Hyperfixed

This week, we answer a question we have gotten quite a few times since the show began: Why does every microwave have a "Popcorn" button, but nearly every popcorn manufacturer warns you not to use it? The answers are wilder than you ever imagined. Support Hyperfixed by becoming a premium member. You will get access to bonus episodes, the Hyperfixed discord, discounts on merch and live shows, and you will be supporting completely independent journalism. We don't exist without your help! hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Alec Watson's YouTube channel, Technology Connections The Popcorn Board

A segment from our recent live show in Brooklyn! We investigate one man's obsession with an incredibly charismatic performer. Please consider becoming a Hyperfixed premium member - you will get bonus episodes and access to our discord and much more, in addition to supporting independent journalism. hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: In Memoriam for "Minnie"

This week, we're unlocking an episode from our premium feed: an interview with Kate Downey, Host and Creator of the CRAMPED podcast. Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. LINKS: CRAMPED podcast

Alice was browsing the stock audio in Adobe premiere, when she found dozens of audio marked "prison." Were they actually recorded in prison? By actual prisoners? And if so, was it voluntary? We investigate. Reminder! There are only two weeks until Hyperfixed live in Brooklyn! Buy tickets HERE Hyperfixed is completely independent and can only exist with the support of our listeners. Please consider becoming a premium Hyperfixed member. You'll get bonus episodes, discounts on merch and live shows, and much more. You can join by following THIS LINK LINKS: Watch Weeds on TUBI Max Cerda's Non-Profit, BUILD Latino Reentry Integration Services Space! The Game Show

In 2022, Amber’s favorite podcast came to an abrupt and shocking end, and now, its archive of episodes has started disappearing from the internet. So she’s come to the Hyperfixed team to find out how to preserve what’s left, and answer a question that's been haunting her for years: is her favorite podcast host ok? LINKS: ReTell Pharmacy Podcast We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Three years ago, Becca was seeing double. Her hometown's hedge maze had an uncanny resemblance to a famous maze in England, but no one seemed to realize it except her. So Becca wants to know if the maze is, indeed, a copy. And if she's right, she wants credit where credit is due. LINKS: - Adrian Fisher's book: The Amazing Book of Mazes - Henry Eliot's book: Follow This Thread - Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow - Photo of the Longleat Hedge Maze - Photo of the Big Green Monster in Stow, Massachusetts - Photo of the sign at the Big Green Monster at Honey Pot Hill We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

This week we're cooking up a couple stories in the lab so while you wait, please check out Panic World, a fantastic podcast hosted by friend of the show Ryan Broderick. ----- Why are cats so popular on the internet? It started with cat memes like I Can Haz Cheezburger and Keyboard Cat, then we became enamored with cat celebrities like Lil Bub, Grumpy Cat, and Princess Monstertruck. And now, we’re witnessing the next evolution in cat internet content: “cute cat AI.” Our guest and host of American Hysteria, Chelsey Weber-Smith, calls it a “Kitty Horror Picture Show.” Chelsey joins Ryan and Grant to tell us about the explosion of really weird AI-generated cat videos depicting cat families that’s all over TikTok and YouTube right now — much like Elsagate once did in 2014. Then, Ryan takes us back even further, to cover an older cat-based moral panic: Bonsai Kittens. Together, we look at how though technology has changed, we’ve pretty much always wanted to show each other freaky stuff on the internet — whether…

Earlier this year, David's mouse suddenly stopped working, which wouldn't be that weird, were it not for the fact that people across the world were reporting the same issue with the same mouse. What happened, and why? The Hyperfixed Team investigates. We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: The Lever (David's investigative news website) Consumer Reports

Growing up, Alison was a voracious reader. But there was one book series in particular that she devoured. "Samurai Girl" by Carrie Asai. Recently, Alison wanted to learn more about the author whose books she loved nearly 20 years ago. But she couldn't find anything about Carrie Asai. No other writing credits. No bio. So it left Alison wondering, who was Carrie Asai? LINKS: Samurai Girl Bob Levy's Book Sara Shepard Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join.

An extended (bonus!) interview from our Fauxbituaries episode, now unlocked for you! Investigative journalist, Craig Silverman, helps us track down one of the authors of a fake obituary site. Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. LINKS: Craig Silverman's website Indicator The Hyperfixed episode "Fauxbituaries"

This week, another installment of our Hyperfixer series. We chat with an anonymous hacker who took down a white supremacist dating site. LINKS: Martha Root's Social Media Martha Root's Chaos Communication Congress Presentation Martha's Website, OK Stupid Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!

The twisted logic behind one company's real estate strategy. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Check out Planet Money DISCLAIMER: This episode is not sponsored by Wetzel's Pretzels.

This week we're sharing a podcast we love, the show Smart Girl Dumb Questions. It's a curiosity party, and you're invited. On Smart Girl Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza asks simple Qs to big thinkers (like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Diplo, or two 11 year olds), trying to make sense of life. LINKS: Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-girl-dumb-questions/id1784967461 Smart Girl Dumb Questions on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

When Markus's good friend died suddenly, he went online to get more information. What he found was several AI written obituaries on dodgy looking websites with a litany of factual inaccuracies. Who is making these, and why? And is there anything that can be done to stop them? To hear our conversation with Craig Silverman (and a bunch of other great bonus episodes, and join our discord, and get discounts on Hyperfixed merchandise, and support independent journalism) become a Hyperfixed Premium member. If we get 150 signups between now and the end of april, we will give away merch to 5 listeners. If we get more than 150, we'll give away more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Joe Supan on fake obituaries Craig Silverman's Newsletter, Indicator Joshua Braun on fake news and ad technology Check My Ads

Alex has a new podcast called Amityvilleville, on which he and his friend Caroline Thompson watch all 92 movies in the Amityville Franchise, interview people involved in the making of these movies, and hopefully some people involved in the true life amityville case! On this episode, we watch Amityville 3-D, the third entry in the series, starring a young Meg Ryan and Lori Laughlin. Amityville 3-D: Here's how my mom and dad fell back in love after my dad bought a haunted house that killed me and then exploded. As of this writing, Amityville 3-D is available (lamentably, in 2-D) on the following streaming services: TUBI Pluto TV If you are just discovering this podcast, please consider listening to Alex's other podcast, Hyperfixed

Our most popular bonus episode ever, now unlocked for you. Sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew here at Hyperfixed. This is one of those times. Hope you enjoy it! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. We're trying to sign up 1500 new premium members so I can give our producers raises and pay them healthcare. Currently, and we only need 1440 more! You can help us reach our goal!

This week - Chris is a movie lover, and there are dozens of classics he's desperate to watch. But he can't. Alex tries to help him. Please consider becoming a premium Hyperfixed member. You get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discount on merch, and you support independent journalism. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Also! Alex and his pal Caroline are starting a new show! Join then on Amityvilleville, where they will watch all 91 movies in the sprawling, confusing, ridiculous Amityville franchise. Find it on any podcast app, or on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, etc. LINKS: Audio Description Project: https://adp.acb.org/ https://partnerhelp.netflixstudios.com/hc/en-us/articles/215510667-Audio-Description-Style-Guide-v2-5 Descriptive Video Works: https://descriptivevideoworks.com/ You Describe: https://ydx.youdescribe.org/home Special thanks to Jenna and the team at Descriptive Video Works!

This week, the story of a man who is bound and determined to make his city safer, even if it means breaking the law. Please consider becoming a premium hyperfixed member. You'll get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discounts on merch (https://merch.hyperfixedpod.com/) and most importantly, you will be supporting independent journalism. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: People's Vision Zero Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplesvisionzero/ Jonny's White Paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n3PeT7vwutg26_u1jf4Iqx7ba7GdHI42/view To become a PVZ Member: https://pvz.typeform.com/joinus To support People's Vision Zero: https://ko-fi.com/peoplesvisionzero

Miguel wants to get off Spotify to be more deliberate about how he listens to music. But one of his favorite bands doesn't sell any albums, they don't perform live , and they may not even exist. Please help support the show by becoming a premium member! You'll get access to our discord, bonus episodes, and discounts on merch! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join And while we're on the subject, please pick up some merch! You'll look like a million bucks. merch.hyperfixedpod.com LINKS: Bad Bad Hats: https://www.badbadhats.com/ Where to buy Sjowgren's music off streaming: https://sjowgren.bandcamp.com/ Sjowgren merch: https://longtimefrienddiscount.myshopify.com/collections/all Sjowgren links: https://linktr.ee/sjowgren

In the summer of 2022, several dozens of residents of Birmingham, Alabama disappeared without a trace. This week, the Hyperfixed team breaks the story of what happened to them. Become a premium Hyperfixed member! You will get access to bonus episodes, our incredible discord community, discounts on merch, and much more. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/ If you’d like to learn more about our financial goals for Hyperfixed and what we spend our money on, you can follow this link. Joe's story about the ducks: Avondale Park ducks, geese disappear before The World Games Subreddit discussing Joe's piece: https://www.reddit.com/r/Birmingham/comments/vkq61r/avondale_park_ducks_geese_disappear_before_the/ AL.com story about World Games debt: World Games $14 million shortfall; ‘We have every intention...to pay our vendors,’ says CEO Story about geese removal in Pike Road, AL in 2019: Nearly 150 geese removed, ‘humanely euthanized’ from Ala. community

This week, Bob's Burgers has Matt questioning his sanity. Please sign up for Hyperfixed Premium! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Brain Bridge Lab: https://brainbridgelab.uchicago.edu/

This week, we re-air an oldie but a goodie (plus, a special update from our listener Keenan!). Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join We got merch (premium members get 15% off!) https://shop.hyperfixedpod.com/ LINKS: CBC story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/a-halifax-woman-s-40-year-old-recording-comes-out-of-the-basement-and-renews-her-love-of-music-1.7477984 If you are a Hyperfixed member, you can see some supplementary photos for this story by following this link.

Merry Christmas! Your present from us is an unlocked bonus episode! It's the story of a guy trying to break into performing, who stumbles into what may be the worst acting gig of all time. If you liked this episode and want to hear more like it, please become a premium Hyperfixed member. It's the engine that keeps this show running. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

This week, Alex goes full Scrooge -- visiting the ghosts of Hyperfixed past, present, and future. The first ever Hyperfixed Pledge Drive is going to be Friday, December 19 at 12 noon! Stop by to watch Alex bravely humiliate himself and stay up all night! Anyone who becomes a member during those 24 hours will be able to request that Alex play a song. Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Follow Hyperfixed on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/hyperfixedpod We got merch! https://shop.hyperfixedpod.com/ LINKS: An's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/only-to-be-consumed-in-canada Ali's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/the-thing-about-losing-everything Eva's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/eva-needs-to-measure

Heath is on a path of destruction, and he doesn’t know how to make it stop. The first ever Hyperfixed Pledge Drive is going to be Friday, December 19 at 12 noon! Stop by to watch Alex bravely humiliate himself and stay up all night! Anyone who becomes a member during those 24 hours will be able to request that Alex play a song. Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Follow Hyperfixed on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/hyperfixedpod LINKS: Dr Armpit: https://drarmpit.com/

Please support Hyperfixed! Our show doesn't exist without you -- https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Joe's Substack: https://traipsathon.substack.com/ Hyperfixed episode about Jenny Phenix: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6H56YkgohkqNcr03iwedtI Hyperfixed episode about Joe Rhodes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/27oNALrE3hsxLK6rb6dhX5 MidLife Cruising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0icUrACC8 Also it's pledge drive month for Radiotopia, so if you like the many dozens of podcasts they make, including Hyperfixed, please think about supporting! http://bit.ly/4htbkkA

For the Solomon family, celebrations meant only one thing - a cake from their favorite bakery, Lords. And then suddenly, Lords Bakery was gone. Please support Hyperfixed! Our show doesn't exist without you -- https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Claire Saffitz YouTube Channel, Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person: https://www.youtube.com/@CSaffitz The recipe for Hope's cake. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/recipe Also it's pledge drive month for Radiotopia, so if you like the many dozens of podcasts they make, including Hyperfixed, please think about supporting! http://bit.ly/4htbkkA

Phoebe is in search of a video game from her past that had an outsized impact on her, and she needs our help. Please become a premium member! We can't exist without your support! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Books by Phoebe Wahl Clay Routledge McGee Katie’s Farm (McGee 2) McGee at the Fun Fair (McGee 3)

This week, listener Manon asks why are there so many songs on streaming services featuring her brothers name - Ethan. And why are they all about poop? Please become a premium member! We can't exist without your support! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Get a custom song by Matt Farley: https://moternmedia.com/custom-songs Listen to A Song About Ethan on Spotify Benn Jordan’s Using AI to Detect AI Music Poopz’s Ethan Stop Pooping Your Pants or Move to France The Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke, and Pee’s The Ethan Poop Song Reckless Otter’s Ethan Poop Fart Funny Song Super Poop’s Ethan Smells Like a Llama (Super Poop)

Robin has a very simple question: No one likes Red Delicious apples. Why are they unavoidable? Please vote for us in the Signal awards! Vote for Best New Podcast Vote for Best Live Podcast Recording Please think about becoming a premium Hyperfixed Member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: David Karp on KCRW's Good Food Instagram Matthijs Welle's Apple Post on LinkedIn

This week, Alex is a guest on another podcast that solves a problem for him. Episode description: Alex used to host a huge podcast (Reply All). He now makes a new independent show called Hyperfixed. He loves making it. Only problem is, Alex now has to ask for money all the time to survive, which he hates doing. From the episode: Listen to Yowei's podcast, Proxy! Subscribe to Yowei's Patreon Become a premium Hyperfixed Member Learn more about Haley Bash and Donor Organizer Hub, a support network for people who fundraise for under-resourced causes The Accidental Fundraiser, Haley's step-by-step guide to raising money for your cause Alex's post about the state of Hyperfixed (posted May 2025)

This week, Mitchell finds out he's missing something almost everyone else has, and he wants to know -- who would I be if I had it? This show is made possible by your support so please consider joining up as a Hyperfixed premium member! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Adam Zeman's book, The Shape of Things Unseen Sussex University Aphantasia Research Sign-up Form Future Minds Lab Radiolab's Aphantasia piece

Even thoug this is an off week, we decided to unlock a bonus episode for our main feed listeners, because we thought this was useful context. On this episode: Noted cat-lover Alex Goldman interviews the founder of FIP Warriors, Robin Kintz, and things get a little tense. If you liked this, you should think about signing up for our premium feed -- https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Thanks for listening! We'll see you next week with an episode that has nothing to do with cats, I'm pretty sure.

The conclusion of our series, ex members of the FIP Warriors facebook group get to work making the whole GS black market obsolete. Become a Hyperfixed Premium member for bonus episodes, access to our discord, exclusive merchandise (soon) and much much more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA) GFI #256 FDA Announces Position on Use of Compounded GS-441524 to Treat FIP Stokes Pharmacy & Bova Group Partner to Bring Oral Treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis to U.S. U.S. Pharmacies Offering Compounded FIP Treatment

This week, a black market and community network of cat lovers sprang into existence to help pet parents get access to an illegal lifesaving drug for a cat disease called FIP. But a massive revelation threatens to tear this community apart. Please consider becoming a Hyperfixed Premium member. It helps make this show possible. http://hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS Nicole Randall Sentencing Release FIP Vet Guide FIP Warriors

When Marlena's cat was diagnosed with a terminal disease, she found herself seeking help not from a vet, but a series of websites and Facebook groups. The first in a three-part series. Support independent journalism by becoming a part of our premium user community. Join the discord, get access to exclusive merch (soon), and much much more. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: GS treatment available in pharmacies: https://bestfriends.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/Network_09%20Webinar_FIP%20Treatment_US-Pharmacy-FIP-Treatment-Options.pdf Dr. Pedersen's 2019 paper FIP Warriors Facebook Group Gilead's statement: Since Gilead identified GS-441524 as a potential treatment for cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), we made it available to institutions with the expertise to advance medicines for veterinary use. This is why we shared GS-441524 with UC Davis to research its impact on FIP. GS-441524 is an intermediate in the synthesis of remdesivir, an approved treatment for COVID-19. Gilead’s supply of…

Special unlocked bonus ep! And a note at the top from Alex! Please support Hyperfixed by becoming a premium member to hear more episodes like this one and get many more perks besides! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/ Astrid, the star of the episode Little by Little, talks about recreating an impossible instrument from an iconic episode of Star Trek in real life. LINKS: The Aldean Instrument Astrid's Keynote at the Audio Developer Conference Commander Riker Sits Down

A preview of what you're missing if you aren't subscribed to Hyperfixed Premium! A story about a wonderful mother and daughter and their hunt for the perfect cake. Even if you aren't planning on signing up, please listen. You’ll love it, I promise. To listen to the entire interview: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Ali's house burnt down in this year's Los Angeles fires and took her entire life with it. Well almost her entire life. And she wants our help to make sure she doesn't lose one of the few precious things that survived the fire. Becoming a premium member helps Hyperfixed continue to exist! Sign up for bonus episodes, access to our discord forthcoming exclusive merchandise, and more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Astrid designs music hardware, and specifically circuitboards. And over the past few years, she's fallen in love with a specific font. But the software the font is in is being discontinued, and there's no way to export it. Where did it come from? Can she rescue it from the program it’s trapped in? PLEASE help keep the lights on over here by becoming a premium member. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: The Little Character Font Set Bela The Albert Einstein Institute

This week: Kyle has a medal that was awarded to his great great great Grandfather over a century ago. Was it awarded by a shadowy secret society? We investigate. THE FRONT OF THE MEDAL THE BACK OF THE MEDAL Link to Andrew J. Seymour's book "The World's Greatest" For Premium Hyperfixed listeners, we included some supplementary research material, photos and news clippings. If you'd like to see them, or if you'd simply like to support independent journalists, you can beome a premium subscriber below! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Your membership to Hyperfixed helps us keep the show going. Please consider becoming a member to get bonus episodes, access to our discord, exclusive merch, and more! hyperfixedpod.com/join This week: Somehow, a movie release in 2014 has disappeared off the internet. It can't be streamed, it can't be torrented, you can't even buy a physical copy. Parker needs to see it. LINKS: Missing Movies The Day the Clown Cried The Missing Dr. Who Episodes I Am Obsessed With You But You've Got to Leave Me Alone

Become a Hyperfixed Premium member and support independent journalism! Get access to bonus episodes, the hyperfixed Discord, and more! https://hyperfixedpod.com/join Intrigue on the high seas. I mean on land. LINKS: Jenny Phenix's legal complaint against Villa Vie

This week - Scammers have managed to copy Jordan's entire website and steal her business -- more than once. But how are they doing it? And why is it so hard to fight now? If you like this show, please think about becoming a premium member - it will help us keep making it, making it better, and making it weirder. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: StoreLock ICANN What is the GDPR

This week, An asks us perhaps the smallest question we've ever had to answer, and inadvertently sends us on a wild reporting journey. Also Alex yells and swears. Help support Hyperfixed by becoming a premium subscriber! You will get two bonus episodes a month, access to the discord, and much much more. http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

This week - Keenan always had this question about his mom's past, and he turned to us for help. And then we turned to him for help. A very special episode of Hyperfixed. Become a premium Hyperfixed member today to get access to bonus episodes, our discord, monthly AMAs and much much more. http://hyperfixedpod.com/join If you are a Hyperfixed member, you can see some supplementary photos for this story by following this link.

Jack has noticed something weird about some license plates. It could be a conspiracy. We investigate. Become a premium supporter of Hyperfixed to get all kinds of bonus stuff! It's thanks to all of you this show exists! http://hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association

Joe Rhodes is a former journalist that is writing about his experiences on the Villa Vie Odyssey, a cruise ship that has just embarked on a 3 & 1/2 year voyage. It hasn't all been smooth sailing. We talk to him about his experience. This is part one of a multi-part series we are running on our premium feed -- part II comes out next week! https://hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Joe Rhodes' Substack

We've had maybe a dozen submissions from people who reached out to us with questions about public restrooms. Specifically: why are they designed so poorly? And how gross are they actually? Alex and Hyperfixed Producer Amor Yates investigate. Help us continue making hyperfixed! Become a premium member for bonus episodes, access to our discord and much much more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Toilet: The Public Restroom and the Politics of Sharing. The American Restroom Association The Germ Files: The Surprising Ways Microbes Can Improve Your Health and Life (and How to Protect Yourself from the Bad Ones)

This week, Kyle asks us whether a bit of folk wisdom, passed down through generations, is actually true, and once again we end up in a big philosophical discussion about the nature of knowledge and stuff. Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for bonus episodes, access to the discord, merch drops, and more http://hyperfixedpod.com/join There are still buttons available from our episode "Casey Wants to Believe" but they're going fast! Get one at http://hyperfixedpod.com/button LINKS: Adam Savage's YouTube Channel Tested Adam Savage's own Savage Indusries tape measure The Lufkin Night Eye Tape Measure (again, this is not a sponsorship -- just what Adam recommends)