Join Manny, Noah, and Devan — three best friends and journalists — as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.
Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don’t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.
NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can’t agree on. If you’ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.
New episodes on Wednesdays.
For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show.
And if you have any questions you’d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at [email protected] or leave a voicemail: (860) 325-0286.
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Why do billboards brag that a show is sold out?
Oct 14, 2026
Today’s episode is actually a two-parter. In part one, Devan tries to get to the bottom of why he keeps seeing billboards advertising that concerts are "sold out." In part two, we tackle a listener’s…
Why are we addicted to personality tests? (And are they even accurate?)
Oct 07, 2026
Today we’re diving into the world of personality tests, more specifically the Enneagram. We’ll take it ourselves, and find out just how accurate these tests are and what our obsession with them says…
Is new tech making you pay more than everyone else?
Sep 30, 2026
In 1999, Coca-Cola’s CEO floated raising prices on hotter days using new technology in their vending machines. This caused an avalanche of bad press and the company backed off their plan. Today, that…
Presenting Who’s With Me? W. Kamau Bell interviews Daveed Diggs
Sep 28, 2026
We’re sharing an episode of W. Kamau Bell’s new show, Who’s With Me?. Kamau—a stand-up comedian, activist, and author—sits down with someone he admires deeply to give them their flowers, ask his most…
Should white people use skin tone emojis? & more (NST Mailbag)
Sep 23, 2026
This week, we have one of the greatest mailbags of all time. Will cracking your knuckles give you arthritis? Should white people use skin-tone emojis? Why do dogs love Lamb Chop? And more…
Should ugly people be a protected class?
Sep 16, 2026
This week, Manny, Noah, and Devan debate whether there's a such thing as an "ugly tax," social penalties for being unattractive. The more academic term for this is "lookism," which is the…
A musician defends using AI in his music (Part 2)
Sep 11, 2026
In part 2 of our series on AI music, Devan confronts 1010benja on his use of generative AI on his new EP 1010: Time Has Nothing To Do With What You Choose… ICYMI listen to part 1: Can AI music be…
Can AI music be good? (Part 1)
Sep 09, 2026
On today's episode, the boys discuss the many various goings on in AI music generation. Manny "creates" a few different versions of the NO SUCH THING theme song (that he actually produced without AI)…
Are cops stalking you with a nationwide camera network? (Inside Flock)
Aug 31, 2026
Today’s episode is all about Flock, the controversial nationwide network of artificial-intelligence roadside cameras. Drew Harwell, a tech reporter at The Washington Post, explains his reporting on…
Are suburban dogs happier than city dogs? (Remastered)
Aug 26, 2026
On this week’s episode, we're revisiting one of our favorite questions: Are suburban dogs happier than city dogs? To find out, we spoke with one of the leading dog cognition experts, Alexandra…
What is "Colored People Time?"
Aug 19, 2026
In a special live-taped episode, the boys discuss Manny's new book "Colored People Time: A Case for (Casual) Rebellion, a collection of humorous essays about the way time wraps itself around all of…
Presenting Smart Girl Dumb Questions: What Does Love Hurt? with Dr. Justin Garcia
Aug 12, 2026
NO SUCH THING is looking for questions for an upcoming LAUNDRY MAILBAG. Leave us a voicemail by calling (860) 325-0286 or email us at
[email protected] We're taking a quick break for August to…
Could you land a plane in an emergency? (Remastered)
Aug 05, 2026
This week, we present a remixed and remastered version of our third ever episode. Do you think you’d be able to successfully land a plane, with no prior pilot experience and relying only on air…
Should you recline your airplane seat?
Jul 29, 2026
This week, we unpack the moral chaos of air travel. When flying, is it ever acceptable to recline your seat and claim those precious extra inches of space? Is there an ethical argument for reclining?…
Why are public bathrooms designed so poorly? (Devan Design Week)
Jul 22, 2026
For this edition of Devan Design Week, Devan Design Week II, we're going deep on bathrooms. We'll explore why hotels are getting rid of bathroom doors and walls, the movement to Bring Back Doors…
Are millennials the elite generation? (And are people actually getting dumber?)
Jul 15, 2026
This week, we unpack what makes a generation. From the Silent Generation to the Zoomers and beyond, are these groupings only useful to stir up competition and resentment? How did Gen Z become more…
Do audiobooks count as reading? (Remastered)
Jul 08, 2026
This week, we're presenting a remastered version of our VERY FIRST EPISODE. Take a walk down NST memory lane, or visit for the first time, and stick around until the end to hear a quick conversation…
Is soccer a form of human trafficking? (and more World Cup questions)
Jul 01, 2026
It's the World Cup episode. Manny, Noah, and Devan, are joined by two of the hosts of the Soccernomics podcast — Stefan Szymanski and Ashish Malhotra — to discuss the overlap between Soccer…
What's the best way to split the bill?
Jun 24, 2026
On today’s episode, a special collaboration with Kate Lindsay from ICYMI, we discuss how payment apps like Venmo have changed our relationship with money. We talk through how to navigate different…
Is Diet Coke killing you… or is it fine?
Jun 17, 2026
On today’s episode, we dive into the health effects of diet sodas like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Diet Pepsi. Trump has said that Diet Coke actually kills cancer, while other studies have linked these…
Are personal injury lawyers frauds and scammers?
Jun 10, 2026
We’re doing a money etiquette episode! Submit your questions, horror stories and other scenarios for us to discuss by leaving a voicemail at 860-325-0286 or sending an email to…
Why aren't people having kids anymore? (ft. Derek Thompson)
Jun 03, 2026
On today's episode, Manny asks whether Noah and Devan want kids, as a part of a conversation about the declining birth rate around the world. They hear from Anna Louie Sussman, author of the upcoming…
Can YouTubers actually hold police accountable?
May 27, 2026
Today’s episode was inspired by a question from a listener who goes by Santa: What’s the deal with First Amendment auditors? We trace the history of people who film the police, from the Black Panther…
Super-Agers: Why do some old people age better than others?
May 20, 2026
On today's episode of NO SUCH THING, we’re talking about so-called “Super Agers,” the term used to describe people who are at least 80 years old, but are still sharp as a tack. Maury Povich. Joy…
Should we still circumcise babies?
May 13, 2026
New data shows that less than half of American newborn boys are circumcised, a major decrease from around 90% in the 1960s. But how and why did circumcision become so common here in the United…
Why did Taylor Swift stop singing in a country accent?
May 06, 2026
On today’s episode, we’re tackling a question from a listener named Joel: Why do singers lose their accents when they sing? Our guest this week is New Yorker writer Kelefa Sanneh. In this…
Does micromanaging actually work?
Apr 29, 2026
This week’s topic came from a listener who asked if micromanaging is a more productive work-style than a more “free range” approach. We talk about our own work experiences, and answer a few other…
Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 2)
Apr 22, 2026
Growing up, we were told to always recycle plastic to save the planet. But does recycling actually do anything? In this special two-part investigation, we explore the history of recycling, the rise…
Is recycling a complete scam? (PART 1)
Apr 22, 2026
Growing up, we were told to always recycle plastic to save the planet. But does recycling actually do anything? In this special two-part investigation, we explore the history of recycling, the rise…
Kids can’t read anymore. Does it matter? (with author Jason Reynolds)
Apr 15, 2026
Are we in the midst of a reading crisis? News outlets are constantly reporting on the death of reading. School test scores by measures like the “Nation’s Report Card” say math and literacy levels are…
