Hyperfixed

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 be...

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 e...

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...

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!

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Alec Watson's YouTube channel, Technology Connections<...

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. 

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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. 

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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

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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: 

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.<...

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...

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.

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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 “...

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.

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The Lever (David's i...

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:

Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show!

If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as...

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:

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.

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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...

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...

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 he...

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.

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. 

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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!

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And while we're on the subject, please pick up some merch! You'll look like a million bucks.

merch.hyperfixedpod.com

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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.

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.

This week, Bob's Burgers has Matt questioning his sanity.

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This week, we re-air an oldie but a goodie (plus, a special update from our listener Keenan!).

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We got merch (premium members get 15% off!)

https://shop.hyperfixedpod.com/

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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. 

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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/<...

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

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...

Hi! It's an off week for us but we wanted to give you something to listen to for the holiday, so we are sharing an episode of the fantastic podcast American Prestige. American Prestige gives listeners the essentials on U.S. foreign policy and global affairs, bringing new voices and ideas to those skeptical of mainstream media’s narrow perspectives on America’s role in the world.

LINKS: 

https://americanprestigepod.com/

https://x.com/AmPrestigePod

https://www.instagram.com/americanprestigepod/?hl=en...

Please support Hyperfixed! Our show doesn't exist without you -- 

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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://b...

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 -- 

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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 p...

Phoebe is in search of a video game from her past that had an outsized impact on her, and she needs our help.

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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

A longer cut of our interview with Matt Welle about apples, accountants, and hospitality. It's a fun one!

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: 

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

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.

In the last of our Cat Drug Black Market episodes, we talked to Doina Nugent, a pet parent that went to FIP Warriors for help when her cat, Captain, was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis, and we get her perspective on the Cat Drug Black Market, when things don't go according to plan.