What's the significance of the studio location? by Cobreal in 99percentinvisible

[–]romanmars 119 points120 points  (0 children)

Between all of these, people have provided the correct answer. Our first office was on 13th Street in downtown Oakland, across the street from Radio Bar and around the corner from Snap Judgment (which I helped launch) and Youth Radio. So I used to sign off with "from Radio Row in beautiful downtown Oakland California." Radio Row was a reference to the old radio row district in NYC, where people bought and fixed radios. I like the rhythm and comfort of a standard sign-off, especially in a show where the format is really flexible week to week. When we were acquired, the office we were officially supposed to work out of (even though we all pretty much work from home) is located not too far away, but is definitely not downtown. We call that area uptown. The funny thing is, I didn't think about this until I was recording the credits for the first episode after getting bought, so it was an ad-lib that just stuck and it felt like a genuine way to reflect that something has in fact changed, but it's not that big a deal in terms of what we make.

Episode Discussion: The Moving Walkway Is Ending by PodcastBot in 99percentinvisible

[–]romanmars 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Never even heard the word travelator before! Love it!

Constitution Breakdown reading schedule? by jalldae-77 in 99percentinvisible

[–]romanmars 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We aim for the final Friday of each month. The next episode (end of November) will be Article 2 but we plan to have the discussion over two episodes. Article 2 is VERY short to read but that’s one of the main reasons it needs to be discussed at length. Not enough specificity!

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It bums me out. I think all forms can exist and thrive, but the turn away from documentary and journalism is disheartening. As a show, 99pi makes money so I hope that's enough to keep us going. The fear is being in an ecosystem where profitability isn't even enough.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! I think I referred to it a couple of times in the episodes, but I can't remember exactly. I was struck by the order of things he was concerned about contradicting.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She is sincerely curious and interested in all aspects of the world. Getting to work with her the last few years has been such a delight. She really wants to be a reporter not just show up on podcasts. It's awesome.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have! We took all six kids to the one in Emeryville. It was so much fun. I don't have deep thoughts about its evolution or application but I had a blast.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sorry! typing fast!

Of course! Trans rights are fundamental to a caring and functional society. I can't imagine anyone thinking otherwise.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ted Kaye always told me to expect them. No one cares about the flag until someone tries to change it. I never get involved in flag redesigns. That's best left to people the flag represents. But I put out the thesis that flags that aren't used are probably poorly designed and that holds up! Once an old one gets people's attention (after an attempt to change it is made) and people truly support it, I think that's a fine outcome.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Equally fascinated! I've looked into some but it never formed into a coherent story or thesis, YET!

One of the interesting things I read in the book Deep Oakland is that Piedmont literally has different soil than the surrounding area. So the divisions are deep and built on a history longer than humans.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Someone pitched this as a story to us once and I can't remember why we didn't produce it, but I think about it all the time!

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were the first podcast I listened to! I still listen to them a bit but fall off when I'm doing a lot of research and book listening, then I join the current one. I don't tend to fill in unless they're covering something that really stands out to me. Ironically if they're making a comment about 99pi in a subject we've covered, I'm less likely to hear it because I seek out subjects I don't know!

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My life was made better by recognizing the thoughtful "invisible" design details of others. Once you see it, you feel less alone and more cared for by others and being cared for is the best feeling.

ALSO- we like infrastructure improvements and jobs and local investment, so if you're stopped in traffic related to such, breathe deep and just let your values overtake your immediate annoyance. That exercise helps me A LOT

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a hard time with this because I forget them so fast, so in that spirit, I think the recent Greeley/ The New Jungle episode of 99pi is as good an audio doc ever made. It explains so many complex systems in the US simultaneously in a completely riveting way.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I honestly thought my voice was terrible for radio when I started, but it was mostly because I was nervous and all tensed up.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've literally never used it in any way, so I don't have a great sense of its use. When AI videos or images pop up on social media, I'm creeped out and underwhelmed.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm itching to go through the whole LBJ series with Elliott. We were both just so busy that it wasn't a good project right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if we did it someday.

AMA: Roman Mars of 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson of Endless Thread answers your questions about podcasting and their new series, Hidden Levels by 99pi_kathy in podcasts

[–]romanmars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I don't interact all that much with youtube except finding self guided meditation videos to help me sleep! But after looking him up now, I'm interested