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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. This episode was originally published on July 23rd, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett squints at the menu. This episode was originally published on July 16th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the pins. Zachary Crockett laces up. This episode was originally published on July 9th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vanity plates might be 2KUL4U, but in the Blue Hen State, low-digit plates command high-digit prices. Zachary Crockett sums up a big market in a small state. This episode was originally published on June 2nd, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One creature’s trash is another’s cash. Zachary Crockett flushes out the numbers with a man who found profit in pee. This episode was originally published on June 25th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do they emerge from the Upper Cretaceous period to end up in natural-history museums and private collections? Zachary Crockett digs for answers. This episode was originally published on June 18th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re not sure what that creature cavorting on the sidelines is — but it doesn’t come cheap. Zachary Crockett gets the ballpark figures on everyone’s favorite ballpark figures. This episode was originally published on June 11th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? Zachary Crockett discovers what happens when we love ’em and leave ’em. This episode was originally published on February 12th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out. This episode was originally published on February 2nd, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett digs in. This episode was originally published on January 29th, 2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Economics of Everyday Things is going on an indefinite hiatus.   SOURCES:Zachary Crockett, host of The Economic of Everyday Things.  RESOURCES:Zachary Crockett on Substack.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Would you pay a professional $2,500 or more to put up your holiday lights? Zachary Crockett is walking in a winter wonderland.   SOURCES:Chuck Smith, creator of Planet Christmas.Dean Lyons, founder and CEO of Bright Nights.  RESOURCES:"The Suburban Maximalists Making Viral Christmas Displays," by Graham Hacia (WIRED, 2017)."Incandescent vs. LED Christmas Lights: How Much Does it Impact Your Power Bill?," by Kelly Bedrich (Electricity Plans)."Why Christmas Light Installation Is a Great Add-on Service for Contractors," (Sprinkler School).Brite Nites.Planet Christmas.  EXTRAS:"How Christmas Lights Are Made," (Insider, 2018). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trees are more than decoration — they’re living economic assets, with measurable costs and benefits for cities and neighborhoods. Zachary Crockett takes a walk on the shady side of the street.   SOURCES:Geoffrey Donovan, owner of Ash & Elm Consulting.Jana Dilley, urban forester for the city of Seattle.Kathleen Wolf, social scientist, former researcher at the University of Washington.  RESOURCES:"Extreme Heat Is Worse For Low-Income, Nonwhite Americans, A New Study Shows," by Deepa Shivaram (NPR, 2021)."US Urban Forest Statistics, Values, and Projections," by David Nowak and Eric Greenfield (Journal of Forestry, 2018)."The role of trees in urban stormwater management," by Adam Berland, Sheri Shiflett, William Shuster, Ahjond Garmestani, Haynes Goddard, Dustin Herrmann, and Matthew Hopton (Landscape and Urban Planning, 2017)."Urban trees and the risk of poor birth outcomes," by Geoffrey Donovan, Yvonne Michael, David Butry, Amy Sullivan, and John Chase (Health & Place, 2011)."Calculating the Green in Green: What's an Urban Tree Worth?," by Gail Wells (Science Findings, 2010)."The Effect of Trees on Crime in Portland, Oregon," by Geoffrey Donovan and Jeffrey Prestemon (Environment and Behavior, 2010).  EXTRAS:i-Tree Tools. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grab a simple bouquet from your local grocery store and you're activating a global network of farms, shipping companies, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers. Zachary Crockett stops to smell the roses.   SOURCES:Bob Mellano, vice president of wholesale operations for Mellano & Company.Jasmine Gomez-Gonzalez, chief operations officer at OC Wholesale Flowers.  RESOURCES:"From Colombia with love: The journey of a Valentine’s Day bouquet," by Júlia Ledur and Fabiola Ferrero (The Washington Post, 2015)."Your Valentine’s Day bouquet probably came a long way," by Daniel Ackerman (Marketplace, 2015)."A Brief History of Specialty Cut Flower Production," by Ben Bergmann (NC State Extension).Mellano & Company.OC Wholesale Flowers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Shoe repair shops are a dying breed — but for those that remain, demand is higher than ever. Zachary Crockett goes in for a shine.   SOURCES:Jim McFarland, owner of McFarland’s Shoe Repair in Lakeland, Florida.  RESOURCES:"Shoe cobbler becomes unlikely TikTok star," (NBC News, 2024)."Cobblers face extinction - and are busier than ever," by Diana Nelson James (AP, 2019).Shoe Service Institute of America.  EXTRAS:America's Cobbler (Jim McFarland), (YouTube).  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.