Poll Hub

The American penny is headed into the history book. The Trump Administration announced pennies will stop being minted early next year. So, we're wondering if this is the start of a much bigger transition to a coinless or even cashless society. We explore what the polling says about how often people actually use cash and whether Americans are truly ready for a digital dollar future. A lot of Americans say they are not getting the rest they need, and the effects go far beyond simply feeling tired. Sleep is deeply connected to health, happiness, and productivity, yet exhaustion is becoming a common part of daily life. Polls and studies show that women and younger adults struggle the most. Technology now confirms just how little sleep many Americans are actually getting. We revisit a poll asking whether college is still important if a good job is possible without it. The results offer a glimpse into how Americans have long weighed the value of higher education beyond just landing a paycheck.

Nearly three years after ChatGPT’s debut, many students now use AI tools for schoolwork in some way, yet public opinion continues to be filled with uncertainty and skepticism. We have a student and professor to talk through AI's status in education as the school year starts. Meanwhile, the fall is also a time for sports. Youth sports are grappling with rising costs, increasingly packed schedules, and growing safety concerns, leading many parents to question whether kids are starting to lose the joy of simply playing the game. When 12-year-olds have pitching coaches, have we gone too far? And finally, we take a quick flashback to 1944 Minnesota, a time when no driving test was required to get a license and you could legally hit the road without ever proving you knew how. What could go wrong?!?

We take a look at the bleak outlook renters have about homeownership, and which demographics feel especially unlikely to own a home. On the flip side, we also look at the association of homeownership with the American Dream. Is it still attainable? There's A LOT of doubt among young Americans. Then, on this topic of affordability, we talk about side hustles, and how younger generations seem to be gravitating towards a new style of working. The gig economy has been around for a while, but the appeal is still strong for those looking at entering a workforce where pay and opportunity may not meet their needs. How do factors like age and income impact this shift, and we also learn about our very own student producer's side hustle. Want to buy some Legos? We finish the episode with a polarizing question about hot dogs - are they or are they not a sandwich. It seems both us - and America - are divided on this issue.

We track how Americans' opinions on Ukraine have shifted from Obama through Trump, then Biden, and now into Trump’s second term, where the country is deeply divided along party lines. From Crimea to sanctions to peace talks, we look at the key moments that shaped public attitudes and ask what role opinion will play in the next stage of the conflict. Then, we turn to the rise of "time poverty" with Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management, and author of Happier Hour (2022). An expert on time and happiness, Holmes has published award-winning research on how focusing on time rather than money increases well-being. She explains why Americans feel constantly pressed for time, even as work hours decline, how stress and daily obligations hit women hardest, and the toll this “time poverty” takes on health, sleep, and relationships. Finally, we mark a special Poll Hub birthday with a trip down memory lane. To celebrate, the team brought in childhood teddy bears to show off. From worn-down favorites to more unusual stuffed companions, it was a reminder of the comfort these old friends still bring.

For centuries, America has been the land of opportunity for immigrants from every corner of the globe. But with our recent nativist turn on newcomers and America First agenda, recent polling from global surveys shows that America's beacon may be dimming in the eyes of others. We talk shifting opinions on America, and how China is benefitting. Then, we're bringing it back to local, with a discussion about barbershops, and more specifically, how barbershops double as spaces for many men to let down their guards. And we learn we have had a barber amidst us this whole time.... Finally, we face a "not so fun" fact, which is that Neel, one of our student producers, is leaving us. We send him off in traditional Poll Hub fashion!

Across the world, religious shifts are happening. From people switching to new religions to those abandoning religion altogether, we have Dr. Phil Zuckerman from Pitzer College on to discuss the rise of "religious switching," and what it might mean for the future of faith. Then, in our fun fact this week, we hit the roads (and discuss who probably shouldn't be hitting the roads)!

Is your snack choice a political statement? Is your playlist partisan? We're diving into how the partisan culture war might run deeper within your everyday life than you may expect. Partisanship isn't just for politics any more! Then, we discuss real-life superheroes: parents! Do kids prefer stay-at-home parents? What about parents? We're exploring a lot of interesting data uncovering how we've moved from a society in which women working outside the home was VERY unpopular to a time when it's standard. Finally, as always, we finish it off with a fun fact, this time, about the dog days of summer!

As video games have become mainstream, the stigma surrounding them has faded, especially among parents. A majority now say gaming is a positive part of their kids' lives, and many are playing with their kids regularly. But that doesn't mean they aren't also setting time and content limits. Next, we explore the declining role of the "third place." Those communal spots outside work and home, like libraries, cafes, and barbershops, are being frequented less and less. What does it mean for connection, loneliness, and community identity? And, for this week's Fun Fact, we rewind to 2014 to see which fast food franchise held the crown. Hint: It's likely one you've visited more than once!

With voter bases from both parties making it known that they want younger, more vibrant, and authentic elected officials, we're wondering if the reign of Boomers in American Politics is over? Well...probably not yet, but candidates like Zohran Mamdani and JD Vance might be a good place to start the conversation. Then, we examine and push back against the age-old adage that "money can't buy you happiness" because research shows that it can... sort of! Maybe it has less to do with how much $ you have and more to do with how you spend it. Finally, do you have a favorite author, or do you read whatever comes your way? Compare your answer to Americans from nearly a century ago in this week's fun fact!

In the wake of the NYC Democratic primary, where Zohran Mamdani blew out all expectations beating Andrew Cuomo largely on the strength of an historic youth turnout, we're discussing whether this race is a roadmap for Democrats or a dead end. And what about the 2024 Trump voters in NYC who chose Mamdani six months later? Are they crazy or pointing out a new political truth? Then... While the physical benefits of exercise are common knowledge, new data has shown that exercise has a host of non-traditional benefits, including aiding in productivity, and sleep quality. We break down why exercise might be the key to relationships, and mental health! Finally, with summer in full swing, we're throwing it back to the '80s with this week's fun fact, all about fun (and safety) in the sun!

With President Trump's authorization of airstrikes on Iran last week, uncertainty is looming in the minds of many Americans. Did Trump make the right decision? Will there be retaliation stateside? We have the numbers outlining EVERYTHING that Americans think about our intervention in Iran. Then, we dive into what Americans think of Trump's immigration policies. While the President promised that he would be tough on immigration, do Americans think ICE has gone too far? Finally, whether you're watching a fireworks show, or setting off your own this Independence Day, we have an explosive fun fact that you won't want to miss!

For our 400th episode special, we're putting our polling knowledge to the test. That's right, it's "trivia night" here at the Marist Poll! We go back in time, discussing how the Supreme Court has succeeded, and failed, to enact social change. Next, we revisit the decades-long path that marijuana has taken to social acceptance. Lastly, we quiz ourselves on the public favorability of foreign trade over time! In between are blasts from the past, as we've brought back nearly EVERY student producer who has helped make the past 399 episodes possible! Finally, in traditional Poll Hub fashion, we wrap it up with a fun fact. We're delving into the world of 80s celebrity stardom, finding out exactly who Americans wanted to emulate back then!

We break down the final Marist NYC poll before the primary then dive into how Ranked Choice Voting works with expert Stephen Pettigrew from the University of Pennsylvania. He manages to make a complicated topic pretty simple! Then, Americans' trust in police has been rising for the last few years and that includes among Black Americans. The latest results are the highest in four years but, still, Blacks have lower levels of trust and satisfaction with their local police that White Americans. In other areas, there is no racial gap but there is a partisan one. Finally, the olds on the pod try and explain what Blockbuster was and how Netflix started as a DVD-by-mail company in our movie-themed fun fact.

Even though inflation has slowed, many Americans still feel that the cost of living is too high. Also, views on the economy are deeply divided by political affiliation. But here's what's really perplexing: Americans have been consistently bummed about the economy since 2008 regardless of who's in charge. We're looking at the polling data to understand. Then, J Michael Keyes is an experienced intellectual property trial attorney and an expert in consumer surveys used in legal cases. He has represented major brands in high-profile lawsuits. He teaches/writes about trademarks, advertising, and survey research. So... he's the perfect guest to explain how surveys can be used as legal evidence, especially in trademark cases. Our fun fact shows that Coca-Cola was students' favorite choice of drink in 1939, and a surprising amount chose milk! What do our current student producers think of that?

Other than tariffs, Donald Trump's signature achievement of his second term has been mass deportations. Masked, badge-less agents have swept across cities and states detaining men, women, and children, shipping most off to detention centers here in the US but plenty of others have been put on planes and flown to countries near and far. There's been plenty of outcry and court action but are a majority of Americans upset? We're looking at what the data says. Then, we're looking at a really fascinating set of polls from around the world that show how people in other places think about life milestones. When's the best time to get married in Turkey? What about the best age to buy a house in India? And, we finish with a VERY timely fun fact that has us digging through our closets to find our finest clothes...

Religion has probably always been a part of politics, but, in modern America, it's often linked with how the Civil Rights movement was powered from the pulpit and pews and the conservative "Silent Majority" Evangelical Christian political movement that began in the 80s. There's an assumption that when preachers and other religious figures take public political positions these influence the flock. But, do they? The data suggest otherwise. Then, we're revisiting the national issue of loneliness to talk about some really interesting data sets that speak to it in very different ways. Finally, Lee brings it home with a crazy fun fact right out of the Flintstones.

We're diving into the final chapter of one of the most recognizable names in polling: FiveThirtyEight. @GElliottMorris joins us to break down what led to the site's closure and what it all means for people who rely on quality data. In the meantime, he's launched a Substack, Strength in Numbers, and has been writing about some notable trends, including how voters who are not very engaged with politics have dramatically shifted their attitudes about Donald Trump in just 6 months. We wrap with a fun fact about political prestige, and whether it's still something people respect. Of course, we kept G. Elliott on for this one.

On this week's Poll Hub: Can AI really be your friend? Well, for starters, an AI friendbot will always listen and never argue with you! But there are plenty of worrisome downsides. Then, as book bans continue to spread throughout cities and states across America, we're talking to two @Marist University librarians about the notion that protecting kids from harmful material doesn't necessarily mean removing books from shelves. Finally, with the weather getting warmer, we have a fun fact for everyone looking to travel this summer! maristpoll.com/podcast

President Trump has wrapped up his second "first" 100 days, and our latest poll shows Americans are largely unimpressed. We even asked people to grade him like a student... a lot of red ink was involved. Then, rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues among teens have risen dramatically, and many experts are calling it a national crisis. From social media use to post-pandemic adjustment, we take a look at what's really going on with younger generations. Finally, this week's fun fact brings us back to the youth of... 1939?! You don't want to miss our Student Producers' reactions to this one.

One of our favorite data minds, polling guru Harry Enten from CNN, joins us to break down what the polls really say about President Trump and his policies. Trump's approval ratings have been declining for most of his first 100 days back in office but recently it's gotten much worse. Why? And what, if anything, does it say about the next elections? Then, we've covered America's trust issues with institutions before, but are we hitting a new low? We're diving into data, new and old, that shows just how far confidence has fallen, and what it means for democracy. Finally, summer means travel, and for some... turbulence! This week's fun fact is a sky-high stat about air travel that might make you think twice before your next flight.