Decoder Ring

Hallie Lieberman, a sex historian and author of "Buzz: A Stimulating History of the Sex Toy," leads a captivating discussion on off-label uses of products. She explores the surprising evolution of Q-tips from baby care to ear-cleaning dilemmas. The Hitachi Magic Wand's journey from a simple massager to a celebrated sex toy highlights changing perceptions of sexuality. Plus, put your hangover woes to rest with Pedialyte, rebranded as the ultimate recovery drink for adults. Listen in for a fascinating blend of history, culture, and creativity!

Chicken Soup for the Soul was the brainchild of two motivational speakers who preach the New Thought belief system known as the Law of Attraction. For more than 30 years, the self-help series has compiled reader-submitted stories about kindness, courage, and perseverance into easily digestible books aimed at almost every conceivable demographic: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul, Chicken Soup for the Golfer’s Soul, and on and on. Since 1993, these books have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling non-fiction book series of all time.But in recent years, the company has become many other things that seem lightyears away from inspirational publishing: a line of packaged foods, a DVD kiosk retailer, and a meme stock. In this episode, with the help of journalist Amanda Chicago Lewis, we tell the story of how this feel-good brand went from comfort food to junk.This episode was written by Willa Paskin and Max Freedman and produced by Max. It was edited by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring’s supervising producer. Our show is also produced by Katie Shepherd. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director. Special thanks to Rachel Strom.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281.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

Alan Hunter, one of MTV's original VJs, shares insights into the legendary Spring Break phenomenon. He reflects on its mid-century origins and evolution into a wild college ritual. The discussion spans from Fort Lauderdale's party beginnings to MTV's influential coverage, transforming youth culture. Hunter also highlights spring break's cultural revolutions and its impact on media, revealing how it adapted to changing times while remaining a rite of passage for generations. Expect nostalgic tales and a glimpse into the future of this beachside tradition!

Nicola Twilley, co-host of Gastropod and author of 'Frostbite', discusses how refrigeration revolutionized our food systems and even geopolitical dynamics. She highlights its critical role in the food supply chain and connections to historical events like Irish independence. The conversation also critiques the trend of microhistories, exploring how ordinary objects, like refrigeration, have unexpectedly changed the world, and why understanding these narratives is essential for grasping our modern complexities.

Truck Nutz is a brand name for the dangling plastic testicles some people affix to the bumpers or hitches of their vehicles. Also sold as Bulls Balls, Your Nutz, and other brand names, these plastic novelties have a powerful symbolic charge and are often associated with a crass, macho, red state audience. But truck nuts are a surprisingly complicated signifier whose symbolic power is increasingly divorced from their real-world usage.On this episode, we talk to owners and users of truck nuts, investigate the origins of the accessories, and deconstruct the meaning of these oft-joked-about symbols. We’ll also take a tour of other novelty testicle products, including Bike Balls (testicular bike lights), Gunsticles (plastic testicles for guns), and Neuticles (prosthetic testicles for neutered pets), to better understand the maligned symbolism of truck nuts.Links and further reading on some of the things we discussed on the show: Ad for Monster Truck Nuts  Truck Nutz Prank Call  Elie Mystal’s writing on truck nuts for Above the Law  Austin Vasectomy in Austin Texas  This episode was written by Willa Paskin and edited and produced by Benjamin Frisch. Decoder Ring is produced by Katie Shepherd and Max Freedman. Evan Chung is our supervising producer.If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, email us at DecoderRing@slate.com. Or you can also call us now at our new Decoder Ring hotline at 347-460-7281. We love to hear any and all of your ideas for the show. 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

Shawn Levy, author of "King of Comedy: The Life and Art of Jerry Lewis," dives into the controversial legacy of Lewis's infamous unrelease film, "The Day The Clown Cried." They discuss the bizarre premise of a clown in Auschwitz and its muted reception in cinema history. Levy analyzes the challenges Jerry faced in blending comedy with such a sensitive subject while reflecting on his career's rise and fall. The conversation also touches on the film's cult status and the ongoing intrigue it generates among film buffs.

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

Explore the vibrant world of the '90s swing revival, from its surprising rise to its quick fall. Discover the underground scene that burst into the mainstream, complete with stunning performances like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the Super Bowl. Delve into the personal journeys of musicians and dancers, and the cultural impact of swing music on fashion and identity. Hear tales of nostalgia and commercialization that shaped this unforgettable era, revealing a movement that was more complex and cool than it often gets credit for.

Amanda Mull, a Senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek with a knack for consumer culture, dives into the fascinating world of storage containers. She discusses the emotional satisfaction from viral organization videos and the rise of plastic storage as a home décor trend. Mull connects Tupperware’s cultural legacy, shaped by Brownie Wise, to today's obsession with neatness. The conversation also touches on Tupperware’s decline, its transformation from a symbol of frugality to one of abundance, and how social media reshaped modern organizing ideals.

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