Niche to Meet You

Leslie Thompson
  • 4.5 (77)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

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.

  1. APR 18

    🌳 Stick Nation: Paying Attention, One Stick at a Time

    Celebrate Earth Day, the niche way. LINKS: Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Become a part of the United Nicheons, the Niche to Meet You PatreonBUY MERCH!!!!!Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.show EPISODE NOTES: 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. LINKS MENTIONED: Official Stick Reviews InstagramStick Nation’s Stick Together Earth Day ChallengeNew York Times article about Logan and BooneHarvard article about meditation ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS:  Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen  Show theme and “My Father’s Wand” original composition by by a...

    23 min

  2. MAR 21

    🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 2: Why we need the jigsaw puzzle

    History, science, and Leslie tries to beat a national champ. LINKS: Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and BE SURPRISED when we announce something HUGE in a few days. Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showGet your own flippable Springbok puzzle. You can get 10% off your order with code: NICHEPUZZLE10. Shop for puzzles HERE.  EPISODE NOTES: 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? All questions answered in this episode.  Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support! ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS:  Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen  Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

    28 min
  3. 🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 1: A COVID story

    FEB 21

    🧩 Speed Puzzling | Part 1: A COVID story

    Community, belonging, and solving puzzles (really fast). LINKS: Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter) and get a special announcement on April 6thHave feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showWant to get into puzzling (you should!)? Start with Springbok, where you can get 10% off your order with code: NICHEPUZZLE10. Shop for puzzles HERE. The 2023 Op-ed by Danté Stewart for the Washington Post, referenced in the episode: After covid, there’s one place I know I can go and not feel lonely EPISODE NOTES: 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.  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.  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. Thank you to Springbok Puzzles for sponsoring this story. We are so grateful for your support! ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS:  Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen  Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers with this arrangement Produced & Arranged by Abigail Flowers, Chris Leidhecker, Kevin Gift Episode mastering by Kevin Morris Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

    36 min
  4. 🎳 Bowling and 🎶 Choral Societies: Third Spaces with Robert Putnam and Dr. Laurie Santos

    FEB 14

    🎳 Bowling and 🎶 Choral Societies: Third Spaces with Robert Putnam and Dr. Laurie Santos

    The Happiness Lab comes to Niche to Meet You. Join the Niche List (our monthly newsletter…er, Nicheletter)Have feedback or just want to say hi? Email us: hello@nichetomeetyou.showThe following Happiness Lab episodeBowling Alone, book EPISODE NOTES: Let's go on a field trip to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos. Laurie is a cognitive scientist at Yale and her course titled "Psychology and the Good Life" became the most popular course in Yale's history. In our episode called “On the road” we learned about the idea of third spaces, and how they’re often where someone’s hobby or niche is found. One of the sources I had in mind while I was writing this episode was a 2000 book called Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, which outlines the "third space" concept. Robert is a political scientist and his book gives us context for the current loneliness epidemic in which we find ourselves now, nearly thirty years later.  Recently, I discovered an episode of The Happiness Lab that features a hopeful conversation with Robert that felt really relevant for the Nicheverse. Dr. Santos agreed to let us air it! She joins us for the top of the episode, and she even brings her own niche interests with her. ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio and has been seen in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletter. Our stories introduce listeners to folks involved with things like Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses, and more. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS:  Senior creator/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson) Associate Script Editor: Chris Thiessen  Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

    40 min
  5. 🎅🏽 The Niche Before Christmas 🎅🏾

    12/23/2024 · BONUS

    🎅🏽 The Niche Before Christmas 🎅🏾

    Our favorite Santas read the famous poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Email us! Who are you? What's your niche? What do you like about this show?Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here.Looking to give a tax-deductible gift? Consider giving to this project. More information here.TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list. EPISODE NOTES: In this final offering of 2024, we give you the gift of several beloved voices from our Santa miniseries reading us the poem that started it all, A Visit from St. Nicholas (otherwise known as'Twas the Night Before Christmas) on its 201st anniversary. If you haven't listened to the miniseries yet, now is the time! Special thanks to WPLN Nashville Public Radio, for premiering this piece on your station! VOICES FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem SantaSanta ShedSanta BenSanta JayMalcolm Guite (UK)Santa LincolnSanta TrueSanta Robert (Norway) ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio, has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel, and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, wild turkey conservationists, and more.  a...

    5 min
  6. 🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 1: Jolly Old St. Nicholas

    12/06/2024

    🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 1: Jolly Old St. Nicholas

    The origins of the professional Santa. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here. EPISODE NOTES: This first episode in the Professional Santa miniseries is about history: where Santa came from with historian Stephanie Fulbright, and when the culture of PORTRAYING him started with Santa Phil. We cover the viral poem that made him famous, the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, and the Mount Rushmore of Professional Santas while hearing from actual Santa Portrayal Artists and Santa historians. SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem SantaSanta ShedSanta GeorgeSanta BenSanta PhilSanta True ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio, has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel, and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, wild turkey conservationists, and more.  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE. SHOW CREDITS:  Creator/Reporter/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson) Associate script producer: Chris Thiessen  Mastering by...

    33 min
  7. 🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 2: Here Comes Santa Claus

    12/06/2024

    🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 2: Here Comes Santa Claus

    Meet the Santas behind the beard. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here. EPISODE NOTES: In the second episode of our Professional Santa miniseries we meet the folks who portray Santa and learn what it takes to do the job. From meetups and conferences to spending thousands on uniform, these Santas take their jobs seriously. We talk to Shed and George, Black santas wth a mission to see representation in the niche, and meet Jerusalem’s only certified Santa Issa. Then, we shadow a Santa Donald on a gig to a school serving children with low vision. SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem SantaSanta ShedSanta GeorgeSanta BenSanta PhilSanta JaySanta StephenSanta Lincoln (Green Gloves)Santa HopSanta ChrisSanta True ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio, has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel, and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, a...

    31 min
  8. 🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 3: The Man with All the Joys

    12/06/2024

    🎅🏽 Professional Santas | Part 3: The Man with All the Joys

    Why Santa matters. Email us with your favorite part of this episode or what it made you think about! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Is there someone who should know about this project? Tell them. Seriously, just text them. Now!Find us on Instagram, or join our email list.Find pictures from Leslie’s time with Santas here. EPISODE NOTES: The final episode in our series about professional Santas ends with relevance – why having Santas is crucial to the human experience and aids with flourishing amid suffering. In doing this, we learn why these folks deal with the heaviness of the undertaking and what we can learn from them. You’ll hear from a Santa who spends 200+ days a year in a suit (and has done that for 35 years), and from an educator who uses his Santa portrayal to motivate his students. We also welcome renowned UK Poet Malcolm Guite to explore what storytelling and imagination have to do with Santa and his role in our society.  SANTAS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE: Jerusalem SantaSanta ShedSanta GeorgeSanta BenSanta PhilSanta JaySanta StephenSanta HopSanta ChrisSanta True ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU: Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio, has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel, and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube...

    30 min
See All (27)

Trailers

4.5
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Leslie Thompson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Leslie Thompson
  • Show Website
    Niche to Meet You

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