I highlighted this one in my newsletter because it *could* have just been two famous guys hanging out... that would have been fine, but I was delighted to get a lot more than I expected. Mike and Ira have collaborated many times before, and most of that work is hidden from public view. The last 20-30 minutes of this podcast are a live feedback session on a story Birbiglia has been working on for This American Life; it's a must-listen for anyone working in narrative nonfiction, particularly in audio. Before that, there's also a hilarious story about going to the theater together, and a fun bit where Ira audits the quotes that have been attributed to him online.
Ahhh, I remember this episode. Absolutely agreee!! It's a great conversation and so insightful. I love the end when Ira gives Mike notes on his story/pitch. Making a mental note to listen to it again. Thankss for sharing!
This Taylor Swift series may be old (it's from early 2021) but if you, like me, are experiencing post-Eras Tour depression - it's a perfect fix. The hosts, Nora and Nathan, go through each album, analyzing the songs, providing industry and historical context, and of course, sharing their favorite Taylor easter eggs. I chose the Speak Now episode because like the hosts, I agree that this is a slept upon album, but really you should just listen to all of the episodes.
The concept of the show is fun: Brian and a guest create a 20-song "mixtape" based on a theme (the link is their 90's Movie Soundtrack Songs episode). The idea is create a flow based on the songs as the get added to the list. Aside from Brian's extensive music knowledge and passion for the songs, both as a curator and a musician, the podcast has almost a "game show" feel to it. You find yourself calling out songs at the podcast player. It introduces the listener to new music as well as rekindles their passion for the songs they love from the genre/theme of the show.
Why You Recommend It: A relatively new podcast from The Atlantic, this show dives into ideas about community, connecting, and conversing, why we're awkward about it and maybe how to go about practically addressing that. It's an interesting listen for anyone who enjoys an audio culture study done in a lighthearted, interview-based format with different voices examining such a nebulous topics from different angles.
My thoughts on one of the episodes I recommended: I listened to "The Price of Eggs" from This is Uncomfortable and was, as the review stated, fascinated by the power of money and the virtue-signaling and deception of egg donation marketing.
Why I Recommend It - Only two episodes are out, but this narrative series about a small California desert town deciding to increase their town's income by letting weed grow there is fantasic. There's colorful characters, great easy to follow storytelling, and shady small town legal nonsense going on. What's not to like? Start with episode one in which a guy named Bug (!) comes to town, decides to run for office, and has the idea of letting the weed grow.
This episode of The Ten News was a perfect mix of excitement, education, and entertainment. It celebrates Pride Month, educates us on current events, and tickles our brains with trivia. The team absolutely nailed it by bringing Lil Miss Hot Mess on board! Her infectious energy and candid stories about Pride had me hooked. I couldn't help but smile and feel inspired by her passion and love for the community. It's a reminder of the resilience, strength, and beauty that this community embodies. On top of that, Ryan's breakdown of the Disney vs. DeSantis debacle was very informative and captivating. He perfectly navigated the complexities of the issue that is so relevant and many of us can't even keep up with.
I just finished the last episode of this six episode series and it was one of the most emotionally rich pieces I've listened to in a long time. It straddles the fence of fiction and non-fiction as the main character debates the question of having a child during the climate crisis we're facing. You hear personal conversations between this main character and her mother, friends, activists, scientists, and partner. Each episode has you switching between feelings of optimism and worry. And the part that really pulled me in was the sound design of the entire show. You feel the intensity of how much the character is struggling because there are moments of very raw audio, racing thoughts, montages of facts, and the music highlights it all perfectly. The whole thing is around 2 hours long and will leave you thinking about it for days after.
This is so fun Arielle. The comment sections on this newsletter feel like a sweet podcast-sharing party but I feel like I am also getting to know all these lovely people in the process. Thank you for creating this space for us! <3
Name - Aakshi, Podcast listener and marketer at Tink
Recommendation - Create 'Flexible' Thinking, with Dr. Jenna Glover
Pride Month feels hard this year. It's always an up-and-down process of how comfortable and joyful I feel about my queerness. This episode is for you if you feel stuck in your journey to feel most like yourself, especially right now. Maybe it's because of your circumstances, maybe it's internal, or maybe it's both; I hope this episode gives you a way to think that feels helpful and comforting. Dr. Jenna Glover talks about how we can approach certain things in our lives through a non-binary lens and practice simultaneously holding two or more contradicting things as true, as well as the importance of language in helping us shift our thinking. <3
Name - Eric Johnson, founder of LightningPod.fm and writer of Follow Friday
Recommendation - Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out: "Ira Glass Part 3: The Best Advice"
Episode Link - https://pod.link/1515419751/episode/dc949d4324b63b3e9272c4a65ebaefbc
I highlighted this one in my newsletter because it *could* have just been two famous guys hanging out... that would have been fine, but I was delighted to get a lot more than I expected. Mike and Ira have collaborated many times before, and most of that work is hidden from public view. The last 20-30 minutes of this podcast are a live feedback session on a story Birbiglia has been working on for This American Life; it's a must-listen for anyone working in narrative nonfiction, particularly in audio. Before that, there's also a hilarious story about going to the theater together, and a fun bit where Ira audits the quotes that have been attributed to him online.
LOVE this one.
Ahhh, I remember this episode. Absolutely agreee!! It's a great conversation and so insightful. I love the end when Ira gives Mike notes on his story/pitch. Making a mental note to listen to it again. Thankss for sharing!
Listening now!!
Name: Shira Moskowitz
Episode: "Speak Now" | Every Single Album: Taylor Swift
https://open.spotify.com/episode/68V1OdXZ0CSNLVmrUG9LLz?si=BCY0Pq5qREKab_okrmokyQ&nd=1
This Taylor Swift series may be old (it's from early 2021) but if you, like me, are experiencing post-Eras Tour depression - it's a perfect fix. The hosts, Nora and Nathan, go through each album, analyzing the songs, providing industry and historical context, and of course, sharing their favorite Taylor easter eggs. I chose the Speak Now episode because like the hosts, I agree that this is a slept upon album, but really you should just listen to all of the episodes.
YES. TY!
My Name: Jason Whissell (host of It's Not That Bad and There Can Only Be One
Recommendation: My Weekly Mixtape
Episode Link: https://goodpods.app.link/FaGA0Iq8AAb
The concept of the show is fun: Brian and a guest create a 20-song "mixtape" based on a theme (the link is their 90's Movie Soundtrack Songs episode). The idea is create a flow based on the songs as the get added to the list. Aside from Brian's extensive music knowledge and passion for the songs, both as a curator and a musician, the podcast has almost a "game show" feel to it. You find yourself calling out songs at the podcast player. It introduces the listener to new music as well as rekindles their passion for the songs they love from the genre/theme of the show.
Thank you!! Love it.
Name: Jess M. (author of a lil' Substack of my own called Briefing Notes)
Podcast Recommendation: How to Talk to People
Episode Link: How to Make Small Talk - https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/how-to-build-a-happy-life/
Why You Recommend It: A relatively new podcast from The Atlantic, this show dives into ideas about community, connecting, and conversing, why we're awkward about it and maybe how to go about practically addressing that. It's an interesting listen for anyone who enjoys an audio culture study done in a lighthearted, interview-based format with different voices examining such a nebulous topics from different angles.
My thoughts on one of the episodes I recommended: I listened to "The Price of Eggs" from This is Uncomfortable and was, as the review stated, fascinated by the power of money and the virtue-signaling and deception of egg donation marketing.
This is great!! Thank you :)
My Name - Dan Delgado, Host of The Industry (New mini season coming soon!) and The Jockey Club (Completed forever! No more seasons ever!)
Podcast Recommendation - Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto
Episode Link - https://crooked.com/podcast/chapter-1-bugs-plan/
Why I Recommend It - Only two episodes are out, but this narrative series about a small California desert town deciding to increase their town's income by letting weed grow there is fantasic. There's colorful characters, great easy to follow storytelling, and shady small town legal nonsense going on. What's not to like? Start with episode one in which a guy named Bug (!) comes to town, decides to run for office, and has the idea of letting the weed grow.
This is amazing. Thank you!!
Name - Andreea Coscai, Podcast Marketer @ Tink
Recommendation - Pride Month with Drag Story Hour's Lil Miss Hot Mess 🏳️🌈
Episode Link - https://pod.link/1514325670/episode/0f2aeb20e571e46ef2b2b6edd48122cd
This episode of The Ten News was a perfect mix of excitement, education, and entertainment. It celebrates Pride Month, educates us on current events, and tickles our brains with trivia. The team absolutely nailed it by bringing Lil Miss Hot Mess on board! Her infectious energy and candid stories about Pride had me hooked. I couldn't help but smile and feel inspired by her passion and love for the community. It's a reminder of the resilience, strength, and beauty that this community embodies. On top of that, Ryan's breakdown of the Disney vs. DeSantis debacle was very informative and captivating. He perfectly navigated the complexities of the issue that is so relevant and many of us can't even keep up with.
Name - Devin Andrade, Marketer at Tink Media
Recommendation - Expectant (Start with episode 1 - The North)
Episode link - https://pod.link/1682480376/episode/6e1ddb2d0b4124ef1d0717052658ac85
I just finished the last episode of this six episode series and it was one of the most emotionally rich pieces I've listened to in a long time. It straddles the fence of fiction and non-fiction as the main character debates the question of having a child during the climate crisis we're facing. You hear personal conversations between this main character and her mother, friends, activists, scientists, and partner. Each episode has you switching between feelings of optimism and worry. And the part that really pulled me in was the sound design of the entire show. You feel the intensity of how much the character is struggling because there are moments of very raw audio, racing thoughts, montages of facts, and the music highlights it all perfectly. The whole thing is around 2 hours long and will leave you thinking about it for days after.
This is so fun Arielle. The comment sections on this newsletter feel like a sweet podcast-sharing party but I feel like I am also getting to know all these lovely people in the process. Thank you for creating this space for us! <3
Name - Aakshi, Podcast listener and marketer at Tink
Recommendation - Create 'Flexible' Thinking, with Dr. Jenna Glover
Episode link - https://pod.link/1510981488/episode/493e177566dae2f39d40e56210fa078e
Pride Month feels hard this year. It's always an up-and-down process of how comfortable and joyful I feel about my queerness. This episode is for you if you feel stuck in your journey to feel most like yourself, especially right now. Maybe it's because of your circumstances, maybe it's internal, or maybe it's both; I hope this episode gives you a way to think that feels helpful and comforting. Dr. Jenna Glover talks about how we can approach certain things in our lives through a non-binary lens and practice simultaneously holding two or more contradicting things as true, as well as the importance of language in helping us shift our thinking. <3