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, 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.

This week: Eva lives in the UK, loves to bake, and frequently tries to bake American recipes. But Americans measure by volume and everyone else measures by weight — and converting those measurements is complicated, for complicated reasons.

Sign up for bonus episodes and extra content at: 
https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

Do you have problems you'd like Alex and the gang to solve? Get in touch with us at http://hyperfixedpod.com by clicking the "Submit a Problem" button.

Links: 

The National Institute of Standards and Measures

Le Grand K

Beyond Measure by James Vincent

This week: Gwen was born and raised in New York, and never felt like she needed to learn to drive. Now that she's turned 30, she's scared she's too old to change that. Alex stands around with a microphone and tries to help.

Sign up for bonus episodes and extra content at: 
https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

Do you have problems you'd like Alex and the gang to solve? Get in touch with us at http://hyperfixedpod.com by clicking the "Submit a Problem" button.

On this episode, Dylan is concerned about something going on at the grocery store, but he's not quite sure how concerned he should be. That's where we step in.

Subscribe to the Hyperfixed premium feed for bonus episodes, access to our discord, and much much more!

https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Daniel and Kelly's Extraordinary Universe Podcast

Paco Underhill's Why we Buy: The Science of Shopping

Jamie Loftus's 16 Minute Podcast

If you would like to call your grocery store about the energy they're wasting

Contact Walmart (and Sam's Club)

Contact Costco

Contact Kroger

(they also own: Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C Food Store, King Soopers, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs, Ruler, Smith’s Food and Drug)

Contact Albertsons

(they also own: Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci's Food Lovers)

This week - Casey has been chasing the origin of a very specific piece of ephemera for years. He came to us for help.

If you like this episode and want to hear more, please sign up for our premium feed here!

https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

If you would like to join at the $60 yearly level and receive your very own Big Chub Chet's button, you can do so here:

https://hyperfixedpod.com/button

There are a limited number so get them before they're gone! 

LINKS:
Busy Beaver Button Museum

The Button in Question (Spoilers! don't look until the episode is done!)

This week - Kristin asks us for help on one of the most difficult decisions she'll ever have to make. 

You can sign up for bonus episodes, join our discord, and much more at https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

If you would like to get the button featured in the "Casey Wants to Believe" episode of Hyperfixed, you can get one at hyperfixedpod.com/button (while supplies last!)

Dylan Matthews: 23 charts and maps that show the world is getting much, much better

Our World in Data 

Robert De Neufville's substack "Telling the Future"

How to become a Superforecaster

This week, Kyle asks us whether a bit of folk wisdom, passed down through generations, is actually true, and once again we end up in a big philosophical discussion about the nature of knowledge and stuff.

Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for bonus episodes, access to the discord, merch drops, and more

http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

There are still buttons available from our episode "Casey Wants to Believe" but they're going fast! Get one at

http://hyperfixedpod.com/button

LINKS:

Adam Savage's YouTube Channel Tested

Adam Savage's own Savage Indusries tape measure 

The Lufkin Night Eye Tape Measure (again, this is not a sponsorship -- just what Adam recommends)

We've had maybe a dozen submissions from people who reached out to us with questions about public restrooms. Specifically: why are they designed so poorly? And how gross are they actually? Alex and Hyperfixed Producer Amor Yates investigate.

Help us continue making hyperfixed! Become a premium member for bonus episodes, access to our discord and much much more! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Toilet: The Public Restroom and the Politics of Sharing.

The American Restroom Association

The Germ Files: The Surprising Ways Microbes Can Improve Your Health and Life (and How to Protect Yourself from the Bad Ones)

Joe Rhodes is a former journalist that is writing about his experiences on the Villa Vie Odyssey, a cruise ship that has just embarked on a 3 & 1/2 year voyage. It hasn't all been smooth sailing. We talk to him about his experience. This is part one of a multi-part series we are running on our premium feed -- part II comes out next week!

https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:
Joe Rhodes' Substack 

Jack has noticed something weird about some license plates. It could be a conspiracy. We investigate.

Become a premium supporter of Hyperfixed to get all kinds of bonus stuff! It's thanks to all of you this show exists! 

http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

The Automobile License Plate Collectors Association 

This week, An asks us perhaps the smallest question we've ever had to answer, and inadvertently sends us on a wild reporting journey. Also Alex yells and swears.

Help support Hyperfixed by becoming a premium subscriber! You will get two bonus episodes a month, access to the discord, and much much more. 

http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

This week - Keenan always had this question about his mom's past, and he turned to us for help. And then we turned to him for help. A very special episode of Hyperfixed.

Become a premium Hyperfixed member today to get access to bonus episodes, our discord, monthly AMAs and much much more.

http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

If you are a Hyperfixed member, you can see some supplementary photos for this story by following this link.

This week - Scammers have managed to copy Jordan's entire website and steal her business -- more than once. But how are they doing it? And why is it so hard to fight now? 

If you like this show, please think about becoming a premium member - it will help us keep making it, making it better, and making it weirder.

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

StoreLock

ICANN

What is the GDPR

Become a Hyperfixed Premium member and support independent journalism! Get access to bonus episodes, the hyperfixed Discord, and more!

https://hyperfixedpod.com/join

Intrigue on the high seas. I mean on land. 

LINKS: 

Jenny Phenix's legal complaint against Villa Vie

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/

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.

This week, Alex is a guest on another podcast that solves a problem for him. 

Episode description:

Alex used to host a huge podcast (Reply All). He now makes a new independent show called Hyperfixed. He loves making it. Only problem is, Alex now has to ask for money all the time to survive, which he hates doing.

From the episode: 

• Listen to Yowei's podcast, Proxy!
• Subscribe to Yowei's Patreon
• Become a premium Hyperfixed Member
• Learn more about Haley Bash and Donor Organizer Hub, a support network for people who fundraise for under-resourced causes
• The Accidental Fundraiser, Haley's step-by-step guide to raising money for your cause
• Alex's post about the state of Hyperfixed (posted May 2025)

This week, Mitchell finds out he's missing something almost everyone else has, and he wants to know -- who would I be if I had it?

This show is made possible by your support so please consider joining up as a Hyperfixed premium member! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

• Adam Zeman's book, The Shape of Things Unseen
• Sussex University Aphantasia Research Sign-up Form
• Future Minds Lab
• Radiolab's Aphantasia piece

Even thoug this is an off week, we decided to unlock a bonus episode for our main feed listeners, because we thought this was useful context.

On this episode: Noted cat-lover Alex Goldman interviews the founder of FIP Warriors, Robin Kintz, and things get a little tense.

If you liked this, you should think about signing up for our premium feed -- https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Thanks for listening! We'll see you next week with an episode that has nothing to do with cats, I'm pretty sure.

The conclusion of our series, ex members of the FIP Warriors facebook group get to work making the whole GS black market obsolete.

Become a Hyperfixed Premium member for bonus episodes, access to our discord, exclusive merchandise (soon) and much much more!

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

• Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA)
• GFI #256
• FDA Announces Position on Use of Compounded GS-441524 to Treat FIP
• Stokes Pharmacy & Bova Group Partner to Bring Oral Treatment for Feline Infectious Peritonitis to U.S.
• U.S. Pharmacies Offering Compounded FIP Treatment

This week, a black market and community network of cat lovers sprang into existence to help pet parents get access to an illegal lifesaving drug for a cat disease called FIP. But a massive revelation threatens to tear this community apart. 

Please consider becoming a Hyperfixed Premium member. It helps make this show possible.

http://hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS

Nicole Randall Sentencing Release

FIP Vet Guide

FIP Warriors

When Marlena's cat was diagnosed with a terminal disease, she found herself seeking help not from a vet, but a series of websites and Facebook groups. The first in a three-part series.

Support independent journalism by becoming a part of our premium user community. Join the discord, get access to exclusive merch (soon), and much much more. 

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

GS treatment available in pharmacies: https://bestfriends.org/sites/default/files/2024-11/Network_09%20Webinar_FIP%20Treatment_US-Pharmacy-FIP-Treatment-Options.pdf

Dr. Pedersen's 2019 paper

FIP Warriors Facebook Group

Gilead's statement: 

Since Gilead identified GS-441524 as a potential treatment for cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), we made it available to institutions with the expertise to advance medicines for veterinary use. This is why we shared GS-441524 with UC Davis to research its impact on FIP.

GS-441524 is an intermediate in the synthesis of remdesivir, an approved treatment for COVID-19. Gilead’s supply of GS-441524 was and continues to be used to manufacture remdesivir to meet the demands of COVID-19.

Today, remdesivir has been made available to more than 14.5 million patients around the world, including more than 8.1 million in low- and lower-middle income countries.

In parallel, Gilead has made progress in studies identifying prodrugs of GS-441524 with improved oral bioavailability that could be further investigated as a therapeutic for FIP in cats. Discussions with suitable veterinary specialty companies are ongoing, but to-date we have not identified an appropriate partner. Gilead supports finding a solution for FIP at the earliest opportunity.

Special unlocked bonus ep! And a note at the top from Alex!

Please support Hyperfixed by becoming a premium member to hear more episodes like this one and get many more perks besides! 

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/

Astrid, the star of the episode Little by Little, talks about recreating an impossible instrument from an iconic episode of Star Trek in real life.

LINKS:

The Aldean Instrument

Astrid's Keynote at the Audio Developer Conference

Commander Riker Sits Down

A preview of what you're missing if you aren't subscribed to Hyperfixed Premium! A story about a wonderful mother and daughter and their hunt for the perfect cake. Even if you aren't planning on signing up, please listen. You’ll love it, I promise.

To listen to the entire interview: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Ali's house burnt down in this year's Los Angeles fires and took her entire life with it. Well almost her entire life. And she wants our help to make sure she doesn't lose one of the few precious things that survived the fire.

Becoming a premium member helps Hyperfixed continue to exist! Sign up for bonus episodes, access to our discord forthcoming exclusive merchandise, and more!

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Astrid designs music hardware, and specifically circuitboards. And over the past few years, she's fallen in love with a specific font. But the software the font is in is being discontinued, and there's no way to export it. Where did it come from? Can she rescue it from the program it’s trapped in?

PLEASE help keep the lights on over here by becoming a premium member. 

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

The Little Character Font Set

Bela

The Albert Einstein Institute

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

This week: Kyle has a medal that was awarded to his great great great Grandfather over a century ago. Was it awarded by a shadowy secret society? We investigate.

THE FRONT OF THE MEDAL

THE BACK OF THE MEDAL

Link to Andrew J. Seymour's book "The World's Greatest"

For Premium Hyperfixed listeners, we included some supplementary research material, photos and news clippings. If you'd like to see them, or if you'd simply like to support independent journalists, you can beome a premium subscriber below!

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

Your membership to Hyperfixed helps us keep the show going. Please consider becoming a member to get bonus episodes, access to our discord, exclusive merch, and more!

hyperfixedpod.com/join

This week: Somehow, a movie release in 2014 has disappeared off the internet. It can't be streamed, it can't be torrented, you can't even buy a physical copy. Parker needs to see it.

LINKS: 

Missing Movies

The Day the Clown Cried

The Missing Dr. Who Episodes

I Am Obsessed With You But You've Got to Leave Me Alone

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

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/

Please support Hyperfixed! Our show doesn't exist without you -- 

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Joe's Substack: https://traipsathon.substack.com/
Hyperfixed episode about Jenny Phenix: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6H56YkgohkqNcr03iwedtI
Hyperfixed episode about Joe Rhodes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/27oNALrE3hsxLK6rb6dhX5
MidLife Cruising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX0icUrACC8

Also it's pledge drive month for Radiotopia, so if you like the many dozens of podcasts they make, including Hyperfixed, please think about supporting!

http://bit.ly/4htbkkA

For the Solomon family, celebrations meant only one thing - a cake from their favorite bakery, Lords. And then suddenly, Lords Bakery was gone.

Please support Hyperfixed! Our show doesn't exist without you -- 

https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Claire Saffitz YouTube Channel, Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person: https://www.youtube.com/@CSaffitz

The recipe for Hope's cake. https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/recipe

Also it's pledge drive month for Radiotopia, so if you like the many dozens of podcasts they make, including Hyperfixed, please think about supporting!

http://bit.ly/4htbkkA

Phoebe is in search of a video game from her past that had an outsized impact on her, and she needs our help.

Please become a premium member! We can't exist without your support! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Books by Phoebe Wahl

Clay Routledge

McGee

Katie’s Farm (McGee 2)

McGee at the Fun Fair (McGee 3)

This week, listener Manon asks why are there so many songs on streaming services featuring her brothers name - Ethan. And why are they all about poop?

Please become a premium member! We can't exist without your support! https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

Get a custom song by Matt Farley: https://moternmedia.com/custom-songs

Listen to A Song About Ethan on Spotify

Benn Jordan’s Using AI to Detect AI Music

Poopz’s Ethan Stop Pooping Your Pants or Move to France

The Odd Man Who Sings About Poop, Puke, and Pee’s The Ethan Poop Song

Reckless Otter’s Ethan Poop Fart Funny Song

Super Poop’s Ethan Smells Like a Llama (Super Poop)

Robin has a very simple question: No one likes Red Delicious apples. Why are they unavoidable?

Please vote for us in the Signal awards!

Vote for Best New Podcast

Vote for Best Live Podcast Recording

Please think about becoming a premium Hyperfixed Member: https://www.hyperfixedpod.com/join

LINKS:

David Karp on KCRW's Good Food Instagram

Matthijs Welle's Apple Post on LinkedIn