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My Favorite Things

Brendan Leonard

Brendan Leonard interviews people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives.

semirad.substack.com
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  • 21 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 55 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • Thursday · 58 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 25: Writer and Nerd Fitness Founder Steve Kamb

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 25 is writer and entrepreneur Steve Kamb, who is author of two books, including his newest, How to Try Again: An Approachable Guide to Navigating Chaos and Making Change That Sticks. Steve’s favorite things are: 1. The Redwall book series by Brian Jacques 2. Bo Burnham’s Kanye Rant Burrito Ballad 3. Season 2 of Nathan Fielder’s “The Rehearsal” 4. Outer Wilds created by Möbius Digital 5. Movies about Anthony Bourdain: Tony and Roadrunner Other things we mentioned: * The Strike * Dave * Forgetting Sarah Marshall * J.R.R. Tolkien * C.S. Lewis * Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memories This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • September 10 · 56 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 24: Poet Laureate and Author Chris La Tray

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 24 is writer Chris La Tray, who was poet laureate of Montana from 2023 to 2025, and is author of three books: * Becoming Little Shell * One-Sentence Journal * Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel Chris’s favorite things are: 1. Water of the Sky: A Dictionary of 2,000 Japanese Rain Words by Miya Ando 2. Heilung, LIFA Iotungard 3. Perfect Days 4. The art of John Isaiah Pepion 5. Small Island, Big Picture by Alexandra de Steiguer Other things we talked about: Braided Creek by Ted Kooser and Jim Harrison Anna Brones Aaron Draplin Mirrors: Stories of Almost Everyone by Eduardo Galliano Keith Haring Paterson Star Wars Fellowship of the Ring This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • August 27 · 47 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 23: Writer and Podcaster Amanda Monthei

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 23 is writer and podcaster Amanda Monthei. Amanda’s favorite things are: * Booter Crunk by Rage Films * The Nick Adams Stories by Ernest Hemingway * The writing of John Jeremiah Sullivan (specifically “Upon This Rock” and “The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie” * The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion * King Gizzard live on KEXP (specifically the song “Billabong Valley” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • August 13 · 49 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 22: Woodworker, Artist, and Art Handler Derik Penny

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 22 is woodworker, artist, and art handler Derik Penny. Derik’s favorite things are: 1. Coffee 2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 3. Essex County trilogy by Jeff Lemire 4. Sour Soul by BadBadNotGood 5. Ishitani furniture (by way of George and Mira Nakashima) 6. The Utility of Boredom by Andrew Forbes other things we mentioned: * The Hustler * Denver’s Esquire Theater (RIP) * Denny’s * 10,000 Ink Stains by Jeff Lemire * Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire * Oddissee * George Nakashima * The Only Way is the Steady Way by Andrew Forbes * The Billy Ripken error card This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • July 30 · 56 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 21: Musician And Composer Ian McLeod

    Support My Favorite Things on Patreon here. Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 21 is Ian McLeod, musician, composer, founder and owner of Cleod9 Music, husband, and dad of two. Ian’s favorite things are: 1. Bill Evans — Everybody Digs Bill Evans 2. A Tribe Called Quest — Midnight Marauders 3. Tinker Hatfield's sneaker designs 4. Stevie Wonder — Songs In The Key of Life 5. Keith Haring's paintings Other things we mentioned: * Stevie Wonder — Innervisions * Stevie Wonder — Fulfillingness’ First Finale * Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • July 16 · 52 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 20: Writer And Editor Nick Triolo

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 20 is Nick Triolo, writer, editor, and author of the book The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere. Nick’s favorite things are: 1. The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram 2. Darkside, Psychic (entry point: “Paper Trails”) 3. Tom Killion’s woodcut prints 4. Perfect Days 5. Salsa Verde Doritos Other things we mentioned: * Nick’s essay about air saloons * Goosebumps by R.L. Stine * Captain Ron * Tango & Cash * The Blues Brothers * Paterson * Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • July 2 · 49 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 19: Journalist and Author Heather Hansman

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 19 is Heather Hansman, journalist and author of three books, including her latest: Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild. Heather’s favorite things are: 1. The Fugees, The Score 2. Alex Katz’s Maine paintings (including Tracy on the Raft at 7:30) 3. Raven’s Exile by Ellen Meloy 4. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White 5. Lisa Grossman’s river paintings This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • June 18 · 50 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 18: Musician and teacher Arran Fagan

    My Favorite Things Episode 18: Musician and teacher Arran Fagan Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 17 is Arran Fagan, part-time folk musician (Aaran's IG) and full-time high school zoology teacher. Arran’s favorite things are: 1NPR’s recording of the Tallest Man on Earth’s set at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival(+ “Love Is All”) 2Her 3White Lighter by Typhoon 4Sum by David Eagleman 5East of Eden by John Steinbeck Other things we mentioned: * José González * Gregory Alan Isakov * Laura Marling * Andrew Bird This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • #17
    June 4 · 53 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 17: Anna Brones

    Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 17 is my friend Anna Brones, artist, author of five books (and one on the way!), teacher, and creator of the very popular Creative Fuel newsletter. Anna’s favorite things are: 1. Swedish Children's books by Elsa Beskow and Lena Anderson 2. Coffee 3. Daft Punk Alive 2007 4. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson 5. Oblique Strategies card deck by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt Other things we mentioned: Thomas Bangalter Soundcloud set This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • May 21 · 51 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 16: Wendy Wagner

    The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 16 is Wendy Wagner, editor, writer, and author of horror novels like her most recent book, Girl in the Creek, which was nominated for the 2026 Bram Stoker Award. Wendy's favorite things are: 1. So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane 2. Twin Peaks 3. Carr, O’Keeffe, Kahlo: Places of Their Own by Sharyn Rohlfsen Udall 4. The Last Christmas Mixtape (created by the members of the band Harry and the Potters while on tour in 2010) 5. Ark Nova This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • May 7 · 57 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 15: Fitz Cahall

    The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 15 is Fitz Cahall, creator of The Dirtbag Diaries and co-founder and creative of Duct Tape Then Beer. Fitz’s favorite things are: Apocalypse 91 … The Enemy Strikes Black by Public Enemy (+ Rage Against the Machine) A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean Sound of a dialup modem The Gap by Ira Glass Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • April 23 · 1 hr

    My Favorite Things Episode 14: Scott Kummer

    The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 14 is Scott Kummer, creator and host of the podcasts Ten Junk Miles and I've Got That On Vinyl, race director, runner, and attorney in Chicago.Scott's favorite things are: Jimi Plays Monterey Alcoholics Anonymous ("The Big Book") The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: A Complete Catalog by William Allin Storrer The Long Run by Mishka Shubalay Allison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • April 9 · 52 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 13: Jono Hey

    The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 13 is Jono Hey, designer, writer, illustrator, creator of Sketchplanations, and author of Big Ideas, Little Pictures: Explaining the World One Sketch at a Time. Jono’s favorite things are: * Calvin and Hobbes * Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks * “Le Onde” by Ludovic Einaudi * The Harry Potter series * The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • March 26 · 52 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 12: Jonathan Ellsworth

    The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 12 is Jonathan Ellsworth, writer, podcaster, founder of Blister Review, and former philosophy professor. Jonathan’s favorite things are: * Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway * Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot * Pulp Fiction (trailer) * Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso * “Mississippi” by Bob Dylan Other stuff we talked about: * “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie” by Bob Dylan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • March 12 · 55 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 11: Zoë Rom

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 11 is Zoë Rom, journalist, podcaster (Your Diet Sucks https://www.yourdietsuckspodcast.com/ , The Trailhead https://podlink.com/1640142466 ), running coach, elite ultrarunner, and stand-up comedian. Zoë’s favorite things are: 1. Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlist https://birp.fm/ 2. About a Mountain by John D’Agata Publisher’s Page https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393339017 Bookshop https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780393339017 Amazon https://amzn.to/4qvclLR 3. Ways of Hearing https://www.radiotopia.fm/showcase/ways-of-hearing 4. Nathaniel Russel’s Art http://nathanielrussell.com/ 5. Lady Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi_HC839Wo Other things we mentioned: “Temptation” by Jukebox the Ghost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFo7pXzQqA “Welcome Home” byRadical Face https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8a4iiOnzsc The Lifespan of a Fact by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393340730 The Things We Carried by Tim O’Brien harpercollins.com/products/the-things-they-carried-tim-obrien The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger https://wwnorton.com/books/The-Perfect-Storm/ Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Slade https://www.harpercollins.com/products/into-the-raging-sea-rachel-slade?variant=32207635087394 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • February 26 · 47 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 10: Kurt Wikel

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Kurt Wikel, geophysicist, dad, and brewery co-owner. Kurt’s favorite things are: 1. The Simpsons 2. Daft Punk — Homework Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube 3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert W. Pirsig Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon 4. A Coconut Named Bob by Austin Weaver Publisher’s Page | Amazon 5. Dune by Frank Herbert Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon Movie trailer This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • February 12 · 1 hr

    My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Mike Sowden, creator of the immensely popular Substack, Everything Is Amazing (I’m a paid subscriber). Mike’s favorite things are: * Halloumi * The soundtrack to Raise the Titanic, by John Williams * Main theme * Re-recordings of the soundtrack by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra: * Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Microadventures by Alastair Humphreys Publisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon * Electric blankets * Distant lights seen at night This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • January 29 · 52 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 8: Chandra Brown

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 8 is Chandra Brown, writer, educator, raft guide, and founder of the Freeflow Institute (where she has graciously allowed me to teach an annual writing workshop since 2019). Chandra’s favorite things are: * Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon * My Morning Jacket, At Dawn (album) Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube * America Windows by Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chicago * Sturgill Simpson concert at the Wilma in Missoula, November 8, 2016 * Her dad’s Micromet weather data collection units, early 1990s to present This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • January 15 · 52 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 7: Andy Pearson

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 7 is Andy Pearson, VP of creative at Liquid Death, dad of two kids, ultramarathon runner, and co-host of the Between Two Pines podcast. Andy’s favorite things are: 1. Back to the Future Part II 2. Calvin and Hobbes 3. I Get Wet by Andrew WKApple Music | Spotify | YouTube 4. On the Road by Jack KerouacPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon 5. Boys and Girls in America by The Hold SteadyApple Music | Spotify | YouTube Other things we talked about: The Curse This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

  • January 1 · 1 hr 32 min

    My Favorite Things Episode 6: Mario Fraioli

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 6 is running coach, podcaster, writer, and runner Mario Fraioli. Mario’s favorite things are: * The Beatles — Here Comes The SunApple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Hunter S. Thompson’s letter to Hume Logan * On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen KingPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon * John Gruber’s Daring Fireball * The White Stripes — Little RoomApple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Seth Godin’s blog * The church at the end of Mario’s streetOther things we mentioned: * It Might Get Loud (trailer) * Jimmy Page scene in It Might Get Loud * This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

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