Phantom Power
Latest Episodes
From HAL to SIRI: How Computers Learned to Speak (Benjamin Lindquist)
Learn how computers learned to speak with computer historian Benjamin Lindquist. Ben tells the the fascinating backstory to HAL 9000 and the strange the analog history of digital computing. Continue
Publishing for Nonfiction Authors (Jane Von Mehren)
Jane Von Mehren, Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative Management and a former Senior Vice President at Random House, explains how to find a literary agent, how to write a query letter to an agent, and h
Noise and Information in the Office (Joseph L. Clarke)
Ever wonder who's to blame for the noise and distraction of the open office? Architectural historian Joseph L. Clarke has answers! Theories of acoustic communication accidentally inspired the sonic di
Robin Miles: Talking Books
Today we bring you a master class in audiobook narration and acting with acclaimed actor, casting director, audiobook narrator and audiobook director, Robin Miles. Beyond technique, we talk about the
Radiophilia (Carolyn Birdsall)
Sound and radio scholar Carolyn Birdsall discusses her award-winning bookNazi Soundscapes(AUP, 2012) and her new book,Radiophilia(Bloomsbury, 2023). Continue reading
Cosmic Visions in Sound
Today we share a podcast episode on the visual epistemology of astronomy by our friends at The World According to Sound. What kind of knowledge do we really gain when we look at images from space? Co
Tinnitus Stories
Tinnitus can be annoying, for sure--and for some people it's much worse than annoying--but it also has a lot to say of interest, if we're willing to listen: "Tinnitus has been my guide in sound studie
Warren Zanes: Rockstar Biographer
Warren Zanes talks life as a rocker and writer, his new book on Springsteen's Nebraska, how to weave theory into a great story, and why he narrates his own audiobooks. Continue reading
Making Radio History (Elena Razlogova)
Elena Razlogova discusses U.S. radio history, audience research, music recommendation and recognition algorithms, and her current book project, which centers on freeform radio station WFMU and the ris
The Audiobook’s Century-Long Overnight Success (Matthew Rubery)
Today we present the first episode of a miniseries on audiobooks by getting into the history and theory of the medium. Audiobooks are having a momentand it only took them over a century to get here.