Decoder Ring
Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means and why it matters.
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Latest Episode
Decoder Rings Back | Why the Mona Lisa? (14.01.2026)
Previous Episodes
- A New Year’s Message from Willa
- Mailbag: Yo-Yos, Sandboxes, and Encores
- “Videomate: Men” (Encore)
- How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top
- The Slate Culture Gift Guide
- Cozy Autumn Mysteries
- The Red String Board Conspiracy
- What the Cuck?!
- Why Do Actors Act Like They Can Sing?
- Jane Fonda’s Workout, Part 2: Hanoi Jane’s VHS Revolution (Encore)
- Jane Fonda’s Workout, Part 1: Jane and Leni (Encore)
- How to Hunt a Mammoth, and Other Experiments in Archaeology
- The Bad-Mouthing of British Teeth
- Mailbag: Drug Names, Cow Abductions, and the “Ass-Intensifier”
- Introducing The Sporkful | Is Your Recipe Lying To You?
- The White Noise Boom
- The Boston Cinematic Universe
- The Laff Box (Encore)
- The Glaring Problem with Headlights
- Off-the-Wall Stories of Off-Label Use
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