Young people are rediscovering old-school hobbies to escape their phones, and a new study suggests open-plan offices might actually encourage workplace bullying. In this episode of News Sidequest, we explore why hobbies like gardening and woodworking might be making a comeback—and why the office layout designed for “collaboration” might be doing the exact opposite.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study suggests difficult people in your life might actually make you age faster — which raises the question: who’s the most difficult person you’ve ever had to deal with? Meanwhile, research shows people who can laugh at their own mistakes tend to be more likable and easier to work with. Plus: taco seasoning used in a $40K theft, a couple trying to claim land with a garden gnome, salamanders shutting down roads in New Jersey, and why climbing around on an active volcano is still a bad idea.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new international survey finds Americans are especially likely to view their fellow citizens as morally bad — raising the question of when we started becoming more suspicious of each other. Meanwhile, United Airlines is cracking down on passengers who blast audio without headphones, highlighting the growing problem of public etiquette. Plus: Girl Scouts selling cookies outside a dispensary, moon-grown chickpeas, lottery lightning striking twice, and why “Swiftie” is finally in the dictionary.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Record numbers of Americans are dipping into their 401(k) retirement savings just to get through the present — what does retirement planning actually look like for people right now? Plus, scientists are studying why people who take the psychedelic DMT often report seeing similar “entities,” raising fascinating questions about how the human brain constructs reality. We also cover Renaissance art mysteries, a hotel coffee maker controversy, Pokémon-style crime stories, and why the Brady Bunch house is now a historic landmark.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 95-year-old traveler says staying curious and exploring the world is the secret to staying sharp — which raises the question: what does a good life at 95 actually look like? Plus, a new poll finds most Americans admit to being nervous about flying, even though it’s statistically one of the safest ways to travel. We also cover alien civilizations, Pokémon card heists, a baby spider monkey naming contest, and a Yellowstone geyser waking up after years of silence.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teachers are working second jobs just to stay afloat — but is this really a teacher crisis, or a broader middle-class reality? Plus, a new blood test claims it can predict whether you’ll still be alive in two years. Would you want to know? We also cover deepfake phone calls, Gen Z finding love at wrestling matches, and a sinkhole that accidentally revealed a wine cellar.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With major global headlines dominating the news cycle, today’s News Sidequest offers a brief detour. A new poll says more than half of Americans now consider health care, a weeklong vacation, and even a new car unaffordable — so what quietly feels out of reach in your life? Meanwhile, most Americans say they feel fine personally… but think the country is falling apart. Is that media-driven anxiety or something deeper? Plus lab-grown brains, popcorn-scented tomatoes, and microwave lasers in space.Take a look at Justin Robert Young’s podcast on everything that happened in the middle east this weekend: War with Iran. What Happened and What's Next?

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If America buried a time capsule for 250 years, what should go inside? A smartphone? A meme? A Costco receipt? And while we’re at it — should airports draw the line at pajama pants? Today on News Sidequest: how we want to be remembered, the great airport dress code debate, Neanderthal ancestry surprises, and why podcasts officially beat talk radio. We want your answers — email us at [email protected] or weigh in in the comments.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does having kids actually make you happier — or are we doing a terrible job selling parenthood? And in the dating world, is “ghostlighting” a real trend or just flaky behavior with better branding? Today on News Sidequest: parenting, modern romance chaos, dodgeball fitness for adults, why podcasts just beat talk radio, and a rare Florida nudist real estate opportunity. Parents and single people — this one’s for you.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new study says you’d need $400,000 a year to make childcare “affordable” — so is parenthood becoming a luxury item? Meanwhile, police are increasingly using Google search histories to identify suspects, raising big questions about privacy in 2026. Today on News Sidequest: the cost of kids, searchable curiosity, rogue AI real estate monsters, and why Waffle House remains undefeated.

Get full access to News Sidequest at newssidequest.substack.com/subscribe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.