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The best podcasts for challenging yourself with music and ideas that you did not know you might like...
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Who am I?
I am the host of the podcast Spotlight On. Throughout my career I have worked with, and on behalf of, a variety of entertainment artists and brands to help them grow and shape their relationships with their fans. This work has included producing and executive producing dozens of websites, online events and campaigns, film and video projects as well as Grammy-nominated and Clio-winning products. Even a pair of experiential pop-up retail locations for a global music icon. As a commentator, I have been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and many others. My speaking and panelist engagements have included repeat appearances at the Billboard Touring Conference, among others. I am a published writer on both business and cultural topics and am involved as a charity board member and volunteer within my community. I have loved music from a very, very young age and I have been fascinated with the music business, its characters and history for almost as long. I have particular interests in artists, how they take their creative vision to fans and how that is made easier (and more complicated) by the realities of the 21st century marketplace and media ecosystem.
My Show
What is my podcast about and/or how does it relate to the playlist topic you chose?
Spotlight On takes listeners on a behind-the-scenes exploration of the past, present and future of modern culture and entertainment, through discussions with artists, musicians, thought leaders, industry pioneers, tech innovators and more. My podcast is essentially self-indulgent in that I explore topics I want to know more about. I just happen to assume other people share my interests. This playlist is an extension of that thinking.
What is my podcast playlist about?
As I said, I have loved music from a very, very young age and I have been fascinated with the music business, its characters and history for almost as long. So there's that. I have also been interested in freak culture, non mainstream science and philosophy. I love music, art and ideas that force my brain to consider the world and my reality in different ways. Letting these things in makes me a more open, empathetic person and makes life much more interesting.
1. A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas
Why this podcast?
This podcast features interviews with important musical artists who do most of their work with little-to-no mainstream press or coverage. While some of the music can be challenging or obscure, this is not necessarily so nor does it mean the music and voices should not be heard. I do not listen all the way through every episode, but I always get turned on to new and interesting sounds, which is something I value.
Play first episode
*Trumpeter Dave Douglas leads conversations with significant jazz artists on music, composition, improvisation, and events. Presented by Douglas’ record label Greenleaf Music
Explore this Podcast
How many episodes does A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas have?
A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas currently has 91 episodes available.
What topics does A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas cover?
The podcast is about Music and Podcasts.
What is the average episode length on A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas?
The average episode length on A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas released?
Episodes of A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas are typically released every 32 days, 5 hours.
When was the first episode of A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas?
The first episode of A Noise From The Deep: Greenleaf Music Podcast with Dave Douglas was released on Mar 19, 2013.
2. What Had Happened Was
Why this podcast?
The 2021 Season is ostensibly a walk through the career of rapper/producer El-P (widely known as one half of Run the Jewels). What we really get is a sprawling history of New York left-of-center hip hop, mostly from the 90s on. It's a great lens through which to view a terrific era of music from one of the movers and shakers of the scene.
What Had Happened Was
Stony Island Audio & Talkhouse
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Season 4 of What Had Happened Was features host Open Mike Eagle in conversation with legendary drummer, band leader and Oscar winner Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson. Throughout the course of the season, Questlove shares the stories behind the first four albums of the Legendary Roots Crew. Along the way, we hear Questlove’s personal rise alongside legends like Black Thought, Dilla, D’angelo, Jill Scott and many more.
4 Listeners
Explore this Podcast
How many episodes does What Had Happened Was have?
What Had Happened Was currently has 55 episodes available.
What topics does What Had Happened Was cover?
The podcast is about Music, Podcasts and Music Interviews.
What is the average episode length on What Had Happened Was?
The average episode length on What Had Happened Was is 58 minutes.
How often are episodes of What Had Happened Was released?
Episodes of What Had Happened Was are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of What Had Happened Was?
The first episode of What Had Happened Was was released on Jun 19, 2020.
3. Hilaritas Press Podcasts
Why this podcast?
This podcast takes a deep dive into the lives and ideas of the writers, philosophers, mystics, conspiracy theorists, scientists and total kooks who influenced and inspired one of my psychonautic heroes, Robert Anton Wilson, a writer and thinker who helped me challenge my notions about the nature of reality...
Hilaritas Press Podcasts
hilaritaspodcast
Play first episode
Exploring the ideas of Robert Anton Wilson and the influences that shaped his reality.
1 Listener
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How many episodes does Hilaritas Press Podcasts have?
Hilaritas Press Podcasts currently has 44 episodes available.
What topics does Hilaritas Press Podcasts cover?
The podcast is about Podcasts and Arts.
What is the average episode length on Hilaritas Press Podcasts?
The average episode length on Hilaritas Press Podcasts is 85 minutes.
How often are episodes of Hilaritas Press Podcasts released?
Episodes of Hilaritas Press Podcasts are typically released every 30 days.
When was the first episode of Hilaritas Press Podcasts?
The first episode of Hilaritas Press Podcasts was released on Sep 23, 2021.
4. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Why this podcast?
This podcast probably does not need my help getting heard, but there is something very sweet I find about Sam's style (and something admirable about the work he puts into interview prep). The guests are all pretty mainstream, but Sam has a knack for having "different" conversations, catching his guests off-guard with deeper questions - due to his prep - and eliciting responses different from the usual talk show circuit banter. If you see a person you are interested in or think you are familiar with on his episode list, have a listen. Chances are high you will hear something new for you.
Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Lemonada Media
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Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a weekly series of intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians. Where people sound like people. Hosted by Sam Fragoso. New episodes every Sunday.
8 Listeners
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How many episodes does Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso have?
Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso currently has 466 episodes available.
What topics does Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Film Interviews, Podcasts and Tv & Film.
What is the average episode length on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso?
The average episode length on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is 61 minutes.
How often are episodes of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso released?
Episodes of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso?
The first episode of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso was released on Apr 6, 2016.
5. Robot or Not?
Why this podcast?
Because dorm-room level discourse and overly-obsessing about unimportant things never goes out of style.
Robot or Not?
John Siracusa and Jason Snell
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Jason Snell asks John Siracusa to rule on the meaning of various words and concepts. It’s not just about robots anymore. Have a question for John? Email [email protected].
Explore this Podcast
How many episodes does Robot or Not? have?
Robot or Not? currently has 305 episodes available.
What topics does Robot or Not? cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Podcasts and Philosophy.
What is the average episode length on Robot or Not??
The average episode length on Robot or Not? is 6 minutes.
How often are episodes of Robot or Not? released?
Episodes of Robot or Not? are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Robot or Not??
The first episode of Robot or Not? was released on Apr 7, 2015.
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