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The Story: Eva Moskowitz wants to fix a really big problem. There are over a million kids in New York City’s public schools. Most can’t read or do math at grade level. Many won’t graduate on time. And it’s largely poor, black and brown kids who are stuck in the lowest performing schools. Eva’s the founder and CEO of Success Academy, the subject of this season of StartUp. And she’s actually making progress. Her school network is growing at lightning speed, and her students get among the highest standardized-test scores in the city, beating out schools in some of the wealthiest districts. And the education world is watching. But not everyone likes what they see. In this season, we ask how exactly Success is doing what it’s doing, and why does it have so many critics? Today, on the first of our six-part series about Success, we meet a mother, Sherisse, who desperately wants her son to get into Success, so that he can have opportunities she never had herself. And we go inside a Success classroom on the first day of school, to see what parents like Sherisse are clamoring for. The Facts: Peter Leonard mixed the episode. Our theme song is by Mark Philips, remixed by Bobby Lord. Build Buildings wrote and performed our special ad music. Additional music by Peter Leonard, Bobby Lord, Hot Moms Dot Gov, Jupyter, Mothica,Golden Gram and BlueDot. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

Alex Blumberg sits down with the stars of the Homecoming  TV show-- Julia Roberts and Stephan James, and director Sam Esmail-- to talk about how they came to the project and what it was like to film it. This is the final part of a four-part mini-series on the making of the Homecoming TV show. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Being in charge of a big-budget TV production means having to make decisions. It's a new kind of power for Micah and Eli, and one that's sometimes uncomfortable to exercise. The words they write have real-world, three-dimensional—and sometimes winged—consequences. This is the third part of a four-part mini-series on the making of the Homecoming TV show. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Micah and Eli get to work, writing the scripts for the Homecoming TV show. But taking something meant only for the ear, and turning it into something for the eye... proves to be deceptively challenging. Plus, Alex visits the set of the show, to meet the small army of people actually building the visual world of Homecoming. This is the second part of a four-part mini-series on the making of the Homecoming TV show. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Two years ago, Gimlet released its first fiction podcast: Homecoming. Now, this November, a television series based on the hit podcast and starring Julia Roberts is launching.  Alex Blumberg was behind the scenes as Homecoming went from podcast to TV production. In this first episode, Homecoming creators Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg recount the journey, from concept to podcast to pitching the show to bigtime Hollywood producers. And we hear from some of the celebrities they met along the way. This is the first part of a four-part mini-series on the making of the Homecoming TV show. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

The Story: At the end of the last episode, co-founders Justin, Emmett, Michael, and Kyle had a big problem on their hands. Streaming Justin's life 24/7—the very idea their company was founded on—turned out to be kind of boring. Pretty soon people stopped watching. In this episode, the four friends try desperately to extend the life of their company by making some risky but important decisions. In the process, their scrappy startup catches the eye of some very powerful people who challenge everything they’ve built. The road of a startup is a bumpy one and, as Justin and his team are finding out, they have only just gotten started. This is the second part of a two-part story that originally aired in April of 2016. Listen to Part 1 https://gimlet.media/2N80DUE.    The Facts: Matthew Boll and Peter Leonard mixed the episode. Our theme song was written and performed by Mark Phillips. The special ad music, Microliters, was written and performed by Build Buildings. Additional music by Kevin Sparks and the band hotmoms.gov. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

When did someone first see a cheese curd and think, “Yeah, I’m going to eat that"? ELT traces the delicious and X-rated history of cheese. Plus, a professional processed cheese maker on how to make the most of the dairy aisle. Guests: cheese biochemist and historian Paul Kindstedt; processed cheese expert Lloyd Metzger; and cicada killer wasp biologist Chuck Holliday. Thanks to callers Kurt and Judi. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers. 

The Story: A group of friends moves across the country to launch an unlikely website that they think could replace television. The media loves them. They just need to figure out how to get their users to feel the same way. This is part one of a two-part series that originally aired in April of 2016. The Facts: Matthew Boll and Peter Leonard mixed the episode. Our theme song was written and performed by Mark Phillips. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

Who put the tension in reality TV? ELT tracks down the source of the nail biting-sound you can’t unhear. Plus, cicada killer wasps — a backyard horror story, turned intervention. Guests: sonic puppetmaster Rick Livingstone; cicada killer wasp expert Chuck Holliday. Thanks to callers Caitlin and Stephanie. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT.  To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers. 

The Story: In the evangelical world, there are very few female church planters. In 2012 only three percent of all conservative churches had women as lead pastors. In large part because one of their key theological beliefs is that women, according to the Bible, are not meant to lead churches. But there are other reasons too — maybe even bigger reasons. This is the story of one woman’s quest to do what all the boys were allowed to do… and how she tried to square what she wanted, with what lots of others said that God wanted. This is the sixth and final episode in our series on church planting. The Facts: Peter Leonard mixed the episode. Build Buildings wrote and performed our special ad music. Additional music by Haley Shaw. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

DJ Casper tells us the origin story of the Cha Cha Slide. Plus, The Nod’s Brittany Luse is astonished by the unreleased Cha Cha Slide Pt. 1. Guests: The Nod’s host, Brittany Luse; Willie Perry Jr. (aka DJ Casper aka Mr. C the Slide Man); former gym rat David Wilson; radio personality and actress La Donna “Tittle in The Middle” Tittle; and BBC Radio 1 host Scott Mills. Thanks to caller Rachael and line dance guru Kenny J. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

ELT goes down under, to expose one of the most impressive butts in the animal kingdom. Plus, the multi-layered origin story of the Bloomin' Onion. Guests: Science Vs. host, Wendy Zukerman; Wombat specialists, Alyce Swinbourne and Julie Old; ELT producer and fried appetizer fanatic, Phoebe Flanigan; Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon; chef George Barnes Thanks to fact buddy Ivy. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Is it possible to interpret what dogs are saying when they bark? We have the tools to help you do some ruff decoding. Plus, listeners share their real-life, unconventional Lassie stories. Guests: Dog bark researchers Péter Pongrácz and Kathryn Lord; behavioral scientist Susan Friedman. Thanks to dog callers Jacob, Alan, Katie R., Katie K., and Oren — and to everyone who sent in their pet stories. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Plus, koala fingerprints, lobster pee and other hot facts. There are mysterious symbols inside your tee-shirt -- do you know what they mean? ELT reveals the secrets of The DaLaundry Code. Plus, lobsters pee from their faces, and other cocktail party fodder from our fact buddy exchange. Guests: Symbol whisperer John Langdon; Pascale Florant of GINETEX; Patrick A. Ayers of Vartest Labs. Thanks to laundry caller Ellen, Fran Kozen of Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology, and to our fact buddies Josh, Angela, Greg, Olivia, Chad, Kathryn, Rachel, Amber, Ivy and Lia.  Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Does that person sitting next to you on the airplane REALLY work in IT? Plus, a tribute to the bedazzled sausage of the desert southwest, and more fun with pirates. Guests: ex-CIA operative Robert Baer, gila meister Dan Beck, and lady pirate expert Laura Sook Duncombe. Special thanks to callers “anonymous” and Eric — and to all of the listeners who sent us pirate questions. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line: #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

Some birds can fashion tools and create tiny works of art, so why do we always underestimate their bird brains? In this panel discussion, recorded at the 2018 Aspen Ideas Festival, Flora talks with writer Jennifer Ackerman and crow expert Alex Taylor about the genius of birds.  Guests: writer Jennifer Ackerman and New Caledonian crow expert Alex Taylor. Have a question that needs answering? Call the ELT Help Line #(833) RING ELT. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Every year, there’s a movement of thousands of pastors starting new churches — they call them church plants. It’s a world remarkably parallel to the tech industry, with incubators, growth metrics and, well, angel investors. One of these pastors, Watson Jones III, has dreams of starting a bustling new church in North Philly. But first, he has to figure out how to get people to show up. Watson might have the most difficult task of any founder in America: Convincing people who don’t know -- or even believe -- in God to change their minds and join his church. Reporter Eric Mennel tells the story of this young church plant in a new multi-part series from StartUp. Listen now to the first episode. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Pirate historian Laura Sook Duncombe tells us about the golden age of pirates. Plus, a tunnel follow up with Dr. Mole: where do the emergency exits in underwater tunnels go? Thanks to lady pirate expert Laura Sook Duncombe and tunnel afficionado Gary Brierley, aka Dr. Mole. Thank also to callers Captain Yarb and Kirsten. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

The retired Argentine midfielder Diego Armando Maradona is regarded by many soccer fans as the greatest player who ever lived. They’ll say he was creative, surprising, masterful—a gift to the game. But there are others who will tell you the opposite. That Maradona was the worst: A scoundrel, a villain, a cheat. In this episode, we tell the tale of soccer’s most complicated icon. CREDITS: We Came to Win is hosted by Nando Vila. This episode was produced by Emma Morgenstern, Emily Ulbricht, and Ngofeen Mputubwele with help from Anna Foley and Jasmine Romero. Our senior producer is Matthew Nelson. Our editors are Caitlin Kenney, Devon Taylor, and Jessica Weisberg. This episode was scored, sound designed, and mixed by Bobby Lord. Additional music by Emma Munger and Bliss Blood & Al Street. Check out more Gimlet podcasts at gimletmedia.com. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Plus, learn how to lie like a dad. Guests: Fake parenting expert Adam Mansbach; belly whisperer Tamara Duker Freuman; bird-watcher extraordinaire Amar Ayyash. Special thanks to Nicolas, Marisa, and everyone who called in with their Old Dad's Tales. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In our final episode of the series, Arlan is on a roll. She’s making new investments, raising her profile in the VC world, and bringing new people into her network. Some of her founders tell us why they really wanted investment from Backstage. And Arlan makes a surprise announcement that surprises her peers in Venture Capital. This is the final episode in our six-part series on Arlan Hamilton and her company, Backstage Capital. Listen from the very beginning here. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Is there more to your taste buds than you thought? ELT tackles a fat question. Plus, a #yesflamingo campaign update. Guests: Richard Mattes, taste czar; Sarah Laskow, reporter for Atlas Obscura. Special thanks to caller Samantha. *Correction: The Vegas Golden Knights mascot is not, in fact, a golden knight. It is Chance the gila monster. Our apologies to Chance and fans for the error. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In this week’s episode, Arlan tries to maintain control as investments fall through, she butts heads with a prominent investing platform, and we meet the Thelma to her Louise. This is the fifth episode in a six-part series on Arlan Hamilton and her company, Backstage Capital. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

What does it take to get Black women’s hair authentically represented on TV? Brittany talks to Yara Shahidi, the star of the popular sitcom Grown-ish, to find out. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Is your roommate trying to kill you? Learn how to spot the telltale signs of a psychopath. Guests: Jon Ronson, author of The Psychopath Test; cat psychologist Eva Waiblinger. Special thanks to caller Megan. *No animals were harmed in the making of this episode. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Arlan has only a few months left before her cash runs out out when a seemingly perfect opportunity comes along. Is it too good to be true? Also, we take a look at Arlan's past as an entrepreneur, before she became a venture capitalist. What did she learn? And can she avoid making the same mistakes? This is the fourth episode in a six-part series on Arlan Hamilton and her company, Backstage Capital. Want more StartUp? Check out our newsletter! You can sign up at: gimletmedia.com/newsletter. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Plus, a look at lottery history, and your strangest raffle winnings. Guests: Jonathan Cohen, lottery historian; John Koza, co-founder of Scientific Games Callers: John Henry, D., Lisa, Megan.  Hear your favorite Gimlet shows LIVE at Gimletfest this June 16-17 in Brooklyn. Buy tickets at gimletfest.com. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

This week, we’ll take you to Zaire for a story about national identity, colonialism, and one of the most notorious dictators in history. All courtesy of our friends at the new Gimlet podcast, “We Came to Win.” To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In this week’s episode we dive into what Silicon Valley considers “hustle” and how it may need to update its definition. We also find out how Arlan first got into venture capital—after months of sleeping on the floor at San Francisco International Airport. Plus, meet one venture capitalist who really gets Arlan’s goat. This is the second episode in a six-part series on Arlan Hamilton and her company, Backstage Capital. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Plus, how to pee in zero-G. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew gets pissed. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Additional reporting in this episode by Eric Eddings. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Additional music by Alexander Overington. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Alba and the Mighty Lions, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Thanks to Eric Mennel for all his help. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew leaves Earth behind. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Additional music in this episode by Bobby Lord and Elliot Cole. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Ellen O, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Special thanks to Kaitlin Roberts, Alexander Overington, and to Neil Scheibelhut. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew explores their new home. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Additional music by Charlie Palmieri. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Serengeti, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Special thanks to Peter Bresnan for his extensive research on the history of space pooping. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew gets bad news. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Reps, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Special thanks to Jasmine Romero for sorting through hours and hours of boring astronaut tape to find the very MOST boring astronaut tape. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew feels all warm and fuzzy. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Additional reporting in this episode by Eric Eddings. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Doo-wop vocals by Nico Osborne and Sean Zuni Green. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Cyprien Verseux, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Thanks to Eric Mennel for all his help. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

What's it going to take to actually get us to Mars? Plus, what to do once you’ve listened to every episode of The Habitat. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Music and sound design by Haley Shaw. Mixing by Catherine Anderson. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Sammy Miller and the Congregation, and written by David Bowie. Find the NASA audio archive here: https://archive.org/details/nasaaudiocollection. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew comes back to Earth. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Additional reporting in this episode by Eric Eddings. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. With help from Bobby Lord. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Our credits music in this episode is performed by The Weather Station, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Thanks to The University of Hawaii at Manoa, thanks to Tristan’s family, Carmel’s family and Lynn's family. Thanks to Dave Ruder. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. You can listen to the official soundtrack for The Habitat on Bandcamp (www.thehabitat.bandcamp.com) or Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com/gimletmedia/sets/the-habitat-soundtrack). To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

The crew opens the hatch. The Habitat is a production of Gimlet Media. It’s produced by Lynn Levy, Peter Bresnan, and Megan Tan. Our editors are Alex Blumberg, Jorge Just, Caitlin Kenney, and Blythe Terrell. Music, sound design, and mixing by Haley Shaw. Music supervision by Matthew Boll. Our credits music in this episode is performed by Pavo Pavo, and written by David Bowie. Our fact checker is Michelle Harris. Thanks to Kaitlin Roberts for her help. And a very special thanks to the HI-SEAS crew: Andrzej, Christiane, Cyprien, Carmel, Shey, and Tristan. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers.

One man is to blame. Plus, vanity plates in the wild: IC A GR8 PL8. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

Oo-OOOOOO! It’s quesadilla time. Brittany heads to L.A. to talk with a chef who’s making “Black tacos.” Turns out they’re more than just a delicious food. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

What's it like having Zach Braff play you on TV? Alex gets to ponder that question with the man himself on stage at NYC Podfest. They also talk about Chris Sacca, swearing on podcasts, and crying at work in a conversation moderated by StartUp co-host Lisa Chow. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

“That banana you ate for lunch was a clone ... So what makes you think they won't clone your black ass ?” Eric and Brittany try to figure out who Jason Derulo really is. To find a list of our sponsors and show-related promo codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers 

In honor of the release of the TV show Alex, Inc., we’re binge dropping episodes of StartUp—the podcast that started it all—along with brand-new after shows. These are the best episodes about Gimlet, as chosen by our listeners. The third is: How to Name Your Company. Alex and Matt need a company name. But finding one they both like proves to be a challenge. In this after show, Alex takes a listener question about naming the company. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In honor of the release of the TV show Alex, Inc., we’re binge dropping episodes of StartUp—the podcast that started it all—along with brand-new after shows. These are the best episodes about Gimlet, as chosen by our listeners. The fifth is: Diversity Report. If you were to walk into Gimlet HQ in 2015, there’s something you’d notice right off the bat. It was very white. In this episode, Alex talks to his coworkers about diversity at Gimlet—what it means, and what the company can do to improve moving forward. In the after show, Alex and Matt give the back story on how it came to be that they now have some big names playing them on TV. (Yes that rhymes.) For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In honor of the release of the TV show Alex, Inc., we’re binge dropping episodes of StartUp—the podcast that started it all—along with brand-new after shows. These are the best episodes about Gimlet, as chosen by our listeners. The second is: How to Divide an Imaginary Pie. Alex decides that he can't build the company by himself, so he links up with co-founder Matt Lieber. But before Alex and Matt can lock in their partnership, they need to discuss one pesky little detail… equity. In the after show, Alex takes a listener call and they discuss the tricky business of splitting equity. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In honor of the release of the TV show Alex, Inc., we’re binge dropping episodes of StartUp—the podcast that started it all—along with brand-new after shows. These are the best episodes about Gimlet, as chosen by our listeners. The fourth is: We Made a Mistake. Gimlet Media makes a mistake—one that plunges the young company into the center of an internet controversy. In the after show, Alex takes one last listener call, and is challenged by one of his producers. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

In honor of the release of the TV show Alex, Inc., we’re binge dropping episodes of StartUp—the podcast that started it all—along with brand-new after shows. These are the best episodes about Gimlet, as chosen by our listeners. The first is: How Not to Pitch a Billionaire. In this episode, Alex explains how he got the idea to document the start of his own company. He talks with his wife Nazanin about what shoes to wear to his first investor pitch. And then, there’s that… infamous first pitch to Chris Sacca. In the after show Alex talks to Chris Sacca about his experience appearing on Alex, Inc. For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers

More people in the U.S. died from opioids in 2016 than the peak year of the AIDS epidemic. So how did we get here? We speak to Prof. June Dahl, pain specialist Dr. David Tauben, and emergency physician Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone. If you or someone you love is struggling with an opioid addiction, in the US you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP or visit their website. Check out our full transcript here: http://bit.ly/2Pq1bZk Credits:This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman with help from Rose Rimler, Heather Rogers, and Shruti Ravindran. Our senior producer is Kaitlyn Sawrey. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Additional editing help from Alex Blumberg and Sruthi Pinnamaneni. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Sound design by Emma Munger. Music written by Bobby Lord. Recording help from Amber Cortes. And a huge thank you to all the researchers and doctors who spent time with us. We really appreciate it. Dr Andrew Chang, Dr Michael Vagg, Dr Andrew Kolodny, Dr Michael Von Korff, Dr Mary Lynch, Prof Gary Franklin, Prof David J. Clark, Dr Andrew Rosenblum, Frank Lopez, the Zukerman family, and Joseph Lavelle Wilson. Selected Readings: The National Academies of Sciences report on the epidemic This government report on the marketing of Oxycontin The Danish study on chronic pain This review of opioids and hyperalgesia For a list of our sponsors and show related offer codes, go to gimlet.media/OurAdvertisers