Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.
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Running a campground isn’t all eating s'mores around the campfire. Zachary Crockett fans the flames. SOURCES: Mark Lemoine , owner, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground; sr. vice president, franchise operations at Kampgrounds of America. RESOURCES: " The Economic Impact of Parks ," (National Recreation and Park Association, 2023). " Campground Industry Analysis ," (CHM Government Service, 2020). EXTRAS: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...
When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from? Zachary Crockett pulls up to the pump. SOURCES: Garrett Golding , assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Jeetander P. Sethi , founding member of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association. Kai Trimble-Lea , owner of a B.P. gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. RESOURCES: " Top Numbers Driving America's Gasoline Demand ," by Lem Smith ( American Petroleum...
Every year, thousands of products are recalled from store shelves. How does the process work — and who foots the bill? Zachary Crockett gets a refund on his frozen shrimp. SOURCES: Chris Harvey , senior vice president at Sedgwick. RESOURCES: " FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm ," (FDA, 2025). " U.S. product recalls reach second-highest level in six years during 2024 ," (Sedgwick, 2025). " Lot Codes For Food Tracing: How Are They ...
Zachary Crockett delves into the high-stakes world of Formula One, examining how teams like Williams Racing navigate immense development costs, a strict spending cap, and the financial impact of crashes. The episode highlights the engineering marvel of F1 cars, the complex global logistics, and the sport's booming business model driven by media rights, prize money, and lucrative sponsorships, shaping its future with new regulations.
The world’s oldest advertising medium has reconfigured itself for the digital age. Zachary Crockett looks up. SOURCES: Anna Bager , president and C.E.O. of the Out-of-Home Advertising Association of America. Dan Levi , chief marketing officer at Clear Channel Outdoor. RESOURCES: " Advertising Proves Resilient Amidst Economic Uncertainty, " ( Magna Global , 2025). " Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. Reports Results for the First Quarter of 2025 ," ( Clear Channel Investor Relations , 2025). " ...
Some singles choose to skip the apps and get fixed up the old-fashioned way — but it doesn't come cheap. Zachary Crockett puts himself out there. SOURCES: Maria Avgitidis , C.E.O. of Agape Match and author of Ask a Matchmaker: Matchmaker Maria's No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Love. RESOURCES: " Dating Apps Have Hit a Wall. Can They Turn Things Around? " by J. Edward Moreno (New York Times, 2024). " Love, (un)automated: Human matchmaking in the era of online dating ," by Liesel Sharabi ( Journal of...
They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate. SOURCES: Julie Roys , founder of the Roys Report. Scott Thumma , professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. RESOURCES: " The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across the country ," by Scott Neuman (NPR, 2023). " Million Dollar Homes Become Status Symbols of Televangelist...
Pure maple syrup can be five times as expensive as “pancake syrup,” but maple farmers — and breakfast connoisseurs — say it’s worth it. Zachary Crockett pours it on thick. SOURCES: Emma Marvin , co-C.E.O. of Butternut Mountain Farm. David Marvin , founder of Butternut Mountain Farm. RESOURCES: " Crop Production ," by National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, 2025). " Why Americans Overwhelmingly Prefer Fake Maple Syrup ," by Christopher Ingraham (The Washington Post, 2015). " History of Ma...
Why did it take so long to invent a longer-lasting bulb? Zachary Crockett finds the answer illuminating. SOURCES: Heather Dillon , mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Tacoma. Jane Brox , author of the 2010 book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light. Markus Krajewski , philosopher and historian of technology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. RESOURCES: " Thomas Edison, tinkerer ," by Eric Gilliam (Works in Progress, 2023). " It's Official: Stores Ca...
How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer. SOURCES: Eric Goldman , professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. RESOURCES: " Canadian Court Rules 👍 Emoji Counts as a Contract Agreement ," by Michael Levenson (New York Times, 2023). " Former Bed Bath & Beyond investor Ryan Cohen must face emoji-inspired shareholder suit ," by Rob Wile (NBC News, 20...
How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain. SOURCES: Meredith Baer , founder of Meridith Baer Home. Cindy Lin , founder and lead instructor at Staged4more School of Home Staging. Karen Prince , author and home staging consultant. RESOURCES: " How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Real Estate Game ," by Kate Dubinski ( C.B.C. News, 2023). " Will Virtual Staging Replace Traditionally Staged Rooms? " by Barbara Ballinger ( Realtor Magazin...
They expose fraud, catch cheating spouses, and track down missing assets — but they don’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett takes the case. SOURCES: Ashley Wardlow , chief operating officer at Nathans Investigations. RESOURCES: " Eugène-François Vidocq and the Birth of the Detective ," by Daisy Sainsbury (The Public Domain Review, 2024). " The Pinkerton Story - Chapter 1 ," (The Pinkerton Foundation, 2017). " Expectation of Privacy ," (Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute) . " Evidence &...
There are now nearly 12,000 satellites orbiting Earth. What does it cost to put them there, and how do they make money? Zachary Crockett launches an investigation. SOURCES: Tim Farrar , president of TMF Associates. Rachel Jewett , managing editor of Via Satellite. RESOURCES: " How geostationary small satellites are providing strategic access to space ," by Steve Collar (World Economic Forum, 2025). " State of the Satellite Industry Report ," ( Satellite Industry Association, 2025). " Elon Musk D...
How does a museum place a value on a priceless work of art? And how much does it cost to keep it safe? Zachary Crockett appraises the situation. SOURCES: Glenn Lowry , director of the Museum of Modern Art. RESOURCES: " Why Climate Activists Are Still Throwing Food and Paint at Famous Artworks ," by Tala Ansari (Wall Street Journal, 2023). " The Woman Who Made van Gogh ," by Russell Shorto (New York Times, 2021). " The Lillie P. Bliss collection ," (MoMA Collection, 1934). " May Belfort ," by Hen...
Performing for passersby takes more than talent. Buskers have to cope with hecklers, civic regulations, aggressive competitors — and uncertain pay. Zachary Crockett passes the hat. SOURCES: Brett Dallas , professional street performer. RESOURCES: " Differentiating busking from begging: A psychological approach ," by Robbie Ho and Wing Tung Au (PLOS One, 2021). " Freeing Buskers’ Free Speech Rights: Impact of Regulations on Buskers’ Right to Free Speech and Expression ," by John Juricich (Journal...
They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail. SOURCES: Paul Bradley , president of ROC USA. Blaer Roberts, former chef and mobile home resident. Frank Rolfe , co-owner of Mobile Home University. Cheryl Streberger, retired nurse and mobile home resident. RESOURCES: "‘ We’re All Afraid’: Massive Rent Increases Hit Mobile Homes ," by Abha Bhattarai ( The Washington Post, 2022). " Investors Are Buying Mobile Home Parks. Resi...
What goes into creating an episode of The Economics of Everyday Things ? And how do shows like this one make money? Zachary Crockett turns the mic on himself. SOURCES: Gabe Tartaglia , vice president of podcast and satellite monetization at SiriusXM. Gabe Roth , editorial director of the Freakonomics Radio Network. Sarah Lilley , senior producer of The Economics of Everyday Things. Jeremy Johnston , audio engineer at the Freakonomics Radio Network. Daniel Moritz-Rabson , fact-checker at the Frea...
We send 10 billion of them every day. Where do they come from? Zachary Crockett hearts this topic. SOURCES: Jennifer 8. Lee , co-founder of Emojination. RESOURCES: " Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replaces It With A Squirt Gun ," by Carl Franzen (Popular Science, 2021). " Ford’s secret fight for a pickup truck emoji ," by Mark Dent (The Hustle, 2019). " The WIRED Guide to Emoji ," by Arielle Pardes (WIRED, 2018). " How the iPhone won over Japan and gave the world emoji ," by Sam Byford (The Verge,...
When security cameras and facial recognition tools fail, law enforcement investigators fall back on a witness's memory and an artist's hand. Zachary Crockett's nose was a little bigger than that. SOURCES: Lois Gibson , forensic artist. David Sarni , adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. RESOURCES: " Fighting Crime With Pencil and Paper ," by J. David Goodman (New York Times, 2013) " Something Sketchy About Identifying Suspects ," by Stephen Owsinski (National Police Associat...
How does an industry built on roadside pop-ups make billions of dollars in two weeks of the year? Zachary Crockett gets pyrotechnical. SOURCES: Alex Zoldan , vice president of Phantom Fireworks. RESOURCES: Phantom Fireworks 2025 Wholesale Price List . " The Explosive Growth Of The Fireworks Market ," by Greg Rosalsky, Darian Woods, and Julian Ritchey (NPR, 2023). " Directory of State Laws for Consumer Fireworks, " (American Pyrotechnics Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...
Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the hood. RESOURCES: " Private Equity Wants to Wash Your Car ," by Miriam Gottfried ( The Wall Street Journal, 2022). " California Labor Commissioner Recovers $282,000 for Car Wash Wage Citations ," State of California Department of Industrial Relations News Release (2022). " Sgt. Clean’s Future Shines Bright Thanks to Subscription Model, Strong Reputation ," by Vince Guerrier...
Americans take more than 20 billion elevator rides every year — and keeping them safe is an expensive proposition. Zachary Crockett makes small talk. SOURCES: Frank Christensen , president of the International Union of Elevators Constructors. Shannon Moore, service mechanic for the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 8. Brian O'Connell , senior vice president of the Eastern U.S. at Otis Elevators. Stephen Smith , executive director of the Center for Building in North America. RESO...
Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back. SOURCES: Keith Corso , co-founder and CEO of BusRight. Marc Medina , transportation supervisor for the Farmingdale School District in Long Island. Jada Melendez, school bus driver in Burlington County, New Jersey. RESOURCES: " How St. Louis parents are dealing with school bus driver shortages ," by Gabrielle Hays (PBS, 2024). " The school bus driver shortage re...
Everyone loves to complain about it — but preparing a meal that tastes good at 35,000 feet is harder than you might think. Zachary Crockett will have the fish. SOURCES: Molly Brandt , innovation chef for North America at Gategroup. Chris Kinsella , chief commercial officer for North America at Gategroup. Guillaume de Syon , professor of history at Albright College. RESOURCES: " No Thanks, Grandma, I’m Saving Room for Airplane Food ," by Christine Chung (New York Times, 2023). " The Golden Age of...
Every year, America celebrates its independence with millions of dollars worth of explosives imported from China. Zachary Crockett lights a fuse and backs away quickly. SOURCES: JJ Brau , fireworks coordinator for J&M Displays. Mark Johnson , vice president of J&M Displays. RESOURCES: " The explosive history of fireworks, from ancient China to Revolutionary America ," by Joe Hernandez (NPR, 2024). " July 4 fireworks fiasco solved – technically ," by Jonathan Horn (The San Diego Union-Tri...
These glistening round gemstones have come a long way since your grandmother's time, but procuring them is still a lot of work. The world is Zachary Crockett’s oyster. SOURCES: Jeremy Shepherd , C.E.O. of Pearl Paradise. James Brown , owner of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. RESOURCES: " Pearls Have Acquired a New Luster Among Young Designers ," by Victoria Gomelsky (New York Times, 2024). " The Value of Pearls: A Historical Review and Current Trends ," by Akitsugu Sato and Laurent Cartier (GemGuide, 202...
Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. SOURCES: Linda Flanagan , author. Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop. R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad. John Miller , journalist and baseball coach. RESOURCES: " The Cost of Youth Baseball Is Getting Absurd ," by Adam Minter ( Bloomberg , 2024). " Perfect Game Sees Prosperity Thanks To N...
Where is “the cloud,” anyway? It’s in a bunch of nondescript warehouses all over the country. Zachary Crockett serves up the story. SOURCES: Chris Kimm , senior vice president of global customer care and customer experience at Equinix. Raul Martynek , C.E.O. of DataBank. Clayton Rosati , associate professor of geography at Bowling Green State University. RESOURCES: " How Data Center Alley Is Changing Northern Virginia ," by Mac Carey ( Oxford American , 2025). " Noisy, Hungry Data Centers Are Ca...
A new thrill ride can cost an amusement park $20 million or more — but roller coasters attract customers like nothing else. Zachary Crockett must be at least this tall to host this episode. SOURCES: Korey Kiepert , engineer and partner at The Gravity Group. Dennis Spiegel , owner and founder of International Theme Park Services. RESOURCES: " These two amusement park giants just merged. Rollercoaster fans are nervous ," by Nathaniel Meyersohn (CNN, 2024). " 1,000-foot-tall roller coaster may soon...
It takes a highly skilled stenographer — and some specialized equipment — to transcribe TV dialogue in real time at 300 words per minute. Will A.I. rewrite the script? Zachary Crockett tries to keep up. SOURCES: Doug Karlovits , general manager at Verbit. Katie Ryan, live steno captioner at Verbit. RESOURCES: " The Long Case for Machine Shorthand ," by Sam Corbin (New York Times, 2024). " Caption This: Why Subtitling Is Big Business Amid the Content Boom ," by Kirsten Chuba (The Hollywood Report...
