Decoder Ring
Slate PodcastsDecoder 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
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 172 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
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
In 1982, the Jane Fonda Workout became the best-selling home video of all time. Over decades, it and its 22 follow ups would spawn a fitness empire, sell more than 17 million copies, and transform Fonda into a leg-warmer-clad exercise guru. And 40 ye... more
Experimental archeology is, simply put, archeology that involves running experiments. Where traditional archaeologists may study, research, analyze, and theorize about how artifacts were made or used, experimental archaeologists actually try to recre... more
From The Simpsons’ Big Book of British Smiles to Austin Powers’ ochre-tinged grin, American culture can’t stop bad-mouthing English teeth. But why? Are they worse than any other nation’s? June Thomas drills down into the origins of the stereotype, an... more
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Reviews
- 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 Podcasts5MediaMogul99
United States4 months ago - Poorly reported; lacking curiosity
I’ve listened to this from time to time, but the April 2025 episode on the history of spring break broke me. The host and her principal authority never ventured to any of the fabled spring break spots as students. They talk to all of one current student yo draw broad conclusions about how contemporary young people view and experience spring break; they openly say the spring breakers fly to beach destinations to escape cold weather — are they not familiar with American schools in the southeast wh... more
Apple Podcasts20tt0United States4 months ago NOT FOR KIDS! Very adult themes in most episodes.
Podcast Addict25 months agoRyanDarkStormer- Slate Plus Membership is a bait and switch
Do not give them your money. While they advertise no paywall with Slate Plus they fail to mention that if you sign up through the iOS app that that is not the same thing even though it says Slate Plus Membership and is a hundredish dollars a year. You will not be able to get around the paywall. They emailed me to say that it is actually different membership than what they say in their podcast. Bait and switch, do not trust them.
Apple Podcasts1Double oh 69 0069United States5 months ago - Fun and thoughtful
Love it!
Apple Podcasts5AshleyRoryUnited States6 months ago
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #10 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #52 | United States/Society & Culture |
Spotify | #139 |  United Kingdom/Trending |
Apple Podcasts | #159 | United Kingdom/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #10 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #24 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
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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?
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What are the audience demographics for Decoder Ring?
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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. You're Wrong About
3. Search Engine
4. Articles of Interest
5. 99% Invisible
How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?
Decoder Ring launched 7 years ago and published 172 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.
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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.