The heat wave is going to kill me - June 29th, 2024

60+ Hours Of Listening: Take 2

Author

Fancy Anne
July 01, 2024

This heat wave is going to be the death of me. I need to be spending more time outside, or maybe try some music?

The reason why? Last week I listened to 64 hours and 18 minutes of podcasts.

That is more than the week before.

The other thing that’s changed is that I finally caught up on 20 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy… something I do not recommend doing unless you really like medical dramas. In its place, I picked up a few podcast to become my new background noise. And once I caught up on my regular queue backlog, they’ve been most of what I listen to each day. They're my comfort podcasts, I suppose? Anyway, here they are!

My Current Comfort Podcasts:

The Newest Olympian

Has the Percy Jackson series been slept on by society? Join Mike Schubert as he journeys through the Riordanverse for the first time with the help of longtime PJO fans to cover the plot, take stabs at what happens next, and nerd out over the Greek mythology throughout. Whether you're looking for an excuse to finally read these books, or want to re-read an old favorite with a digital book club, grab your blue chocolate chip cookies and listen along.

Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet

A comedy podcast featuring dramatic readings of one-star reviews written by real people with not-so-real problems. Hosted by Xandy and Christine Schiefer. Produced by the Forever Dog Podcast Network.

Sad Boyz

A podcast about feelings... and other things also from Jarvis Johnson & Jordan Adika.

Also, trying something new this week to make it easier for me to talk about the shows I listen to—let me know what you think!

Table of Contents

Listening Stats

For June 23rd - June 29th, 2024…

  • Listening Time: 64 hours, 18 minutes, and 23 seconds

  • Listening Time (at 1.5x Speed): 42 hours, 52 minutes, and 15 seconds

  • Number of Episodes: 73

  • Average Episode Length: 52 minutes and 51 seconds

  • Approximate Daily Listening: 9 hours, 11 minutes, and 12 seconds

  • Approximate Daily Listening (at 1.5x Speed): 6 hours, 7 minutes, and 28 seconds

Overall Weekly Averages to Date:

  • Listening Time: 41 hours, 29 minutes, and 01 seconds

  • Listening Time (at 1.5x Speed): 27 hours, 39 minutes, and 21 seconds

  • Number of Episodes: 60

  • Average Episode Length: 40 minutes and 35 seconds

  • Approximate Daily Listening: 5 hours, 55 minutes, and 34 seconds

  • Approximate Daily Listening (at 1.5x Speed): 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 3 seconds

Weekly Playlist

🧠 Short Wave

I had two episodes of Short Wave that I enjoyed this week, but this one really stood out to me because I am TERRIBLE at recognizing people and matching faces to names. I have no problem remembering faces, but if you tell me your name out loud I am almost guaranteed to forget it immediately. Please wear a name tag at large functions, I beg you.

The Human Brain Is Hardwired To Recognize Faces. But What If You Can't?

Humans are hardwired to see faces — even in inanimate objects. We have a lima bean-shaped part of our brains dedicated to facial recognition. But this process isn't always straightforward. Science journalist Sadie Dingfelder is one of 10 million Americans who are face blind, or struggle to recognize the faces of people they know. In her new book, Do I Know You? she dives into this, as well as the science of memory and imagination.

🦖 Tiny Dinos

This episode of Tiny Dinos went off the rails so quickly, and the reveal of their tiny dinosaurs to the guest (slash home invader) happened with no warning that it made me laugh out loud.

“A New Dawn For Jennifer Garner (with Richard Nixon)” Feat. Betsy Sodaro & Carl Tart

A thwarted home invasion leads to a heart-to-heart conversation, which leads to an early morning conversation with the landlord.

🎓 Exposed: Cover-Up at Columbia University

I listened to all of this podcast last week and WOW. Exposed is definitely not a podcast for the faint of heart—it’s graphic and dark. But there’s a sliver of justice at the end, and the hope of more justice to come.

Introducing - Exposed: Cover-Up at Columbia University

When a trusted Columbia University OB-GYN is exposed as a serial predator, and no one is held accountable, the survivors embark on a decade-long fight for justice. From Wondery, Exposed: Cover-Up at Columbia University is a story about power: who has it, who loses it, and what it takes to get it back.

🍼 Come by Chance

Come by Chance continues to catch me off guard with each new episode, and this one was no different. More people need to listen to this podcast so I can talk to them about it!!

E6: Who Knit You?

Another mother at another rural Newfoundland hospital has suspicions that the little girl she brought home isn’t her own. Over fifty years later, an online ancestry kit connects the dots and allows a mother and daughter to reunite.

🏰 Land of the Giants

Every season so far of Land of the Giants has been a great listen. Since 2020 they’ve covered major companies like Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Google, Facebook, Tesla, and Twitter. So it was only a matter of time before they came for the Mouse. I’m a big fan of Disney, but not without being critical of it. So needless to say, I’m looking forward to hearing their thoughts on what Disney has done to grow so far!

The Disney Dilemma

Over the past 100 years, the Walt Disney Company has grown from a small animation studio to become one of the largest companies in the world, with an enviable history of creative and financial success. But as it's grown and acquired companies like Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, can its winning streak continue? What has Disney lost in the process of getting so big, and can it sustain its high quality and brand loyalty at this enormous scale?

🎶 Quick Smart

I just really liked this episode of Quick Smart because it reminded me how much I love singing. I was in my school’s choir in middle school and high school, and that’s honestly what got me through school. Don’t get me started on karaoke, though… It’s the absolute nightmare scenario for me, full of secondhand embarrassment!

The science behind singing in a choir

Whether you're singing in a karaoke room at 2am, or at a more reasonable time with a local choir, there’s something about singing without inhibition that feels great. Our brains get this warm fuzzy feeling when we come together and sing as a group - and it turns out there's neuroscience that backs that up. So what are the health benefits for our brain and mental health? Should we all be joining a community choir?

🐗 Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)

And it wouldn’t be an issue of my newsletter without highlighting Sixteenth Minute (of Fame). At the time it happened, I didn’t know anything about the actual 30-50 feral hogs tweet and why it came about, so this was a great educational listen for me.

30-50 feral hogs

Legit question for rural Americans - How do I kill the 30-50 feral hogs that run into my yard within 3-5 mins while my small kids play? This week, Jamie finds out from the 30-50 hogs asker himself -- Willie McNabb. Plus, we catch up with Professor John Tomacek about the VERY REAL issue of feral hogs, and Karl Kasarda of inRangeTV about how 30-50 feral hogs tied into a larger conversation about American gun laws.

What were the stand-out episodes that you listened to this week? Know of a podcast you think would make it on to my list of favorites? Let me know in the comments or a reply to this issue in your inbox!

And if you happened upon this on the web, make sure you subscribe to get weekly updates on my listening habits!

See you all next week!

- Fancy Anne