Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - Episode: HTDE: Josh Gad defeats earworms, and we make a pitch to Pete Buttigieg

Host: Mike Danforth and Ian Shillag
Guest: Douglas Herman, Josh Gad, Pete Buttigieg
Original Air Date: [Insert Air Date Here]

1. Introduction to "How to Do Everything" (00:00 - 01:08)

The episode begins with Peter Sagal, host of the main "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" show, introducing the special edition of the sister podcast, "How to Do Everything." Sagal highlights the significance of featuring Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, mentioning his pivotal appearance on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" in 2017, which some attribute to Buttigieg's rise in national politics. He reassures listeners about the show's separation from the main "Wait Wait..." feed, guiding them to enjoy "How to Do Everything" on its dedicated platform.

2. Tackling Election Mailers with Douglas Herman (01:08 - 04:49)

Discussion Participants:

• Mike Danforth: Co-host
• Ian Shillag: Co-host
• Douglas Herman: Political strategist, lead mail strategist for Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

As Election Day looms, Mike and Ian address the common frustration of overflowing mailboxes with campaign materials. They invite Douglas Herman to shed light on effective strategies to reduce unwanted mailers.

Key Points:

• Cost of Campaign Mailers: Douglas emphasizes the high expense of sending mailers, motivating campaigns to manage their mailing lists efficiently.
• Voting Early as a Solution: By voting early, voters can expedite their removal from campaign mailing lists. Herman states, "The bottom line is, do your homework and vote early." (02:14)
• Franked Mail Explained: The conversation delves into "franked mail," where federal officials use their signatures instead of stamps for official communications. Herman clarifies, "They also sometimes called it franked mail... it can only be done for straight up official purposes." (03:04)
• Consequences of Misusing Franked Mail: Doug warns that misuse, such as signing election mailers personally, constitutes a campaign finance violation, referencing the downfall of Dan Rosto and Kowski for "illegal franking." (04:00)

Notable Quote:

• Douglas Herman: "The campaigns are going to communicate with you because you're a registered voter. The way in which you can get off the list the quickest and the easiest is to do your homework and vote early." (01:33)

3. Listener Question: Removing a Stuck Song with Josh Gad (05:07 - 12:47)

Caller: Roxanne, dealing with a catchy song from "Beauty and the Beast" that's stuck in her head.
Guest: Josh Gad, actor and performer known for his role in "Frozen" and Broadway's "The Book of Mormon."

Roxanne shares her struggle with the persistent "Gaston" song from "Beauty and the Beast," seeking advice to eliminate it from her mind.

Key Points:

• Identification of the Earworm: Roxanne mentions, "We have probably listened to it at least 10 times this morning so far." (07:13)
• Josh Gad's Tips:
  • Remove All Speakers: "I think that you need to take out all speakers from the house immediately." (08:00)
  • Introduce Other Catchy Melodies: Incorporate songs from diverse artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to replace the stuck tune. (08:10)
  • Personal Anecdote: Gad relates his own experience of living with the song during rehearsals, admitting, "I couldn't get that damn song out of my head." (08:40)
• Scientific Insight on Earworms: Dr. Philip Beaman explains that chewing gum can disrupt the brain regions responsible for keeping the song in mind, effectively helping to remove the earworm. (13:10)

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Gad: "I was literally living with that problem. Unlike Marco, I was getting paid to live with a problem." (08:33)
• Roxanne: "So when I'm not listening to Gaston, I don't want to be repeating the lines in my head all day long." (07:09)

4. Pitching a Personal Time Zone to Pete Buttigieg (18:16 - 22:25)

Participants:

• Mike Danforth: Co-host
• Ian Shillag: Co-host
• Pete Buttigieg: Secretary of Transportation

Mike and Ian present a humorous pitch to Pete Buttigieg, questioning the feasibility of establishing a personal time zone to simplify scheduling across multiple time zones.

Key Points:

• The Idea: Ian suggests, "Wouldn't it be easier if we had our own time zone? So I could just be like, let's have a meeting at noon. Wait, wait time." (18:16)

• Pete Buttigieg's Response:

  • Jurisdiction Over Time Zones: Buttigieg explains that while the Department of Transportation oversees time zones, significant changes require state cooperation. "A lot of it actually comes through the states." (19:03)
  • Historical Context: He shares his experience from Indiana, where counties struggled with differing time zone preferences, leading to confusion. (19:27)
  • Decline of Micro Time Zones: Buttigieg highlights the transition from numerous local time zones to the standardized system influenced by the railroads. "Before the railroads, it was commonplace to have hundreds of different kind of micro time zones around the country." (20:01)
  • Humorous Rejection of the Idea: Clearly, personal time zones aren't feasible, and Buttigieg dismisses the notion with a light-hearted tone. "No, you can't have your own time zone just because you asked." (21:45)

• Follow-Up Questions:

  • Speeding Tickets Inquiry: Mike humorously asks if Buttigieg has received any speeding tickets since becoming Secretary of Transportation. Buttigieg recounts a historical anecdote about President Ulysses Grant, emphasizing the importance of accountability. "He paid up. He did the right thing." (22:00)

Notable Quotes:

• Ian Shillag: "Wouldn't it be easier if we had our own time zone? So I could just be like, let's have a meeting at noon." (18:16)
• Pete Buttigieg: "The point is, no, you can't have your own time zone just because you asked." (21:45)
• Pete Buttigieg: "If you don't get to have your personal time zone, which I can tell you from experience, may cut both ways." (21:38)

5. Closing Remarks and Takeaways (23:10 - 25:35)

Mike and Ian wrap up the episode with reflections on the discussions:

• Reducing Election Mailers: Voting early not only diminishes the influx of campaign materials but also supports candidates by lowering their advertising costs.
• Handling Earworms: Adopting strategies like removing sources of the stuck song and introducing new music can effectively clear unwanted tunes from one's mind.
• Time Zone Realities: While the idea of personal time zones is whimsical, practical constraints and historical precedents maintain the current standardized system.

They conclude by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast, send in questions related to upcoming holidays, and express gratitude to their producer team and interns.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Danforth: "Once again, that email address, no matter what this season is howto@npr.org." (15:21)
• Ian Shillag: "We apologize, Roxanne. You're welcome, Marco." (24:53)

Conclusion

This episode of "How to Do Everything" offers insightful and humorous explorations of everyday challenges, from managing election mailers and battling catchy songs to the complexities of national time zones. With expert advice from political strategist Douglas Herman, engaging tips from Josh Gad, and an entertaining interaction with Pete Buttigieg, Mike Danforth and Ian Shillag deliver a rich and informative experience for listeners seeking practical solutions and light-hearted entertainment.

Listeners who missed this episode will benefit from learning effective strategies to minimize election-related mail clutter, techniques to remove persistent songs from their minds, and a deeper understanding of the administrative nuances behind time zones in the United States.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Douglas Herman (01:33): "The bottom line is, do your homework and vote early."
• Josh Gad (08:33): "I was literally living with that problem. Unlike Marco, I was getting paid to live with a problem."
• Pete Buttigieg (19:03): "A lot of it actually comes through the states."
• Pete Buttigieg (21:45): "No, you can't have your own time zone just because you asked."
• Ian Shillag (18:16): "Wouldn't it be easier if we had our own time zone?"
• Pete Buttigieg (22:35): "I feel the temptation sometimes."

For more engaging discussions and weekly news quizzes mixed with humor, subscribe to "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" and its sister podcasts.