the memory palace

Radiotopia

4.8 (6.9K)
History
Updated Biweekly

the memory palace

Jul 2

Rush, Hall, Bartlett, and Thornton

This is a special episode commissioned by Aspen Ideas: Health and originally performed at the 2026 festival in Aspen, Colorado. Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music The Barr Brothers play Static Orphans Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jun 12

A White Horse

This episode was originally released in 2016 in the days after the shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. It is re-released every year on the anniversary of the incident. Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Jun 10

Episode 245: The Self-Believer, or Hasting by Musket and Sextant

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music The Barr Brothers play Static Orphans Resavoir plays Facets We hear Le mort de l'enfant from Hikaru Hayashi's score to The Naked Island. South Seas by David Pike Trust in Me from Sould Flutes Flowering Jasmine from Gidon Kremer Tesko Mi Je Zabrovit Tebe from Branko Mataja. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 23

Episode 244: Pathways

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music Two (Duvet and Correspondences) from Laurie Torres' gorgeous album, Après coup.Notes I implore you to get lost in the interactive map at livingnewdeal.org. And then go out in the woods. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
May 1

Episode 243: The Brothers Switzer

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music The Skydiver from the great Lalo Schiffrin's score to the quite poor, The Mask of Sheba. Charlie Megira plays The Girl Who was Frightened of Ashtrays Ellen's Image from the great Lalo Schiffrin's score to the quite excellent, The Fox. What if... from Keegan Dewitt's score to the quite charming, Heart Beats Loud. Notes There was a very good article in Cabinet Magazine by Christopher Turner about the Switzer Brothers that includes excerpts from an unpublished autobiography from Bob. I also really enjoyed this one from Liz Stinson about the science and art of Day Glo. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Apr 10

A Story and a Song (A Memory Palace/Song Exploder Crossover Event)

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. You can hear Rollercoaster and more of Hrishi's music at Hrishikesh.co. Pre-order his new album wherever you do that sort of thing! Music Halcyon and Photosynteses and Embryo by H. Takehashi Intro by Library Tapes The Florist Wears Knee Breeches by M. Sage Notes I found Andrew Isenberg's book, The Destruction of the Bison, An Environmental History, completely fascinating. If you want to do a deep dive on Madison Grant, I'd recommend Defending the Master Race: Conservation, Eugenics, and the Legacy of Madison Grant by John Peter Spiro. If you want to do a deep dive on the Catalina Buffalo, this site is a fun place to start. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 22

Episode 242: The Handwriter

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. Music Drywall from Johann Johannson's score to Sicario. Castle Song by Green-House Tea by Resevoir La Valse du Progres by Delphine Dora Arrival by Domenique Dumont Sarah in Bath from Kryzystof Komeda's score to Fearless Vampire Killers Thread of Light by Golden Retriever In Some Spirit World by Geotic Notes This one was pulled together with tiny threads of information, much provided by the NCRA's website itself. You can find links to three fascinating (really!) studies on the brains of transcribers here, here, & here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Mar 7

Episode 122: Hercules

Order The Memory Palace book now, dear listener. On Bookshop.org, on Amazon.com, on Barnes & Noble, or directly from Random House. Or order the audiobook at places like Libro.fm. The Memory Palace is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Radiotopia is a collective of independently owned and operated podcasts that’s a part of PRX, a not-for-profit public media company. If you’d like to directly support this show, you can make a donation at Radiotopia.fm/donate. This episode originally dropped in 2018. We start with Facing the Obstacles, from Robert Simonson's score to The Final Member. Nice Breeze Isn't It? by Simon Rackham The Things Left Unsaid, by Caleb Burhans. View from a Balcony by Isorinne. 1979 by Deru. The Julianna Barwick remix of This Will Destroy You's The Puritan. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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4.5 (984)

History

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Nate DiMeo

Host

4.8

out of 5

6,852 Ratings

Thrilled to have found this!

Jul 9

waldofmama

I’m a new fan. I’ve just listened to the episode about the four physicians who signed the Declaration of Independence, which was delightful as I recently learned that I am a descendant of Matthew Thornton. What synchronicity! Thank you for your insights.
Enjoyable story, lovely song

Apr 11

TJ b4

A Story and a Song - this was an enjoyable episode to begin with. Updating it with such a lovely song was a wonderful idea. It invoked wonder memories of Catalina. (I listened to the song several times.)
Mixed feelings now about this show

Jun 13

Kb24ever

I just wanna say first this is a great show. Yes it’s a little on the short side for some of the stories, which deserve a longer expounding. And Nate’s voice is and cadence sis wonderful and soothing. However, one thing that’s turning me off from it right now is seeing the repeat (again) of the “White Horse” episode. This is the one about a gay bar in early twentieth c. Oakland that was bothered a lot by straight people and cops if memory serves. I’ve been listening to thus show for about 6 or 7 years, and I’ve noticed Nate repeat plays this particularly episode once per year. This in addition to his advocacy of gay and trans rights above all else is really turning me off and I’m no longe thing to listen. Not because I’m straight myself or I have a problem with gays or trans or bisexual. But I have a problem with is the agenda, pushing obsession with gender and sexual orientation to the point now of attempts to place higher value over of these people over other. Just for these aspects of them as if being gay or trans itself is somehow some kind of accomplishment and tremendous contribution without anything else by or through the person. No one gives me an award for being straight or anyone else. So I’m sorry for whatever mistreatment these people have gotten, but this is quite enough. No one is better or worse or more valuable or less for any sort of ego trait whether it be sexual orientation, gender identity, class, religious preference, nationality etc. get over it move beyond the first three chakras a family/tribe, sexuality and ego or identity. I suggest to Nate and anyone else murder in this propaganda and brainwashing to the heart/empathy and/or unity consciousness, which transcends looking at everyone purely through duality, polarity, and their ego-identifications and basic personality structures.
Dude, please…

Jun 12

Ellipsis King…

I know you’ll take this as a red badge of courage, Nate, but your view of the world just gets exhausting. As someone who considers himself slighting right-leaning centralist I can handle a ‘bent’ both directions. But your constant focus on bashing the right and your general wokeness has made you completely un-listen-to-able. As a long time listener who’s just fed up I’m out. I hope you can get some therapy or cry it out or something because it’s just ruined your podcast.