Niche to Meet You is anthropological exploration into the hidden corners of life through the lens of its subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends journalism and curiosity to reveal how people find belonging and community—and themselves—in the things they love. From professional Santas to wild-turkey conservationists to speed puzzlers, host Leslie Eiler Thompson uncovers what our obsessions say about who we are and what connects us.
Host [Host Name] interviews [Guest Name], exploring how knitting serves as a powerful act of resistance and community building.
17 Apr 2026
Double Dutch: The Fantastic Four on Joy, Legacy, and Being Overlooked
An interview with Double Dutch's original celebrities.
Follow along with Leslie's niche endeavors over on Substack.
Since February, the Niche to Meet You podcast has been living in the world of Double Dutch, first came the flagship episode as a celebration of Black History Month (with the whole classic Niche sound designed treatment), then the release of poet Gregory Pardlo’s interview and recitation of his poem “Double Dutch,” then with my collaborator Chris Thiessen’s essay on nuances within Double Dutch’s engagement with Hip Hop.
So, first things first: If you haven’t listened to the main Double Dutch episode yet, go do that—set aside about 36 minutes.
But if you have listened, you’ll remember that in 1980 four girls from the Lower East Side of Manhattan win the World Championships. The Fantastic Four. This is an interview with them, had on MLK day this year.
Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show
ABOUT US:
Niche to Meet You is an anthropological exploration of the hidden corners of everyday life, seen through subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends reporting and curiosity to ask how people find belonging, community, and a sense of self in the things they love. Our work has been called "masterfully written" by Malcolm Gladwell, and reporting from the project has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Nashville Public Radio. 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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
20 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
👦🏾 Double Dutch [POEM] by Gregory Pardlo
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gregory Pardlo reads his poem, Double Dutch, in full. BEWARE: listen to the full Double Dutch episode (posted 2/13) before listening to this! There are spoilers!!!!!
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW WITH GREGORY ON THE NICHE NOTES SUBSTACK (paid subscribers). We'll be releasing more from this story over there, along with monthly Nicheletters with intel on what's going on in the Nicheverse.
Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show
ABOUT US:
Niche to Meet You is an anthropological exploration of the hidden corners of everyday life, seen through subcultures and hobbies. Each episode blends reporting and curiosity to ask how people find belonging, community, and a sense of self in the things they love. Our work has been called "masterfully written" by Malcolm Gladwell, and reporting from the project has been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Nashville Public Radio. 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.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Inside a recent episode
🧶 Knitting as resistance
Published 31 Jul 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] This story reminded me of regular citizens in Minnesota just a couple months earlier who, inundated with ICE presence, felt helpless to act. Friends in the Twin Cities told me about their workplaces and daycares covertly collecting food and home-cooked meals for families terrified to leave their homes. or just for each other a dear friend wrote about opening her home to friends just to talk to set down the emotional baggage of the weeks around soup and bread her primary love language of the time spent together she said quote without hesitation we are seeking to be together to be community in the midst of chaos the calm of gathering listening and sharing strengthens for the continued standing guard speaking out and walking alongside When I shared this around our round table of knitters, how neighbors were quietly supporting one another through craft and making food, they mentioned that clandestine protest or support has historical precedence in knitting as well. […]
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