NO SUCH THING

Is it possible to objectively know when someone is lying? Humans have wrestled with this problem for centuries. And about 100 years ago, the polygraph device was made to solve it. But can this machine, commonly known as a lie detector, actually do what it says?

This week, we dive into the controversial history of the polygraph to find out how it works, why Pete Hegseth is using it to hunt Pentagon leakers, and how the government has allegedly punished people for selling tips to "beat" the machine, all while the device remains banned from most courtrooms.

Our guests this week helped us cover this one from all angles:

• Amit Katwala, author of Tremors in the Blood Murder: Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector
• George Maschke, former U.S. Army interrogator and reserve intelligence officer and co-founder of AntiPolygraph.org
• Nathan Gordon, Director of The Academy for Scientific Investigative Training, President of the International Society of Polygraph Examiners

Have a question or argument you want us to tackle? Leave us a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 or send us an email at [email protected]

And lastly: Subscribe to our newsletter for an exclusive announcement of a new era of the podcast: NST GOLD, coming soon.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, we’re diving into texting etiquette. How long should someone take before they text back? Is it ever OK to ghost someone? Are bad texters actually just bad friends? 

Our guest this week is Julie Beck from The Atlantic. Check out her article: Forgive the Bad Texters

We want to hear from YOU for a couple upcoming episodes!

First, ASK NO SUCH THING ANYTHING: We're doing an AMA to break down some behind-the-scenes on how we make the show. What questions do you want to know about MND?

And second: we're taking on GENTLE PARENTING: What does it mean to you? Do you think it works? Let us know what you think.

Leave us a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 or send us an email at [email protected]

And lastly: Subscribe to our newsletter for an exclusive announcement of a new era of the podcast: NST GOLD, coming soon.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflict is inevitable, so why are we so bad at it? In this special featured episode from Corner Piece, host Taha investigates the nature of conflict to help his co-hosts, Melissa and Sabrina (and all of us), find healthier ways to handle conflict. He interviews Harville Hendrix, a couples therapist with over 50 years of experience, and Eli J. Finkel, a professor and author of "The All-or-Nothing Marriage". They explain what happens when conflict gets in the way of connection and how to turn it into an opportunity for growth.

Corner Piece is a new podcast made by TED and the creators of YouTube channel, Answer in Progress. In each episode, hosts Taha, Melissa and Sabrina follow their curiosities down rabbit holes with help from expert guests to help you, and themselves, understand the world around us a little bit better.

Listen to more episodes of Corner Piece here: https://link.mgln.ai/Za4saJ 

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend, nearly 60,000 runners and millions of spectators will hit the five boroughs for the New York City Marathon. But when, and how, did we all become so obsessed with running? 

Folks, this episode has it all: the financial and political moves behind the rise of the marathon (and the yuppie), the worldwide impacts of climate change on running races, and what drives a marathon devotee to take on 26.2-mile gauntlets all over the world. 

Our guests this week are:

• Historian Dylan Gottlieb
  • Check out his book Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York
• Journalist and New Mom Run Club founder Nadia Neophytou 
  • Marathon Runners Are Training for a Hotter World
• Marathoner Amy Leavitt Knepper
  • Check out Team Andi

We want to hear from YOU for a couple upcoming episodes!

First, TEXTING ETIQUETTE: Do you have a bad texter in your life? What's your philosophy? Send us your texting thoughts and horror stories. 

And second: we're taking on GENTLE PARENTING: What does it mean to you? Do you think it works? Let us know what you think.

Leave us a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 or send us an email at [email protected]

And lastly: Subscribe to our newsletter for an exclusive announcement of a new era of the podcast: NST GOLD, coming soon.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan are joined by esteemed journalist Emmanuel Dzotsi, host of the Big Lives podcast and producer on This American Life, to break down what happened to the rom-com genre of film. They also hear from repeat-guest Walt Hickey, author of You Are What You Watch, who explains the financial incentive (and lack thereof) of filmmaking.

If you like this episode, check out: Why we're sick of franchise movies.

Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is actually a two-parter. In part one, Devan tries to get to the bottom of why he keeps seeing billboards advertising that concerts are "sold out." In part two, we tackle a listener’s question about a scheme to sell your identity so you can commit crimes scot-free.

Our guests this week are:

• Bruce Houghton, founder and president of Skyline and senior advisor at Bandsintown
• Ethan Beck, culture reporter at The Washington Post
•  Sarah Carver & Jennifer Griffith, Social Security whistleblowers

Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.

Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re diving into the world of personality tests, more specifically the Enneagram. We’ll take it ourselves, and find out just how accurate these tests are and what our obsession with them says about us.

Our guests this week are:

• Joshua Hook, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Texas
• Sam Corbin, columnist at The New York Times

Take the Enneagram yourself and tag us (@nosuchthing.show) in your results on your IG stories.

For links to Joshua and Sam’s work, check out our newsletter. 

Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1999, Coca-Cola’s CEO floated raising prices on hotter days using new technology in their vending machines. This caused an avalanche of bad press and the company backed off their plan. Today, that sort of variable pricing is commonplace, with companies hiding behind algorithms and economic shocks to shield themselves from malicious price-gouging tactics. This week, we find out how we lost control of the concept of a “fair price.”

Our guest this week is Lindsay Owens, President and CEO of the Groundwork Collaborative and author of the new book Gouged: The End of a Fair Price — and What That Means for Your Wallet. 

For links to research and more, check out our newsletter. 

Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(860) 325-0286

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re sharing an episode of W. Kamau Bell’s new show, Who’s With Me?. Kamau—a stand-up comedian, activist, and author—sits down with someone he admires deeply to give them their flowers, ask his most burning questions, and invite his guest to give him homework on how we can all make the world a better place. Daveed Diggs joins Kamau to talk about his hip-hop career, the anxiety of parenthood, starring in Hamilton, and pursuing creative projects with friends. Find more episodes of Who’s With Me? on Youtube or wherever you get podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we have one of the greatest mailbags of all time. Will cracking your knuckles give you arthritis? Should white people use skin-tone emojis? Why do dogs love Lamb Chop? And more plane-related questions, including does the middle seat get both armrests?

Our guests this week are:

• Rachel, E. Hein, M.D.
• Kate Lindsay, listen to ICYMI and follow her Substack Embedded

Check out Kate's Atlantic article: Why Are Dogs So Obsessed With Lamb Chop?

Check out Kate’s other episodes with the NST crew:

• What’s the best way to split the bill?
• Why can’t adults order from the kids’ menu?
• Are outdoor cats happier than indoor cats?

Buy Manny's book “Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion here.

For more, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.

Sign up for NST GOLD: https://nstgold.supportingcast.fm/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.