Movie trailers have changed dramatically over the decades, from the classic “Voice of God” narrators of the ‘80s and ‘90s, to today’s thunderous “bwaahs” and “boojes.” In this episode, Dallas and producer Andrew Anderson take a deep dive into the evolving art of trailer sound design, breaking down the most iconic trends and overused tropes. Featuring legendary trailers from Star Wars to Predator, plus an intimidating encounter with the most famous trailer voice of all time.

Enter the “Sound Off” Story Contest at 20k.org/soundoff. Submissions close on May 7th, 2025.

Explore the all new Defacto Sound website, and click the Contact Form to get in touch.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/hertz.

Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.

Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.

Get an exclusive 60% discount on Incogni and a 30-day money-back guarantee at incogni.com/20k.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/in-a-world

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late ‘90s, Brian Johnson and Brian Morden were suburban teenagers obsessed with video games and music. And then, through an extraordinary wish, the two friends found themselves on a journey that made gaming history. In this episode, we explore how a single line of dialogue became a timeless piece of Halo lore, and the profound impact it had on everyone involved.

Donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Brian Morden Foundation.

Explore the all new Defacto Sound website, and click the Contact Form to get in touch.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Follow You’ll Hear It, the #1 jazz podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

Cut your current cloud bill in half with OCI at oracle.com/20k.

Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.

Get 50% off your first meal box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/factorpodcast.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/the-autumn-shes-been-hit

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What sound can teach us about our Sun? In this episode, we explore how NASA scientists translate electromagnetic waves from the Sun into sound, and even music. Through this process, researchers are gradually unlocking the Sun’s secrets, from the steady “hum” of the star’s rotation, to the way that solar winds “play” the Earth’s magnetosphere like a harp. This story comes from the podcast NASA’s Curious Universe, and features Host and Astrophysicist Padi Boyd, Sonification Specialist Robert Alexander and Heliophysicist Mike Hartinger. 

Explore the all new Defacto Sound website, and click the Contact Form to get in touch.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Subscribe to NASA’s Curious Universe wherever you get your podcasts.

Get 50% off your first meal box plus free shipping at factormeals.com/factorpodcast.

Get an exclusive 60% discount on Incogni and a 30-day money-back guarantee at incogni.com/20k.

Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.

Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the late '80s and early '90s, a seismic subculture shook the streets… literally. “Boom Cars,” decked out with custom sound systems, roamed neighborhoods blasting the bassiest music ever recorded. But where did this movement come from, and why did it fade away? In this episode, we dive into the world of Miami Bass, dB Drag Racing, and the infamous tapes that could shred your subwoofers. Featuring journalist Jesse Serwer and Bass Music pioneer DJ Magic Mike.

Explore the all new Defacto Sound website, and click the Contact Form to get in touch.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k.

Explore Shure's products, including the all new MV7i microphone, at shure.com.

Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/20k.

Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/speaker-terror-upper

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you turn on the radio, there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to hear: a catchy, over the top jingle proclaiming the name and call letters of the radio station. But where did these little tunes come from? Who makes them? And why are they still so common? In this episode, we explore the history of radio ID jingles, and pack in so many earworms, you’re going to need an exterminator. Featuring Jeanna Isham of Dreamr Productions, Jon Wolfert of JAM Creative Productions, and Erik Huber of ReelWorld Productions.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Follow Jeanna’s podcast, Sound in Marketing wherever you get your podcasts.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k.

Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.

Get an exclusive 60% discount on Incogni and a 30-day money-back guarantee at incogni.com/20k.

Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/radio-station-jingles

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our fifth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, Dallas invited three friends from the world of professional audio to compete against each other. So crank up the volume and see how many sounds you can guess. Featuring Dialog & ADR Editor Austin Olivia Kendrick, Sound Designer Mike James Gallagher, and Sound Designer Zachary Quarles.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Facebook.

Follow Austin’s channel aok.wav on Tiktok.

Follow Mike’s channel Indepth Sound Design on Instagram & Youtube.

Explore Zach’s sound libraries at zq-sfx.com/shop.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k.

Get a new three-month premium plan at mintmobile.com/20k

Get a free Netsuite KPI Checklist at netsuite.com/20k.

Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/sound-pro-smackdown

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know that dogs are smart, sensitive creatures, but interpreting their vocalizations and behaviors can still be a challenge. In this episode, animal behaviorist Daniel Mills reveals the true meanings behind dogs’ noises, actions, and body language. Then, author Pilley Bianchi tells the story of Chaser, the border collie who became known as “The Smartest Dog in the World” for the way that she learned language.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Facebook.

Learn about Daniel’s work with the Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group.

Buy Pilley’s book, For The Love of Dog.

Learn more about The Chaser Initiative.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k

Make your world sound amazing at sonos.com/hertz

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/20k

Get a free Netsuite KPI Checklist at netsuite.com/20k.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/dog-translation-guide

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cats can be very vocal creatures, but the exact meaning and intention behind these sounds can often be hard to read. In this episode, cat behaviorist Sarah Brown unpacks the hidden meanings behind cats’ vocalizations, body language and behavior. Then, veterinarian Kendra Baker takes us through her journey with Billi (AKA “Her MADjesty”) the cat who became an online sensation for her use of speaking buttons.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Facebook.

Buy Sarah’s book, The Hidden Language of Cats.

Follow Billi the cat on Youtube, Instagram and Tiktok.

Learn about getting started with animal speech buttons.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k.

Get a new three-month premium plan at mintmobile.com/20k

Make your world sound amazing at sonos.com/hertz

Get a discount on your NordVPN plan at nordvpn.com/20k

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/cat-translation-guide

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite Bluey’s enormous, global popularity, the cast and crew are a tight-knit family, often literally. In part 2 of our story on Bluey, the show’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm breaks down the surprising connections between the voice actors, the real-life inspiration behind classic episodes, and how he ended up voicing a key role on the show.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Facebook.

Find the right doctor, right now at zocdoc.com/20k.

Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/20k.

Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial at shopify.com/20k.

Claim your $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/hertz.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: www.20k.org/episodes/thevoicesofbluey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has become one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of all time. In this episode, Bluey’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm walks us through how the show began, the unique challenges of season one, and the lengths he goes to give the show its organic sound. Plus, Dallas reveals the secret timing of the Bluey theme song.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Facebook.

Take a free test drive of OCI at oracle.com/20k.

Get the CFO’s Guide to AI and Machine Learning at netsuite.com/20k.

Subscribe to the Ad Infinitum podcast.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: 20k.org/episodes/thesoundofbluey

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices