Better Strangers

Seth Flagg | Better Strangers: Episode 20

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:00:48 +0000

Photo by Quim Gil

Seth Flagg and Aric chat about everything from student teaching to finding your own doppelgänger. But wait, there’s more! Bad night club ideas, how to be polite to artists, getting out to support your friends, gift exchanges, fabric stores, Warhammer, and much much more. Why are you reading words when you could be listening to them? Listen to the podcast already!

Websites mentioned in this podcast:
Things Fitting Perfectly Into Other Things
Feeding Objects

Stay level, everyone. Stay level.

The post Seth Flagg | Better Strangers: Episode 20 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Matthew Pollack | Better Strangers : Episode 19

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 08:00:53 +0000

photo by monozygotic

From a discussion of symbolism and character in movies like Gravity and Jurassic Park to plumbing the depths of fear and self doubt. Mapping the patterns of conversation and the bridge between “getting to know you” and “I get you” for your listening pleasure. Enjoy this Better Strangers podcast and share it with a stranger. Or someone you know. That’s probably safer.

The post Matthew Pollack | Better Strangers : Episode 19 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Bruce Worden | Better Strangers: Episode 18

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 07:00:50 +0000

photo by Sebastiaan

Candiru. That’s the only word you need to know for this Better Strangers podcast with Bruce Worden. I know, I know. “Aric, you haven’t made one of these since November!” First, thanks for paying attention. Second, thanks for coming back. We have awkwardness, hipster beat poetry, fear of the ocean, and more in this episode. Enjoy it!

The post Bruce Worden | Better Strangers: Episode 18 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Ava S | Better Strangers: Episode 17

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 08:00:34 +0000

photo by MaplessInSeattle

Helping strangers, regrets, saying yes more often, and more come up in this two hour episode of this Better Strangers podcast with Ava S. Also, almost getting beat up at a movie theater and a difficult bathroom cleanup. How can those words not entice you to listen? They were such good words! Listen to the podcast already. It’s two hours! You’ll need the time you’re wasting reading this to listen.

The post Ava S | Better Strangers: Episode 17 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Mary K Weinhagen | Better Strangers: Episode 16

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:00:11 +0000

(photo from My name's axel)

Psychology, elevator conversations, truth, and fear are all delved into in this conversation with Mary K Weinhagen. I know! It’s been 7 months! But the Better Strangers podcast is back! Now with more sticktoitiveness!

Know someone I don’t know? Fantastic! Tell them to submit their information right here to have an awkward conversation with me! It’s like winning an awkward stuffed animal at a carnival. It’s Cartman, but not really Cartman.

Are you still reading this? Listen to the podcast already!

The post Mary K Weinhagen | Better Strangers: Episode 16 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Julia H | Better Strangers: Episode 15

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 08:00:56 +0000

(photo from NASARobonaut)

Movies and TV are the glue that holds this week’s conversation with Julia together. Listen (and thrill) as we find common ground in television and find where that leads a conversation to! Also, we talk a little bit about the death of dreams. I said there would be thrills.

The post Julia H | Better Strangers: Episode 15 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Andy Sturdevant | Better Strangers: Episode 14

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:00:19 +0000

(photo by Matteo Riondato)

Artist, writer and arts administrator Andy Sturdevant joins the Better Strangers podcast for a discussion that includes, but is not limited to, penmanship and secret basement pool tables. You can find out more about Andy and his work at andysturdevant.com.

While you’re giving the podcast a listen, please subscribe to, rate, and review the Better Strangers podcast on iTunes. And tell your friends about it. And listen to other NoisePicnic shows. Well, you can’t do that last one while listening to this podcast. Queue it up. You’re smarter than everyone gives you credit for.

The post Andy Sturdevant | Better Strangers: Episode 14 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Darrell Ford | Better Strangers: Episode 12

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:00:44 +0000

(photo by U.S. Embassy New Delhi)

Movies, TV, and why Michigan is better than Nebraska are a few of the topics with Darrell Ford in this week’s Better Strangers podcast episode.

Also, try and figure out which new phrase Aric needs to break himself from repeating over and over. As always, do not attempt to drink every time the phrase is said. It would kill you.

The post Darrell Ford | Better Strangers: Episode 12 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Steve Keller | Better Strangers: Episode 11

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:00:13 +0000

(photo by Bruno Covas)

Alaska, contracting, grizzly attacks, tin foil, and board games are all discussed in this podcast chat with Steve Keller. Also, I find out I’m embarrassingly stupid when it comes to geography. Like, multiple times over stupid. So, enjoy that.

The post Steve Keller | Better Strangers: Episode 11 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Mel Payne | Better Strangers: Episode 10

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:23 +0000

(photo by Drew Leavy)

Texans, Vegas, work friends, eating alone in restaurants, and more in this podcast conversation with Mel Payne.

Mel is a contributor at PlopList.com, a blog about comedy podcasts and comedy in general, and she draws a comic blog called Adventures in Solitude. Check out all of these things! But, you know, listen to the podcast too. Probably first, since you’re here already anyway.

The post Mel Payne | Better Strangers: Episode 10 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

LaTasha Cornett | Better Strangers: Episode 9

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:59 +0000

(photo by Christian)

Memphis, religion, Shoe Carnival, and Top Chef are the main topics of conversation in this podcast talk with LaTasha Cornett.

The post LaTasha Cornett | Better Strangers: Episode 9 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Faye Banowetz | Better Strangers: Episode 8

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:00:52 +0000

(photo by Spencer Finnley)

Germany, silence, farm life, bitter lemon, politics, and emergency rooms are just of the tip of the iceberg in this podcast conversation with Faye Banowetz.

Listen, enjoy, and share.

Really. Enjoy. It’s a lot of fun.

The post Faye Banowetz | Better Strangers: Episode 8 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Kate Gallagher | Better Strangers: Episode 7

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:00:04 +0000

(photo by Erin Webb)

Kate Gallagher and I have the shortest conversation to date as we discuss mayo, grains, and not dying immediately on this podcast episode. Maybe I should stop calling people at the later end of dinner time.

The post Kate Gallagher | Better Strangers: Episode 7 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Heather Meyer | Better Strangers: Episode 6

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:40 +0000

(photo by Adam Comerford)

Goats, North Dakota, mountain women, telemarketing, and graffiti at the Green Mill are all part of this podcast conversation with Heather Meyer. This may be the most action packed Better Strangers episode yet. But, do not worry. We all survive.

The post Heather Meyer | Better Strangers: Episode 6 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Amy Salloway | Better Strangers: Episode 5

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:47 +0000

(photo by wadebetter)

Gaining and losing friends, jobs, piercings, and shyness are all part of thisBetter Strangers podcast episode with Amy Salloway. Is it easier to open up when talking to a stranger? Harder? Maybe you’ll find out by listening.

Why not share this week’s episode with a stranger? Not, like, on a bus though. Just tell an internet stranger about it. They are less likely to ask you what the hell a podcast is.

The post Amy Salloway | Better Strangers: Episode 5 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Patrick Rauland | Better Strangers: Episode 4

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:00:14 +0000

(photo by My name's axel)

Glee, Wisconsin, and Sex World are all topics discussed with Patrick Rauland in this episode of the Better Strangers podcast. There are other topics discussed too. Don’t worry. But, really, what topics would expect in my first Better Strangers conversation with a man?

The post Patrick Rauland | Better Strangers: Episode 4 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Manna Simula | Better Strangers: Episode 3

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 30 May 2011 08:00:14 +0000

(photo by westius)

This Better Strangers podcast features Manna Simula. Conversation is flowing a bit more naturally this podcast episode even while dinner is being prepared during the conversation.

Taking a look at episode 2 has really straightened out a few conversational quirks. Will it last? You’ll have to wait and see! Take a listen and enjoy.

The post Manna Simula | Better Strangers: Episode 3 appeared first on NoisePicnic Podcast Network.

Jessica McCormick | Better Strangers: Episode 2

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:00:43 +0000

(photo by tantek)

On this Better Strangers podcast, I talk to Jessica McCormick. This episode is vastly different from episode one. You’ll see some giant conversational faults on my side of things. I analyze it all after the conversation with Jessica is over, so make sure to listen to the end.

If you enjoy the podcast, in some way, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it one iTunes. It will really help new people find the podcast. Oh! And tell people about the podcast. That will help people find it too.

Enjoy!

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Marne Gerdes | Better Strangers: Episode 1

betterstrangerspodcast@gmail.com (Aric McKeown) — Mon, 16 May 2011 08:00:36 +0000

(photo by heftigpro)

Hi! My name is Aric McKeown. Welcome to the first episode of the Better Strangers podcast. With this podcast, I hope to explore the art of conversation and what makes me so bad at it. To accomplish this, I plan to have as many conversations with complete strangers as possible.

Each episode will be show you the awkward “getting to know you” phase of meeting someone. This is something that nearly petrifies me. In fact, when hearing the ringtone leading up to this first conversation, my heart was racing like a jackrabbit and I started to feel sick. Like when you’re calling a girl (or guy) that you like in middle school. Middle school. Talk about awkward.

In this first episode, I have a wonderful chat with Marne Gerdes. If this chat had gone horribly wrong, this might have been the only episode of this podcast. But Marne was open and talkative and great.

That doesn’t mean I wasn’t awkward. Oh, was I ever.

To give you the real flavor of these conversations, I am leaving in all the pauses and stammers. This is about seeing what a conversation really looks like. Not one prettied up like that fast talking nonsense on the Gilmore Girls.

Also, I know there isn’t a drinking game out for this podcast because this is the first episode. But you might want to drink every time I say “exactly.” Don’t worry. You will be drunk very quickly.

So, please. Enjoy the podcast. And if you are interested, please consider submitting your information to participate in a conversation with me. Participate in a conversation? That couldn’t sound any more dry if I tried. It’ll be better than that. I swear!

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