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
Soda
Dr. Pepper
1990s
Social Media
Digital Platforms
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 monthlyEpisodes172Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Decoder Ring

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

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 4k ratings
  • 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 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 Podcasts
    2
    0tt0
    United States4 months ago
  • NOT FOR KIDS! Very adult themes in most episodes.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    RyanDarkStormer
    5 months ago
  • 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 Podcasts
    1
    Double oh 69 0069
    United States5 months ago
  • Fun and thoughtful

    Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AshleyRory
    United States6 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. 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.

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