My Favorite Things

Brendan Leonard
  • 5.0 (9)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Brendan Leonard interviews people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. semirad.substack.com

Episodes

  1. My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden

    6D AGO

    My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Mike Sowden, creator of the immensely popular Substack, Everything Is Amazing (I’m a paid subscriber). Mike’s favorite things are: * Halloumi * The soundtrack to Raise the Titanic, by John Williams * Main theme * Re-recordings of the soundtrack by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra: * Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Microadventures by Alastair Humphreys Publisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon * Electric blankets * Distant lights seen at night Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  2. JAN 29

    My Favorite Things Episode 8: Chandra Brown

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 8 is Chandra Brown, writer, educator, raft guide, and founder of the Freeflow Institute (where she has graciously allowed me to teach an annual writing workshop since 2019). Chandra’s favorite things are: * Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon * My Morning Jacket, At Dawn (album) Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube * America Windows by Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chicago * Sturgill Simpson concert at the Wilma in Missoula, November 8, 2016 * Her dad’s Micromet weather data collection units, early 1990s to present Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min

  3. JAN 15

    My Favorite Things Episode 7: Andy Pearson

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 7 is Andy Pearson, VP of creative at Liquid Death, dad of two kids, ultramarathon runner, and co-host of the Between Two Pines podcast. Andy’s favorite things are: 1. Back to the Future Part II 2. Calvin and Hobbes 3. I Get Wet by Andrew WKApple Music | Spotify | YouTube 4. On the Road by Jack KerouacPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon 5. Boys and Girls in America by The Hold SteadyApple Music | Spotify | YouTube Other things we talked about: The Curse Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min

  4. JAN 1

    My Favorite Things Episode 6: Mario Fraioli

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 6 is running coach, podcaster, writer, and runner Mario Fraioli. Mario’s favorite things are: * The Beatles — Here Comes The SunApple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Hunter S. Thompson’s letter to Hume Logan * On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen KingPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon * John Gruber’s Daring Fireball * The White Stripes — Little RoomApple Music | Spotify | YouTube * Seth Godin’s blog * The church at the end of Mario’s streetOther things we mentioned: * It Might Get Loud (trailer) * Jimmy Page scene in It Might Get Loud * Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 33m

  5. 12/18/2025

    My Favorite Things Episode 5: Anya Miller Berg

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 5 is Anya Miller Berg, brand creative director at Mountain Hardwear, climber, mountain biker, former architect, and cat mom. Anya’s favorite things are: 1. Teenagers in Their Bedrooms by Adrienne Salinger Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon 2. Bobo Choses 3. Les Others Magazine 4. Barking at the Knot - Seamus Foster 5. (large scale art): * Echoes of the Infinite by Alex Proba * Souvenir by Kathleen Ryan * The Red Popsicle by Catherine Mayer Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    My Favorite Things Episode 4: Kris Hampton

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 4 is Kris Hampton, a podcaster, writer, artist, climbing coach and founder of Power Company Climbing. Kris’s favorite things are: 1. “The Show” by Doug E. FreshApple Music | Spotify | YouTube 2. “Check the Rhime” by A Tribe Called QuestApple Music | Spotify | YouTube 3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper LeePublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon | To Kill A Mockingbird movie trailer4. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper5. No Kings by DoomtreeApple Music | Spotify | YouTube Other things we mentioned:The Day Todd Skinner Fell To Earth, Men’s Journal Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 3m

  7. 11/20/2025

    My Favorite Things Episode 3: Ed Roberson

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 3 is Ed Roberson—dad, husband, adventurer, and creator of the Mountain & Prairie podcast. Ed’s favorite things are: 1. Liner notes from Jimmy Buffett’s 1990s albums 2. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund MorrisPublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon 3. The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer 4. Tribe by Sebastian Junger Publisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon 5. Road House (the original) Other things we mentioned: * Jack Johnson’s cover of Jimmy Buffet’s A Pirate Looks at Forty * The Rewatchables Road House episode Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min

  8. 11/06/2025

    My Favorite Things Episode 2: Hilary Oliver

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 2 is Hilary Oliver, a writer and editor (who I happen to be married to). Hilary’s favorite things are: 1. Paul Simon, Graceland (album) YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify 2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Publisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon 3. Daft Punk, Alive (album) YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify 4. Mark Rothko, Untitled (1968) 5. 20th Century Women Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    45 min

  9. 10/22/2025

    My Favorite Things Episode 1: Bodie Johnson

    For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 1 is Bodie Johnson. Bodie’s favorite things are: 1. Paul Simon, Graceland (album) YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify 2. Alone In The Wilderness 3. [A photo of Bodie and his future wife, Sarah] 4a. Shakey Graves “Only Son”YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify 4b. Calvin & Hobbes “I’m Significant” 5. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque Publisher’s page | Amazon | Bookshop Get full access to Semi-Rad at semirad.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min
  • 9 Episodes

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Brendan Leonard interviews people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. semirad.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Brendan Leonard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brendan Leonard
  • Show Website
    My Favorite Things

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