The Zoo

Sophie Nikitas
  • 4.9 (20)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Swipe right for first hand accounts of online dating -- cringeworthy, strange, and completely delightful.

Episodes

  1. Introducing: Out Cold

    01/04/2024

    Introducing: Out Cold

    It's been a while! I'm back with a new project: Out Cold, a spooky anthology series. Here's an episode for you to get a taste of the series. You can listen to the rest of the series here: Apple Podcasts Spotify More about this episode of "Out Cold": Zoe enters the downtown Minneapolis skyway and discovers a bizarre lunch hour culture. Out Cold is a spooky anthology series created and produced by Sophie Nikitas and Julie Censullo. "The Lunch Rush" was written, directed, and mixed by Sophie Nikitas. This episode stars Diana Chao, Kristin Dare, Sophie Nikitas, Robert Sager, Anna Van Sice, and Eric Weathers. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers and Julie Censullo. Music by Randy Dever, Anna Van Sice, and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional audio from freesound.org and Splice.com. Series art by James Napoli. Special thanks to Miguel Vargas, Nora Doherty, Ella Kampleman, Gwen Jenkins, Jonathan Kramer, Katie Thornton, Soft Cult Studio, and The Coven coworking space. This show was recorded at the studios of KFAI Fresh Air Community Radio in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as in the closets, bedrooms, and home offices of the cast. More episodes coming soon, so make sure you're subscribed to Out Cold wherever you are listening to this episode.

    16 min
  2. First Contact

    04/27/2017

    First Contact

    Talking to strangers is tough. It's even tougher when you have a stutter. Listen to Chase's story in the final episode of the miniseries. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Edited by Rob McGinley Myers and Britta Greene. Music by SRVTR, Monplaisir, johnny_ripper, and Maya Weisinger. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Jennene.

    15 min
  3. S.O.S.

    03/15/2017

    S.O.S.

    A new couple boards a boat in Florida headed for Cuba. Once they've sailed, they find out that they have no navigational system, working motor, or captain. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Edited by Britta Greene. Music courtesy of High Plains Thunder, Chico Trujillo, Scott Holmes, Monplaisir, Randy Dever, Kosta T, and Minor Moon. Special thanks to the Free Music Archive and freesound.org. They are great resources if you're a podcaster without many (or any) funds.

    12 min
  4. Shattered Sense of Trust

    02/21/2017

    Shattered Sense of Trust

    A woman struggles with dating after sexual assault. Please note: this episode contains frank discussions of sexual violence. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Edited by Nancy Rosenbaum. Music by: SRVTR johnny_ripper Andy G. Cohen Doctor Turtle Monplaisir Randy Dever

    12 min
  5. Different Conventions

    01/31/2017

    Different Conventions

    It's never too late to try online dating. This episode, we hear from Mary, who made her first profile at age 71. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Editing help from Britta Greene, Natalie Jablonski and Nancy Rosenbaum. Music from Fragile Tom, Scott Holmes, johnny_ripper, Doge Lounge, Alan Singley, Tri-Tachyon, and Maya Weisinger. Special thanks for the Free Music Archive.

    11 min
  6. The Hard Fade

    01/11/2017

    The Hard Fade

    A young woman deals with a breakup the only way she knows how—like a journalist. This story was reported by Ellen Mayer, and produced by Sophie Nikitas, with editing help from Nancy Rosenbaum. Music from Maya Weisinger, Randy Dever, and Doge Lounge. Additional music—Bengale, Alan Singley, and johnny_ripper—from the Free Music Archive.

    16 min
  7. Message Me If You're Not A Predator

    12/02/2016

    Message Me If You're Not A Predator

    A musician makes OK Cupid an integral part of her post-grad life. But her drive to find "nameless, faceless men" leads her to a surprising end. Music composed by Maya Weisinger. You can listen to Maya and Matty's music at facebook.com/avalonmoonmusic/

    11 min
  8. God Loves Lesbians

    10/19/2016

    God Loves Lesbians

    Two people grow up in conservative Christian households on opposite sides of the country. They both use online dating to find gay relationships. While one of them knows what he wants, the other one isn't so sure. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Editing by Rob McGinley Myers and Britta Greene. Music courtesy of Free Music Archive. "Puzzles" by Fragile Tom "Jetaimemonamourlavieestbelle" by Bengale "back to the start," "vhs," "cloudgazer," and "a void" by johnny_ripper "tea tea tea" by chapelier fou "Distinguishing beams, Destination Spangles, The glint of cycles" by Project 5am

    15 min
  9. Average Joe White Guy

    10/05/2016

    Average Joe White Guy

    Black men are far less likely to get matches and responses on dating apps. So a college student in Indiana tries a different tactic on Tinder. Produced by Sophie Nikitas. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers and Britta Greene. Music by Project 5am, johnny_ripper, Bengale, Infecticide, Randy Dever, and Dlina Volny. To learn more, visit http://freemusicarchive.org/.

    7 min
  10. Shoot the S**t

    09/21/2016

    Shoot the S**t

    There are two sides to every online dating story. In the first episode of “The Zoo,” Sophie and Jesse share their different perspectives on the same date. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers, Britta Greene, and the Twin Cities Radio Club. Music: “A Dreary Loop” by Randy Dever “Recognize” by Waylon Thornton and the Heavy Hands “Electric Birds” by Scott Holmes “Kill Your Darlings” by Steve Combs “back to the start” by johnny_ripper “Happy Valentine’s Day” by Doge Lounge

    15 min
  11. The Zoo: Sneak Peek

    09/14/2016

    The Zoo: Sneak Peek

    Introducing the new podcast, "The Zoo." Dive into intimate accounts of what it means to date online. Each episode features stories from some of the people behind the profiles. Created and produced by Sophie Nikitas. Editing help from Rob McGinley Myers and Britta Greene. Music: "Puzzles" by Fragile Tom. Visit http://freemusicarchive.org/ to learn more.

    2 min
  • 11 Episodes

4.9
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Swipe right for first hand accounts of online dating -- cringeworthy, strange, and completely delightful.

Information

  • Creator
    Sophie Nikitas
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Zoo