Podcast
Niche to Meet You
Hosted by Leslie Eiler Thompson · EN
Niche to Meet You is anthropological exploration into the hidden corners of life through the lens of its subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends journalism and curiosity to reveal how people find belonging and community—and themselves—in the things they love. From professional Santas to wild-turkey conservationists to speed puzzlers, host Leslie Eiler Thompson uncovers what our obsessions say about who we are and what connects us.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Double Dutch: The Fantastic Four on Joy, Legacy, and Being Overlooked
Apr 1700:24:31Tap to summarizeAn interview with Double Dutch's original celebrities.Follow along with Leslie's niche endeavors over on Substack.Since February, the Niche to Meet You podcast has been living in the world of Double Dutch, first came the flagship episode as a celebration of Black History Month (with the whole classic Niche sound designed treatment), then the release of poet Gregory Pardlo’s interview and recitation of his poem “Double Dutch,” then with my collaborator Chris Thiessen’s essay on nuances within Double Dutch’s engagement with Hip Hop.So, first things first: If you haven’t listened to the main Double Dutch episode yet, go do that—set aside about 36 minutes.But if you have listened, you’ll remember that in 1980 four girls from the Lower East Side of Manhattan win the World Championships. The Fantastic Four. This is an interview with them, had on MLK day this year.Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showABOUT US:Niche to Meet You is an anthropological exploration of the hidden corners of everyday life, seen through subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends reporting and curiosity to ask how people find belonging, community, and a sense of self in the things they love. Our work has been called "masterfully written" by Malcolm Gladwell, and reporting from the project has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Nashville Public Radio. 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.
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👦🏾 Double Dutch [POEM] by Gregory Pardlo
Feb 2000:06:35Tap to summarizePulitzer Prize-winning poet Gregory Pardlo reads his poem, Double Dutch, in full. BEWARE: listen to the full Double Dutch episode (posted 2/13) before listening to this! There are spoilers!!!!!LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW WITH GREGORY ON THE NICHE NOTES SUBSTACK (paid subscribers). We'll be releasing more from this story over there, along with monthly Nicheletters with intel on what's going on in the Nicheverse. Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showABOUT US:Niche to Meet You is an anthropological exploration of the hidden corners of everyday life, seen through subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends reporting and curiosity to ask how people find belonging, community, and a sense of self in the things they love. Our work has been called "masterfully written" by Malcolm Gladwell, and reporting from the project has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Nashville Public Radio. 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.
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👧🏾 Double Dutch Jump Roping: Joy, Erasure, and the Women Who Kept It Alive
Feb 1300:34:57Tap to summarizePlay, joy, and the women who kept a cultural tradition alive.GO FURTHER INTO THE NICHEVERSE:JOIN THE NICHE NOTES SUBSTACK: We'll be releasing more from this story over there, along with monthly Nicheletters with intel on what's going on in the Nicheverse.Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showEPISODE NOTES:Double Dutch is jumping rope with two ropes instead of one. To really know Double Dutch, though, is to know a lineage of history, culture, and joy, carried by Black girls and women across generations. From Nashville to New York City, Niche to Meet You—the award-recognized documentary podcast featured by American Public Media and created by Leslie Eiler Thompson—gets in the ropes to understand how Double Dutch became a cultural practice rooted in joy, play, and community—and why the girls who built it were so often left out of the official story.The episode features voices like Dr. Kyra Gaunt, ethnomusicologist and author of The Games Black Girls Play, and the Fantastic Four—Dolores Brown, De'Shone Adams, Robin Oaks, and Adrian Adams—the groundbreaking Double Dutch team that won the 1980 national championship and toured Europe in the earliest days of hip-hop, only to be written out of its mythology. Leslie watches Double Dutch in action at Nashville’s 40+ Double Dutch club, and gets coached in NYC’s Washington Square Park by coach Shakira “Kira” Lee, whose pop-up sessions sponsored by the Washington Square Park Conservancy turn public parks into spaces of communal joy. Then, Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Gregory Pardlo reflects on watching girls jump Double Dutch as a child, and why writing about that joy still matters.This is a story about play, celebration, and joy. And about what happens when women step back into the ropes and remember who they were before the world asked them to grow up too fast.Links mentioned in the episode/further exploring:"Pick Up Your Feet" documentaryWashington Square Park Conservancy: We offer our gratitude to them for welcoming us to the event with coach Kira!Dr. Kyra Gaunt's TED talk about Double Dutch40+ Double Dutch ClubABOUT US:Niche to Meet You is an anthropological exploration of the hidden corners of everyday life, seen through subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends reporting and curiosity to ask how people find belonging, community, and a sense of self in the things they love. Our work has been called "masterfully written" by Malcolm Gladwell, and reporting from the project has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Nashville Public Radio. 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: Creator/Reporter: Leslie Eiler ThompsonAssociate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen, with additional consulting by Katelynn McIlwain Show theme by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsEpisode 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.
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👭🏾👩🏽🤝👩🏿 Niche to Meet You, Double Dutch | Coming February 13 [TRAILER]
Feb 600:02:29Tap to summarizeJOIN THE NICHE NOTES SUBSTACKOn February 13th, Niche to Meet You explores Double Dutch jump roping.Double Dutch is jumping rope with two ropes instead of one. To really know Double Dutch, though, is to know a lineage of history, culture, and joy, carried by Black girls and women across generations. From Nashville to New York City, Niche to Meet You gets in the ropes to understand how Double Dutch became a cultural practice rooted in joy, play, and community—and why the girls who built it were so often left out of the official story. The episode features voices like Dr. Kyra Gaunt, ethnomusicologist and author of The Games Black Girls Play, and the Fantastic Four—Dolores Brown, De'Shone Adams, Robin Oaks, and Adrian Adams—the groundbreaking Double Dutch team that won the 1980 national championship and toured Europe in the earliest days of hip-hop, only to be written out of its mythology. Leslie watches Double Dutch in action at Nashville’s 40+ Double Dutch club, and gets coached in NYC’s Washington Square Park by coach Shakira “Kira” Lee, whose pop-up sessions turn public parks into spaces of communal joy. Then, Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Gregory Pardlo reflects on watching girls jump Double Dutch as a child, and why writing about that joy still matters. Make plans to listen on February 13!If you sign up for the Niche Notes substack you'll get an exclusive sneak peek a few days before the episode releases, along with updates about the project and additional reporting that wont end up on this feed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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🎅🏾 The Santas of Color Coalition & Santa Shed
Dec 1900:15:38Tap to summarizeA 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:Join the Niche ListNPR'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.
Transcribe →Our *Nichest* moments of all time.
Dec 500:28:26Tap to summarizeThe top 5 nic(h)est moments of all time AND a big ol update.Join the Niche ListHave 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.
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🐶🏃🏽♂️➡️🎸🥘⚔️🎅🏼 Every Hobby Has a Story: A Summer Road Trip Radio Special
Aug 800:54:06Tap to summarizeOur summer radio special, in partnership with American Public MediaLINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showEPISODE NOTES:We got invited to produce an hourlong radio special for American Public Media, and wanted to share it with you. It’s taken from some of our early episodes, so if you’ve joined Niche Nation in 2025, this is all new content for you! So hop on the niche party bus, because we’re taking you on a summer road trip to explore niche interests both on-the-road and at home. From Rubik’s speed cubing to dog agility, and from regional cooking to competitive jigsaw puzzling.ABOUT 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.SHOW CREDITS: Senior creator/host: Leslie ThompsonAssociate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsEpisode 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.
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🏃🏽♂️➡️ The Barkley Ultramarathon: Tennessee's White Whale
Jun 600:48:12Tap to summarizeNiche to Meet You takes to the high seas in search of the unconquerable.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Find photos of Leslie’s time at the Barkley on the show pageHave feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showEPISODE NOTES:Somewhere deep in the Tennessee woods, there’s a race with no finish line — at least not one most people will ever reach. There’s no official website, no posted start time, and the course changes every year. Runners carry pages torn from books as proof they’ve completed each loop. And it all begins with the lighting of a cigarette.The Barkley Marathons isn’t just an ultramarathon. It’s a ritual. A myth. A puzzle designed to break you — mentally, physically, spiritually. In this episode, we crack open a great American novel written in the 1800s, Moby Dick, as a map to discover a bizarre niche that even has its own captain Ahab, a man named Lazarus Lake. But whereas Ahab is driven by hate for the white whale, Laz and the runners of the Barkley are driven by something completely different. What we find in our quest is the same Ishmael found in his search for the white whale: it’s a meditation on suffering, identity, and the purpose of attempting the impossible.LINKS MENTIONED:Lazarus Lake biographyABOUT 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 by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsEpisode 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.
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🌳 Stick Nation: Paying Attention, One Stick at a Time
Apr 18, 202500:20:50Tap to summarizeCelebrate Earth Day, the niche way.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Become a part of the United Nicheons, the Niche to Meet You PatreonBUY MERCH!!!!!Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showThanks to our show sponsor, 1440 Daily News Digest. Click here to join the 4 million folks getting great news in their inbox every day (like, Leslie)!EPISODE NOTES:In this episode, Leslie heads into the wilds of Instagram to explore one of the internet’s most unexpectedly wholesome communities: Stick Nation (or should we call them Stick Nicheon?!?!). What started with a single stick and a simple review became a global phenomenon, now with over 3 million followers united by their love of nature’s simplest artifact. Leslie talks with the founders of @officialstickreviews, Logan and Boone, about how their playful videos turned into viral content and why sticks—yes, literal sticks—hold such power in our stories, imaginations, and daily lives. Along the way, Leslie finds a stick of her own, puts it through the rigorous Stick Review process, and even recruits her three-year-old daughter for a neighborhood stick hunt. Plus, New York Times columnist Margaret Renkl joins to reflect on why this niche matters more than we might think.LINKS MENTIONED:Official Stick Reviews InstagramStick Nation’s Stick Together Earth Day ChallengeNew York Times article about Logan and BooneHarvard article about meditationABOUT 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 and “My Father’s Wand” original composition by by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftAdditional music by Blue Dot SessionsEpisode 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.
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🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 2: Why we need the jigsaw puzzle
Mar 21, 202500:26:03Tap to summarizeHistory, science, and Leslie tries to beat a national champ.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and BE SURPRISED when we announce something HUGE in a few days.Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showGet your own flippable Springbok puzzle. You can get 10% off your order with code: NICHEPUZZLE10. Shop for puzzles HERE. Thanks to our show sponsor, 1440 Daily News Digest. Click here to join the 4 million folks getting great news in their inbox every day (like, Leslie)!EPISODE NOTES:Where’d the puzzle come from? Why does it matter that puzzle companies CARE about the people who solve them? Which puzzles can be picked up after they’re completed? Why does science support us doing puzzles? And how much of a 500 piece puzzle can Leslie do in the same time as a national champion?All questions answered in this episode. Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support!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 with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftEpisode 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.
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