Ever been stuck in traffic with no accident, no construction, and no visible cause? Welcome to the world of phantom traffic jams—self-sustaining waves of congestion that arise from minor disturbances in traffic flow and leave you wondering if the universe is just trolling you. In this episode, Max and Lisa peel back the layers of this mind-bending phenomenon that plagues commuters everywhere. Is it a conspiracy? A glitch in the matrix? Or just the universe playing a cruel joke on your sanity?

We’re talking about that moment when the traffic slows for no reason, everyone hits the brakes for absolutely no cause, and then somehow you all crawl along at a snail’s pace for miles. Spoiler: It’s not magic, but it might as well be. Strap in as Max and Lisa break down the science (and lack of) behind phantom traffic jams, and why we’re all probably doomed to repeat the same damn bottleneck over and over again.

Note: This project explores the new creative potential unlocked by generative AI, showcasing how a single person, in just two hours, can curate (not create, but curate) a polished podcast series. I recognize the critiques around AI-generated content and the potential for digital clutter but invite you to take a listen on your next walk or drive and see what you think. Audio is AI-generated by Google's NotebookLM. Images by Grok-3 and Magic Studio.