99% Invisible

Overview

99% Invisible with Roman Mars is a podcast and radio show about design, architecture, and the invisible forces that shape the built world. It explores the overlooked details in everything from city infrastructure and everyday objects to sounds and visual culture.

Each episode uncovers the stories behind things most people never think about — a vuvuzela, a teddy bear, karaoke videos, or the fiber-optic cables under the ocean. The show is aimed at curious listeners who want to understand how the designed world works and why it matters.

Key Benefits

• Episodes span categories like History, Infrastructure, Objects, Sounds, Visuals, Technology, and Cities.
• Listeners can download transcripts and add episodes to a custom playlist.
• The show is available on SiriusXM, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube.
• Donations support staff salaries, outside contributors, and travel for reporting.
• A newsletter delivers weekly excerpts, links, and exclusive updates.

How It Works

Visitors browse episodes by category — Architecture, Infrastructure, Cities, Objects, Sounds, Visuals, Technology, or History. Each episode page includes play/pause controls, a download transcript button, and an Add to Queue option. Users can drag and drop episodes into a playlist that is stored in their browser cookies.

Use Cases

• Architecture and design students use the show to connect classroom theory with real-world examples.
• Urban planners and city officials follow infrastructure and cities episodes to learn about public-space decisions.
• History enthusiasts explore the 100 Objects series for deep dives into artifacts like the Billy Possum or the Blue Back Speller.
• Sound designers and audio professionals reference episodes about sounds and music to understand cultural noise.
• Podcast listeners on commutes use the playlist feature to queue episodes from multiple categories.
• Journalists and writers pitch story ideas after hearing the show's approach to invisible design details.

Why Choose This Product

The show is best suited for curious listeners who enjoy narrative storytelling about design and everyday life. It is free to listen to across major podcast platforms. No premium or paid listening tiers are publicly offered, and funding relies on listener donations.