This podcast explores the cautionary tale of the Sydney Opera House, discussing the open competition for its design, the scandal surrounding an architect, the consequences of his departure, the controversy and aftermath of the construction, and the legacy of Utson.

Tech reporter Brian Merchant delves into the history of the Luddites, 19th-century textile workers who rebelled against automation. He explores the impact of automation on their livelihoods and the consequences of their defeat. Merchant also discusses the modern resonance of the Luddite movement, as contemporary workers resist the harmful effects of technology and lack of regulation.

The podcast discusses the origin and impact of the song 'Who Let the Dogs Out' by the Baha Men, exploring its place in the collective unconscious and the question of ownership. It also explores the use of question titles in movies and the emotional impact of not receiving proper attribution for a song. The podcast includes ad segments for Kachava, Lincoln Financial, T-Mobile, and BetterHelp.

This podcast discusses the idea of converting empty office buildings into housing to solve the housing crisis and the high vacancy rate problem in big cities. It explores the challenges, benefits, and history of building conversions. It also touches on repurposing office spaces for pets as a profitable option.

This podcast discusses voice training for trans women and the impact of voice on daily interactions. It explores the experiences of trans individuals seeking to change their voices and the resources available to them. The hosts search for a voice training VHS tape called Melanie Speaks and discuss the challenges of voice training. They also delve into the concept of voice transitions and the importance of authenticity. The chapter concludes with gratitude, music, and podcast promotion.

This podcast explores the origins and cultural evolution of the Appalachian Trail and the deeper meanings behind trails. It also follows a bike trail journey and discusses the convenience of Metro North. Additionally, it delves into the history and emergence of 'gorp core' fashion, and highlights the transformation and maintenance of a beloved trail for neighborhood dogs.

We deconstruct and examine what might be the original designed object-- the humble trail. We discuss how park trails are designed, what makes a good trail, and...what even is a trail anyway?Trail Mix Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.

Back in January, Bloomberg News published a story quoting an obscure government official named Richard Trumka Jr. He works with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates stuff like furniture and electronics and household appliances. Basically, the agency is supposed to make sure that the stuff we buy is safe, and won't kill us or make us sick.  The Bloomberg story talked about how a growing body of research shows that gas stoves are really bad for indoor air quality. They let off pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, and they've been linked to heart problems, cancer, and asthma. And in this story, Trumka said the government would look into it, and maybe recommend some regulations on the appliance. Within days, the US went batshit crazy and gas stoves were all over the news. They had become the subject of the latest skirmish in our seemingly never-ending culture war. Cooking with Gas Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.

Andrew Leland grew up with full vision, but starting in his teenage years, his sight began to degrade from the outside in, such that he now sees the world as if through a narrow tube. Soon—but without knowing exactly when—he will likely have no vision left. In this episode, Andrew takes us through the fascinating history of alternative reading technologies designed for blind people and discusses his fantastic new book The Country of the Blind, which is out today!The Country of the Blind Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.

This past May, the city of Los Angeles rolled out a brand new, state-of-the art feature for bus shelters. It’s called La Sombrita. La Sombrita is a metal screen that’s intended to provide shade for the thousands of people who ride the bus every day. The shade screen is about two feet wide, ten feet tall, and it kinda looks like a curved teal metal surfboard filled with tiny holes. Right away, Angelinos were not happy. This heated conversation got us thinking about our interview with Sam Bloch about inequality and shade and we asked Sam back to get thoughts about La Sombrita, and whether the controversial shade sail could actually be a good thing for shade-starved Angelinos. Shade Redux Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.