🎺 And They're Off! 🐎
Experiments, Experimental Jazz, India, and the NFL
Hey Party People!
Let’s get to it, shall we? There’s more podcast creator news. Spotify unleashed their premium tools for creators to charge some cash. TLDR; they’ll charge lower fees than Apple.
Hot take: It’s going to be a cluster of good (sarcasm) times before the dust settles. We are still waiting on Facebook’s tools too! I won’t bore you with another TuneIn story, but I empathize with the Operations and Support teams that will have to deal with the bananas in a big company rollout, especially when dealing with monetization. The support emails and bugs are going to inundate those teams regardless of the size of the company. Good luck to them all.
Oh, and Reddit is launching audio like Clubhouse.
Fun news: Jeff Goldblum is going to star in a Dungeons & Dragons podcast called Dark Dice!
Our news: If you are part of a Studio|Creator on the list, we are working on an experimental tool that would assist in professional reviews. Please email hello@greatpods.co if you would like more information!
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On to my picks this week…
Podcast: The Experiment
Genre: History-Society
Publisher: WYNC | The Atlantic
About: It’s easy to forget that the United States started as an experiment: a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, with liberty and justice for all. That was the idea. On this weekly show, we check in on how that experiment is going.
This recommendation comes from an unlikely source for me. I’ve mostly seen a lot of digital banner ads for The Experiment. However, it wasn’t until On Air Fest where Critic Nicholas Quah (Vulture) asked Latif Nasser (RadioLab) what podcast he recommends. Latif mentioned The Experiment. While I couldn’t find a critic review on it, I am using Latif's direct quote to describe why he liked it.
“Surprising, off-angle, weird but also smart and has heart and all those things.”
I’ll take that. What’s even better is if your podcast app of choice has episode descriptions (show notes), The Atlantic offers up supplemental linked articles. You know I love some additional reading when it’s a good podcast!
Lost Cause - The lost cause myth revolves around the idea that the Civil War was about the northern State’s aggression and not slavery. I do enjoy some good ol’ history lessons and did not hear about the myth. Army officer and historian, Ty Seidule, grew up with the myth and had to unlearn it all to realize that General Lee was not a hero. Great conversation.
The Problem With America’s National Parks - Perspective is important. Accurate history is important. David Treuer, an Ojibwe historian and author, gives his perspective and case on returning the National Parks to the Native American’s for stewardship.
Podcast: ESPN Investigates
Episode Story: Bloodlines
Genre: Horse Racing - Sports - Documentary
Publisher: ESPN
And they’re off! Kentucky Derby is this Saturday. What’s better than prepping for the crown jewel of horse racing than listening to some horse drama. Bloodlines is a three-episode series on the newly formed ESPN Investigates podcast. You could probably consider it a 30 for 30 Jr.
About: ESPN Investigates explores fascinating questions, revealing riveting tales and unforgettable characters across the world of sports—all from ESPN's premier storytellers.
The Bloodlines episodes is a three-parter that starts off with the story of 49 Horses dying at Santa Anita Park 2018-19. For me, it was the employees that work to maintain these facilities and horses that were interesting. Following episodes include the historical dynasties and breeding.
“It sets a tone that will make you happy to remain subscribed to the feed in order to find out what comes next.”
Sean Keeley - Awful Announcing - Sep 10, 2020
Honorable mention in sports
Podcast: The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Genre: Sports-NFL
Publisher: The Athletic
NFL Draft 2021 is this week starting today. Get your analysis and opinions with The Athletic’s Football Show.
“He’s(Mays) passionate and knowledgeable and works as hard as his craft as anyone. Robert Mays makes me love football more.”
Brandon Anderson - Sports Raid - Aug 29, 2020
Podcast: The Checkout
Genre: Jazz
Publisher: Simon Rentner | WBGO
April is Jazz Appreciation Month. You didn’t think we would’ve gone the whole month without mentioning it, did you? Side note, Disney’s Soul won best-animated movie at the OSCARS, so it was a good reminder!
“For those of you familiar with the Chicago-based rock/pop podcast Sound Opinions, the format of this show is quite similar, but obviously with a jazz focus. The Checkout had the highest production value of all the podcasts I reviewed, and will definitely be part of my subscription list.”
Sriram Gopal - CapitalBop - Jan 9, 2014
Don’t forget to support public radio like WBGO.
Honorable mention
Podcast: Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction
Genre: Health News
Publisher: CNN
India has been hit with a MAJOR 2nd wave of the Coronavirus. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has always been a go-to of mine for a good part of the pandemic. The episode on India is informative yet heartbreaking.
“Systematic and thoughtfully-produced, it’s good for a daily moment of zen, given the circumstances.”
Nicholas Quah - Vulture - Mar 20, 2020
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Stay safe, get vaccinated (get that second shot!), and #StopAsianHate!
XOXO
Captain Ron
About: Great Pods is a podcast discovery and recommendations ecosystem that uses podcast critic’s reviews and ratings to help you find your first or next listen.