🚗💨Fasting and Furious 2021
Get some home cooking ideas, intermittent fasting, and more
Hey Party People,
Fast and Furious 9 Trailer came out. It’s a lot.
Podcasting news: The big news earlier this year was the announcement that there are over 2 million podcasts on Spotify/Apple. Then AmplifiMedia.com came out saying well, in actuality, quite a few podcasts are only one episode and done. They further qualified with a minimum threshold of three episodes, there are supposedly 800k+ podcasts.
My hot take: I agree with this addition of a threshold. As the podcast industry matures, platforms like Anchor make it super easy to try out making your own podcast - that is amazing - but to count it as a legitimate active stat, the industry may have to put an asterisk next to it. I have a YouTube channel but never post. Does that mean I’m included in YouTube’s stat?
Short story time: While building out operations at Himalaya, I encountered a lot of folks wanting to take down their Anchor podcast. When I would look at their podcasts, the majority were fewer than two episodes and were defunct for over a year. Should they be dropped from the stats? Yes.
Social: Make sure to follow Great Pods on Twitter. We do review highlights weekly and sometimes recommend podcasts for those looking for it!
This week actually has a theme. On to my picks this week…
Podcast: Stuff You Should Know
Episode: How Ramadan Works
Publisher: iHeart
Genre: Society & Culture
It’s the first week of Ramadan. It’s still a pandemic. It is difficult. But hey, not our first rodeo, right? I do observe the month so I am gathering this newsletter at 5 A.M. all week. This ever so popular podcast released an episode in 2012 “How Ramadan Works.” Recommending two non-muslims to educate the listeners of Ramadan was not my first choice, but I give them credit for getting the basics correct. It’s a good primer for Ramadan and to get yourself up to speed. They have actually some more detail than what I would explain to my own friends. Oops.
In terms of wealth and depth of knowledge, it’s up there with the best.
Fiona Sturges - Financial Times - May 12, 2017
2012 Ramadan Episode: iHeart, Stitcher, Google
Podcast: Intermittent Fasting Stories
Publisher: Gin Stephens (Independent)
Genre: Health
A lot has been written on the benefits of fasting and now intermittent fasting. I came across this podcast from a partner at Himalaya and found it to be generally pretty good. The episode I’m recommending is that of Navin Hettiarachchi, the Director of Health, Wellness, and Performance for the Washington Wizards. Now they may get a little in the weeds about certain devices they use to detect glucose, but there are takeaways if you are wanting to learn about fasting from a health perspective. They are always reminding the listener that your body is different from everyone else, so you need to tailor a program for yourself. One shoe does not fit all. Overall, a good conversation.
Host adds her own expertise where appropriate, but does not overpower the interview.
Diane Hogan - Life Health HQ - Aug 19, 2019
Podcast: Home Cooking
Publisher: Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway (Independent)
Genre: Food
Air Fryer Air Fryer Air Fryer. Listed #3 on my top 2020 list is Home Cooking. I can’t remember when the last time I could laugh and relate to a food podcast. Friends Samin, the Chef-host of Netflix’s Salt-Fat-Acid-Heat, and Hrishikesh, Host-creator of Song Exploder, take calls, emails, and my favorite part, chat with Hrishi’s dad. Ya, they do have guests, but if I can imagine parents, in general, joining their kid’s podcast, it would be like Sumesh uncle.
The episode with Jason Manzoutkis (How Did This Get Made podcast, The League), is great, but the portion where Sumesh uncle talks about his Air Fryer, is my favorite part. Mainly because during the pandemic, I got one and it’s my favorite thing ever.
"With witty, pun-filled banter, Home Cooking is as entertaining as it is useful."
Teddy Nykiel - Taste Of Home - Mar 23, 2021
Honorable Mention Podcast: Tell Them, I Am
Publisher: Spotify & Higher Ground
Genre: Society Storytelling (Occasionally Explicit)
Not a podcast on Islam, but from diverse voices that are Muslim. Season 1 was released in 2019 during Ramadan. Season 2 is being released now, during Ramadan.
I’ve listened to a couple of stories so far, and it’s actually quite good. I can’t help but think about how my so called life related to stories on some level. Whether it’s being a rebel in your teens or thinking about your existence on a deeper level. Especially coming from multi-ethnic spiritual culture voices. Identity is often cast aside. Hearing about it, it’s comforting in a weird-cool way.
Host-creator Misha Euceph tends to play the Song Exploder role that Hrishi does. Editing herself out of most of the conversation and the result blends really nicely with the guest storytelling.
It was just a beautiful collection of intimate and touching interviews with Muslim Americans.
Jeanine Wright - Harpers Bazaar - Sep 25, 2019
Starter Kit:
Ramy Youssef (Ramy on Hulu)
Alia (Maeybe on Arrested Development)
You made it this far! Here are clips from this week’s picks if you want a preview!
Stay safe, wear a mask, and get vaccinated!
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.