Why is the pool at Buckingham Palace a secret? (classic)

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1. 

   3 Jul 2026 · 53 min

   Why didn’t Chris and Dan get into Berghain? Pt. 1 (classic)

   Two Americans embark on a quest: fly across an ocean to try to get into the most exclusive nightclub in the world – Berghain. A German techno palace where the line outside can last 8 hours, and the bouncers are merciless in their judgments. The club does not explain how it makes its decisions about who can enter, but one foolish podcaster will try to explain anyway.Become a premium member!

2. 

   E144 · 25 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

   A Strange Voyage

   This month, SpaceX had the largest IPO in all of human history. In a mission to understand a bewildering moment, we trace the story of the stock market itself. From its very beginnings in the Netherlands, to its supersizing in America, through the prism of crypto and widespread speculation that has led to this moment with SpaceX. What happened? ⁠The World's First Stock Exchange⁠ by Lodewijk Petram⁠The Wisdom of Finance⁠ by Mihir Desai⁠Liftoff⁠ and ⁠Reentry⁠ by Eric BergerSearch Engine's earlier reporting on Elon Musk’s controversial data centers: ⁠Colossus 1⁠ & ⁠Colossus 2⁠⁠⁠Sign up to be a…

3. 

   E143 · 15 Jun 2026 · 47 min

   Why doesn’t anybody come to my parties?

   Claire Haber-Harris has a question. When she sends out an invitation, why does she get a tidal wave of excuses and no's? How could someone claim to have had the same stomach virus three times in a row? Search Engine investigates why a random American mom might be annoying people in her community. Cartoons Hate Her on SubstackBecome a premium member!

4. 

   E142 · 29 May 2026 · 40 min

   Why do we have to pay into the new Anti-Weaponization Fund?

   The President has created a 1.776 billion dollar fund of taxpayer money he can direct to whoever he wants. Huh? How did this happen, and what might happen next? We talk to Pro Publica’s Jesse Eisinger, an investigative reporter who has played a strange role in this whole story. Listen to our series with Jesse: Why is it so hard to tax billionaires? (Part 1) and (Part 2) Check out the new ProPublica podcast Paper Trail. Support the show!

5. 

   E141 · 22 May 2026 · 1 hr 7 min

   The many lives of Taiwan

   We go deep into the story of Taiwan. How a tiny island escaped demise, chartered a course from colonial subjugation through mass Barbie production and into the technological powerhouse it is today. The Tiger Leading the Dragon: How Taiwan Propelled China's Economic Rise by Shelley Rigger Get tickets to hear PJ read live! Friends With Words at Roulette

6. 

   E140 · 8 May 2026 · 50 min

   Why are people excited about nuclear power again?

   Nuclear energy was a taboo for decades, but it’s coming back, it’ll power AI data centers for Google and Microsoft. What does new nuclear technology look like, and why do the nuclear optimists believe this new tech is superior? Meltdowns, reactors that can fit in your backyard, and one podcaster’s heroic attempt to describe nuclear fission. Rachel Slaybaugh Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow (check out her book Atomic Dreams) Adam Stein Search Engine’s episodes on data centers: Colossus 1 & Colossus 2 Support the show!

7. 

   E153 · 9 Oct 2026 · 51 minNew

   Unreliable Narrator

   An interview with a writer, Meghan O’Gieblyn, who started lying to herself about her relationship to alcohol and God. And afterwards wondered: when did it start? Why did it happen? How do you make peace with the part of yourself that wants something that could destroy you? Meghan O’Gieblyn, Will and AttentionSign up for Incognito Mode

8. 

   E152 · 2 Oct 2026 · 38 min

   Vladimir Putin's Forkiverse

   Nine months ago, three podcasters attempted to build a better internet. Today -- they confront foreign adversaries on a digital battlefield.Watch the Machine Gods trailer.Instructions for moving your Forkiverse account to a different server.Become a premium member!

9. 

   E151 · 29 Sep 2026 · 43 min

   Search Engine x Better in Person

   Search Engine has some exciting news about the moving image to announce, and we’re sharing an interview we loved with an unusual architect.Check out the video version on Freakonomics' YouTube page.

10. 

    E150 · 18 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

    Bollywood Dreams

    An email hits our inbox with the subject line: “My Dad is making a Bollywood Movie… is he being scammed?” We investigate. Become a premium subscriber.

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