Decoder Ring

Slate

Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. Read more

Society & Culture History Documentary

Episodes

Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa?

01/14/2026 25:05A New Year’s Message from Willa

12/31/2025 2:08 Mailbag: Yo-Yos, Sandboxes, and Encores

12/17/2025 1:02:11“Videomate: Men” (Encore)

12/03/2025 34:33How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top

11/19/2025 40:20 Show all episodes

Our take on Decoder Ring podcast

Decoder Ring, by Willa Paskin, is a weekly 40-minute escape into the quirks of culture. From the enigma of public displays of affection to the perpetual scarcity of parking spaces, this podcast dives into the everyday oddities that stimulate our curiosity. Willa's expertise, drawn from a rich arts and entertainment journalism background, guides listeners through a labyrinth of cultural problems with a fresh perspective. Whether it's exploring the decline of slow dancing or the impact of video games on our understanding of history, Decoder Ring unwraps the hidden layers of the world surrounding us. Decoder Ring is a documentary podcast by Slate Podcasts.