Podcast
My Favorite Things
Hosted by Brendan Leonard · EN
Brendan Leonard interviews people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives.
semirad.substack.com
semirad.substack.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
My Favorite Things Episode 17: Anna Brones
6d ago00:53:17Tap to summarizeEach guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 17 is my friend Anna Brones, artist, author of five books (and one on the way!), teacher, and creator of the very popular Creative Fuel newsletter. Anna’s favorite things are: 1. Swedish Children's books by Elsa Beskow and Lena Anderson2. Coffee3. Daft Punk Alive 2007 4. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson5. Oblique Strategies card deck by Brian Eno and Peter SchmidtOther things we mentioned:Thomas Bangalter Soundcloud set Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 16: Wendy Wagner
3w ago00:51:47Tap to summarizeThe concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 16 is Wendy Wagner, editor, writer, and author of horror novels like her most recent book, Girl in the Creek, which was nominated for the 2026 Bram Stoker Award. Wendy's favorite things are: 1. So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane2. Twin Peaks3. Carr, O’Keeffe, Kahlo: Places of Their Own by Sharyn Rohlfsen Udall 4. The Last Christmas Mixtape (created by the members of the band Harry and the Potters while on tour in 2010)5. Ark Nova Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 15: Fitz Cahall
May 700:57:19Tap to summarizeThe concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 15 is Fitz Cahall, creator of The Dirtbag Diaries and co-founder and creative of Duct Tape Then Beer. Fitz’s favorite things are: Apocalypse 91 … The Enemy Strikes Black by Public Enemy (+ Rage Against the Machine)A River Runs Through It by Norman MacleanSound of a dialup modemThe Gap by Ira GlassWinnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 14: Scott Kummer
Apr 2301:00:07Tap to summarizeThe concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 14 is Scott Kummer, creator and host of the podcasts Ten Junk Miles and I've Got That On Vinyl, race director, runner, and attorney in Chicago.Scott's favorite things are: Jimi Plays MontereyAlcoholics Anonymous ("The Big Book")The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: A Complete Catalog by William Allin StorrerThe Long Run by Mishka ShubalayAllison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 13: Jono Hey
Apr 900:52:31Tap to summarizeThe concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 13 is Jono Hey, designer, writer, illustrator, creator of Sketchplanations, and author of Big Ideas, Little Pictures: Explaining the World One Sketch at a Time.Jono’s favorite things are:* Calvin and Hobbes* Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks* “Le Onde” by Ludovic Einaudi* The Harry Potter series* The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 12: Jonathan Ellsworth
Mar 2600:52:59Tap to summarizeThe concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 12 is Jonathan Ellsworth, writer, podcaster, founder of Blister Review, and former philosophy professor. Jonathan’s favorite things are: * Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway* Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot* Pulp Fiction (trailer)* Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso* “Mississippi” by Bob DylanOther stuff we talked about:* “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie” by Bob Dylan Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 11: Zoë Rom
Mar 1200:55:17Tap to summarizeFor My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 11 is Zoë Rom, journalist, podcaster (Your Diet Sucks https://www.yourdietsuckspodcast.com/ , The Trailhead https://podlink.com/1640142466 ), running coach, elite ultrarunner, and stand-up comedian. Zoë’s favorite things are:1. Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlisthttps://birp.fm/ 2. About a Mountain by John D’AgataPublisher’s Pagehttps://wwnorton.com/books/9780393339017 Bookshophttps://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780393339017Amazonhttps://amzn.to/4qvclLR 3. Ways of Hearinghttps://www.radiotopia.fm/showcase/ways-of-hearing 4. Nathaniel Russel’s Arthttp://nathanielrussell.com/ 5. Lady Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi_HC839Wo Other things we mentioned:“Temptation” by Jukebox the Ghosthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFo7pXzQqA “Welcome Home” byRadical Facehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8a4iiOnzsc The Lifespan of a Fact by John D’Agata and Jim Fingalhttps://wwnorton.com/books/9780393340730 The Things We Carried by Tim O’Brienharpercollins.com/products/the-things-they-carried-tim-obrien The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Jungerhttps://wwnorton.com/books/The-Perfect-Storm/ Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Sladehttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/into-the-raging-sea-rachel-slade?variant=32207635087394 Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 10: Kurt Wikel
Feb 2600:47:49Tap to summarizeFor My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Kurt Wikel, geophysicist, dad, and brewery co-owner. Kurt’s favorite things are:1. The Simpsons2. Daft Punk — HomeworkApple Music | Spotify | YouTube3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert W. PirsigPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon4. A Coconut Named Bob by Austin WeaverPublisher’s Page | Amazon5. Dune by Frank HerbertPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | AmazonMovie trailer Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden
Feb 1201:00:58Tap to summarizeFor My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Mike Sowden, creator of the immensely popular Substack, Everything Is Amazing (I’m a paid subscriber). Mike’s favorite things are:* Halloumi* The soundtrack to Raise the Titanic, by John Williams* Main theme* Re-recordings of the soundtrack by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra:* Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube* Microadventures by Alastair HumphreysPublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon* Electric blankets* Distant lights seen at night Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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My Favorite Things Episode 8: Chandra Brown
Jan 2900:52:49Tap to summarizeFor My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 8 is Chandra Brown, writer, educator, raft guide, and founder of the Freeflow Institute (where she has graciously allowed me to teach an annual writing workshop since 2019). Chandra’s favorite things are:* Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’DellPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon* My Morning Jacket, At Dawn (album) Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube* America Windows by Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chicago* Sturgill Simpson concert at the Wilma in Missoula, November 8, 2016* Her dad’s Micromet weather data collection units, early 1990s to present Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe
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