6 Comments
Oct 11, 2023Liked by Arielle Nissenblatt

I love the concept of this newsletter! I think my biggest issue from the listening perspective is that I'm subscribed to a LOT of podcast newsletters and my queue of shows to listen to feels like the endless stairs in Super Mario 64 (I sure hope at least someone gets that reference). Also I've been traveling too much lately — which is great for listening to podcasts but not as great for responding to emails. I'll aim to fix it for the rest of the year :D

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Oct 5, 2023Liked by Arielle Nissenblatt

I wonder if anyone else is like me and experiences choice paralysis. When someone says "what's your fav podcast right now?" I go slightly catatonic. I enjoy lots of different shows for lots of different reasons, and trying to rank them like that ties my brain up in knots. If there was even a broad parameter from whence to choose (genre, host demo, release frequency, length) I might be able to untangle long enough for a specific show to float to the top.

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I like the concept of this newsletter a lot! The only reason I haven't recommended anything lately is that I've been listening to an audiobook that's cutting into my podcast time. When I *do* listen to new-to-me shows, I have in the back of my mind if I think it's worth recommending here, so I'm thinking about it :-)

And/but now I will suggest one of our Strong Sense of Place podcast episodes because the timing is relevant.

Recommender: Melissa, host of Strong Sense of Place

Podcast: Strong Sense of Place

Episode: Halloween: Costumed Revelry, Voices From Beyond, and YAY, Candy!

https://pod.link/1494452606/episode/62d158e8f9b672da96570c4844e802de

Why: My husband/co-host Dave and I love Halloween: the candy! the costumes! the horror stories! In this episode, we get curious about Halloween traditions and explore the lore that swirls around classic creepy creatures. Then we recommend books that celebrate the spirit (and spirits) of Halloween, including stories for self-proclaimed scaredy-cats, titles that should come with a ‘don’t read this at night’ warning label, and a few in-between.

We also have a page on our website with all of our Halloween goodies, for people who want to go deep into Spooky Season. https://strongsenseofplace.com/destinations/halloween/

May I direct your attention to our show notes page where you can see me in my favorite Halloween costume: Edgar Allan Poe --> https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-10-19-halloween/

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I also really enjoy Arielle's insights to and passion for podcasting. I would like to humbly submit one of the podcasts I make, The Perfect Show. This is a pod where I try to collect what I would consider perfect experiences in my life, examine them, and then try to replicate them in the present, usually in some odd or atypical way.

That may be trying to track down a video game from 20 years ago on the other side of the world, or seeing what I can find in California that would be comparable to the Taj Mahal.

The Perfect Show can be found here:

https://pod.link/1579838291

A good place to start would be the most recent episode, Pink Shoes/Punk Shows, where I talk in-depth about the power of compliments:

https://pod.link/1579838291/episode/fbda0500c7b1d1ab0266d110c0e2f5a0

I mentioned above I did an episode about The Taj Mahal, the greatest structure I've ever seen, and how elusive it is to capture something perfect in a picture. I also only commissioned Indian musicians for the music when I was scoring this ep:

https://pod.link/1579838291/episode/7fd10fd98b57901bff9303ec2c488ae6

and thirdly, one simply called Morena, about a truly magical restaurant I found when living in Japan; and exploring the nature of homesickness, loss, and life always going on:

https://pod.link/1579838291/episode/d778b429bf64970480b78633201aeb1b

I hope you enjoy these if you choose to check them out. I feel strongly that I have a responsibility to take care of any listener's time and provide them with a thing worth the listen. I hope you will agree.

Thanks again,

-Scot.

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Hmmmm. Tough one! BUT I do think a subject line (like you did on this email) is a great way to get responses! Maybe a random responder/suggester gets an shoutout or 'ad' on your email? PS I saw Molly G the other night & your name came up!

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I'm at the point in my life where one naturally thinks, "It doesn't look as though I'm going to live forever. Screw it. Let's get into opera." So I'm glad WNYC's Aria Code is back to give me context. I fell in love with the previous season finale, about Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and the dangers of declaring your feelings for someone who may not be a safe bet, and I look forward to sounding more and more like I know what I'm talking about. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/aria-code/episodes/aria-code-tchaikovsky-eugene-onegin-renee-fleming

The eccentric, obsessive, and hypnotic Desert Oracle, a chronicle of life in Greater Joshua Tree, CA, is sometimes the only thing that helps me fall asleep. https://www.desertoracle.com/

The Dream is a thoughtful and empathetic look at the appeal of self-help when you're down and out and no one seems to love you, most of all yourself. https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-dream

Speaking of which! I do this thing, broadly a satire of personal development and postmodern spirituality in Los Angeles. I honestly haven't heard anything else like it. https://medicated-minutes.buzzsprout.com/546856/12656146-reciprocity-now

Thanks for doing this!

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