Today’s episode is actually a two-parter. In part one, Devan tries to get to the bottom of why he keeps seeing billboards advertising that concerts are "sold out." In part two, we tackle a listener’s question about a scheme to sell your identity so you can commit crimes scot-free.

Our guests this week are:
Bruce Houghton, founder and president of Skyline and senior advisor at Bandsintown
Ethan Beck, culture reporter at The Washington Post
 Sarah Carver & Jennifer Griffith, Social Security whistleblowers

Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram.

Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.

Today&rsquo;s episode is actually a two-parter. In part one, Devan tries to get to the bottom of why he keeps seeing billboards advertising that concerts are "sold out." In part two, we tackle a listener&rsquo;s question about a scheme to sell your identity so you can commit crimes scot-free.
Our guests this week are:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.hypebot.com/author/bruce-houghton/">Bruce Houghton</a>, founder and president of Skyline and senior advisor at Bandsintown</li>
<li><a href="http://washingtonpost.com/people/ethan-beck/">Ethan Beck</a>, culture reporter at The Washington Post</li>
<li>&nbsp;<a href="https://carvergriffith.com/">Sarah Carver &amp; Jennifer Griffith</a>, Social Security whistleblowers</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.nosuchthing.show/p/billboards-advertising-sold-out-shows-concerts">newsletter</a> and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nosuchthing.show/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.
Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail at <a href="tel:(860)%20325-0286">(860) 325-0286.</a>

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan — three best friends and journalists — as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research. 

Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don’t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.

NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can’t agree on. If you’ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.

New episodes on Wednesdays.

For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at www.nosuchthing.show.

And if you have any questions you’d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan &mdash; three best friends and journalists &mdash; as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.&nbsp;
Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don&rsquo;t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.
NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can&rsquo;t agree on. If you&rsquo;ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.
New episodes on Wednesdays.
For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at <a href="http://www.nosuchthing.show">www.nosuchthing.show</a>.
And if you have any questions you&rsquo;d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

NO SUCH THING

Join Manny, Noah, and Devan &mdash; three best friends and journalists &mdash; as they settle dumb arguments by actually doing the research.&nbsp;
Each week, they start with a debate or discussion. Why don&rsquo;t men ask follow up questions? Should schools ban phones? Is dating an AI chatbot cheating? Then, they go out into the world, talk to experts, conduct experiments, and find the answer.
NO SUCH THING is an explainer podcast about pop culture, the internet, and whatever weird thing your group chat can&rsquo;t agree on. If you&rsquo;ve ever had a take so strong you had to fact-check it, this show is for you.
New episodes on Wednesdays.
For more information, please subscribe to our newsletter at <a href="http://www.nosuchthing.show">www.nosuchthing.show</a>.
And if you have any questions you&rsquo;d like us to get to the bottom of, email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail: ‪(860) 325-0286.

Why do billboards brag that a show is sold out?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/787d0611-9dc2-464c-930b-b4e2016d4b33/transcript

Conflict is inevitable, so why are we so bad at it? In this special featured episode from Corner Piece, host Taha investigates the nature of conflict to help his co-hosts, Melissa and Sabrina (and all of us), find healthier ways to handle conflict. He interviews Harville Hendrix, a couples therapist with over 50 years of experience, and Eli J. Finkel, a professor and author of "The All-or-Nothing Marriage". They explain what happens when conflict gets in the way of connection and how to turn it into an opportunity for growth.

Corner Piece is a new podcast made by TED and the creators of YouTube channel, Answer in Progress. In each episode, hosts Taha, Melissa and Sabrina follow their curiosities down rabbit holes with help from expert guests to help you, and themselves, understand the world around us a little bit better.

Listen to more episodes of Corner Piece here: https://link.mgln.ai/Za4saJ 

Conflict is inevitable, so why are we so bad at it? In this special featured episode from Corner Piece, host Taha investigates the nature of conflict to help his co-hosts, Melissa and Sabrina (and all of us), find healthier ways to handle conflict. He interviews Harville Hendrix, a couples therapist with over 50 years of experience, and Eli J. Finkel, a professor and author of "The All-or-Nothing Marriage". They explain what happens when conflict gets in the way of connection and how to turn it into an opportunity for growth.
Corner Piece is a new podcast made by TED and the creators of YouTube channel, Answer in Progress. In each episode, hosts Taha, Melissa and Sabrina follow their curiosities down rabbit holes with help from expert guests to help you, and themselves, understand the world around us a little bit better.
Listen to more episodes of&nbsp;Corner Piece here: <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mgln.ai/Za4saJ&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1793327985323561&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MibXhHKW_XUWdJN_K3hly">https://link.mgln.ai/Za4saJ</a>&nbsp;

Am I bad at conflict? (from Corner Piece)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9189bda0-2c04-4df9-be2c-b4f30019c635/transcript

This weekend, nearly 60,000 runners and millions of spectators will hit the five boroughs for the New York City Marathon. But when, and how, did we all become so obsessed with running? 

Folks, this episode has it all: the financial and political moves behind the rise of the marathon (and the yuppie), the worldwide impacts of climate change on running races, and what drives a marathon devotee to take on 26.2-mile gauntlets all over the world. 

Our guests this week are:
Historian Dylan Gottlieb

Check out his book Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York
Journalist and New Mom Run Club founder Nadia Neophytou 

Marathon Runners Are Training for a Hotter World
Marathoner Amy Leavitt Knepper

Check out Team Andi

We want to hear from YOU for a couple upcoming episodes!

First, TEXTING ETIQUETTE: Do you have a bad texter in your life? What's your philosophy? Send us your texting thoughts and horror stories. 

And second: we're taking on GENTLE PARENTING: What does it mean to you? Do you think it works? Let us know what you think.

Leave us a voicemail at (860) 325-0286 or send us an email at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com

And lastly:Subscribe to our newsletter for an exclusive announcement of a new era of the podcast: NST GOLD, coming soon.

 

This weekend, nearly 60,000 runners and millions of spectators will hit the five boroughs for the New York City Marathon. But when, and how, did we all become so obsessed with running?&nbsp;
Folks, this episode has it all: the financial and political moves behind the rise of the marathon (and the yuppie), the worldwide impacts of climate change on running races, and what drives a marathon devotee to take on 26.2-mile gauntlets all over the world.&nbsp;
Our guests this week are:
<ul>
<li>Historian Dylan Gottlieb
<ul>
<li>Check out his book <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/yuppies-the-bankers-lawyers-joggers-and-gourmands-who-conquered-new-york-dylan-gottlieb/0163bac080cd5b57?ean=9780674248977">Yuppies: The Bankers, Lawyers, Joggers, and Gourmands Who Conquered New York</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Journalist and <a href="https://newmomrunclub.substack.com/">New Mom Run Club</a> founder Nadia Neophytou&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-18/marathon-training-now-includes-heat-management-for-runners-as-temperatures-soar?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzE0MjM0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzQ3MTQyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSllBNkRWVFRDWlEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIzNDBEQTg5MDUwMkI0OTAxQjBENDcyQjZBNUExNUUyQyJ9.4yyWzCFegLpgfUlFCxpoJQTnOdHTfZvD8bQPPFKSqBw">Marathon Runners Are Training for</a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-18/marathon-training-now-includes-heat-management-for-runners-as-temperatures-soar?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzE0MjM0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzQ3MTQyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSllBNkRWVFRDWlEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIzNDBEQTg5MDUwMkI0OTAxQjBENDcyQjZBNUExNUUyQyJ9.4yyWzCFegLpgfUlFCxpoJQTnOdHTfZvD8bQPPFKSqBw"> a Hotter</a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-18/marathon-training-now-includes-heat-management-for-runners-as-temperatures-soar?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzE0MjM0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzQ3MTQyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSllBNkRWVFRDWlEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIzNDBEQTg5MDUwMkI0OTAxQjBENDcyQjZBNUExNUUyQyJ9.4yyWzCFegLpgfUlFCxpoJQTnOdHTfZvD8bQPPFKSqBw"> World</a><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-18/marathon-training-now-includes-heat-management-for-runners-as-temperatures-soar?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc5MzE0MjM0MiwiZXhwIjoxNzkzNzQ3MTQyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUSllBNkRWVFRDWlEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiIzNDBEQTg5MDUwMkI0OTAxQjBENDcyQjZBNUExNUUyQyJ9.4yyWzCFegLpgfUlFCxpoJQTnOdHTfZvD8bQPPFKSqBw"></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Marathoner Amy Leavitt Knepper
<ul>
<li>Check out <a href="https://www.teamandi.org/">Team Andi</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
We want to hear from YOU for a couple upcoming episodes!
First,&nbsp;TEXTING ETIQUETTE: Do you have a bad texter in your life? What's your philosophy? Send us your texting thoughts and horror stories.&nbsp;
And second: we're taking on GENTLE PARENTING: What does it mean to you? Do you think it works? Let us know what you think.
Leave us a voicemail at&nbsp;<a href="tel:(860)%20325-0286">(860) 325-0286</a> or send us an email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a>
And lastly: <a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/mannynoahdevan/p/why-do-we-love-running-marathons?r=j003&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for an exclusive announcement of a new era of the podcast: NST GOLD, coming soon.
&nbsp;

How marathons changed the cities we live in

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e8a0eac5-89ae-4e77-9fa1-b4f0017a1d00/transcript

On today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan are joined by esteemed journalist Emmanuel Dzotsi, host of the Big Lives podcast and producer on This American Life, to break down what happened to the rom-com genre of film. They also hear from repeat-guest Walt Hickey, author of You Are What You Watch, who explains the financial incentive (and lack thereof) of filmmaking.

If you like this episode, check out: Why we're sick of franchise movies.

Check out our newsletter and follow us on Instagram. Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at mannynoahdevan@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (860) 325-0286.

On today's episode, Manny, Noah, and Devan are joined by esteemed journalist Emmanuel Dzotsi, host of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/big-lives">Big Lives</a> podcast and producer on <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life,</a> to break down what happened to the rom-com genre of film. They also hear from repeat-guest Walt Hickey, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/walter-hickey/you-are-what-you-watch/9781523515899/?lens=workman-publishing-company">You Are What You Watch</a>, who explains the financial incentive (and lack thereof) of filmmaking. If you like this episode, check out:<a href="https://pod.link/1780210954/episode/Nzc1MGE3YTAtZjM1Ny00YmIzLThiZTUtYjMyOTAxMjVkZjQ2?view=apps&amp;sort=popularity"> Why we're sick of franchise movies.</a> Check out our <a href="https://www.nosuchthing.show/p/billboards-advertising-sold-out-shows-concerts">newsletter</a> and follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nosuchthing.show/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.&nbsp;Have a question you want us to answer? Email us at <a href="mailto:mannynoahdevan@gmail.com" aria-haspopup="menu">mannynoahdevan@gmail.com</a> or leave a voicemail at <a href="tel:(860)%20325-0286">(860) 325-0286.</a>

Why did the rom-com genre fall off?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/852bb6bd-7eb6-47a6-833f-b4e9016df3ff/transcript

Why do billboards brag that a show is sold out?

NO SUCH THING

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