Good Things by Amy Pearl

The first time I heard one of Amy Pearl’s Good Things, it was sandwiched in a morning of news featuring politics, pandemics, and climate change. I’m pretty sure it was the Dog for a Day episode, and I nearly adopted a dog that afternoon. Most striking is the sheer delight of these pieces. Each has a sense of adventure as we’re invited to relish in the small joys of a big city. They are rich in ambiance and offer a window into a unique period during the pandemic, a time when many people spoke about the death of New York City. Though short, each of these works is mighty, and each reflects the expertise that Pearl brings to the craft. For nearly 30 years Amy Pearl’s work appeared all over WNYC’s airwaves and podcasts. Her credits include the beloved 10 Things That Scare Me and basically every major show at WNYC: The Brian Lehrer Show, Radiolab, On The Media, Soundcheck, and Studio 360. And you can hear the editorial precision of her news training in Good Things. Just the good, ma’am. Indeed, as overly-written shows have proliferated at the hands of cash-strapped studios, Pearl’s work gives us something we desperately need: TAPE. She takes listeners out into the world. She quietly and powerfully delivers the sound of New York. For the record, I’m aware of how many of these are about dogs. But is any Thing more Good than a good dog? Also, a little listening tip: sprinkle these throughout your day or week, listening all at once may cause a toothache.