Niche to Meet You

🎅🏾🎅🏻🎅🏽🎅🏾 'Twas the *Niche* Before Christmas

From 2024 (but relevant always)...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!EPISODE NOTES:In 2024, we first released this piece, a gift of several beloved voices from our Santa miniseries reading us the poem that started it all, A Visit from St. Nicholas (otherwise known as'Twas the Night Before Christmas) on its 201st anniversary. If you haven't listened to the miniseries yet, now is the time! It's relevant every year, and it will henceforth be our annual Niche tradition (maybe next year we'll include new voices??)VOICES FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:Jerusalem SantaSanta ShedSanta BenSanta JayMalcolm Guite (UK)Santa LincolnSanta TrueSanta Robert (Norway)ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:Niche to Meet You is anthropological exploration into the hidden corners of life through the lens of its subcultures and hobbies. Our work has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.EPISODE CREDITS: Host/Creator: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson)Mastering by Kevin MorrisIntro music by Mike Hicks, Music under the poem from Epidemic SoundShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

🎅🏾 The Santas of Color Coalition & Santa Shed

A brand new Christmas vignette about one of our favorite characters in the Nicheverse. Thanks to the Nashville Banner for making it happen!Links I told you about:NPR's Morning Edition story The Full Santa 3-Part SeriesHave feedback or just want to say hi? Email me: hello@nichetomeetyou.showABOUT US:Niche to Meet You is anthropological exploration into the hidden corners of life through the lens of its subcultures and hobbies. Our work has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our *Nichest* moments of all time.

The top 5 nic(h)est moments of all time AND a big ol update.Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showEPISODE NOTES:Hear an update on the future of the show, and listen to Leslie talk about the top 5 nichest moments of all time on the show. Moments taken from:Stick NationWild Turkey Conservation SeriesSanta SeriesABOUT US:Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

🚖📻 Vintage Car Radio Restoration

Join us at the local Waffle House to talk about making old things beautiful again.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showEPISODE 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, offering a blend of nostalgia and convenience. Through our conversation, we learned about Rick's journey from being a drummer in a band to becoming an award-winning restorer, highlighting the artistry and dedication required in his craft. We explored the significance of classic car radios as symbols of self-expression and identity, as well as the challenges and joys of preserving automotive history.ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.SHOW CREDITS: Senior creator/host: Leslie ThompsonAssociate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers Episode mastering by Kevin MorrisShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

🦃 Wild Turkeys, Part 2 [re-air]

We're bringing turkeys back. Two parts this time. This is the second part.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showWhile Leslie works on the next Niche, we are bringing back a niche that many of you haven't heard yet. And it's about Wild Turkeys and the folks who conserve them.In the conclusion of our Wild Turkey conservation story, we zoom out from the bird itself to the bigger picture: the land, the people, and the questions that shape how conservation really works.We’ll hear how the indigenous peoples shaped not only hunting traditions, but the relationship to the Wild Turkey, which gave way to the niche of its conservation. AND you'll learn why conserving turkeys isn’t just about saving a species, but about rethinking our relationship with the natural world. From native Americans to biologists in the field to hunters in the blind, from historical roots to present-day challenges, this episode ties together what wild turkeys can teach us about reciprocity, responsibility, and resilience.If you missed Part 1, be sure to start there for the full story.ABOUT THE SHOW:Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.SHOW CREDITS: Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail FlowersSeasonal show theme arranged by Zach & Maggie WhiteAdditional music provided by Blue Dot SessionsShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAudio mastered by Kevin Morris See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.