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This week's newsletter is special. Why? Well, it takes the NEW part of newsletter very seriously: For the past few days, I totally ignored all the podcasts I normally listen to and filled my ears with all-new shows, from comedy to politics, from feminism to culture.



And believe me, there are a lot(!) of new podcasts out there, so this is getting kind of long (if the newsletter is not displayed in its entirety, please click the link at the end of the page).



I will start with some recommendations for my favorite new shows but I'll also mention some other podcasts that are new and that you might be interested in, divided into categories, so you can jump right ahead to your topic of choice. Oh, and some shows that will be starting soon, and that you should keep an eye out for.



Interview

But first, I want to introduce you to Brittany Luse . Brittany is the host of the new Gimlet show Sampler , a podcast about podcasts. She also hosts the show For Colored Nerds , together with Eric Eddings, a podcast about what black people talk about when there are no white people around.I got on the phone with Brittany and we talked about her podcast listening habits pre and post Sampler and what she listens to obsessively in her leisure time. (The interview has been edited and condensed.)

Sara: The first episodes of Sampler are out. How did people react to the show?

Brittany: So far, the reactions have been really positive, which is really nice. It’s something we’ve been working on for a long time. You know, when people talk about being pregnant and they get to the 38th or 39th week and are just like: “Get this baby out, I’m so tired of being pregnant!” That’s how I felt about the show, I just wanted it out in the world, I wanted people to interact with it, to listen to it, and I’m glad that people who listen to a lot of podcasts and people who aren’t that familiar with podcasts alike seem to really be enjoying it.

Was it your idea do make a podcast about podcasts or was it Gimlet’s idea and they came to you?

It was Gimlet’s idea and they came to me.

Can you tell me a bit about how you listened to podcasts before Sampler and how you listen to them now?

I would just listen for pleasure or enjoyment but also having my podcast For Colored Nerds before I made Sampler, it changed me from just a consumer to a producer and a consumer. So I was always listening to other shows to see what they were doing as far as their structure or creating tension and moments and a longer narrative arc within the conversation.



Even before I started making Sampler, I have been listening to shows for moments but that’s even more so now. Sometimes we have a show we already really love and we’re like “Oh my God, this moment would be so great to share with other people”. And it’s interesting because it’s not just about them being especially funny or especially poignant or especially touching, we’re also looking for moments that really encapsulate the show for someone who hasn’t heard it before.

The second episode of Sampler was about Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period and it was fun because it’s a show that I already personally liked and I got to listen to it looking for the best way to share the show with people who hadn’t heard it before.

How do you decide which shows to feature?

It definitely always comes back to what feels right. We try to have a good mix, we try to include shows that are not in the top 50 of the iTunes charts. Of course, there are some shows that are wildly popular that we are going to feature. Even Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period is a popular show but it’s not Serial. That is not to say that we may never be talking about Serial. But even if you don’t have a major understanding of podcasts, you know what Serial is. It’s a cultural touchpoint. And we’re trying to dive a little bit deeper, to find shows that not “everybody” already knows about. We want to show people that a podcaster is not just a specific kind of person.

For Colored Nerds is very specifically for Black people and I could imagine that Gimlet has a much wider and also much whiter audience.

For Colored Nerds is something that we make first and foremost for ourselves and for people like us. But we put it out there for anybody who wants to listen to Eric and I talk – and one of the people happened to be Alex Blumberg.



I think even a casual observer of the industry can see that it is dominated overwhelmingly by white men in their 30s and 40s, so I definitely understand my role as a black woman who hosts a podcast for a network and who additionally has an independent podcast that is totally about race.



On For Colored Nerds, I’m talking to another person who I’m very close with and on Sampler, I’m guiding people through this universe. The size and the scope of my audience is different. I feel really fortunate that For Colored Nerds is the thing that got me noticed by my colleagues at Gimlet because I don’t have to compromise in any way who I am and what I am about because part of the reason why I work here is because I am who I am. And I feel like I am myself on For Colored Nerds and I am myself on Sampler and I’m excited that that’s something that I’m encouraged to do here.

You also talked about that on the diversity episode of Startup and I was wondering whether you try to use Sampler in a way to show people more diverse podcasts?

One of the main goals of Sampler is to show people that podcasting can do and be many different things and to also show people that anybody can be a podcaster. It’s not just white men, it’s not just these shows that are wildly popular. We’re trying to introduce people to how big that world is and exposing people to more people of color or more people who are of various sexualities and genders and to people from different regions of the United States or different regions of the world. I just think that is a natural by-product of showing our audience how wide the world of podcasting truly is.

Before we wrap this us, can you tell me about your favorite podcasts that you listen to in your leisure time?

I love Longform. I am Longform’s biggest fan. There are some episodes of this show that I have listened to, I don’t even know how many times, maybe six or seven times. I just think it’s so well done; the interviews are so well researched. A lot of times, when you hear an interview with a really well-known person, there’s still a lot of explaining of who this person is, and Longform doesn’t do that. They tell you enough to follow the conversation but there are these episodes where I became a huge fan of the people and their work as a result of the interview. They get directly to the meat. They ask about process and inspiration and motivation and that’s what I really love about it.

Which episodes do you love particularly?

One of the top of my head is the Margo Jefferson episode, I have listened to that one ten million times, that’s episode 157. And then I also love the Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah one, that was amazing. She was amazing! I didn’t know who she was before I listened to it and I was like: This woman is everything that ever wanted to be. She uses language in this way that just blows my mind.

And then there’s this woman named Myleik Teele and her podcast is literally called Myleik Teele’s Podcast. She’s a black woman, she’s an entrepreneur, she’s not a podcaster, she records the show on a computer in her house, and I think that’s not what a lot of people imagine when they think about a podcaster. She talks about things black women are interested in, about work, about her business, and she’s comes across as really authentic and there’s just something about it.



Maybe it’s because I used to work in a super white corporate environment and it was very soothing to hear this woman talk like a mentor, giving career advice. She has a very specific demographic – young black women who are career ambitious – and that’s something I really love! She makes a product that a lot of people respond to and I find it completely soothing to listen to. She’s got her shit together and she’s inspirational and there’s no frill and I like that she’s not super rehearsed and she’s just amazing!



Sampler (Gimlet Media)

A podcast about podcasts, with new shows and episode featured every week. For audio fans who are always looking for new listening inspiration.

For Colored Nerds

Two friends talking about everything, from pop culture and hair to politics. For Fans of The Read who want some more (nerdy) black excellence in their lives.

Hosts: Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings

Listen to: Stevie (

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Recommendations - Best New Shows



One From the Vaults



More new shows



NOT YOUR AVERAGE WHITE MALE SHOW

Fempire

Three women, joined by celebrity guests, talking about (real) life in Hollywood

Hosts: Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek and Becca Tobin

Listen to: Lea Michele Joins The Fempire (Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Can we Talk (Jewish Women's Archive) Profiles of Jewish women, contemporary and historical, their lives and how they shaped our world

Host: Nahanni Rous

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: The Pilot's Pilot ( Episode

The Kibitz Podcast (Reboot) For Jews and Non-Jews interested in everything Jewish-ish

Host: Dan Crane

Listen to: Light Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Infinite Positivities Celebs talking to celebs, or: An actress talking to people who inspire her

Host: Jenna Ushkowitz (yes, the one from Glee)

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: Nina Dobrev ( Episode

Still Buffering (Maximum Fun) Two sisters, one still in High School, one grown up, try to bridge the gap between the teenagers of yesterday and today

Sydnee McElroy and Rileigh Smirl

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: How to Party ( Episode



POLITICS Masters in Politics (Bloomberg) Candidates, campaign strategists and journalists are picking apart the 2016 elections

Hosts: Tammy Haddad and Betsy Fischer Martin

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: Jeb Bush Fights Back ( Episode

Elections Podcast (Fivethirtyeight) Must-listen show for politics data nerds

Hosts: Nate Silver, Clare Malone, Harry Enten and Jody Avirgan

Listen to: One Week To Iowa: 1/25/16 Episode | iTunes | RSS)



POP CULTURE Grierson & Leitch (New Republic) For film fans who like to listen to friends talk

Hosts: Tim Grierson and Will Leitch

Listen to: The Importance of Being Michael Bay Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Culture Caucus (Bloomberg) When politics meets pop culture (as in: when Tiny Fey meets Sarah Palin)

Hosts: John Heilemann and Will Leitch

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: The Post-Jon Stewart World ( Episode

Sample Size: 1 A podcast about experiments in music and art that cannot be repeated

Host: David Hilowitz

Listen to: The Fiverr Song Project Episode | iTunes | RSS)



SCIENCE, TECH, NERD STUFF Orbital Path (PRX) For Jews and Non-Jews interested in everything Jewish-ishLightAn actress talking to people who inspire herSydnee McElroy and Rileigh SmirlNate Silver, Clare Malone, Harry Enten and Jody AvirganOne Week To Iowa: 1/25/16For film fans who like to listen to friends talkThe Importance of Being Michael BayThe Fiverr Song Project A podcast about all the big questions about space and life on earth, hosted by a real NASA astronomer

Host: Michelle Thaller

Listen to: Must Be Aliens (Episode | iTunes | RSS)

It's your Universe (Time/Panoply) Another space show (if one just isn't enough for you), hosted by the c o-author of Apollo 13

Host: Jeffrey Kluger

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: Why We Explore ( Episode

Too Embarrassed to Ask (Re/Code) For tech fans who don't have all the answers but still love their gadgets

Hosts: Kara Swisher of Re/code and Lauren Goode of The Verge

Listen to: My Clothing Is Smarter Than I Am Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Cool Games (Polygon) A one-line idea for a video game, turned into a concept (or so), evaluated by a guest

Hosts: Nick Robinson and Griffin McElroy

Listen to: Grandma Wants It Al Dente Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Science-ish (Radio Wolfgang)



A show about the science behind movies and pop culture

Hosts: Rick Edwards, Dr. Michael Brooks

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: The Day After Tomorrow ( Episode SHOWS THAT DON'T FIT INTO NARROW CATEGORIES Grub Street (New York Magazine/Panoply) A show for food lovers that is not pretentious at all. For Fans of the Burnt Toast podcast.

Grub Street editor Alan Sytsma and New York Magazine food critic Adam Platt

iTunes Listen to: Pizza ( Episode RSS) The Minimalists A show for people who want to lead a minimal lifestyle

Hosts: Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: Declutter ( Episode

Shmanners (Maximum Fun) Husband and wife, talking about etiquette and giving tips for everyday life

Hosts: Travis and Teresa McElroy

iTunes | RSS) Listen to: Thank you notes ( Episode





Outside/In (New Hampshire Public Radio) Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan NicodemusTravis and Teresa McElroy A show about nature and the natural world and how we use it

Host: Sam Evans-Brown

Listen to: Champagne on the Rocks (Episode | iTunes | RSS)

The Adventures of Memento Mori A podcast about death, mixing satire and philosophy (because hey, we've all gotta die)

Host: D.S. Moss

Listen to: Plan on Dying Episode | iTunes | RSS)

Grub Street editor Alan Sytsma and New York Magazine food critic Adam Platt

New shows to look out for Rolling Stone Music Now Music mag Rolling Stone puts out his first podcast. The show will be hosted by executive editor Nathan Brackett and will feature interviews with artists, new music and whatever else is happening in the RS offices.

Start: Feb, 1

( iTunes | RSS)

The Binge with Rosie Waterland A new Mamamia podcast for TV lovers, hosted by Bachelor recap author Rosie Waterland and Sarah-Jane Collins.



(iTunes | RSS) Start: Feb, 1

Flash Forward Technically, Flash Forward is not a new show. Until recently, the podcast lived over at Gizmodo and was called Meanwhile in the Future. But for season two, the show moved to Boing Boing and got a new name. The concept is still the same: Rose Eveleth is hosting, there will be one potential future in every episode and it will probably be as great as it used to be.

Start: Feb, 2

( iTunes | RSS)

New Heads for New People What happens when science moves from the lab into the real world? Jackie Sojico and Malcolm Rosenthal try to find out.



(iTunes | Website) Start: Feb, 3 Hosts: Nick Robinson and Griffin McElroyMusic mag Rolling Stone puts out his first podcast. The show will be hosted by executive editor Nathan Brackett and will feature interviews with artists, new music and whatever else is happening in the RS offices.Start: Feb, 1Technically, Flash Forward is not a new show. Until recently, the podcast lived over at Gizmodo and was called Meanwhile in the Future. But for season two, the show moved to Boing Boing and got a new name. The concept is still the same: Rose Eveleth is hosting, there will be one potential future in every episode and it will probably be as great as it used to be.Start: Feb, 2What happens when science moves from the lab into the real world? Jackie Sojico and Malcolm Rosenthal try to

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If you liked this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend who loves podcasts. You can forward this mail to them or they can If you liked this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend who loves podcasts. You can forward this mail to them or they can subscribe here. Also, if you want to look at former editions of this newsletter, you can find the entire archive here. For more podcast news during the week, follow me on twitter

Host: Brittany LuseListen to: #2 Denzelishness ( Episode Next week, we'll be back to the usual newsletter system. Until then, have fun discovering a show that you love (and let me know which one/ones you chose). I love to hear from you, so shoot me a mail. Also, if you know about new shows (or old ones that are great), I'm always thankful for recommendations! Thanks for readingand enjoy listening!