Shows
Battle Ready For BrunchAstronomer's PR move and other lighter news This week topics include: the data company Astronomer chose an interesting spokesperson. Followed by are leaning seats in airplanes close to becoming a reality? We end the podcast with the rise of glucose monitors. Also, if you want to support local news stations affected by Trump's budget cuts, consider adopting a station that stands to loose over 50% of its funding. https://adoptastation.org/ Other links: Company involved in Coldplay kiss cam hires spokesperson No official requests for standing seats on airplanesThe rise in popularity...2025-07-2611 minBattle Ready For BrunchA mini episode on the media As congress approved defunding the Public Broadcast Corporation, President Trump sued the Wall Street Journal, and a new Pew Research survey showed that most people are not getting behind the paywall of news content. Trump sued the Wall Street Journal Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy LettersCongress rolls back public media funding Americans are not paying for the news Prof. Matthew Facciani on Threads 2025-07-1909 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe end of one click to cancel rule and other headlines The headlines for the week are: The court blocked the measure that was meant to make canceling subscription-based services easier. /There's a new messaging app in town/ Trump is insisting on cuts to PBS and NPR.Decision by the 8th circuit on FTC’s one-click cancel rule Center for Consumer Law defends one-click rule US Chamber of Commerce argues one-click rule is overreach Guess who’s suing the FTC One click-to-cancel rule blockedNew Messaging App Security concerns with Bitchat Tr...2025-07-1210 minBattle Ready For BrunchWho's happy and who's not with the BBB and other news President Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill into law, and some people are elated others are very concern. We also have a tropical storm this week and on happy news NYC public libraries got more funding and Tiny Chef is finding support from fans. Winners and losers of the Big Beautiful Bill Energy-related priorities of the Big Beautiful BillStorm Chantal How to prepare for hurricane seasonLibraries get more funding Tiny chef is still unemployed 2025-07-0513 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe Senate parliamentarian advice and other news For this mini episode the headlines are a mayoral election (but not the one you're thinking off), the latest chapter of the Trump administration's crackdown on universities and the advice the Senate parliamentarian gave about the Bill Beautiful Bill. Miami City Commission postpones election UVA president resign under pressure from the US Justice Dept. More than 50 universities under investigation Medicaid provisions can’t go through reconciliation The role of the parliamentarian 2025-06-2810 minBattle Ready For BrunchPets, ChatGPT and other headlines This is a little mini episode while we're on summer hiatus with some interesting headlines. Pet dogs could be considered family members Federal land for sale How could Alaska be impacted by selling off federal land EPA to revert ban total ban on asbestosYour brain on ChatGPT2025-06-2110 minBattle Ready For BrunchWho has a conspiracy mindset This is not about the ludicrous conspiracy theories, in our last episode before summer hiatus we discuss the more subtle conspiracy mentality that makes it harder to fight misinformation.Show notes (1600 characters max): This is not about the ludicrous conspiracy theories, in our last episode before summer hiatus we discuss the more subtle conspiracy mentality that makes it harder to fight misinformation.California National Guard, Marines descend into LA, Protests against Tesla’s Robotaxi, New IRS Commissioner, US Steel and Nippon Steel merge, A new dinosaur Main course: Meta study on...2025-06-1429 minBattle Ready For BrunchA solo episode We had some technical difficulties while Anna is traveling, but Maso is discussing some of the important headlines you might have missed this week Secretary of commerce v. a bananaIs the administration looking for tariff reciprocity?Education Department says Columbia is not compliant Indiana bill that would amend tenure Budget bill gave more power to IU governorIndiana Governor removed IU trusteesReactions to trustee removalSCOTUS grants DOGE access to the Social Security system Music from Master Planned Music.2025-06-0718 minBattle Ready For BrunchNo one is talking to AnnaThis week we talk about how political polarization has made some people more reluctant to talk to journalists or in some cases even aggressive against reporters.Tropical storm Alvin, Siamese crocodiles release, Judge blocks restrictions on Harvard, Trump cancels birdflue vaccines, Climate projectionsMain course: Pew Research: Public Trust on ScientistsSweet Treat: A brief history of the Plate Tectonic Theory Development of Tectonic Theory Tip your waiter:Secrets of the woodpeckers’ tonguesWoodpeckers, sounds wildMusic from Master Planned Music.2025-05-3133 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe benevolent AI chatbotsSince Google unveiling its latest AI tool this week, we are talking about how AI is affecting how we verify information.Trump against Harvard, Protecting DOGE, Nuclear reactors, FTC not fighting PepsiCo, Clownfish getting smaller Main Course:Google’s AI ModeAI giving bad informationFact checking AI bots Perceived slant of AI Generalization biasSweet Treat: Lorelai FountainMusic from Master Planned Music.2025-05-2431 minBattle Ready For BrunchBig Baby is Out to Get YouThis week we’re talking all about Big Baby—the hypothetical industry pushing for American pregnancies. National Guard removals, brain dead pregnancy, coral reef ink, potential bear death, Jello shots Main Course:Fertility RatesOhio State StudyAmericans are having less children Cost of Baby Trump Administration pushSweet Treat: AI granny waste scammer’s timeTip your waiter:Babies have more bonesMeet the Scam-fighting AI botMusic from Master Planned Music. 2025-05-1730 minBattle Ready For BrunchA very normal letter to HarvardThis week we’re diving into the different instances in which the Trump administration is looking to enforce a single point of view. Non-competes, new Pope, Chicago housing, trade deal, North Carolina Election BoardMain courseLetter to Harvard from Ed. Dept. Harvard’s endowment fund Cutting funding to NPR and PBSExecutive order is struck downAFL sued the court administration Sweet treatThe great bald eagleIllegal feathers Tip your waiterFact about Popes Music from Master Planned Music. 2025-05-1033 minBattle Ready For BrunchGlacier v. SalmonThis week we’re looking at Alaskan glacial melt and how it could impact communities and other species in the region. Also, globes. NYC rent increase, Ozempic response, NPR and PBS cuts, Fire rebuild, Picasso snailMain Course Glacial meltSalmon decline Glacier runoffAbout Cordova Native Village of EyakSubsistence fishingSweet treatHistory of GlobesPocket globes Tip your waiterBomb sniffing rats Music from Master Planned Music. 2025-05-0332 minBattle Ready For BrunchBook banning and the pall of orthodoxy This week we’re looking at the censorship attempts that continue to generate concern for librarians across the country and what’s the judicial precedent. Abortion restriction laws, FBI arrests judge, Pope Francis’ funeral, deep-sea mining, hydraulics in ancient Egypt Main courseUnited Against Book Bans American Library Association book bans dataBoard of Education v Pico That Librarian: The Fight against book banning in AmericaBook banning is in murky territory Sweet treatJohns Proctor is the Villain Wiki Johns Proctor is the Villain Tip your waiter10 foods that almost...2025-04-2632 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe Last Doctor Ever wonder who’s taking care of your body after you die? Probably not because you’re still alive. But you should know about the medical examiners doing this work. This week’s episode is all about death. Appetizer Florida shooting, CFPB, Harvard University update, Luigi Mangione death penalty, turtles Main courseDifference between coroner and medical examinerSweet treatThe emergence of London’s Bill of Mortality The Mortality Bill ProjectA year of weekly death statistics Understanding the Bills of Mortality Tip your waiterThe Black Death Music...2025-04-1935 minBattle Ready For BrunchNot even the penguins are safeYour dad/sister/random friend is probably gonna mention tariffs this weekend. No idea what they are or what’s going down in tariff town? We’ve got your back. This week we’re giving context to Trump’s tariffs’ proposal that produced memes, laughs and serious concerns for the economy. Also.. ANNA CANT GET AWAY FROM THE WEIRD CREATURES. 2025-04-1234 minBattle Ready For BrunchWe Are Not Trying to Scare Your Kids Let’s talk about teaching climate change in schools. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it even possible? And, what would it look like?Appetizer TikTok still safe, spiked drink stir, artificial reef, Columbia patrol, U.S. FDA firingMain CourseStudy on climate educationElementary and Secondary Education ActCommon CoreOregon Educators for Climate EducationNew Jersey Curriculum Texas Sweet treatThe History of Standard Time in the US The mess of local time Taking measures for over 120 years Tip your waiterPendulums and altitudeFacts about clocksMusic from Master Pl...2025-04-0529 minBattle Ready For BrunchNew phone, HouthisMeme culture meets the government. Beyond the blunder of accidentally letting a journalist in the government chat, the “Houthi PC small group” chat opens a discussion about our security clearance protocols. Appetizer Bank overdraft fees, Musk gives prize for voting, consumer spending, executive order on Smithonian museum, prehistoric waspsMain courseTrump officials let the Atlantic in the chat Comparing the messaging appsWho is using the messaging apps? How to get clearanceClearance protocolSweet treatPossums are not pets Possums are not pets Tip your waiterHist...2025-03-2933 minBattle Ready For BrunchDuped by Smokey the BearThis week we’re taking a look at wildfire behaviors in the United States and how we’ve decided to deal with them. Appetizer Texas bill, human population underestimated, free ride to Harvard, Heathrow fire, Tesla recall Main CourseCalifornia fires Common firesFire suppressionRetardants Danger to fishControlled burningSweet treatWhy do we divide time like we do?Dividing the day into 24 hoursTip your waiter Why is the ocean blue?Music by Master Planned Music. 2025-03-2227 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe bets are weird, but we’re not judging This week we take a closer look at prediction markets because there are people making money betting on our everyday events and industry insiders actually pay attention to those bets. Appetizer Congress’ spending bil, Education Dept investigates universities, Arizona wildfire bill, Increase in scams, Mummies’ tattoosMain course Sports betting laws by stateDomestic violence and sport bettingBetting on the oscarsOdd Lots talks about prediction markets Informed bettors balance out emotional bettorsSweet treatMickey 17 Rotten Tomatoes Mickey 17 Kalshi bet Tip your waiter Venus is upsidedownMusic by Mast...2025-03-1533 minBattle Ready For BrunchSéances and Science This week we’re talking about experts who are trying to push the boundary of understanding between the metaphysical and empirical to fill the gaps that science hasn’t yet filled. Also, the earth is round.Appetizers Narwhals, education department, car in Oregon, EU military, SpaceX Main course The Fox Sisters (1)The Fox Sisters (2)Medium vs channellers Identity Study Genetic Study Research on channellers Harry Houdini disliked mediums Sweet treat The Earth is, in fact, round10 ways you can tell the Earth is roundMyths about the Medieval period Tip your...2025-03-0829 minBattle Ready For BrunchPersonal style (for you… and the podcast)Headlines: Asteroid update, Kenyan bongos, Australian flight, NASA telescope, gold visaListen to/watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXtBFiF_32k Music by Master Planned Music. 2025-03-0100 minBattle Ready For BrunchDown bad but still fightingA lot of the dumpster fires happening right now can leave us feeling helpless, but this week we’re talking about the things we can do to take back some control. Appetizer Tomb, unusual flight accidents, latest executive order, bamboo panels, firing the FAA. Main course Find your congressperson Script to call your rep. Importance of community Know your judges Media saturation Sweet treatHyrax Rock Hyrax Tip your waiter All About Pluto Music by Master Planned Music. 2025-02-2235 minBattle Ready For BrunchThat court order is not a suggestion Between the reaction to the court orders to the directives to government agencies, the Trump administration is stressing the system of checks and balances. Appetizer Prosecutors quit, More unpredictable climate patterns, OpenAI is not for sale, White House correspondents, Baby new yorkerMain course Executive Branch Reorganization Authority Marbury vs Maddison Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer Funding freeze lawsuitNIH lawsuit Nixon and Congress Sweet treatReigning over a Hellish BureaucracyPapers for the underworld bureaucracyChinese death rituals Tip your waiter Jonathan the tortoise Music by Master Planned...2025-02-1532 minBattle Ready For Brunch The price tag is not the actual price -- also, BIRDSThis week we are talking about how more businesses than before are asking for tips and adding more "junk fees" to transactions -- leaving consumers fatigued. Plus, pigeon cam! Appetizer Reducing USAID positions, Night Parrot egg, missing Bering Air plane, unemployment rate down, Californian bear in crawl space. Main course Tipping Culture Is Completely Broken Why Americans Are Tipping LessThe disconnect between sticker Price and what you Pay CFPB on junk feesThe argument for “junk fees,” Cato Institute Sweet treatOnce a satirical conspiracy theory could soon be a re...2025-02-0834 minBattle Ready For BrunchTrump is moving fast With over 70 executive orders, President Trump is moving fast on many key issues. We are here to discuss the implications of some of these actions, and then we wend with a ~spicy~ review to take your mind off of politics. Appetizer Non opioid painkiller, FCC investigates NPR and PBS,Nissan slimming down in the US, Costco increases wages, Ancient statue in a trash binMain course President Trump’s executive orders The federal register Judge blocks Trump’s order on birthright citizenshipConcerns for USDS employees What are SES? Sweet treat The...2025-02-0136 minBattle Ready For BrunchPlease stop moving to New YorkThis week we are focusing on cities that are sinking, not just that the sea level is rising but what are the man-made issues that are causing the earth to subside. Appetizer Trump deportation Carrots Meta AI California wildfiresPuppiesMain course Cities that might disappearWhere are cities sinking?Problems on the East Coast Disappearing cities on US coastsManaging land subsidence Sweet Treat Saturn rings are disappearing Mars and its rings Sharks older than Saturn’s rings Tip your waiter! Early representations of Swan LakeColorful black swansIllustration of the cu...2025-01-2531 minBattle Ready For BrunchEverybody does itWe’re taking a look at the complicated history of gossip, why we do it and what happens when press coverage gets into the personal. Appetizer Apple AI notifications, Clean-air measures dropped, Challenge on abortion pill access, SpaceX troubled launch, California wildfiresMain course TitivillusThe origins of the gossip Covering sex scandals, Radiolab episodeThe Watergate scandalWho gossips?The surprising benefits of gossip Sweet treatA weird Oxford OathThe curious case of Henry Symeonis Tip your waiter Sherlock Holmes never saidWhat Holmes saidWho actually said itMusic by Ma...2025-01-1836 minBattle Ready For BrunchFacebook's new rules Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced that he would be removing guardrails around fact checking and content moderation. We’re putting his new rules and narrative in context.AppetizerCoffee, Tiktok ban, California fires casualties, Trump’s sentencing, Fishing lobsters Main course Meta’s new rulesMeta’s fact-checking policyMeta’s oversight boardRepublicans angry with CISAFake news and the electionDSATwitter blocks academic researchSweet treatOpioid dataStates with the highest overdose ratesDrug overdose mortality by stateTip your waiterNeither seen nor heardLost silent films Music by Master Planned Music.2025-01-1133 minBattle Ready For BrunchWe have some concerns Out with the old and in with the old, administration, that is. We take a look at the start of a second Trump administration and what could be changing in the new government. Appetizer: Net neutrality, Uncounted ballots, No Justice referrals, AI detecting wildfires, Apple settled lawsuit Main Course Johnson fighting for the speakershipHouse rules Biden’s final days in officeWhat Happens Inside the White House on Inauguration DayPresidential transitionDOGE wants budget cuts Executive branch reorganization authority ROI via social security numberSweet Treat Christmas Eve across the worldWho brings the gifts ...2025-01-0434 minBattle Ready For BrunchSome tidbits of 2024We’re ending the year with some stories that we found funny, interesting or made us forget about other dumpster fires.General NewsBoeing, Social media companies, Sweden joined NATO, AI protections for performers, UK election, France election, Gisèle Pelicot, The most viewed bills Science and other advancements in knowledgeThe Quasar, The Nobel Prize in Medicine, The universe, Baby mammoth, Oldest alphabet, Unknown language EnvironmentLargest coral, Salmon returned to BasinTip your waiter! Brunch, LEG...2024-12-2825 minBattle Ready For BrunchWhy Cranberries?! And other holiday questions Why do we celebrate the holidays like we do? We're here to talk about some interesting facts regarding our holiday traditions based on some listener questions. Why is Christmas in December?Debates about when was Christmas Tradition of the Christmas treeHistory of the Christmas treeChristmas tree facts Representation of the MagiThe Magi in European art Krampus, the companion of St. Nicholas9 Days, 9 Countries, 9 Christmas Markets (part 1) Candles in the windows: The surprising history behind the Christmas traditionCandles in the window – the history behind 22 Best gifts for dogs and gog lovers for 2024 Wrapping guides Ecology Center’s guid...2024-12-2135 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe Fake Winter ArcIt is that time of the year when we dream of what would be the best versions of ourselves. So this week we’re looking at how the New Year’s resolution is getting mixed up in optimization culture.AppetizerMeta donates to Trump’s inauguration, Reality contestants are employees, UnitedHealth CEO shooting suspect, FBI and FAA directors resign, Google’s quantum chip.Main CourseWhat is a winter arch?New Year’s resolutions: who makes them and why?Is our obsession with health data making us crazy?Just thinking you slept poorly can...2024-12-1430 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe Black Hole of AcademiaIt’s time to talk about the vague world of academia and how it works. Is a higher education worth the time and money? Finally, we answer everyone’s burning question: are we in a recession?Appetizer:United Healthcare shooter, Northwest earthquake, New bioplastic, Biden's pardons ,Pneumonia vaccine.Main Course:Academic angers trolls with PhD completion announcementFirst generation students and community collegeUS doctoral degrees by genderFive largest US university endowmentsBudget cuts in collegesDeclining rate of professors with tenureJohn Mulaney and college video clipAverage student loan debtSweet treat:What is a re...2024-12-0731 minBattle Ready For BrunchCan we still read? This episode is for those who are wondering why they can’t read as much as they used to and would like to change it. We also look at worrisome statistics about the reading habits in the U.S.Appetizer Tornado Cash, Social media ban, Hurricane season, Alaska Turkey Bomb, Presidential transitionMain Course US literacy statisticsThe Atlantic: The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read BooksRebuttal to The AtlanticReading at RiskCuts in publishing industry Are attention spans decreasing?Effect of smartphones BookTok Sweet Treat Stax Christmas, from Stax RecordsAsalto Navi...2024-11-3033 minBattle Ready For BrunchMerch on Steroids We’re diving into the world of celebrity brands—from alcohol to makeup to coffee beans, we look at how and why household celebrity names choose to invest in new business. Finally, the Federal Reserve.Appetizer Droughts and wildfires, Grok names misinformation spreader, Coral reef discovery, Dismantling cybersecurity agency, Recess appointmentsMain Course RoyaltiesResiduals CodesAffiliate linksAmazon commissionCoffee brands Coffee without coffee roastersAlcoholBrand statistics Sweet Treat Federal ReserveJekyll Island Tip your waiter! Music by Master Planned Music.2024-11-2334 minBattle Ready For BrunchThe ominous algorithmWe know the algorithm is effective but here we analyze the many sneaky ways that social media is designed to keep you trapped in the loop. Finally, we look at a Sci-Fi book that goes beyond the mechanics. Content warning: In this episode we talk about some sensitive topics regarding mental health, including eating disorders. Appetizer Droughts and wildfires, Grok names misinformation spreader, Coral reef discovery, Dismantling cybersecurity agency, Recess appointmentsMain Course Social media algorithms explainedStudy on Twitter follow trainsTikTok executives know about the effects of the platformStudy on...2024-11-1630 minBattle Ready For BrunchWe’re all screwed Why does it feel impossible to find a home or rent? This week we take a look at the housing market, from the media, to the economy, climate change and more. Finally, the US v. the metric system.Appetizer: Trump wins election, 1.5 degree warming, Britain’s antelope, Canada TikTok ban, California wildfire Main Course151 celebrity house tours Housing market explainedHow COVID affected housing Why millennials are not buying homesPrivate equity’s impact on housing Sweet Treat We’re lazy but that is not the only problemRefusing to give and inchThe history of the me...2024-11-0933 minBattle Ready For BrunchElection Vibe Check | Bottomless BrunchThis episode is all about the presidential election. We go through some highlights, funny moments and serious moments. Then we go through where the candidates stand on some of the core issues and what we know about the election forecast. Check your registration or ballot status: OregonCheck your registration or ballot status: WashingtonTrump vs. Harris on climate changeTrump vs. Harris on abortionTrump vs. Harris on immigration Trump vs. Harris on the economyBlind test of voters’ preferencesHow much does likeability matter?Polling: Trump vs HarrisConcerns about large election-related betsPolymarket election forecastKalshi election forecast Music courtesy of Master Planned Mu...2024-11-0241 minBattle Ready For BrunchTake it to the Polls—then what? We dive into polling and other methods of tracking political opinion. Let’s figure out how reliable they are and what we’ve learned since the 2016 election. Finally, some spooky books!Appetizer LA Times, Stuck between boulders, Birds in engine, Rape trial, Neuroscience breakthroughMain Course Sampling methods Probabilistic sampling2020 polling report The Harvard Gazette interviewWhat are prediction markets?Defenders and detractors of political betting Sweet Treat An excellent review of “Our Share of Night” by Mariana Enríquez Tananarive Due’s website where you can check out all her wor...2024-10-2630 minBattle Ready For BrunchAbortion on the ballotAbortion is back on the ballot. Let’s talk about why, then dive deep into how individual states are addressing the issue. Then, INFLATION! Headlines: Tech turns nuclear, Harvard endowment, Carbon emission rules, Florida ad, Georgia early vote, First time voter Main Course:Where voters will decide on abortionWho and what is behind abortion ban trigger billsArkansas Supreme Court blocks abortion referendumCase study: Colorado, Arizona, WisconsinCenter for American Progress reportSweet Treat:International Monetary Fund Inflation descriptionConsumer Price IndexWages are not keeping up with jobs Labor UnionsTip your waiter!...2024-10-1933 minBattle Ready For BrunchIt’s Not Your FaultEverything is a conspiracy theory if you don’t understand how anything works. So for our pilot episode we’ll teach you how to be a savvy news consumer. And then, we answer a question submitted from a listener: what’s up with the 2nd avenue subway?Headlines: FEMA disaster aid, Nazi looting, Alaskan winters, Disaster impact, Montana abortion lawMain Course:Stanford researchers find students have trouble judging the credibility of information online Media literacy skills important to counter disinformation, survey saysAmericans' Trust In Media Remains Near Record LowNews engagement plummets as Americans tune o...2024-10-1234 minBattle Ready For BrunchUp Your Small Talk GamePremiering October 12th. We’re two young journalists here to prepare you to be the most interesting person at this weekend’s brunch.Music courtesy of Master Planned Music.2024-10-0400 min