Slow Burn

Shawn Levy, author of 'King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis,' dives into Jerry Lewis’s infamous unproduced film, 'The Day The Clown Cried.' He discusses the film’s audacious premise of a clown in Auschwitz and its status as a cult curiosity. Levy reveals the challenges Lewis faced in tackling such a sensitive subject and explores the film's mixed legacy, questioning the appropriateness of combining humor with tragedy. The conversation sheds light on Lewis's controversial career and the cinematic balance between comedy and serious themes.

In this enlightening discussion, psychology professor Nick Epley and writer Mandy Len Catron share insights on meaningful communication. Epley reveals how deep questions can create strong connections and transform conversations. Catron reflects on her viral New York Times article about love and the power of structured queries. They explore how thoughtful engagement can foster intimacy, even among strangers. Listeners learn practical tips to enhance their relationship-building skills through genuine, transparent dialogue.

In a new miniseries inspired by Charles Duhigg’s bestseller, the former host of Slate’s How To! podcast sits down with psychologists, social scientists, and even a Hollywood writer to explore how to ask the right questions, communicate without words, and find meaningful connections in our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may never have thought very hard about scratch-off tickets, but that’s part of their power. They’re a form of gambling that’s simply a pedestrian part of American life. But not so long ago, they were risky and innovative, the killer app of their time and the must-play game of the state lottery. In this episode, Ian Coss, host of the new podcast series Scratch & Win, is going to walk us through the history of the scratch-off ticket: its invention, its popularization, and its connection to the explosion in gambling that’s now all around us. This episode of Decoder Ring was produced by Katie Shepherd. Decoder Ring is also produced by Willa Paskin, Evan Chung and Max Freedman. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.Scratch & Win is a production of GBH News. It is produced by Isabel Hibbard and Ian Coss and edited by Lacy Roberts. Its editorial supervisor is Jenifer McKim with support from Ryan Alderman. Mei Lei is the project manager, and the Executive Producer is Devin Maverick Robins.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com. And you can also now call us at our Decoder Ring hotline — that number is 347-460-7281. We love hearing your ideas, and we especially enjoyed all the messages we got about our last episode on the ’90s swing craze. Keep ‘em coming! And even better, tell your friends to check us out.Want more Decoder Ring? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Decoder Ring show page. Or, visit slate.com/decoderplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The late '90s swing revival was full of surprises, reshaping music and dance culture dramatically. Host Willa Paskin digs into its unexpected roots, with insights from iconic bands and dancers. The Super Bowl halftime show marked a peak, but the scene's rapid fall invites reflection on authenticity versus commercialization. A unique ad campaign for The Gap brought swing into the mainstream, showcasing a creative blend of dance and fashion. Ultimately, the episode captures the enduring allure and complexity behind a musical phenomenon that many remember as just a punchline.

Amanda Mull, a senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, and historian Bob Kealing, author of "Tupperware Unsealed," discuss the cultural legacy of Tupperware and its journey from a household staple to a symbol of empowerment. They explore how Tupperware parties revolutionized women's sales opportunities and reflect on the contemporary obsession with organizing, especially in the age of social media. The duo also highlights the emotional weight of home organization and how it serves as a coping mechanism in chaotic times.

People often say that money can't buy you happiness. Sometimes, if you ask them to tell you more about it, they'll mention a famous 2010 study by Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton. That study found that higher household income correlates with greater emotional well-being, but only up to around $75,000 a year. After that, more money didn't seem to matter.This was a famous study by two famous academics. The result stood for over a decade. And it feels good, right? Maybe the rich aren't so much happier than anyone else. But researchers have recently done a complete 180 on this idea. In 2021, psychologist Matt Killingsworth found nearly the opposite: That more money does correlate with more happiness. And that the relationship continues well beyond $75,000 per year.Today on the show: Does more money mean fewer problems? Two researchers with totally different takes come together to hammer out a better understanding of the relationship between money and happiness.This episode was hosted by Sally Helm and Nick Fountain. It was produced by Sean Saldana, Sam Yellowhorse Kesler, and Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Meg Cramer and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Engineering by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into a mailbag of quirky questions! Discover the surprising truth behind live lobsters in grocery store tanks. Explore how candy transformed into 'fruit snacks' and the nostalgic joy of Shark Bites. Learn about the rise and fall of waterbeds, straight from their inventor. Uncover the intriguing history of scented magazine ads and their impact on consumer culture. Plus, hear insights on the ethical dilemmas surrounding lobster consumption. A fun mix of nostalgia, food history, and cultural exploration awaits!

While the Slow Burn team is hard at work on our next season, we are excited to share the first episode of the second season from our friends at SNAFU with Ed Helms: MEDBURG.In March 1971, Washington Post reporter Betty Medsger receives a mysterious envelope full of classified documents. Soon, what's inside will change the way America sees the FBI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the vibrant history of the mullet, a hairstyle that has sparked both love and disdain since the 1980s. Discover how icons like David Bowie and hockey players helped shape its image over the years. Explore the playful origins of the term 'mullet' and the fascinating role of a mysterious Reddit user in unraveling its naming. With insights from proud mullet-wearers and cultural sleuths, this journey reveals the mullet as a quirky emblem of defiance against trends, highlighting its enduring legacy in popular culture.