They have thousands of congregants and millions of dollars in income. Zachary Crockett passes the collection plate. SOURCES:Julie Roys, founder of the Roys Report.Scott Thumma, professor of sociology of religion at Hartford International University, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. RESOURCES:"The faithful see both crisis and opportunity as churches close across the country," by Scott Neuman (NPR, 2023)."Million Dollar Homes Become Status Symbols of Televangelists and Pastors," by Barry Bowen (Trinity Foundation, 2022)."Megachurch 2020," by Scott Thumma and Warren Bird (Hartford Institute for Religion Research, 2020).Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches, by Scott Thumma and Dave Travis (2007)."Ministers' Compensation & Housing Allowance," (IRS).MinistryWatch. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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106. Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup can be five times as expensive as “pancake syrup,” but maple farmers — and breakfast connoisseurs — say it’s worth it. Zachary Crockett pours it on thick. SOURCES:Emma Marvin, co-C.E.O. of Butternut Mountain Farm.David Marvin, founder of Butternut Mountain Farm. RESOURCES:"Crop Production," by National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, 2025)."Why Americans Overwhelmingly Prefer Fake Maple Syrup," by Christopher Ingraham (The Washington Post, 2015)."History of Maple," (UVM Libraries).Butternut Mountain Farm. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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105. Light Bulbs
Why did it take so long to invent a longer-lasting bulb? Zachary Crockett finds the answer illuminating. SOURCES:Heather Dillon, mechanical engineering professor at the University of Washington in Tacoma.Jane Brox, author of the 2010 book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light.Markus Krajewski, philosopher and historian of technology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. RESOURCES:"Thomas Edison, tinkerer," by Eric Gilliam (Works in Progress, 2023)."It's Official: Stores Can No Longer Sell Most Incandescent Lights," by Hiroko Tabuchi (New York Times, 2023)."The Mystery of the Centennial Bulb: an Incandescent Light Bulb," by Martin Kykta (MAK Electro-Optics, 2021)."The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy," by Markus Krajewski (IEEE Spectrum, 2014)."Compact Fluorescent Lighting in America: Lessons Learned on the Way to Market," by L.J. Sandahl, T.L. Gilbride, M.R. Ledbetter, H.E. Steward, and C. Calwell (U.S. Department of Energy, 2006). EXTRAS:"Why Do Candles Still Exist?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025)."The Story of Byron the Bulb," by Thomas Pynchon (Gravity's Rainbow, 1973). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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EXTRA: Emoji and the Law
How do courts interpret those little icons on your phone? Zachary Crockett brings down the hammer. SOURCES:Eric Goldman, professor of law, associate dean for research, co-director at the High Tech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law. RESOURCES:"Canadian Court Rules 👍 Emoji Counts as a Contract Agreement," by Michael Levenson (New York Times, 2023)."Former Bed Bath & Beyond investor Ryan Cohen must face emoji-inspired shareholder suit," by Rob Wile (NBC News, 2023)."My Declaration Identifying Emoji Co. GmbH as a Possible Trademark Troll," by Eric Goldman (Technology & Marketing Blog, 2021)."Bardales v. Lamothe," by Middle District of Tennessee (2019)."Emojis and the Law," by Eric Goldman (Washington Law Review, 2018). EXTRAS:OpenMoji FAQ. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Home Staging (Replay)
How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain. SOURCES:Meredith Baer, founder of Meridith Baer Home.Cindy Lin, founder and lead instructor at Staged4more School of Home Staging.Karen Prince, author and home staging consultant. RESOURCES:"How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Real Estate Game," by Kate Dubinski (C.B.C. News, 2023)."Will Virtual Staging Replace Traditionally Staged Rooms?" by Barbara Ballinger (Realtor Magazine, 2022)."Open Houses and Sticky Fingers," by Alix Strauss (The New York Times, 2022)."Profile of Home Staging," by the National Association of Realtors Research Group (2021).Secrets of Home Staging: The Essential Guide to Getting Higher Offers Faster, by Karen Prince (2021)."How Meridith Baer Runs Her $100 Million Home Staging Business," by Jenna Wang (Forbes, 2019)."Designer Meridith Baer’s Home-Staging Empire Began With a Plant Storage Dilemma," by Arielle Paul (Los Angeles Times, 2019)."The Twilight Zone of Home Staging," by Peter Haldeman (The New York Times, 2016)."The Story Seller," by Mark Oppenheimer (The New York Times Magazine, 2009).Home Staging: The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money, by Barb Schwarz (2006). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.
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