52 episodes
Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle Shira & Arielle
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- Comedy
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3.6 • 226 Ratings
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Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle is your new favorite coronavirus/COVID-19 distraction podcast. Join this duo as they embark on a quest to bring the world counter programming of all kinds. They'll focus on countertops (namely, they're doing a series on marble, granite, and quartz), time counters, calorie counters, counters of other kinds... Each episode will be a mix of comedy and fun facts that no one knew they ever needed. Shira and Arielle have been friends for 5 years. They met in Jackson, Mississippi during their first job post-college at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (yes, there are Jews in Mississippi). They lived 4 doors from one another. Now that they're on opposite sides of the country and experiencing intense anxiety due to the constant barrage of bad news surrounding coronavirus, they decided they needed a distraction. This distraction comes in the form of a podcast. Shira and Arielle are bringing you... Counter Programming. Tune in for stories, useless (read v. important) facts, and so much more. Episodes will be released weekly and will be available wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on Instagram: @counterprogrammingpodFollow Shira on Twitter: @shishimoskFollow Arielle on Twitter: @ariellethisandthatYou can email us at counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
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We're Back! Counter Programming on Between Two Mics with SquadCast
Hello Counties! It's been a minute but we're back with a feed drop!
We were recently interviewed by the co-founders of SquadCast.fm, Zach Moreno and Rock Felder, on their podcast, Between Two Mics: The Remote Recording Podcast.
They asked us to join them because when we wrapped season 2 of our podcast, Arielle posted this epic tweet thread about podcast marketing. In it, Arielle writes about how in just 14 months, with no network backing, no ad budget, and a niche topic, we were able to reach 100,000 downloads for the podcast. In this interview, we explain how we did it. We also discuss how Counter Programming came to be, we talk about our friendship, and lots more.
We hope you enjoy it.
We've missed ya, Counties!
Sneak peek of what we discuss:
Clear and concise messaging AKA over-communicationStrategic promo & social swapsPitching AND catchingSporadic guestingIn-app placementThis episode is longer than usual but it's worth it!
Extras
Helen O'Hara's Women Vs. Hollywood PodcastArielle's epic twitter threadSubmit your podcast pre-roll ad Caio Slikta's InstagramDaniel's websiteTry out SquadCast’s remote video and audio platform for 7 days freeSquadCast’s YouTube channel
Thanks, as always to Daniel Tureck and Caio Slikta! Follow us on Instagram! -
The Show May Be Over, but the Counting Continues...
Well Counties, the time has finally come for us to bid adieu. Today we say goodbye to Counter Programming with Shira and Arielle. This little podcast has been a distraction for us during a crazy year, and we hope it's been that for you as well. We promised we'd continue Counter Programming until we were all vaccinated...and somehow that day is finally here.
So now for some thank yous...
Thank you, Counties, for tuning in each week to join us on this counter topics journey.
Thank you to Daniel Tureck who has worked his sound magic on each episode. He is truly the best in the biz and we feel so lucky to work with him.
Thank you to our Season 2 guests:
Bethany Berger Eric Johnson (founder of Bumblecast.fm) Jess GoodmanEvery Day is a Food Day PodCounty Cousin Remy Thank you to Caio Slikta, who designed our logos for both seasons.
Thank you to Jason Shaw, for our theme music that we can't stop dancing to, Tennessee Hayride.
Want to keep in touch? Wed do!
Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod
Remember, the pandemic isn't actually over yet so stay safe and follow CDC guidelines! And of course, keep on counting.
From our countertops to yours,
Shira & Arielle -
Jewish Counters (AKA Bnei Mitzvahs and Counting the Omer) with Remy
Welcome to the penultimate episode of Counter Programming season 2. In this episode, we speak with Shira's cousin and recent bat mitzvah girl, Remy.
We get into all things Jewish "counter," including: why bnei mitzvahs take place at age 13, the counting of the omer, and more. We also discuss what it was like to have a bat mitzvah at the height of the pandemic.
Credit:
Daniel Tureck - sound
Caio Slikta - logo
Jason Shaw - Tennessee Hayride (theme music)
Sponsors:
Podcorn
Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod -
Sophie Countess of Wessex
This week, it's all about Sophie Countess of Wessex, AKA the wife of the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth. Why is she a countess and not an earl, like her husband, Prince Edward Earl of Wessex?
We've got you. Tune in to explore the British peerage system!
Credit:
Daniel Tureck - sound
Caio Slikta - logo
Jason Shaw - Tennessee Hayride (theme music)
Sponsors:
The Best Advice Show
Podcorn
Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod -
What the Heck is a Viscount? à la Bridgerton & Regé-Jean Page
Today we're diving into the question that was on everyone's mind after watching Bridgerton...What the heck is a Viscount?
The good news for us here at Counter Programming is that Bridgerton was recently back in the news. Unfortunately for everyone else, the news was that Regé-Jean Page will not be in the upcoming season (even though Shonda Rhimes said this was planned from the start).
In order to fully understand what a viscount is, we explore the British Peerage system which is pretty confusing.
Credit:
Daniel Tureck - sound
Caio Slikta - logo
Jason Shaw - Tennessee Hayride (theme music)
Sponsors:
The Best Advice Show
Podcorn
Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod -
County Fairs w/ Everyday Is a Food Day Podcast
This week we're heading down to the County Fair with our friends from Every Day is a Food Day. During this special crossover episode, we discuss the history of county fairs and we explore the food you can enjoy at 'em.
After you listen, you'll be craving fried Oreos, Chicken Charlie's, and a Petro. Checkout this list for ways to recreate your favorite fried fair food finds at home.
Be sure to subscribe to "Every Day is a Food Day," a podcast that explores the stories, scandals, holidays and heroes behind your favorite foods, hosted by Anna Van Valin and Lia Ballentine. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts and follow them on Instagram at @FoodDayPod.
Credits:
Daniel Tureck - sound
Caio Slikta - logo
Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod
Customer Reviews
Count your lucky stars
These gals really pack a punch with their counter topics, comedic cacophony, and the best theme song ever. WE LOVE TENNESSEE HAYRIDE!
Love this show
Not just because it’s my daughter
The epitome of quarantine creativity
Counter programming is the podcast epitome of artistic creation during the monotony of quarantine. The entrepreneurial spirit is certainly found within these hosts. Certain mediums struggle to find content which will engage people, and throughout the year, hosts Arielle and Shira have found joy in shining light on a previously under-scrutinized part of every day life. We all have countertops. In one way or another, people come across them on an almost daily basis. Their podcast, Counter Programming, examines the world of countertop design, designers, with details about each selections history (and possible future?). Most entertainment television shows are filmed far in advance from when they are aired; Movies more obvious to this point. But podcasting can be done with cursory research and planning.
That is not to say that all podcasts do not take great care in planning their content. One would only have to look at the astonishing work of Dan Carlin with Hardcore History. But what of the productions which throw caution to the wind and simply know the topic which they would like to discus? Joe Rogan exemplifies this point. The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) typically has a guest on to sit down and merely chat with the show’s host. Although the JRE may have a specific topic in mind, and the host graciously knows about their guest, Joe Rogan typically allows the typic to be discovered by the listener through a conversation with the guest.
Counter Programming has a slight hybrid approach to their own production. While it’s clear a more than modest amount of research has been done, the hosts often make new discoveries as the topic is presented to the listeners. There are moments of conversation which will direct one host to do a quick google search, or to swiftly skim Wikipedia. The hosts learn along with the audience. This type of model shows a well structured yet fluid form of presentation, which allows free flowing conversation to remain informative. As the podcast series continues, the hosts expand the definition of their initial content expectations.
People needed to adapt and deal with quarantine creatively, and media reacted to the people’s adaptations. The long standing question of whether or not art mirrors society, or shapes it is emboldened by this podcast. Quarantine lead two creative individuals to produce a show dedicated to the mundane and lead them down a path of harmonious paragons. The series eventually moves into reviewing and discussing topics related to the root of their story, “counter.” At the time of this writing, their latest episode is dedicated to the “Counter Protests”. Defining it, expounding the idea, and comparing modern examples to history.
Many people have tried to find creative ways to spend their time during the mass quarantine of 2020. The abundance of artistic expressions and aspirations has lead many entrepreneurs to find niche audiences previously underserved. Podcasting is versatile, with hardly any limits for possible listeners. Building a show so dedicated to a niche concept which holds the attention of a listener who otherwise would continue living in naïveté of an everyday asset, is the epitome quarantine creativity. This, almost sub-genre or art we have become accustomed to, will be fondly remembered by those who went through this experience in 2020. For me, this podcast will be the epitome of this sub-genre, for its unexpected arrival of an unlikely topic during a time of stress and upheaval in the modern world. I encourage everyone to listen to the full series, and to find a way to showcase your own creativity through whatever means you have available.