Niche to Meet You

How knitters are saving the world....and an update! Find Niche Notes on Substack! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The final episode in the Niche to Meet You exploration into Double Dutch: An interview with the niche'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.show ABOUT 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 .

A bonus Double Dutch story: Pulitzer 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.show ABOUT 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 .

Play, 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.show EPISODE 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" documentary Washington 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 Dutch 40+ Double Dutch Club ABOUT 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 Thompson Associate 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 Gift Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

JOIN THE NICHE NOTES SUBSTACK On 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 .

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: Join the Niche List NPR's Morning Edition story The Full Santa 3-Part Series Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email me: hello@nichetomeetyou.show ABOUT 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 .

The top 5 nic(h)est moments of all time AND a big ol update. Join the Niche List Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show EPISODE 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 Nation Wild Turkey Conservation Series Santa Series 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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Our summer radio special, in partnership with American Public Media LINKS: Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show EPISODE 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 Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Niche 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 page Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show EPISODE 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 biography 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 Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement of the theme Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Celebrate 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 Patreon BUY MERCH!!!!! Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show 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: 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 Instagram Stick Nation’s Stick Together Earth Day Challenge New York Times article about Logan and Boone Harvard article about meditation 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 Thompson Associate 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 Gift Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

History, 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.show Get 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 Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast). LINKS: Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and get a special announcement on April 6th Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show Want to get into puzzling (you should!)? Start with Springbok, where you can get 10% off your order with code: NICHEPUZZLE10 . Shop for puzzles HERE . The 2023 Op-ed by Danté Stewart for the Washington Post, referenced in the episode: After covid, there’s one place I know I can go and not feel lonely 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: While some of us casually work on puzzles over days (or weeks) with family during holidays, some others of us complete puzzles in mere minutes. These folks are called Puzzle People. In this 2-part series, you’ll meet a Guinness Book of World Record Holder (Tammy McLeod), professional puzzlers (Sarah Schuler), influencers (Karen Kavett), competitors, and even join Leslie as she tries to complete a puzzle as quickly as possible…kind of. But this isn’t just a story about solving puzzles—it’s about how a global crisis sparked new traditions, deepened human connection, and turned an isolating time into a foundation for community and belonging. In this episode, part 1, Niche to Meet You marks 5 years of COVID through the lens of competitive speed puzzling. In a world that often feels fragmented, puzzling remains a reminder that we’re always finding ways to come together—piece by piece. 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 Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

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! Find us on Instagram , or join our email list . 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: In this final offering of 2024, we give you the 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! Special thanks to WPLN Nashville Public Radio, for premiering this piece on your station! VOICES FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem Santa Santa Shed Santa Ben Santa Jay Malcolm Guite (UK) Santa Lincoln Santa True Santa Robert (Norway) 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 , has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l , and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. 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 , wild turkey conservationists , and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE . EPISODE CREDITS: Host/Editor: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Mastering by Kevin Morris Music from Epidemic Sound Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The origins of the professional Santa. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now! Find us on Instagram , or join our email list . Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas 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: This first episode in the Professional Santa miniseries is about history: where Santa came from with historian Stephanie Fulbright, and when the culture of PORTRAYING him started with Santa Phil. We cover the viral poem that made him famous, the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, and the Mount Rushmore of Professional Santas while hearing from actual Santa Portrayal Artists and Santa historians. SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem Santa Santa Shed Santa George Santa Ben Santa Phil Santa True 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 , has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l , and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. 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 , wild turkey conservationists , and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS: Creator/Reporter/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Associate script producer: Chris Thiessen Mastering by Kevin Morris Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike Hicks Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Jon McLaughlin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Meet the Santas behind the beard. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now! Find us on Instagram , or join our email list . Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here . EPISODE NOTES: In the second episode of our Professional Santa miniseries we meet the folks who portray Santa and learn what it takes to do the job. From meetups and conferences to spending thousands on uniform, these Santas take their jobs seriously. We talk to Shed and George, Black santas wth a mission to see representation in the niche, and meet Jerusalem’s only certified Santa Issa. Then, we shadow a Santa Donald on a gig to a school serving children with low vision. SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem Santa Santa Shed Santa George Santa Ben Santa Phil Santa Jay Santa Stephen Santa Lincoln (Green Gloves) Santa Hop Santa Chris Santa True 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 , has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l , and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. 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 , wild turkey conservationists , and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS: Creator/Reporter/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Associate script producer: Chris Thiessen Mastering by Kevin Morris Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike Hicks Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Jon McLaughlin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Why Santa matters. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now! Find us on Instagram , or join our email list . Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas 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: The final episode in our series about professional Santas ends with relevance – why having Santas is crucial to the human experience and aids with flourishing amid suffering. In doing this, we learn why these folks deal with the heaviness of the undertaking and what we can learn from them. You’ll hear from a Santa who spends 200+ days a year in a suit (and has done that for 35 years), and from an educator who uses his Santa portrayal to motivate his students. We also welcome renowned UK Poet Malcolm Guite to explore what storytelling and imagination have to do with Santa and his role in our society. SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem Santa Santa Shed Santa George Santa Ben Santa Phil Santa Jay Santa Stephen Santa Hop Santa Chris Santa True 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 , has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l , and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. 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 , wild turkey conservationists , and more. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS: Creator/Reporter/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Associate script producer: Chris Thiessen Mastering by Kevin Morris Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike Hicks Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Jon McLaughlin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Some moments that didn’t make the Wild Turkey Conservation miniseries. The full episode of The Bulletin with Matt and Mary releases on Friday the 29th. You will find it here . TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now! Send feedback or tell us about your niche! Email us. Find us on Instagram , or join our email list . EPISODE NOTES: This week is Thanksgiving in America, though if you listen to Niche to Meet You, it’s felt like Thanksgiving since August. And we’ve got one more helping of turkey for you. Call it a Nichegiving special. and it includes all the makings for a perfectly spent Thanksgiving: - Turkeys, of course. - Football - Family. This short episode combines a few moments that didn’t make the Wild Turkey Conservation miniseries because they happened after it was already done. You’ll hear from a three-time superbowl champion, a retired archaeologist, and my dad. Happy niche giving to you and your family. We are so very thankful for you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Coming December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) – a three-episode series about Santa and the folks who portray him. Listen to the full series here. join our email list , The Niche List! Email us. EPISODE NOTES: Christmas is about more than just presents and decorations—it's about the spirit of giving, love, and bringing joy to others. Many of us anticipate this post-election Holiday season to be tense, perhaps even disheartening. This, in addition to the loss many of us feel during the holidays as loved ones have passed on, means the next few weeks are going to be hard. Really hard. Professional Santas can help. This special holiday series of episodes explores the history of Santa, all the way back to Saint Nicholas to today. We'll also tell personal stories from real-life Santas, like Santa Shed, a Middle Tennessee Black Santa who wants to see representation and diversity in the community. Or Santa Donald, who works at the Tennessee School for the Blind and has adapted the character for the children he's watched grow up at the school for decades. Or even Jerusalem Santa, who does his work in the heart of the Holy City in a 700-year-old building. You’ll join Leslie at the International Santa Celebration and meetups, and experience the role wonder and awe plays in the midst of suffering. For these Santas, it’s more than just a hobby. It’s a way of living–and it’s changing the world. Listen to the full series here. 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 by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. 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 creator/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike Hicks Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Meet dog agility hobbyist, Toast, along with her human companion, Amy. Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) Become a part of the United Nicheons, the Niche to Meet You Patreon Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show EPISODE NOTES: This Niche vignette visits Toast and her companion Amy as they practice dog agility in their front yard. You’ll hear puppy kisses, excited dog whines, and how dog agility offers more than a hobby—it’s a sanctuary from the stresses of life. Alongside Toast, Amy builds a sense of community with other trainers, finds joy in small victories, and experiences the unexpected solace of focusing on her pup. This episode explores the beauty of hobbies that ground us, showing how even a casual run through a tunnel or the celebration of mastering a jump can bring much-needed respite and joy. 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 by millions through a recent viral instagram ree l and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. 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 creator/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson ) Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Introducing the Wild Turkey Conservation niche. And y’all, it is definitely wild. GO DEEPER WITH NICHE TO MEET YOU ( WEBSITE ): TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now! 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)! Want more about Wild Turkeys? Read Brent Rogers’ book, Yelp & Gobble, Inc. Read Tom Kelly’s book, Tenth Legion EPISODE NOTES: In this first episode of the 4 part mini-series about Wild Turkey Conservation we learn about the weird, wonderful Wild Turkey and the effort to conserve it. It’s an important story about mending seemingly irreparable gaps and changing the world. And it’s going to take us to surprising places. Learn more about the miniseries and give feedback HERE . 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 ree l. 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 Flowers Seasonal show theme arranged by Zach & Maggie White Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre Audio 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 .