Podcast Summary
NPR introduces Planet Oat's oat milk as a sponsor, highlighting its rich, creamy texture and health benefits: Planet Oat's oat milk is a rich, creamy, and healthful alternative to dairy milk with added calcium, vitamins A and D, and unsweetened varieties have 0 grams of sugar. Biden proposed banning surprise resort fees in the State of the Union address, sharing his frustration with hidden fees in the hospitality industry.
During a segment on NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Planet Oat was introduced as a sponsor. The company's oat milk was described as rich, creamy, and an excellent source of calcium with vitamins A and D. Additionally, unsweetened varieties have 0 grams of sugar. The discussion then moved on to the State of the Union address where President Joe Biden proposed banning surprise resort fees. This issue was personal for Biden, who expressed frustration with hidden fees in the hospitality industry, specifically the switch from charging for Internet to adding it as a resort fee.
Creative Monetization Strategies in Unexpected Places: Businesses are finding innovative ways to generate revenue, leading to new costs for consumers in various industries. Adaptation and preparation are key.
Businesses are finding creative ways to monetize their offerings, even in unexpected areas. From hotels charging a resort fee for what used to be free Internet, to movie theaters implementing tiered pricing for seats, consumers are facing new costs in various industries. Even politicians, like Mitt Romney, are getting into the fray, criticizing others for their actions. Meanwhile, some individuals are dealing with unique circumstances, like a football player preparing for the possibility of his wife giving birth during the Super Bowl. Despite these challenges, people continue to find ways to adapt and make the best of the situations. It's a reminder that change is constant, and it's essential to stay informed and prepared.
A 6-year-old boy stages a protest on TikTok for an extra day off from school: Young children are using social media to express their opinions and rally support, highlighting the power and influence of these platforms
Even the youngest members of society can make their voices heard, as demonstrated by a 6-year-old boy from Georgia who staged a "protest" demanding an extra day off from school. The boy, Brody Kenyon, took to TikTok to express his feelings and even held a sit-in until his mom intervened. While some may view this as an exaggeration, it highlights the increasing influence of social media and the power it gives to individuals to share their opinions and rally support. The incident also serves as a reminder of the stresses and demands placed on young students, leading some to question the adequacy of the current school schedule.
Travel Scams: Be Cautious Before Booking: Always double-check travel plans and destinations before making arrangements to avoid potential scams.
It's essential to double-check travel plans and destinations before making arrangements, even if the prices seem too good to be true. In the game, Harikandobalu shared a tale of a scooter rally in Montana, Paula Poundstone recounted a rodeo fraud incident, and Alonzo Bodden shared his experience of accidentally booking a trip to the wrong Sydney. While all stories were entertaining, only Alonzo's story checked out as true when verified with the actual traveler. The other stories involved scooter rallies that didn't exist and a non-existent rodeo fraud. The moral of the stories is to be cautious when making travel arrangements and to double-check the destination before booking.
From Mannequin to Actress: Geena Davis's Unique Start in Hollywood: Unexpected opportunities can come from taking risks and putting yourself out there, leading to unique career paths in acting
Geena Davis, an iconic actress known for her roles in films like "Beetlejuice," "Thelma and Louise," and "A League of Their Own," started her acting career as a mannequin in an Ann Taylor window in New York City. This unexpected experience led to her being hired every Saturday to be a mannequin, and even resulted in her marrying the handsome waiter who brought her lunch. During her time on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, she shared this story and also mentioned her involvement in Brad Pitt's casting for "Thelma and Louise," which she found dazzling and couldn't help but share her opinion on. Despite not having a formal say in the casting, her positive feedback may have played a role in his ultimately getting the part. This anecdote showcases Davis's unique journey into acting and the unexpected opportunities that can come from taking risks and putting yourself out there.
A Career in Acting and Advocacy: Gina Davis Talks 'Thelma and Louise' and Gender Equality: Actress Gina Davis discusses her iconic role in 'Thelma and Louise,' her advocacy for gender equality in media, and her establishment of the Gina Davis Institute on Gender and Media. She currently executive produces CBS's 'Mission Unstoppable,' promoting women and girls in STEM fields.
Gina Davis, an accomplished actress and advocate for gender equality in media, shared her thoughts on the iconic film "Thelma and Louise" and its unconventional sex scene. She also discussed her long-standing career and her establishment of the Gina Davis Institute on Gender and Media in 2004. Currently, she is executive producing the CBS show "Mission Unstoppable," which celebrates women and girls in STEM fields. During the interview, they played a game called "Jean Genie," where Davis attempted to answer questions about blue jeans. Despite her fears, she answered the first question correctly but missed the second one. The game continued, and Davis showed her knowledge and sense of humor throughout. Overall, the conversation highlighted Davis's impactful career and her dedication to promoting gender equality and STEM education.
Unique jeans from a lion's den at a Hokkaido zoo: A zoo in Japan sells jeans with lion-inflicted tears, creating a unique shopping experience for customers.
At a zoo in Hokkaido, Japan, they sell unique jeans in their gift shop. These jeans have tears in them due to being left in the lion enclosure for a while, giving them a distinct look. However, the zoo can't constantly put the pants in the lion's den and sell them that way, so they toss them in and then rescue them. This creates a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for customers. Despite the challenge of the quiz, Gina Davis, an actor, author, producer, and activist, did well and enjoyed her time on the show. In other news, scientists are exploring the possibility of using solar geoengineering to combat global warming, but regulations on this technology are lagging behind. Stay tuned for more interesting facts and trivia on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.
Robots and Relationships, Lost Luggage, and Marsupials: Participants expressed increased sexual desire for robots and ethical concerns over lost luggage, while a marsupial's mating habits were joked about.
The study revealed an increased sexual desire for partners and a strange attraction towards robots among participants. This raised questions about the nature of this fascination and whether it could potentially impact relationships. Another topic discussed was a couple whose luggage was lost by Air Canada and was later donated to charity without their knowledge. The incident raised ethical concerns about transparency and honesty in customer service. Additionally, the group talked about a marsupial called the northern quoll, which mates until it dies, and joked about the potential for high reproductive rates during their breeding season. The show also invited listeners to play games and encouraged them to attend live shows in Chicago and Tucson.
Rear plane seats are statistically safer during a crash: During a plane crash, sitting in the rear seats increases survival chances due to their safety record.
The rear seats of a plane are statistically safer during a crash, making it a "birds with one stone" situation for increased survival chances, despite the potential downside of being the last to exit and dealing with the aftermath. Another interesting fact revealed in the discussion was that a monkey can be trained to use a tattoo gun, and consuming caffeine before working out can enhance performance. Lastly, there was a mention of a bonus game called "Wait Wait Way Back Machine," where listeners can answer questions from shows 20 years ago, and details on how to enter can be found on NPR's website. Sponsors for the episode included Capella University and the Wallace Foundation. The final segment of the show featured a game called "Lightning Fill in the Blank."
Quiz game with various questions on current events: Paula led with 9 points, Alonzo had 4 correct answers, and Hari needed 5 points to win. Notable answers included Volodymyr Zelensky's call for military support, melting icebergs putting 15 million people in danger, and a man stealing monkeys from the zoo.
During a quiz game, each player had 60 seconds to answer as many fill-in-the-blank questions as possible, with each correct answer earning 2 points. Paula was in third place with a total of 5 correct answers, while Harry and Alonzo each had 3. Some notable answers included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for more military support during a surprise visit to France and Britain, the melting of icebergs putting 15 million people in danger of flooding, and a man in Texas being inspired by social media to steal monkeys from the zoo. Alonzo had 4 correct answers, leaving Paula in the lead with 9 points. Hari needed 5 points to win. Other interesting facts included House GOP asking for records into Hunter Biden's business dealings, the Federal Reserve chair suggesting a surge in hiring may lead to more interest rate hikes, Rihanna winning the inaugural Doctor. Dre Award for Global Impact at the Grammys, LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record in basketball, a 6-year-old ordering $1,000 worth of food on his father's phone, and investigators finding strong evidence that Russia's Vladimir Putin was complicit in the downing of a Malaysian Airlines jet in 2014. Sarah Huckabee Sanders provided the official Republican response following President Biden's State of the Union address. A man at a Scottish airport was shocked when his luggage was too big to fit in the overhead bin and he had to check it in.
Innovation and Adaptation in Movie Theaters and Life: Stay open to new ideas and adaptations, whether in movie theaters or daily life. Support causes and make a difference. Be mindful of technology's impact on the body and take steps to mitigate it. Humor and lightheartedness are important.
Innovation continues to be a driving force in various industries, as seen in the predictions of movie theater advancements made by the Wait Wait Don't Tell Me panel. Hari, in the story shared earlier, showed determination and resourcefulness when he managed to fit his luggage into an oversized box, which can be seen as a metaphor for the need for adaptation and ingenuity in the face of challenges. Paula Poundstone suggested the implementation of an app that allows moviegoers to watch movies on their phones in the theater. Alonzo Bodden proposed a movie theater model similar to airline scheduling, where movies start whenever the theater decides. These ideas, along with the ongoing trend of technology integration, demonstrate the importance of staying open to new ideas and adaptations in various aspects of life. Additionally, the episode touched on the importance of supporting causes and making a difference, as exemplified by Bombas' mission to donate an item for every purchase made. The Body Electric Challenge, as mentioned in the message from NPR, encourages listeners to learn about the impact of technology on the body and take steps to mitigate it. Lastly, the episode reminded us of the importance of humor and lightheartedness, as exemplified by the comedic banter and limericks shared throughout the show.
