by Leslie Thompson
You know that weirdly specific thing your friend’s obsessed with? Like speed jigsaw puzzling. Or dressing up as Santa. Or raising wild turkeys. This show is about those people. Each episode, host Leslie Eiler Thompson finds a niche interest—and then gently, curiously, hilariously peels back the layers to find out why it matters for everyone. It’s funny. It’s surprisingly moving. It’s like a deep dive into the strange and beautiful stuff that makes us, us.
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Publishing Since
11/19/2023
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April 18, 2025
<p>Celebrate Earth Day, the niche way.</p><p><strong>LINKS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/#email" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the Niche List</a> (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)</li><li>Become a part of the United Nicheons, the<a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/NichetoMeetYou?redirect=true" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Niche to Meet You Patreon</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/merch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BUY MERCH!!!!!</a></li><li>Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></li></ul><br/><p><strong>EPISODE NOTES:</strong></p><p>In this episode, Leslie heads into the wilds of Instagram to explore one of the internet’s most unexpectedly wholesome communities: Stick Nation (or should we call them Stick Nicheon?!?!). What started with a single stick and a simple review became a global phenomenon, now with over 3 million followers united by their love of nature’s simplest artifact. Leslie talks with the founders of @officialstickreviews, Logan and Boone, about how their playful videos turned into viral content and why sticks—yes, literal sticks—hold such power in our stories, imaginations, and daily lives. Along the way, Leslie finds a stick of her own, puts it through the rigorous Stick Review process, and even recruits her three-year-old daughter for a neighborhood stick hunt. Plus, New York Times columnist Margaret Renkl joins to reflect on why this niche matters more than we might think.</p><p><strong>LINKS MENTIONED:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.instagram.com/officialstickreviews" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Official Stick Reviews Instagram</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://linktr.ee/officialstickreviews?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf6q6-czP9ScneM_DdycgzgTi2cMF_1bTlnd61cbIx5mRIlpjWtwF6ERHwQOw_aem_W4AGgqfsq_rWeycQc15Vqw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stick Nation’s Stick Together Earth Day Challenge</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/style/sticks-instagram-boone-hogg-logan-jugler.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York Times article about Logan and Boone</a></li><li><a href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2018/04/less-stress-clearer-thoughts-with-mindfulness-meditation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harvard article about meditation</a></li></ul><br/><p><strong>ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:</strong></p><p>Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on <a href="https://wpln.org/post/episodes/this-is-nicheville/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nashville Public Radio</strong></a> and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like <a href="http://www.nichetomeetyou.show/40k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warhammer 40,000</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/episodes/ontheroad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/santa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses</a>, and more. <strong>It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW CREDITS: </strong></p><p>Senior creator/host: <a href="http://www.leslieethompson.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leslie Thompson</a></p><p>Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen </p><p>Show theme and “My Father’s Wand” original composition by by <a...
March 21, 2025
<p>History, science, and Leslie tries to beat a national champ.</p><p><strong>LINKS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/#email" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the Niche List</a> (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and <strong>BE SURPRISED </strong>when we announce something HUGE in a few days. </li><li>Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></li><li>Get your own flippable Springbok puzzle. You can get 10% off your order with code: <strong>NICHEPUZZLE10</strong>. Shop for puzzles <a href="https://www.springbok-puzzles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </li></ul><br/><p><strong>EPISODE NOTES:</strong></p><p>Where’d the puzzle come from? Why does it matter that puzzle companies CARE about the people who solve them? Which puzzles can be picked up after they’re completed? Why does science support us doing puzzles? And how much of a 500 piece puzzle can Leslie do in the same time as a national champion?</p><p>All questions answered in this episode. </p><p><strong>Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support!</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:</strong></p><p>Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on <a href="https://wpln.org/post/episodes/this-is-nicheville/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nashville Public Radio</strong></a> and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like <a href="http://www.nichetomeetyou.show/40k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warhammer 40,000</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/episodes/ontheroad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/santa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses</a>, and more. <strong>It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW CREDITS: </strong></p><p>Senior creator/host: <a href="http://www.leslieethompson.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leslie Thompson</a></p><p>Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen </p><p>Show theme composed by <a href="https://www.abigailflowersmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abigail Flowers</a> with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift</p><p>Episode mastering by Kevin Morris</p><p>Show artwork created by <a href="https://rachelmhardacre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rachel Hardacre</a></p>
February 21, 2025
<p>Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast).</p><p><strong>LINKS:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/#email" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the Niche List</a> (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)</li><li>Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></li><li>Want to get into puzzling (you should!)? Start with Springbok, where you can get 10% off your order with code: <strong>NICHEPUZZLE10</strong>. Shop for puzzles <a href="https://www.springbok-puzzles.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </li><li>The 2023 Op-ed by Danté Stewart for the Washington Post, referenced in the episode: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/16/dante-stewart-post-pandemic-covid-loneliness-coffeeshop/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">After covid, there’s one place I know I can go and not feel lonely</a></li></ul><br/><p><strong>EPISODE NOTES:</strong></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p><strong>Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support!</strong></p><p><strong>ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:</strong></p><p>Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on <a href="https://wpln.org/post/episodes/this-is-nicheville/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nashville Public Radio</strong></a> and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like <a href="http://www.nichetomeetyou.show/40k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warhammer 40,000</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/episodes/ontheroad" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions</a>, <a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/santa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses</a>, and more. <strong>It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nichetomeetyou.show/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.</strong></a></p><p><strong>SHOW CREDITS: </strong></p><p>Senior creator/host: <a href="http://www.leslieethompson.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leslie Thompson</a></p><p>Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen </p><p>Show theme composed by <a href="https://www.abigailflowersmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abigail Flowers</a> with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift</p><p>Episode mastering by Kevin Morris</p><p>Show artwork created by <a href="https://rachelmhardacre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rachel Hardacre</a></p>
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