-class grit and local pride, while critics saw it as an ego-driven movie prop that clashed with high-culture ideals; over time it came to represent a contested urban identity and conversation about who gets to shape public spaces.
The Original 100 Objects
Q: Why interview the makers of objects, like David Hockney, instead of only discussing the artifacts themselves?
Interviewing makers adds a dimension of agency and intention, showing how objects embody freedom, creativity, and social change, and it marks a turning point in the storytelling approach.
The Original 100 Objects
Q: What was it like to shift from a traditional narrative of world history to a hundred-object approach that includes everyday items?
The approach allows us to tell a more inclusive, interconnected story of humanity, highlighting the biographies of objects and the voices of those who weren't always heard.
The Score
Q: How do we use scores and scoring systems in an effective way to make the world a better place, and have them not dominate our lives in a bad way?
Use scores to coordinate at scale where appropriate (like lifespan metrics), but guard against over-relying on single metrics; cultivate ironic distance; allow for context and nuance; and create spaces where people design their own metrics to reflect values beyond simple counts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About 99% Invisible

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

This show repeatedly explores how design and artifacts shape culture, society, and everyday life. Recent episodes thread together themes like the social power of consumer goods, design history, and how objects carry meaning beyond their utilitarian use. Guests range from historians and design scholars to journalists and industry practitioners, offering deep dives into topics like slavery's material culture, public policy around welfare programs, and iconic design instruments. The series stands out for connecting archival research with contemporary critique, often weaving in manufacturing, policy, and cultural storytelling to illuminate how small objects reflect broader historical forces. Potential listeners will likely appreciate rigorous r... more

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5. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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99% Invisible launched 16 years ago and published 842 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 99% Invisible?

Recent guests on 99% Invisible include:

1. Will Quam
2. Jamie Loftus
3. Nadja Ras
4. Adam Savage
5. Paul Farber
6. Laura Halsman
7. Lori L. Tharps
8. Helen Zaltzman

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