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Decoder Ring

Slate Podcasts
Coffee Shops
The Rules
Andrew Wyeth
Dating Culture
Slavery
Environmentalism
Black History
Celebrity Stylists
Art and Antiques Magazine
Helga Testorf
Climate Change
Feminism
Freedom!
Video Games
1990s
Dr. Pepper
Soda
Social Media
Algorithms
Homogenization

Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means and why it matters.Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder Rin... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes242Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureHistoryDocumentary

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Artwork for Decoder Ring

Latest Episodes

When Eyes Wide Shut opened in the summer of 1999, it was widely considered a disappointment. This final film from legendary director Stanley Kubrick had been sold as an erotic thriller, and potentially even a peek into the real sex lives of its then-... more

The delicious, healthful prune has long had a cross to bear: It’s best known for making people poop. In the late 1990s, the California Prune Board set out on a quixotic mission to amend this sales-flattening reputation. It would attempt to rechristen... more

Three weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum shared an unusual tweet: a cartoon image of himself with his arm draped around a giant, anthropomorphized lump of coal. This piece of coal has big googly eyes and a smudge of a nose, and is ... more

It’s a weird time for culture. There is more of it than ever before, it’s more accessible than ever before, but so little of it feels original. New movies are based on old stories, new songs are recycling old hooks, and fashion trends are cycling so ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

W. David Marx
Author and culture critic
Not mentioned
Episode: Is Culture Stuck?
Dustin Malek
A listener who works for Bank of America and poses a question about the Mona Lisa's fame
Episode: Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa?
Dazzling Dave Schulte
A national yo-yo master and inductee into the Yo-Yo Hall of Fame
Self-employed
Episode: Mailbag: Yo-Yos, Sandboxes, and Encores
Steve Dworman
Creator and president of Videomate
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Julie Furman
Former matchmaker with experience at Great Expectations
Los Angeles Matchmaking
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Joe Pickett
Creator of the Found Footage Festival
Found Footage Festival
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Nick Pruer
Creator of the Found Footage Festival
Found Footage Festival
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Andrea Silenzi
Host of Longest Shortest Time, covering the dating world
Longest Shortest Time
Episode: “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
Samantha King
Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Queen's University
Episode: How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top

Host

Willa Paskin
Host of Decoder Ring, recognized for her ability to explore cultural questions through a historical lens, bringing insightful commentary to contemporary cultural issues.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • tone is over the top

    I think the subject matter is interesting but I personally feel that the hosts tone is over the top I find it distracting and unnecessarily dramatic. I guess this is personal preference but I don't wanna feel like I'm listening to the news broadcaster or talk about prune juice.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sea Elevator
    United States23 days ago
  • Fantastic

    What a great podcast. Thank you for this !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kaybitesback
    Canada23 days ago
  • One of my favorites

    I get so excited when I see a new decoder ring episode pop up in my feed! The topics are so fun and the host is amazing at telling the stories. Always up for a fun deep deep dive

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hollensworth
    United States24 days ago
  • Love it!

    Cool topics and I always learn something.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    drjulesg
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love the show. Could use a lot less "likes" as filler words. Drives me a little nuts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Brd3Lvr12
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The storytelling style and the host's narrative ability receive high praise, with many viewers expressing enjoyment over the engaging presentation.
Overall, listeners view the content as a refreshing alternative to standard news and political commentary, valuing its exploration of cultural phenomena.
Listeners appreciate the deep dives into intriguing cultural topics and often find the content both entertaining and informative.
There are some concerns about the amount of advertising interrupting episodes, and occasional critiques on tonal delivery.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Making Coal Cute Again
Q: What has been the public reaction to Coalie?
Coalie has received a satirical and critical reception on social media, being viewed as propaganda for the coal industry.
Making Coal Cute Again
Q: What was the intention behind creating Coalie?
Coalie was intended to be an approachable mascot for Osmre to explain their mission of reclamation and environmental protection.
Is Culture Stuck?
Q: What if we have this idea of progress and it's fake and it happened for a while and it's over now?
He discusses the changes in cultural expectations post-20th century and addresses nostalgia for previous cultural shifts.
Is Culture Stuck?
Q: What on earth are you talking about?
David outlines that culture is changing, but at a rate and depth disappointing to many people.
Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa?
Q: How did the Mona Lisa become the most recognizable painting by far in the world?
The fame of the Mona Lisa is tied to its historical journey, including its theft in 1911, which turned it into a sensational news story, and its consistent presence in the Louvre, one of the world's premier art institutions.

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 Decoder Ring

What is Decoder Ring about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A program that investigates cultural trends and phenomena, exploring their historical background and contemporary significance. Each episode presents a unique cultural mystery, where Willa Paskin examines topics ranging from food trends to art history, revealing hidden meanings and the cultural implications behind everyday objects and practices. Notable for its meticulous research and engaging storytelling, the show emphasizes understanding the complexities of cultural norms and practices, making it a valuable resource for listeners interested in the intersection of culture, history, and social commentary.

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How many listeners does Decoder Ring get?

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How many subscribers and views does Decoder Ring have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Decoder Ring 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 Decoder Ring?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoder Ring:

1. Endless Thread
2. Articles of Interest
3. Search Engine
4. Hyperfixed
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?

Decoder Ring launched 8 years ago and published 242 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 Decoder Ring?

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 Decoder Ring?

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What guests have appeared on Decoder Ring?

Recent guests on Decoder Ring include:

1. W. David Marx
2. Dustin Malek
3. Dazzling Dave Schulte
4. Steve Dworman
5. Julie Furman
6. Joe Pickett
7. Nick Pruer
8. Andrea Silenzi

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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