Best Scott Leon Smith Podcasts (2025)

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Bat Boy: The Musical At Bucyrus Little Theatre 28:36

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20h ago28:36

28:36

Join Us For A Wild Ride at Bucyrus Little Theatre Get ready for a fang-tastic episode of No Small Parts, the podcast that shines a spotlight on the heart and soul of community theatre! This time, host Scott Leon Smith takes us behind the scenes at Bucyrus Little Theatre in Ohio, where rehearsals for the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical are in full…

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Steven Pinker on Common Knowledge 1:23:20

2d ago1:23:20

1:23:20

Why are Super Bowl ads so good for launching certain kinds of new products? Why do we all drive on the same side of the road? And why, despite laughing and crying together, do we often misread what others think? According to bestselling author and Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker, it all comes down to common knowledge, or the phenomenon that happ…

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The Entrepreneur's Playbook: BizVox Welcomes Kelvin Abrams | Electric Secrets 28:02

6d ago28:02

28:02

The Persistent Entrepreneur: Kelvin Abrams Shares Hard-Earned Wisdom on BizVox Get ready for an insightful episode of BizVox, a dynamic segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast by MonsterVox Productions! In "The Entrepreneur's Playbook," self-described 'serial entrepreneur' Kelvin Abrams pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succ…

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How Did America Build the Arsenal of Democracy? (with Brian Potter) 1:05:05

10d ago1:05:05

1:05:05

American manufacturing of aircraft during WWII dwarfed that of its enemies. By the end of the war, an American assembly line was producing a B-24 bomber in less than an hour. But that success was far from inevitable. Structural engineer and writer Brian Potter speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the logistical challenges of ramping up product…

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Directing "Midsummer" Part One: Hippolyta & Hermia | Electric Secrets 27:20

14d ago27:20

27:20

Dive into Shakespeare's Enchanted Playground: Directing A Midsummer Night's Dream Unlocking the Magic of Modern Shakespeare Join host Scott Leon Smith on Rustic Shakespeare, the Bard-loving segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast, as he spills the beans on directing a fresh, inclusive take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Forget dusty old inte…

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How Teams Succeed (with Colin Fisher) 1:03:22

17d ago1:03:22

1:03:22

What makes some groups thrive while others crash and burn? According to organizational-behavior scholar Colin Fisher, the real villains are rarely individuals, but dysfunctional teams and organizations. Listen as he and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss the reasons for the free-rider problem and the importance of meaningful, well-defined tasks to inc…

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Humans Are Overrated (with Christine Webb) 1:10:53

23d ago1:10:53

1:10:53

Are humans the most intelligent species, or just the most arrogant? NYU primatologist Christine Webb, author of The Arrogant Ape, believes that human exceptionalism is a myth that does more harm than good. Listen as she speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about how research has skewed our understanding of animals' capabilities, the surprising inner…

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Hemingway, Love, and War (with David Wyatt) 1:06:28

30d ago1:06:28

1:06:28

What can Ernest Hemingway teach us today about the morality of war, the eternal and transient nature of love, and how to write a masterpiece? Listen as author and teacher David Wyatt talks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about Hemingway's epic For Whom the Bell Tolls. Topics include Hemingway's role in the wars of the 20th century, the book's context …

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A Longshot Winner, One Hit Wonders, & the Infield Fly Rule: The Albatross Cafe' Tags All the Bases | Electric Secrets 26:15

1M ago26:15

26:15

Swing for the Fences with The Albatross Cafe: Where Winners, Wonders, and Weird Rules Collide! Dive into the chaotic charm of The Albatross Cafe, the heart-pounding segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast that's equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and downright bizarre. Hosted by the irrepressible Marty Merman (still kicking despite those shi…

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Tim Ferriss on Tim Ferriss (and much much more) 2:06:49

1M ago2:06:49

2:06:49

Cold plunges. Exogenous ketones. Pu-erh tea--but hold the breakfast: it's all par for the morning routine, at least if you're entrepreneur, self-experimenter, and king of the lifehacks, Tim Ferriss. From how he manages the challenges of his celebrity to how he manages to stay in great shape; how he does--and when he doesn't--harness the power of AI…

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Learning to Think Like Someone Else (with David Marquet) 1:03:46

2M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

Former submarine commander David Marquet joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to explore how distancing--thinking like someone else, somewhere else, or sometime else--can unlock better choices in business and life. They talk about leadership without giving orders, how to empower teams, and what it means to see yourself as a coach rather than a boss. Along…

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Let Me Be Forgotten (with Lowry Pressly) 1:21:00

2M ago1:21:00

1:21:00

What do we lose when every moment is recorded, every action scrutinized, and every past mistake preserved? Philosopher and author Lowry Pressly joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to discuss why privacy isn't just about secrets or information control, the necessity of spontaneity, the importance of moral growth, and what we need to become fully human. Fr…

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Cindy Light: Willy Wonka Jr. 23:37

2M ago23:37

23:37

No Small Parts: A Community Theatre Podcast In this delightful episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Cindy Light, the seasoned director of Willy Wonka Jr. at Bucyrus Little Theatre. Dive into the whimsical world of this youth production as Cindy shares her process for choosing the show, managing a lively cast of 8- to 18-y…

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Read Like a Champion (with Doug Lemov) 1:03:56

2M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

Many students graduate high school today without having read a book cover to cover. Many students struggle to learn to read at all. How did this happen? Listen as educator and author Doug Lemov talks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the failed fads in reading education, the mistaken emphasis on vocabulary as a skill, and the importance of backgro…

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James Marriott on Reading 1:25:22

2M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Is long form reading a dying pastime? Journalist and cultural critic James Marriott joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to defend the increasingly quaint act of reading a book in our scrolling-obsessed, AI-summarized age. He urges juggling a paper book and a Kindle, recounts ditching his smartphone to rescue his attention, and shares tactics for finding …

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One Special Snarl: Struck to the Soul Revisits the Cinematic Moments that Make You Want to Hulk Out | Electric Secrets 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Unfiltered Artistic Inspiration at Bucyrus Tap House Join host Scott Leon Smith and marketing guru Abbey Kanellakis in this lively episode of Struck to the Soul, a segment of the Electric Secrets Variety Podcast, recorded live at the Bucyrus Tap House in Bucyrus, Ohio. This episode dives into the fleeting, powerful moments in film that ignite creat…

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We Don't Need Another Diva: The Unforgettable Voice Celebrates the Raw Power of Janis Joplin & Tina Turner | Electric Secrets 28:05

2M ago28:05

28:05

Get ready to crank up the volume and feel the soul-shaking, microphone-melting energy of two legendary vocalists in the latest episode of The Unforgettable Voice, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast! Hosted by the ever-charismatic Scott Leon Smith and featuring vocal expert Lori Turner, this episode dives headfirst into the raw, unfil…

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How to Walk the World (with Chris Arnade) 1:14:38

2M ago1:14:38

1:14:38

Skip the Mona Lisa when you visit Paris. Don't tour the Coliseum in Rome. Walk, don’t hurry. Chris Arnade speaks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about a different way to travel. Listen as Arnade shares what he learned from Istanbul's small community mosques and how Avignon's Congolese-neighborhood cathedrals provided moving moments of spirituality. He…

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Abbey Kanellakis: Bucyrus Little Theatre's 2025-26 Season Reveal 29:01

3M ago29:01

29:01

Join host Scott Leon Smith and Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) President Abbey Kanellakis for an exciting episode of No Small Parts, recorded from a sweltering dressing room at the historic Bucyrus Little Theatre in Bucyrus, Ohio. In this episode, titled "No Small Parts," the duo unveils the theatre's vibrant 2025-26 season, packed with eclectic perfo…

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What Is Capitalism? (with Mike Munger) 1:19:48

3M ago1:19:48

1:19:48

What is capitalism, really? Drawing on Adam Smith, Douglass North, and his own experience as a teacher and economist, economist Michael Munger of Duke University discusses three stages of economic development with EconTalk's Russ Roberts: voluntary exchange, markets, and capitalism. Along the way, the conversation explores the moral and institution…

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Scene Context: Dedicated to the Craft Explores Tactics & Objectives Within Given Circumstances | Electric Secrets 26:46

3M ago26:46

26:46

In this episode of Dedicated to the Craft, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast by MonsterVox Productions, host Scott Leon Smith dives deeper into the art of scene work. This episode builds on previous discussions by introducing the concept of working within given circumstances, using a scene called The Waiting Room to illustrate how a…

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The Deceptive Power of Maps (with Paulina Rowinska) 1:09:16

3M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

How can the state of Colorado have nearly 700 sides? Why is a country's coastline as long as you want it to be? And how is it that your UPS driver has more routes to choose from than there are stars in the universe? Listen as mathematician Paulina Rowinska talks with EconTalk's Russ Roberts about the mathematical tricks hiding in plain sight with e…

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Sweet Charity: Bizvox Visits Amber Wertman, CEO of the North Central Ohio United Way | Electric Secrets 22:36

3M ago22:36

22:36

Empowering Communities With United Way of North Central Ohio Join host Scott Leon Smith on BizVox, part of the Electric Secrets variety podcast, as he dives into the world of philanthropy with Amber Wertman, CEO of the United Way of North Central Ohio. In this engaging episode, Scott and Amber discuss the United Way’s 2024-25 annual campaign, which…

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How to Be a Super Ager (with Eric Topol) 1:01:24

3M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

What if we could delay--or even prevent--Alzheimer's, cancer, and heart disease? What if much of what you know about aging is wrong? Listen as cardiologist and author Eric Topol of the Scripps Research Institute talks about his new book Super Agers with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. They discuss why your genes matter less than you think, how your immune…

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Leon Kass on the Wisdom of Rousseau 1:17:07

3M ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Does technology liberate us or enslave us? How do our social interactions affect our sense of self and our emotional health? Listen as author and master teacher Leon Kass and EconTalk's Russ Roberts do a close reading of a few paragraphs of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and explore some of the deepest aspects of our relationships with each other and with o…

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Bizvox Talks to Young Entrepreneur Ryan Carver & Scott Pines for his Lost Youth | Electric Secrets 26:19

4M ago26:19

26:19

Ryan Carver’s “Gold Standard” Branding Sets Him Apart in the Service Industry In this engaging episode of BizVox, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast, host Scott Smith sits down with 18-year-old entrepreneur Ryan Carver in a bustling local coffee shop. Recorded just before Ryan’s high school graduation in May, the interview dives into…

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Two Cheers for Libertarianism and Econ 101 (with Noah Smith) 1:22:06

4M ago1:22:06

1:22:06

Economist Noah Smith was so focused on libertarianism's theoretical flaws, he overlooked its political importance. Trump's tariff policy opened his eyes and made him re-assess the virtues of both libertarianism and Econ 101. Listen as he and EconTalk's Russ Roberts explore the way political competition has shaped economic policy in surprising ways …

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EconTalk #1000 (with Russ Roberts) 1:08:49

4M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

In honor of EconTalk's 1,000th episode, host Russ Roberts reflects on his long, strange journey from pioneer of the podcast format to weekly interviewer of leading economists, authors, and thinkers. Hear him answer your--and Chat GPT's--questions about why he got started, how he preps, and how he picks guests. He also explains why debate gave way t…

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Gen X Mom: The Unforgettable Voice of Julie Kavner | Electric Secrets 25:25

4M ago25:25

25:25

Gen X Mom: The Unforgettable Voice of Julie Kavner 🎙️ Dive into the iconic world of The Simpsons with the latest episode of The Unforgettable Voice, a segment of the Electric Secrets variety podcast, produced by MonsterVox Productions! This week, host Scott Leon Smith celebrates the legendary voice acting of Julie Kavner, the voice behind Marge Sim…

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Nature vs. Nurture (with Paul Bloom) 1:07:44

4M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

How much of our success or failure is written in our genes? How much is under our control? Is it nature or nurture or is that dichotomy too simplistic? Hear EconTalk's Russ Roberts and psychologist Paul Bloom discuss why the nature vs. nurture question is actually worth taking seriously and how by understanding it we can help ourselves and others.…

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Interview With Martha Tidball On Schoolhouse Rock Live 26:08

4M ago26:08

26:08

Join host Scott Smith for an engaging episode of No Small Parts, a podcast celebrating the heart and soul of community theatre. In this episode, Scott interviews Martha Tidball, director of the Bucyrus Little Theatre’s upcoming production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! in Bucyrus, Ohio. The conversation delves into the nostalgic joy of the musical, insp…

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Inside the Mysterious World of Credit Cards (with Patrick McKenzie) 1:15:14

4M ago1:15:14

1:15:14

Patrick McKenzie explains to EconTalk's Russ Roberts how credit cards work, who makes money from them and how, and gives his take on whether cash customers and debit card users subsidize the users of credit cards with reward programs.By EconTalk: Russ Roberts