Best Normal Curves Podcasts (2025)

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The Batman Effect: Do weird surprises make people nicer? 47:16

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10d ago47:16

47:16

Description Nobody expects Batman—but when he shows up in a crowded subway car, are people suddenly more likely to help a passenger in need? This week on Normal Curves, we unpack a recent quasi-experimental field study involving a caped superhero costume, a prosthetic pregnancy belly, and some puzzled Italian commuters. Along the way, we demystify …

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Victoria HarbourCats 45:54

2d ago45:54

45:54

The collegiate summer level Victoria HarbourCats play in British Columbia, home to a natural landscape that features, among much else, harbor seals and other wildlife. This week on the podcast: Jim Swanson, Owner, Victoria HarbourCats Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @therealrangeramy Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Find …

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182: Father Knows: Marriage 53:21

7d ago53:21

53:21

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and maybe a couple of millennials chiming in from time to time to add their takes.This week’s episode has Jerry, Justin, and Morgan getting into stories related to marriage. From a recent bride that forgot to include an in-law in photos to anothe…

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Philadelphia All Star Games: So Many Liberty Bells 51:41

9d ago51:41

51:41

There have been four Major League Baseball All Star games hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies, including 2026, and all four of them have featured the Liberty Bell in the logo. Designer and sports design historian Todd Radom and living history interpreter Mitchell Kramer stop by to discuss why this iconic symbol is so inextricably tied to Philadelph…

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“Scaling the Crumbling Cliff of Worry”, Ron William, RW Advisory 21:15

13d ago21:15

21:15

David Osman of IRF is joined by Ron William, the Founder of RW Advisory. ----more---- This podcast assesses the longer-term cyclical factors that indicate global financial markets could reach a major turning point in 2026 or later in this decade. Ron discusses the outlook for inflation and the various elements that could create an echo of the high-…

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181: Father Knows: Curve Balls 57:56

15d ago57:56

57:56

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and some millennials chiming in to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Jerry and Justin discussing stories from listeners that are dealing with some curve balls. No matter who you are, where you are, or what stage of life you are in,…

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AI in the Sky - Brought to you By AI 1:01:29

16d ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Send us a text In this episode I welcome one of my favorite Public Works Nerds, Brian Simmons from Bolton & Menk. Brian and I look back at our recent presentation on Artificial Intelligence in Public Works - titled AI in the Sky - at the 2025 APWA PWX in Chicago. We also critique and marvel at an AI generated podcast that was created using just our…

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Yakima Valley Pippins 56:20

16d ago56:20

56:20

The Yakima Valley Pippins reflect the significance of agriculture to the state of Washington and the people who live and work there. The summer level team plays in the collegiate summer level West Coast League. Guests include: Jordan Rowland, GM, co-owner, Yakima Valley Pippins Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Jon D…

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180: Father Knows: Adulting 48:37

22d ago48:37

48:37

WE'RE BACKKKKK!! Welcome to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and some millennials chiming in to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Jerry and Justin diving into stories about adulting type problems! From a someone trying to get past not knowing their dad to dealing with friends cha…

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Windy City ThunderBolts 58:58

23d ago58:58

58:58

The Windy City ThunderBolts have played on Chicago's Southside for two decades, and just recently unveiled an electric new brand. Guests include: Mike VerSchave, Windy City ThunderBolts, wcthunderbolts.com Jay Becker, BLDG Design, www.bldgbrands.com Dr. Chris Mayer, folksy Chicago native Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_s…

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Holiday Survival Guide Part 2: The survey study edition 1:04:01

24d ago1:04:01

1:04:01

Does the temperature of your coffee six months ago really predict whether you feel gassy today? This week we dissect a new nutrition survey study on hot and cold beverage habits that claims to connect drink temperature with gut symptoms, anxiety, and more—despite relying on year-old memories and a blizzard of statistical tests. It’s the perfect cas…

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“A Resurgent Japan and the Economic Outlook for East Asia”, Paul Cavey, East Asia Econ 25:32

25d ago25:32

25:32

David Osman of IRF is joined by Paul Cavey, the Founder of East Asia Econ. ----more---- In this podcast, Paul Cavey discusses the various cyclical and structural themes that are influencing the economic outlook for China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. He explains why he thinks that the overall deflationary forces within the Chinese economy may be …

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Baseball, Logos, and Ice Cream with SABR's Chicago Chapter 1:11:41

1M ago1:11:41

1:11:41

Baseball By Design host Paul Caputo was invited to be a guest on a meeting of Chicago chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). The meeting was hosted by John Racanelli, vice chair for the Emil Rothe (Chicago) SABR Chapter, founder and co-chair of the SABR Baseball Landmarks Research Committee, and the world’s foremost photograp…

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Richmond Flying Mummies 50:41

1M ago50:41

50:41

The Richmond Flying Mummies are the newest team in the collegiate summer level Northwoods League. Their brand plays off the aviation heritage and two of the town's most famous 3,000-year-old residents. Guests include: Guests this week include: Trevor Amerson, General Manager, Richmond Flying Mummies John Worthen, Worthen Design Dan Simon, Studio Si…

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Holiday Survival Guide: How to talk about scientific studies around the dinner table 1:01:46

1M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Does a little alcohol really make you speak a foreign language better? This week we unpack a quirky randomized trial that tested Dutch pronunciation after a modest buzz—and came to the opposite conclusion the researchers expected. We use it as the perfect holiday case study: instead of arguing with Uncle Joe at the dinner table, we’ll show you how …

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Altoona Curve 44:39

1M ago44:39

44:39

The Altoona Curve's brand is based on a railroad engineering marvel—the tightest hairpin turn in North America. Guests this week include: Nate Bowen, General Manager, Pensacola Blue Wahoos Jason Klein, Brandiose, brandiose.com Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @ba…

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Food-Based Baseball Logos with Stadium Food Girl 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

Minor league baseball is full of alternate brands based on local foods. Stadium Food Girl stops by to discuss a few favorites! Guests include: Valerie Ruiz, Stadium Food Girl, Insta @stadiumfoodgirl Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @base…

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Shingles Shot and Dementia: Could one vaccine protect your brain? 1:12:58

2M ago1:12:58

1:12:58

What do chickenpox and shingles have to do with your brain? This week, we dig into two 2025 headline-grabbing studies that link the shingles shot to lower dementia rates. We start in Wales, where a birthday cutoff turned into the perfect natural experiment, and end in the U.S. with a multi-million-person megastudy. Featuring bias-variance Goldilock…

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Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp 47:39

2M ago47:39

47:39

The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, a collegiate summer-level team in the Prospect League, made headlines with their first-ever alternate identity. Just in time for Halloween, the team announced they'll play as the Illinois Valley Radioactive Shrimp—a wink and a nod to a recent viral news event. Guests include: Lucas Burris, Assistant GM/Broadcaster…

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“Markets, Hegemonic War Cycles and the Threat of World War 3”, David Murrin, Global Forecaster 39:39

2M ago39:39

39:39

David Osman of IRF is joined by David Murrin, the Founder of Global Forecaster. ----more---- In this podcast they discuss David Murrin's ‘5 Stages of Empire’ model and the influence of longer run cyclical trends on geopolitical risks, political factors, the world economic outlook and the prospects for the global financial markets. David assesses th…

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Normal CornBelters 42:45

2M ago42:45

42:45

The independent Normal CornBelters pay tribute to an iconic crop in their home state of Illinois. Their logo, equal parts ear of corn and Bill the Cat from Bloom County, has been around for almost two decades. Guests include: Jarrett Rodgers, GM, Illinois CornBelters Lynn Smith, MiLB super fan, Insta @iaskiheho Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosi…

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Scary Bridge Study: Can fear make you horny? 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

What if a haunted house makes your date look hotter? This week we dive into the infamous Scary Bridge Study — the 1970s classic that launched a thousand pop-psych takes on fear and lust. It’s the one with the swaying bridge, pretty “research assistant,” and phone number scrawled on torn paper. The study became legend, but how sturdy were its stats?…

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“Risks & Mispriced Opportunities in the Global Financial Markets”, Helen Thomas, Blonde Money 29:50

2M ago29:50

29:50

David Osman of IRF is joined by Helen Thomas, the Founder & CEO of Blonde Money. ----more---- In this podcast they discuss the increasing focus on fiscal policy relative to monetary policy in the highly-indebted developed world and the consequent growth in the importance of political risk analysis. Helen then assesses some of the geopolitical, poli…

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Ontario Tower Buzzers 54:08

2M ago54:08

54:08

Ontario, California, will play host to a new minor league baseball team beginning in 2026. The Ontario Tower Buzzers pay tribute to their local 100-year-old airport with their bee-based brand. Guests include: Allan Benavides, GM, Ontario Tower Buzzers Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Ranger Amy Burnett, Insta @there…

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Greenville Drive 52:08

3M ago52:08

52:08

By Paul Caputo

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Ultramarathons: Can vitamin D protect your bones? 58:50

3M ago58:50

58:50

Ultramarathoners push their bodies to the limit, but can a giant pre-race dose of vitamin D really keep their bones from breaking down? In this episode, we dig into a trial that tested this claim – and found a statistical endurance event of its own: six highly interchangeable papers sliced from one small study. Expect missing runners, recycled figu…

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Vote for Marc(k)! Marks, Mentors and Making Normal Happen 36:28

3M ago36:28

36:28

Send us a text Two Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and share practical ways to lead well and care for yourself. • APWA Minnesota election overvie…

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Episode 200: Logos that Listeners Love 1:02:54

3M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

We're celebrating 200 episodes of Baseball By Design by celebrating the logos that you love! We invited listeners to tell us what minor league baseball logos you love, and you responded. Find the Baseball By Design podcast online: Instagram @baseballbydesign Threads @baseballbydesign Bluesky @baseballbydesign.bsky.social linktr.ee/BaseballByDesign…

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Gary SouthShore RailCats 39:17

3M ago39:17

39:17

The Gary SouthShore RailCats play in a unique corner of northwest Indiana where baseball, railroads, and Lake Michigan merge, and where they exist in a time zone different from the rest of their state. Their scrappy cat-based identity reflects the region and the realities of independent baseball. Guests include: Andrew Mild, broadcaster, Gary South…

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P-Values: Are we using a flawed statistical tool? 1:14:21

3M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

P-values show up in almost every scientific paper, yet they’re one of the most misunderstood ideas in statistics. In this episode, we break from our usual journal-club format to unpack what a p-value really is, why researchers have fought about it for a century, and how that famous 0.05 cutoff became enshrined in science. Along the way, we share st…

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“Is US Economic Policy on a Sustainable Track?”, Dimitris Valatsas, Auroa Macro Strategies 17:41

3M ago17:41

17:41

David Osman of IRF is joined by Dimitris Valatsas, the Chief Economist at Auroa Macro Strategies. ----more---- In this podcast they discuss the prospects for US economy and the financial markets. Dimitris considers the impact of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies on a weakening labour market. He also assesses the outlook for US monetar…

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179: Father Knows: Run Away! 57:00

3M ago57:00

57:00

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and maybe a couple of millennials chiming in from time to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Jerry and Justin diving into stories that all have something to do with moving. Since summer aka moving season is coming to a close we felt…

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Québec Capitales 38:49

3M ago38:49

38:49

The Québec Capitales are carrying on a storied tradition of baseball in Canada's French-speaking province. The independent team has been around for more than a quarter century with a brand that has come to represent the entire region. Guests include: Michel LaPlante, former player, manager, GM, and owner, Québec Capitales Dan Simon, Studio Simon: w…

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“Golden Opportunities in the Commodity Markets”, James Burdass, Commodity Intelligence 23:01

3M ago23:01

23:01

David Osman of IRF is joined by James Burdass, the Managing Partner at Commodity Intelligence to discuss the evolving role of commodities in a global multi-asset portfolio. ----more---- In doing so, he assesses the importance for investors of the way that the global markets for many individual commodities are fracturing and becoming more fragmented…

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Lincoln Saltdogs 43:05

4M ago43:05

43:05

The Lincoln Saltdogs, an independent professional team in the American Association, are named for a unique feature in the landscape of Nebraska—which used to be a vast inland sea. Guests include: Elijah Herbel, Lead Producer, Lincoln Saltdogs, Insta @herbel_essences Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball…

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Exercise and Cancer: Does physical activity improve colon cancer survival? 49:59

4M ago49:59

49:59

Exercise has long been hailed as cancer-fighting magic, but is there hard evidence behind the hype? In this episode, we tackle the CHALLENGE trial, a large phase III study of colon cancer patients that tested whether prescribed exercise could improve cancer-free survival. We translate clinical jargon into plain English, show why ratio statistics ma…

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178: Father Knows: Run Away! 1:11:16

4M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and maybe a couple of millennials chiming in from time to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Jerry, Morgan and Lauren discussing write-ins from listeners who are struggling with some intense problems that give the immediate reaction…

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NoCo Prospectors 42:54

4M ago42:54

42:54

The collegiate summer-level NoCo Prospectors are named for the traditional sense of prospectors—mining for gold—as well as the fact that the team is made up of younger players, or prospects. Guests include: Preston Munsch & Rochelle Reynolds, NoCo Prospectors, website Matt West, Designer, Black Box Merch Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net…

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Bradenton Marauders 52:56

4M ago52:56

52:56

The Florida State League's Bradenton Marauders pay tribute to their parent club in Pittsburgh with a pirate-themed brand, but make no mistake, the identity is completely their own. Guests include: Craig Warzecha, GM, Bradenton Marauders Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Matt Frick, Curator, St. Augustine Pirate and T…

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Age Gaps: How much does age matter in dating? 50:37

4M ago50:37

50:37

Are we all secretly ageist when it comes to dating? We put the stereotype that older men prefer younger women under the microscope using data from thousands of blind dates. What we found surprised us: the “age penalty” was real but microscopic, women wanted younger partners too, and hard age cutoffs weren’t so hard after all. Along the way, we unpa…

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Baseballpalooza Ride Along: The Gang Goes to Michigan 58:53

4M ago58:53

58:53

It's that most wonderful time of year: the Baseballpalooza ride along! This year the gang visited the Malmo Oat Milkers of South Bend, Great Lakes Loons, West Michigan Whitecaps, and Joliet Slammers. Join Fish, Scuba, Ron, Mealey, Pearlman, Jon, Shady, Hirte, Zim, and your host Paul on a wondrous four-day adventure! Plus Dan Simon with a Studio Sim…

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“Is the Outlook for Global Financial Markets ‘Tariffying’ or ‘Tariffic’?”, Ron William, RW Advisory 19:35

4M ago19:35

19:35

David Osman of IRF is joined by Ron William, the Founder of RW Advisory. ----more---- In this episode they discuss the longer run cyclical trends and other factors that are likely to influence the global financial markets during the remainder of this year and beyond. Ron outlines how, in the near term, financial markets are generally seen as being …

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Schaumburg Boomers 56:11

5M ago56:11

56:11

The Schaumburg Boomers are named for prairie chickens, a distinctive bird that once dominated the landscape of the midwest. The Curved Brim Media meetup included a stop in Schaumburg, so we'll check in live from the game. Guests include: Michael Larson, GM, Schaumburg Boomer Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Ranger A…

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Your Brain on AI: Is ChatGPT making us mentally lazy? 1:15:02

5M ago1:15:02

1:15:02

ChatGPT is melting our brainpower, killing creativity, and making us soulless — or so the headlines imply. We dig into the study behind the claims, starting with quirky bar charts and mysterious sample sizes, then winding through hairball-like brain diagrams and tens of thousands of statistical tests. Our statistical sleuthing leaves us with questi…

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“Global Asset Allocation in a Rapidly Evolving Digital Asset Landscape”, Hamza Ghani, ABCG Research 26:22

5M ago26:22

26:22

David Osman of IRF is joined by Hamza Ghani, the Head of Crypto Research at ABCG Research. ----more---- In this podcast, Hamza explains the rapidly evolving crypto asset landscape from Bitcoin and altcoins to stablecoins and tokenized instruments. In doing so, he reviews the emerging regulatory environment and discusses other important factors, suc…

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Keene Swamp Bats 54:25

5M ago54:25

54:25

The Keene Swamp Bats play in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Their name derives from the bats who feast on mosquitoes found in the swamplands adjacent to the team's ballpark. Guests include: Kevin Watterson, President/GM, Keene Swamp Bats Joe Tolman, Bulldog Design, website Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_sim…

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177: Father Knows: Least Resistance..? 1:03:04

5M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and maybe a couple of millennials chiming in from time to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Dad and Justin discussing write-ins that involve moving forward in a way that's best for the writer.. and hopefully it's the path of least …

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Boulder 64s 42:53

5M ago42:53

42:53

The collegiate summer-level Boulder 64s were founded as the Boulder Collegians in 1964. Under new management and in a new league, the team has a new brand. Guests include: Preston Munsch & Rochelle Reynolds, Boulder 64s, website Matt West, Designer, Black Box Merch Dan Simon, Studio Simon: www.studiosimon.net, Insta @studio_simon Find the Baseball …

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The Backfire Effect: Can fact-checking make false beliefs stronger? 59:20

5M ago59:20

59:20

Can correcting misinformation make it worse? The “backfire effect” claims that debunking myths can actually make false beliefs stronger. We dig into the evidence — from ghost studies to headline-making experiments — to see if this psychological plot twist really holds up. Along the way, we unpack interaction effects, randomization red flags, and wh…

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176: Father Knows: Choose Your Path 59:05

5M ago59:05

59:05

Welcome back to Father Knows Something! Real People. Real Stories. Real Dad advice with a dash of ADHD, and maybe a couple of millennials chiming in from time to time to add their takes. This week’s episode has Jerry and Justin discussing write-ins that involve choosing your path. Whether that entails making an important decision or course correcti…