Twenty Thousand Hertz — "The State of the 20K Multiverse™"

Host: Dallas Taylor
Guest/Interviewer: Grace East
Date: February 9, 2026
Theme: Exploring the evolution of the 20,000 Hz podcast into video, the expanding “20K Multiverse,” and behind-the-scenes stories from creating content across new platforms.

Episode Overview

This special behind-the-scenes episode flips the script: producer Grace East interviews host Dallas Taylor about the recent and ambitious expansion of 20,000 Hz into video platforms. Dallas shares the motivations driving this shift, the challenges and rewards of venturing into visual storytelling, and recounts his experiences filming with audio teams at Jeopardy, Saturday Night Live, Walt Disney Imagineering, and with the creators of the beloved kids show Bluey. Throughout, Dallas speaks candidly about the show’s mission, the inherent differences between podcast and video storytelling, the audio community’s unique camaraderie, and what listeners can expect from the ever-growing “20K Multiverse.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of AI Voice Cloning (00:00–01:45)

• AI Clones Dallas’ Voice:
  Dallas opens by discussing the appearance of AI-generated narrator voices online that sound eerily similar to his own. He admits 20,000 Hz even uses an "AI Dallas" for internal episode drafts.

  "I have a hunch that my voice is ending up as training material for some of the AI voice programs that people are using. I want to make an episode about this, but I need your help." (Dallas, 00:22)

• Call for Listener Involvement:
  Asks listeners to send examples of these AI voice clones for a future episode.

2. State of the Show & the Move to Video (01:45–09:42)

• Behind the Curtain:
  Grace East seizes hosting duties to give listeners a rare peek into the show's evolution and the team’s expanding roles.

• Why Go Video?:
  Dallas views podcast, video, and social platforms as "highways" to reach more people with compelling stories about sound.

  "I simply use these highways... in order to reach people." (Dallas, 04:40)

• Data-Driven Decision:
  Dallas breaks down potential reach:

  • Podcasting: ~500–600 million monthly users, with highly-crafted shows like 20,000 Hz targeting a much smaller, niche segment.
  • YouTube: 2.5–3 billion monthly active users globally.
  • Instagram & TikTok: Billions more.

  "Am I true to my mission...if I only do it in the walled garden of podcasting?" (Dallas, 07:12)

• Algorithmic Frustration:
  Podcast discovery is limited; social/video platforms provide exposure to new, interested audiences through sophisticated algorithms.

3. Bringing Audio Stories to Life on Video

Jeopardy (09:42–12:27)

• Landing the Jeopardy Video:
  Brought about by a chain of fortuitous connections—Ken Jennings' publisher led to an introduction to Jeopardy's audio team.

  "Jeopardy just popped into my mind. I was just like, jeopardy. Is so wholesome." (Dallas, 10:57)

• Behind-the-Scenes Candidness:
  Gained exclusive access, shared trade secrets (with some friendly warnings from producers).

Saturday Night Live (SNL) (12:40–16:40)

• Entry to SNL’s Audio Team:
  Friendships with industry insiders like Fred Hedemark and mixer Bob Palladino opened doors.

• From Restricted Access to Backstage Tours:
  Originally confined to one room, Dallas befriended boom operator Eddie Rotolo, who "kidnapped" him onto the studio floor.

  "He like, he didn't give me a choice. He effectively, in kindness, basically said, get out of your seat. We're going in here now." (Dallas, 14:25)

• Highlighting the Unsung Heroes:
  Dallas’s approach: shine the spotlight on behind-the-scenes audio pros, celebrating their passion and fanhood for the podcast.

Walt Disney Imagineering (16:51–21:24)

• Path from Podcast to Video:
  An early Disney Parks podcast episode sowed the seeds for future access. Disney’s invitation to a press event led to collaboration with YouTuber Mark Brickey, providing a proof of concept.

• Magical Invitation:
  Received an exclusive physical invitation to visit Imagineering.

  "I get a card in the mail... Walt Disney Imagineering at the top. And it's like you're invited to a special event ... and I just melted." (Dallas, 19:47)

• Exclusive Access:
  Audio lead Greg Lahota offered a rare, candid behind-the-scenes tour, with PR staff at times reminding Dallas not to film never-before-seen rooms.

  "[Greg] started very professional, and you see him melt into giddiness over the course of that time. That is what's so magical about being in these places." (Dallas, 21:24)

4. Lessons from the Field & Reflections on Style (35:00–38:22)

• Distinct Mediums, Distinct Stories:
  Each platform—podcast, YouTube, Instagram/TikTok—requires unique storytelling and editing.

  "Over this journey, I've learned...what type of a story works as a podcast and what type of a story works as visuals." (Dallas, 35:19)

• Depth vs. Visual Flash:
  Podcast = deep, alliterative, imaginative stories;
  Video = visually dynamic, “show-don’t-tell” moments.
  Both require Dallas to be fully present and authentic for each medium.

• The Power of Reputation and Community:
  The podcast’s decade-long credibility gave Dallas access to exclusive places and the trust of tight-knit audio professionals.

  "I feel like I'm likely the only person in the world who could be making this very specific thing because of my passions, because of my focus, ... because of the podcast reputation, because of my expertise..." (Dallas, 36:49)

• The Audio Community’s Ethos:
  Despite competition, generosity and support are the norm.

  "Everyone is kind of pitted against each other in ... trying to get the same jobs. But everyone refuses to play the game, so we all just help each other." (Dallas, 38:03)

5. International Adventures: Australia & Bluey (25:50–34:13)

• A Childhood Dream Fulfilled:
  Dallas travels to Australia, meeting with the sound team behind Bluey and getting rare access to the Sydney Opera House.

• Deep Dives into Bluey:
  Visits with composer Joff Bush and sound designer Dan Brumm.

  "Every time I did an interview with Joff, he would just speak absolute brilliant poetry like he's Mozart... Because he's a genius, in my mind." (Dallas, 28:54)

• Recording at Real Bluey Locations:
  Real parks and city spaces inspiring Bluey’s animation—an “uncanny” experience for Dallas.

• Sydney Opera House Access:
  Gained by simply emailing and being recognized by a fan of the podcast—demonstrates the show's “quiet reach”.

  "All these logistics are like, the easiest logistics I've ever put together. It's like, I ask, they say, sure. ... one of the people who run the Opera House is a huge fan of 20,000 hertz." (Dallas, 33:16 and 33:58)

• Architectural Acoustics:
  Harrowing detail: acoustic wave shapes are carved into the walls, tied to the resonance of specific notes.

6. The Heart of 20,000 Hz (37:39–39:43)

• Mission Statement:
  At its core, 20,000 Hz exists to share the wonder of sound, especially with “normal people” not already passionate about audio.

• Community, Not Competition:
  Grace and Dallas emphasize the exceptional, supportive attitude of people in the audio industry, contrasting it with the cutthroat reputation of entertainment as a whole.

  "We are highlighting these lovely human beings being good to each other, being collaborators, being generous colleagues." (Grace, 38:22)

Memorable Quotes

• "I am not the star of 20,000 hertz. I know that it's my voice, but my voice's job is to set up the premise." (Dallas, 03:07)
• "Am I true to my mission...if I only do it in the walled garden of podcasting?" (Dallas, 07:12)
• "On YouTube or TikTok or Instagram, you can play the system to find the people who are interested in that." (Dallas, 08:01)
• "He effectively, in kindness, basically said, get out of your seat. We're going in here now." (Dallas on Eddie Rotolo at SNL, 14:25)
• "[Greg at Disney Imagineering] started very professional, and you see him melt into giddiness over the course of that time." (Dallas, 21:24)
• "Joff [Bluey composer] would just speak absolute brilliant poetry like he's Mozart." (Dallas, 28:54)
• "I feel like I'm likely the only person in the world who could be making this very specific thing because of my passions, because of my focus, ... because of the podcast reputation, because of my expertise..." (Dallas, 36:49)
• "Everyone is kind of pitted against each other in ... trying to get the same jobs. But everyone refuses to play the game, so we all just help each other." (Dallas, 38:03)
• "We are highlighting these lovely human beings being good to each other, being collaborators, being generous colleagues." (Grace, 38:22)

Notable Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------------|--------------| | AI Voice Clones & Call for Examples | 00:00–01:45 | | Why Expand into Video? | 04:08–07:45 | | The Problem with Podcast Discovery | 08:01–08:33 | | Jeopardy Video—How It Happened | 09:42–12:27 | | SNL: Gaining Unprecedented Access | 12:40–16:40 | | Disney Imagineering: Exclusive Invitation | 16:51–21:24 | | Lessons About Storytelling Mediums | 35:00–37:39 | | Bluey Team & Sydney Opera House | 25:50–34:13 | | Reflections on the Audio Community | 37:39–39:43 |

Takeaways for Listeners

• 20,000 Hz’s expansion into video isn’t a departure, but an evolution—each platform receives its own bespoke approach, always aiming to reveal the magic of sound.
• The podcast’s reputation and community roots have created a remarkable network of trust and access, allowing Dallas to open doors that would be shut for a typical video “outsider.”
• At the center, the show’s mission is unchanged: to highlight the unsung artisans of audio, showcase their passion, and invite everyone—whether “normal” listener or seasoned pro—into the world's fascinating sounds.

To see Dallas’s visual journeys with audio’s unsung heroes, search: Dallas Taylor MP3 on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok.