Niche to Meet You

Niche to Meet You

Leslie Thompson

Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about niche subcultures and hobbies that'll re-introduce you to your neighbors in technicolor. Hosted by Leslie Eiler Thompson, Niche to Meet You has the charm of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and the investigative curiosity and storytelling of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History. We’ve covered Professional Santas, Warhammer 40,000, Wild Turkey Conservation, Speed Cubing, Dog Agility, and more. Welcome in...it'll be so Niche to Meet You.

🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 1: A COVID story

🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 1: A COVID story

Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showWant to get into puzzling (you should!)? Start with Springbok, where you can get 10% off your order with code: NICHEPUZZLE10. Shop for puzzles HERE. The 2023 Op-ed by Danté Stewart for the Washington Post, referenced in the episode: After covid, there’s one place I know I can go and not feel lonelyEPISOD

Feb 21, • 37:53

🎳 Bowling and 🎶 Choral Societies: Third Spaces with Robert Putnam and Dr. Laurie Santos

🎳 Bowling and 🎶 Choral Societies: Third Spaces with Robert Putnam and Dr. Laurie Santos

The Happiness Lab comes to Niche to Meet You Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us.The following Happiness Lab episodeBowling Alone, bookEPISODE NOTES:Let's go on a field trip to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos. Laurie is a cognitive scientist at Yale and her course titled "Psychology and the Good Life" became the most popular course in Yale's history.In our episode called “On the road” we learned about the idea of Thi

Feb 14, • 41:22

🎅🏽 The Niche Before Christmas 🎅🏾

🎅🏽 The Niche Before Christmas 🎅🏾

Our favorite Santas read the famous poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas."Email us! Who are you? What's your niche? What do you like about this show?Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here.Looking to give a tax-deductible gift? Consider giving to this project. More information here.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or

Dec 23, 2024 • 6:18

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 1: Jolly Old St. Nicholas

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 1: Jolly Old St. Nicholas

The origins of the professional Santa.Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here.EPISODE NOTES:This first episode in the Professional Santa miniseries is about history: where Santa came from with historian Stephanie Fulbright, and when the culture

Dec 6, 2024 • 33:00

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 2: Here Comes Santa Claus

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 2: Here Comes Santa Claus

Meet the Santas behind the beard.Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here.EPISODE NOTES:In the second episode of our Professional Santa miniseries we meet the folks who portray Santa and learn what it takes to do the job. From meetups and confer

Dec 6, 2024 • 31:37

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 3: The Man with All the Joys

🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 3: The Man with All the Joys

Why Santa matters.Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here.EPISODE NOTES:The final episode in our series about professional Santas ends with relevance – why having Santas is crucial to the human experience and aids with flourishing amid sufferin

Dec 6, 2024 • 30:53

🍗 A Nichegiving Special: Turkey, Football, and Family

🍗 A Nichegiving Special: Turkey, Football, and Family

Some moments that didn’t make the Wild Turkey Conservation miniseries.The full episode of The Bulletin with Matt and Mary releases on Friday the 29th. You will find it here. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!Email us.Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.EPISODE NOTES:

Nov 26, 2024 • 16:30

🎅🏽 Niche to Meet You, Santa [SERIES TRAILER]

🎅🏽 Niche to Meet You, Santa [SERIES TRAILER]

Coming December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) – a three-episode series about Santa and the folks who portray him. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!Email us.Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.EPISODE NOTES:Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations—it's about the spirit of giving, love, and bringing joy to others. Many of us anticipate this post-electi

Nov 22, 2024 • 3:35

Dog Agility: Small wins & big joy with Toast & Amy

Dog Agility: Small wins & big joy with Toast & Amy

Meet dog agility hobbyist, Toast, along with her human companion, Amy.HELP US MAKE THE SANTA MINISERIES! Back the crowdfunding campaign.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!EPISODE NOTES:This Niche vignette visits Toast and her companion Amy as they practice dog agility in their front yard. You’ll hear puppy kisses, excited dog whines, and how dog agility offers more than a

Nov 1, 2024 • 15:41

Propeller planes and early Taylor Swift: David Brooks helps us listen to each other (with Lee C. Camp)

Propeller planes and early Taylor Swift: David Brooks helps us listen to each other (with Lee C. Camp)

David Brooks likes early Taylor Swift and helps us listen better.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:This is a really, truly, amazing special treat. David Brooks is a big deal–has landed on NYT’s bestseller list like a billion times and is loved by the likes of Oprah. In October 2023, David rel

Oct 4, 2024 • 57:00

Every Hobby Has a Story: Welcome to Niche to Meet You

Every Hobby Has a Story: Welcome to Niche to Meet You

This is the story of Niche to Meet You. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:Welcome to Niche to Meet You. With our recent placement on Apple’s New & Noteworthy home page section and charting in the top 200 of the Society & Culture category (what in the world?! Welcome, if that’s how you found u

Sep 13, 2024 • 10:58

Every Hobby Has a Story: Welcome to Niche to Meet You

Every Hobby Has a Story: Welcome to Niche to Meet You

This is the story of Niche to Meet You.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Send feedback or tell us about your niche!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:Welcome to Niche to Meet You. With our recent placement on Apple’s New & Noteworthy home page section and charting in the top 200 of the Society & Culture category (what in the world?! Welcome, if that’s how you found u

Sep 13, 2024 • 10:58

Wild Turkey Conservation | 1: This is Wild Turkey Conservation

Wild Turkey Conservation | 1: This is Wild Turkey Conservation

Introducing the Wild Turkey Conservation niche. And y’all, it is definitely wild. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaWant to go deeper with Wild Turkeys? Read Brent Rogers’ book, Yelp & Gobble, Inc.Read Tom Kelly’s book, Tenth Legion EPISODE NOTES:In this first episode of the 4 part mini-series about Wild Turkey Conservation we learn about the weir

Aug 16, 2024 • 21:09

Wild Turkey Conservation | 2: The ones who do it

Wild Turkey Conservation | 2: The ones who do it

Meet the Wild Turkey people. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaWant to go deeper with Wild Turkeys? Read Brent Rogers’ book, Yelp & Gobble, Inc.Read Tom Kelly’s book, Tenth Legion EPISODE NOTES:This is episode 2 in the 4 part mini-series about Wild Turkey Conservation, where we meet the people who have worked to save this historic creature. They’r

Aug 16, 2024 • 30:59

Wild Turkey Conservation | 3: The ones who made it

Wild Turkey Conservation | 3: The ones who made it

Where Wild Turkey Conservation REALLY got its start. TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaWant to go deeper with Wild Turkeys? Read Brent Rogers’ book, Yelp & Gobble, Inc.Read Tom Kelly’s book, Tenth Legion EPISODE NOTES:At this point in a Niche to Meet You miniseries–episode 3–we pull back the curtain even more on our niche subject, and we talk to t

Aug 16, 2024 • 24:23

Wild Turkey Conservation | 4: Why it matters

Wild Turkey Conservation | 4: Why it matters

Wild Turkey Conservation matters, and here’s why.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaWant to go deeper with Wild Turkeys? Read Brent Rogers’ book, Yelp & Gobble, Inc.Read Tom Kelly’s book, Tenth Legion EPISODE NOTES:Make no mistake, the Wild Turkey Conservation story matters for all of us, and in this final episode of the miniseries, we’ll tell you

Aug 16, 2024 • 30:05

This is Wild Turkey Conservation

This is Wild Turkey Conservation

Coming August 16th: a 4-part miniseries about the Wild Turkey Conservation niche. It’s an important story about belonging, community, mending seemingly irreparable gaps and changing the world. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/wild-turkeySupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza. SHOW CREDITS: Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Show t

Jul 19, 2024 • 4:05

On the Road: Regional Cooking, Armored MMA Combat, and Rubik's Cubing

On the Road: Regional Cooking, Armored MMA Combat, and Rubik's Cubing

Stories of three wildly different niches (regional cooking, armored MMA combat, and Rubik's cubing) who all find their purpose in being on the road. Learn more about the show, read a transcript on Apple Podcasts, and give feedbackSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:We all have our "third spaces," those social surroundings that aren't our homes or workplaces. These are the places where we feel a sense of belonging, comfort, and community—like cafés, boo

May 24, 2024 • 29:22

Vintage Car Radio Restoration: Waffle House, Overalls, and Artistry

Vintage Car Radio Restoration: Waffle House, Overalls, and Artistry

Join us at Waffle House to talk about making old things beautiful again.Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedbackSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:Join us in a Waffle House booth as we meet Rick Blankenship–a masterful vintage car radio restorer. As we savored the Southern charm of the setting, Rick shared about his work of restoring vintage radios to their original glory while integrating modern features like Bluetooth, offerin

Mar 22, 2024 • 19:18

Warhammer 40k | Epilogue: Ariana Scalfo

Warhammer 40k | Epilogue: Ariana Scalfo

A deeper look at lingering questions after the 4-part miniseries. This is a special bonus episode of Niche to Meet You following our mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles little-known hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are making meaning. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedbackSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:We welcome Ariana Scalfo, fitness professional and 40k player. Her voice

Feb 16, 2024 • 57:51

Warhammer 40k | 4: Why it matters

Warhammer 40k | 4: Why it matters

Why this weird, wonderful hobby is so important, and what's next.This is part 4 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles little-known hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding belonging and meaning through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedbackSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:In the final episode of our Warham

Feb 9, 2024 • 25:27

Warhammer 40k | 3: The Ones Who Made It

Warhammer 40k | 3: The Ones Who Made It

Conversations with the creators of Warhammer 40k: Rick Priestley and Andy ChambersThis is part 3 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40kSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:In this episode, we

Feb 2, 2024 • 36:24

Warhammer 40k | 2: The Ones Who Do It

Warhammer 40k | 2: The Ones Who Do It

Meet the people who play Warhammer 40,000.This is part 2 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40kSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:In this second episode of the 4 part mini-series, we sit dow

Jan 26, 2024 • 27:05

Warhammer 40k | 1: Meet Warhammer 40k

Warhammer 40k | 1: Meet Warhammer 40k

Meet my new friend, Warhammer 40,000: the sci-fi tabletop war game.This is part 1 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40kSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaEPISODE NOTES:In this first episode of Niche to M

Jan 19, 2024 • 20:11

This is Warhammer 40,000

This is Warhammer 40,000

Introducing Warhammer 40,000. We even make the case that Warhammer 40,000 is the perfect hobby, and we’ll support the claim by talking to the people who play it and even the people who made it. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40kSupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizzaSHO

Jan 8, 2024 • 2:54

Santa Portrayal Artists

Santa Portrayal Artists

The guys behind the white beard and red hat are just as real as the character they portray. Subscribe now and-more importantly-TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE SHOW, right now.Learn more about this podcast at NicheToMeetYou.show.Niche to Meet You is created & produced by Leslie ThompsonPodcast Theme Music: Abigail FlowersMusic for this episode is also supplied by:John Bartmann, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”Andrea Yohe, “Jolly Old St. Nicholas”Kevin MacLeod, “Jingle Bells”John Sayles, “What Child is Thi

Nov 27, 2023 • 26:53

It's Niche to Meet You

It's Niche to Meet You

I love hobbies. I think they’re fascinating and—I mean this without a hint of irony— lifesaving.This project celebrates little-known “leisure activities,” interests, conferences, gatherings, and meetups that you may or may not be familiar with (but, after you hear our guests’ stories, you will be).Full episodes arrive in January 2024. Subscribe and-more importantly-TELL TWO FRIENDS ABOUT THE SHOW, right now. If you really want to support the podcast, buy Leslie a pizza.Learn more about this podc

Nov 19, 2023 • 11:28

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