Niche to Meet You

Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and get a special announcement on April 6thHave feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showWant 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 lonelyThanks 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 ThompsonAssociate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin GiftEpisode mastering by Kevin MorrisShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreSee 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 SantaSanta ShedSanta GeorgeSanta BenSanta PhilSanta TrueABOUT 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 reel, 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 MorrisShow theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike HicksShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAdditional 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 SantaSanta ShedSanta GeorgeSanta BenSanta PhilSanta JaySanta StephenSanta HopSanta ChrisSanta TrueABOUT 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 reel, 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 MorrisShow theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this holiday arrangement by Mike HicksShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAdditional 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.

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 reel 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 HicksShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreSee 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 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 FlowersSeasonal show theme arranged by Zach & Maggie WhiteAdditional music provided by Blue Dot SessionsShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAudio 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.

Where Wild Turkey Conservation REALLY got its start. Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Become a part of the United Nicheons, the Niche to Meet You PatreonBUY MERCH!!!!!Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showThanks 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:At this point in a Niche to Meet You miniseries–episode 3–we pull back the curtain even more on our niche subject, and we talk to the ones who are at the origins of it. We could have talked more about the movement in the mid 1900s that led to the founding of the NWTF, but our interviews revealed a longer–and older–story. We have to go back to the very beginning, to the traditions of the earliest conservationists, whose practices we borrow today. We welcome Mary Weakee, retired archeologist and turkey feather blanket expert, to explore the origins and significance of the bird for this country and the Indigenous people who loved it first.Read more about Mary HEREWatch Mary talk about the feather blankets HERELearn 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 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 FlowersSeasonal show theme arranged by Zach & Maggie WhiteAdditional music provided by Blue Dot SessionsShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAudio 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.

Coming August 16th: a 4-part miniseries about the Wild Turkey Conservation niche. It’s an important story about belonging, community, mending seemingly irreparable gaps and changing the world. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/wild-turkeySupport the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza. SHOW CREDITS: Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Show theme composed by Abigail FlowersMusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsShow artwork created by Rachel HardacreAudio 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.

Join us at Waffle House to talk about making old things beautiful again.LINKS:Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Become a part of the United Nicheons, the Niche to Meet You PatreonBUY MERCH!!!!!Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showThanks 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: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. Visiting a local Swap Meet with Rick provided a firsthand look at his work and the deep connections people have with their cars, reinforcing the appeal of the craft. Visit Rick's website HERE, and check out his YouTube channel 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 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 producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)Associate producer: Chris Thiessen Episode mastered by Kevin MorrisShow theme composed by Abigail FlowersShow artwork by Rachel HardacreSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.