Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).

LINKS:

• Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)
• Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected]
• 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

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

The Happiness Lab comes to Niche to Meet You.

• Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)
• Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: [email protected]
• The following Happiness Lab episode
• Bowling Alone, book

EPISODE NOTES:

Let's go on a field trip to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos. Laurie is a cognitive scientist at Yale and her course titled "Psychology and the Good Life" became the most popular course in Yale's history.

In our episode called “On the road” we learned about the idea of third spaces, and how they’re often where someone’s hobby or niche is found. One of the sources I had in mind while I was writing this episode was a 2000 book called Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, which outlines the "third space" concept. Robert is a political scientist and his book gives us context for the current loneliness epidemic in which we find ourselves now, nearly thirty years later. 

Recently, I discovered an episode of The Happiness Lab that features a hopeful conversation with Robert that felt really relevant for the Nicheverse. Dr. Santos agreed to let us air it! She joins us for the top of the episode, and she even brings her own niche interests with her.

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 (IG: @leslieeilerthompson)

Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen 

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

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.

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 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.

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Host/Editor: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson)

Mastering by Kevin Morris

Music from Epidemic Sound

Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

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.

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 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 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 

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 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 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 

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.

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 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 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 

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.

Coming December 6th (St. Nicholas Day) – a three-episode series about Santa and the folks who portray him. 

• 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:

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.

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 Hicks

Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

Meet dog agility hobbyist, Toast, along with her human companion, Amy.

• HELP US MAKE THE SANTA MINISERIES! Back the crowdfunding campaign.
• 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!

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 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

Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

David Brooks likes early Taylor Swift and helps us listen better.

• 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!
• Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

EPISODE NOTES:

This is a really, truly, amazing special treat. 

David Brooks is a big deal–has landed on NYT’s bestseller list like a billion times and is loved by the likes of Oprah. In October 2023, David released a book called How to Know a Person, which is all about LISTENING. Being curious. All the things we like here at Niche to Meet You.

David joined No Small Endeavor’s podcast to talk about the book, and this conversation between him and host Lee Camp could easily have been a Niche to Meet You episode about our mission—our ethos. And now, it is.

It’s relevant and important and we are so lucky to get to have this as part of our offerings. Thanks to the No Small Endeavor team for letting us run the episode here. 

ABOUT NO SMALL ENDEAVOR: 

What does it mean to live a good life? What is true happiness? What are the habits and practices that lead to human flourishing? No Small Endeavor examines these questions with host Lee C. Camp. 

You'll hear from best-selling authors, philosophers, scientists, artists, psychologists, theologians and even the occasional politician—courageous, impassioned people taking seriously the question of how to live a good life. NO SMALL ENDEAVOR WEBSITE

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. 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 

Niche to Meet You theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Additional music provided by Blue Dot Sessions

Niche to Meet You Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

Mentioned in this episode:

4 things!

Here are the 4 things you can to do show your support: