Longest queue of the year
Puffins, birthday party reveal, triumphs and traumas we inherit, overthinking, getting laid off, going for a walk.
Okay, the title is a bit misleading. Today’s podstack queue is the standard length, but the number of reviews sitting in my notes app is exceptionally long - time to start catching up! I also wanted to recognize the first day of summer, aka the longest day of the year. I love these long summer days where I can’t believe how early it gets light out (even though I’m sleeping through it) and enjoy soaking up as much of the evening light as I can. It’s been a sunny day, with a stormy end so there’s been something for everyone to enjoy!
All right, let’s do this.
This week’s podstack
Animal is so unsuspecting. With its simple title, it gives you no warning of just how deep and thoughtful it will be. In the way it describes our relationships to animals, whether they’re the ones living in our homes, or the ones we only rarely meet. It explores the parallels and interactions of the way animals and humans co-exist. Like the second episode where you hear what it’s like when people in Iceland help rescue baby puffins who have accidentally climbed onto land where they shouldn’t be. The sound design is thoughtful, the writing is heartfelt and humourous, and you’re left wondering why so many of us grew out of being fascinated by animals. If you’ve ever had a pet, the first episode will hit home and draw you in. (transcript)
Come by Chance - E1: - The Birthday Party
I bet you wouldn’t expect a workplace birthday party to send two people’s lives into a spiral of change that can never be undone. When I realized that that’s how this mystery begins, I had to listen. And as soon as I hit play I was whisked away to Newfoundland, as host Luke Quinton describes its unique and secluded nature. He’s transporting listeners there before you become wrapped up in a strange case of switched at birth. I loved going along for the ride through Newfoundland, but the retelling of the moment that Craig Avery and Clarence Hynes realized what happened to them in the hospital 52 years ago absolutely captured my attention. The tight editing and the music in the moment as Craig and his wife relive the realization got my heart racing!
Inheriting - Carol & the Los Angeles Uprising: Part 1
The deeply personal storytelling of Inheriting is so well supported by its thoughtful production style. As you listen to Carol Kwang Park relive what it was like to grow up in Compton during the 1992 LA Uprising, the interviews and sound design transport you there. It starts to feel like you’re going along with Carol as she takes the time to process how much of her youth was impacted by helping manage the gas station her family owned. But it becomes even more powerful when she gets to a place where she can recognize everything her Mom did to keep things afloat. Getting barely five hours of sleep many nights during long years of her life. Fearlessly standing by as riots broke out all around the station. Every episode of Inheriting takes you through stories like this, where people are turning to their family for answers, discovering how the past is personal and how to live with the legacies we’re constantly inheriting.
Magical Overthinkers - Overthinking About Monogamy
If you like Amanda Montell’s style on Sounds Like a Cult, you’ll like her new show. Regardless of how you feel about monogamy, this feels like a perfect gateway episode for the show. It captures Amanda’s goal of analyzing her own and society’s overthinking so well. I think a lot of that has to do with her guest Dr. Ellie Anderson, who co-hosts the podcast Overthink. Together they talk about the philosophical examination of monogamy, how it has been studied, and why it’s important to consider sociology, biology, and history when thinking about it. This episode demonstrates what it means to overthink something in a constructive way because it answers so many of the spirals that can spring up when someone starts thinking about it. For the purposes of this episode, that someone is Amanda but maybe you’ll relate or learn something about how you treat your overthinking tendencies. Up next: overthinking about imposter syndrome!
Proxy - #1 The Layoff Trilogy, Part 1: Layoff Girl
The idea of having a proxy, someone who has gone through something and can help another person who is experiencing it for the first time, seems like such a helpful idea. The idea was inspired by Yowei’s experience of being laid-off and struggling to navigate the emotional impact it had on her. The first episodes in the show features Yowei’s experience being laid off, trying to find work, making an audio piece about being laid off for another podcast, and then going on to tell the story independently after it gets scrapped by the other podcast. That story includes meeting Elliot and Miles who have a unique and brutal story of being laid off.
Walkin’ About - Bronson Caves with Janet Varney
If you’re looking for inspiration to get out of the house and go for the walk, Walkin’ About is the wholesome motivation to do so. This episode with Janet Varney, host of The JV Club, is my favourite so far. Not only does it have some delightful crunchy sounds of footsteps on a dry path in Bronson Caves, Janet also REALLY knows her stuff! She’s pointing out so many cool things along the trail and keeps blowing Allan’s mind. Listening to it might make you want to explore somewhere new or actually take the time to appreciate the sights along a familiar path.
More sweet treats
I’ve been listening to and watching so many things about ocean life, so this episode of TED Radio Hour came at the perfect time.
Speaking of, everyone should watch this TED Talk about the bravery involved in family life.
Shreya wrote a beautiful piece about Lowlines and this is your reminder to listen to it if you haven’t already.
Close your eyes and imagine an apple. What do you see? My friends’ answers to this question blew my mind and this episode taught me so much more about it.
I’m loving the movie reviews that Offline has been doing, especially the recent one about what Wall-E reveals about our feelings towards tech.
Thank you for reading! If you listened to something this week that made your heart sing, your imagination wander, or your brain ponder, I’d love to hear about it!
I’ve been loving Come by Chance!