Episodi

  • Jesse Dukes loves fishing

    Jesse Dukes loves fishing
    Nov 1 2026

    Jesse Dukes, cohost of Upper Middlebrow, is back on Finding Favorites to talk about fishing!

    Jesse’s Links

    Website: https://jessedukes.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpdukes9

    Diamond Shoals on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diamondshoalsband

    Upper Middlebrow: https://uppermiddlebrow.com/

    Life, Automated: https://ryaninstitute.kellogg.northwestern.edu/podcast

    Mentions

    Rebecca Lavoie: https://www.crimewriterson.com/about-rebecca

    Arielle Nissenblatt: https://www.ariellenissenblatt.com/

    The Den Theatre: https://thedentheatre.com/

    Tony (2026): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33095251/

    Reed the Fishmonger on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reedthefishmonger

    Finding Favorites episode "Traveling the world with David Simmer II": https://findingfavorites.podbean.com/e/traveling-the-world-with-david-simmer-ii/

    Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck: https://bookshop.org/p/books/travels-with-charley-in-search-of-america-john-steinbeck/371aecdbaab0c003?ean=9780140053203

    The Stranger by Albert Camus: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-stranger-albert-camus/632151a03135e7ee?ean=9780679720201

    Candy Chat Chicago: https://candychatpodcast.podbean.com/

    Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    This episode was edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Thanks for coming back!

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    1 ora e 11 min
  • Lynne Streeter Childress loves farmers markets

    Lynne Streeter Childress loves farmers markets
    Oct 18 2026
    Lynne Streeter Childress is a playwright, actor, teaching artist, singer, director, and the founder and artistic director of Building Better People Productions! (She's also a twin!) She sat down with Leah to talk about her work making theater for young people and her love of farmer's markets. Lynne’s Links Building Better People Productions: https://bbpproductions.com/BBPP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/building_better_people/BBPP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuildingBetterPeopleProductionsLynne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnestreeterchildress/Lynne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynne.s.childress Mentions Abbott Elementary (2021 TV series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14218830/Romeo + Juliet (1996): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst: https://bookshop.org/p/books/alexander-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-day-judith-viorst/e411e6f4468312df?ean=9780689711732Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes: https://bookshop.org/p/books/lilly-s-purple-plastic-purse-kevin-henkes/1909fccec3981a54?ean=9780688128975Killing of Tamir Rice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tamir_Rice [Just noting that going from "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" to "Tamir Rice" in the notes is giving serious whiplash!]Killing of Trayvon Martin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Trayvon_MartinRae Ringel and the Ringel Group: https://ringelgroup.com/Leslie Gray Streeter: https://lesliegraystreeter.com/Fine Beats & Cheeses: https://finebeatsandcheeses.com/ Cassie Horrell (weddingprocass): https://www.instagram.com/weddingprocass/Christa Innis (heychristainnis): https://www.instagram.com/heychristainnis/camj859 reacts to Debbie Gibson for the first time: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdrqglEpQoj/ "Candy" from Octet (Original Cast Recording) by Dave Malloy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_LRxOPkTH0&list=OLAK5uy_kehMXrRutrIsMoYUb6y9taNToVWjG-ar8&index=3tick, tick… BOOM! (2021): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8721424/Dressed in Joy: https://dressedinjoy.com/Dancing with the Stars: https://abc.com/show/f66d60e7-29f2-49cf-85dd-44a11bce42e4The Traitors: https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/franchise/the-traitorsThe Voice: https://www.nbc.com/the-voiceThe Masked Singer: https://www.fox.com/detail/series/SER000878XWTP/the-masked-singerSnarky in the Suburbs and Dear Snarky: https://snarkyinthesuburbs.com/ Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com This episode was edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Thanks for coming back! Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    1 ora
  • Erik Fuhrer loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    Erik Fuhrer loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    Oct 4 2026

    Erik Fuhrer is nonbinary poet, memoirist, playwright, scarf-tie aficionado, and lover of all things bold, queer, and glittery. They joined Leah to talk about Buffy the Vampire and all things 90s pop culture. We talk about sweeps week, very special musical episodes, ways to binge media and using pop culture as a writing prompt.

    Keep up with Erik online

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikjfuhrer

    Website: https://erik-fuhrer.com/

    Geller Studies: https://www.spuytenduyvil.net/gellar-studies.html

    Survival Kit Writing Collective: https://erik-fuhrer.com/skwc

    Look for All Buffed Up coming late 2026!

    Show notes

    Buffering the Vampire Slayer: https://www.bufferingcast.com/

    "Ode to Patrick Swayze" by Tishani Doshi: https://www.best-poems.net/tishani-doshi/ode-to-patrick-swayze.html

    Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume: https://bookshop.org/p/books/are-you-there-god-it-s-me-margaret-judy-blume/118d507e90c57dfd?ean=9781481409933

    Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dear-mr-henshaw-beverly-cleary/1369c9faa908f695?ean=9780380709588

    TV Show shout outs

    • Frasier
    • I Know What You Did Last Summer
    • Scream 2
    • Scooby-Doo (2002)
    • Baywatch (1989 TV series)
    • Deal or No Deal
    • Walker, Texas Ranger
    • Thunder in Paradise
    • Knight Rider (1982 TV series)
    • MacGyver (1985 TV series)
    • RoboCop (1987)
    • Beverly Hills, 90210
    • Family Ties
    • The Cosby Show
    • Friends
    • Heroes
    • The X-Files
    • Twin Peaks
    • The Sopranos
    • Stranger Things
    • The Good Place
    • Saved by the Bell
    • Freaks and Geeks
    • Tori Amos
    • Ghost
    • Chinatown
    • Jurassic Park
    • Being John Malkovich
    • Mean Girls (2004)
    • Sixteen Candles
    • Pretty in Pink
    • The Pitt
    • Matlock (2024 TV series)
    • The Bear
    • Elle
    • Legally Blonde
    • The Boroughs
    • Ponies
    • "Rasputin" by Boney M.
    • The White Lotus
    • Disclosure Day
    • Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass
    • Coyote vs. Acme
    • Space Jam
    • Space Jam: A New Legacy

    Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    This episode was edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Thanks for coming back!

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    1 ora e 9 min
  • Brooke Ishibashi loves Night Side Songs

    Brooke Ishibashi loves Night Side Songs
    Sep 20 2026

    If you asked me what theater to see in New York last year, I would have told you to head to Lincoln Center for one of two shows - Ragtime or Night Side Songs.

    For this episode I sat down with Brooke Ishibashi, the lead actress from the cast of Night Side Songs, to talk about grief, breast cancer, mammograms, and our shared love of the show. (Full disclosure: fellow cast member Jonathan Raviv is a friend and I try to see everything he's in and that's how I was introduced to the Lazour brothers and this work of heartbreaking (and heartmending) genius).

    We talk about breast cancer A LOT in this episode and the liminal space in between a mammogram and an answer.

    As a listener of Finding Favorites, you are now required to listen to the cast recording of Night Side Songs.

    Brooke’s Links
    • Website: https://www.brookeishibashi.com/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookeishibashi
    • Coaching email: ishibashicoaching@gmail.com
    • Night Side Songs cast recording: https://castalbums.org/recordings/night-side-songs-2026-original-off-broadway-cast/52272
    Mentions
    • Mary Kageyama Nomura: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Nomura
    • College Audition Pros: https://collegeauditionpros.com/
    • Felicity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicity_(TV_series)
    • Under the Radar: https://utrfest.org/
    • Sharsheret: https://www.sharsheret.org/
    • Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Archives: https://archives.lincolncenter.org/

    Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    This episode was edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Thanks for coming back!

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    1 ora e 11 min
  • Brittany Micka-Foos loves pickleball

    Brittany Micka-Foos loves pickleball
    Sep 6 2026

    Finding Favorites is back from hiatus with author Brittany Micka-Foos and we are talking about pickleball! Brittany is a writer in the pacific northwest and discovered pickball during covid lockdown and has become a full blown lover of the game.

    Follow Brittany online
    • It's No Fun Anymore: https://bookshop.org/p/books/it-s-no-fun-anymore-brittany-micka-foos/391407badde985eb?ean=9781627205856
    • Website: https://www.brittanymickafoos.com/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittanymickafoos
    Additional notes

    Village Books: https://www.villagebooks.com/

    "The Yellow Wallpaper": https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1952

    The Writer's Center: https://writer.org/

    Hugo House: https://hugohouse.org/

    StoryStudio Chicago: https://www.storystudiochicago.org/

    The Dink (2026): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33499146/

    The Goldbergs: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2712740/

    The Deep Dive with Jessica St. Clair and June Diane Raphael: https://lemonadamedia.com/show/the-deep-dive-with-jessica-st-clair-and-june-diane-raphael/

    Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    This episode was edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Thanks for coming back!

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    48 min
  • Candy Chat Crossover: Lapland and Finnish Candy

    Candy Chat Crossover: Lapland and Finnish Candy
    Feb 9 2026
    Over on Candy Chat Chicago, Ronnie Raviv joined hosts Leah Jones and Jocelyn Geboy to talk about medical diagnoses, Finland, the Ice Hotel, the last Bears game of the post-season, all while eating a lot of Finnish candy. Candy that we sample during the episode. Photos on Threads Suffeli PuffiMarianneDumle Winter MixJaffaKarl Fazer Blueberry TruffleKarl Fazer Salty Toffee CrunchSalted Caramel FudgeOllo All SortsSusu SnacksTutti Frutti Winter MixTyrkisk PeperFazer GlogikulaatLapland's blueberry candy Vestibular Schwannoma or Acoustic Neuroma information Mayo Clinic Dr. Ricky Wong Ronnie and Leah's guide to Lapland Time-lapse drive to Sweden: Housing between Kittila/Levy and Muonio Villa Borealis (where we stayed) https://www.villaborealis.com Lapland Dream Villas (3adjacent cabins, different owner, same operator) https://www.laplanddream.fi Appropriate clothing Our property owner had a warehouse that she took us to for boots, coats, gloves, snowpants, etcIce hotel provided coveralls, gloves, boots, balaclava Base layer of cotton is a no-no in a cold room at Icehotel so make sure you at least have something synthetic or wool for top and bottom Places we ate in Finland Swiss cafe MuonioTakka at Olos resortPanoramic restaurant at Levi resort via gondolaLevi PizzaSalteriat (schnitzel) Finland activities and vendors Aurora Chase with Arctic Frontiers http://www.arcticfrontier.fi/ Phenomenal. Would’ve booked a second night if neededBase camp was on a frozen lake with a hut with a fire, warm juice and brownies Dogsled http://www.maglelin.fi/ What a delightful afternoon! Ronnie drove a sled himself and I was a passenger on the guide's sled. Once she saw my cane, she made arrangements for me to sit and take 200 photos. Family owned and operated. She offers different distances based on the weather and party size. Arcandia Adventure Park What a fun, silly night! We did ramen with the shamen for dinner. Hot pot cooking with reindeer meat, filet, ramen, fresh vegA la cart sausages and snacks looked goodHot chocolate with mint liqueur was delicious We threw spears, axes, archery, and did an astrology chartThis is hilly terrain with snow packed paths. We saw people slip and fall, but kept our footing. Of course it’s a tourist trap! Take your best ren faire or Comic-Con attitude and have funhttps://www.arcandia.fi/ Reindeer safari https://www.getyourguide.com/sirkka-l139331/levi-reindeer-experience-with-sled-ride-t418396/?ranking_uuid=3248de96-0922-420f-af99-54f05c66decf Warm drinks in a hut with a fire for fascinating reindeer facts after short sleigh ride and feeding reindeer Ice hotel in Sweden https://www.icehotel.com/ What we did Ice DinnerSlept cold in 365 art suiteAurora photography with Scandinavian Sami Photoadventures Www.scandanavianphtotoadventures.com. Ice sculpture class Ice Hotel suggestions Look at the calendar for when the winter exhibit opens. We went a week before. Fun vibe with all the artists and builders on campus, but we didn’t get to see the annual buildSkip the ice dinner and eat a la cartsUse their gear! It’s really goodMake it two nights - one warm, one cold - and enjoy a slower visit Overall thoughts We went Nov 30 to December 62 hours of daylight stretched into 4-5 hours with dawn and duskWent before peak season of total darkness, so more cost effective We didn’t do any Christmas or Santa stuff A few notes on traveling fat and mobility-impaired IceHotel had gear in sizes too big for me!The icehotel sleeping bag was snug and a little claustrophobic, but it zippedThe property manager had coats big enough for me (actually a little too big)WinterRent coat was my fave, but their 6x pants didn't fit. Their boots were also the best I borrowed for me. The Snow Country snow pants I bought on clearance last year were perfect https://www.snowcountryouterwear.com/ Smart Wool base layers in largest size fit greatDarn Tough socks were tight on calf, but worked good enough Every restaurant has comfortable seating for meThe wheelchair plane access in Kittila was an elevator on a truck. If you are unsteady on your feet, get wheelchair services in the airports and save your energy for dogsledding. Bring your own towel. No towel in Finland wrapped around my body.
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    3 ore e 2 min
  • 2025 Call In Show with bonus Rabbi Zedek

    2025 Call In Show with bonus Rabbi Zedek
    Jan 18 2026

    It's time for our annual Best of Call In show where past guests and listeners send in voice memos of some of their favorite things from 2025. This year's episode includes a 30 minute interlude with Rabbi Michael Zedek to talk about his newest book!

    Rabbi Michael Zedek

    People are Like...

    Taking Miracles Seriously

    TedX The Four Beautifuls

    Korman Siblings

    Hosts of Friday Night Movie Podcast

    Producers of The Floaters

    • Koln 75
    • F1 in the theater
    • Stranger Things
    • Avatar Fire & Ash
    • Adult Children

    Pam Rose

    • Severance
    • Traitors
    • Stranger Things on Broadway
    • Damiano David (music)
    • Weapons
    • Sinners
    • The Naked Gun
    • Dinosaur improv
    • Ben Schwartz & Friends
    • Taskmaster
    • Celebrity Boyfriend - James Acaster
    • Would I Lie to You
    • Off Menu Podcast

    Abbas Jaffary

    • Mini ITX gaming computer
    • Geometry Wars
    • Ball Pit
    • Switch 2
    • Metroid Prime Beyond
    • Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
    • Itality - indigenous vegan food
    • Work team
    • Students
    • Tilted Access Press
    • Canned Podcast
    • HDTGM
    • Hello from the Magic Tavern
    • Arcane - Netflix
    • Resisting ICE

    Steve Higgins

    • 20th anniversary of teaching at Lewis & Clark
    • 15 years of Ink & Drink comics
    • Katharos - Steve’s own comic
    • Assorted Crisis Events (comic short stories)
    • Severance
    • Pluribus
    • KPop Demon Hunter
    • Maybe Happy Ending

    Andy

    • Minecraft in person
    • Birdwatching
    • Going to the beach
    • Anime conventions
    • Cosplay photo shoots
    • Making and wearing cosplay
    • BINGO Resolutions
    • Punch Card Resolutions

    Jasmine Davila

    • Heated Rivalry
    • Fandom & community

    Ezra Butler - independent researcher

    Jute Backerei in Berlin

    Jesse Dukes - host of Upper Middle Brow

    • Cannery Row - John Steinbeck
    • Sweet Thursday - Steinbeck
    • Exhalation: Stories Ted Chang
    • Robot Stories - Isaac Asimov
    • Salt-water fishing
    • Wet Legs - Moisturizer

    Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    1 ora e 22 min
  • Max Klau loves music

    Max Klau loves music
    Dec 7 2025

    Max Klau, an author, musician and social change agent, joined Leah in October to talk about his new book, a new album and making art in dangerous times. Max and Leah met through New Politics Academy and his book Developing Servant Leaders at Scale dives into his tried and true methods for self-discovery.

    Follow Max online

    Developing Servant Leaders at Scale by Max Klau: https://bookshop.org/p/books/developing-servant-leaders-at-scale-how-to-do-it-and-why-it-matters-max-klau/a9fe513c6a63c3ca?ean=9781837081653

    Max's website: https://www.maxklau.com/

    Max's LinkedIn for workshop info: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-klau-0319a11/

    The Max Klau Band: https://www.maxklau.com/music

    Mentions

    New Politics Academy: https://www.newpoliticsacademy.org/

    James Talarico: https://jamestalarico.com/

    Kansas Leadership Center: https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/

    Inner Development Goals: https://innerdevelopmentgoals.org/

    Stutz: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21819228/

    Jessi Bender on Finding Favorites: https://findingfavorites.podbean.com/e/jesi-bender-victorian-utica/

    I Fight Dragons: https://ifightdragons.com/

    Tour:Smart by Martin Atkins: https://martinatkins.bigcartel.com/product/tour-smart-digital-book

    Moshav: https://www.moshavband.com/

    Bob Schneider: https://www.bobschneider.com/

    Michael Shelley: https://michaelshelley.net/

    WFMU: https://wfmu.org/

    Finding Favorites is (once again) edited and mixed by Rob Abrazado. Follow Finding Favorites on Instagram at @FindingFavsPod and leave a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or Spotify. Got a question or want to suggest a guest? email Leah at FindingFavoritesPodcast@gmail.com

    Support Finding Favorites by shopping for books by guests or recommended by guests on Bookshop.
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    49 min