Hyperfixed

Alex Goldman & Radiotopia

Maybe it’s just a quiet annoyance you’ve grudgingly learned to put up with, or a life defining issue that makes it hard to move forward. Whatever it is, former Reply All co-host Alex Goldman — reporter, radio producer, and overconfident idiot — will get to the bottom of it (if there’s a bottom to be found. Results may vary). Follow Alex as he figures out not only the vast hidden mechanisms that create these problems, but works with you, the listener, to find a solution. Or at least enough of an explanation that you’re ok with the annoyance. He’s not perfect. Hyperfixed is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a network of independent and listener-supported podcasts. Discover audio with vision at radiotopia.fm.

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51 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes51

Newest first

Thursday · 30 min
The Master of Mazes vs The Big Green Monster
Three years ago, Becca was seeing double. Her hometown's hedge maze had an uncanny resemblance to a famous maze in England, but no one seemed to realize it except her. So Becca wants to know if the maze is, indeed, a copy. And if she's right, she wants credit where credit is due. LINKS: - Adrian Fisher's book: The Amazing Book of Mazes - Henry Eliot's book: Follow This Thread - Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow - Photo of the Longleat Hedge Maze - Photo of the Big Green Monster in Stow, Massachusetts - Photo of the sign at the Big Green Monster at Honey Pot Hill We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
July 16 · 1 hr 13 min
Presenting: Panic World - The Disturbing World of Cute Cat AI with Panic World
This week we're cooking up a couple stories in the lab so while you wait, please check out Panic World, a fantastic podcast hosted by friend of the show Ryan Broderick. ----- Why are cats so popular on the internet? It started with cat memes like I Can Haz Cheezburger and Keyboard Cat, then we became enamored with cat celebrities like Lil Bub, Grumpy Cat, and Princess Monstertruck. And now, we’re witnessing the next evolution in cat internet content: “cute cat AI.” Our guest and host of American Hysteria, Chelsey Weber-Smith, calls it a “Kitty Horror Picture Show.” Chelsey joins Ryan and Grant to tell us about the explosion of really weird AI-generated cat videos depicting cat families that’s all over TikTok and YouTube right now — much like Elsagate once did in 2014. Then, Ryan takes us back even further, to cover an older cat-based moral panic: Bonsai Kittens. Together, we look at how though technology has changed, we’ve pretty much always wanted to show each other freaky stuff on the internet — whether real or fake. Our guest Chelsey Weber-Smith hosts American Hysteria, a show that explores the fantastical thinking and irrational fears of Americans. Check it out here or wherever you listen to podcasts. LINKS Garbage Day Newsletter Panic World American Hysteria Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
July 2 · 30 min
A Story About a Mouse That’s Actually About Everything
Earlier this year, David's mouse suddenly stopped working, which wouldn't be that weird, were it not for the fact that people across the world were reporting the same issue with the same mouse. What happened, and why? The Hyperfixed Team investigates. We are doing a LIVE SHOW in Brooklyn in September, get your tickets here http://tickets.hyperfixedpod.com/ Please consider becoming a hyperfixed premium member. Your support keeps our show alive. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: The Lever (David's investigative news website) Consumer Reports Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
June 18 · 31 min
Samurai Gone Girl
Growing up, Alison was a voracious reader. But there was one book series in particular that she devoured. "Samurai Girl" by Carrie Asai. Recently, Alison wanted to learn more about the author whose books she loved nearly 20 years ago. But she couldn't find anything about Carrie Asai. No other writing credits. No bio. So it left Alison wondering, who was Carrie Asai? LINKS: Samurai Girl Bob Levy's Book Sara Shepard Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
June 4 · 39 min
PREMIUM UNLOCKED: The Fraud Hunter
An extended (bonus!) interview from our Fauxbituaries episode, now unlocked for you! Investigative journalist, Craig Silverman, helps us track down one of the authors of a fake obituary site. Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. LINKS: Craig Silverman's website Indicator The Hyperfixed episode "Fauxbituaries" Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 21 · 35 min
Rooting Out Racists
This week, another installment of our Hyperfixer series. We chat with an anonymous hacker who took down a white supremacist dating site. LINKS: Martha Root's Social Media Martha Root's Chaos Communication Congress Presentation Martha's Website, OK Stupid Get tickets for the Hyperfixed live show! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 7 · 31 min
Pretzels to the People
The twisted logic behind one company's real estate strategy. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Check out Planet Money DISCLAIMER: This episode is not sponsored by Wetzel's Pretzels. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
April 23 · 1 hr 7 min
PRESENTING: Smart Girl, Dumb Questions
This week we're sharing a podcast we love, the show Smart Girl Dumb Questions. It's a curiosity party, and you're invited. On Smart Girl Dumb Questions, Nayeema Raza asks simple Qs to big thinkers (like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Diplo, or two 11 year olds), trying to make sense of life. LINKS: Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast feed: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-girl-dumb-questions/id1784967461 Smart Girl Dumb Questions on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
April 9 · 40 min
Fauxbituaries
When Markus's good friend died suddenly, he went online to get more information. What he found was several AI written obituaries on dodgy looking websites with a litany of factual inaccuracies. Who is making these, and why? And is there anything that can be done to stop them? To hear our conversation with Craig Silverman (and a bunch of other great bonus episodes, and join our discord, and get discounts on Hyperfixed merchandise, and support independent journalism) become a Hyperfixed Premium member. If we get 150 signups between now and the end of april, we will give away merch to 5 listeners. If we get more than 150, we'll give away more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Joe Supan on fake obituaries Craig Silverman's Newsletter, Indicator Joshua Braun on fake news and ad technology Check My Ads Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
April 2 · 1 hr 17 min
Amityvilleville
Alex has a new podcast called Amityvilleville, on which he and his friend Caroline Thompson watch all 92 movies in the Amityville Franchise, interview people involved in the making of these movies, and hopefully some people involved in the true life amityville case! On this episode, we watch Amityville 3-D, the third entry in the series, starring a young Meg Ryan and Lori Laughlin. Amityville 3-D: Here's how my mom and dad fell back in love after my dad bought a haunted house that killed me and then exploded. As of this writing, Amityville 3-D is available (lamentably, in 2-D) on the following streaming services: TUBI Pluto TV If you are just discovering this podcast, please consider listening to Alex's other podcast, Hyperfixed Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
March 26 · 37 min
PREMIUM UNLOCKED: The Passion of the Fruit
Our most popular bonus episode ever, now unlocked for you. Sometimes, we bite off more than we can chew here at Hyperfixed. This is one of those times. Hope you enjoy it! If you like this episode and would like to hear more like it, as well as join our discord and get discounts on merch, you can support us by going to https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join. We're trying to sign up 1500 new premium members so I can give our producers raises and pay them healthcare. Currently, and we only need 1440 more! You can help us reach our goal! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
March 12 · 40 min
Chris's Watchlist
This week - Chris is a movie lover, and there are dozens of classics he's desperate to watch. But he can't. Alex tries to help him. Please consider becoming a premium Hyperfixed member. You get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discount on merch, and you support independent journalism. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Also! Alex and his pal Caroline are starting a new show! Join then on Amityvilleville, where they will watch all 91 movies in the sprawling, confusing, ridiculous Amityville franchise. Find it on any podcast app, or on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, etc. LINKS: Audio Description Project: https://adp.acb.org/ https://partnerhelp.netflixstudios.com/hc/en-us/articles/215510667-Audio-Description-Style-Guide-v2-5 Descriptive Video Works: https://descriptivevideoworks.com/ You Describe: https://ydx.youdescribe.org/home Special thanks to Jenna and the team at Descriptive Video Works! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
February 26 · 29 min
Crosswalk Jonny
This week, the story of a man who is bound and determined to make his city safer, even if it means breaking the law. Please consider becoming a premium hyperfixed member. You'll get bonus episodes, access to our discord, discounts on merch (https://merch.hyperfixedpod.com/) and most importantly, you will be supporting independent journalism. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: People's Vision Zero Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplesvisionzero/ Jonny's White Paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n3PeT7vwutg26_u1jf4Iqx7ba7GdHI42/view To become a PVZ Member: https://pvz.typeform.com/joinus To support People's Vision Zero: https://ko-fi.com/peoplesvisionzero Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
February 12 · 42 min
Desperately Seeking Sjowgren
Miguel wants to get off Spotify to be more deliberate about how he listens to music. But one of his favorite bands doesn't sell any albums, they don't perform live , and they may not even exist. Please help support the show by becoming a premium member! You'll get access to our discord, bonus episodes, and discounts on merch! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join And while we're on the subject, please pick up some merch! You'll look like a million bucks. merch.hyperfixedpod.com LINKS: Bad Bad Hats: https://www.badbadhats.com/ Where to buy Sjowgren's music off streaming: https://sjowgren.bandcamp.com/ Sjowgren merch: https://longtimefrienddiscount.myshopify.com/collections/all Sjowgren links: https://linktr.ee/sjowgren Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
January 29 · 32 min
Cry Fowl
In the summer of 2022, several dozens of residents of Birmingham, Alabama disappeared without a trace. This week, the Hyperfixed team breaks the story of what happened to them. Become a premium Hyperfixed member! You will get access to bonus episodes, our incredible discord community, discounts on merch, and much more. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/ If you’d like to learn more about our financial goals for Hyperfixed and what we spend our money on, you can follow this link. Joe's story about the ducks: Avondale Park ducks, geese disappear before The World Games Subreddit discussing Joe's piece: https://www.reddit.com/r/Birmingham/comments/vkq61r/avondale_park_ducks_geese_disappear_before_the/ AL.com story about World Games debt: World Games $14 million shortfall; ‘We have every intention...to pay our vendors,’ says CEO Story about geese removal in Pike Road, AL in 2019: Nearly 150 geese removed, ‘humanely euthanized’ from Ala. community Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
January 15 · 39 min
Brainsquatch
This week, Bob's Burgers has Matt questioning his sanity. Please sign up for Hyperfixed Premium! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join LINKS: Brain Bridge Lab: https://brainbridgelab.uchicago.edu/ Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
January 1 · 1 hr 1 min
Two Birds, One Hundred Stones (UPDATED)
This week, we re-air an oldie but a goodie (plus, a special update from our listener Keenan!). Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join We got merch (premium members get 15% off!) https://shop.hyperfixedpod.com/ LINKS: CBC story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/a-halifax-woman-s-40-year-old-recording-comes-out-of-the-basement-and-renews-her-love-of-music-1.7477984 If you are a Hyperfixed member, you can see some supplementary photos for this story by following this link. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 25, 2025 · 22 min
Grumpy Santa
Merry Christmas! Your present from us is an unlocked bonus episode! It's the story of a guy trying to break into performing, who stumbles into what may be the worst acting gig of all time. If you liked this episode and want to hear more like it, please become a premium Hyperfixed member. It's the engine that keeps this show running. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 18, 2025 · 41 min
Hyperfixmas
This week, Alex goes full Scrooge -- visiting the ghosts of Hyperfixed past, present, and future. The first ever Hyperfixed Pledge Drive is going to be Friday, December 19 at 12 noon! Stop by to watch Alex bravely humiliate himself and stay up all night! Anyone who becomes a member during those 24 hours will be able to request that Alex play a song. Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Follow Hyperfixed on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/hyperfixedpod We got merch! https://shop.hyperfixedpod.com/ LINKS: An's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/only-to-be-consumed-in-canada Ali's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/the-thing-about-losing-everything Eva's episode: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/listen/hyperfixed/eva-needs-to-measure Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Dec 4, 2025 · 30 min
The Pits
Heath is on a path of destruction, and he doesn’t know how to make it stop. The first ever Hyperfixed Pledge Drive is going to be Friday, December 19 at 12 noon! Stop by to watch Alex bravely humiliate himself and stay up all night! Anyone who becomes a member during those 24 hours will be able to request that Alex play a song. Become a member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join Follow Hyperfixed on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/hyperfixedpod LINKS: Dr Armpit: https://drarmpit.com/ Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices