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Search Engine

PJ Vogt
Social Media
Pornography
Cryptocurrency
Berghain
Tiktok
Cannibalism
Donald Trump
Fediverse
Cannabis
New York City
Teenagers
Anxiety and Depression
Social Studies
Documentary
Instagram
New York
Journalism
Presidential Election
Joe Biden
God

We try to make sense of the world, one question at a time. No question too big, no question too small.Hosted by PJ Vogt, edited by Sruthi Pinnamaneni. Named one of the best podcasts of all time by Time Magazine

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes151Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessTechnology

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Artwork for Search Engine

Latest Episodes

An investigation into a mysterious room. A room that the most famous family in England apparently does not want you to see.

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The President has created a 1.776 billion dollar fund of taxpayer money he can direct to whoever he wants. Huh? How did this happen, and what might happen next? We talk to Pro Publica’s Jesse Eisinger, an investigative reporter who has played a stran... more

Presenting an episode of Family Lore, a new show on the Audacy network. The granddaughter of a prolific Jewish art collector who fled Europe during World War II embarks on a quest to recover the looted art.

We go deep into the story of Taiwan. How a tiny island escaped demise, chartered a course from colonial subjugation through mass Barbie production and into the technological powerhouse it is today.

The Tiger Leading the Dragon: How Taiwan Propell... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jesse Eisinger
Assistant Managing Editor at ProPublica, journalist
ProPublica
Episode: Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?
Jessica Lesnop
Reporter at ProPublica and host of Paper Trail
ProPublica
Episode: Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?
Charlen Vonsair
Granddaughter of Jacques Goudstikker, custodian of family diaries and paintings
Family/Heritage
Episode: Presenting: Family Lore
Shelley Rigger
Brown Professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College
Davidson College
Episode: The many lives of Taiwan
Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh
Climate investor and nuclear engineer, expert on nuclear energy
Berkeley, DCVC
Episode: Why are people excited about nuclear power again?
Dr. Adam Stein
Nuclear policy expert from the Breakthrough Institute
Breakthrough Institute
Episode: Why are people excited about nuclear power again?
David Sloane
Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis at USC
University of Southern California
Episode: What if the cemetery goes out of business? (classic)
Caity Weaver
Staff writer at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Where’s the best free restaurant bread in America?
Linda Bilmes
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer Chair in Public Policy and Public Finance, Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Kennedy School
Episode: The Cost of War

Host

PJ Vogt
Host of the show with central role in guiding interviews and presenting topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.7k ratings
  • Excellent

    I’m constantly recommending this show to friends. There are hundreds of good things I could say about it, but I’ll just tell you this: PJ has a way with metaphors. I don’t often think about metaphors but PJ’s are so unique, colorful and descriptive that it gives me a new appreciation for the form.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    teight0
    United States11 days ago
  • Let’s make a technical show woke… again

    Did you learn nothing, PJ?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Living Comfort Eagle
    United States16 days ago
  • Thought provoking!

    The world isn’t black and white. It’s complex, nuanced, and full of interesting issues. Search Engine will tickle your brain to think deeper. It will challenge your assumptions. It will make you ponder while you’re driving. This podcast is for anyone that enjoys thought provoking context.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WordWonk65
    United States21 days ago
  • A Thoughtful, Insightful Podcast That Stays With You

    I first discovered Search Engine through a recommendation on This American Life, and it immediately became one of those rare podcasts that stays with you. I’m much more of a listener than a TV‑watcher, and this show fits perfectly into that part of my life.

    What I love most is the tone: the host speaks with warmth, curiosity, and a kind of honesty that feels like listening to a friend. The episodes dive into questions you’ve probably wondered about, and they do it with clarity and depth. It’s g... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Howard Roak
    Netherlands23 days ago
  • Literally My Favorite Podcast

    This is such a great show. The topics are always interesting and creative. PJ does a fantastic job with asking the guests insightful and deep questions, and the team edits the show together in a very clean, compelling manner. Always a treat to spend time listening to this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kilos_and_Keyboards
    United States24 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value rigorous, well-sourced storytelling that makes complex topics accessible.
Guest diversity and interview quality are consistently praised, especially for blending technical detail with cultural context.
Production quality and PJ Vogt's interview style are frequently highlighted as strengths for keeping topics engaging.
Some listeners wish for broader perspectives on controversial topics and more cautious framing in sensitive debates.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?
Q: Can you just describe what the tip was and what the reporting project was in brief?
The tip was an anonymous leak of tax returns from the wealthiest Americans, which enabled a large investigative project that documented strategies leading to very low taxes relative to wealth growth, sparking public discussion about tax fairness.
Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?
Q: I want to return to the story that you told last time we spoke, but can you just tell me, many years ago, you got an anonymous tip which led to a big reporting project?
The tip involved obtaining tax information for wealthy individuals and revealing how tax avoidance strategies were used, which led to extensive reporting that exposed disparities between wealth growth and tax payments.
The many lives of Taiwan
Q: Do you mind just saying your name and what you do professionally?
Shelley Rigger introduces herself as the Brown Professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College, also serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty.
What if the cemetery goes out of business? (classic)
Q: What are the basic economics of running a cemetery as a business?
Cemeteries historically relied on selling large plots in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but as cremation rose and space became limited, business shifted to smaller plots and new revenue streams like cremation niches, memorial products, and niche development; nonprofits and endowments play a crucial role in long-term viability, with some cemeteries more prone to consolidation or community fundraising when finances falter.
Where’s the best free restaurant bread in America?
Q: And what are the restaurants and the bread?
Park in Philadelphia and Le Diplomate in Washington, DC serve the same bread, a warm, cranberry- or cherry-studded, rich brown loaf described in detail by voters; the bread is central to why these spots won, despite being two different establishments.

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 Search Engine

What is Search Engine about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers in-depth, topic-spanning explorations that blend science, policy, and culture through curious, rigorous storytelling. Recent episodes mix technical explanations with societal impact—from nuclear energy and GM technologies to transportation, healthcare, and digital culture—often featuring frontline experts, policymakers, journalists, and industry voices. Noteworthy are the thorough interviews, clear explanations of complex topics, and a willingness to tackle controversial or technically dense subjects with accessible storytelling. Potential listeners who enjoy thoughtful, evidence-driven investigations that connect data, history, and real-world outcomes will likely find it compelling, especially those curious about how big... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Search Engine?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Search Engine. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Search Engine and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Search Engine get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Search Engine, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Search Engine?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Search Engine, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Search Engine have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Search Engine has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Search Engine?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Search Engine:

1. Hyperfixed
2. Heavyweight
3. 99% Invisible
4. This American Life
5. Endless Thread

How many episodes of Search Engine are there?

Search Engine launched 4 years ago and published 151 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 Search Engine?

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 Search Engine?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Search Engine from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Search Engine?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Search Engine. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Search Engine?

Recent guests on Search Engine include:

1. Jesse Eisinger
2. Jessica Lesnop
3. Charlen Vonsair
4. Shelley Rigger
5. Dr. Rachel Slaybaugh
6. Dr. Adam Stein
7. David Sloane
8. Caity Weaver

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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