Decoder Ring, hosted by Willa Paskin and published by Slate Podcasts, examines cultural mysteries by tracing the history of an object, question or habit. The feed lists 164 episodes released about every 14 days, with a median length near 49 minutes. Estimated downloads are roughly 20,000 to 80,000 per episode (estimated), implying a host-read rate of about $360 to $2,000 per episode.
Slate's long-running cultural history show with a loyal, highly rated audience
- Apple Podcasts shows 2,080 ratings with a 4.6 average, a strong signal of an engaged listener base.
- Episodes average around 49 minutes, giving room for a full host-read mid-roll.
- Biweekly releases from a major publisher offer steady, predictable placement across a 164-episode archive.
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- narrative, interview, mailbag episode, encore rerun
- Tone
- curious, witty
- Language
- English
- Production
- Studio production
- Typical length
- 35 to 50 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- Slate Plus
- Categories promoted
- subscription media
- Affiliate links
- Yes
Description promotes Slate Plus membership and links to slate.com/decoderplus, with ad-free listening for subscribers.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles cover history, culture and documentary topics such as 'McGruff Takes a Bite Out of Crime' and 'Eyes Wide Shut', with no explicit flag set in the feed.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1376577202 |
| RSS feed | feeds.acast.com/public/shows/696572d375c092ac4e1… |
Benchmark score: 86 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Gandhi Never Said “Be the Change” | 2026-10-14 | 1 h 1 min |
| Preview: Decoder Rings Back | The Second Spice | 2026-10-07 | 8 min |
| Bridget in the Buff | 2026-09-23 | 1 h 4 min |
| What Even Is a “Podcast” Anymore? | 2026-09-09 | 59 min |
| McGruff Takes a Bite Out of Crime, Part 2 (Encore) | 2026-08-26 | 43 min |
| McGruff Takes a Bite Out of Crime, Part 1 (Encore) | 2026-08-12 | 34 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 5 days ago, a new one about every 14 days.
Decoder Ring is the show about cracking cultural mysteries. In each episode, host Willa Paskin takes a cultural question, object, or habit; examines its history; and tries to figure out what it means and why it matters. Get more of Decoder Ring with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of Decoder Ring and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Decoder…
About Decoder Ring
Decoder Ring is a documentary-style culture and history podcast published by Slate Podcasts and hosted by Willa Paskin, as listed in the show feed and on the Slate podcast page. It investigates cultural mysteries, objects and habits, tracing their origins and asking what they mean. The feed lists 164 episodes released roughly every 14 days, with a median episode length of about 49 minutes.
Apple Podcasts shows 2,080 ratings with a 4.6 average. Listener numbers are not published, but the ratings volume and Slate's publisher profile suggest an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode (estimated). The show also promotes Slate Plus membership for bonus episodes and ad-free listening, according to its description.
Brands in books, media, premium consumer goods and education are likely fits. A host-read mid-roll at the estimated audience size would cost roughly $360 to $2,000 per episode, based on an $18 to $25 rate per 1,000 downloads. Contact details unlock on Starbooked for $0.80, and boosted shows can be booked through Starbooked.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. Decoder Ring can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about Decoder Ring
How much does Decoder Ring charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 20,000 to 80,000 downloads per episode, a host-read mid-roll works out to about $360 to $2,000 per episode. Final pricing depends on the show's own terms and placement.
What is Decoder Ring about?
Decoder Ring is a Slate podcast hosted by Willa Paskin that examines cultural mysteries, objects and habits, tracing their history and meaning across documentary-style episodes.
How do I contact Decoder Ring about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can be booked directly through Starbooked.
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