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 | 246 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
In Australia, no wedding or school dance is complete without the Nutbush, Australia’s unofficial national dance. The Nutbush – a simple line dance to the song “Nutbush City Limits,” by Ike and Tina Turner – has become as stereotypically Australian as... more
Earlier this year we debuted Decoder Rings Back, our new feature exclusively for Decoder Ring Plus subscribers. In each installment, Willa gets a listener on the phone and tries her best to answer their question about a cultural mystery. We have been... more
Like the palm tree, the Everglades, Disney World, and the “Florida Man,” the orange is a classic symbol of the Sunshine State. But maybe not for much longer. Production has declined to catastrophic levels, a decrease of more than 95% in less than 25 ... more
We are lucky to get fantastic questions from our listeners here at Decoder Ring, and in this episode, we’re going to open up our mailbag to answer three of them. What are the origins of an eerie horror film string motif? Why do companies insist on te... more
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Reviews
- Entertaining but stay in shallow waters
It’s a fun listen for the most part but the Eyes Wide Shut episode made me realize subjects of any depth are out of their league. The host worked SO hard to persuade for her position and the guest was such a flimsy resource that it came across as a commercial episode, not journalism. Stopped listening after that.
Apple Podcasts2Eva C H
United States21 days ago - Rolling Eyes Podcast
Seems weird to claim “rolling eyes” wasn’t common until 1987 when Marsha Brady was well known to roll her eyes on the Brady Bunch, Daffy Duck was well known to roll his eyes at Bugs Bunny, like c’mon what kind of research is that? Otherwise… great podcast
Apple Podcasts3Bullitt427United Statesa month ago - The Best
My absolute favorite podcast. The amount of research and thought that goes into these episodes is so impressive. They are always fascinating and I only wish they’d post more!!
Apple Podcasts5Miss_E_8United States2 months ago - Great premise, good topics, terrible delivery
I wish I could enjoy this podcast. Fun trivia about regular everyday things? Sounds like a great concept. And I’ve listed to all the episodes this far, but I’ve gotten increasingly frustrated with its delivery. Willa’s vocal affectations are so distracting and frustrating. It sounds like she’s trying to stretch it out to meet some kind of time limit, and over-enunciates and over-emphasizes every word while putting too much of a pause between every. single. word. She’s far too aware of herself an... more
Apple Podcasts2K80-13United States3 months ago - 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 Podcasts3Sea ElevatorUnited States3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #30 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #216 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #33 |  Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #91 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #219 | Canada/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #28 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Decoder Ring
What is Decoder Ring about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Decoder Ring explores cultural mysteries by tracing origins, histories, and meanings behind everyday phenomena, from sound cues in horror to quirks of consumer culture. Each episode often features a mix of historians, journalists, and subject-matter insiders who illuminate how a topic evolved and why it matters today. Notable strengths include rigorous archival research, thoughtful synthesis of disparate sources, and a knack for turning obscure trivia into engaging cultural narratives. The show tends to attract listeners who enjoy deep-dive storytelling about culture, media, and history, and it occasionally features high-profile guests from journalism, academia, and media production. A standout trait is its ability to connect seemingly smal... more
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How many listeners does Decoder Ring get?
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Which podcasts are similar to Decoder Ring?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Decoder Ring:
1. Endless Thread
2. Articles of Interest
3. 99% Invisible
4. Search Engine
5. You're Wrong About
How many episodes of Decoder Ring are there?
Decoder Ring launched 8 years ago and published 246 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?
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What guests have appeared on Decoder Ring?
Recent guests on Decoder Ring include:
1. Alex Sammon
2. Josh Griffey
3. Brendan Greeley
4. Scott Zacharin
5. Miles Beckett
6. Mesh Flinders
7. Jessica Rose
8. Amanda Goodfried
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.