The Economics of Everyday Things

74. Fonts

Behind almost every character you see displayed on a page or a screen, there’s a complex — and sometimes lucrative — web of licensing deals. Zachary Crockett is just your

73. Used Bookstores

Americans throw away 320 million books every year. How do some of them find a second life? Zachary Crockett is just browsing. This episode was originally published on Dec

72. Helium

It’s unreactive, lighter than air, and surprisingly important to the global economy. Zachary Crockett goes up an octave. This episode was originally published on November

71. Mannequins

Mannequins may be made out of plastic or fiberglass, but for retailers they’re pure gold. Zachary Crockett strikes a pose. This episode was originally published on Novemb

70. Prison Labor

Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports

69. Highway Signs

It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit. This episode was or

68. Zoo Animals

When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages. This e

67. Tow Trucks

Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. This episode was originally published on October 20th, 2024. Hosted by Simplecas

66. Stradivarius Violins

Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett i

65. Stock Photos

Making money in the stock image business requires a sharp eye for trends, a very specific type of model, and a race against A.I. Zachary Crockett takes his shot. This epi

64. Sushi Fish

How does a fresh tuna get from Japan to Nebraska before it goes bad? And how does its journey show up in the price of your spicy tuna rolls? Zachary Crockett gets schoole

63. Botox

Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world’s deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised. This episode was originally publish

62. Title Insurance

Almost everyone who buys a home spends thousands of dollars on title insurance. Most of them don’t understand it, and almost none of them use it. So why does it exist? Za

61. Pigeons

Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs. Thi

60. Money Laundering

How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money. This episode was originally

59. Restaurant Reservations

Thanks to online booking platforms, the way we make reservations has changed — but a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is still a valuable commodity. Zachary Cr

58. Firefighters

There are more firefighters than ever — and fewer fires for them to fight. So the job has changed. Zachary Crockett slides down the pole. This episode was originally publ

57. Strippers

Performing at a strip club can be lucrative, but it requires financial and psychological savvy — and an eye for social trends. Zachary Crockett takes a look. This episode

56. Snake Venom

Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out. This episode was originally published on Ju

55. Direct-to-Consumer Mattresses

Online companies promised to bring transparency to the mattress-buying experience. Did that work out? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the sheets. This episode was ori