A Podcast Just For Me

Photo Credit:
www.gimletmedia.com

My favorite podcast of all time is a show called WireTap. Produced by the CBC it featured host Jonathan Goldstein exploring the big issues of life, all while dealing with an "unique" group of friends, family, and their constant issues and/or interference. The show ran for about 10 years, and came to an end about a year ago. I was incredibly sad when it came to an end, since for 5 straight years my Monday mornings were devoted to listening to the latest episode of this outstanding series.

Around the same time I got into WireTap (2009ish) I became a big fan of the musical artist Moby. His new album at the time entitled: 'Wait For Me' had just been released, and it grabbed my attention the first time I listened to it, and wouldn't let go. I was really intrigued by how Moby was able to craft an almost joyous sad song. It's like he embraces the melancholy/quietness of life, and showcases the beauty found within. He is truly a remarkable artist. I highly recommend checking out his catalog. I think it's safe to say that Moby has become one of my top ten favorite artists of all time.

Earlier this week, I was beyond ecstatic to discover that former WireTap host Jonathan Goldstein has a new series he that he was releasing. The name of his new podcast series is Heavyweight, and it features Goldstein trying to resolve long-term issues between family members or friends. Here's the official on the show's official website:

"Maybe you’ve laid awake imagining how it could have been, how it might yet be, but the moment to act was never right. Well, the moment is here and the podcast making it happen is Heavyweight. Join Jonathan Goldstein for road trips, thorny reunions, and difficult conversations as he backpedals his way into the past like a therapist with a time machine. From Gimlet Media. "

The show released it's first two episodes on Monday. The first episode features Goldstein assisting his father resolve his decades long conflict with his older brother. But the second episode is the one that had me jumping up and down when I heard it. Entitled "Gregor", the episode features recurring WireTap "character" Gregor Ehrlich try and come to terms with a famous musician friend of his, who he lent a box set of CDs to about 20 years ago. That famous musician friend is none other than MOBY!!!!

One of my favorite musical artists of all time has a connection to my favorite podcast of all time. The show that taught me how modern audio storytelling is so compelling has a connection to the artist that showed me the beauty of melodic music. The show that inspired me to start my own podcast is connected to one my favorite artist interviews I ever conducted. It's like we are all connected!!!!!

I cannot recommend enough that you listen to this podcast. Not only is it an engaging piece of storytelling, but it combines two of my favorite things into a single entity.

Fall Playlist

So I'm a music nerd. This is fairly common knowledge amongst my inner circle. But little do they know the full extend of my nerdom. For example, I have a playlist of albums that I try to listen to only during the season of fall. I mainly do this because I feel that these albums perfect capture the feeling of the season. The weather is beginning to cool off, the leaves are changing color, and we inch closer to another winter.

Most of this music is a tad quieter than my usual summer selection. Below are my top 10 albums that I love listening to in the fall because of how they remind me of the season.

1. George Harrison: All Things Must Pass
2. Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head
3. Radiohead: Kid A
4. Norah Jones: Come Away with Me
5. Moby: Wait For Me
6. John Lennon: Double Fantasy
7. Paul McCartney: Flaming Pie
8. Coldplay: Parachutes
9. Arcade Fire: Funeral
10. The Shins: Oh, Inverted World

50 Years of Star Trek

This past Thursday was the 50th anniversary of Star Trek making its television debut. It's really hard to believe that Star Trek is that old. Growing up, I was a HUGE Star Trek fan. I would watch Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home on an almost continuous loop. In fact, if I remember correctly, Star Trek IV was the first VHS tape I ever owned. Anyways, to celebrate this milestone, I've gone back and re-watched a lot of the movies, and some of the old TV series. (I'll take any excuse to re-watch Deep Space Nine. It's so good!)

So I thought it would be fun to compile my list of my favorite Star Trek movies. I'll probably go more in-depth on my reasonings in a future posting. I won't be doing it here in this post mainly because I'm currently battling a nasty head cold, and am ready to go to sleep. Until then, this will have to do.

1. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
2. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
3. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
4. Star Trek: First Contact (VIII)
5. Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
6. Star Trek Beyond (XIII)
7. Star Trek (XI)
8. Star Trek: Insurrection (IX)
9. Star Trek: Generations (VII)
10. Star Trek Into Darkness (XII)
11. Start Trek: Nemesis (X)
12. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
13. Star Trek: The Motion Picture