Show Notes
The history of podcasting has rarely been told. But in this episode, the brightest minds in podcasting reveal the inside story of this medium: from the invention of RSS feeds, through the Gold Rush era of corporate investments, to the bubble bursting, and the rise of celebrity podcasts. Along the way, Ira Glass explains the origins of This American Life and Serial, Marc Maron recounts Obama visiting his garage, Roman Mars lays out his vision for indie podcasts, and so much more. This story was adapted from the feature documentary Age of Audio.
Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026.
For updates on Age of Audio, visit the official website, or follow the film on Instagram and Tiktok.
Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound.
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If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
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More from Twenty Thousand Hertz
In Part 2 of our deep dive into needle drops, Dallas, Casey and Grace uncover more surprising stories behind some of cinema’s most unforgettable song choices. From a fiercely contested track that became a ‘90s comedy staple, to Quentin Tarantino’s habit of raiding old movie soundtracks, these pairings often took strange and unexpected paths to the screen. Along the way, they explore the hidden world of Music Supervision, impossible price tags, and the controversy around musical “soundalikes.”
When a filmmaker pairs a scene with the perfect song, the results can become iconic. But when and how did movies start using popular music this way? In this episode, Dallas, Casey and Grace trace the history of “needle drops,” from a forgotten Broadway song that became an unlikely hit, to the rock ‘n’ roll record that transformed movie soundtracks, to the happy accidents behind some of the most famous scenes of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Along the way, they reveal how movies and popular music became permanently intertwined.
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We’re proud to present the top selections from our 2026 Listener Story competition. In these extraordinary pieces, you’ll hear about the forgotten world of free online record labels, the controversial sounds that shape public spaces, the hidden history of a global pop hit, and finally, this year’s winning story. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Listener Links:
The “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is one of the most recognizable melodies on Earth. But the story behind it involves a global competition, thousands of mixes, a Trojan Horse pop song, and a surprising amount of celebrity beef. In this updated version of one of our favorite episodes, we trace how a five-note jingle became a worldwide phenomenon, and the controversy over who actually wrote it. Featuring Tom Batoy and Franco Tortora of Mona Davis Music. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus. Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Get three months of free payroll with Gusto at gusto.com/20k. Visit quo.com/20k for 20% of your first 6 months of business phone software.