Mansplaining

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It is thought that somewhere in Eurasia during the Late Pleistocene, an intrepid pack of gray wolves made a fateful decision to approach a human campfire seeking scraps. From that humble beginning was forged a love affair for the ages. But why that animal, and how to explain the incredible bond that emerged between dogs and humanity?  Mark and Joe trace the history of how dogs and people co-evolved to become such reliable and trusted companions, and what accounts for the hold that dogs have on so many of us today.

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The media images we see of conservative politicians and voters depict people who are angry, fearful, and full of suspicion and outrage. So, why does study after study suggest that there’s a measurable happiness gap between conservatives and liberals, with liberals on the short end of that gap? Joe and Mark examine the measures of happiness that comprise this consensus, explore whether self-reporting one’s life satisfaction is a reliable gauge of happiness, and wade into the fierce debate over why the data says what it says.

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Though the truly horrific COVID-19 pandemic, which killed 1.2 million Americans and many millions more worldwide, is barely in the rear-view mirror, public health authorities keep telling us the next pandemic is inevitable. Joe wondered how inevitable, and he asked Mark whether it’s likely to happen in our lifetimes and why pandemics seem to occur with greater frequency these days. Mark and Joe review the historical context of pandemics past and contemplate how the next pandemic’s lethality will be determined not so much by the pathogen’s biology as by the human environment we’ve built for it to move through.

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In our post-truth era, perhaps it’s not surprising that a growing number of people say they believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that the Earth is flat. Mark struggled to understand how anyone can believe this, so he asked Joe to get inside the head of a flat-earther and explain how someone might come to that way of thinking. Joe and Mark discuss the modern history of the Flat Earth movement, the three things that appear to motivate such beliefs, and how it helps to replace condescension and derision with empathy and understanding. 

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Imagine producing a podcast with well over a hundred episodes, soliciting feedback after every episode, receiving dozens of comments and questions, and then sitting on them for nearly six years. Guilty as charged! After being derelict in their duty for far too long, the Mansplaining co-hosts finally dip into a deep mailbag to read listener  comments and questions. Among other things, listeners were curious about the series name and logo, the “lost” first episode, and all the topic-appropriate songs they’ve been hearing lately. Mark and Joe expound on those subjects and also respond to meatier comments from listeners who disagree with them about particular topics. (Recorded March 6, 2026.)

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Gambling is having a moment. Not only have a majority of states legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2018, but prediction markets have also enjoyed explosive growth in the last few years. With huge amounts of money being wagered on everything from which turkey President Trump would pardon on Thanksgiving to whether all twelve singles from Taylor Swift’s new album would make the charts, it sure seems as if we’re betting on EVERYTHING. Mark and Joe discuss the betting public’s changing demographics, what all that wagering is doing to all those bettors, and why gambling’s newfound ubiquity is not a winning bet for America. (Recorded February 20, 2026.)

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Millions of Americans associate the number 65 with the end of their working years and the start of what they hope is a long and pleasant retirement. But why 65, as opposed to younger, older, or never? Joe and Mark trace the history of social insurance programs, including the American and European precursors to Social Security; discuss how and why 65 became the magic number; and ponder whether full retirement age (which is now 67 in the U.S.), benefit levels, or payroll tax revenues will have to change to accommodate increases in life expectancy. (Recorded February 6, 2026.)

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There’s a strong anti-intellectual vibe running through American politics and culture. It’s visible in MAGA’s ongoing assault against the administrative state, in the growing distrust of educational institutions, and in anti-vaccine sentiment—the last of which started as a left-wing movement before being coopted by the right.  It’s so palpable today that it makes you wonder what the proper role of expertise in a democracy might be. Mark and Joe plumb the history of this tension, the spectrum of positions it produced, and how experts’ recent missteps fanned the flames of distrust in an already skeptical populace. (Recorded January 23, 2026.)

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The fact that the heavy drama The Bear has won Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series speaks volumes about how the industry values drama in comparison to comedy. Indeed, the last time a real comedy film won the Best Picture Oscar was 1977, nearly a half-century ago. Why do critics think dark material is so much better than light? Joe and Mark explore the long history of this cultural bias, why it’s important to think about who’s making such determinations, and whether great comedy will ever receive the recognition it deserves. (Recorded January 9, 2026.)

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For Mansplaining’s 6th annual holiday episode, we examine the holiday music that gets played endlessly, in our homes and everywhere we go, at this time of year.  What makes a holiday song good? Which songs resonate for Mark and Joe, and why? And which can we do without? For us, at least, the best holiday songs not only feature strong melodies well sung and played, but they also forge emotional connections in our lives, whereas the worst holiday songs are nothing more than crass attempts to make a buck. (Recorded December 20, 2025.)