Welcome to the next in the Podcast Showcase series, where we share podcasts with you in the words of the podcasters themselves. This time, we talk to Unpacking Peanuts
Sum up your podcast in three sentences
Three lifelong cartoonists take an in-depth look at the comic strip masterpiece, Peanuts. Each week, hosts Jimmy Gownley, Harold Buchholz and Michael Cohen examine the complete run of the comic by Charles M. Schulz year by year, from 1950 all the way up to the year 2000. Hilarity ensues.
Who is your ideal listener? Who loves your show?
Comic artists, people who love comics, people who like listening to smart funny people talk about something they’re passionate about.
What made you start this podcast?
The hosts loved Peanuts and talked about it often, and when Schulz’s 100th birthday was coming up they decided to read all 17,897 strips in a row and turn it into a podcast.
The first attempt didn’t get off the ground. They recorded a couple of episodes without regard for audio quality and the project languished for a couple of years.
Then I came along as editor and producer and we got going again. It’s too good a concept to give up on.
What have you learned about your subject thanks to this podcast?
How Schulz paved the way for generations of comic artists; how he created a work beloved by adults and children all over the world; all the different ways one can come to love his work– the strips, the animated specials, the licensed products. How to look at a simple line drawing and see the complexity of character and emotion.
What has your experience of podcasting been? What do you love / hate about the process?
I love the ease of entry, and learning how to improve the sound; I love hearing from engaged listeners; I love hearing the hosts articulate the depth of Schulz’s work, and crack each other up.
I’m NOT a big fan of proofing transcripts or promoting the podcast on social media.
If someone wants to start listening to your podcast, which episode would you recommend they start with? Why?
It depends on when they discovered Peanuts. Many people think the 1960s is the peak period. Others know it from the specials.
I’d say any of the late 50s or early 60s episodes. Or our special episodes of The Great Pumpkin or A Charlie Brown Christmas.
At this writing we are about to begin the 1970s so there are 30 more years to go!
Which other podcasts do you love listening to?
If Books Could Kill; Screw It We’re Just Gonna Talk About Comics; Lex Fridman
If people want to find you online, where can they do so?
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- pod.link/unpackingpeanuts
- unpackingpeanuts.com
- @unpackpeanuts on Twitter and Instagram
- @unpackingpeanuts on Facebook and Youtube
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Image credit: morrisjoyce