Podcast appearances and mentions of zachary crockett

Districts across the country are facing shortages of school bus drivers. Can technology help? Zachary Crockett takes a seat in the back. SOURCES:Keith Corso, co-founder and CEO of BusRight.Marc Medina, transportation supervisor for the Farmingdale School District in Long Island.Jada Melendez, school bus driver in Burlington County, New Jersey. RESOURCES:"How St. Louis parents are dealing with school bus driver shortages," by Gabrielle Hays (PBS, 2024)."The school bus driver shortage remains severe," by Sebastian Martinez Hickey and David Cooper (Economic Policy Institute, 2023)."‘End of the Line': School Bus Industry in Crisis Because of the Coronavirus," by Pranshu Verma (New York Times, 2020). 

Alan Abel was driving down a Texas highway when traffic came to a sudden stop. As it turned out, a herd of cattle was crossing the road. How annoying! Then – shock of all shocks – a cow and a bull started mating, right there, in the middle of the road, IN FRONT OF GOD AND EVERYBODY. Some motorists giggled. Some averted their eyes. Some were shocked.  Alan couldn't believe what was happening. Didn't those animals have any decency? Didn't they have any common sense? Someone needed to create some rules! The way Alan saw it, the world would be a much better place if we started putting clothing on animals. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Society for indecency to naked animals,” NPR.org “Alan Abel, history's greatest hoaxer,” by Jake Rossen for Mental Floss “The fine art of hoaxing,” by Dave Von Drehle for The Arizona Republic The documentary, “Abel Raises Cain” “College may ban animal nudity,” by Andrew T. Weil for The Harvard Crimson “The campaign to make ‘indecent' animals wear clothing,” by Zachary Crockett for Priceonomics.com “Underwear for Horses? A hoax, cemented in print,” The New York Times The album, “Inside SINA” “10 questions for the best prankster ever,” by Nicole Tourtelot for Esquire “The more you weigh, the more you pay,” by Joshua Foer for Esquire

Everyone loves to complain about it — but preparing a meal that tastes good at 35,000 feet is harder than you might think. Zachary Crockett will have the fish. SOURCES:Molly Brandt, innovation chef for North America at Gategroup.Chris Kinsella, chief commercial officer for North America at Gategroup.Guillaume de Syon, professor of history at Albright College. RESOURCES:"No Thanks, Grandma, I'm Saving Room for Airplane Food," by Christine Chung (New York Times, 2023)."The Golden Age of airplane food is over. The future: Snacks and sustainability." by Natalie Comptom (The Washington Post, 2019)."Why does food taste different on planes?" by Katia Moskvitch (BBC, 2015)."And to Penny-Pinching Wizardry," by Claudia Deutsch (New York Times, 2001)."The Pioneering Years: Commercial Aviation 1920–1930," by Rich Freeman (U.S. Centennial of Flight).

Regular Afternoons podcast critic Alan Doak has been listening to Instant Genius by the folk that make BBC Science Focus Magazine and The Economics of Everyday Things hosted by journalist Zachary Crockett.

Picture it. Ontario. 1953. It was Robert and Phyllis Kearns' wedding night. Bob did his best to open the champagne, but the cork shot out and smacked him square in the eye. He screamed! Phyllis screamed! There was blood everywhere! Bob ultimately went blind in that eye, but the experience got him thinking about eyes and how they work. So, years later, when he was driving in the rain and his one-speed windshield wipers went too fast for the sprinkle, he thought to himself, “I wish windshield wipers worked more like an eyelid.” And since Bob had a PhD in mechanical engineering, he immediately got to work on the first intermittent windshield wiper. Things went great for a minute! …and then they got terrible. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: “The flash of genius,” by John Seabrook for The New Yorker “Inventor Winning Long Legal Battle With Auto Maker : Patents: Robert Kearns developed the intermittent windshield wiper more than 20 years ago. He claims the car companies stole his idea.” by James Risen for the Los Angeles Times “An obsession with justice and auto parts,” by Michael Cieply for The New York Times “Accomplished, frustrated inventor dies,” by Matt Schudel for the Washington Post “The epic, decades-long battle between Ford and a small-time inventor,” by Zachary Crockett for The Hustle “Wiper man Robert Kearns won his patent fight with Ford, but that didn't mean he was out of the woods,” by Ken Gross for People.com “Alabama woman stuck in NYC traffic in 1902 invented the windshield wiper,” by Joe Palca for NPR “Who made that windshield wiper?” by Dashka Slater for The New York Times Magazine

Wanna start a side hustle but need an idea? Check out our Side Hustle Ideas Database: https://clickhubspot.com/thds Tariffs are causing companies like Walmart and Target to raise prices, but what about another huge American institution? Fireworks are also set to take a hit from tariffs as most of them are produced in China. Zachary Crockett joins us from The Economics of Everyday Things podcast to break down if you can expect less fireworks on your 4th of July this year. Plus: Klarna gets a debit card and Spirit Halloween cancels its opening celebration. Join our hosts Jon Weigell and Mark Dent as they take you through our most interesting stories of the day. Follow us on social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehustle.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehustledaily/ Thank You For Listening to The Hustle Daily Show. Don't forget to hit subscribe or follow us on your favorite podcast player, so you never miss an episode! If you want this news delivered to your inbox, join millions of others and sign up for The Hustle Daily newsletter, here: https://thehustle.co/email/  If you are a fan of the show be sure to leave us a 5-Star Review, and share your favorite episodes with your friends, clients, and colleagues.

Every year, America celebrates its independence with millions of dollars worth of explosives imported from China. Zachary Crockett lights a fuse and backs away quickly. SOURCES:JJ Brau, fireworks coordinator for J&M Displays.Mark Johnson, vice president of J&M Displays. RESOURCES:"The explosive history of fireworks, from ancient China to Revolutionary America," by Joe Hernandez (NPR, 2024)."July 4 fireworks fiasco solved – technically," by Jonathan Horn (The San Diego Union-Tribune, 2016)."The Fireworks King," by Damian Paletta and Emily Rauhala (The Washington Post, 2018)."Exploding The Mystery Of Blue Fireworks," by Short Wave (2013)."How Do Fireworks Make Shapes?" by Natalie Wolchover (Live Science, 2011). EXTRAS:"Agreement Between The City of Rapid City and J&M Displays, Inc. for Annual Fireworks Displays" (2023).

These glistening round gemstones have come a long way since your grandmother's time, but procuring them is still a lot of work. The world is Zachary Crockett's oyster. SOURCES:Jeremy Shepherd, C.E.O. of Pearl Paradise.James Brown, owner of Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm. RESOURCES:"Pearls Have Acquired a New Luster Among Young Designers," by Victoria Gomelsky (New York Times, 2024)."The Value of Pearls: A Historical Review and Current Trends," by Akitsugu Sato and Laurent Cartier (GemGuide, 2022)."From Single Source to Global Free Market: The Transformation of The Cultured Pearl Industry," by Russell Shor (Gems & Geology, 2007). 

Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. SOURCES:Linda Flanagan, author.Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop.R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad.John Miller, journalist and baseball coach. RESOURCES:"The Cost of Youth Baseball Is Getting Absurd," by Adam Minter (Bloomberg, 2024)."Perfect Game Sees Prosperity Thanks To New Investments In Youth Sports," by Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. (Forbes, 2024)."How America Sold Out Little League Baseball," by John W. Miller (America Magazine, 2022)."In Youth Sports, Talent Helps but Money Rules," by Roman Stubbs (The Washington Post, 2022).Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters, by Linda Flanagan (2022)."State of Youth Sports: Parents, Policymakers Better Appreciate Physical Activity, Face Barriers to Help Kids Play," by Jon Solomon (The Aspen Institute, 2022). EXTRA:Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids Sports and Why It Matters, by Linda Flanagan (2022). 

Where is “the cloud,” anyway? It's in a bunch of nondescript warehouses all over the country. Zachary Crockett serves up the story. SOURCES: Chris Kimm, senior vice president of global customer care and customer experience at Equinix.Raul Martynek, C.E.O. of DataBank.Clayton Rosati, associate professor of geography at Bowling Green State University. RESOURCES:"How Data Center Alley Is Changing Northern Virginia," by Mac Carey (Oxford American, 2025)."Noisy, Hungry Data Centers Are Catching Communities by Surprise," by Sean Patrick Cooper (The New York Times, 2024)."As Data Centers for AI Strain the Power Grid, Bills Rise for Everyday Customers," by Evan Halper and Caroline O'Donovan (The Washington Post, 2024)."Data Plantation: Northern Virginia and the Territorialization of Digital Civilization in 'The Internet Capital of the World'," by Clayton Rosati, Aju James, and Kathryne Metcalf (Online Media and Global Communication, 2023)."A New Front in the Water Wars: Your Internet Use," by Shannon Osaka (The Washington Post, 2023). EXTRAS:"Why Is It So Hard (and Expensive) to Build Anything in America?" by Freakonomics Radio (2023).Data Center Map. 

A new thrill ride can cost an amusement park $20 million or more — but roller coasters attract customers like nothing else. Zachary Crockett must be at least this tall to host this episode. SOURCES:Korey Kiepert, engineer and partner at The Gravity Group.Dennis Spiegel, owner and founder of International Theme Park Services. RESOURCES:"These two amusement park giants just merged. Rollercoaster fans are nervous," by Nathaniel Meyersohn (CNN, 2024)."1,000-foot-tall roller coaster may soon be a reality," by Brady MacDonald (Seattle Times, 2024)."A Century of Screams: The History of the Roller Coaster," (PBS)."The Business of Building Roller Coasters," by Zachary Crockett (Priceonomics, 2014).Roller Coaster Census Report.The Gravity Group. EXTRAS:"January 1884: First U.S. Patent for a Roller Coaster," by LaMarcus Thompson (Advancing Physics, 2004).American Coaster Enthusiasts. 

It takes a highly skilled stenographer — and some specialized equipment — to transcribe TV dialogue in real time at 300 words per minute. Will A.I. rewrite the script? Zachary Crockett tries to keep up. SOURCES:Doug Karlovits, general manager at Verbit.Katie Ryan, live steno captioner at Verbit. RESOURCES:"The Long Case for Machine Shorthand," by Sam Corbin (New York Times, 2024)."Caption This: Why Subtitling Is Big Business Amid the Content Boom," by Kirsten Chuba (The Hollywood Reporter, 2023)."Everyone Watches TV with Subtitles Now. How'd That Happen?" by Wilson Chapman (IndieWire, 2023)."When is Captioning Required?" (National Association of the Deaf).

The ability to get into any home, car, or safe can be lucrative — but fixing locks is a tough business. Zachary Crockett gets the key information. SOURCES:Wayne Winton, owner of Tri-County Locksmith Service.Philip Mortillaro Sr., co-owner of Greenwich Locksmiths.Philip Mortillaro Jr., co-owner of Greenwich Locksmiths. RESOURCES:"Tools of the Trade," by Tim O'Leary (Locksmith Ledger International, 2022)."KeyMe Plans To Use New $35 Million Funding Round To Build 10,000+ Retail Locations," by Marley Coyne (Forbes, 2020).Tri-County Locksmith Service.Greenwich Locksmiths. EXTRAS:LockPickingLawyer Youtube Channel. 

Those tiny treats that predict your future may come free at the end of a Chinese meal, but they're big business (and not Chinese). Zachary Crockett will go on a long journey. SOURCES: Jennifer 8. Lee, documentarian and author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles.Norman Wong, C.E.O. of Wonton Food. RESOURCES: "Canadian Influencer's Amazement at Absence of Fortune Cookies in China Restaurants Triggers Amusing Online Discussion About Origins of Snack," by Yating Yang (South China Morning Post, 2024)."Fortune Cookies: They're Japan's Best-Kept Secret!" by Thalia Harris (Sakuraco, 2023)."What I Learned Eating at 8,000 Chinese Restaurants," by Zhaoyin Feng (BBC News, 2021).The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, by Jennifer 8. Lee (2008)."Lottery Winners Find Good Fortune in Cookies," (NBC News, 2005). EXTRAS: "Girl Scout Cookies," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023).

When you hit the slopes, you might not be thinking about water rights, controlled avalanches, and liability insurance — but someone has to. Zachary Crockett shreds the pow.  SOURCES:Andrew Gast, general manager of Mt. Ashland Ski Area.Rob Goodell, chief operating officer at Loveland Ski Area. RESOURCES:"State of the U.S. Ski Industry" (National Ski Areas Association, 2024)."U.S. Ski Resorts in Operation During 2023/24 Season" (National Ski Areas Association, 2024)."Snowmaking 101" (Snow State).Loveland Ski Area.Mt. Ashland Ski Area. EXTRAS:"What it Takes to Run a Nonprofit Ski Hill," by Lily Ritter (Ski, 2020).

We reach for it twice a day — without thinking about the decades of research and engineering that went into that squeezable tube of minty goo. Zachary Crockett extracts the last bit. SOURCES:Stephan Habif, chief technology officer at Colgate-Palmolive.Sergio Leite, global head of Oral Care R&D at Colgate-Palmolive.Peter Miskell, professor of international business history at the University of Reading. EXTRAS:"History of Toothpaste" (Delta Dental of Arkansas, 2019)."Cavity Protection or Cosmetic Perfection? Innovation and Marketing of Toothpaste Brands in the United States and Western Europe, 1955–1985," by Peter Miskell (Business History Review, 2011). RESOURCES:"9,000-Year-Old Dentistry," by WIRED Staff (WIRED, 2006).

When a Fortune 500 company needs a new leader, it turns to a well-connected headhunter who assesses candidates with psychological tests and mock TV interviews. Zachary Crockett activates his network.   SOURCES:Julian Ha, partner at the executive recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles.Jane Stevenson, global vice chair of board and CEO services at Korn Ferry. RESOURCES:"The Transformation of the CEO," by Stephen Langton, Rusty O'Kelley, Laura Sanderson, and Sean Roberts (Russell Reynolds Associates, 2024)."Executive Paywatch" (AFL-CIO, 2023)."Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact," by Dame Vivian Hunt, Sundiatu Dixon-Fyle, Celia Huber, María del Mar Martínez Márquez, Sara Prince, and Ashley Thomas (McKinsey & Company, 2023)."CEO Tenure Rates," by Joyce Chen (Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governenance, 2023)."Best Industries to Recruit for in the US" (Precision Global Consulting).

Security guards make malls feel safer, but what can they do when there's trouble? Zachary Crockett observes and reports. SOURCES:Gus Parsons, mall cop in the San Diego area.David Levenberg, owner of Center Security Services. RESOURCES:"Mall of America's security team will start using facial recognition software as part of safety plan," by Derek James (CBS News, 2024)."The Problems Inside North America's Largest Security Firm—and Third-Biggest Employer," by Alana Semuels (Time, 2023)."Malls Work on Their Security, but Keep It in the Background," by Ronda Kaysen (New York Times, 2013).Center Security Services. EXTRAS:"NYPD subway robot, Knightscope, gets sacked after two-month pilot program," by Vineet Josan (The Ticker, 2024)."The State of the American Mall," by Sapna Maheshwari (New York Times, 2021). 

How do TV producers decide how much money to give away? A little psychology and a lot of math. Zachary Crockett phones a friend. SOURCES:Bowen Kerins, math teacher and former contestant on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.Arthur Smith, CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions and author of "Reach: Hard Lessons and Learned Truths from a Lifetime in Television."Aaron Solomon, television producer. RESOURCES:"‘The Price Is Right' Celebrates 10,000 Episodes With Extra Big Wins for Contestants That Top Off at $100,000!" by Rosemary Rossi (Variety, 2025)."Why haven't more game show prizes been adjusted for inflation?" by Janet Nguyen (Marketplace, 2023)."Deal or No Deal? Decision Making under Risk in a Large-Payoff Game Show," by Thierry Post, Martijn J. van den Assem, Guido Baltussen, and Richard Thaler (American Economic Review, 2008)."Why Game Shows Have Economists Glued to Their TVs," by Charles Florelle (Wall Street Journal, 2006). EXTRAS:"Bowen Kerins on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (2000).

A fast-food burger has to taste the same — and cost the same — thousands of times a day at restaurants across the country. Zachary Crockett mans the fryer. SOURCES:John Karangis, vice president of culinary innovation at Shake Shack.Walter Zuromski, owner and chief culinary officer of the Chef Services Group. RESOURCES:"How Shake Shack's New Test Kitchen Is Shaping the Future of the Brand," by Stefanie Tuder (Eater, 2018). EXTRAS:"Truffles," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023).

American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else's business opportunity. Zachary Crockett hits the links. SOURCES:Todd Hutchinson, president and owner of BallHawker.Lashan Wanigatunga, founder of Two Guys With Balls. RESOURCES:"BallHawker, Challenge Enterprises Turn Wayward Golf Shots Into Successful Endeavor," Natalie Gilstrap (Clay Today, 2023)."Temecula Golf Ball Diver Nets $100,000 a Year," by Jeff Zevely (CBS8, 2022)."Golf's Recycled Ball Market is Big Business," by Erik Matuszewski (Link, 2021)."The Inside Story of What the Original Titleist Pro V1 Launch Was Really Like," Andrew Tursky (Golf Digest, 2020)."Head of Golf Ball Retrieval Company Sentenced for Manslaughter After Diving Death at Wales Golf Course," by Alex Myers (Golf Digest, 2017)."Man Dies While Illegally Diving for Golf Balls," by Alex Myers (Golf Digest, 2015). EXTRAS:"Greg Norman Takes On the P.G.A. Tour," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023). 

Before a guide dog can help a blind person navigate the world, it has to pass a series of tests, then go through $75,000 worth of training. Zachary Crockett sniffs around. SOURCES:Peggy Gibbon, director of canine development at The Seeing Eye.Charles Pat McKenna, assistant division director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. RESOURCES:"Why Seeing Eye Dogs Are So Expensive To Breed and Train," by Abby Tang and Emily Christian (Business Insider, 2024)."For decades, the blind have used canes to get around. Now a special wristband gives them a ‘sixth sense.'" by Peter Holley (Washington Post, 2017).The Seeing Eye."History of Guide Dogs," by The International Guide Dog Federation."Facts and Figures" by The International Guide Dog Federation. EXTRAS:"Morris Frank," by The International Guide Dog Foundation (Vimeo, 2021). 

Behind that 70% off sign, there's a liquidation consultant trying to maximize retailer profits. Zachary Crockett seeks a deal. SOURCES:Bradley Snyder, executive managing director at Tiger Group.Zac Rogers, associate professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University RESOURCES:"What Went Wrong: The Demise of Toys R Us," by Angie Basiouny (Knowledge at Wharton, 2018)"Retail apocalypse 2024: All the once-popular stores and restaurants that shuttered locations this year," by Sarah Bregel (Forbes, 2024)"BBB Tip: Avoid bogus bargains at going out of business sales" by Better Business Bureau (2024)"There's a science and art to running a going-out-of-business sale. (And business is booming.)" by Courtney Reagan (CNBC, 2018) EXTRAS:"I don't wanna grow up: The first day of the end of our childhoods," by Mike Higdon (Reno Gazette-Journal, 2018)  

Picture day is an annual tradition for American families — and, for the companies that take the photos, a lucrative one. Zachary Crockett smiles for the camera. SOURCES:Ken Murphy, C.E.O. of LifetouchJeremy McColm, senior manager of photography at Lifetouch RESOURCES:"The money and stress and failed hairdos of school picture day," by Kaitlyn Tiffany (Vox, 2019)"The School Photo Industry Is a Master Class in Drama," by David Gauvey Herbert (New York Times, 2019)"With Lifetouch Acquisition, Shutterfly Claims Leadership In Picture Memories Market," by Pamela Danziger (Forbes, 2018)"Exclusive School Photography Agreement" (Vernon Public School District, 2019) EXTRAS:"Money Schools Earn From Student Portraits Varies Widely," by Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough, and Jeff Piper (NBC News Washington, 2016)

They're not always the nicest places to go — but for their owners, portable toilets are a lucrative revenue stream. Zachary Crockett lifts the lid. SOURCES:Ron Inman, vice president of Honey BucketVeronica Crosier, executive director of Portable Sanitation Association International RESOURCES:"Providing Toilets for 39,000 Runners," by John Branch (New York Times, 2008)"Platinum Equity-owned United Site Services weighs $4B sale – Reuters," by Pam Rosacia (S&P Global, 2021)"Renting Portable Units," by Portable Sanitation Association InternationalPolyJohn History EXTRAS:"The Porta-Potty King of New York City Faces a Threat to His Throne," by David Gauvey Herbert (Intelligencer, 2019)

You can be a top model and still not get recognized on the street — as long as you keep your cuticles healthy and your moons white. Zachary Crockett points a finger. SOURCES:Dani Korwin, managing director of Parts Models.Ellen Sirot, hand model. RESOURCES:SAG-AFTRA Network TV Code 2024 - 2025 Extension Agreement Rates."How to Become a Hand Model," by Jack Smart (Backstage, 2024)."Meet New York's Top Hand and Foot Model Agent (It's a Real Thing!)," by Christian Allaire (Vogue, 2021). EXTRAS:"The Puffy Shirt" S5.E2 of Seinfeld (1993).

A watercolor of a harbor? A black-and-white photo of a pile of rocks? Some hotels are trying to do better. Zachary Crockett unpacks. SOURCES:Melanie Kettring, director of studio design at Best Western Hotels.Jessica Poundstone, visual artist. Gavi Wolf, founder and C.E.O. of Indiewalls. RESOURCES:Indiewalls.Best Western. EXTRAS:"Used Hotel Soaps," by The Economics of Everyday Things (2023)."The Hidden Side of the Art Market," series by Freakonomics Radio (2021).

Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from prescription glasses to highway signs — often for pennies an hour. Zachary Crockett takes the next exit, in this special episode of The Economics of Everyday Things. SOURCES:Laura Appleman, professor of law at Willamette University.Christopher Barnes, inmate at the Franklin Correctional Center.Lee Blackman, general manager at Correction Enterprises.Gene Hawkins, senior principal engineer at Kittelson and professor emeritus of civil engineering at Texas A&M University.Renee Roach, state signing and delineation engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.Brian Scott, ex-inmate, former worker at the Correction Enterprises printing plant.Louis Southall, warden of Franklin Correctional Center. RESOURCES:“Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th Edition,” by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (2023).“Prisoners in the U.S. Are Part of a Hidden Workforce Linked to Hundreds of Popular Food Brands,” by Robin McDowell and Margie Mason (AP News, 2024).“Ex-Prisoners Face Headwinds as Job Seekers, Even as Openings Abound,” by Talmon Joseph Smith (The New York Times, 2023).“Bloody Lucre: Carceral Labor and Prison Profit,” by Laura Appleman (Wisconsin Law Review, 2022).“The Road to Clarity,” by Joshua Yaffa (The New York Times Magazine, 2007).Correction Enterprises. EXTRAS:“Do People Pay Attention to Signs?” by No Stupid Questions (2022).The Economics of Everyday Things.

Before beef ends up at your favorite steakhouse, it passes through the hands of a trained specialist with an encyclopedic knowledge of bovine anatomy. Zachary Crockett chews the fat. SOURCES:Bryan Flannery, co-owner of Flannery Beef.Katie Flannery, co-owner of Flannery Beef. RESOURCES:"National Weekly Boxed Beef Cutout And Boxed Beef Cuts — Negotiated Sales," U.S.D.A. Agricultural Marketing Service (U.S.D.A. Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News, 2025)."Understanding Beef Carcass Yields and Losses During Processing," (Penn State Extension Articles, 2022)."Beef Cow-Calf Production," by Cheryl A. Fairbairn, Lynn F. Kime, Jayson K. Harper, and John W. Comerford (Penn State Extension Articles, 2020)."Major Supermarket Chains Changed How They Label Meat, Surprising Customers and USDA," by Roberto A. Ferdman (The Washington Post, 2014)."What's Your Beef — Prime, Choice or Select?" by Larry Meadows (U.S.D.A Blog, 2013)."From Calf to Kitchen: The Journey of a Beef Cow," by Dave Eames and Mike McGraw (The Kansas City Star, 2012). EXTRAS:"The Future of Meat," by Freakonomics Radio (2019).

How did a little green nut become a billion-dollar product, lauded by celebrities in Super Bowl ads? Zachary Crockett cracks open the story. SOURCES:Sawyer Clark, director of asset management at Gold Leaf Farming.Diana Salsa, vice president of marketing for Wonderful Pistachios. RESOURCES:"Almond Acreage Decline Prompts Industry Introspection," by Mitch Lies (West Coast Nut, 2023).American Pistachio Industry 2021 Annual Report, by American Pistachio Growers (2023)."California's Agricultural Water Policies Are Nuts," by Douglas R. Noble (The Gainesville Sun, 2021)."Amid Drought, Billionaires Control a Critical California Water Bank," by Chloe Sorvino (Forbes, 2021)."Wonderful Pistachios Achieves Billion-Dollar Brand Milestone," press release by The Wonderful Company (2020)."Pistachios: The Quirks of Agricultural Trade in a Nutshell," by Andrea Durkin (Global Trade, 2020)."California Pistachios With Perfect Timing," by Mark Blackburn (The New York Times, 1979).

Once a luxury good, the soft fiber is now everywhere — which has led to a goat boom in Mongolia. Zachary Crockett tugs at the thread. SOURCES:Myagmarjav Serjkhuu, manager of the Mongolian Sustainable Cashmere Platform for the United Nations Development Programme.Carolyn Yim, designer and owner of Ply-Knits. RESOURCES:"Sandstorms and Desertification in Mongolia, an Example of Future Climate Events: A Review," by Jie Han, Han Dai, and Zhaolin Gu (Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2021)."How Sustainable Cashmere Is Reversing Land Degradation in Mongolia," by Mariana Simões (United Nations Development Programme, 2021)."Exploding Demand for Cashmere Wool Is Ruining Mongolia's Grasslands," by Kathleen McLaughlin (Science, 2019)."From H&M to Gucci, Fashion Rethinks Cashmere, Citing Environmental Harm," by Matthew Dalton (The Wall Street Journal, 2019)."2018 Annual Cashmere Market Report," by Marco Spina (The Schneider Group, 2019)."How This Brand Made a Cashmere Sweater for $75 Ethically," by Esha Chhabra (Forbes, 2018)."Pastoral Nomadism in the Forest-Steppe of the Mongolian Altai Under a Changing Economy and a Warming Climate," by D. Lkhagvadorj, M. Hauck, Ch. Dulamsuren, and J. Tsogtbaatar (Journal of Arid Environments, 2013).

Behind almost every character you see displayed on a page or a screen, there's a complex — and sometimes lucrative — web of licensing deals. Zachary Crockett is just your type. SOURCES:Lucas Czarnecki, creative director of Type Network.Gerry Leonidas, professor of typography at the University of Reading.Chantra Malee, co-founder and C.E.O. of Sharp Type.Lucas Sharp, professional font designer and co-founder of Sharp Type. RESOURCES:"What Fonts Are Used by The New York Times?" by Nona Blackman (Envato Tuts+, 2024)."Legendary Type Foundry Monotype Sold to Private Equity for $825 Million," by Suzanne LaBarre (Fast Company, 2019)."Calibri's Scandalous History," by Ross Arbes (The New Yorker, 2017)."This Was The First Computer Font," by John Herrman (BuzzFeed News, 2012)."Manuscripts and Special Collections," by the University of Nottingham. EXTRA:"Are Our Tools Becoming Part of Us?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2024).

Americans throw away 320 million books every year. How do some of them find a second life? Zachary Crockett is just browsing.  SOURCE:Francisco Hernandez, owner of Leaves bookstore. RESOURCES:"Reinventing Retail: The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores," by Ryan L. Raffaelli (Harvard Business School Working Paper, 2020).Gravity's Rainbow, by Thomas Pynchon (1973).The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison (1970).Leaves bookstore. EXTRA:"Dying Is Easy. Retail Is Hard," by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they want to convey. Zachary Crockett is thinking of you on your special day. SOURCES:Mia Mercado, writer and former editor at Hallmark.George White, president of Up With Paper and former president of the American Greeting Card Association. RESOURCES:34th Louie Awards - Finalists & Winners, (2022-2023)."Season's (and Other...) Greetings," by Maria Ricapito (Marie Claire, 2020)."Hallmark Greeting Cards Have Adjusted to the Digital Revolution," by Trent Gillies (CNBC, 2017)."Testimony of Don Hall, Jr. President and CEO of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Before a Joint Hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security and the House, Postal Service and the District of Columbia" (2010).

It's unreactive, lighter than air, and surprisingly important to the global economy. Zachary Crockett goes up an octave. SOURCES:Sophia Hayes, professor of chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis.Phil Kornbluth, president of Kornbluth Helium Consulting.Bo Sears, C.E.O. of Helix Exploration PLC. RESOURCES:"Why Semiconductor Growth Will Drive Helium Demand," by Kitty Wheeler (Technology Magazine, 2024)."The World Is Running Out of Helium. Here's Why Doctors Are Worried," by Caroline Hopkins (NBC News, 2022)."Nothing on Earth Can Replace Helium — and It's in Peril," by Joseph DiVerdi (The New York Times, 2019).Selling the Nation's Helium Reserve, by the National Research Council (2010)."Discovery of Helium in Natural Gas at the University of Kansas," by the American Chemical Society (2000). EXTRAS:"Is Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Its Most Valuable Asset?" by Freakonomics Radio (2024).

Mannequins may be made out of plastic or fiberglass, but for retailers they're pure gold. Zachary Crockett strikes a pose. SOURCES:Stacie Bornn, vice president of sales, marketing, and creative at Fusion Specialties.Judi Henderson, C.E.O. and president of Mannequin Madness. RESOURCES:"How This Oakland Business Gives Mannequins New Life (Almost)," by Christopher Beale (KQED, 2024)."Nike's Controversial Plus-Size Mannequin Is a Brilliant Business Decision," by Kate Taylor (Business Insider, 2019)."A Glance at History of Store Mannequins," by Anne D'Innocenzio (AP News, 2014)."Making a Fashion Statement, With or Without Clothes," by Elisabetta Povoledo (The New York Times, 2011)."Stores Demand Mannequins With Personality (Heads Optional)," by Stephanie Clifford (The New York Times, 2011)."Body Design, Variable Realisms: The Case of Female Fashion Mannequins," by Sara K. Schneider (Design Issues, 1997).

Today, we're sharing an episode of a podcast that we've enjoyed, and think you will, too! It's called The Economics of Everyday Things. It's made by the Freakonomics Radio Network and on each of its episodes, host Zachary Crockett uncovers the hidden stories behind ordinary things! Stock photos, girl scout cookies, and cashmere sweaters, you name it. In this episode, you're about to hear Zachary crack the lid open on ... the humble pizza box.For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports from North Carolina.SOURCES:Laura Appleman, professor of law at Willamette University.Christopher Barnes, inmate at the Franklin Correctional Center.Lee Blackman, general manager at Correction Enterprises.Brian Scott, ex-inmate, former worker at the Correction Enterprises printing plant.Louis Southall, warden of Franklin Correctional Center.RESOURCES:"Prisoners in the U.S. Are Part of a Hidden Workforce Linked to Hundreds of Popular Food Brands," by Robin McDowell and Margie Mason (AP News, 2024)."Ex-Prisoners Face Headwinds as Job Seekers, Even as Openings Abound," by Talmon Joseph Smith (The New York Times, 2023)."Captive Labor: Exploitation of Incarcerated Workers," by the American Civil Liberties Union and the University of Chicago Law School Global Human Rights Clinic (2022)."Bloody Lucre: Carceral Labor and Prison Profit," by Laura Appleman (Wisconsin Law Review, 2022)."Prison Labor Is on the Frontlines of the COVID-19 Pandemic," by Eliyahu Kamisher (The Appeal, 2020).Correction Enterprises.EXTRAS:"Can Data Keep People Out of Prison?" by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).

It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit.  SOURCES:Lee Blackman, general manager at Correction Enterprises.Gene Hawkins, senior principal engineer at Kittelson and professor emeritus of civil engineering at Texas A&M University.Renee Roach, state signing and delineation engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. RESOURCES:"Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th Edition," by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (2023)."Who Picks the Businesses on Highway Exit Signs?" by Janet Nguyen (Marketplace, 2022)."The Road to Clarity," by Joshua Yaffa (The New York Times Magazine, 2007). EXTRAS:"Do People Pay Attention to Signs?" by No Stupid Questions (2022).

When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn't buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages. SOURCES:Hollie Colahan, deputy director of the Birmingham Zoo and chair of the AZA's Animal Population Management Committee.Dwight Lawson, executive director and C.E.O. of the Oklahoma City Zoo. RESOURCES:"Oklahoma City Zoo Announces Near-Total Redesign in 2024 Master Plan," by Sam Royka (The Oklahoman, 2024)."Panda Diplomacy: What China's Decision to Send Bears to the US Reveals About Its Economy," by Chee Meng Tan (The Conversation, 2024)."Oklahoma City Zoological Trust Financial Statements," (2023)."Modern Zoos Are Not Worth the Moral Cost," by Emma Marris (The New York Times, 2021)."The Tiger King of the 19th Century," by Betsy Golden Kellem (Slate, 2020).Animal Population Management Committee of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. SOURCES:Bill Giorgis, president of Mike's Wrecker Service.Max Karimi, co-owner of H&M Roadside.Teresa Murray, director of the Consumer Watchdog Program at U.S. Public Interest Research Group. RESOURCES:"Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow - Part II," by Jacob van Cleef and Teresa Murray (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2022)."Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow," by Grace Brombach (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2021)."Beware of Car Towing Companies That Patrol Private Parking Lots," by Ann Carrns (The New York Times, 2021)."After a Wave of Injuries, Tow Truck Drivers Want Us All to Slow Down," by Kristian Foden-Vencil (Oregon Public Broadcasting, 2021)."AAA's Grip Forcing West Coast Tow Companies Out of Business, Owners Say," by Annie Sciacca (East Bay Times, 2016).r/Hookit.

Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett is not fiddling around. SOURCES:Frank Almond, professional violinist.Ziv Arazi, co-owner of Rare Violins of New York.Bruno Price, co-owner of Rare Violins of New York. RESOURCES:"When It Comes to String Instruments, Stradivariuses Are Still Pitch Perfect," by Ted Scheinman (Smithsonian Magazine, 2022)."Study Confirms Superior Sound of Stradivari Is Due to How Wood Was Treated," by Jennifer Ouellette (Ars Technica, 2021)."The Case of the Stolen Stradivarius," (FBI News, 2015)."A High-Strung Market," by E. H. B. (The Economist, 2013)."Violins For Music — And Investment Returns," by Michael S. Fischer (Financial Advisor, 2013)."Stradivarius Fetches Record $16 Million in Charity Sale," (Reuters, 2011). EXTRA:A Violin's Life, album series by Frank Almond (2013).

Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet? Zachary Crockett doubles down. SOURCES:"Ben," former professional card counter.Bill Zender, co-founder of Bill Zender and Associates casino consulting firm. RESOURCES:"Blackjack Player Sues Ameristar Casino, City of Black Hawk Over Alleged Detainment for Card Counting," by Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton (The Denver Post, 2023)."Why Does the House Always Win? A Look at Casino Profitability," by J. B. Maverick (Investopedia, 2023)."Counting the Cost," by Bill Zender (GGB News, 2022)."Nevada Supreme Court Orders Casino To Pay Card Counter," by I. Nelson Rose (Gambling and the Law, 2017)."Counting Cards Is Legal, But ..." by Mark Pilarski (Detroit Free Press, 2016)."Card Counter Sues Planet Hollywood Over Detention, Confiscated Casino Chips," by Carri Geer Thevenot (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2015)."Real People Behind Story of '21' Discuss Film's Facts," by Ed Symkus (The State Journal-Register, 2008).Blackbelt in Blackjack: Playing 21 as a Martial Art, by Arnold Snyder (1997). EXTRAS:"How to Make Your Own Luck," by Freakonomics Radio (2020)."The Economics of Sports Gambling (Replay)," by Freakonomics Radio (2020)."Could the Next Brooklyn Be … Las Vegas?!" by Freakonomics Radio (2015).21, film by Robert Luketic (2008).

Making money in the stock image business requires a sharp eye for trends, a very specific type of model, and a race against A.I. Zachary Crockett takes his shot. SOURCE:Yuri Arcurs, C.E.O. and founder of PeopleImages. RESOURCES:"The Last Stock Photographers Await Their Fate Under Generative A.I.," by Katie Deighton (The Wall Street Journal, 2024)."The Impressive 100-Year History of Stock Photography: From Analog to A.I.," by Ivanna Attié (Stock Photo Secrets, 2024)."How Much Can You Make Selling Stock Photos? — It's Not as Profitable as it Used to Be," by Matic Broz (Photutorial, 2024)."Confessions of a Stock Photography Model," by Andrew Kimler (Vox, 2016).

How does a fresh tuna get from Japan to Nebraska before it goes bad? And how does its journey show up in the price of your spicy tuna rolls? Zachary Crockett gets schooled. SOURCES:Sasha Issenberg, journalist and author.David Utterback, owner of Yoshitomo and Ota sushi restaurants.Nobu Yamanashi, president of Yama Seafood. RESOURCES:"Wild or Farmed? Pacific or Atlantic? Here's What to Know About Bluefin Tuna," by Jean Trinh (Los Angeles Times, 2023)."The Untold Story of Sushi in America," by Daniel Fromson (The New York Times Magazine, 2021)."The Intricacies of Tuna Grading," (Luke's Lobster Blog, 2020)."Sushinomics: How Bluefin Tuna Became a Million-Dollar Fish," by Svati Kirsten Narula (The Atlantic, 2014).The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy, by Sasha Issenberg (2007).Yoshitomo. EXTRAS:"Is the Future of Farming in the Ocean?" by Freakonomics Radio (2021).

Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world's deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised. SOURCES:Dana Berkowitz, sociologist and author.Jean Carruthers, pioneer of cosmetic Botox, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, and owner of Carruthers Cosmetic.Steven Williams, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and owner of Tri Valley Plastic Surgery. RESOURCES:"Botox Is More Affordable Than Ever. Is That A Good Thing?" by Krista Bennett DeMaio (Women's Health, 2024)."Early Development History of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA)," by Alan B. Scott, Dennis Honeychurch, and Mitchell F. Brin (Medicine, 2023)."How Barely-There Botox Became the Norm," by Jessica Schiffer (The New York Times, 2021).Botox Nation: Changing the Face of America, by Dana Berkowitz (2017)."Billions and Billions for Botox," by Vauhini Vara (The New Yorker, 2014)."Botox is Destroying Hollywood Acting," by Johann Hari (HuffPost, 2011)."The Botox Boom," by David Noonan (Newsweek, 2002).

Almost everyone who buys a home spends thousands of dollars on title insurance. Most of them don't understand it, and almost none of them use it. So why does it exist? Zachary Crockett closes the deal. SOURCES:Christy Bieber, personal finance writer.Laurie Goodman, institute fellow at the Urban Institute Housing Finance Policy Center.Kathy Kwak, chief operating officer of Proper Title. RESOURCES:"Remarks of President Joe Biden — State of the Union Address As Prepared for Delivery," (The White House Briefing Room, 2024)."Fannie Mae Expands Use Of Attorney Opinion Letters (AOLs) As Title Insurance Alternatives," by Christine Stuart (National Mortgage Professional, 2023)."U.S. Private Auto Insurers Break Premium, Loss Ratio Records in Q1," by Kris Elaine Figuracion and Tyler Hammel (S&P Global, 2023). EXTRA:"'Insurance Is Sexy.' Discuss," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world's most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent. SOURCES:Jason McKinney, co-founder and C.E.O. of Truffle Shuffle.Besart Morina, truffle dealer. RESOURCES:"Dogs Pay the Price in Italian Truffle War," by Margherita Stancati (The Wall Street Journal, 2022)."How Truffles Took Root Around the World," by Federico Kukso (Smithsonian Magazine, 2022)."Has the American-Grown Truffle Finally Broken Through?" by Rowan Jacobsen (Smithsonian Magazine, 2021)."Sonoma County Farm Strikes Black Truffle Gold After 9 Years of Waiting," by Jenn Harris (Los Angeles Times, 2021)."In Nicolas Cage's ‘Pig,' How Much Is the Truffle Hog Worth Anyway?" by Victoria Petersen (The New York Times, 2021)."Predicted Climate Change Will Increase the Truffle Cultivation Potential in Central Europe," by Tomáš Čejka, Miroslav Trnka, Paul J. Krusic, Ulrich Stobbe, Daniel Oliach, Tomáš Václavík, Willy Tegel, and Ulf Büntgen (Nature Scientific Reports, 2020)."Inside the Exceptionally Shady World of Truffle Fraud," by Ryan Jacobs (Eater, 2019)."Truffle Thieves Face Paramilitary Threat," by Kim Willsher (The Guardian, 2012)."The Hidden Life of Truffles," by James M. Trappe and Andrew W. Claridge (Scientific American, 2010)."Cultivation of Black Truffle to Promote Reforestation and Land-Usestability," by José Antonio Bonet, Christine R. Fischer, and Carlos Colinas (Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2006).

Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs. SOURCES:Andrew Blechman, journalist and author.David Champagne, owner of Bird Busters, Inc. RESOURCES:"Racing Pigeon Sells For A Record-Breaking $1.9 Million At Auction," by Carlie Porterfield (Forbes, 2020)."Feathers of Honor: U.S. Army Signal Corps Pigeon Service in World War I, 1917–1918," by Frank A. Blazich Jr. (Army History, 2020)."Pigeon Wars," by Jon Mooallem (The New York Times, 2006).Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird, by Andrew Blechman (2004)."Pigeons Have Magnets," by Charles Walcott, James L. Gould, and J. L. Kirschvink (Science, 1979)."The Pigeon as a Quality-Control Inspector," by Thom Verhave (American Psychologist, 1966). EXTRAS:"Freakonomics Radio Live: 'Jesus Could Have Been a Pigeon,'" by Freakonomics Radio (2018).

How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money. SOURCES:Patrick McKenzie, fraud prevention expert and strategic advisor at Stripe.Kerry Myers, associate professor of instruction at the University of South Florida and former F.B.I. special agent. RESOURCES:"National Assessments of Money Laundering Risks: Stumbling at the Start," by Joras Ferwerda and Peter Reuter (Risk Analysis, 2024)."Hacker 'Washes' $25M in Stolen Crypto Through Magic: The Gathering Card Scheme," by Oliver Dale (Blockonomi, 2023)."Money Spending or Money Laundering: The Fine Line between Legal and Illegal Financial Transactions," by Matthew R. Auten (Pace Law Review, 2013)."HSBC to Pay $1.9bn in US Money Laundering Penalties" (BBC News, 2012)."How a Big US Bank Laundered Billions From Mexico's Murderous Drug Gangs," by Ed Vulliamy (The Guardian, 2011). EXTRAS:"Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone?" by Freakonomics Radio (2023)."Kafkaesque," S3.E9 of Breaking Bad (2010).