Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories. To get every show in our network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, sign up for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/SiriusXM.
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REJECTED CENTRAL is a podcast that investigates the history, humor, and pain of rejection, without getting dragged through the depressing silliness you can find in a million other places. We don’t care (much) about breakup stories, denied crushes, or the little denials that make up our quotidian existence. We do care about the bigger rejections, the ones that cross boundaries and borders, stories so impactful they demand a response, a laugh, a tear. In short, REJECTED CENTRAL is about elevat ...
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This is an audio log of the everyday experience of the everyday.
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Podcast by Ross Ruffing
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This is a podcast about reading and finding relationships between randomly paired books. The first season's episodes start with a book I'm currently reading, and then add a book that I read two years ago that is determined in a fairly random way, I see what there is to see in the matter between them. Sometimes it's amazing. Sometimes ... well, I get a laugh out of it, at least.
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My guests are Entrepreneurs, Executives, Olympians, Artists, and Creatives. Some famous names and some hidden gems. We discuss what success means to each one of them and decode the best parts of their mindset. It is a search for the common threads, principles, and patterns that we can apply to our own lives to become healthier, wealthier, happier, and wiser.
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Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf, Part IV: the University of Houston Student Panel | Episode 36
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Brent sat down with Kayla Zinsmeyer and Eamon Hennessey, two students at the University of Houston working on coastal biology, to talk sand dune biospheres, inoculated sand, the sexiness of megafauna, and the reality that sometimes we need to let things die. About the series: There are some places where discussions of climate change, sea level rise…
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Incarcerated people grow crops, fight wildfires, and manufacture everything from motor oil to prescription glasses — often for pennies per hour. Zachary Crockett reports from North Carolina. SOURCES: Laura Appleman, professor of law at Willamette University. Christopher Barnes, inmate at the Franklin Correctional Center. Lee Blackman, general manag…
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US Election Mini: Rejecting Hate & Indifference
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On this incredibly important day for our American friends and family, we at Rejected Central hope all goes smoothly during voting and the tallying of the votes. Get out there, cast your vote (or don't, abstinence is legitimate option), and reject the hate that unfortunately has defined the loudest of election discussions, both from the left and the…
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Rejecting Bad Church, Part II: Lori Sebastianutti | Episode 35
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Brent and Dave had a fantastic conversation with writer Lori Sebastianutti, who learned after (finally) successful IVF treatments that the Catholic Church is against any extra-intercourse conception, and faced a crisis of conscience as a result. And yet she came to a place where she knows the rightness of her choices: celibate men shouldn't be maki…
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It takes millions of giant green placards to make America navigable. Where do they come from — and who pays the bill? Zachary Crockett takes the exit. SOURCES: Lee Blackman, general manager at Correction Enterprises. Gene Hawkins, senior principal engineer at Kittelson and professor emeritus of civil engineering at Texas A&M University. Renee Roach…
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Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf, Part III: Dr. Steve Jennings | Episode 34
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Brent goes to Houston and sits down with Dr. Steve Pennings, Moores professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the university of Houston, to talk coastal mangroves, baseline shifts, and the challenge of planning for climate change in the face of Texan do-it-yourself pragmatism. About the series: There are some places where discussio…
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When a zoo needs an elephant, or finds itself with three surplus penguins, it doesn’t buy or sell the animals — it asks around. Zachary Crockett rattles the cages. SOURCES: Hollie Colahan, deputy director of the Birmingham Zoo and chair of the AZA's Animal Population Management Committee. Dwight Lawson, executive director and C.E.O. of the Oklahoma…
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How to Reject Rejection: Patricia Westerhof | Episode 33
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Patricia Westerhof joins Brent & Dave for a wide-ranging chat about rejection and writing...and how to avoid it. A great place to start is her excellent book The Canadian Guide to Creative Writing & Publishing, a go-to resource for anyone looking to publish in Canada. Rejected Central is a human podcast hosted by bestselling novelist Brent van Staa…
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Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked. SOURCES: Bill Giorgis, president of Mike’s Wrecker Service. Max Karimi, co-owner of H&M Roadside. Teresa Murray, director of the Consumer Watchdog Program at U.S. Public Interest Research Group. RESOURCES: "Getting Off the Hook of a Predatory Tow - Part II," by …
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Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf, Part II: the TAMUG Student Panel | Episode 32
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Brent sits down with TAMUG students Shea Venkatramani, Jennifer Avila, Hope Vanderhider Cole, and Bailey Lin to talk about the Climate challenges and solutions they're focused on through their studies at TAMUG. About the series: There are some places where discussions of climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events are very uncomforta…
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Why are these 300-year-old instruments still coveted by violinists today? And how do working musicians get their hands on multimillion-dollar antiques? Zachary Crockett is not fiddling around. SOURCES: Frank Almond, professional violinist. Ziv Arazi, co-owner of Rare Violins of New York. Bruno Price, co-owner of Rare Violins of New York. RESOURCES:…
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Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf, Part I: Dr Ashley Ross | Episode 31
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In part I of our special series "Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf," Brent sits down with Dr Ashley Ross, a self-declared "political scientist turned hazard scholar" at Texas A&M University Galveston. Ashley's work is a fascinating blend of public policy and environmental science, and she is on the forefront of climate discussions on the Texas coast.…
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Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet? Zachary Crockett doubles down. SOURCES: "Ben," former professional card counter. Bill Zender, co-founder of Bill Zender and Associates casino consulting firm. RESOURCES: "Blackjack Player Sues Ameristar Casino, City of Black Hawk Over Alleged…
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Rejecting Bad Church, Part 1 | Episode 30
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Dave and Brent talk about how the church can better do what it's supposed to be doing: gathering believers so they can help people. Even for those who don't believe, there exists the possibility that church can be a (better) force of good in the world: unfortunately, it can be easy to forget the good in the face of all that isn't. To be continued..…
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Making money in the stock image business requires a sharp eye for trends, a very specific type of model, and a race against A.I. Zachary Crockett takes his shot. SOURCE: Yuri Arcurs, C.E.O. and founder of PeopleImages. RESOURCES: "The Last Stock Photographers Await Their Fate Under Generative A.I.," by Katie Deighton (The Wall Street Journal, 2024)…
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Introducing Rejecting Denialism in the Gulf: a Special Anniversary Series
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There are some places where discussions of climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather events are very uncomfortable. In this special series, Brent travels to Houston, New Orleans, and Key West to talk to scientists and activists who are invested in and propelling these essential discussions and initiatives. What he discovered was enormous …
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How does a fresh tuna get from Japan to Nebraska before it goes bad? And how does its journey show up in the price of your spicy tuna rolls? Zachary Crockett gets schooled. SOURCES: Sasha Issenberg, journalist and author. David Utterback, owner of Yoshitomo and Ota sushi restaurants. Nobu Yamanashi, president of Yama Seafood. RESOURCES: "Wild or Fa…
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Battling for Success: VFC's Kadin Chung & Paris Gee | Episode 29
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Had a fantastic chat with Paris Gee and Kadin Chung, two of Vancouver FC's standout players (and standup guys) to talk about football and life and how a career sometimes needs to go horizontal before it can go vertical. Rejected Central is a human podcast hosted by bestselling novelist Brent van Staalduinen and educator and life-embracer Dave Parki…
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Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world’s deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised. SOURCES: Dana Berkowitz, sociologist and author. Jean Carruthers, pioneer of cosmetic Botox, clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, and owner of Carruthers Cosmetic. Steven Willia…
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Almost everyone who buys a home spends thousands of dollars on title insurance. Most of them don’t understand it, and almost none of them use it. So why does it exist? Zachary Crockett closes the deal. SOURCES: Christy Bieber, personal finance writer. Laurie Goodman, institute fellow at the Urban Institute Housing Finance Policy Center. Kathy Kwak,…
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Journeys and Mantras (with Renée Saroljini Saklikar) | Episode 28
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A fantastic chat with the talented and epically thoughtful Renée Sarojini Saklikar, who is crossing all sorts of genres and boundaries in her writing. We talk about her extended work The Heart Of This Story Bears All Patterns (THOT J BAP) and how rejection can be an intentional and thoughtful step along the artistic journey. Rejected Central is a h…
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It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end up on your plate. Zachary Crockett picks up the scent. SOURCES: Jason McKinney, co-founder and C.E.O. of Truffle Shuffle. Besart Morina, truffle dealer. RESOURCES: "Dogs Pay the Price in Italian Truffle War," by Margherita Stancat…
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Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs. SOURCES: Andrew Blechman, journalist and author. David Champagne, owner of Bird Busters, Inc. RESOURCES: "Racing Pigeon Sells For A Record-Breaking $1.9 Million At Auction," by Carlie…
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Persistence (with Heidi Reimer) | Episode 27
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Rejected Central goes on location to sit down with novelist, essayist, and writing coach Heidi Reimer to talk about the artistic (and personal) journey of a professional writer, which for Heidi has taken time, persistence, and more than her fair share of rejection. She's just launched her first novel into the world: find out more at https://www.hei…
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How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money. SOURCES: Patrick McKenzie, fraud prevention expert and strategic advisor at Stripe. Kerry Myers, associate professor of instruction at the University of South Florida and former F.B.I. special agent. RESOURCE…
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Thanks to online booking platforms, the way we make reservations has changed — but a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is still a valuable commodity. Zachary Crockett books a four-top for 7 p.m. SOURCES: Lisa Blount, director of marketing and public relations at Antoine’s Restaurant. Adam Iscoe, writer. RESOURCES: "Why You Can’t Get a Res…
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Yes, We Should Talk About Mental Health: Dave Parkinson (on location at SJH) | Episode 26
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Brent and Dave are on location at St Joseph's Hospital, where Dave is receiving treatment for a recent mental health crisis. In this candid, personal conversation, Dave shares his struggles and victories with his own mental health with the goal of rejecting the stigmas that surround how we respond to those in crisis or with mental health needs. We …
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There are more firefighters than ever — and fewer fires for them to fight. So the job has changed. Zachary Crockett slides down the pole. SOURCES: Joshua Hurwitz, lecturer in economics at Tufts University. Eric Mackintosh, administrative battalion fire chief for San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. Steve Pegram, retired fire chief and township a…
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How did love stories about vampires, cowboys, and wealthy dukes become the highest-grossing fiction genre in the world? Zachary Crockett gets swept away. SOURCES: Delaney Diamond, romance novelist. Danielle Flores, high school math teacher and avid romance novel reader. Brenda Hiatt, romance novelist. Diane Moggy, vice president of editorial at Har…
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The Bell Curve of Rejection: Roseanne Barr | Episode 25
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In the next instalment of our "Bell Curve of Rejection" series, we look at the career and life of Roseanne Barr. Roseanne burst onto the TV and comedy scene in the 1980s riding the success of her schtick as a "Domestic Goddess." However, fame and fortune has brought all sorts of drama into her life and the lives of those around her, and recent poli…
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Performing at a strip club can be lucrative, but it requires financial and psychological savvy — and an eye for social trends. Zachary Crockett takes a look. SOURCES: Layla, stripper. Dave Manack, publisher and editor-in-chief of Exotic Dancer. RESOURCES: "A Look at Washington State’s ‘Strippers’ Bill of Rights’," by Aimee Ortiz (The New York Times…
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Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out. SOURCES: Steve Anderson, emergency medicine business unit leader at BTG Pharmaceuticals. Nick Brandehoff, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado and executive director of the Asclepius Snakebite Found…
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Coaching the Change (with Amy Stuart) | Episode 24
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Bestselling crime writer Amy Stuart drops by to chat about rejection, her writing, her hockey coaching life, and an extremely cool forthcoming project. Amy's website: www.amystuart.ca Rejected Central is a human podcast! More details are available at www.rejectedcentral.com.By Brent van Staalduinen
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Online companies promised to bring transparency to the mattress-buying experience. Did that work out? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the sheets. SOURCES: Derek Hales, founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab.com. Joe Megibow, C.E.O. of Casper Sleep. RESOURCES: "Drake Has a $400,000 Bed − We Asked Why and Where You Can Buy It," by Emilia Hitching …
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Channeling the voices of celebrities can be a lucrative career — one that requires empathy and discretion as well as literary chops. Zachary Crockett checks the acknowledgements. SOURCES: Valerie Frankel, ghostwriter. Madeleine Morel, President and Lead Agent of 2M Communications. Daniel Paisner, ghostwriter. RESOURCES: "Ghostwriting History: Churc…
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Dave and Brent duel with superfoods, asking whether a given food (we're looking at you, kale) is worth the hype or not. Rejected central (www.rejectedcentral.com) is a safe for work, human podcast (and super regular because the superfoods we eat). Show links: Superfoods, The Origin Story: https://foodsalive.com/blogs/learn/superfoods-the-origin-sto…
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How did mobile kitchens become popular with hipster gourmands? And just how much money can a popular truck make from a lunch shift? Zachary Crocket drops some napkins. SOURCES: Mariel-Leona Edwards, senior operations manager for Señor Sisig. Matthew Geller, founding president of the National Food Truck Association and C.E.O. of the Southern Califor…
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Youth baseball — long a widely accessible American pastime — has become overrun by $10,000-per-year, for-profit travel leagues. Zachary Crockett peers inside the dugout. SOURCES: Linda Flanagan, author. Nick Mackenzie, future New York Yankees shortstop. R.J. Mackenzie, physical education teacher and baseball dad. John Miller, journalist and basebal…
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Inappropriately Happy: Listener Rejection Stories, Part Four | Episode 22
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Writer and extraordinary human Danila Botha joins Brent and Dave for a wide-ranging chat about rejection and community and what it means to be inappropriately happy. Rejected Central is a podcast dedicated to elevating the rejection experience.By Brent van Staalduinen
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Why do we use a specific kind of tree-bark tissue to seal up 70 percent of wine bottles? Zachary Crockett takes a sniff and gives the waiter a nod. SOURCES: Carlos De Jesus, director of communications at Amorim Cork. RESOURCES: "This Ancient Material Is Displacing Plastics and Creating a Billion-Dollar Industry," by Marta Vidal (The Washington Post…
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Grocery stores have turned shoppers into cashiers. Zachary Crockett runs two bags of chips and a Gatorade over the scanner. SOURCES: Sara Alloy, experience retail lead for North America at Publicis Sapient. Christopher Andrews, professor of sociology at Drew University. Phil Lempert, founder and C.E.O. of SupermarketGuru. RESOURCES: "Feeling Reward…
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Rejecting Childhood Myths & Sayings | Episode 21
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Dave and Brent chat about those things that got said to us in our younger days to keep us honest and true... kind of? Disclaimer: we may or may not debunk the sayings. Rejected Central is a podcast that elevates the rejection experience.By Brent van Staalduinen
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Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up. SOURCES: Matthew Gryczan, retired journalist and engineer. Elliot Simmons, former carnival game worker. Olivia Turner, general manager of Redbone Products. RESOURCES: "AG Platkin Announces 10-Year Ban of Amusement Games Licenses and a Fine for Wildwood Games Operator," by t…
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With industries relying on them and profits to be made, weather forecasts are more precise and more popular than ever. But there are clouds on the horizon. Zachary Crockett grabs an umbrella. SOURCES: Steve Adelman, head of Adelman Law Group, PLLC and vice president of the Event Safety Alliance. Peter Neilley, director of weather forecasting scienc…
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Sketchy Bosses & Silverfish: Listener Rejection Stories, Part Three | Episode 20
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Author (and former principal actor!) Victoria Hetherington drops in to talk about the kinds of rejection experiences that make us sing. You'll never think about Skittles, lawyers, or floorbound books the same way again... Thanks for listening! We're always looking for stories: reach out on social media or through www.rejectedcentral.com.…
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A fraternity’s budget includes broken windows, liability insurance, chili dog breakfasts, and the occasional $40,000 DJ. Zachary Crockett crashes the party. SOURCES: Anthony Anderson, member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Danielle Logan, owner of Fraternity Management. Charlie O’Neill, member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Stephen J…
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How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money. SOURCES: Joshua Page, professor of sociology and law at the University of Minnesota. Steven Zalewski, criminal defense attorney and co-owner of Affordable Bails New York. RESOURCES: "Does Bail Reform Increase Crime in New York State: Evidence from Interrupted Time-Ser…
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Rejecting Corporate (Mis)Philanthropy | Episode 19
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After enduring another round of a certain multinational's slickly branded mental health campaign, Brent & Dave discuss the pros and cons of corporate philanthropy, as well as how to think better about charitable giving. More info here: www.rejectedcentral.com.By Brent van Staalduinen
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So many vehicles on the road today are white, black, or gray — but automotive designers find that consumer preferences may be changing lanes. Zachary Crockett surveys the lot. SOURCES: Tom Crockett, classic car enthusiast. Mark Gutjahr, global head of design at BASF. Nikkie Riedel, carline planning manager at Subaru of America. RESOURCES: BASF Colo…
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Content: This episode is recorded outside on the go, so the audio quality is not as high as I would like. I talk about living through home renovations. Referenced: Dead cat microphone windscreenBy Neil Gorman
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