Rephonic
Artwork for Control F
Data Analysis
Healthcare Costs
Homelessness
Federal Poverty Line
Immigration
Crime
Credit Score
Credit Reporting
Weather Forecasting
Pets In Housing
Point In Time Count (pit)
Poochie
Secure Communities
Hispanic Communities
Health Care
Weather Forecasts
Poverty Line
Costco
Black Americans
Financial Literacy

Control F is a podcast about data — hard, fuzzy, surprising, and sometimes unreliable data — and all the ways it influences our daily lives. In each episode, we dig deep on a topic and search through research, algorithms, and assumptions to bring you insights on how stuff works. In a world ruled by numbers, Control F reads between the (spreadsheet) lines to find the bigger story.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes11Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentarySociety & CultureNews

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Artwork for Control F

Latest Episodes

Many Americans will take on debt this summer for a family trip to a Disney theme park. So why is the happiest place on earth breaking their bank accounts? Teo takes Clare on a fantasy trip to Disneyworld to find out, and see if Clare can have a truly... more

Costco is a beloved brand, famous for its bulk deals and $1.50 hot dog lunch meal. But can shopping there really save you money? Clare tells Teo about her quest to find out, and the surprising ways that some people work the system of wholesale retail... more

President Donald Trump has turbo-powered immigration enforcement efforts in the U.S. As of March 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was detaining approximately 60,000 people. The agency is now the best-funded law enforcement organization... more

Sports gambling ads are proliferating: In stadiums, on TV broadcasts and on apps across the internet. The multi-billion dollar industry has exploded in the past five years. So what happens when that momentum is translated into gambling on politics, c... more

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Charis Kubrin
Professor of criminology, law and society
University of California, Irvine
Episode: Does immigration enforcement reduce crime?
Luke Burbank
Co-host of TBTL; Washington-based observer of sports betting
TBTL / Independent
Episode: Why am I seeing so many sports gambling ads? (a.k.a. The Kalshi Question)
Victor Matheson
Professor of Economics, College of the Holy Cross; editor of Journal of Sports Economics
College of the Holy Cross
Episode: Why am I seeing so many sports gambling ads? (a.k.a. The Kalshi Question)
Chris Lewis
Professor of Public Health, Boston University; research funded by Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Boston University
Episode: Why am I seeing so many sports gambling ads? (a.k.a. The Kalshi Question)
Dr. Jessica Bell
Veterinary hospital clinician consulted for the show
Washington State University Veterinary Hospital
Episode: Who decided my dog is ‘too big’ for my home?
Ross Barker
Head of the Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative
Pet Inclusive Housing Initiative
Episode: Who decided my dog is ‘too big’ for my home?
Zach Almquist
Mathematician involved in King County's PIT methodology
University of Washington
Episode: Can we get better at measuring homelessness?
Phyllis Fletcher
Editor at Control F
KUOW
Episode: Can we get better at measuring homelessness?

Hosts

Teo Popescu
Data and Graphics Editor; Co-host; focuses on translating complex data into accessible narratives.
Claire McGrane
Journalist and number nerd; Co-host; passionate about illuminating the stories behind data-driven topics.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 16 ratings
  • Fun, informative, and approachable

    Well-researched and well produced. I really enjoy the conversational format and the dynamics between the co-hosts. The topics they’re covering are interesting and very relevant to what’s going on in the city and the world today. As a busy working, single parent, I especially love the 30-minute format—perfect for my daily commute or smaller windows of time I can find between work and kids. Highly recommend!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WingbackRecliner
    United States2 months ago
  • Relevant and Useful

    I wish every voter would listen to this. The data is relevant to top issues of the day and not politicized.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ks88keys
    United States2 months ago
  • Really well-done

    Smart, informative — I’m really liking this so far

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hachi's owner
    United States3 months ago
  • Delightful and entertaining!

    This show is so informative, well researched and fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Delighted Listener 1000
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is described as engaging and insightful, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners appreciate the well-researched and informative nature of the episodes.
Reviews highlight the hosts' ability to present serious issues with a sense of humor and understanding.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Does immigration enforcement reduce crime?
Q: True or false, immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than US citizens.
False, multiple studies show immigrants have lower involvement in crime overall, with higher risk dynamics explained by factors like self-selection and social controls; however, the more nuanced takeaway is that data does not support a blanket reduction in crime from broad immigration enforcement.
Can we get better at measuring homelessness?
Q: What are the potential policy implications of this data approach?
More detailed data on why people become homeless and what they need can help tailor services, prioritize housing-first approaches, and influence how HUD funds are allocated, though it also raises privacy concerns.
Can we get better at measuring homelessness?
Q: What is respondent-driven sampling and why was it chosen for King County?
Respondent-driven sampling leverages social networks to reach a broader pool of unsheltered individuals through referrals, enabling longer, voluntary interviews and richer data while maintaining ethical considerations; it was chosen to overcome the limitations of the traditional Pit.
Can we get better at measuring homelessness?
Q: How accurate is the Pit count and why is it considered an undercount?
It is acknowledged as an undercount because it captures a single night in a specific area with many logistical challenges; multiple factors, including access, sampling, and non-response, limit its completeness.

Audience Metrics

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Control F

What is Control F about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast centers around the intricate relationship between data and various societal issues, highlighting the often unseen influences that statistics and algorithms have on everyday life. Episodes explore critical topics such as healthcare costs, poverty metrics, credit scores, and weather forecasting, providing listeners with a clear understanding of complex data-driven narratives. By emphasizing thorough analysis and context, the hosts strive to demystify the numbers that shape people's experiences, prompting critical reflection on how data impacts decision-making and perception in contemporary society.

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Which podcasts are similar to Control F?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Control F:

1. Booming
2. Week In Review
3. Seattle Eats
4. Seattle Now
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Control F are there?

Control F launched 5 months ago and published 11 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 Control F?

Recent guests on Control F include:

1. Charis Kubrin
2. Luke Burbank
3. Victor Matheson
4. Chris Lewis
5. Dr. Jessica Bell
6. Ross Barker
7. Zach Almquist
8. Phyllis Fletcher

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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