Tag: podcast

Chilean Audio Series ‘Quemar Tu Casa’ Delivers More Bone-Chilling Horror With Part II

March 29, 2023

Following the success of its first season, the Spotify Original scripted audio series Quemar Tu Casa is back with a second installment that’s bringing more fright and delight to fans. 

Created and written by Caso 63’s Julio Rojas, Part II of the Chilean series picks back up with the story of Lina and Julieta. After previously managing to escape the dreaded Casa 669, the pair now finds themselves at the doorstep of another, equally unnerving house: La Invernada. As they step inside the walls of this immense and frightening structure, fans are immersed in a world containing many secrets . . . and many people who shouldn’t be trusted. 

Along with Giannina Fruttero and Magdelena Müller, who voice the aforementioned protagonists, the cast of Quemar Tu Casa features Mariana Loyola, Pedro Campos, Gabriela Hernández, Maitén Montenegro, Elvira López, Marcela Salinas, José María de Tavira, and Arturo Ríos.

Central to Quemar Tu Casa’s sinister and chilling atmosphere is its immersive use of sound. Along with real-world soundscapes, the series features a masterful score, which is once again helmed by Chilean composer Carlos Cabezas.

For the Record caught up with Julio to discuss La Invernada’s main character energy, his hopes for the future of audio-based storytelling, and the special techniques Quemar Tu Casa uses to evoke fear in listeners.  

Why is audio such a compelling medium to tell a horror story?

Audio is a form of communication that forges a connection of intimacy and has accompanied the human species for thousands of years, warning us of dangers and helping us to survive. Listening to someone tell stories—especially scary stories—in front of a campfire has been a way to protect us from the dangers that lurked outside. Some of that still remains today, like when kids get together at a camp or a sleepover. Someone always ends up telling a scary story because fear unites the tribe and allows the group to feel a collective sense of protection.

Are there unexpected ways sound is used to add horror or suspense?

Julio Rojas

There are several ways we accomplished this, and they revolve around using sound to replicate the sources of terror or suspense that we experience in daily life. The most important is silence, which is an extremely effective device in creating suspense. 

When the sound suddenly stops or there is an eerie pause, the viewer anticipates that something is about to happen. At the other extreme is the use of sudden and unexpected sounds: a door that slams shut, an object that falls, a bird that flies by. Just as the predictable generates tranquility, the unpredictable activates the alert system. 

Finally, there’s ambient sound: The background sound is the great generator of atmospheres of terror or suspense. In the case of Quemar Tu Casa Part II, it’s the noise of the sea, the sounds of the house, the wind, and the storm. Perhaps it connects us with the fear that we ancestrally had of the elements that we could not control.

Your last podcast, Caso 63, took off worldwide. Do you think Quemar Tu Casa could follow a similar trajectory?

I think stories that tap into our fears always engage audiences, and Quemar Tu Casa has all the elements: a fantastic cast featuring talented actresses like Giannina Fruttero and Magdalena Müller, a great director in Natalia Grez, the musical work of Carlos Cabezas, the support of the production company Fábula. They all contribute to creating a thoughtful and immersive audioscape that triggers the right emotions in listeners. I think this season will be well received.

Quemar Tu Casa has a strong sense of place. How does the presence of the house contribute to the overall story? 

It’s vital for listeners to feel the presence of the house—in this case La Invernada—as a character itself. To accomplish this, it was necessary to create dialogue and sound that allow listeners to truly visualize the house on the edge of the abyss.

We put emphasis on describing the objects in the rooms—describing the finishes, the floors, the tower, the footsteps on wooden floors, the wind blowing through the windows, and the sea on the rocks. One of the conventions of the horror genre is the idea that every house has a past, which is why the series explores past events of tragedies and supernatural encounters that occurred in La Invernada.

By combining these elements into an audio narrative, we’ve aimed for an immersive experience where listeners connect with the characters on an emotional level. In short, we want listeners to feel afraid.

What role does postproduction play in creating immersive atmospheres?

It’s the key factor that lets listeners experience the series as an audiovisual experience. Thanks to postproduction, they can create a true replica of reality and “watch” an audio series in their heads. When the story, performance, and postproduction come together to form a triangle of creative harmony, listeners stop experiencing each part separately and start “seeing” the sound.

What are you looking forward to as the world of audio storytelling continues to grow and develop? 

I’m looking forward to audio-based narratives becoming as popular as other forms of entertainment, where it’s generating things like fan communities and cultural moments. 

I also hope that the new generations of screenwriters see it as a valid medium for telling stories—like they do cinema, television, literature, or theater. Audio was the first human form of communication. And in a way, audio narratives are returning people to that origin.

Ready to dive into the shudder-inducing world of Quemar Tu Casa? Stream the first episode of Part II below, or start from the very beginning.

La audio serie chilena ‘Quemar Tu Casa’ regresa para una nueva parte de terror escalofriante

March 29, 2023

Tras el éxito de su primera temporada, la audio serie original de Spotify “Quemar Tu Casa” está de vuelta con una segunda entrega que trae más miedo y deleite a los fanáticos.

Creada y escrita por Julio Rojas de “Caso 63“, la segunda parte de la serie chilena retoma la historia de Lina y Julieta. Después de haber logrado escapar de la temida Casa 669, la pareja ahora se encuentra en la puerta de otra casa igualmente desconcertante: La Invernada. A medida que ingresan a las paredes de esta inmensa y aterradora estructura, los fanáticos se sumergen en un mundo que contiene muchos secretos. . . y muchas personas en las que no se debe confiar.

Junto a Giannina Fruttero y Magdelena Müller, quienes dan voz a las protagonistas antes mencionadas, el elenco de “Quemar Tu Casa” también cuenta con las actuaciones de Mariana Loyola, Pedro Campos, Gabriela Hernández, Maitén Montenegro, Elvira López, Marcela Salinas, José María de Tavira y Arturo Ríos.

Lo que distingue la atmósfera siniestra y escalofriante de “Quemar Tu Casa” es su uso inmersivo del sonido. Y junto con los paisajes sonoros del mundo real, la serie contó con una partitura magistral, dirigida una vez más por el compositor chileno Carlos Cabezas.

For the Record se reunió con Julio para discutir las técnicas especiales que usa “Quemar Tu Casa” para provocar miedo en los oyentes, la energía del personaje principal de La Invernada y los desafíos futuros de la narración basada en audio.

¿Por qué el audio es un medio tan convincente para contar una historia de terror?

Cuando alguien escucha un formato de audio, se activa un mecanismo de comunicación y de conexión de intimidad que ha acompañado a la especie humana durante miles de años. El formato de audio fue el primero para advertirnos de los peligros y de estrategias de supervivencia. Escuchar a alguien frente a una fogata, escuchar historias, nos protegía y el miedo tenía un componente de protección. Nos contaban historias de miedo para protegernos de los peligros que acechaban en el exterior. Algo de eso ha quedado y cuando un grupo, de niñas o niños, se juntan en un campamento o en una pijamada, siempre alguien termina contando una historia de miedo. El miedo une a la tribu, porque comparten un imaginario de protección en común.

¿Cuáles son algunas de las formas inesperadas en que se usa el sonido en esta serie para agregar terror, suspenso o incluso un momento de ligereza?

Julio Rojas

Hay varias formas y estas replican las fuentes de terror o suspenso que experimentamos en la vida diaria. El más importante, el silencio. Un dispositivo extremadamente eficaz en la creación de suspenso. Cuando el sonido se detiene de repente o hay una pausa inquietante, el espectador anticipa que algo está a punto de suceder. 

En el otro extremo está el sonido repentino e inesperado, una puerta que se cierra de golpe, un objeto que cae, un pájaro que entra… así como lo predecible genera tranquilidad, lo impredecible activa el sistema de alerta. 

Y por último, el sonido ambiente: El sonido de fondo es el gran generador de atmósferas de terror o suspenso. En el caso de “Quemar Tu Casa”, en esta segunda parte, el ruido del mar, los sonidos de la casa, el viento y la tormenta. Quizás nos conecta con el temor que ancestralmente le teníamos a los elementos que no podíamos controlar. 

Tu último podcast, Caso 63, despegó a nivel mundial. ¿Crees que Quemar Tu Casa podría ver una trayectoria similar? 

Creo que las historias que conectan con nuestros miedos o nuestras emociones generan siempre audiencias comprometidas y generan un boca a boca que hacen que una serie despegue, y “Quemar Tu Casa” tiene todos los elementos. Talentosas actrices como Giannina Fruttero, y Magdalena Müller, entre un elenco fantástico , una gran dirección de Natalia Grez, un universo sonoro muy cuidado y perfecto para causar inquietud, obra de Carlos Cabezas, y el soporte de Fábula. Creo que le irá muy bien.

Quemar Tu Casa está muy centrado en la ubicación. ¿Cómo se pliega la presencia de la casa en la historia, así como en la narración de audio?  

Es vital que uno pueda sentir la presencia de la casa, en este caso “la invernada” como un personaje en sí. Para eso, fue necesario deslizar en los diálogos y los sonidos claves descriptivas al oyente para que pudiera “ver” la casa e imaginarla, al borde del abismo, con sus pisos, con su torreón, con su despeñadero. Pusimos énfasis en describir los objetos en las habitaciones, describir los acabados, los pisos, la torre, las pisadas en pisos de madera, el viento que soplaba a través de las ventanas, el mar en las rocas. Además siguiendo el género, toda casa tiene un pasado. Por eso en Quemar Tu Casa 2 se mencionan también relatos de eventos pasados de tragedias y encuentros sobrenaturales que ocurrieron. Al combinar estos elementos en una narración de audio, intentamos lograr una experiencia inmersiva y aterradora que permitiera sentir la presencia real de la casa embrujada y conectar emocionalmente con los personajes y sus experiencias. En definitiva, sentir miedo.

¿Cuál es el papel único de la postproducción en la creación de entornos sonoros para podcasts?

Es clave para convertir la historia sonora en una experiencia audiovisual. Gracias a la postproducción, podemos crear en nuestra cabeza una verdadera réplica de la realidad y  “ver” una película o una serie, con la emoción y con el tono exacto que se quiere obtener. Cuando la historia, la actuación y la postproducción en este triángulo creativo se enlazan armónicamente, dejas de ver cada parte por separado y se crea la experiencia completa y poderosa de “ver el sonido”.  

¿Qué esperas a medida que el mundo de la narración de audio continúa creciendo y desarrollándose? 

Que sea un formato tan común e integrado a nuestra vida diaria, como lo es la ficción de streaming hoy en día, que genera fenómenos culturales y comunidades de fans. Y que las nuevas generaciones de guionistas lo consideran tan válido para contar historias como lo son el cine, la literatura, el teatro o el streaming. Era la primera comunicación humana. Es de alguna manera, volver al origen.

¿Listo para sumergirte en el estremecedor mundo de “Quemar Tu Casa”? Escucha la Parte II ahora o comienza la historia desde el principio.

NPR Host Ari Shapiro Goes Beyond the Airwaves With His Memoir, ‘The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening’

March 20, 2023

photo credit: Victor Jeffreys

As one of the hosts of NPR’s flagship program, All Things Considered, Ari Shapiro has a voice that’s instantly recognizable to many radio listeners in the United States. Since 2015, Ari has shared heartwarming and heart-wrenching stories on the show, which is one of the most listened-to news programs in the country. In 2020, the format expanded with Consider This, a 15-minute, six-times-weekly podcast—also hosted by Ari.

But journalism is just his day job.

Ari is also a singer, performer, and speaker. He moonlights as a vocalist with the band Pink Martini, and joined forces with actor Alan Cumming for a stage show called Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret. Now, the award-winning reporter and former White House correspondent is adding author to his resume.

The North Dakota native’s memoir, The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening, hits shelves this week. In the book, Ari not only details his experiences reporting stories around the world, but also reflects on his upbringing in Portland, Oregon.

Ari created a playlist exclusively for Spotify that’s the perfect accompaniment to his memoir. From The B-52’s to the New York Philharmonic, the curation is as varied as the tales that come to life on his pages. We caught up with the host-performer-author to learn more about the inspiration for his book, and the ideas behind the playlist.

What made you decide to write a memoir? 

Covering the news every day sometimes feels like sprinting on a treadmill, where if you pause to look at the hot guy walking by, you will fall on the floor. And so, I’ve never been a person who nostalgically looks back at my favorite conversations and stories I’ve told. But I realized that after more than 20 years as a journalist, some of those stories, and some of those people, have sort of snagged on me as they flew by in the current, and changed the person I am—not just as a journalist, not just a storyteller, but as a human. 

In a way, this book is a memoir told through the stories of others. It covers a really wide range, from going on Air Force One with the president to being in warzones to singing with a band at the Hollywood Bowl. But, ultimately, I think of the book as kind of an answer to a question that I get from friends a lot, which is “How do you stay optimistic in the face of everything?” And the answer is the stories that are in these chapters.

How did your experience as a journalist impact your story?

Being a journalist has certainly attuned me to the finer details, so I feel like I can take someone along and tell a story that hopefully transports them and sticks with them. But the thing that made it really challenging is—as a journalist—stories are not supposed to be about me. I’m never supposed to be the focus.

So switching gears and telling stories that are fundamentally about me was unfamiliar and scary and foreign and definitely a learning curve. And as I look back at the drafts of these chapters and the way they evolved, that’s the biggest change that I see: learning how to write about myself in a way that doesn’t feel like a betrayal to who I am as a journalist.

Can you share a story from your book?

I have to tell you about the first time I ever sang with a band. For my debut performance, I was a singer with a band called Pink Martini, a little orchestra from Portland, Oregon, with more than a dozen members. In 2009, they asked if I would record a song for an album they were working on. After, the band leader, Thomas Lauderdale, said, “Well we need to find a time for you to perform this live with us. So why don’t you come to the Hollywood Bowl?” 

Now, the Hollywood Bowl seats 18,000 people. But what made it the most terrifying was not the size of the audience. It’s that backstage, before you walk out in front of those thousands of cheering people, you see all these huge, framed, black-and-white photos of the legends who have performed there over the decades. There’s Aretha Franklin; there’s The Beatles; there’s Judy Garland—all pictured on the stage you are about to stand on. And then the time comes, and you walk out in the footsteps of those giants and the spotlight follows your path. 

It is so exhilarating because as a radio reporter, it doesn’t matter how many millions of people might be listening to any given story I do. It’s a very intimate conversation between me and the one person who happens to be hearing it. But with a live performance, everybody is sharing that experience collectively, at the same time. There is something so electric about live music because it only ever happens once in that particular way. And so, to be a part of that is a thrill unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in journalism.

What was the experience like reading your story aloud for your audiobook?

First of all, I loved recording my audiobook because my comfort zone is telling stories. That’s what I do every day, and so, in some ways, recording the audiobook felt much more easy, comfortable, and familiar than writing the book. But it’s exhausting to speak aloud for hours on end. Even though I host a two-hour daily news program, I’m not talking for most of it. I read an introduction to a reporter’s piece and then I sit quietly for four minutes. Or if I’m doing an interview, I ask someone a question and then sit quietly while they answer. By the end of the day of audiobook recording, I could barely talk to my husband. I have so much admiration for people who do this professionally.

You created a musical playlist for your memoir. How did you pick the songs?

Above all, I wanted the playlist to feel optimistic and joyful because that’s what I want people to walk away from the book feeling. Even though the book takes you to warzones and refugee crises, the book is full of people who give me hope. It’s also global because the book is global. So there’s a track from the South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela, and a track from the Japanese singer Saori Yuki.

The playlist begins with a song that I hope sets the tone for everything else, which is “Roam” by The B-52’s. I think that’s the best road trip song ever written. And I want to give people the feeling that we’re going somewhere exciting. It’s gonna be fun, and it’s gonna be an adventure.

There is also a healthy dose of Queer camp because that is part of who I am, and there are songs that take me back to specific moments. It includes an obscure ’90s cover of “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Nicki French. The summer I came out of the closet, that was the track that was playing in the gay club every single weekend. I also included the overture to Candide, which was the song that my husband and I walked down the aisle to at our wedding.

What do you think continues to attract listeners to talk formats like a radio show or podcast?

One of NPR’s founding mothers, Susan Stamberg, has a quote I love, which is “The pictures are better on the radio.” There is something about the human voice that is so personal and intimate. It engages the brain and bypasses the preconceived notions we might have about the person who’s talking, and allows us to have an experience that feels more personal than printed words on the page or talking heads on a TV broadcast. 

How have the people you’ve met over the years and the experiences you’ve had influenced you?

Musically, I have been so lucky to collaborate with people who are curious and omnivorous. Pink Martini records in dozens of languages, with collaborators ranging from the great Mexican ranchera singer Chavela Vargas to the great grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp. So being able to travel with Pink Martini to Morocco and Hungary and Lebanon and France and sing in all these different languages helps me appreciate something that my parents taught me from a very young age: The more you know about the world, the more interesting life becomes. And there’s something very subtle and powerful about music. 

With everything that I do—whether it’s journalism, singing with Pink Martini, writing this book, or performing with Alan Cumming—my goal is to help people see the world through the eyes of someone else. My goal is to help people break out of their bubbles and build empathy and increase understanding. Music is one of the most powerful tools I know that can do that.

The chapters in this book that are not about music still contain a piece of that. I hope they increase curiosity and empathy, and allow readers to experience all these different people and places, and see the similarities and connections we all share.

 

If you’re interested in hearing Ari tell his stories in person, check out the details of his book tour here. In the meantime, listen to the playlist Ari made to complement his memoir, below.

 

Celebrating 10 Years of Spotify in Italy and Poland

March 1, 2023

a graphic backdrop with two Spotify spokespeople featured looking at the camera

Ten years ago, Spotify launched in Italy and Poland, and we began our work to engage with local creative talent and the community through Spotify programs, festivals, and events. Since then, creators from both markets have seen tremendous growth in local and international listenership. Whether it’s Rhove and Måneskin in Italy or Marissa and Sara James in Poland, artists in both markets are representing their homelands locally and on the global stage. And we can’t help but raise a glass to a solid decade of achievements.

Along with the growth in local music, there’s an ever-growing appetite for talk as well. Since launching podcasts in Italy 2015, we’ve seen the number of creator-generated shows increase by an average of 20% year over year in the market. Today, more than 50,000 titles are available, including hit shows like Muschio Selvaggio, The Essential, and Demoni Urbani.

To celebrate this landmark birthday in Poland and Italy, For the Record caught up with Melanie Parejo, Spotify Head of Music for Southern and Eastern Europe, and Mateusz Smółka, Spotify Music Team Lead for Eastern Europe and Southern and Eastern Europe, to talk about the hit tracks, hot trends, and growth both markets have experienced over the past 10 years.

ITALY

When Spotify Italy launched in 2013, there were 26,000 Italian artists on the platform and 180 million streams globally among them. How have we seen those numbers grow?

Melanie Parejo: Italy has always had a strong affection toward their local talents, and with 196,000 Italian artists available on Spotify as of 2022, it’s clear to see the strength that local music has in the Italian market. In terms of global listenership, after our first five years in the market, Italian artists were played on Spotify editorial playlists outside of Italy 800% more than when we launched. After 10 years, that number has increased to 1,000%, with Måneskin being the biggest export.

What are some of Spotify Italy’s greatest music achievements from the past 10 years?

Twenty-four Italian artists have participated in Spotify’s RADAR program since its launch in 2020. Artists like BLANCO, Rondodasosa, and ARIETE have seen particularly strong growth on the platform, with BLANCO going on to win last year’s Festival di Sanremo and beating Italy’s record for the most-streamed song in one day, together with Mahmood. 

Emerging artists who have been included in RADAR have also achieved great mainstream success. Rhove, who was a featured RADAR Global artist, had Italy’s second-most-streamed song of 2022, with “Shakerando.”

Genre-wise, what have been some of the most exciting changes in Italian music since 2013?

When we look at the streaming habits of the younger generation, they have a more fluid relationship to genres. They are less occupied with sticking to one genre and identifying with it. Instead, we see them stream songs that span different decades and styles. 

That said, the overall music tastes of Italians have evolved so much over the years. Back in 2013, the most-streamed genre in Italy was rock, with Italian rap not even in the Top 10. But in 2022, Italian rap was the most-streamed genre in the country. When it comes to rap from other countries, a significant number of Gen Z artists have shifted their main point of reference from the U.S. to the U.K. and France. They tend to blend languages and cultures in their songs, tapping into an identity and culture way more than when rap originally broke through here in 2016. 

Summer hits have always been an integral part of Italian music consumption, but in recent years we’ve seen them become more diverse in sound. While they previously followed a conventional structure (carefree, joyful, Latin-infused pop tracks touching on a bunch of summer-related clichés), 2022 summer hits were a melting pot of sounds, artists, and moods. From BLANCO to Fedez to Capo Plaza to Rhove, what we saw and heard last year was a creative freedom we weren’t used to. 

Spotify Italy initially launched during the Festival di Sanremo. What impact does the festival have on Spotify?

Spotify truly lives side by side with Sanremo. When the lights are out after the final day of the festival, Italians listen to their favorite songs on Spotify to stay in the Sanremo spirit. This year was a great example of that, with the official Sanremo 2023 playlist being the second-most-streamed playlist worldwide for one week. Locally, Sanremo songs dominated the Top 10 and Top 20 charts in Italy during the festival, with six songs from the festival having made it into the Global Debut Songs chart.

 

POLAND

How have music tastes in the country changed in the 10 years since Spotify Poland launched?

Mateusz Smółka: Massively! When we launched in Poland, the Top 10 artists in Poland were international artists. There were only five Polish artists on the entire Top 100 list that year. Looking back, international artists controlled the top three spots until about 2017. But in 2018, we saw the rise of Polish artists, most notably when the Taco Hemingway and Quebonafide collaboration, TACONAFIDE, and Dawid Podsiadło took the top spots. Since then, Polish artists have been in the Top 10 each year, with 76 Polish songs making the local Top 100 in 2022. 

Streams of Polish artists on Spotify’s editorial playlists outside of Poland also increased by more than 700% over the past decade. For example, Rnbstylerz has over 2.8 million monthly listeners, with a majority coming from Germany, the U.S., and Mexico. And Catz ‘n Dogz, who are a part of GLOW, have a major chunk of listeners coming from the U.S. and the U.K. Tribbs has over two million monthly listeners and collaborates with producers around the world, picking up listeners in Brazil and Germany. 

In your view, what are some of Spotify Poland’s biggest accomplishments in the music space?

Spotify’s RADAR program launched in Poland in 2021 and has seen 15 local artists participating since. The program has seen talents such as Zalia and Julia Rocka seeing incremental growth on the platform, as well as Szczyl and Dziwna Wiosna being nominated for Fryderyk awards in 2022. 

Spotify’s EQUAL program also launched in Poland in 2021. Notably, Sara James became the youngest-ever EQUAL ambassador for the program and the first Polish artist to be a global ambassador. Artists such as Kaśka Sochacka and LUNA have particularly seen growth on the platform since their participation, with LUNA more than tripling her monthly listeners the month she joined the program. 

Additionally, Fresh Finds has been live in the market for a year, and it has helped a number of independent Polish artists take the next steps in their careers. It has also proven to be a way to identify the next big talent. 

What have been some of the most surprising listenership trends in Poland?

Back in 2013, we saw international rock bands being streamed the most, but now Polish rap and hip-hop dominate, as demonstrated by the popularity of our local hip-hop flagship playlist RAP GENERACJA, which has been the number one playlist in Poland every year since launch. 

When it comes to the younger generation, we’ve found that they choose music to accompany their mood and the world they live in. They don’t care as much about when the song was made or what genre it is. They approach music with a lot more fluidity.

 

Celebrate 10 years of Spotify in Italy and Poland by listening to our anniversary playlists. 

Spotify’s First Bilingual Podcast, ‘La Cabina Telefónica,’ Highlights Latino Immigrants in the ’90s

February 2, 2023

In the 1990s before cell phones, texting, and video calls were common, phone booths in cafés are what connected Latino immigrants with their families. Paying by the minute, they could settle in, pick up the receiver, and call family and friends to dish out the latest gossip and share updates on their new life far from home. 

Now, in our first bilingual podcast, La Cabina Telefónica, Spotify is bringing these heartwarming phone calls to life for a new generation.

Produced in conjunction with the award-winning, multilingual production house Studio Ochenta, this Spotify Original podcast stars Colombian singer, songwriter, and actress Fanny Lu and One Day at a Time’s Isabella Gomez. Set in Queens, the fictional show follows Matty, a single mother from Colombia and the owner of Matty’s Llamadas 82. Each episode features a seven-minute phone call between a neighbor and someone important in their life. In those calls, we experience the triumph, pain, and laughter of a diverse group of Latino immigrants in 1990s New York. 

“It awakens a lot of feelings. I have lived through what they’re living on the show—being far away from my country and far away from my family,” explained Fanny. “I used to call and cry through the telephone because I wanted to get through that line and get back home. So it has been very fun because I’ve laughed and my heart has broken listening to several stories. And I feel I can identify with the character of Matty as a mom, as a woman, and as a Latina.”

“I feel so honored to be part of the first bilingual podcast [from Spotify],” shared Isabella. “I speak both Spanish and English with my family, so it was really awesome to get to bring that part of myself and my culture to my work. Especially with this script, the transitions between languages are really seamless and natural, and it feels very authentic to how people who are bilingual really communicate.” 

Through the show’s podcast episodes, today’s younger generation can get lost in the love and laughter as they experience what it was like then to build connections from afar.

 

Get to know Matty’s neighbors by checking out the podcast episodes below.

Journalist Louis Theroux Takes On His Dream Format in His New Spotify Exclusive Podcast

February 1, 2023

Louis Theroux, the award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalist, broadcaster, and author, wishes he could speak to Sally Hemmings, William Shakespeare, and Joan of Arc. But since they’re not available, he’s setting his sights on other guests in his new show, The Louis Theroux Podcast. In the Spotify Exclusive, the British-American hosts in-depth, freewheeling conversations with notable stars from both sides of the Atlantic.

Created by Mindhouse Productions, the first series run of nine episodes features guests spanning the entertainment spectrum. “I am thrilled to be back hosting podcasts. Long-form conversation is a dream format for me,” explained Theroux. “When I started doing them a few years ago, I couldn’t believe how much response I was getting.”

The journalist got his start working as a correspondent on Michael Moore’s TV Nation before creating his own long-form TV films and publishing several books. He says listeners can expect the podcast to be an intelligent and fun space where he connects with a variety of high-profile guests. 

“You can listen while cooking, doing the laundry, and even cycling, though that’s not recommended as you may be so entertained your concentration could lapse,” he joked. 

The podcast is the latest in a series of Spotify Exclusives from the U.K., which also include The Receipts Podcast, JaackMaate’s Happy Hour, and Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe’s Parenting Hell.

 

Keep an eye out for The Louis Theroux Podcast, coming later this spring, exclusively on Spotify.

Spotify Expands NextGen Audio Program to Historically Black Colleges & Universities

November 18, 2022

The Spelman College logo on the left and the Spotify logo in the right. both are in white against a black background

At Spotify, we understand the power of amplifying the voices of all kinds of creators. This is especially important for communities that have historically been underrepresented in media, including the audio industry. Over the years, we’ve created bespoke programs like Sound Up, Frequency, and EQUAL to showcase and uplift the diverse roster of artists, musicians, songwriters, and podcasters on our platform while creating space for new voices, stories, and perspectives.  

With this spirit, today we’re announcing the expansion of NextGen, Spotify’s ongoing program designed to infuse, activate, and grow podcast culture on college campuses, to Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) campuses across the U.S. This new initiative is supported by the Spotify Creator Equity Fund, which powers the company’s commitment to showcasing and uplifting creators who have historically been underrepresented in the audio industry. 

Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, is onboard as the first HBCU to offer NextGen programming beginning early next year during the spring semester.

The Spemlan College Campus with students walking to class and sitting on benches. There is a school building in the background and green trees on the left

“We look forward to collaborating with Spotify on the new NextGen programming that will be offered to help further elevate the voices and creative content of our students,” said Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH, president of Spelman College. “At the core of what drives the Spelman experience is our students’ ability to combine their academic learning and practical experiences as pathways to career and entrepreneurial opportunities. Thank you to Spotify and Michelle Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Spelman, who helped make this partnership possible.”

Spotify currently partners with the University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, and New York University to offer NextGen podcast programming and curriculum. Now our intention is to leverage this impactful program to create a new class of Black content creators, equipping them with tools and resources to develop their podcast skill sets. We’ll also connect HBCU students with our roster of experts from Spotify’s Studios team, as well as the voices of our Originals & Exclusives, in hopes of inspiring them to consider a career in podcasting and offering a chance to hear firsthand about how to make it in the audio industry.

“As an HBCU grad myself, I know firsthand the remarkable energy and creativity that flows through these institutions. It’s palpable,” said Kristin Jarrett, Equity & Impact Strategy and Outreach Lead at Spotify. “NextGen allows us to get closer to this exceptional pipeline of Gen Z talent and storytellers, powering our goal of having a diverse roster of creators on our platform on our road to 50 million creators and 1 billion users.”

Here are some of the NextGen initiatives we intend to bring to Spelman College:

  • Dedicated on-campus podcast recording space with professional equipment
  • Events featuring Spotify executives and podcast talent
  • Spotify support of existing, relevant curriculum and access to tailored training programs
  • Co-creation of student-led original audio content
  • Potential academic scholarship support
  • Invitation and consideration for Spelman College students to participate Spotify’s 10-week internship program

Spelman College students can contact Michelle Hite, Ph.D., associate professor of English, to learn more about the program.

Stay tuned for details about future NextGen x HBCUs!

Midway Through ‘Kim Kardashian’s The System,’ Co-Producer Lori Rothschild Ansaldi Looks Back—and Forward—On the Case of Kevin Keith

October 31, 2022

 

For television producer Lori Rothschild Ansaldi, murder cases were open and shut. Her work over the past few decades was focused on true crime, and mostly on shows with adjudicated trials where the finale saw law enforcement officers putting a big red bow on the case and bringing the killer to justice. And that’s how it should be, she thought. 

Up until she heard about Kevin Keith, a man who was convicted of a triple homicide and was serving a life sentence without parole in Ohio. A man who, according to his brother Charles, had been wrongly convicted in a case in which there was no physical evidence connecting him to the crime and in which he had multiple alibis. Lori’s curiosity spawned the creation of Kim Kardashian’s The System: The Case of Kevin Keith, a Spotify Original podcast produced and hosted by Lori and Kim Kardashian. 

Lori Rothschild Ansaldi

“I remember thinking, ‘All criminals think they’ve been wrongly convicted,’” Lori told For the Record. But the more she read, the more she was convinced that the pieces weren’t lining up. She became distressed about glaring, obvious evidence—and the lack thereof. “Why wouldn’t the state of Ohio do the right thing? He had been on death row. I couldn’t understand it.” She called Charles Keith and explained that she was a true crime producer and wanted to tell his brother’s story. “The phone went silent for a couple of uncomfortable moments. When we spoke, he said, ‘I’ve been waiting for your phone call my entire life.’”

Over the course of eight episodes, Kim and Lori work with investigators, lawyers, experts, and more to discuss the complexities of Keith’s case, expose cracks within the story, and highlight ways in which our legal system is broken. It’s the story of the fight to get Kevin a new trial after being behind bars for almost 29 years, many of those on death row.

For the Record sat down with Lori to learn more about the show ahead of its final few episodes. 

How and why did you first come together with Kim Kardashian to create The System?

I knew from what I had learned that there was enough information to show reasonable doubt. Kevin should have easily gotten a new trial, and I didn’t know why he hadn’t. In my mind, I thought, “How do we rattle the cages? How do we get so much public support on this that the state of Ohio would have no choice but to do the right thing?” I knew we needed a champion. 

How I got connected to Kim was a bit of kismet—I was that crazy producer with strings on the walls, like a detective, and pictures and timelines and cards. One of the producers I worked with came by and I explained to him what I was doing. He saw my passion and offered to connect me to Kim, who he was working with on Family Feud. 

Of course I wanted to talk to Kim. At that point she had already helped Alice Johnson, and I knew she also had what I felt in my soul. She had that fire of knowing that her platform could do amazing things.

I also knew that it was the right story for Kim because of Charles Keith. Everyone thinks Kevin Keith is the main character in this story, but it was his older brother who believed in Kevin’s innocence from the jump and never believed, even after his brother was sent to death row, that he could ever possibly commit this crime. So to me it was a great story about siblings. It’s about blood being thicker than water and doing anything for your sibling. And isn’t that what the Kardashian brand is all about?

Kim has the biggest heart, and she’s been the best partner in this. She works tirelessly on this project. She really cares about Kevin, and she really cares about the case. 

Kim Kardashian

Kim has a huge audience and fan base. What do you think the role of celebrities and influencers is in spreading the word about social issues and social change? 

Always remember that Kim’s social media reach is the same as the population of the United States. It’s a humbling thing when you realize how incredibly powerful your voice can be, and that’s why people who have this reach should use it for good. Their voices are important to create change—and especially for cases like this. At the end of the day, it’s about Kevin. 

What has reception of The System been like so far, about halfway into the season? 

I have worked in television my entire career. And I’ve had hits, but the reception of The System is humbling. I’ve always known in my soul that if people heard the story, they too would want to know more, and they would become activists as well. Because once you know, you can’t unknow. I’ve been getting so many requests for hundreds of new cases. It’s a little daunting because I know all these people need voices. 

People are going to my justiceforkevinkeith.org website and looking at the documents. They want to go deeper. And that’s important because their opinions and their work are also so important—they can also make an impact on the state of Ohio. Knowing that people are coming to see what Kim is doing and then staying to hear the story is fascinating. This case is blessed. It’s changing something in Ohio; I firmly believe that. 

Where do things stand with Kevin’s case?

The reality of our criminal justice system is that it’s difficult to get a case through the courts. An attorney explained it to me like this: You have two avenues when you’re in post conviction. You have the court system, or you have clemency. The court system is exactly what you think it is: You’re filing for appeals, awaiting responses. You essentially need a piece of evidence that hasn’t surfaced before. 

And then you have this idea of clemency. The only person who can offer that is the governor. Back in 2010, the petition was to the then-governor, Ted Strickland, to save Kevin’s life by granting clemency and commuting his sentence from death row to life in prison. There was enough evidence to suggest he might not be guilty, and Governor Strickland believed that something in Kevin’s case needed to be looked into further. 

Now Kevin is requesting clemency again to hopefully find a way to be released from prison. He is going to go to Mike DeWine, governor of Ohio. There’s a feeling that DeWine is against the death penalty because he’s stopped all executions while he’s been the governor. They have the opportunity now to commute Kevin’s sentence, to show he was given an unfair trial, but either way, that death penalty should never be considered. 

What is the takeaway for listeners of The System?

What I would want people to do is to go out and vote. Vote for people who are not for the death penalty, and make noise, especially if you live in Ohio. 

It’s a really important case. Any time anyone wants to understand what we can do, together, that’s what I’m here for. That’s what I want this podcast—and anyone who is touched by it—to do. 

 

Stream the first six episodes of Kim Kardashian’s The System now. New episodes are available Mondays, exclusively on Spotify. 

Interested in learning more? Please visit the show’s Resource hub, which will update each week throughout the run of the series. Here, you’ll find episode transcripts as well as visual aids—like copies of court documents and evidence used in the original trial, and a lineup of photos that are referenced throughout the podcast. In addition, The System has partnered with two organizations to bring criminal justice reform into the conversation around the podcast. Color Of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, will provide more information about wrongful convictions and other matters concerning the criminal justice system. Additionally, Spotify is supporting the ongoing work of Calling All Crows, an organization that connects music fans and mobilizes them to join movements for justice and equality by raising awareness, taking action, and collectively working for social change. Calling All Crows is continuing to invest in its Unlocked Voices campaign to amplify the platforms and stories of those impacted by mass incarceration.

The Philippines Keeps the Conversation Going as Podcast Popularity Rises

October 21, 2022

a graphic image showing the cover art for 8 filipino podcasts

The power of podcasts continues to grow as Filipinos both home and abroad regularly tune in to laugh, learn, and listen to a wide range of local voices. From the weekly stories of love in Barangay Love Stories and touching tales of life in Dear MOR: The Podcast to all things astrology at Charot Readings with Macoy Dubs & Show Suzuki and the intimate conversations found in skypodcast, the Philippines is a hotbed of local audio talent, and listeners can’t get enough.

Whether the topic is hugots in life or getting a quick comedy fix, Spotify podcasts in the Philippines have seen more than 60% growth in listenership over the last 12 months, with local shows leading the charge.

“We are thrilled that our growing range of Spotify podcasts entertains Filipinos and connects them to creators and content,” said Carl Zuzarte, Spotify’s Head of Studios for Southeast Asia. “This serves as a motivation for us to continuously innovate and uplift creativity in the Philippines.”  

As part of Spotify’s first Creator Mixdown in the Philippines earlier this month, a panel of creators from top Spotify-hosted shows MavLine on Me, Paano ba Ito, and Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast gathered in Manila to talk about the future of Filipino programming, the importance of championing creative local audio, and creating a community through shared experiences.

a photo of participants sitting on stage speaking at a spotify panel

“It’s important to us that our podcasts sound—and feel—like a conversation among best friends,” said Antoinette Jadaone, who cohosts Ang Walang Kwentang. “When we did the podcast, it started out as a creative outlet, and people started listening, even those we don’t know. And eventually it became a community. Even if you’re a listener, you find a friend in a podcaster.”

The panelists were also in agreement that partnering with Spotify is key to amplifying the voices of Filipino talent across the country and the world.

“I think it’s really an awesome opportunity,” shared Mavy Legaspi, cohost of MavLine on Me. “You get to see a different perspective on public figures or growing creators in the Philippines that gives us a platform to reveal more of ourselves.”

With this tremendous growth in listenership, we can expect more shows on the way as Filipino creators start sharing both their creative visions and their opinions knowing that there will be more than enough people eager to listen.

Find out what everyone’s talking about by joining Kryz and Slater as they talk about life, relationships, and family in skypodcast.

‘Armchair Expert’ Hosts Dax Shepard and Monica Padman Celebrate 500 Episodes With a Playlist of Their Top 10 Guest Appearances

October 6, 2022

Photo Credit: Michael Friberg

 

Not so long ago, comedian Dax Shepard and producer Monica Padman set out to explore the “messiness of being human.” In doing so, they’ve spent nearly five years promoting personal growth and betterment through their podcast, Armchair Expert. And now, the two friends are about to hit a huge milestone: 500 episodes. 

Lauded for its hilarious spin on the challenges and shortcomings people encounter in their lives, Armchair Expert has become one of the most celebrated podcasts around, landing a spot on numerous “best of” lists and attracting a fan base of devoted “Armcherries.” 

To celebrate their big achievement, Dax and Monica have rounded up the 10 most-memorable episodes they’ve recorded since the start of the podcast in 2018. And with a guest lineup that includes everyone from Matt Damon to Stacy Abrams to Dax’s Mom, it’s a playlist that doesn’t disappoint.

Dax and Monica’s 10 Favorite Episodes

  1. “Dax’s Mom (Laura Labo)”
  2. “Matt Damon” 
  3. “David Sedaris Returns Again”
  4. “Awkwafina”
  5. “Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly)”
  6. “Stacey Abrams”
  7. “Jerod Carmichael”
  8. “Roy Choi (chef)”
  9. “Molly Shannon”
  10. “BJ Novak”

For the Record also sat down with Dax and Monica to discuss the evolution of the show, their most memorable guests, and what lies ahead for Armchair Expert. 

How has the show changed between Episode 1 and Episode 500?

In a nutshell, Monica talks more, Dax talks less (although there’s still room for major improvement on this front). We have also acquired a confidence that has allowed us to throw the game plan out the window more and more. Many things have changed, but still no bathroom door. 

When you think about your favorite episodes that you’ve picked, is there a quality they all share that makes them special?

Yes. Each of these episodes has a profound level of vulnerability from the guest—the kind of trust and openness that is truly humbling. It’s episodes like these that keep us pinching ourselves with gratitude. 

Of the episodes on this list, which one caught you most off guard, or defied your expectations of how the interview was going to unfold?

Dax: It would be Colson Baker (aka Machine Gun Kelly). I did not see any of that coming when I first saw him on the schedule. But almost immediately upon meeting him, as I watched him scan his environment/the attic for exits and threats, I knew I was meeting a beautifully tender person that I was going to have a lot in common with.

Monica: For me, it’s Roy Choi. I knew he was an incredible chef, but I was shocked by the complexity of his story and his beautifully soft nature. I thought the whole episode would be about food, but we barely touched on food at all because his life journey was so compelling. 

What’s it like to reach Episode 500 of this podcast? Were you expecting the show to have this level of traction and longevity when you launched it?

Of the many things we didn’t dare dream of, 500 episodes was one of them. I don’t think we’ve ever let our imaginations run away with us, so each milestone has come as a surprise, which has made it infinitely more fun. 

What would you say is the biggest thing you’ve learned about podcasting and interviewing since you started working on the podcast?

Everyone has a story. And if you listen with an open mind to (almost) anyone’s story, you will find yourself moving away from judgment and toward understanding. We’ve also learned that there is always an alternative angle on how to approach an issue. We’ve had many of the smartest people in the world on the show and they often have conflicting opinions. There is absolutely nothing with 100% consensus, which is both liberating and humbling. 

Now that you’ve reached this big milestone, what do you have planned for the show going forward? Are there any new directions you’d like to take it in?

We are already in the middle of taking them, adding more shows under our umbrella and continuing to expand the world. We launched Armchair Anonymous recently—a show that lets us hear insane stories from the very same Armcherries that got us to this milestone. 

Whether you’re new to Armchair Expert or a self-proclaimed Armcherry, catch up with all 500 episodes of the podcast, below.

Relive Soccer’s Biggest Moments With the Spotify Original Podcast ‘22 Goals’

August 10, 2022

There are few sports that have the power to captivate a critical mass of the global population quite like soccer (aka football) does. And every four years, fans rally behind their nations and experience the highs and lows of the beautiful game in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. 

As hype builds for the tournament in Qatar this November, Brian Phillips, Senior Staff Writer for The Ringer, is taking time to revisit some of the most memorable and significant goals of past competitions in the new Spotify Original Podcast 22 Goals.

Premiering today, the weekly podcast will explore those moments on the field that brought joy—or despair—to entire nations. But the show also dives into the cultural impact each of these 22 goals had off the pitch, highlighting how they continue to transcend the game itself.

For the Record sat down with Brian to discuss the inspiration behind the podcast, why big goals leave such an indelible mark on soccer fans, and what listeners can expect from the show as it leads up to the start of the tournament. 

Traditionally,  lists of great soccer goals have come in video form. What inspired you to explore this idea as a podcast?

It’s interesting that you ask that question because I was telling my dental hygienist about this podcast, and he was like, “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. Nobody wants to listen to you describe the goals with words.” But the more I thought about it, I do think that podcasting is the right form for what I’m doing here, because what I really want to do is explore the joy of the game. 

A video series can provide a hit of joy really directly because you get to watch the goal and it’s like, “Oh my God, that’s an amazing goal.” But I wanted space to talk about where those moments came from and what they mean and how they kind of filter into society and culture. And so the podcast form makes more sense because you can have a longer meditation and talk to listeners in a very intimate or informal way. 

It’s fascinating that some of the most legendary goals often become more memorable than the matches themselves. Why is it that a single goal has the ability to captivate fans in this way?

There are goals that seem more memorable than the matches and there are goals that overshadow loss. I’m thinking about the goal that Netherlands midfielder Dennis Bergkamp scored against Argentina in ’98. It’s a match that the Netherlands didn’t win, and they fell short at the World Cup as they usually end up doing. But that goal just kind of stands out as such a beautiful thing that it almost seems like the rest of the tournament and the rest of the drama kind of fades around just that one moment. 

I think soccer has a couple of things going for it that makes it really well suited to provide these kinds of transcendent, euphoric just out-of-your-head sort of experiences. I think for one thing, it’s really hard to score in soccer. There’s this kind of frustration algorithm at work where you’re building up this anticipation for tens of minutes at a time while teams are trying to score. And then when it finally happens, even a relatively routine goal feels like a huge deal. I think the other thing is that soccer is probably the closest we come to a sport that is universal. So when something big happens in a World Cup, it’s like a breakthrough that you’re sharing with a vast percentage of the world’s population. It’s a recipe for these moments to become meaningful.

As fans sit down and listen to each episode, what can they expect in terms of storytelling?

Each goal is like the climax of a story. And so the episodes are really just about telling those stories and trying to use those stories to talk about things that were going on in the history of soccer, history of the world, around those moments. But mostly it’s just like if you take the goal as the high point of a story, then what is the story that comes before that, and how does it lead to this? We all know the moment is coming. In most of the episodes, I say at the very beginning, “This is the goal.” And you know what the ending is in advance, but it’s just about the journey.

Every goal on this list is obviously well-known to some extent, but are there any with a mythology or backstory that might surprise fans?

I think it’s probably the case that the older the goal is, the less people will know about it.  Particularly for fans like me who didn’t grow up with the game and caught the train fairly late. So one goal that I think American listeners are going to really enjoy hearing about is, it was scored by Joe Gaetjens in 1950. He was a Haitian player who played due to some weird loopholes at the time for the U.S. national team. And he scored a goal that allowed the United States to accomplish perhaps the biggest upset in World Cup history. And I just don’t think most people in America know about it. I didn’t even know about it until fairly recently. I feel like people are going to really flip over it because it’s an incredible story.

And then the other episode that comes to mind is about England in 1966 and the goal scored by Geoff Hurst that helped them win the World Cup. But a whole lot of that episode focuses on the history of the theft of the World Cup trophy in London, when it was on display at a stamp exhibition. There was this whole heist and it vanished. And then it was rediscovered in a really fun way. That’s a pretty well-known story for a lot of people, but I think it’s just so kooky and fun that people are going to get into that.

Do you have any predictions for who might score the next iconic goal in Qatar later this year?

Before I answer that question, I should acknowledge that there are literally octopi who have a better record of predicting World Cup outcomes. The future is not my strong suit when it comes to sports. But I feel like I want to say Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. I feel like he can’t stop falling into goals in his club career, and he’s going to do something amazing at a tournament one of these days. I think this is the tournament where that happens.

To make the countdown to Qatar a little more bearable, hit the play button below and start streaming the first episode of 22 Goals.

Fill Your Queue With the Best Podcasts of 2022 (So Far)

August 4, 2022

a bright and colorful collage design that has the number 1 through 7

It’s not unusual to binge a podcast and then be left wondering what you should hit play on next. And with more than 4 million shows on Spotify, there are a lot of options. Spotify’s Podcast Editorial team is constantly tracking new shows, making them the perfect people to recommend great podcasts that will leave you hooked.

As we say goodbye to the first half of 2022, the team put their heads together to determine their picks on the best podcasts of the year . . . so far. “A great podcast transports or immerses the listener in its world,” explained Timothy Cornwall, a lead on the Podcast Editorial team at Spotify. “The best podcasts are thought-provoking, emotionally evocative, and echo in your mind long after you’ve listened to them.” 

From fictional action thrillers to talk shows that explore life’s big questions, this list provides a variety of picks to appeal to any interest. 

This is Dating

Network: Magnificent Noise

Genre: Lifestyle/Relationships

Dating is tough. Throw in a pandemic and mixed bag of dating apps, and it’s even tougher. Yet This is Dating peels back the curtain and lets listeners follow four modern daters on their first dates—surprising us with raw emotion, connection, and community . . . things we all need and deserve.

Batman Unburied

Network: Warner Bros./ Spotify Studios

Genre: Fiction

Welcome to Gotham, where a new serial killer villain has the city absolutely terrified. Brought to life by Winston Duke, Hasan Minhaj, and Gina Rodriguez, Batman Unburied is the perfect chaser to Robert Pattinson‘s grunge twist on the franchise. You’ve never seen Bruce Wayne like this before. 

BEING Trans

Network: Lemonade Media

Genre: Documentary/Reality/Personal Stories

BEING Trans is a deeply layered show about the trans experience. The reality TV audio format is incredibly engaging and breaks down the story of four trans people navigating family, work, and society. It simultaneously normalizes their lives and highlights their day-to-day issues.

Should be Alive

Network: VAULT Studios

Genre: True Crime

Should be Alive investigates the 2019 murder of a transgender teenage girl, Niki Kunhausen. Hosted by Ashley Korslien, the show delivers a devastatingly pertinent look at the wave of violence facing the trans community today. It’s essential true crime listening that dives beyond the headlines.

Normal Gossip

Network: Defector

Genre: Comedy

On Normal Gossip, Kesley McKinney teases out gossip stories with each guest as an entertaining and silly conversation that always seems to get a bit messy. It’s a fun romp through someone else’s lens and drama where you also can ask yourself, “What would you do in this situation?”

The Pivot Podcast

Network: Indie

Genre: Sports

The Pivot Podcast is hosted by three former NFL players (Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor)—which allows for unique, vulnerable, and candid sports conversations that you won’t want to miss.

Dua Lipa: At Your Service

Network: iHeartPodcasts

Genre: Arts & Entertainment

It may seem like every entertainer has a podcast these days, but before you are quick to dismiss, give Dua Lipa’s At Your Service a listen. Dua is an incredibly thoughtful interviewer with a genuine interest in people, social movements, and the arts. And because of her curiosity, we all benefit.

Authentic: The Story of Tablo

Network: VICE

Genre: Music Documentary

Authentic: The Story of Tablo provides a unique take on “music meets the internet” through a cross-cultural lens. When Korean hip-hop star Tablo was about to break into the Western market, a strange rumor began to circle online about his identity as a Canadian-Korean that quickly turned toxic.

Stuck with Damon Young

Network: Gimlet/Crooked Media

Genre: Culture

Award-winning author Damon Young has ventured into the world of podcasting! Joined by the best and the Blackest people he knows, Damon explores an array of topics, from sexuality and religion to internet accountability, and how they ultimately affect human behavior—whether it be hilarious or downright absurd.

Fresh off the Spaceship

Network: KEXP

Genre: Music Documentary

Seattle’s music and art scenes might seem exclusively white, but they’re not. This series explores the city’s Black arts scene through the story of the Black Constellation, the innovative collective that includes Shabazz Palaces’ Ishmael Butler, Stas THEE Boss, and visual artist Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes.

Seventeen

Network: Paradiso Media

Genre: Documentary/Personal Stories

Ever wanted to meet your 17-year-old self? Seventeen‘s host Laura Leigh Abby uses her own diaries from her senior year of high school as a jumping-off point to examine gender dynamics and sexual assault in Y2K culture, speaking with friends and classmates to explore her own identity, then and now.

Which of these podcasts piqued your interest? If you’re having trouble picking just one, check out the playlist below, which includes the first episode of all the podcast shows on our “Best of” list for 2022 . . . so far.