Niche to Meet You

The top 5 nic(h)est moments of all time AND a big ol update. Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected] 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 NationWild Turkey Conservation SeriesSanta 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.

Join us at the local Waffle House to talk about making old things beautiful again. LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected] EPISODE NOTES: Join us in a Waffle House booth as we meet Rick Blankenship, a masterful vintage car radio restorer. As we savored the Southern charm of the setting, Rick shared about his work of restoring vintage radios to their original glory while integrating modern features like Bluetooth, offering a blend of nostalgia and convenience. Through our conversation, we learned about Rick's journey from being a drummer in a band to becoming an award-winning restorer, highlighting the artistry and dedication required in his craft. We explored the significance of classic car radios as symbols of self-expression and identity, as well as the challenges and joys of preserving automotive history. 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 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.

We're bringing turkeys back. Two parts this time. This is the first part. LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected] While Leslie works on the next Niche, we are bringing back a niche that many of you haven't heard yet. And it's about Wild Turkeys and the folks who conserve them. STICK WITH US!!!!!! ITS REALLY SURPRISING! It's not just about hunting (though yes, we do have to talk about that...), it's about so much more. Once on the brink of extinction, wild turkeys are now one of America’s greatest conservation success stories. But keeping their numbers strong isn’t just about the bird—it’s about people from every corner of politics, hunters and conservationists, just everyday people working to preserve habitats and traditions. In this episode, we explore the remarkable comeback of the wild turkey and what it says about our relationship to the natural world...and each other. 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 reel. 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.

We're bringing turkeys back. Two parts this time. This is the second part. LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected] While Leslie works on the next Niche, we are bringing back a niche that many of you haven't heard yet. And it's about Wild Turkeys and the folks who conserve them. In the conclusion of our Wild Turkey conservation story, we zoom out from the bird itself to the bigger picture: the land, the people, and the questions that shape how conservation really works. We’ll hear how the indigenous peoples shaped not only hunting traditions, but the relationship to the Wild Turkey, which gave way to the niche of its conservation. AND you'll learn why conserving turkeys isn’t just about saving a species, but about rethinking our relationship with the natural world. From native Americans to biologists in the field to hunters in the blind, from historical roots to present-day challenges, this episode ties together what wild turkeys can teach us about reciprocity, responsibility, and resilience. If you missed Part 1, be sure to start there for the full story. 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 reel. 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.

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: [email protected] 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.