Poll Hub

As video games have become mainstream, the stigma surrounding them has faded, especially among parents. A majority now say gaming is a positive part of their kids' lives, and many are playing with their kids regularly. But that doesn't mean they aren't also setting time and content limits.

Next, we explore the declining role of the "third place." Those communal spots outside work and home, like libraries, cafes, and barbershops, are being frequented less and less. What does it mean for connection, loneliness, and community identity?

And, for this week's Fun Fact, we rewind to 2014 to see which fast food franchise held the crown. Hint: It's likely one you've visited more than once!

With voter bases from both parties making it known that they want younger, more vibrant, and authentic elected officials, we're wondering if the reign of Boomers in American Politics is over? Well...probably not yet, but candidates like Zohran Mamdani and JD Vance might be a good place to start the conversation.

Then, we examine and push back against the age-old adage that "money can't buy you happiness" because research shows that it can... sort of! Maybe it has less to do with how much $ you have and more to do with how you spend it.

Finally, do you have a favorite author, or do you read whatever comes your way? Compare your answer to Americans from nearly a century ago in this week's fun fact!

In the wake of the NYC Democratic primary, where Zohran Mamdani blew out all expectations beating Andrew Cuomo largely on the strength of an historic youth turnout, we're discussing whether this race is a roadmap for Democrats or a dead end. And what about the 2024 Trump voters in NYC who chose Mamdani six months later? Are they crazy or pointing out a new political truth?

Then...

While the physical benefits of exercise are common knowledge, new data has shown that exercise has a host of non-traditional benefits, including aiding in productivity, and sleep quality. We break down why exercise might be the key to relationships, and mental health!

Finally, with summer in full swing, we're throwing it back to the '80s with this week's fun fact, all about fun (and safety) in the sun!

With President Trump's authorization of airstrikes on Iran last week, uncertainty is looming in the minds of many Americans. Did Trump make the right decision? Will there be retaliation stateside? We have the numbers outlining EVERYTHING that Americans think about our intervention in Iran.

Then, we dive into what Americans think of Trump's immigration policies. While the President promised that he would be tough on immigration, do Americans think ICE has gone too far?

Finally, whether you're watching a fireworks show, or setting off your own this Independence Day, we have an explosive fun fact that you won't want to miss!

For our 400th episode special, we're putting our polling knowledge to the test. That's right, it's "trivia night" here at the Marist Poll! We go back in time, discussing how the Supreme Court has succeeded, and failed, to enact social change. Next, we revisit the decades-long path that marijuana has taken to social acceptance. Lastly, we quiz ourselves on the public favorability of foreign trade over time!

In between are blasts from the past, as we've brought back nearly EVERY student producer who has helped make the past 399 episodes possible!

Finally, in traditional Poll Hub fashion, we wrap it up with a fun fact. We're delving into the world of 80s celebrity stardom, finding out exactly who Americans wanted to emulate back then!

We break down the final Marist NYC poll before the primary then dive into how Ranked Choice Voting works with expert Stephen Pettigrew from the University of Pennsylvania. He manages to make a complicated topic pretty simple!

Then, Americans' trust in police has been rising for the last few years and that includes among Black Americans. The latest results are the highest in four years but, still, Blacks have lower levels of trust and satisfaction with their local police that White Americans. In other areas, there is no racial gap but there is a partisan one.

Finally, the olds on the pod try and explain what Blockbuster was and how Netflix started as a DVD-by-mail company in our movie-themed fun fact.

Even though inflation has slowed, many Americans still feel that the cost of living is too high. Also, views on the economy are deeply divided by political affiliation. But here's what's really perplexing: Americans have been consistently bummed about the economy since 2008 regardless of who's in charge. We're looking at the polling data to understand.

Then, J Michael Keyes is an experienced intellectual property trial attorney and an expert in consumer surveys used in legal cases. He has represented major brands in high-profile lawsuits. He teaches/writes about trademarks, advertising, and survey research. So... he's the perfect guest to explain how surveys can be used as legal evidence, especially in trademark cases.

Our fun fact shows that Coca-Cola was students' favorite choice of drink in 1939, and a surprising amount chose milk! What do our current student producers think of that?

Other than tariffs, Donald Trump's signature achievement of his second term has been mass deportations. Masked, badge-less agents have swept across cities and states detaining men, women, and children, shipping most off to detention centers here in the US but plenty of others have been put on planes and flown to countries near and far. There's been plenty of outcry and court action but are a majority of Americans upset? We're looking at what the data says.

Then, we're looking at a really fascinating set of polls from around the world that show how people in other places think about life milestones. When's the best time to get married in Turkey? What about the best age to buy a house in India?

And, we finish with a VERY timely fun fact that has us digging through our closets to find our finest clothes...

Religion has probably always been a part of politics, but, in modern America, it's often linked with how the Civil Rights movement was powered from the pulpit and pews and the conservative "Silent Majority" Evangelical Christian political movement that began in the 80s. There's an assumption that when preachers and other religious figures take public political positions these influence the flock. But, do they? The data suggest otherwise.

Then, we're revisiting the national issue of loneliness to talk about some really interesting data sets that speak to it in very different ways.

Finally, Lee brings it home with a crazy fun fact right out of the Flintstones.

We're diving into the final chapter of one of the most recognizable names in polling: FiveThirtyEight. @GElliottMorris joins us to break down what led to the site's closure and what it all means for people who rely on quality data.

In the meantime, he's launched a Substack, Strength in Numbers, and has been writing about some notable trends, including how voters who are not very engaged with politics have dramatically shifted their attitudes about Donald Trump in just 6 months.

We wrap with a fun fact about political prestige, and whether it's still something people respect. Of course, we kept G. Elliott on for this one.