Rephonic
Artwork for Decoder Ring

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
Dr. Pepper
Soda
1990s
Homogenization
Culture
Taste

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 Ri... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes178Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Decoder Ring

Latest Episodes

There’s a ubiquitous prop in just about every police procedural and conspiracy thriller: a cork board pinned with documents, newspaper clippings, and Polaroid photos, all connected by a web of red string. They go by many names, including pin boards, ... more

Earlier this year, a tweet went out from the official account of the Democratic Party, tagging the Trump advisor Stephen Miller. It was an image of what appeared to be a simple hotel room chair. But for those in the know, it was much more than that: ... more

When an actor opens their mouth to sing in a movie, chances are high that the voice you hear will be their own. Even in music biopics, movie stars without much singing experience regularly go to great lengths to impersonate the most beloved vocalists... more

YouTube

In part two of our special two-part episode, we return to the 1982 VHS tape that created the at-home video industry: Jane Fonda’s Workout. On this episode, originally released in 2020, we deconstruct the tape itself, how it was made, and why anyone t... more

YouTube

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

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Sam Kean
Science writer and author of Dinner with King Tut.
Independent Author
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Susan Kaplan
Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Bowdoin College.
Bowdoin College
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Karen Harry
An archaeologist studying ceramics.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Na'alehu Anthony
Native Hawaiian community advocate and storyteller.
Independent
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Thor Heyerdahl
Norwegian zoologist and ethnologist known for his controversial theories on migration.
Independent
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Herb Kane
Native Hawaiian artist and historian.
Independent
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Mau Piailug
Navigator from Micronesia who helped revive ancient Polynesian navigation methods.
Independent
Episode: How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
Tom Scocca
Journalist and writer known for his in-depth kitchen investigations.
Slate
Episode: Introducing The Sporkful | Is Your Recipe Lying To You?
Christopher Kimball
Founder of America's Test Kitchen and expert in recipe development.
Christopher Kimball's Milk Street
Episode: Introducing The Sporkful | Is Your Recipe Lying To You?

Host

Willa Paskin
Host of the show, known for her engaging storytelling and ability to unravel cultural mysteries. She brings a thoughtful and inquisitive approach to exploring culturally significant topics with expert commentary.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • I have no words

    Just finished listening to your latest podcast and honestly I want to stop my journey to give you a round of applause. So interesting, so well thought through and so well tied together it was like a perfect drama. Thank you so much!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bjm19
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Thoughtful, articulate, unusual

    This show is almost “old fashioned” in how competent and well produced it is. It’s such a welcome centerpiece in my media diet, which i’ve had to whittle down to get rid of numbing politics, sensational true crime, rambling banter and other genres that have their place but are rotting my soul. In times like these, give me Decoder Ring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mari_hendrix
    United Statesa month ago
  • So random and fun

    I almost never care about the topic listed and I always finish the episode because it is interesting, insightful, and fun. Especially love Willa!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    krcola
    United Statesa month ago
  • Learning

    Many times, when I see a title of a show, I think “do I care?). Then I listen and learn amazing facts. This show is truly the best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SwtViolet
    United Statesa month ago
  • My Favorite Podcast

    The host of this show has a fantastic delivery. Every podcast host should listen to her. This is how to voice a show. I wish there were more episodes, you can tell how much effort goes into each one. Great topics, love it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MediaMogul99
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some have expressed concerns about the frequency of advertisements and how they can disrupt the listening experience.
Many praise the quality of research and storytelling that encourages them to think critically about everyday items and societal norms.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth exploration of cultural topics and the host's engaging 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.

Off-the-Wall Stories of Off-Label Use
Q: What unexpected use has Pedialyte adopted among adults?
Pedialyte is now commonly used by adults as a hangover remedy, despite being originally designed for children.
Off-the-Wall Stories of Off-Label Use
Q: How did the Hitachi Magic Wand gain its popularity as a sex toy?
Influential sexual health advocates like Betty Dodson helped to popularize it beyond its intended use as a massager.
The Scratch-Off Ticket’s Instant Win
Q: How did the Scratch Off ticket hit the jackpot?
The Scratch Off ticket became successful by proving to be an innovative and secure form of gambling, appealing to the needs of the public and state lotteries.
Mailbag: Fruit Snacks, Waterbeds, and Lobster Tanks
Q: Why are lobsters the only things sold alive in grocery stores?
Jan Whitaker explains how historical perceptions of food safety and the uniqueness of lobsters led to the practice of keeping them in tanks, despite modern advancements in food preservation.
Mailbag: Fruit Snacks, Waterbeds, and Lobster Tanks
Q: What happened to waterbeds and how did they get so popular in the first place?
Charlie Hall discusses the inception and popularity of waterbeds during the 1960s sexual revolution as an evolution of comfort that eventually fell out of favor due to advances in mattress technology.

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 unique exploration of cultural artifacts and phenomena, the series takes listeners on a journey through the stories and mysteries that shape aspects of modern life. Each episode focuses on a specific cultural question or object, weaving in historical context and contemporary relevance to reveal deeper meaning. Notable themes include linguistic quirks, culinary myths, societal narratives, and the cultural interpretations of everyday items. The insightful blend of expert interviews and personal anecdotes sets this series apart, making it not only informative but also engaging and relatable for anyone curious about the stories behind the cultural fabric of society.

Where can I find podcast stats for Decoder Ring?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Decoder Ring. 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 Decoder Ring and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Decoder Ring get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Decoder Ring, 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 Decoder Ring?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Decoder Ring, 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 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. You're Wrong About
3. Articles of Interest
4. 99% Invisible
5. Search Engine

How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?

Decoder Ring launched 8 years ago and published 178 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Decoder Ring 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 Decoder Ring?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Decoder Ring. 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 Decoder Ring?

Recent guests on Decoder Ring include:

1. Sam Kean
2. Susan Kaplan
3. Karen Harry
4. Na'alehu Anthony
5. Thor Heyerdahl
6. Herb Kane
7. Mau Piailug
8. Tom Scocca

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days