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PODCAST

pplpod

pplpod is a podcast about people, places and lots of other stuff. Each episode takes a deep dive into the lives, choices, and legacies of fascinating figures from history, culture, music, and beyond. From icons who shaped entire generations to hidden stories that deserve the spotlight, pplpod brings you closer to the people behind the headlines and the legends.Thoughtful, engaging, and story-driven, pplpod explores what makes these lives extraordinary—and what we can learn from them today.

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All Episodes

33:13

Amortization: Loans, Laws, and Algorithms

pplpod ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the multifaceted definition of "amortization" beyond just paying off debt. We discuss how the term applies to the decreasing principal of a loan, but also how it functions in accounting for expensing intangible assets and in tax law as a cost recovery system. Finally, we dive into its surprising applications in computer science for analyzing algorithm costs and in zoning laws regarding non-conforming properties.

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30:20

Unlocking Equity: The Guide to Home Equity Loans and...

pplpod ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the world of home equity loans to help you understand how to leverage your property’s value. We explain the fundamentals of using home equity as collateral to finance major expenses like home repairs, medical bills, or college education. Tune in to learn the critical differences between a standard closed-end home equity loan and a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), including how they differ in terms of interest rates and repayment flexibility. We also cover

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27:32

Unlocking Home Equity: The Mechanics, History, and...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), a financial tool that allows homeowners to turn their property into a revolving line of credit. We explain the two distinct phases of a HELOC—the "draw period," where borrowers can withdraw funds and often pay only interest, and the "repayment period," when the principal becomes due.Key topics covered in this episode include:• Risk and Reward: Why HELOCs often offer lower interest rates than unsecured debt, but carry the

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36:24

The Real Estate Agent: Brokers, Commissions, and the...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we unlock the door to the world of real estate professionals. We break down the crucial difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker, explaining how agents must usually work under licensed brokers to negotiate sales and manage the documentation required for closing. We explore the financial incentives of the industry, discussing the typical 5-6% commission structure and the argument made by economist Steven Levitt that agents may actually be motivated to

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38:09

Behind the Sale: How the Multiple Listing Service...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we unlock the closed doors of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). What started in the late 1800s as local brokers gathering to share property information has evolved into a complex suite of services that dominates the real estate industry. We explore the fundamental principle driving the MLS—"Help me sell my inventory and I'll help you sell yours"—and how this system facilitates contractual cooperation and compensation between brokers.Join us as we examine how the MLS

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42:15

Real Estate 101: Agents, Brokers, and the Truth About...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex world of property sales to demystify the professionals who handle your biggest financial transactions. We break down the crucial distinctions between a standard real estate agent, an independent broker, and a trademarked Realtor.Tune in as we explore:• Roles & Hierarchy: Why agents typically must work under licensed brokers to represent clients, and how experienced salespeople can eventually upgrade their licenses to run their own brokerages.•

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31:22

Zoning Out: How Invisible Lines Shape Our Cities,...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex world of zoning, the regulatory framework that dictates what can be built where. We trace the history of land-use regulation from the walled cities of antiquity—designed to keep dangerous activities away from residents—to the industrial revolution and the first modern US zoning ordinances in Los Angeles and New York City.Join us as we break down the different ways governments manage growth:• The American Model: We explain "Euclidean" single-use

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34:59

How Zoning Shaped America, Spiked Rent, and Sparked a...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

Why is single-family zoning considered "practically gospel" in America, and how did invisible lines drawn a century ago lead to today's housing affordability crisis? In this episode of pplpod, we dig into the history of Zoning in the United States, a system of laws dividing land into specific districts that originated with limits on wash houses in Los Angeles and the 1916 New York City Zoning Resolution designed to stop skyscrapers from blocking the sun,.We explore how early zoning ordinances were

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40:58

This Land is My Land... Until It Isn't": The Global...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex legal doctrine of eminent domain, the government’s power to compulsorily acquire private property for public use. Whether known as compulsory purchase in the UK, resumption in Australia, or expropriation in Canada and Europe, this state power shapes infrastructure and property rights worldwide,,,.Join us as we explore:• The Basics: How the state justifies taking property for roads, public utilities, and even economic redevelopment by transferring

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40:43

From Hipsters to High-Rises: The Complex Reality of...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we unpack the controversial and multifaceted process of gentrification, a term coined by sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964 to describe the displacement of working-class residents by the influx of a new middle class,. We trace the phenomenon from its ancient roots to modern urban centers, exploring how demographic shifts, a "return to the city" mentality, and the search for "authenticity" drive artists and affluent professionals to transform neighborhoods,,.Is gentrification a

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36:13

Urban Decay: From Rust Belts to Banlieues—Why Cities...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex sociological process of urban decay, exploring how once-thriving cities fall into disrepair, decrepitude, and "urban blight". We examine the root causes of this phenomenon, including deindustrialization, population decline, and the fragmentation of families and social cohesion.Join us as we break down the history and global impact of urban rot:• The Exodus: How the shift from public transit to private cars and the post-WWII boom of suburbs—often

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32:06

Drawing the Line: How Redlining Segregated America,...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we investigate the history and enduring legacy of redlining, the discriminatory practice where financial services—such as mortgages and insurance—were systematically withheld from neighborhoods based on their racial and ethnic composition.We trace the origins of this practice to the 1930s, when the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) created "residential security maps" that outlined Black and immigrant neighborhoods in red, classifying them as "hazardous" and unworthy of

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41:17

The Civil Rights Act of 1968: Fair Housing, Tribal...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we break down the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1968. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson amidst the civil unrest following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., this sweeping legislation aimed to address housing inequality, hate crimes, and Native American rights,.Join us as we explore the three major pillars of this complex Act:• The Fair Housing Act (Titles VIII–IX): We discuss how the Act outlawed discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of

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34:04

Escrow Explained: Real Estate, Online Scams, and...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

What actually happens when your money is "in escrow"? In this episode, we break down this essential financial arrangement where a third party holds funds or property to secure a transaction.We discuss the critical role escrow plays in real estate, ensuring that mortgage lenders can safely collect payments for property taxes and hazard insurance. We also explore how Internet escrow has revolutionized online commerce by holding money until goods are delivered, acting as a buffer against fraud.Beyond

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41:23

Suburbanization: Sprawl, White Flight, and the Global...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the massive global phenomenon of suburbanization—the population shift from historic city centers and rural areas into peripheral suburbs. We explore how this process, often characterized by urban sprawl and low-density living, has reshaped economies, environments, and social structures around the world.Join us as we break down:• The History: How the post-WWII economic expansion and the GI Bill triggered a housing boom in the United States, creating new

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28:27

Blocked at the Door: Understanding Exclusionary and...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex reality of housing discrimination, examining how landlords, real estate agents, and lending institutions treat individuals differently based on race, gender, and class. We break down the two main categories of discrimination defined by sociologists: "exclusionary" practices, which prevent people from obtaining homes through tactics like lying about availability or steering buyers toward high-priced loans, and "nonexclusionary" practices, which

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34:50

The Rent Trap: Why Affordable Housing is Disappearing...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we dive deep into the complex global crisis of affordable housing. With over 1.6 billion people worldwide estimated to be living in inadequate housing, we ask the fundamental question: what actually counts as "affordable"? We break down the standard "30% rule" used in the U.S. and Canada and reveal why half of all U.S. renters are currently considered cost-burdened.Join us as we explore the hidden economic drivers behind the shortage, from the supply-and-demand imbalance

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33:46

Commercial Property 101: From Skyscrapers to Shopping...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of commercial real estate—property explicitly intended to generate profit through capital gains or rental income. We explore the six main categories of commercial property, ranging from office buildings and retail centers to industrial warehouses and multifamily residential complexes.We also dive into the mechanics of investing, looking at how investors analyze cash inflows, outflows, and risk to determine a property's value. Finally, we walk through

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36:49

The Skyscraper: Engineering the Vertical City

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

In this episode of pplpod, we look up to explore the architectural evolution and engineering marvels of the skyscraper. While definitions vary, these structures are generally described as buildings with habitable floors standing at least 100 to 150 meters tall. We trace their origins from the high-rise apartments of ancient Rome and the "Manhattan of the Desert" in 16th-century Yemen to the steel-framed boom in Chicago and New York City during the late 19th century.Join us as we discuss:• The Tech

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35:06

Inside the Gates: The Allure and Illusion of Fortress...

pplpod ·

2026/02/10

Why do millions of people around the world choose to live behind walls, fences, and checkpoints? In this episode of pplpod, we step inside the controversial world of gated communities—residential areas characterized by strictly controlled entrances and closed perimeters.From the "condomínio fechado" of Brazil to the "security villages" of South Africa, we explore how these enclaves have evolved from exclusive retreats into a global housing phenomenon.In this episode, we discuss:• The Appeal: Why

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2,561 results

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