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This week, a story made in partnership with 99% Invisible and The BBC as part of their project A History of the United States in 100 Objects.  When Jan Brandt joined the marketing team of fledgling internet company America Online in 1993, she had to figure out how to sell a service that most people in the US had no idea how to use -- the internet. We talk to her about how she managed to use a small, unbiquitous physical object to help steer their virtual service toward the biggest corporate merger in history.  Hyperfixed only exists because of your support. Please consider becoming a premium member. In addition to helping us stay afloat, you'll get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discounts on merch and live shows, and much more. LINKS:99% invisible A History of the United States in 100 objects Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Introducing Beyond BMI: What is obesity, really? from Science Will Win. Follow the show: Science Will Win For decades, BMI has been the most widely used tool for measuring obesity. But recently, the medical community has begun to move away from using it as the main way to measure and define obesity. So in this episode, we’re opening up a nuanced discussion about why this popular tool… was never really built for the job. Why do we still use BMI? What are its limitations? And is there a better way to understand and measure obesity? Host Joe Hanson dives in.  Featured guests: – Dr. Lisa Tarasenko, Obesity Global Medical Affairs Leader, Pfizer – Dr. Giles Yeo, Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, University of Cambridge – Dr. David Cummings, Professor of Medicine, University of Washington, and Founding Director, Weight Management Clinic and Program, Seattle-Tacoma VA System Dive into the episode here: 00:00 – Wait, what is BMI?  02:58 – Why understanding obesity is crucial 05:05 – The problems with BMI 13:11 – A new definition of obesity  Check out our YouTube channel (@Pfizer) to watch full interviews with Joe & special experts and guests for more on obesity.  Season 7 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Dr. Joe Hanson. It’s produced by Acast Creative Studios. Hosts in this podcast series were compensated for their time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

This week, the Villa Vie Odyssey, a 3-year-long cruise that hosted everyone from retirees to would be social media influencers, dramatically ended its voyage by forcing all its passengers to disembark in Cambodia, scuttling what was advertised as an endless cruise due to rising gas prices. So we are unlocking some of our reporting on the ship from when it was still on the water. Be sure to check out Joe Rhodes entire travelogue on his Substack, Unmoored.  If you'd like to hear 2 more episodes on the Villa Vie, as well as nearly 50 other premium episodes, go to hyperfixedpod.com/join and become a premium member. In addition to bonus episodes, you will get access to our discord, discounts on merch and live shows, and more. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The first in a two-part series on our complicated relationship with Google. In this episode, Celeste shows us some weird results she was getting from Google Translate, and we attempt to diagnose and solve the problem.

Sanderson's podcast feed has been stolen. And so has his voice. And we're not being figurative over here! Whoever took it has cloned his voice with AI and is using it to make him say things he would never say in his real life. But is there anything he can do about it? We investgate. Hyperfixed is a completely independent podcast. If you like what we do, please consider supporting the becoming a premium member. You will get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discounts on merch and live shows, and much much more. Join us at hyperfixedpod.com/join. LINKS:  The Lifefulness Podcast Craig Silverman's Open Source Intelligence Newsletter Indicator Scott Seligman's collected research on the theft of Sanderson's podcast Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week on the bonus ep: an interview with Rachel Wharton of Wirecutter we did for the Popcorn episode that aired last week. This interview is an interesting artifact from the early part of our reporting, before we knew exactly what we were getting into with this crazy popcorn story. LINKS:  Wirecutter's best microwave Types of popcorn More types of popcorn!

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 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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" Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, an extended interview with Academy award winner Mark Mangini as he shares his history in the industry, some more detail to his experience making the movie Weeds (featured in the Hyperfixed episode Captive Audience) and he tells us how he came up with some of his favorite sounds LINKS:  Sound Designer Ben Burtt on his Star Wars sound design, from the documentary Empire of Dreams.

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 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Last year, we solved a problem for a listener that unearthed a slew of complicated issues within prison policy, specifically as it pertains to communications within prisons.  Please don't forget about our live show! Tickets are going fast, get yours today. tickets.hyperfixedpod.com LINKS: Prison Policy Initiative

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 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

"Round Them Up and Burn Them" and Other Adrian Fisher Stories

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 PodcastWe 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 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, an extended interview with Henry Eliot, author of the book Follow This Thread about his experiences with mazes, Greg Bright, and Adrian Fisher.  LINKS: Our main feed episode, The Master of Mazes vs. The Big Green Monster Follow This Thread by Henry Eliot