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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 weeklyEpisodes806Founded16 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsDesign

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Artwork for 99% Invisible

Latest Episodes

Billions of state quarters disappeared from circulation...and that was exactly the plan.

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YouTube

In this episode, Roman and historian Imani Perry follow the Webster Blue Back Speller from the early days of the United States, to the heart of Black intellectual life. Through the lives of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. Du Bois, Roman and Imani u... more

Love it or hate it, one buzzing horn changed the sound of the World Cup forever.

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YouTube

In 1861, one man and a “gas bag” filled with hydrogen sparked America's obsession with going higher, farther, into the unknown. In this episode, Roman and journalist Jack Hitt tell the story of Thaddeus Lowe — showman, scientist, and dreamer — whose ... more

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.

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Recent Guests

Jack Hitt
Author and journalist featured in the episode
Author; Harper's, New York Times Magazine, This American Life
Episode: 100 Objects #4: Lowe's Gas Bag
Neil Altnew
Pioneer Marketing Executive, led division involved in karaoke laserdiscs
Pioneer
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Brian Raftery
Culture writer and author of Don't Stop Believing, How Karaoke Conquered the World
Culture/Writing
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Nikki Smedley
Producer who worked on several karaoke videos for Pioneer in London
Pioneer Laserdisc Corporation of America
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Nori Niven
Commercial director focused on pioneering karaoke video projects
Pioneer Laserdisc Corporation of America (LDCA)
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Etta Fields Black
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who researches and tells these stories
Historian, researcher
Episode: 100 Objects #3: The Pension Files
Max Collins
Producer and co-host
99% Invisible
Episode: The MAPL Test
Daniel Amarvar
Historian
Author of How to Hagen Empire, A History of the Greater United States
Episode: 100 Objects #2: 60-Degree Screw
Dr. David Bulwer
Professor of medicine and infectious disease physician
University of Minnesota
Episode: Drug Story: Ivermectin

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 45.8k 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
    Canadaa month 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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Hi

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ……….,,,,,7590
    Canadaa month 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
    Canada2 months 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.

Spotify
#8
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#175
United States/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#1
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#3
United States/Arts
Spotify
#12
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#115
Canada/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The MAPL Test
Q: Okay, and do you have an answer for this, Max? What is your big solution to all of this?
Max suggests increased public funding, tax credits, and bursaries as practical ways to sustain and grow the arts ecosystem in Canada, balancing support with market-driven success to ensure broader inclusion beyond CanCon mandates.
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.

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?

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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How many listeners does 99% Invisible get?

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How many subscribers and views does 99% Invisible have?

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Which podcasts are similar to 99% Invisible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 99% Invisible:

1. Radiolab
2. Articles of Interest
3. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
4. Twenty Thousand Hertz
5. This American Life

How many episodes of 99% Invisible are there?

99% Invisible launched 16 years ago and published 806 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Jack Hitt
2. Neil Altnew
3. Brian Raftery
4. Nikki Smedley
5. Nori Niven
6. Etta Fields Black
7. Max Collins
8. Daniel Amarvar

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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