The Economics of Everyday Things

• 115. Miniature Golf

  How much does it cost to design and build a mini-golf course? And what’s it like to run one? Zachary Crockett putts things in perspective. SOURCES:Katie Conaboy, CEO and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf.Sal Conaboy, president and co-owner of Harris Miniature Golf.Mike Matsinger, owner of Surf's Up Mini Golf. RESOURCES:"The Evolution of Miniature Golf," (National Golf Foundation, 2022)."Who Made Mini-Golf?" by Hilary Greenbaum and Dana Rubinstein (New York Times, 2012). EXTRAS:Harris Miniature Golf.Surf's Up Mini Golf. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 114. Natural and Artificial Flavors

  How do flavorists capture the essence of a fruit and put it in a can of sparkling water, or a tub of yogurt? Zachary Crockett takes a bite. SOURCES:Terry Miesle, master flavorist at Sensient Technologies Corporation. RESOURCES:"Flavor and Well‐Being: A Comprehensive Review of Food Choices, Nutrition, and Health Interactions," by Sakhawot Hossain, Abdul Wazed, Sharmin Asha, Alomgir Hossen, Nur Muhammad Fime, Shamiha Tabassum Teeya, Lubna Yeasmin Jenny, Diptho Dash, and Islam Shimul (Food Science & Nutrition, 2025)."What is artificial banana flavor made of? A food neuroscientist reveals the truth," by Elana Spivack (Inverse, 2024)."Are ‘Natural Flavors’ Really Natural?" by Roni Caryn Rabin (New York Times, 2019)."The Inexorable Rise Of Synthetic Flavor: A Pictorial History," by Nadia Berenstein (Popular Science, 2015)."The Flavor Industry: From 1945-1995," (Chemical Sources Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 113. Laundromats

  A day on the job includes hundreds of quarters, giant balls of lint, and fishing weird stuff out of machines. Zachary Crockett throws in a load. SOURCES:Jordan Berry, owner of Laundromat Resource. RESOURCES:"Appliances in U.S. homes, by housing unit type, 2020," (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2023)."How the Washing Machine Liberated The Masses," by Allen Therisa (Culturescape, 2023)."Industry Overview," (Coin Laundry Association). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• 112. Campgrounds

  Running a campground isn’t all eating s'mores around the campfire. Zachary Crockett fans the flames. SOURCES:Mark Lemoine, owner, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground; sr. vice president, franchise operations at Kampgrounds of America. RESOURCES:"The Economic Impact of Parks," (National Recreation and Park Association, 2023)."Campground Industry Analysis," (CHM Government Service, 2020). EXTRAS:Coloma/St. Joseph KOA. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Gas Stations (UPDATED)

  When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from? Zachary Crockett pulls up to the pump. SOURCES:Garrett Golding, assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.Jeetander P. Sethi, founding member of the American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association.Kai Trimble-Lea, owner of a B.P. gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. RESOURCES:"Top Numbers Driving America's Gasoline Demand," by Lem Smith (American Petroleum Institute, 2022)."Electric Cars Are Coming. How Long Until They Rule the Road?" by Brad Plumer, Nadja Popovich and Blacki Migliozzi (The New York Times, 2021)."Petroleum & Other Liquids," (U.S. Energy Information Administration). EXTRAS:"In the 1890s, the Best-Selling Car Was … Electric," by Freakonomics Radio (2022)."Is it Too Late for General Motors to Go Electric?" by Freakonomics Radio (2020).  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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