99% Invisible - podcast cover

99% Invisible

Roman Marswww.siriusxm.com
Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.
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Episodes

Beyond the 99% Invisible City

From rogue stop signs to rooftop mini golf, discover how chaos and creativity quietly shape the urban world. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Dec 30, 202540 minEp. 653

Constitution Breakdown #5: Dr. Tom Frieden

This is the fifth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution. This month, Roman and Elizabeth turn to the rest of Article Two with former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, talking about the experience of being a highly trained expert in an inherently political institution within the executive branch. Dr. Frieden was also the New York City Public Health Commissioner under Mayor Bloomberg from 2002 to 2009, and he discusses the difference between running a city and a federal hea...

Dec 26, 20251 hr 19 min

Mini-Stories: Volume 21

A glowing Vegas pyramid, a famously mistyped domain, and a long-delayed miracle investigation unfold in three unexpected tales. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Dec 23, 202529 minEp. 652

Sax Appeal

From military parades to smoky clubs, one invention’s wild journey reveals how an instrument can become a symbol of rebellion and reinvention. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Dec 16, 202544 minEp. 651

The Checkerboard

A single diagonal step on a map sparks a legal war with huge consequences. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Dec 09, 202538 minEp. 650

U Is for Urbanism

How Jane Jacob's urbanism dreams came to life on the most beloved kids' TV block. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Dec 02, 202538 minEp. 649

Constitution Breakdown #4: Janet Napolitano

This is the fourth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution. This month, Roman and Elizabeth turn to Article Two , which establishes the executive branch, alongside former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Elizabeth also explains why Trump administration’s attacks on Venezuelan boats defy even the broadest interpretation of the president's war powers. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early....

Nov 28, 20251 hr 22 min

Murderland

Writer Caroline Fraser argues a chilling link between industrial poison, deadly design, and a generation of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 25, 202528 minEp. 648

The Moving Walkway Is Ending

People once dreamed of sidewalks that could whisk them across cities. Somehow, that dream ended up at the airport. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 18, 202540 minEp. 647

How to Write a Joke

Comedy writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, The Flop House , Mystery Science Theater 3000 , and co-host of the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker ) spills the secrets of how he grows jokes from tiny ideas into full-blown laughs. Joke Farming: How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense is out on Nov 12. Find it in your favorite bookstore. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by ...

Nov 11, 202531 minEp. 646

Gear (Articles of Interest)

From buckskin breeches to Patagonia vests, uncover how America’s obsession with ruggedness and war shaped the clothes we wear every day. Avery Trufelman is back with an episode from Articles of Interest 's latest season. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our ...

Nov 04, 202559 minEp. 645

Constitution Breakdown #3: Sen. Elizabeth Warren

This is the third episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution. This month, Roman and Elizabeth dive into Article One, Sections 8 through 10 , which spells out what Congress can and cannot do. They unpack everything from the Commerce Clause to the taxing and spending powers, the Necessary and Proper Clause, and even a few long-forgotten quirks like letters of marque and reprisal. Then, Senator Elizabeth Warren joins to talk about Congress’s “power of the purse,” how it’s bei...

Oct 31, 20251 hr 9 min

Your Call Is Important to Us

What if all those dropped calls, endless wait times and dead end hotlines every time you try to reach customer service weren’t accidents but part of the plan? Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Oct 28, 202529 minEp. 644

Hidden Levels #6: Segagaga

One SEGA employee chronicles the company’s struggles the only way he knows how: by turning it into a game. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for...

Oct 24, 202541 min

Hidden Levels #5: Press B to Touch Grass

From blocky biomes to breathtaking open worlds, video games are teaching us new ways to see, build, and even save nature. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe...

Oct 21, 202542 min

Hidden Levels #4: Machinima

Back in the 90s, artists turned video games into movie sets, and their wildest ideas are finally hitting documentaries. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pers...

Oct 17, 202545 min

Hidden Levels #3: This Game Wants YOU

Before Fortnite and Call of Duty ruled the scene, the US Army quietly shaped the early 2000s with a wildly popular, free shooter designed to excite young people about enlisting. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswiz...

Oct 14, 202544 min

Hidden Levels #2: Stick It to 'Em

From airplanes to Pac-Man to the battlefield, the joystick has quietly shaped the way humans connect with machines. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

Oct 10, 202542 min

Hidden Levels #1: Mr. Boomshakalaka

Step back into the ’90s, when dunks broke backboards, catchphrases caught fire, and one arcade game turned every kid into an NBA superstar. Hidden Levels is a production of 99% Invisible and WBUR's Endless Thread . Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collec...

Oct 07, 202537 min

Get Played with Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson

This episode features Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson discussing their new miniseries, "Hidden Levels," which explores how video games have profoundly reshaped the real world, from everyday language to design principles. They delve into personal gaming histories, the evolution of game design, and the broader societal impact—both positive and negative—of video games. The conversation highlights how games serve as tools for connection, problem-solving, and even focus.

Oct 03, 202543 min

The Power Broker #13: Drop Dead City

Like a shadow epilogue to The Power Broker , this story plunges into the chaos of 1970s New York where debt, unions, and one brutal headline nearly broke the city. Drop Dead City is now playing in select cities, and available on VOD on November 14. You can watch the trailer here . The Power Broker #13: Drop Dead City Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podca...

Sep 30, 202555 min

Constitution Breakdown #2: Rep. Sharice Davids

This is the second episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution. This month, Roman and Elizabeth dive into Article One with Representative Sharice Davids , examining lawmaking, committees, and the unique responsibilities of the House of Representatives. Elizabeth also explains how the Supreme Court’s “major questions doctrine" could decide whether Trump’s sweeping use of tariffs under emergency powers is constitutional. Constitution Breakdown #2: Rep. Sharice Davids Subscrib...

Sep 27, 20251 hr 17 min

The New Jungle

In a Colorado meatpacking town, refugees fleeing persecution find themselves in some of the most dangerous jobs in America. This episode was produced in partnership with the Food & Environment Reporting Network, an independent, nonprofit news organization. The New Jungle Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz ...

Sep 23, 202535 minEp. 643

Replaceable You

Mary Roach dives into the strange, funny, and unsettling world of designing new body parts, from pig hearts to prosthetic feet, revealing just how messy replacing ourselves can be. Replaceable You Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe...

Sep 16, 202534 minEp. 642

Revisiting The 99% Invisible City

We’re excited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of The 99% Invisible City , a NYT Bestseller by Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt, with a guided audio tour of beautiful downtown Oakland, California. Join us as we explore different everyday designs, using examples from the built environment around our old offices as jumping-off points. And if you don't already have one: be sure to get your print or audio copy of the book at 99pi.org/book . Exploring The 99% Invisible City Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcast...

Sep 09, 202542 minEp. 416

The 99PI Anniversary Special: 15 for 15

For 99PI’s 15th anniversary, Roman sits in the hot seat to answer 15 eclectic questions, touching on everything from his dream merch to the one object he's always wanted to cover on the show. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at how the show gets made. The 99PI Anniversary Special: 15 for 15 Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecas...

Sep 02, 202551 minEp. 641

Ambassador Bridge

A billionaire family’s private bridge empire shaped Detroit for decades, sparking battles over power, neighborhoods, and the future of an international crossing. Ambassador Bridge Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for a...

Aug 26, 202540 minEp. 640

All About That Bass

Vintage music barely had any bass. Today’s hits are all about the low end. What changed? An episode this week from our friends at Twenty Thousand Hertz , featuring hip hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff and Roland's Paul McCabe . All About That Bass Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inf...

Aug 19, 202526 minEp. 639

Sister Aimee and the Birth of the Megachurch

Explore the fascinating story of Aimee Semple McPherson, the visionary who built the Angelus Temple, America's first megachurch in Los Angeles. She revolutionized religious outreach by incorporating theatricality and mass media, becoming a national celebrity. However, her career was marked by a bizarre kidnapping scandal, leading to a public trial and immense scrutiny. Discover her enduring legacy in modern Pentecostalism and televangelism, despite her controversial life.

Aug 12, 202536 minEp. 638

Weeding is Fundamental Revisited

Libraries get rid of books all the time. There are so many new books coming in every day and only a finite amount of library space. The practice of freeing up library space is called weeding. When the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library was damaged by an earthquake 1989, the argument over which books need to be weeded, and how they were chosen for removal, reached fever pitch. This episode originally aired on May 14, 2019. Weeding is Fundamental Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to lis...

Aug 05, 202538 minEp. 354
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