The only podcast
Rec Room #20 – Things we're enjoying this week
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
My rec this week is a podcast that’s thrown my listening habits into disarray since it started late last year, leaving a trail of unlistened-to eps and uncatchupable backlogs in its wake. Basically, the only thing I listen to for pleasure any more is POOG. If there isn’t a new episode to listen to, I’ll just put on one of the old ones again.
Hosts Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak are independently two of the funniest people on the planet, and somehow exponentially funnier together. POOG is just them talking to each other about different wellness and lifestyle topics, with all roads inevitably leading back to themselves.
Only a handful of times in your life does something come along that’s so enjoyable it ruins everything else you used to like. For me, this is one of those times – sorry to all the other podcasts.
–Cal
Jane recommends the new season of The Bachelor US on TVNZ On Demand. “It’s still early enough in the season to catch up, then you can follow along as new eps are released in the States. Significantly, Matt James is the first Black bachelor in the show’s 18 year history, and so far seems very genuine and endearing. And I’m pleased to report this cohort of bachelorettes are top quality viewing, with lots of lovely hair and plenty of drama already unfolding in the early episodes. It’s a welcome antidote to the absolute snoozefest that was the last season of The Bachelorette US, which was thrown into an absolute spin by Covid restrictions – the glitz, glamour and histrionics are back, and not a moment too soon.”
What makes a good pub? That’s a question for the ages, and it’s one that gets discussed on the new episode of Dietary Requirements out today. Joining Sophie and Simon is Hugo Baird, co-owner of Grey Lynn establishments Honey Bones and Lilian, who opened a new pub in the old Ponsonby Post Office late last year. Subscribe and listen to hear how he got Hotel Ponsonby off the ground – and what makes it his ideal pub.
Sam recommends i tried i really tried, a YouTube playlist of songs remixed to sound like they’re played in big empty malls, bathrooms at parties or the corner of a party. “It’s surprisingly relaxing, and it gives this weirdly humbling sense of scale even if you’re listening on shitty headphones. My personal favourite is Celestica by Crystal Castles but it’s playing in an empty shopping mall, which feels post-apocalyptic.”
Bananas are “unequivocally the best fruit”, and last week’s Business is Boring guest is one of the people responsible for bringing fair trade ones to New Zealand. Simon Coley and a few friends founded All Good as a way of making bananas more ethical, then expanded into cola with Karma Drinks. He joined Simon Pound in the studio to talk about building a sustainable ethical business and what they want to do next.
Stewart recommends Toi Tū Toi Ora at the Auckland Art Gallery. “It’s on until May and is an incredible journey through New Zealand’s history and culture. I learnt so much and experienced such a range of emotions – sadness, joy, pride. Set aside a few hours though because it is massive. Leonie wrote about the exhibition last year and sums it up perfectly.”
Leonie recommends the podcast 99% Invisible. “It’s broadly about the history and context of design, but it covers a really wide spectrum – episodes I’ve enjoyed recently are about how sound can make us sick and the difference sound design can make, the history of La Sagrada Familia, why Mexico City is sinking, and the pack horse librarians of the Appalachian mountains in the Great Depression. It is also hosted by a man whose real actual name is Roman Mars.”
Alice recommends the National Library’s #tbreaktweets. “They tweet cool shit from the olden days in Aotearoa, often grouped around themes such as diving or the beach or just random stuff. This ad for custard, for example.”
Emily recommends Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel. “I went there for the first time on the weekend and it was so exciting. At first I was like this beach sucks because I kept digging holes but there was NO HOT WATER but then someone said dig here and I did and it was so hot and I loved it. I made a really great big hole and it was my proudest achievement to date.”
That’s all for this week! If you’ve got a rec to share or any other business to discuss please get in touch. See you next Wednesday 👋