99% Invisible
Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.
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Recent Episodes
The Checkerboard
Dec 09, 2025A single diagonal step on a map sparks a legal war with huge consequences. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free t...
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This episode explores the story of four Missouri hunters who challenged land access restrictions in Wyoming's checkerboard pattern of public and private land. Their corner crossing strategy to access landlocked public land sparked a legal battle that reached the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, ultimately establishing precedent for public land access across six western states and highlighting issues affecting over 8 million acres of inaccessible public land.
- Discovery of Elk Mountain and the Checkerboard
- The Checkerboard Pattern and Corner Crossing
U Is for Urbanism
Dec 02, 2025How Jane Jacob's urbanism dreams came to life on the most beloved kids' TV block. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a...
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This episode explores how Sesame Street has quietly educated generations of children about good urbanism and healthy neighborhoods for over 50 years. Created during New York City's troubled 1960s, the show deliberately portrayed a functional, diverse urban community that embodies urbanist Jane Jacobs' principles for vibrant neighborhoods. The episode examines how the iconic children's show became a blueprint for urban design while facing ongoing threats to its existence.
- The Origins of Sesame Street's Urban Vision
- Jane Jacobs' Urban Principles on Sesame Street
Constitution Breakdown #4: Janet Napolitano
Nov 28, 2025This is the fourth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution. This month, Roman and Elizabeth turn to Article Two, which establishes the executive branch, alongside former Sec...
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In this episode of 99% Invisible's breakdown of the Constitution, Roman Mars and Elizabeth Joh discuss Article 2, which establishes the executive branch. They interview former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano about executive power, the creation of DACA, and the relationship between Congress and the President. The episode then examines Trump's boat strikes in the Caribbean through the lens of constitutional war powers, exploring how vague constitutional language and legal precedents have enabled unprecedented military action.
- Article 2 and Executive Power with Janet Napolitano
- The Creation and Implementation of DACA
Murderland
Nov 25, 2025Writer Caroline Fraser argues a chilling link between industrial poison, deadly design, and a generation of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new ...
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In this episode, Roman Mars interviews Caroline Fraser about her book 'Murderland,' which explores the connections between environmental pollution from industrial smelters, infrastructure design failures, and the spike in serial killers in the Pacific Northwest during the 1970s and 80s. Fraser weaves together personal memoir, true crime, and environmental history to examine how toxic emissions from the ASARCO smelter in Tacoma, combined with leaded gasoline and other environmental hazards, may have contributed to increased violence and the rise of notorious serial killers like Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway.
- Caroline Fraser's Personal Connection to Pacific Northwest Violence
- The Discovery of ASARCO's Pollution Map
The Moving Walkway Is Ending
Nov 18, 2025People once dreamed of sidewalks that could whisk them across cities. Somehow, that dream ended up at the airport. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free ...
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This episode explores the fascinating history of moving walkways, from their origins as a grand vision for urban mass transit in the 1870s to their current status as ubiquitous airport infrastructure. Reporter Jasper Davidoff traces how these 'endless trains' evolved from ambitious proposals to transform cities into practical solutions for airport terminals, examining why they succeeded in some contexts while failing in others.
- The Origins of Moving Sidewalks in 19th Century Manhattan
- World's Fairs Bring Moving Walkways to Life
How to Write a Joke
Nov 11, 2025Comedy writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, The Flop House, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and co-host of the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker) spills the secrets of how he grows jokes from...
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Comedy writer Elliot Kalin, former head writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, discusses his book 'Joke Farming: How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense.' He breaks down his systematic approach to writing jokes on demand, explaining how professional comedy requires more than natural humor—it needs a reliable process. Kalin walks through the essential elements of joke construction including point, premise, structure, tone, and audience, using examples from The Daily Show, stand-up comedy, and his work on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
- Introduction to Elliot Kalin and Professional Comedy Writing
- The Difference Between Funny People and Comedy Professionals
Gear (Articles of Interest)
Nov 04, 2025From buckskin breeches to Patagonia vests, uncover how America’s obsession with ruggedness and war shaped the clothes we wear every day. Avery Trufelman is back with an episode from Articles of Intere...
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The first chapter of Articles of Interest's 'Gear' season explores the deep historical connection between American military uniforms and civilian outdoor wear. Reporter Avery Truffleman investigates how the U.S. military and outdoor industry have become interwoven over the past 250 years, revealing how everything from khakis to button-downs to outdoor performance gear has roots in military design. The episode traces this relationship from Revolutionary War hunting shirts through the Spanish-American War, showing how American masculinity, national identity, and commerce have always been wrapped up in what we wear - and how the line between soldier and civilian has never been more blurred.
- The Military Origins of Classic Menswear
- The Military-Civilian Divide and Overlapping Styles