Words and the science behind them with Science Diction
The Mastercast
11/22/22
•3m
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Science Diction - No Spoilers!
From WNYC Radio and Science Friday, this podcast is equal parts etymology and science. Newsletter turned podcast, every week host Johanna Mayer dived deep into a single word and the science behind it. Some words or ideas are clearly science-forward (Myers-Briggs, Ambergris, Mercury) but others are not (honeymoon, serendipity, etc). No matter what the subject, the show found the history and science behind the term. A lot of the words covered are interesting stories that don’t meet the standard flashy news criteria and so otherwise would be stories that go untold. Facts, trends, predictions, and interviews are weaved together with the interruptions of music or ads. The show has 4.7 out of 5 and 588 Ratings. You may have caught the past tense and I have to confirm your future fears. The podcast said goodbye in April of 2022 with a mini-recap episode that looked back at all the show had done. During its run, a total of 42 episodes were published. On average they are about 17 minutes long. My favorites, which I recommend listening to first, were “Vocal Fry: Why I’m Not Getting A Voice Coach” and “Hydrox: How A Cookie Got A Name So Bad.” The episode on vocal fry is a must-listen! I won’t go on my usual vocal fry rant but it isn’t “hard on your ears.” It’s a natural occurrence in women AND men (although women are almost exclusively judged for it) that can change the meaning of words in many different languages. The host was often criticized for her vocal fry but uses the opportunity to educate others on the topic. Honestly listening through I didn’t notice anything.
Similar pods: Surprisingly Brilliant, Distillations | Science History Institute, and Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast by Sam Kean.
Sources:
https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/science-diction-1032503
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-diction/id1500919715
Previous Episode
The creation of sonic worlds with Short Cuts
November 14, 2022
•3m
Short Cuts - No Spoilers!
This podcast is a one of a kind show, in a category of its own, on the same caliber as The Moth and This American Life. Made under BBC Radio 4 and hosted by lovely Josie Long, a writer and comedian, it’s a collection of audio art that includes all sorts of things from short documentaries, to weird and surreal soundscapes, to true stories, to poems, and absolutely everything in between. Each episode is based on a theme and is made up of usually three 9 minute clips that inspire an extraordinary range of emotions and appreciation for every aspect of life. The show seems perfectly adapted to the internet age attention span. Audio can have all the dimensions that regular art has. It can be abstract, a snapshot of life, or surreal. It can be more than just educational, entertaining, or interviewing famous people. This podcast showcases that. It’s proof that there is no limit to what podcasts can be. Hidden gems of perspective and time that chronicle unheard sounds. Okay, enough gushing. The podcast has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Apple Podcasts with 138 Ratings. There are currently 191 episodes that are on average about 30 minutes long. My favorite episodes are hard to choose but “Body Language,” “Rabbit Holes,” and “Lines of Communication” are all high on the list. Some episodes come with difficult subjects but all are covered with attentiveness. The only problem with the show is that there will never be enough. It’s truly something you have to hear to understand.
Similar pods: Anthems, The Kitchen Sisters Present, and Selected Shorts
Sources:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-cuts/id655015882
https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/short-cuts-56083
Next Episode
Art is for everyone with The Lonely Palette
December 8, 2022
•3m
The Lonely Palette - no spoilers!
Before I found this podcast I only knew of art as something you learn to do. I didn’t know that there was a way of thinking about it that didn’t involve learning how to do it. Now I’m obsessed. This podcast is truly about appreciation of art and its history. Every episode starts with a piece of art and then goes into everything else about it including how it makes some feel, what you see, what it means (both when it was made and now), who the artist was, the type of art it is, social implications, and so much more. Do yourself a favor, look up the artwork for the episode. Take a good minute to look at it and think of what you see. You’re going to learn way more listening than you have in any art history course. A member of the Hub & Spoke collective, it’s hosted by Tamar Avishai, an art historian and adjunct lecturer at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with production assistance from Debbie Blicher, an independent radio producer and essayist. One of my favorite things about the show is how it is so accessible. It’s bringing a perspective of art some may never have heard, and it’s letting you get to know pieces you may never be able to visit. For even more to enjoy, check out their website. There you’ll find images referenced, links, artist interview transcripts, super cute merch, a virtual tour sign-up, and a newsletter sign-up. On Apple Podcasts the show has 4.9 out of 5 stars and 680 Ratings. That speaks for itself. Episodes are still coming out albeit slowly. The latest release was October 7th of 2022. So far there are 99 episodes that are on average about 31 minutes long. While most episodes are about examining an artwork, there are others that interview artists, and introduce other shows in the network. If you enjoy art and can’t seem to get enough, let this be the self-care time you deserve.
Similar pods: Art Talk, The Art History Babes, and ArtCurious Podcast.
Sources:
http://www.thelonelypalette.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lonely-palette/id1110780638
https://twitter.com/lonelypalette?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-lonely-palette-81381
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